My wifeand I responded to an unsolicited notification by mail that, on itsface, appeared to come from US Airlines stating that we hadbeen selected to receive two free US Air airline tickets. All we hadto do was come to a location in Charleston to pick up those tickets, produce two forms of identification, and listen to a shortundisclosed presentation. We were also asked if each of us was underthe age of 75, since 75 year of age was the cut off for eligibility.
When wearrived to claim our reward on April 11, we were asked to show amajor credit card and our drivers licences. We had not been previouslyadvised that a credit card was necessary. After we located andshowed a credit card, we were brought to a large room where an hourlong presentation was made to us and to about 10 other people. Wehad assumed that the presentation would relate to US Air and programsof that company; however, the program was a sales pitch by RobertWinkelman for a vacation program involving stays in condominiumsfor increments of one week or morein retrospect, a classic baitand switch manoever. The cost of the program was represented to bein excess of $7000. However, we were told that if we made a decisionduring the one hour period of the presentation, the price would beonly $2995. During the closing period, the price was reducedto $2495 if a decision was made in the closing five minutes. We weretold that free US Air tickets would be explained only afterour decision on the condo program was made.
Toboost the credability of Vacationstation, the presenter stated that, because the City of Charleston is a major tourist destination, theMayor of Charleston and the Charleston tourism department were veryvigilent in protecting the good name of the city and the touristservices offered there. The mayor would not tolerate firms employingquestionable tactics.By direct implication, these officials wouldhave had to endorse the vendor's program since the vendor hadoperated openly in the city. This was an initial source of comfortbut probably, on investigation, no such endorsement will be borneout.
Underpressure to make a quick decision, our initial reaction was to signup for the program. Our credit card was imprinted, after which acompany representative marked up some printed documents including aPurchase Agreement, an Addendum. And an Acknowledgment. We did notget the promised US Air tickets.
Onleaving the site and on quiet reflection, we realized that thebenefits outlined in the oral presentation were too good to be true -as in a Bernie Madoff situation.in fact, a review of the Agreementdisclosed that its terms obligated the company to do NOTHING, but, rather, only attempted to provide the company with defenses to fraudclaims suggesting that the real purpose of the transaction wasfraud. The documents specifically provide that any representationsnot in the written contract would not be upheld by thecompanyeg the hour long condo presentation by Winkelman.
Theseconsiderations, and the fact that I turned 75 last month, made usrealize that we had no alternative but to cancel our involvement. Wedid so on Monday morning, April 12, requesting that our membershipbe cancelled and that our credit card not be charged. The companyacknowledged receept of this request on April 12. Our request thatthe credit card charge not be put through was not honored; Thecompany refused to participate in the dispute process and our creditcard was finally charged for $2495. On June 10.
OnApril 15, we received a secondAward Notification by mail bearing the same US Air logo andagain offering two free airline tickets.
This aroused ourcuriosity and we emailed US Air asking whether it was responsible forthe Award Offers. OnApril 18, we received an email from US Airways stating thethe mailings offering free airline travel were unauthorized by US Airand that US Air and the US Postal Inspectors were investigating thematter.
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