Florida Vacations – How to cancel.
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.
340 Comments
i was called by calypso cay resorts today (2006-09-18)and they were very adamant about giving my credit card number. i gave them my real name and address but a fake number. i am still waiting to see what happens. i hung up on them and they called me back 3 times but i pretended to be someone else and a wrong number. my name and my husband’s is not the same and the phone is in his name so i just pretended they had the wrong number. they told me someone that had given my number had won a vacation and it had already been charged to their credit card and they REALLY needed to get hold of this person!! they are all scams and i hate it when they try to take advantage of someone like this. they also told me they had a saying that went “if you’re not excite, you’re not invited”! what a crock.
To whom it may concern:I am cancelling the Vacation package I received from you. August 16th we had a three way conversation with one of your reps John,Suite #110. He told me to send the complete package back to you And when you received it I would be fully reimbursed by your company. I couried it to you the next day. I still have not heard from you. I have spoken with authorities whom are also waiting for your follow-up. They are saying that if nothing is done before Sept.30th they will be starting an investigation.
I called Visa to cancel when I hung up the phone & while we were talking it went through. I was not able to absorb things as I had been ill that day.
Please cancel and reimburse my money as John said would be done. The amount is Seven Hundred and Ninety Eight Dollars Canadian. When this is settled I will be one of th first people to recomend your Co.
Thank-you
D.E. Nicholson
I would like to respond to Jay at Sunstar travel. I was absolutely not told about the cancellation policy when I was sold a package through sunstar. In fact, I am from Canada and specifically requested a cancellation the following day and was never offered it at that time. I called a Florida agency (consumer agency) and was told by the girl at that office that Florida probably didn’t have the same cancellation rights that we have in Canada.
I have been back and forth and back and forth with Joe at Sunstar (the owner) I have over 14 e-mails in which I am promised this is legite and my package will arrive. It has never arrived yet (9 months later). Joe does not even answer my e-mails.
I was specifically told one thing by the girl before she ‘taped’ the conversation and another thing after. Joe indidcated this was impossible because they follow a script. Yet, when he played back the tape of me purchasing the trip, he admitted there was a contridiction in what she even said on the tape.
If Sunstar is a legitimate company they need to beef up their customer service and their follow through. 10 months later I do not have my package and nobody returns my e-mails. When I requested a cancellation it was not granted. There were absolutely discrepancies between what I was told and what Joe indicates they say in the script. I would think that Sunstar would want to provide service such that people would re-book with them. I can’t help but feel taken.
Wow. I can’t believe I am not alone in this. I wish I had found this website as I was speaking to these pushy salespeople from Great Vacation Destinations. I have to appaud them though…they really make you believe that you have “won” a vacation. So, like an idiot, I gave them my credit card number. Even after hearing about all the scams, I still gave them my number. Sheesh…I guess like many of you, I just got caught up in the smooth talking and excitement of the moment. Well, it’s good to know that you can at least get your money back.
The procedure I was given by my Visa representative is:
1) You have 10 business days to send Great Vacation Destinations a REGISTERED mail, stating that you are requesting a full refund. I have the contact information from their parent company, “Bluegreen Corporation”. The address is 4960 Conference Way North, Suite #100, Boca Raton, Florida. 33431-3311.
2) If they do not respond or give you a refund within 30 days, you can then alert your Visa company and they will dispute it for you.
My bank says that this is indeed a company, though through misrepresentation they make their deals sound much better than they really are. Well, it worked on me. Lesson learned. I’m never entering another Vacation contest again. No doubt that many others who attended the Abbotsford Air Show in BC this past summer were also hit with this.
Good Luck to everyone
Mike
Vancouver, BC
Hi Denmark here. I was on the phone today talking with Summerbayholiday.They told me that I`d won 2100 us dollars that I could use for traveling.We talked for nearley 30 minuts, and then she asked for my creditnumber.I do not have an international creditcard, and when she found out of that she just hang up on me…..hmmmm
I hate GVD. I too have fell for their scam. I sent them this letter:
“On Sept. 7, 2006 I conversed with GVD’s …… (employee # ….). From this conversation I was informed that I had won a prize consisting of a few trips taking place throughout the USA. I was lead to believe that the only expense of these trips would consist of $140 if I intended to visit the Bahamas Islands, costs of any alcohol, taxes to hotels, and of course any extra activities that I would decide to do once I was there. This being said I was lead to believe that all meals, air fare, and accommodations would be provided for the trips. I was also told that because I was single, John William would arrange the Florida trip into a 4 person trip, and I agreed to this and was told of no additional charges. I was told that I would have to pay $798 US for all of these trips. I paid the amount using my Visa card and the total came to $916.39 Canadian.
