My goodness! There are so many of us that have been ripped off by this "Ramada Plaza Resorts" "deal!" I too bought into the very deceptive phone call back in July of 2001.
I was a dependent in college and got the call that sounded magical. Well, I now know that things that sound too good to be true, probably are. In this case, that's exactly what happened.
I too, like the many others of you, received a telemarketing call telling me that I was selected to participate in this vacation deal by doing a few surveys while on the vacation, blah, blah, blah.
Got a beautiful description of the places and after I told them that I had to think about it and for them to call me back, they told me that this call was the only chance I would get to accept this vacation. Well, she just kept talking and I kept listening and eventually gave her my credit card number to charge the $599 deposit for this "deal."
The next morning I thought about it really long and hard and thought, honestly, "oh s***" what did I do! I was in college, no money, tons of school debt and just gave my credit card number for a vacation deal!
Anyways, I called the company that morning (the very next morning) and told the lady my situation and told her that I really should not have agreed to the deal and that I NEEDED a refund!
After hearing me out she said no, non-refundable and actually she really did not hear me out. All I got was "nope" non-refundable. After a little bit she agreed to "up" my package and charge me half of that amount. So, instead I paid $299 for the deal and my companion was to pay $299 as well. I wasn't happy with that because I just simply could not afford the vacation offer and wanted to get out, but there seemed like nothing I could do. All I got was a no, even when transfered to "supervisors."
Long story - getting to the point. Over the past 3 years I have tried to cancel and get refunded numerous times and have had no luck. Last evening was my first attempt since this past June and again, my attempts to get a refund failed.
This time they said that my vacation package has expired and that expired deals can't get refunds. (WHAT? As if current ones can or something!) I told her that I wanted to speak to someone who could get me a refund. She said nobody could but that they could "up" my package and re-instate it!
Oh, she messed up there trying to sell me more stuff. I asked her how they could "up" my expired package but couldn't refund it? She said "money isn't available."
Are you kidding me! I was on the phone with different people, being transfered around to every department for about an hour and a half and nothing came of it.
I did some research last night for the first time and found all these other complaints. I was furious and continue to be. I too would like a refund and an apology!
(FYI - Something that may be helpful for folks - Doing research last night - I found a web site that has a successful letter from a guy who did get a refund - It's located on the consumer reports FL page - where complaints have been filed. Actually, no that was on a person's individual site. You all may have already seen it. I will get the info and post on this site.
I contacted my cousin this morning who is an attorney and she did give me some advice. Future - have everything in writing!!! By law businesses are required to keep on file - which could be useful for getting refunds or making complaints, or if it leads there - lawsuits. I learned my lesson. If only 4 months ago, when my package deal expired.
But, I'm not giving up now. I am pumped now, after finding out about all this fraud. For me, I'm getting married soon, still paying off school loans, and for now, in dier need of money and don't need to be ripped off by people.
Get everything in writing! Send your complaints to the company director. I will post his info soon!
Has anyone had success with getting a refund and who did you contact and was it after your deal was "expired?"
Star
Jacksonville, Florida
U.S.A.
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