My experience was very similar to other reports about this company. One day, I received a phone call from ALL SEASONS TRAVEL AND RESORTS. The salesperson first asked me if I recalled filling out an entry form for a free trip at certain place. Then he told me that I won a free trip to Florida and the Bahamas.in order for me to receive the trip, he said that he had to ask me some questions. Questions such as: how old are you? Are you a student? Do you have a Master or Visa Credit card?
Then he informed me that the conversation would be recorded for quality assurance and went on using a very exciting tone to tell me all about the trip. He also urged me to grab a pen to write down certain important facts. What really went wrong was when he swiftly switched the topic and asked for my credit card after he blah balh tons of details about the vacation! He said something like: " May I have your Visa card # that starts with a 45?" He made it sound very casual but I immediately asked him why he needed my credit card # for. He explained to me that it's for the "processing fee" of the prize and the processing fee is US $698. I replied to him that I didn't want to make decision right away and needed some time to think.
Then he went on saying something like "why does the company need to pay me 3 times to deliever you such a great offer?" and told me that if I didn't accept this offer in this phone call, I would lose it. He would just offer this great deal to somebody else. Even though I was suspicious and asked him several questions about the vacation and the company, I ended up giving him my credit card # since he mentioned if the package I received is not what he described on the phone call, I can refuse to pay for it within 30 days of receiving it. He did mention the offer is non-refundable but 100% transferrable. However, my decision was proven to be a HUGE MISTAKE.
The next day I came across this website and I found numerous complaints about the travel company when I typed in " ALL SEASONS TRAVEL" and "RAMADA PLAZA RESORTS" from all over the world. The company contacted me was the first one but the latter one contacted my friend, who also filled out an entry form for a trip at the same place&but they both offered the same deal, same story. I did contact ASTAR to request for a refund but the other sales rep refused and said what the salesperson told me on the phone about the right for refund within 30 days of receiving the package was not the company's policy.
Oddly enough, I phoned the company again today and yet another salesperson said ASTAR does have one return policy that we can return the package within 30 days of receiving it. Well, I really don't know what to believe and I will certainly complain to various organizations.
When I reflect back about my conversation with the salesperson on the day of purchase, there were several things seemed very suspicious.
1. First, he informed me that I was chosen from thousands of people to give this wonderful offer. Then he told me that I needed to pay the "processing fee" of US $698. However, later on he changed the story and said the company wanted to offer "discounted vacation" to people so they would want to travel ONLY with All Seasons Travel and Resorts in the future and the money was the traveling cost. He told me that I was "demographically selected" to receive this offer. However, when I agreed to pay for the vacation, the other person who was responsible for charging the credit card read me the following line "You do understand that you have not won. This is not a contest, lottery or free drawing." and ask me if I agreed to it. Well, if the first salesperson didn't present the vacation as a prize at the first place, then the company doesn't need to say this line to save their ass. Very deceptive selling practices!
2. The first salesperson told me that I would receive the package tomorrow when the transaction went through. The 2nd person told me it would take 2-4 weeks. And in the confirmation email, it stated within 2 weeks of the transaction, I would receive the package. The staffs at ASTAR couldn't even provide a consistent answer on that. How bizare!
3. Certainly, the salesperson tried very hard to get my credit card and did all he could just to persuade me.
4. The sales rep refused to give me sufficeint time to think this offer over.
I found some valuable info on the following website: http://www.ftc. Gov/bcp/conline/pubs/tmarkg/trvlfrd.htm
in regards to telemarketing travel fraud.
I honestly don't know if ASTAR is a credible company or not but I'll file a complaint to Better Bussiness Bureau in Atlanta http://www.atlanta. BBB.org/index.html
I'll also dispute the charge with my credit card company since it might be a telemarketing travel scam.
Hopefully I'll get a full refund of my money!
Best of luck, everyone!
Kevin
Surrey, British Columbia
Canada
0 comments