Later using the GVD web site I read that air fare, and meals on land are not provided. This was very upsetting as I had paid a very large sum of money in full belief that they would be included. I also found out that it would cost $139 extra per person up to 2 more people for them to come with me.
Now after further research into this prize I feel it would cost me a lot more then was implied to me through the conversation. Air fair and meals for the Florida trip alone would cost too much for me to go.
I do not have enough funds to afford air fare and food. Also now I cannot find anyone willing to spend this much money on one trip let alone 5 trips to accompany me. This is a problem as I don’t like traveling alone, and would have to hire someone to drive me around as I do not have a full driver’s license.
I therefore am requesting an arrangement to be made where perhaps some of the trips may be excluded from the package so that the funds from them would provide the Florida trip with air fair and land meals. If there is no possible arrangement to be made I will not be able to accept the prise. I have read in the “Terms and Conditions†of the vacation package that “GVD allows the purchaser to cancel the purchase of the vacation package by written notice within thirty days of receipt of the vacation package.†If no other arraignment can be made I kindly request a refund of my $916.39 Canadian please.”
Why I was soooo nice I don’t know. I should have writen the stuff about law on the example letter. Too bad I didn’t find this web page until today. I sent my mail registered and they havne’t gotten it yet. I be the buggers aren’t going to accept it! I want my MONEY back! And I want the company to go into Bankruptcy.
Good Luck Everyone!
I’ve been getting faxes from those assholes at Corporate Travel Center in, I assume, Toronto. They come at ridiculous hours, like 2:00 am. The call display does not identify them, just 111-111-1111.
I finally configured my fax modem to answer and save faxes, but the only one I’ve received so far is cut off, so I only see the top half with no contact information.
Does anyone know how to contact these dickwads to stop them faxing me?
I recieved this vacation package from Brilliant Holiday in 04 Nov.04 and is valid 24 months and my families are very excited about it. Due to school and job schedules herein we cannot go a vacation in those months. Sadly, this year 2006 I was diagnose by a doctor that i have a “breast cancer” and am shocked about it. So masectomy is done and now my chemotheraphy is going on. So i write a letter to this company a month ago for a cancellation but it returned to me and unable to forward. So right now, I’m worried about not to refund which i paid by credit card… I need the money.
Hi all those who have been scammed by Great Vacation Destinations.
I am in the process of trying to get $200 of my money back from the company.
They have refunded me all but that amount. I have sent the package back to the
company within the 30 day window for returns. I spoke to a very rude, and bossy
representative at the company today that stated that I would not be able to get
my money back ever, and that I infact owed them money still, for the trip.
I’m not sure what is going on with this. I did send them a letter cancelling
along with the package. I really do hope that this company goes broke, I feel
like they are trying to “scare” and intimidate me into taking this vacation.
I’m going to send another letter later today. Using the format someone else on
this website has used. Hopefully I’ll get my money back soon.
Sweden: I just “won” a similar package from summerbay resort yesterday.
They said I was the winner of the day, they seemed professional, I guess I was caught up in the moment and yes I gave them my credit number.
The thing is I am from the carribbean, I hope my bank will be able to stop payment. I am going to call right now to see if it was already charged to my card.
Funny though – I was going to call their customer care to ask if I won why was my credit card number required. I just came upon this site by accident, wish me luck.
They sure had me fooled!
Note: “Michael”s supplied email (which is not published) is not an “@summerbayresort.com” address, so this message should at best be considered a personal opinion, and (as Michael states) it does not reflect any official corporate policy – reader discretion is advised.
I’m not actually sure that writing on here will make a difference. It is horrible that people seem to have lumped all vacation sales into the same category. I’m sure every last one of you have had a bad experience at some restaurant somewhere. I am willing to bet that you will still go to the restaurants to eat, maybe not that particular one.
