I read about this company's free cruise after registering for All-You magazine's coupon newsletter. Trusting the recommendation was my first mistake. Just because a reputable company has a link to another company doesn't make it reputable as well.
I registered on the website and recieved a call two days later. The first person I spoke to, Pat, was very polite. She told me that I would only have to pay the $118 for port fees etc. And I would be able to add both of my children for only $99 each. I asked lots of questions and had her repeat what she said several times. There was loud music in the background, which was explained later by Keith Wood as celebration music because they had just booked another cruise ship. She informed me that when I booked the cruise (within the next 18 months) they could offer me great prices on airfare, too. I asked her specifically, "Is this one of those time share companies?"
Pat's tone changed slightly when she answered, "I said this is a 2 night cruise to the Bahamas." She basically avoided the truth, but she had been so nice that I didn't catch on at the time. I agreed (like an idiot) to charge the $118 to my Visa, feeling secure that if it turned out to be a bad deal, I could dispute the charge. Having learned about it from a couponing website, I really believed that this was something cruise lines do to promote business (as was stated by a mom who had taken advantage of the deal). As soon as my information was given to Pat, she yelled, "Post-" I only heard part of what she said because the phone was muted.
Pat returned and began to tell me about my extended vacation options, when Keith Wood, manager, took over the call. He spoke very quickly as he ran through details of 2 nights at a resort in Ft Lauderdale, one night on the island, 4 nights in Orlando, 4 nights in Puerta Vallarta, $100 gas card or 7 days free rental car. He gave me a total of $500 and when I told him I wasn't ready to make that decision, he put me on hold several times to change the deal to lower the price. I explained that it wasn't in my budget and he asked if the problem was that I didn't have enough money on the card! Really? He offered a two-payment option.
I still refused. I told him that I couldn't take the cruise any other month than July of this year (next month). He couldn't tell me if there was availability in July. I heard a woman in the background telling him verbatum what to say as he repeated her words. When that didn't work, she grabbed the phone and intoduced herself as his manager. I told her I only wanted the cruise and she got rude, asking me if I was really going to go all the way to Florida and just do the cruise. She continued to badger me, put me on hold, question me until I told her I wasn't interested in the deal.By this time I had read several reviews on trip advisor about the Ramada "Resort" and the cruise and not ONE of them were good. She transferred me to a third party verification department.
A woman pretended to talk to the "representative" who wasn't on the line. I heard noise, mute, then nothing. The woman told the rep to enter some code and the rep was "gone." I told this woman that I had researched the company, hotel, etc. And no longer wanted to take advantage of the deal. She began trying to push the cruise on me, telling me that I couldn't just base my opinion on a couple of bad reviews. I told her EVERY review was bad! Third party, my @$!! She put me on hold and then told me she canceled the reservation. I asked for a confirmation number and she told me that since there was no sale, there was never a charge to actually cancel.
I called Visa immediately and there was, in fact, a charge of $118. I called the cruise company and told the woman I spoke to about the charge. She said it was pending and would be gone in 3-5 days. I called Visa again and they are watching the card for transactions related to this charge. I'll have to wait and see.
By the way, Keith Wood did admit that I would have to go to a time-share presentation. When I asked his manager how long it would be, she wouldn't give me a straight answer. She also couldn't give me the name of the resort in Ft. Lauderdale. I was persistent and got that it was one of a few resorts in the Ramada chain. The Ramada Resort turned out to be a roach motel when I read the reviews.
These people are obviously con-artists and become quite irate when questioned. I'll admit I was the one who signed up for this, but how can they think anyone would be convinced by vague answers and hostility???
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