I entered a draw at a Rodeo and felt pretty lucky the next day when they called me (stupid stupid stupid).
I was quickly talked in to a week long vacation for 2:299 each. This isn't winning, this is buying a trip. But they convinced me that for only 598$ (plus 149 each for port fees) so 896. I was getting a trip worth 2500$.
It seemed like a legitimately good deal. I figured I could afford to take my mom and sister. But I wanted to check with them to see if they could go. When I told this to the guy on the phone, he said that I could not hang up or I would loose the prize. So I asked if I could back out, if when I talked to them, they said no. He said something sort of cryptic like "when you get your package you will see that there is a certain amount of time in which you can cancel."
This sounded like a yes to my question so I went ahead and booked. Like a moron, gave out my consent and my credit card info over the phone. Nothing in writing about being able to cancel obviously.
So I phoned the family. Sis had just done a Florida trip and hated it and mom wants to spend her time visiting family in Mexico.
I phone back to cancel. She tries to talk me into it for a long time sweetening the deal, I insist on canceling. She changes the story now and says that I can't. This kind of promotion is nonrefundable. I fight and eventually she offers to return 448$ to my credit card. She says the other 151$ is already spent. There is no way she can give it to me, but that is a good thing because it will hold my spot.
I finally give up, thankful for that much (still with exchange rate a stolen 220$). The credit comes into my account a few days later.
Then a few days later, I get mail from them saying that I should check my reservation online. I go to this page and see that it says I have paid 598$ deposit and that 298$ balance is owing. I have no idea where this came from. Maybe it is that port fee?
Anyway. They still think I owe them that full balance. They won't let me cancel or get a refund. They say I can sell it or transfer it.
I have called many times to ask for cancellation policies in writing, to get an address to cancel by mail etc. And I have been tricked, lied to, left on hold for hours, "disconnected" a few times, and given false addresses with one word or letter changed.
This company is very shady and the people that work there are crooks. I am not saying there is anything wrong with the vacation, but if you want the option to cancel or deal with trustworthy people, this company should be avoided.
Unicorn
North Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada
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