I had a very similar situation like many users where I had "won" a $2500 dream Florida vacation with a Bahamas cruise, after I entered a ballot at a local, legitimate, big name event. Even though I was skeptical throughout that initial call & even more so after I heard I had to pay a "small" fee of $299/person (which was never really clearly explained to me), I still stupidly went ahead & gave my CC number & had a verification person named Tomasina finish that call! I immediately realized what a dumb decision I made & called back in 5 mins to try and cancel.
That's when I was led on a merry chase lasting many hours of my time, which included everything from being put on hold for 20 minutes, to getting lovely upgrades & deeper discounts on this offer (I was being offered this plan for $99/person at one point!), rudeness, to making me feel stupid for signing up for this in the first place! But I held on tight & they finally resignedly gave me a cancellation number & told me that I would get ALL my refund within 5-7business days.
Still I would recommend remaining in close contact with your credit card company; ask them to maintain an authorization hold on your credit card account, so that no money can go in & out (essentially you can't use your card at all); and persevere & keep bugging them for a complete refund & cancellation! They'll eventually realize that its not worth their time & trouble for a few hundred dollars & will give in! But boy, they'll try to "sweeten"the deal for you & dangle the carrot for as long as they can; PLEASE resist that temptation!
Also, I would highly recommend that you take the following steps too:
1.) File a complaint form with the Florida Department of Consumer Services.
2.) Get in touch with the Florida State Attorney General's office
3.) Get in touch with the media
4.) Comb through the consumer services law in your state/province/country & especially find out how long you have until you can return a product. Use this knowledge against them
5.) State of Florida allows you 30 days from the date of purchase OR from the date of receipt of a package from them to cancel & refund the offer! Let them know that; they'll try to say that since you live out of state, it doesn't apply to you. They are lying! Since the company operates in Florida, you are still eligible
6.) File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau too!
Basically go in there with your research done, let them know that you have taken the above steps so you are totally serious; and DO NOT break your resolve, no matter what, on a complete cancellation of this deal. They will crack, once they know that they have used ALL the lines that they can use on you, and they have nothing more to say. Best of Luck & I hope this works for you!
0 comments