My brother originally bought this vacation and then offered to give it to me. Before I did any transferring of names, I looked through the promotional material that he had received. The dvd and pamphlets made it sound like a really great vacation for a really discounted price. It sounded like a great way to spend a vacation.
However, I then went online to do some research on the company. When I typed their name into google I got a Ramada website, a Ramada Plaza Resorts website, and a slew of sites about how this whole package is just a huge rip off. I called my brother's girlfriend and asked how they had heard about this vacation. Apparently they had received some kind of solicitation by mail and decided to purchase the vacation. I asked if they had done any research on the company and she said that they just assumed it was okay because it had the Ramada name.
I went to the official Ramada website and compared it to the Plaza resort's website, and was immediately suspicious. None of the affiliates listed on the Ramada site were listed on the Plaza website and there was no mention of the Wyndham Hotel Group through which all Ramadas are franchised. Also, the basic quality of the sites was significant. Ramada's site was well designed and professional looking, while the plaza's site looked like something that would be connected to a scam.
I found a customer service number from the Ramada site and called to ask if they were at all affiliated with Ramada Plaza Resorts. The rep there confirmed what I had already begun to suspect: Ramada Plaza Resorts is piggybacking off the Ramada name and is in no way affiliated with Ramada or the Wyndham Hotel Group.
After realizing this, I called the Better Business Bureau in Ft. Lauderdale. I asked them about the company and they strongly advised against doing business with them as they have over 1,000 claims with the bureau that have not been properly handled. They have an F rating with the bureau. You can check it out by going to www.BBB.org.
When I confirmed that this was a no-good, lousy company, I started to look through the cancellation policies.in the pamphlet that my brother received there was information stating that after signing a customer agreement, they would have three business days after the company received the signed agreement to cancel. That would mean that they would have to send out their agreement and then send out the cancellation form immediately afterwards in order to cancel and receive a full refund. I tried to call Ramada Plaza Resorts and asked if there was any way that they would refund the money if I transferred the vacation into my name and then cancelled. The said that was impossible. They also said that there was absolutely no way that my brother would be able to get his money back that he put forward on this trip. That's where I am right now.
I have no idea how to get him his money back at this point. I've done the research and now I'm stuck. I don't know how he purchased this trip, but if he purchased it through a credit card I know that he can dispute the charges. If anyone has any information on what procedures need to be taken to get this trip refunded, please respond and let me know. I need help with this rotten egg.
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