Complaint Review: Ramada Plaza Resorts - Ft Lauderdale Florida

In May of 2003 I got a call from a rep at Ramada Plaza Resorts herein RPR. The first question the gentleman asked me was if I was still a major credit card holder. I said no, I don't use credit cards. He asked if I had a bank card with a visa or master card logo and I answered yes. He went on to tell me about the vacation plans and suggested it was for myself and husband; in which I said I was single and would be going alone. He then said fine "you can take the vacation by yourself". He led me to believe I could take advantage of the offer as a single person. After hearing the details about the vacation I explained that I was disabled. I told the guy that I was a survivor of 6 brain surgeries, 2 major heart attacks, the lost of my right eye and that I was facing more surgery. He included that he was sorry for all I had been through and said "you could use a get-away and we'll make everything comfortable and handicap accessible for you". I asked if it were one of those deals where you are obligated to go and or a time sharing offer. He said "no". He then went on to tell me how I could pay in installments because of my fixed income situation. And the payments began.

I called RPR in November 2004 because I had to have total hip replacement and my heart problems worsended. I then learned that the vacation was in fact for double occupancy and had to pay for another person. I asked to speak with upper management and was told that was impossible. I was told that I could not ever get what monies I paid to them back and that I had to extend the expiration date; so I paid to extend in order to buy time to figure out what I could do to resolve the matter at hand.

In 2005 I had to have my left knee replaced, 2006 my right knee and learned that medication induced osteoperosis had caused multiple fractures to my spine. I called RPR again to learn that they would not be yielding and return my money and wound up paying for another extension. I asked about the car rental agreement included in the package and submitted that I did not have a major credit card which was required by the sponsoring car rental company/Alimo. I learned more and more that I would not be able to take the vacation as the truths about the package were unfolding.

To date, I have gotten reports of the RPR vacation package from 3 family members and 8 friends who all told me RPR would not be able to accomadate my wheel chair escpecially on the ship/boat and how much money I would have to come out of pocket with; the pro's and cons were devistating to say the least.

On today, June 18, 2008 I spoke with a RPR rep by the name of Dale. He advised me that I had paid $494 and had a balance of $902 before I could take the trip. He went on to say that I could upgrade and the balance would then be $398. I told the guy I wanted to opt out and how I felt violated as a consumer inwhich he replied "the only thing you can do is pay the balance of $902 or upgrade to pay-off balance of $398 and try to sell the "time share" or transfer it. I replied by saying that I intend to find out what my legal rights are and how best to dissovle my association with RPR without suffering a total lost.

Marguerite

Waldorf, Maryland

U.S.A.