tags: Scams
Florida Vacations - How to cancel.
June 16th, 2005, by Rich.
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Several people have emailed me, or left messages asking for help in getting a refund from Florida based holiday companies (such as AmeriVacation, YourVIPTravel, etc), either because they have bought in haste, or feel they have been misguided by the sales person. In this article I hope to condense all the comments from other stories into a simple action plan.
Your Rights
According to Florida State Law “You have a right to cancel your purchase and receive a refund within 30 days of the date of purchase” after which, “the seller has 30 days from the time of receipt of your notice of cancellation to send you a full refund”. [source] [corroborating source]
The law exists to regulate Sellers of Travel to and from Florida, as well as Sellers of Travel whose place of business is in Florida - it helps to maintain the reputation of Florida as a welcoming vacation destination and protects the citizens of any country by forcing licensed sellers of travel to follow strict rules, including the ones about refunds; so the suggestions listed here are valid from any country.
Action 1 - Call
- Call the number you originally dialled.
- Politely and clearly state that you are calling because you wish to cancel a contract.
- Ask them to confirm the company name and address to which you should send a cancellation letter.
- If the person on the other end bluffs or prevaricates, remind them that Florida State Statute 559.933 is quite clear on your right to a full and prompt refund.
- If they verbally agree to send you a full refund, accept this happily, but you should not stop yet because if they were to forget to send it, or lose the note to say that you’d called, or had a computer crash, (etc. etc.) then you’d have no evidence that you called within the 30 day cancellation period.
Action 2 - Write
- Write a letter of cancellation.
- This is a generic letter template.
- This is an AmeriVacation template.
- Send the letter by an international recorded delivery service.
- From the UK you could use International Signed For.
- Sometimes the companies will state that “you have to return the package”, this is usually just an obstruction tactic, but if they insist, take photographs (and scan or photocopy) everything that you return (example).
Action 3 - Complain always
If you you’re unhappy about the experience and wish to air your grievance, then please do. Lodging a formal complaint will quickly raise the profile of your scammer so the DOACS can monitor them better:
- Complain to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (who regulate the selling of travel in Florida) using this form.
- Inform your “local” national press so that others do not go through the same experience.
- In the UK there is the BBC’s Watchdog Programme
- In the Netherlands, there is Opgelicht.
Action 4 - Write to your credit card company
- Write to your credit card company and tell them that you are seeking a refund from the vendor.
- Explain why you feel the company misrepresented itself.
- Include a copy of the letter you sent to the vendor.
- Use local legislation if necessary:
- If you’re in the UK and the vendor refuses (or is unable) to provide a refund, then the Consumer Credit Act 1974 section 75 is your fallback. It makes the credit card company equally responsible for any misrepresentation (which in the case of AmeriVacation there has been), so should attempt to claim the refund from your credit card company.
Action 5 - Help Others
If you succeed in getting a refund, using this or an alternative method, let others know by describing your success below, I’ll modify the above steps as appropriate.
July 12th, 2006 at 7:24 pm
I’ve phone GVD yesterday afternoon, with the toll free number they have given to me (1-800-818-6890). I told them that “I’ve authourized the transation on the recording tape is only because that lady told me I need to get a recipet in order to get my refund back. That is why she give me this toll free number. According to her, all I need to do is to call this number and tell u the recipet number an i would be able to get my full amount refund.”
First,I’ve also told them that the information they send my through the e-mail doesn’t seems to be soo attractive to me.
Secondly, because I live in BC. when I wanna to take the vacation I would have to buy a round trip air ticket to make my way to florida first. which might cause me around $500.00 and just by adding all those up, I don’t really save much money.
Thridly, when the lady ask me for credit card number, she said is to verfiy the information I’ve given to her is correct. Based on the fact that she have ask me if I’m over age 21, I felt that I can trust her base on “it is just to verfiy my information”. However, she processed the U$798.00 transation as well with out leting me know until she finished it.
