- Report: #1223940
Complaint Review: Tropical Vacations Group - Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Florida
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Author Confirmed
Why?
Tropical Vacations Group
218 Commercial Blvd #106 Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, 33308 Florida, USA
Phone:
954-687-9780
Web:
www.tropicalvacationsgroup.com
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Tropical Vacations Group, Mike Geraud, CANCELED MY RESERVATION WITH ONLY 6 DAYS NOTICE!!! Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Florida
We booked a property directly through HomeAway.com for a 4 night stay from March 29 - April 2, 2015 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. We booked well over a month in advance, and got multiple confirmations from both HomeAway as well as Mike from Tropical Vacations Group. In addition, we paid extra to get the CareFree Rental Guarantee, which helps protect against wrongdoing by the property owner, such as double bookings.
On Monday, March 23, with only 6 days notice, Mike called me and said he is cancelling my reservation. He said the property is double booked and that he is not honoring our reservation, even though we were paid in full. He did offer me a refund as well as other properties to choose from, but they did not have the features we wanted, and they were not available to book online through HomeAway. When I suggested we call HomeAway to mediate the situation, Mike became upset and misconstrued this as a threat. He then proceeded to hang up the phone on me. After I called HomeAway, they confirmed the property is reserved for me and that they do not have any record of a double booking. However, Mike said that he did not update his calendars with both reservations.
Needless to say, Mike was rude, unprofessional, and extremely difficult to work with. This abrupt cancellation only days before our trip caused us to scramble to find alternate accommodations at the last minute. This was a stressful situation since we were traveling with 2 families, both with small children.
When a customer books directly through the website, pays in full, purchases the CareFree guarantee, and receives multiple confirmations that the property is reserved for them, it is simply unacceptable and irresponsible that the owner cancels a few days prior to arrival.
When I asked Mike further about the cancellation, he said he and his partner had made a "business decision" that they were not going to honor our reservation because the other party was staying longer than us. In essence, it appears Mike chose to disregard HomeAway and its protections in the interest of getting more money from the other party. In my humble opinion, these unscrupulous and unethical business practices should not be tolerated by any consumer.
In summary, stay away from Mike Geraud and Tropical Vacations Group. He will confirm your reservation, cancel it days before your arrival, and if you ask him any questions, he will hang up the phone on you!
