Absolute Reservation Center, Wholesale Connection Travel Rip off and Thieves Maitland Florida
Over two months ago, I received a phone call stating I won a vacation package for seven days. After carefully listening to the customer representative, I called my husband using the 3-way calling method, and had the CSR (Customer Service Rep.) explain the details of the vacation package.
Well, the offer sounded fool-proof and we were planning a trip for our one year wedding anniversary, so it sounded like an offer we couldn't refuse. We also had to pay an additonal $108 to "secure" our vacation package.
On Monday, June 28, 2004, I was looking at my bank statement, online, and to my shock and amazement, Absolute Reservation Center electronically deducted an additional $108 from my account. To say I'm pis*ed is an UNDERSTATEMENT. I tried calling my "reservation specialist (HA)" by the name of Ashlee and left a voicemail.
After waiting for two hours, I called again and spoke to a Cynthia. Although Cynthia could CLEARLY see that my account was deducted twice for $108, she had the gall to tell me that I had to send in my banking statement, which outlined that my account was wrongfully deducted. Cynthia also stated that ARC only cuts checks every 30 days, and that I would have to wait a month before my account would be accredited. When I began to get upset, Cynthia said "please hold" and she NEVER, EVER came back to the phone.
I then did some additional research and this is not the first time ARC has ripped people off.
Ashlee, my "reservation specialist" didn't call me back until the next day. When I told her I was unhappy with my service, she asked me did I want to reschedule or cancel my vacation. Not once did she apologize or ask why I was unhappy. That was a DEEP RED flag, because any other reputable...let me repeat...reputable company tries to apease the consumer if they have had a bad experience.
So now, every time I call, I press different extension numbers. Yesterday and today, I have left messages for: Ashlee, Rick, Holly and Kerry. Still, no call back!
My husband and I are supposed to take our vacation on July 16th, and we still have not received ANY confirmation regarding our hotel reservations, etc. Therefore, we can not complete a flight itinerary because we fear that if we do, we will be in Florida looking crazy.
To anyone out there, steer clear of this company and its subsidiaries (ARC, Travel Union America, Wholesale Travel Connection). What they failed to realize is that I'm a news reporter. Not only am I in the process of producing a investigative segment which exploits rip off companies such as ARC, I'm also finding additional consumers who have been ripped off by ARC.
Because I work for a nationally syndicated news organization, this news package will be broadcasted all OVER AMERICA... And since I come from a lineage of news junkies, I'm also sending my aunt who is the director of the top Florida news station, the same news package. We have found NUMEROUS reports against ARC and finally, the ripped off consumer will get the last laugh.
I've also contacted my attorney. He is going over the fine print of the contractual agreement we have for ARC. They have messed with the wrong person, this time.
And by the way, I still have yet to hear from anyone regarding my reservation.
Latoya
Chicago, Illinois
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Katy
Maitland,Florida,
U.S.A.
How exactly were you scammed?
#4REBUTTAL Owner of company
Wed, July 07, 2004
LaTonya - Just exactly how did ARC scam you? We did make a human error and over charge you. We truly apologize for the error. It was, honestly, a simple data entry mistake. Several of our daily charges consist of charges totaling $108.00, and if asked to determine how the error was made, I could only assume that our data entry rep. made the mistake based on other entries.
Several of the names you list are fictional. We do not have a Cynthia here, nor have we ever, and whomever you spoke with COULD NOT clearly see that you were charged TWICE for $108.00 and never would have said so. ARC charged your account, the information provided by you, a total of $108 and was supposed to only charge you $55.00.
The automatic banking information does not appear in our customer database. It is kept elsewhere; therefore, whomever you spoke with could not clearly see a double charge of $108.00. Furthermore, a double charge of $108.00 never existed. They could only see that you were supposed to be charged $55.00.
I bought DVD's from Blockbuster a couple of months ago and they totaled $60.00. When I received my bank statement I discover that I, in fact, was double charged. I simply contacted them, and after showing proof of a double charge, they credited my account and it appeared within 10 days. I did not holler, I did not call them a scam. I simply accepted the fact that the girl working the counter on the day of my purchase made a simple error.