I was told that until I actually book the room from the hotel, then i will have to pay “one hundred and fourty nine dollar” per person but right now, all that i need to pay is the commercial fee(at this point she didn’t say any thing that the fee is unrefundable) “seven nighty eight dollar”. Seems she have point out the first fee with the use of word “hundard” I believe that the commercial fee she charged me is U$ 7.98. I was not told that it is actually U$. 798.00 until i said” that’s a pertty good deal, just paying “seven dollar and nighty eight cent” and “one hunder and fourty nine dollar” and I can go for vacation.
She tried to make me think that the package is at a pertty good and affordable price. and give me a whole bounch of different number figure like 3 days 2 nights, 2 day 1 night and just paying U$ 399 per person and i cound get all this different package at the price of one.
Then I told her , “ok, that’s U$399 is something i’ve not heard from the other lady. in fact, i’ve talk with 3 different ppl and you guys have just keep telling me the different stuff, and the second lady i talk with, she said that i can get my full refund as long as i call this number let u know my recepit number and tell u let I wish to get a full amount then i can get it. I’m just a student and i need the money to pay for my school, I was told that the credit card number i’ve given out is to verfiy my information I’ve given is correct. I was not told that I need to pay that commercial fee right away and I was not told until they have processed the fee. So, can i just get my money back?
Finally, she told me that she will process a reverse of my credit card charge but it will take 7 to 10 days and not sooner. I’ve ask her that is there anything that I need to do or anying refund number is need to take down just to be safe? she said no. Then, I thank her and hang up the phone.
Eventhought she told me that there is nothing i need to do, I amd still going to wirte a letter of cancellation to the company. I don’t think i can trust them seems all the ppl i’ve talk with have told me 3 different story.
I hope u guys can understand what i’m writting, cause my English is really bad. Sorry for such a long story but i hope it help.
July 12th, 2006 at 8:53 pm
Have someone heard about “Florida Vacations” company? They are offering to me a Package to Orlando. It is just usd$139.00 for 5 people including 2 tickets to Disney and hotel accomodations. It is hard to believe and I am afraid about that They want me to pay with my credit card.
Thank you.
July 13th, 2006 at 4:29 am
I’m now at my friends house, and my friend too, have just received a call from GVD about 2 hours ago. But because I’ve told them that the vacation entry form that we have filled out is just a scam and I’ve done research after the conversation with the GVD.
She then told the representive, “NO! I don’t believe you, because all of our friend who go to the event and who filled out the entry form had all get a call from you!” and “I don’t want to speak with you no more!”
So, be sure that you have tell your friend that it is a scam if they do enter it together with you.
After she told me that she do get a call from them too, I strongely believe it’s a scam that they have put out just trying to get more money from people by saying it is a non-refundable fee.
Any how, I’m planning to call GVD again tomorrow just to make sure that they are processing my refund.
Wish me luck and wish you guys luck as well.
July 13th, 2006 at 7:18 pm
I’ve called GVD again today to make sure they have filed a refund for me. The representive told me that my account has been cancelled and a refund has been issued, which will take 7 - 10 days.
My suggestion to all is:
1. state that you was not been told it’s for transation process when given out the credit card number, the sales representive states as “information verify purpose” seems they do ask for your age
2. tell them that you have financial problem, and the sales representive states all the other fee amount with the use of word “hundard” but when it comes to the commercial fee, he or she statess as “only seven ninety eight”, which you were mislead as U$7.98 and was not been correctd as “seven hundard and ninety eight dollar” after the transation is been done or when you ask to make sure the amount.
3. if you have talk with multiple sales representive, let them know that you have talk with serveral different people and all of them are telling you the different stuff.
Keep in mind that if they keep saying it is non-refundable, just keep asking them “Are they sure it’s non-refundable.”
When I was in conversation with the sales representive, even thought they keep telling me that it is a non-refundable fee, I just keep asking them.
“Can you cancel this whole thing?” or
“Are you sure it’s non-refundable? cause I was not told I’m paying the commercial fee when i was giving out my credit card number until it is processed” and
“No one ever mentioned that it is a non-refundable fee until I ask for a refund”
If they say something mean to you, don’t trying to talk back, just explain why you have authorized the transation or why you wish to cancel the verbal contract. Picking a fight with them would only make things worse, and they might purposely “Forget” to issued or file the refund even if they told you they will do so
In my case, I was been told that I need to complete the transaction through to get a receipt number cause I can’t get a refund unless i get a receipt number.
