- summary: got scammed by them, discovered early, and got my full refund (pending VISA verification); here's how
The company was at a recent motor show in my city and they had a booth with prize draws. I filled some basic info and entered to "win" what they claimed to be a cruise vacation for four to the Bahamas.
Three days later I got a phonecall from their sales office in Toronto saying that I"m the lucky few who won. They went on and on (with a tone that, in retrospect, is really pushy) about how wonderful this trip is, all the details of each day has been planned and paid for, the cruise trip to the Bahamas with pool and casino and free food, free rental car, free hotel, free bonus excursions, etc etc... It goes on for about 20 minutes. And they somehow convinced me that this trip is normally $3500, and now because I've won, I get to go for $400 with a 2 person minimum ($800 total). I was skeptical, so I asked how I can verify that their offer is true. The lady (Dorothy Gorcagowski) forwarded me to her supervisor, Frank, and he told me a lot of information which in the end did not give me any solid evidence of their offer being true.
I have to admit, though, that they are good at talking you around your real questions. So, in the end I somehow agreed to give out my VISA# and they charged the $800 to my account.
I immediately did a search for it and found a few thousand entries on this site alone on them!!! If you do some more reading you'll learn about all their details, which I guess is all legal — because they are indeed selling you a vacation for $800. It's just that they claim it to be a luxurious excursion, whereas some might regard it as "cheapest possible getaway in florida". Your call on that.
Anyways, so if you got signed up with them, here's how I got my full refund before it was too late.
The next day I sent them a solid tone email saying clearly I want a full refund. The response is to "write them a paper letter" to assist me better. I decided to call customer service several times, all of which got holds and holds and transfers and transfers... It was tough trying to talk to someone who "is able to help you". Be persistent, don't lose your temper, but keep the pressure on. Eventually I got to speak to the "right person", who really is good at talking back at you. All you have to say is that you "demand a full refund by Florida consumer law", persistently, clearly, NOW. Florida law allows full refunds for 30 days within date of purchase, so hopefully you discovered early like I have. If not... There might be another complaint on this site that will help.
I then got a full refund on my Visa, and a cancellation number. I have yet to confirm if the money went back in yet or not (they said 7 to 10 business days... Of course, what do you expect). But it sounds like I got it back.
In the end, they are not illegal and are just trying to maximize their business for their old cruise ship. I just don't agree with their marketing methods, which is why I wanted to write this complaint.
I hope you've benefited from this.
Kwan
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
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