Mini Getaways made a threat here is my story. I received information about a vacation package that was for sale, from my cousin in New York, that she found in the newspaper. I was given the phone number. I called the phone number and the answering machine picked up and said something like you have reached the Smiths. We are unavalible at this time, if you are calling about the vacation package call the travel agency who is helping us resell our vacation and tell them you are calling about the Smith transfers. I called the travel agency. Mini Getways asked what state I was calling from. I asked them about the Smith transfers vacation package. They said hold on let me check. The person on the phone then said yes they had one package left and told me what it included. 5 days 4 nights in Orlando and 3 days 2 nights in Daytona Beach, for 4 people, for $249.00, and becasuse the Smith Family had purchased 6 packages, back in march they received a bonus vacation for 5 days 4 nights in Cancun. Wow what a deal I thought. I was told that I would still need to purchase airfaire to these destinations and that when I went to Orlando my family and I would need to got to a 90 minute presentation about a resort and when we finished we would get two admissions to any park. I was also told that Mini Getways could help me find airfaire when I booked my vacation. I needed to book atleast 45 days before the dates I choose and that I had up to a year to use the vacations. I told the person on the phone that this was to good to be true. She said unfortunetly their loss your gain. The Smith family had paid $750.00 for each of their packages. The person from Mini Getaways said that I would need to pay by check and that this was the last package and they were selling fast. She then said in the back ground to one of her fellow employees "No I am selling the last one right now." I told the person on the phone that I was concerned about giving out my checking information on the phone. The person on the phone said we will finalize this transaction with a recording of you and our accounts person and that you were only athorizing us to take $289 form your checking (there was a $49 transfer fee) I was also told that unless we gave out social security # then no other money could be taken out. The person on the phone then asked me if I was near a computer and to look up there website it was minigetways.Biz. I looked it up the web site it was there. I gave my checking information and talked with accounting and was recorded for the purchase and athorization of $289 to be taken out of my account. I was told they record because it in sures them to keep there license through Florida (something to that effect). I wasn't able to look up anything on the computer because I had to leave. I called and tryed to book the vacation with all of the information that was given to me, a conformation number and a phone number for booking. When I called this number to try to book I told the gentleman on the phone I would like to book my trip for May and I would like his help with trying to find an airline. I was told unless I had the dates, which I had already told him, he couldn't find me any flights because they change every moment. Ok, well I asked what hotel will I be staying at? I was told when you get down to Orlando you need to find transportation to the welcome center, then you will find out what hotel you are staying at, then you will have to find transportaion to that hotel. But for $300 more dollars I can book you to a specific resort which will include transportation for the entire time you are in Orlando, other wise if you stay at a hotel, which is a standard room, you will have to find your own transportation. Your room will include 2 double beds, a shower and a bible. The man on the phone then went to tell me all about the resort and all of the wounderful things that will be included blah blah blah. I declined. The next day I looked up information about Mini Getaways on google. The first thing that poped up was SCAM Mini Getaways and low and behold it was pretty much the same story from what I was told by the travel company, a story someone had posted from last year. I checked my checking account and nothing had been withdrawn yet. I cancelled or put a stop payment on the Mini Getways transaction. I then called the phone number that was given to me and left a message saying I am no longer allowing Mini Getaways to take any money from my checking account and that I was cancelling the deal. One week later, I was called by the accounting department from Mini Getaways. The person on the phone said she was calling to find out if they had my checking account information correct before she called there lawyers, sometimes they get the numbers wrong when the purchase is made. So before (again she said) I call the lawyers can I get your information again. I politly said that I put a stop payment on the Mini Getaways transaction and that I was cancelling the vacation package. The lady on the phone said very rudely "you will be hearing from our lawyers" and hung up the phone on me. A few days later I received the the paperwork and travel certificate. On it, it clearly states "You may cancel this contract without any penalty or obligation with in 30 days from the date of purchase or receipt of vacation certificate, whichever occurs later. You may also cancel this contract if accommodations or facitlities are not avalilable pursuant to a request for use as provided in the contract. If you decide to cancel, you must notify the seller in writing of your intent to cancel by returning the certificate and sending notice to seller... The threat of the companys lawyers hasn't scared me. It's the principle the rudeness and run around they gave me that makes me scared for the people who can't stop the purchase in time and loose there money.
Melissa
blue earth, Minnesota
U.S.A.
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