Earlier this week I received a phone call from a representative from Ramada Plaza Resorts offering me this great deal for hotel stays in Florida (and Las Vegas) for a special price of slightly over $300 US. I refused outright, telling her I didn't have the vacation time.
Today, I got another phone call from a Ramada Plaza Resorts rep. Named Sandy who offered a discounted deal ($238 US I think) for another, the details of which she sent in an e-mail (read below).in any case, after being told that I was only one of a few people receiving this special deal and also being reassured by the brand name "Ramada", I gave my credit card number and signed on for this special deal.
After I got off the phone I searched for "Ramada Plaza Resorts" on the internet and was shocked by what I found. I'd located some websites with some horrifying stories. Immediately, I phoned Ramada Plaza Resorts but nobody wanted to speak to me (especially Sandy — I was told she was busy — most likely on the telephone preying on another victim). Finally, I did get through to customer service and some guy assured me that I could cancel at any time after I received the package in the mail and would be fully refunded if I didn't like the terms outlined in the package or took the trip and wasn't satisfied with my experience. He said a 100% refund would be guaranteed in a letter from the president of the company.
Then I mentioned to this guy about the scam sites I'd found on the website and he was very calm when he insisted that they were a long time ago (implying a few disgruntled customers making waves).
When I hung up the phone this second time I did some additional research on the computer and located hundreds of websites on Ramada Plaza Resorts scams. Since "customer service" at Ramada was closed by this time, I immediately sent an e-mail (with others to follow) requesting that they cancel my package and reverse any charges on my Visa (they got authorization pretty fast, I discovered).
I have to say I am a Canadian citizen (from Newfoundland, where the benevolent people there were so generous and hospitable to Americans stranded after 9/11) and will from now on be very frightened of American companies (and maybe Americans too).indeed, if American companies can't be trusted, then the American economy itself is very vulnerable to a partial or full collapse (we're seeing that in the stock market right now).
Certainly, Canadians themselves are not averse to perpetrating scams but certainly not on a scale you see in the U.S. And not in such a shamelessly wicked way (and with such lack of penalty or restitution). I don't like thinking this way but I'm starting to believe that U.S. Society is a culture that molds its citizens into sociopathic personalities so that they will be have no qualms about achieving the American dream (i.E. Money, SUV) at any cost. I wonder how these people (including telemarketers like Sandy) can sleep at night. If they had a conscience they wouldn't be able to.
Anyway, I will await my reply from Ramada Plaza Resorts and will report whatever happens.
The following is a portion of the e-mail offer (attachment) I received from Sandy:
You are invited to enjoy this alternate vacation package for $119 per traveler for the first two travelers.
The 3rd and 4th travelers are free.
This package includes the following:
4 days and 3 nights of hotel accommodations in orlando florida (hotel such as the ramada plaza resort 1000th)
*bonus* 4 days and 3 nights of hotel accommodations in las vegas (hotels such as the imperial palace)
in addition, you will receive your choice of 2 / 2 day adult star passes to universal studios or an alamo rental car for 7 consecutive days with unlimited mileage
Your 3/2 complimentary vacation can be used in conjunction with this offer or seperately.
You will be responsible for a $19 per person processing fee for the first two travelers on your Florida vacation. Third and fourth travelers are free. Hotel incidentals, such as room service, phone calls, hotel tax and any tips or gratuities are your responsibility upon check out.in exchange for the savings you will receive on this vacation, all we ask is that you part of a morning or afternoon touring of one of our developers fine resorts.
Please review this material and call any of the above-mentioned numbers to verify this information.
Thanks again for choosing Ramada Plaza Resorts, Orlando/Ft. Lauderdale Vacations.
Joanne
Ottawa, Ontario
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