Complaint Review: Iron Horse Travel & Mini-Vacations Aka MVI Marketing

I responded to a sales promotion phone call from Iron Horse Travel, who promised a "free" cruise for two just for attending a 45 minute presentation about a travel club. The "free" cruise required that I pay the taxes and port charges only. I attended the presentation, declined to join the travel club, and received a certificate for the cruise. I followed the instructions to the letter when returning the certificate (which also included a charge of $99 per person, not mentioned in the sales pitch for the "free" cruise.) It still looked like a good deal, a 7 night cruise for two costing a total of $582.

When the material came, I called to make the reservation. I was immediatly told that the cruise was not available at that time, and that I would have to call 3 months later when their new contracts were in force. I did call 3 months later, on the first day of the new contract and was told that the only thing available were upgrades. I declined the upgrades and was told that I would have to call again in 6 months when the next contracts were available. I called and told them I would take any cruise available. I was told that I had to choose a date, and send my check for $582 immediately to secure the reservation. Six weeks after sending my check which had cleared the bank in just a few days, I received a phone call that the date I chose was not available, unless I bought an upgrade. I asked for my money to be returned. I called every few weeks to ask where my check was, and was told it was "in-process". After waiting for almost 4 months, I called and told them I wanted the money or would report them to the state attorney. I received a check for the refund, as requested. Two days after I deposited the check, Mini-vacations closed their doors. The check bounced, the bank said they had closed out the account on which the check was written.

I sent the check to the Florida attorney general through the local policed department. It was returned to me, with a message that since it was from a company, not an individual, they could not help me. I looked into filing a suit in small claims court. I will cost $155. to file, with no assurance that I will get the money, even if the court finds a judgment against.
Mini-vacations cannot be contacted, and it is obvious that they set out to defraud, lie, and finally steal the money. They have succeeded.

The State attorney, and Consumer Affairs office of the Dept of Agriculture have been no help.

I'm not finished fighting, but doubt I will ever see my money

Glenda
Venice, Florida
U.S.A.