Ramada Plaza Resorts ripoff - Specially selected to experience this great deal ripoff business from hell Orrlando/Fort Lauderdale Florida *UPDATE ..Insulted
Earlier this week I received a phone call from a representative from Ramada Plaza Resorts offering me this great deal for hotel stays in Florida (and Las Vegas) for a special price of slightly over $300 US. I refused outright, telling her I didn't have the vacation time.
Today, I got another phone call from a Ramada Plaza Resorts rep. named Sandy who offered a discounted deal ($238 US I think) for another, the details of which she sent in an e-mail (read below). In any case, after being told that I was only one of a few people receiving this special deal and also being reassured by the brand name "Ramada", I gave my credit card number and signed on for this special deal.
After I got off the phone I searched for "Ramada Plaza Resorts" on the internet and was shocked by what I found. I'd located some websites with some horrifying stories. Immediately, I phoned Ramada Plaza Resorts but nobody wanted to speak to me (especially Sandy -- I was told she was busy -- most likely on the telephone preying on another victim). Finally, I did get through to customer service and some guy assured me that I could cancel at any time after I received the package in the mail and would be fully refunded if I didn't like the terms outlined in the package or took the trip and wasn't satisfied with my experience. He said a 100% refund would be guaranteed in a letter from the president of the company.
Then I mentioned to this guy about the scam sites I'd found on the website and he was very calm when he insisted that they were a long time ago (implying a few disgruntled customers making waves).
When I hung up the phone this second time I did some additional research on the computer and located hundreds of websites on Ramada Plaza Resorts scams. Since "customer service" at Ramada was closed by this time, I immediately sent an e-mail (with others to follow) requesting that they cancel my package and reverse any charges on my Visa (they got authorization pretty fast, I discovered).
I have to say I am a Canadian citizen (from Newfoundland, where the benevolent people there were so generous and hospitable to Americans stranded after 9/11) and will from now on be very frightened of American companies (and maybe Americans too). Indeed, if American companies can't be trusted, then the American economy itself is very vulnerable to a partial or full collapse (we're seeing that in the stock market right now).
Certainly, Canadians themselves are not averse to perpetrating scams but certainly not on a scale you see in the U.S. and not in such a shamelessly wicked way (and with such lack of penalty or restitution). I don't like thinking this way but I'm starting to believe that U.S. society is a culture that molds its citizens into sociopathic personalities so that they will be have no qualms about achieving the American dream (i.e. money, SUV) at any cost. I wonder how these people (including telemarketers like Sandy) can sleep at night. If they had a conscience they wouldn't be able to.
Anyway, I will await my reply from Ramada Plaza Resorts and will report whatever happens.
The following is a portion of the e-mail offer (attachment) I received from Sandy:
You are invited to enjoy this alternate vacation package for $119 per traveler for the first two travelers.
The 3rd and 4th travelers are free.
This package includes the following:
4 DAYS AND 3 NIGHTS OF HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS IN ORLANDO FLORIDA (HOTEL SUCH AS THE RAMADA PLAZA RESORT 1000TH)
*BONUS* 4 DAYS AND 3 NIGHTS OF HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS IN LAS VEGAS (HOTELS SUCH AS THE IMPERIAL PALACE)
IN ADDITION, YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR CHOICE OF 2 / 2 DAY ADULT STAR PASSES TO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS OR AN ALAMO RENTAL CAR FOR 7 CONSECUTIVE DAYS WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE
YOUR 3/2 COMPLIMENTARY VACATION CAN BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS OFFER OR SEPERATELY.
You will be responsible for a $19 per person processing fee for the first two travelers on your Florida vacation. THIRD AND FOURTH TRAVELERS ARE FREE. Hotel incidentals, such as room service, phone calls, hotel tax and any tips or gratuities are your responsibility upon check out. In exchange for the savings you will receive on this vacation, all we ask is that you part of a morning or afternoon touring of one of our developers fine resorts.
Please review this material and call any of the above-mentioned numbers to verify this information.
Thanks again for choosing Ramada Plaza Resorts, Orlando/Ft. Lauderdale Vacations.
Joanne
Ottawa, Ontario
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Ramada
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Erin and Sean
Honolulu,Hawaii,
U.S.A.
Horrible experience!
#7Consumer Comment
Fri, December 06, 2002
I am so glad that someone has written about this. We were not skeptical enough before we left to look up any complaints, so unfortunately we had to go through a very bad vacation to learn our lesson.
We got a brocure in the mail, with a video that showed a terrific vacation. We paid ~$600 up front then we paid the last ~$600 before traveling. The plan was to go to Ft. Lauderdale and stay in their premier Ramada Plaza Resort (spend 3 days/2 nights), then go on a cruise to the Bahamas for listening to a scam briefing at a time share. The cruise 2nights/1 day(the best part of the whole vacation). Then we were to drive to Orlando and stay in another premier resort.
Well, needless to say the resort in Ft. Lauderdale was filthy and stunk bad. I had to wear flip flops in the shower the bathroom was so bad. We had to listen to a stupid ploy to buy a time share. We wasted 4 hours in there, because they would not accept "no" for an answer. We went on our cruise, which was nice, but we could have gone on a longer one on our own and had a great time as well! We then drove 4 hours to Orlando. As we checked in we asked for our "Universal Studios" voucher ticket. they said we had to sit through another speech about time shares before we could get that. We walked out and left the whole thing behind raging mad!!
We have told everyone we know what a horrible experience we had.
I just can not believe the company has gotten away with this so long??
