Complaint Review: Ramada Plaza Resorts

I was pressured into purchasing this supposed "luxury vacation" for my boyfriend and myself in August of 2002 for $698, with $198 left to pay at the time of travel.

The lady who sold me the trip pressured me extensively and assured me (which was voice recorded) that there would be no more fees except for taxes, which I thought was the remaining $198. After a few months, I decided I really didn't have the money to take the vacation and I tried to cancel my trip and get my money back. I was treated very rudely and belittled into keeping the vacation with the promise of a beachfront hotel in Ft. Lauderdale and an extention on the time I had to take the cruise.

I agreed and went on to book the cruise some months later, with an extention of time on the cruise ship and in Orlando. I paid another $700 at this time (including the $198) for a total of about $1400. It was at this time that I found out there would be additional charges for the rental car since I wasn't 25, and that I would have to drive from Ft. Lauderdale to Orlando for the latter half of my vacation. With all of these extras, plus gas, food, airfare and entertainment-- this vacation would end up costing me over $3500!!!

Only after this did I happen to look online to find out information about my luxury vacation, which I was very excited about, and instead I found numerous rip-off reports, unsatisfactory reports with the better business bureau, and stories from people who had gone on the vacation and had terrible times. I realized that of the $1400 I spent, only about half of it probably went to the horrible places I would be staying at and cruising on.

Obviously, I don't want to go on my vacation now, so I cancelled my reservations and I am just starting the process of attempting to get my $1400 back. I am planning on contacting and filing a complaint with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, but so far that's all I can think of to do. I would really appreciate any helpful tips or legal advice on how to go about this as I am only a college student and along with being out $1400, I can't afford a lawyer!

Thank you- and good luck to others who are in my position!

Heather
Salt Lake CIty, Utah
U.S.A.