Encenta Promotions Delay Delay Delay = Ripoff Orem Utah
We of course received in return for our newspaper subscription a wonderful two night stay of our choice, anywhere Encenta Promotions Inc. offered on their map. So we filled out the form the first time and chose Florida Keys. About 20 days after our initial mail off we received a letter informing us we filled out the application wrong... that the location we chose was no longer available. Well according to my map it was. Since this was a change I had no idea about nor is their website listed or recommended to visit to double check the available locations.
So again we filled their form out as it should be trying to fit dates in that would accommodate our schedule and fit their parameters but we couldn't quite allow 15 days between all three, I figured they would disqualify one of the dates, since there were two that were 15 days apart. Nope, again 20 days later we get another letter informing us we filled the application out wrong again. Oh, and the best part is that I requested a phone call with any further problems (because somehow I knew they would send it back). But no call came. What customer service. Such irony
Now if I try to fill out the form correctly there will not be three dates 15 days apart because of the expiration date on July 31, 2005. I've called the newspaper ANG and am waiting for a reply. I am going to recommend they request their money back from this fraudulent company.
This is a HOAX. If they think they are advancing the world of business by trying to rip people off, someone ought to teach them a thing or two about customer service and ethics. You would think that since they live in Utah, they would be honest people. It is a hard call to make because their business is about feeding off others mistakes. The irony is that they are trying to sell a product to help another company be more customer friendly, at the same time they offer NO CUSTOMER SERVICE, and are NOT FRIENDLY. For heavens sake, I just want a fun weekend and you make me go through all this crap to get it. RIPOFF not just for me, but ANG Newspapers who thought this would be a great offer to boost their subscription numbers.
We will see what they do... I'll keep you posted since their customer service lady only works part time. I am waiting for her call and can't wait to hear what she can't do. Maybe I'll get to talk to Michael Gelber who loves to point out how their company feeds on people's mistakes online. I'll be sure and post how they respond, for good or for bad.
patsy
pleasanton, California
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Aaron
Orem,Utah,
U.S.A.
Inside Client Coordinator
#2UPDATE Employee
Mon, June 06, 2005
Dear Patsy,
We apologize for your experience in redeeming your certificate; it is not our intention to make this a difficult process. We hope to offer some explanation as to why your certificate needed to be returned to you.
We book large quantities of people using very little man-power which benefits not only the hotels we work with, but also the sponsoring companies who use our certificates as free giveaways. We ask for 3 dates of travel so that when we make a reservation at a hotel, if the first date is not available, we have a second and third option for booking without having to go back and forth between the hotel and traveler for additional dates. The time between the requested travel dates is needed so that if there is a special even at the hotel (trade-show or convention etc), it will be over before the second or third requested date. This process actually maximizes the possibility of making a reservation. If the certificate is not filled out correctly, we can only send it back and ask for it to be re-submitted. This is not "feeding off of another's Mistakes"; it is the guidelines of the program and like any other must be followed.
In regards to the destinations on the map, Our certificates, when distributed, usually are valid for up to a year for redemption, unfortunately during the course of that year there were a few hotels in some destinations cities (like Key west) that we no longer have relationships with. Although not often, there are times when we need to take a destination off of the Encenta Map. We appreciate your suggestion to refer people to our website for an up to date destination list. It is an issue that we have not dealt with because if the infrequency in which we remove a destination, but something that we believe would be important and we thank you for that feedback.
Our customer service manager is aware of your situation and I am sure will do everything within the program guidelines to help you.
Yes we are a Utah Based company and consider ourselves as honest, thank you for your letter and your suggestions.
Best Regards
Aaron Jensen
Inside Client Coordinator