Complaint Review: Gondola Amore

I paid for a gondola "cruise" in early 2000, but it was cancelled due to rain. They issued me a gift certificate (on 2-13-00 that was good for a year). I rescheduled my "cruise" for 2-11-01, but it was cancelled again due to rain.

Now, they won't give me a refund, extension, or a phone call back. I've sent 3 letters: 2-20-01, in April 2001, and one on 5-26-01 via certified mail received by "Davidson", but still no response. I've left many, many messages on their answering machine and with "Richard", who is the only person I've ever been able to speak to. He tells me he can't help me and that I must speak with "Doreen Price", but I never have.

I've been told she's on vacation, today is her day off, she doesn't come in until 2:00pm (and when I call back at 2:00pm, no one answers the phone - I get the answering machine), etc. Back in Aug. 2001, Richard told me not to call until October 2001, because Doreen is so busy trying to issue extensions, etc. because it was such a rainy season.

He says they have many requests like mine because of the poor weather. I did as he asked, but apparently Doreen still doesn't have 5 minutes worth of time to call me back. I don't want an extension anymore, I want a written apology and my money back ($75.00).

In November 2001, I contacted the Better Business Bureau (complaint # 10238985-T) and explained the situation to them. Their response: "Although we have tried to obtain a response to your complaint from the company in the hope of reaching a mutually acceptable resolution, they have ignored our requests. We are therefore, closing our file." They did say they would include my unanswered complaint as part of the information they report to the public for the next 3 years. That's fine, but I am still out $75.00 and still do not appreciate the way they treated me.

Michelle
Lomita, California
U.S.A.