Deceptive Sales Tactics: GET YOUR MONEY BACK—I DID!!!
I recently got my downpayment back from Ramada Plaza Resort (RPR) and I would like to share with everyone how I did it. Be proactive, and you can get your money back as well.
First and foremost, I am NOT bashing RPR in this posting: I did NOT see or use their facilities firsthand. Furthermore, I am NOT trying to discredit those people who support RPR and claim that this company did not scam them. The overwhelming negative publicity about RPR online prompted me to seek a refund. The advice I have to give is directed to anyone who has made a downpayment, is scared off by the negative publicity, and wishes to get their downpayment back.
I have attached the letter I sent to RPR c/o Daniel Lambert, owner, as well as several website addresses of interest. I sent his letter by registered mail so he or his representative could not claim that it was not received. I sent out several other letters by regular post. I made online complaints to several agencies in Florida, namely the Better Business Bureau serving Southeast Florida, the Office of the Attorney General for the State of Florida, and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Division of Consumer Affairs. TAKE THE TIME TO MAKE THESE COMPLAINTS—these agencies, especially the BBB, took my complaint VERY SERIOUSLY. The BBB and the Dept. Of Agriculture and C.S. Forwarded my complaints to RPR and my money was returned promptly (< 1 week).
Please bear in mind that I am not an attorney, nor did I consult an attorney in this matter (contrary to what my letter says). I researched the 2006 Florida Statutes and made my case in my letter. The complaints I make in the letter ARE LEGITIMATE—they are NOT fabrications.
I hope my letter and the following websites are of use to anyone else who is in the position I was a few weeks ago. Many thanks to Denise of Grove, Texas as her letter served as a template for mine (see her posting on consumer complaints about Ramada Plaza Resorts), to consumer complaints, and to the BBB of Southeast Florida.
Address
November 22
Daniel Lambert
Ramada Plaza Resorts
2419 E. Commercial Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
Re: full refund of downpayment due to violation of the 2006 florida stautes and florida's deceptive and unfair trade practices act
Dear Mr. Lambert:
Please refund the deposit of $698.00 USD for the vacation package I purchased from Ramada Plaza Resorts based on false and misleading advertising and statements. My package information is as follows:
Account Confirmation Number: XXXXXXXXX
Package: XCC
Reservation: EN061604-010XC
Issue Date: XX/XX/04
Down Payment: $698.00 USD on XX/XX (VISA) via
telephone
This letter is a formal demand letter for full refund of the above funds and is being written on the advice of my attorney. My attorney has been in contact with the Office of the Attorney General, Mr. Charlie Crist, regarding case #L05-3-1053 filed against National Travel Services, Inc., and Plaza Resorts, Inc., d/b/a / Ramada Plaza Resorts. Ramada Plaza Resorts has wilfully and knowingly violated Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act by engaging in unfair methods of competition, unfair, unconscionable and deceptive trade practices, including, but not limited to, travel scams, and false or misleading advertising. Violations of The 2006 Florida Statutes, Chapter 559, Part XI, Section 559.9335 (3) have occurred, namely: (1) stating I would be granted a $500 gasoline credit over the phone in contrast to your contract that states a $100 allotment for gasoline; and (2) stating that there would be no further fees and/or taxes over the phone in contrast to an impending re-entry tax into the USA from Nassau, Bahamas. Furthermore, you are in violation of Section 559.9335 (6) of the aforementioned Chapter and Part by requesting payment be made by credit card over the phone. These violations render the contract void and unenforceable according to the terms of The 2006 Florida Statutes, Chapter 559, Part XI, Section 559.936 (4).
Your company has engaged in deceptive and misrepresentative sales tactics that are in violation of The 2006 Florida Statutes, Chapter 559, Part XI, Section 559.9335 (10c). I purchased this package after being promised a Spectacular Florida/Tropical Caribbean Cruise vacation package in return for my completion of a one-page survey evaluating the hotel and cruise accommodations at the conclusion of the vacation. The names Ramada, Carnival and Universal Orlando led me to believe this would be a quality vacation. I have since learned that my deluxe award-winning accommodations include two sub-standard hotels and a very old, poorly kept ship. According to former Florida Attorney General, Mr. Robert Butterworth, In some instances, the Bahamas cruise amounted to a one-day ferry ride and a game of bingo." The Internet is full of dissatisfied customers and governmental warnings and litigation. Upon searching the web for things to do in Fort Lauderdale, I found an incredible amount of negative publicity. When I searched for further information about your facilities, I was surprised and concerned to have complaint websites be the first hits produced by Google instead of your actual company website. Numerous other websites indicate your company's poor standing with Better Business Bureaus.
Ramada Plaza Resorts OFV/IM, LLC is in violation U.S. Postal Service Mail Fraud Laws since you chose to send your false and misleading advertising and propaganda via U.S.international Mail.
Complaints against Ramada Plaza Resorts, Steve Lane, CORP. ID 9654, Registered Agent, Robert Tantalo, Manager, Daniel Lambert, OWNER, and James H. Verrillo, OWNER, have been filed with the following agencies:
The Office of the Attorney General for the State of
Florida
The Better Business Bureau serving Southeast Florida
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services - Division of Consumer Services
Phone Busters, affiliated with the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Competition Bureau of
Canada
Evidence of these complaints haven been retained and secured, and will be made available to the aforementioned authorities.
If a full refund is not received within 15 days of receipt of this letter, I am prepared to begin legal proceedings that include a class action lawsuit in the Province of Ontario.
Since you, your co-conspirators, and your company are no strangers to litigation, you know all too well that it will be worth your effort to see that my refund is sent to me promptly. I have no intention of going away or letting this end until I have been fully justified. I may be reached via U.S.international Mail ONLY. All correspondence must be in writing. Telephone calls will not be accepted!
Mail the refund by certified cheque to the address at the beginning of this letter.
Sincerely,
Brian xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: 1) Steve Lane 2419 E. Commercial Blvd., Suite 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33308
2) Robert Tantalo 2419 E. Commercial Blvd., Suite 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33308
3) James H. Verrillo 2419 E. Commercial Blvd., Suite 100 Fort Lauderdale FL 33308
4) Office of Attorney General Charlie Crist, State of Florida, The Capitol PL-01 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050
5) The Better Business BureauServing Southeast Florida and the Caribbean, 2924 North Australian Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33407
6) Charles H. Bronson, Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Division of Consumer Services Apalachee Parkway, Rhodes Building, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-6500
7) Phone Busters (affiliated with the RCMP), P.O. Box 686, North Bay, ON P1B 8J8
Some helpful websites:
http://www.bbbsoutheastflorida.org
http://www.doacs. State. Fl.Us
http://myfloridalegal.com
http://www.flsenate. Gov/Statutes *LOOK AT CHAPTER 559*
I hope this information helps. If you wish to get a refund, take action!!! File complaints with these agencies!!! It took me about 1/2 hour to do so and they acted upon my complaints. Don't waste your time calling Ramada Plaza Resorts—I doubt anything will come from it. To the credit of RPR, they refunded my downpayment promptly and without stipulation.
Best of luck,
Brian - Burlington, Ontario
Brian
Burlington, Ontario
Canada
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