ARC does not have ANY subsidiaries. You will discover this while doing your investigation. We do have several affiliates, as with any company. Where you came up with the phone number you listed and that I am not an owner of the company are beyond me. All of the information you are looking for is public record. My name is Kathleen Paganelli and I am one of three owners of ARC. Not fiction.... FACT.
To further investigate this situation, I spoke with Ashley, the employee that you spoke with mostly. Although she talks to approximately 60-70 people daily, she vividly remembered who you were. Ashley further stated that you were very difficult to communicate with. You treated her disrespectfully and attempted to belittle her. When working with thousands of travelers annually, and knowing that human nature varies, she did not let it bother her and went on with her work day.
You state in your original complaint that you had difficulty contacting us. The majority of our contact is return calling. We have two travel coordinators and each has an assistant. Ashley is Carries assistant and is also one of the sweetest, most mild tempered people you will ever come in contact with.
She returns the majority of Carries calls to free Carrie up to help COORDINATE the clients. This speeds up our booking process, which was done for the travelers benefit. Ashley further stated that in one day you did leave several messages. She returned your first call, assisted you, and when she returned your 2nd call, you gave her grief, implying that she lacked skill because you had already been helped and she SHOULD have known that.
She did, in fact, know she helped you, but continued to return your calls incase you had additional questions. So, although you state we were impossible to contact, we actually contacted you too many times. ARC will provide the same service regardless of how we are treated, we are here to provide a service and pride ourselves in the efforts we make to do so.
Since you made such a bold statement to say that we are a scam, I will reply by saying that your complaint is unfounded. We apologize for the banking error and are glad we handled the correction promptly. I am further going to boldly state that when traveling thousands of families per year (28,000 in 3 years) we have to accept the fact that everyone will not be happy.
You were a very difficult person to work with. We tried to provide you with excellent Customer Service; however you would not allow us to do that. I suggest that you re-look at the situation and see if you handled your end properly also.
Tiffane
Longwood,Florida,
U.S.A.
get your facts straight
#4Consumer Comment
Tue, July 06, 2004
Latoya...I would name all three of the owners but as an investigative reporter..I'm certain that you know that "Kathy's" real name is Kathleen and she is not a he and the number you listed has no involvement with ARC.(did you try and call it first?) As I am sure you already know that your dates are confirmed and your itineray was mailed on 7/1/04. We did indeed make an error in charging your account (with your permission and your banking information you provided us with). We are human, a scam, ARC is not. We have been in business for 3 years, we travel thousand of families each year. But bing an investigative reporter, I'm certain you know it all...or do you? You purchased your vacation on 5/5/04. We received a written request from you on 5/19/04 to visit beautiful Orlando, FL. You spoke with your travel coordinator Carrie on 5/28/04..at that time you chose to upgrade your stay and gave banking information for us to deduct $55.00 from your checking account. We made an error and took $108.00. If a customer calls us and tells us we made an error in a charge, it only will speed up the process if you could fax us proof (ie. banking statement) for a refund. That "error" was made on 6/23/04, we were contacted by you of our "error" on 6/28/04, and then we mailed a refund check to you on 6/30/04 and mailed your travel itinerary on 7/1/04. So as the public and yourself can tell...once again we are only human and are capable of human mistakes and we will make good on "any" and I repeat "any" monies that are due and we will give 100% percent to make certain that everyone who travels with ARC has a great vacation with beautiful properties to stay at. So as you do your investigation, make certain you have THE COMPLETE STORY because I know we have done our best to accomodate you and your family. Have a great time Latoya in wonderful Orlando Fl and we hope your investigation finds you throwing out words that you show have further looked into before throwing ARC under the bus.
Latoya
Chicago,Illinois,
U.S.A.
various subsidiaries of this company
#4Author of original report
Thu, July 01, 2004
Consumers of this vacation scam-please be advised that there are various subsidiaries of this company. One of my evening news producers found out more information regarding this scam.
Because I'm not willing to jeapordize my investigative segment, I will inform you that "Kathy" is not an actual person or owner of ARC. I will not be sued for liable, but the actual owner's name is in fact listed on this website. His phone number is-407.463.2157. You will have to conduct your own search to find out the information.
In the meantime, my attorney said this could be cause for a class action lawsuit.
When I find more information, I will keep you posted.
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
I'm also looking for interested persons, willing to tell their story of being scammed by ARC and its subsidiaries.
Please post your Rip-off Report!