Dont stop calling them after they say they will issue you the refund. Make serval call to make sure that they have cancelled your account and filed you with refunds. And don’t forget to check your credit card statement to make sure that the transaction has been cancelled
Good Luck to You Guys!
Hope this help^^
July 13th, 2006 at 7:40 pm
I was very surprised when I received the phone call that told me I had received a vacation for four from Royalty Holidays. I asked how I won it and believed them. They sounded very professional and gave me lots of information, a trip for $600.00, WOW! Luckly I only had enough for 300 to be taken out of my account and they’d charge me the rest later. When I received the information package a week later I was excited to know more about what would happen. So I tried to call them, and I tried and tried. For about four days calling every number, looking on the website, e-mailing, and using the operator. When I couldn’t get a hold of them at first I began to have a bad feeling and knew that something wasn’t right. If they’re a business they would have someone contact me. I looked on line for a way to contact them and that’s when I found information saying that it was a scam. At first I couldn’t believe it. I called my credit card company right away and had them cancel the card and they’re disputing the charge. That was today so we’ll have to see what happens hopefully it works out. This experience has taught me not to be so naive.
July 16th, 2006 at 4:01 am
Just to let you guys know…
I’ve fully recieve my refunds
I didn’t send a cancellation letter nor make call to credit card company to disput the charge.
I did think about calling the credit card company, but my friend told me better not to, because it would effect my credit reputation.
All that I do is to keep calling the GVD to let them know I would like to get a refund.
Guess I was lucky to be able to get refund on my first call.
But, I’m pertty sure I will never give out my card number on the phone again.
For those who’s still trying to get refund, best luck to you all.
July 19th, 2006 at 3:32 am
I am an employee at Summer Bay Resorts. I have read many of these statements and the only problem I see are weak and stupid people who shouldn’t own credit card. I understand that when I give my ccredit card number I am paying for something. Also, the people complaining have never traveled with one of these packages. Ask anyone who actually comes. Yhey have a wonderful time and it does save a lot of money. To all those opposed to how we conduct business: WAKE UP! Thats how you advertise. It got your attention right? We, by law, cannot say anything about the vacation being free, so we don’t. We also explain all costs up front. Anyway, this is bogus. There are scams out there, I don’t disagree with that. But many people sell vacations as an honest living.
July 19th, 2006 at 10:10 am
Note: Scott’s affiliation to “Summer Bay Resorts” (previously mentioned here) has not been verified.
Hi Scott,
As you say, many people sell vacations as an honest living, and those people are delighted to have the DOACS controlling unscrupulous traders.
Everybody commenting here has a right to cancel any vacation they purchase, thanks to the Florida State Department - that’s one of the reasons why Florida is such a good vacation destination, there are laws that keep the bad-guys in line.
If cancellations cost the travel agent money, then perhaps the travel agent should consider what part of their sales process is causing the customer to change their mind.
I’m sure that the normal people (and the “weak and stupid people”) who have bought holidays from you will have a nice time (if they can afford the flights to Florida, the hotel taxes, the port taxes, the spending money; on top of their initial outlay).
I’m also sure that those who find they cannot afford the extra costs and who therefore exercise their right to cancel, will feel less “weak” and less “stupid” when the refund arrives on their credit card.
July 20th, 2006 at 4:47 pm
I got scammed by GVD. The next morning after realizing what I got myself into, I immediately called customer service. After dozens of attempts over the course of three hours of being ‘disconnected’ or just not getting an answer, I decided to try using my wifes cellphone. I got an answer from a real person within seconds.
Now this may be a coincidence, but I doubt it. If you’re having trouble getting through, try calling from a different phone. It did wonders for me!
July 20th, 2006 at 8:02 pm
Ok. Today I got my full refund back from GVD. I’m so happy. After all I have been through…. Send the registered mail saying that you already contacted the company to dispute. I sent my registered mail on June 27th and got a partial refund on July 7. And on July 17, I got a full refund back. So yeah. I waited like half a month to get my money.