Too bad we didn't know before so we could get a refund!
Mike
Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania,
Got scammed too but, not all Newfoundlanders feel this way !!!
#7Consumer Comment
Wed, December 04, 2002
In response to Joanne's unnecessary comments on Americans and American companies in general...and I got scammed too !!!
Joanne I am a Newfoundlander living in the US, and am really disappointed you would categorize Americans and their businesses in this manner. My (American) girlfriend was scammed in this deal as well, for $598 and is currently following the advise in these posts to try and get reimbursed. Everyone is angry about this, but it does not justify your comments and opinions towards Americans in general above. I live here, and love it. On behalf of other Newfoundlanders, and Canadians, I APOLOGIZE... We are all in the same boat here.
TO WEBMASTER: You have not listed Newfoundland in your drop down window and have New Brunswick listed twice... Thanks for all the advise, will definitely post when we get an update on recovering the money !!
Mike
Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania,
Got scammed too but, not all Newfoundlanders feel this way !!!
#7Consumer Comment
Wed, December 04, 2002
In response to Joanne's unnecessary comments on Americans and American companies in general...and I got scammed too !!!
Joanne I am a Newfoundlander living in the US, and am really disappointed you would categorize Americans and their businesses in this manner. My (American) girlfriend was scammed in this deal as well, for $598 and is currently following the advise in these posts to try and get reimbursed. Everyone is angry about this, but it does not justify your comments and opinions towards Americans in general above. I live here, and love it. On behalf of other Newfoundlanders, and Canadians, I APOLOGIZE... We are all in the same boat here.
TO WEBMASTER: You have not listed Newfoundland in your drop down window and have New Brunswick listed twice... Thanks for all the advise, will definitely post when we get an update on recovering the money !!
Mike
Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania,
Got scammed too but, not all Newfoundlanders feel this way !!!
#7Consumer Comment
Wed, December 04, 2002
In response to Joanne's unnecessary comments on Americans and American companies in general...and I got scammed too !!!
Joanne I am a Newfoundlander living in the US, and am really disappointed you would categorize Americans and their businesses in this manner. My (American) girlfriend was scammed in this deal as well, for $598 and is currently following the advise in these posts to try and get reimbursed. Everyone is angry about this, but it does not justify your comments and opinions towards Americans in general above. I live here, and love it. On behalf of other Newfoundlanders, and Canadians, I APOLOGIZE... We are all in the same boat here.
TO WEBMASTER: You have not listed Newfoundland in your drop down window and have New Brunswick listed twice... Thanks for all the advise, will definitely post when we get an update on recovering the money !!
Received a partial refund
#70
Fri, November 08, 2002
I checked my credit card balance yesterday and discovered that the charges hadn't yet been reversed ($377.89 CDN for my package "deal" and $33.34 CDN for the giveaway package). Fuming, I wrote and faxed a letter to the VP, Daniel Lambert and demanded my money back. Earlier today, I also sent an e-mail to Commissioner Charles Bronson of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, relating my ordeal. This evening, I phoned my credit card company and discovered that these crooks had credited my Visa but only in the amount of $363.00 CDN. They still owe me $48.23 which I doubt I will ever see. I guess I should consider myself lucky that I got most of my money back. I feel sorry for those poor souls that lost alot more (and had endure those nightmare vacations).
Even with a refund, I still plan to contact media organizations and urge them to investigate these villians and make them pay for what they are doing. Nobody should ever have to go through this. Demand your refund and hound these buggers to the bitter end. This is the only way they will ever be stopped.
Insulted then told I'd be refunded
#70
Sun, November 03, 2002
I phoned the customer service line at Ramada Plaza Hotels today as soon as I got out of bed. When I finally got through to an agent, I requested that my package be cancelled and refunded. When she asked why, I told her it was because I knew about their scams and wanted a refund. She proceeded to scream at me that I could not cancel and would not be refunded until I took the trip and then found it to be unsatisfactory. She virtually told me to shut up (in so many words) a number of time and said if I wouldn't allow her to speak she would hang up on me, which she eventually did. She was the snottiest, rudest agent I had ever encountered.
I tried phoning again, this time using a different approach. I spoke to a woman named Natalie and told her I wanted to cancel but this time I didn't accuse Ramada of being scam artists. I just said I wasn't interested in travelling, was short of cash, afraid of flying, not thinking straight when I agreed to the package, etc, etc. She too was pushy saying that if I was short of cash they would allow me to put down half the amount ($119) as a deposit. Again, I told her I wasn't interested in travelling period, but I said it in a very demure, soft way. For every reason I would give for not wanting the package, she would make some counter-suggestion/offer.
Finally, when I made it clear I didn't want any of it, she asked for the last four digits of my credit card (which I gave her -- I don't know if that was such a good idea). She then put me on hold and when she returned to the phone blandly informed me that my credit card would be credited for the full amount in 3-7 business days. Despite this, I am still fearful since I don't trust this company at all. I will be waiting anxiously for that time to elapse so I can check my credit card balance.
Some advice on this matter. If you want to cancel immediately after purchasing the package, keep trying until you get an agent who will grant your request. They all give different spiels and hand out conflicting information about their so-called cancellation policies. Some are rude, vicious, and lecherous; others sound like apathetic, mummified workers. And, of course, try different approaches.
But I'm still skeptical about my refund. I guess I'll have to sweat through those 3-7 business days before I know for sure. But I've already informed the credit card company and put a caution on my card so that Ramada cannot authorize any additional charges on my card.
I'll keep you posted.