I am also willing to bet that when talking about going out to eat, you don’t scream that all restaurants are a scam and to ‘protect your credit card’. Infact, were you to walk into, lets say McDonalds and start complaining and accusing the employee behind the counter for lying to you, or trying to steal your money because of an experience you had at Wendy’s that person would think you are directly out of your mind.
Well that is what I feel. Those of you that whine in here about other companies, worried about the services you bought from Summer Bay Resort, because of all this garbage bout GVD are sheep.
I will not speak for the entire company, or for the customer service department because I do not manage those parts. I will speak for the particular sales office that has been mentioned in this forum. That is my office.
I KNOW that the cancellation policy is explained. I KNOW that the agents explain ALL the charges involved, and that you will be charged on that phone call. I KNOW this because I monitor those calls. I make sure things that you are accusing my office of doing don’t happen. I work way too hard for my money to be losing such a great amount to ‘scams’. Therefore, I make sure that someone else won’t experience that. I am willing to bet, that those who mention this office of Summer Bay have a very poor grasp of English and that the only way we can continue with those phonecalls is if that person says plainly that they understand.
IF YOU DONT, then you do NOT need to be calling ANY phone numbers in languages you don’t have a FLUENT grasp in. I speak a little Spanish, a little German, and a little French. I will tell you that I won’t call a pop-up in those languages because I know that I will not be able to grasp all of the conversation. So don’t you dare accuse us of trying to scam you out of your money, or lying to you. YOU had to say “Yes” at some point or the conversation would have never made it to you purchasing “something you don’t want”.
Nothing in the advertisement mentions free. The agents don’t mention free. In fact, it is a terminable offense to mislead customers. I have done this one more than one occasion.
I can tell you, as a manager, that we don’t want you to cancel. In fact, I tell my agents that I would rather the customer did not purchase AT ALL, than to be soft going into verification and cancel later on. It costs us more money to push people who don’t understand than it does to not have the sale at all. The merchant accounts used by various companies charge you a percentage of the amount charged to the card. Then, if there is a refund they charge us again for the refund. So we lose twice the amount, and gain nothing in return. Not to mention the fact of lost payroll because that time on that phone call could have been spent on one that could produce a customer.
We don’t mention luxury accomodations. They aren’t.
Summer Bay is a RCI Gold Crown Resort. Summer Bay is also a Better Business Bureau member with “satisfactory standing”. Walt Disney World cannot claim this. We can, and do.
There are agents that will say whatever they need to to get the sale. My job is to make sure they don’t. And if for some reason one gets by me, I do my best to make sure that the customer is taken care of. Most of the time, you customers, don’t bother to write things down, don’t bother to listen to what the agent says because you are set on the word ‘free’. You focus on a wish, instead of dealing with the reality of the situation. It is an advertising method.
By yelling ‘foul’ or ‘scam’ because you didn’t bother to pay attention is slanderous at best. It’s actually quite insulting. You don’t know me or anything about me, and yet accuse me of lying, cheating and stealing. How do I know that you aren’t lying to me, or my sales agent? I’ve been listening to phone calls where a customer accused my agent of cursing at them, promising the customer things that weren’t in the package and I was listening from start to finish. The agent was polite and professional. Should I not lump you all into that category? The rude obnoxious customer that is just out to get something free from anyone and everyone?
Those of you that have contacted Summer Bay Resort (we don’t do outbound calls) and feel that you have been scammed, you can feel free to call me. 1-321-397-1870 or 1-800-404-9769 will work. My name is Michael, ext 387. I will help you any way I can. But remember, this is a business, treat me with respect and professionalism and I will be more than happy to help you in any way I can.
I stand by my company, and by my work.
I am responding to Kathy.
If this is Kathy R. Your statements are quite untrue in that according to our records and speaking with “Joe”, You did confirm that you did have your package and you were upset because you think that you were not told about a tour.
You were told about all as told and promised. You have received all and this has been settled with Joe personally and all was agreed upon. If you have not received your package as you say, I will personally send you a NEW PACKAGE, a SECOND package at our expense through An express mail service so that you may sign for it and then you can not continue with your bashing.
You were played back the audio receipt, your verification and you listened to it and agreed that you were told all, “but must have not been paying attention or whatever…”, The last accounts of this that I can find this moment were as of December 2005! Why you chose to come on this site and bash our company is beyong me.
