Vacation Ripp-Off and Scam I was called by a telemarketer in Feb '08 offering a vacation package that got bigger the more I hesitated to say yes.
The woman (Linda) claimed it was worth over $US 2,000 and this was for four people and that it was 700. I was saying no when they said they could reduce it to $US600 and I had 30 days to cancel So I accepted t heir offer.
Then I spoke to Crystal Jones who said she can be reached at 800-684-2058 and that she was to confirm the sale.
The package arrived but with tin the 30 days I called to say that I was cancelling due to the high cost to get to FL from Canada. They then asked me to speak with a Customer Service lady, her name was Brittany Lipp. Her telephone was 800-583-0673. She said that the company was very interested that I was not dissatisfied with the package and that she was authorized to reduce the cost to $300. If I accepted that then they would add some more to the package like a weekend for four and some Dining Money called DD.
She sent me an EM 11th March 08 to confirm what she offered and so I accepted. On 18th March I spoke with another rep Casey Johnson at 800-6854-2064 Ext 213 who said that Brittany had left to have a baby. He then sent me a EM that same day confirming that I had 36 months to choose and that the $300 was to be rebated in 10-14 days and that he would mail 3/2 mini vacation and 2 DD Certificates, all for 4 travelers.
So I waited and then started to call back and finally got hold of Mike Acosta (apparently the manager of Customer Service) who told me they were processing the money to send it. Over the next few months I called 31 times and had only 2 calls back from them. Often I had to leave voice mail or I got put on hold by their receptionist Susan for up to 30 minutes before I hung up.
Mike Acosta told me he had been there 17 years and did not know the owners nor had ever seen them. Later in the year he said that the owners were in deep financial problems due to them passing a lot of the money paid (like my payment) to a processing company who was now refusing to pay out any money. He also told me that the financial problem happened a few weeks after I had agreed to the booking. Also that they had reduced the accounting department from many people and that there was only one lady there now doing all the work.
On one call I spo0kle to Richelle and she told me that the owner was Michael Johnson but he was away for a week. Later when Ii called I was told that there was not such person as Michael Johnson.
On July 11th 08 I filed a complaint to the BBB in Port Richey and after their trying we got an EM from Janice F. At the vacation company. But every time I tried to call, that person she was never there.
The BB in New Port Richey finally gave up trying.
I called so many times that Acosta began to know my voice and was always ready with another excuse for no payment being forwarded to me.
Peter
Nepean, Ontario
Canada
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