I ask that if you have a problem, consult our customer service department and I want them to involve me personally so that I can hear your complaints and solve as needed. NEVER have you been misrepresented or pushed away, NEVER have you been avoided.
So please do not say things that are not true, and instead, contact us and verify what you need to. Contact us if you truly have not received your package and give us the address you can receive your package and we will express mail it and gladly display the received copy for anyone to see that would like.
WE are a very good company, and we do all we can to make sure that we travel all as told and promised and we have virtually any complaints that are unresolved. we work hard to be the best at what we do, and we treat all clients with respect and take care of all problems rapidly. There is more to a story than meets the eye, and I hope that the readers here are smart enough to take that into consideration before beliving people who are just bashing to get what they want in an unconventional manner.
I have proof of all I say and do, and our company is a very respectable and established company that is licensed, bonded and insured so that every client that makes a purchase with us is secured! Sorry, but we have always done the right thing and always will.
Kathy, please contact Customer service (1-800-786-5502) and I am sure that we will resolve your issues the best way possible.
I have a friend who called me and said he was at the Richmond Night Market a few weekends ago and said he had put his name down to win a prize. It was that same as this one. When he told me thay called him and said he won but had to fork over $798.00 I told him forget it, it’s a scam. I remember years ago, Fitness World had the same idea going at the PNE, they were handing out “scratch and win tickets” everyone won but again, but here was the catch, you had to take out a 3 year membership. So, in essence, the trip wasn’t free at all. I hate companys like this who take advantage of gullable people.
Dear Jay,
Please find attached, copies of some of the e-mails between Joe and myself. The initial ones show where I was told that this was not refundable. Please let me know if according to Florida law (not Sunstar policy) was it??
The last ones indicate where I have been repeatedly asking Joe to send the package. He indicates he has sent it but will send another package courier so that we can have a tracking number. I have never received the package! If Joe in fact sent it courier you should have a signature on file. Please post it for us all.
Even though you indicate December 2005 was the last time we corresponded, please note these e-mails go into June.
December 12th
I have been told by my lawyer that I would have 10 days to cancel this contract without penalty as that is the rule in Canada and you solicited in Canada. Kathy
December 13th
Understand, that our packages actually have a 30 day cancellation policy, IF YOU PURCHASE AT THE RETAIL PRICE OF $2700.00, you purchased a discounted package that was offered on a first come first serve basis at a 75% discount, just as you buy anything on a clearance sale, you are told in the verification that these are sold on a non refundable basis, and you agreed and understood that. Joe
April 24th 2006
Hi Joe,
Still haven’t received the package(s)?? Can you track it through the courier?
Kathy
May 8th 2006
Hi Joe,
I have yet to receive this information. Please let me know where we are at as the auction is next month.
Thanks,
Kathy
May 8th 2006
Kathy, this is not right because I have sent this package and I do not understand why it did not arrive. PLEASE, verify once again the address so I can cross reference with the shipping..
JH
May 8th 2006
I Confirm my address for the 2nd time
May 14th 2006
What did you find out? Kathy
May 16th 2006
Still nothing, what did you find out? How did you actually send the package? Kathy
May 17th 2006
The Package is sent US MAIL…
I am sending you another PACKAGE TODAY, BECAUSE IT BEING CANADA, THERE IS NO WAY TO DO DELIVERY CONFIRMATION. I AM GOING TO THE POST OFFICE IN PERSON TODAY AND EXPLAIN WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND ALSO ASK IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A SIGNATURE FROM YOU THAT IT GETS TO YOU.
THE ADDRESS I AM SENDING TO IS :
SAME AS BEFORE, AGAIN, BEFORE I SPEND THE MONEY TO EXPRESS THIS, VERIFIY THAT THIS IS THE ADDRESS YOU WANT THIS SHIPPED TO. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THE PAST PACKAGES HAVE NOT ARRIVED BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED OR SENT BACK HERE. IF THEY CAN NOT DO A SIGNATURE TYPE THING, I WILL SWITCH TO DHL. PLEASE CONFIRM AND I AM GOING TO RESPOND WITH THE TRACKING NUMBER AND WE CAN BOTH WATCH THIS.
JH
June 8th 2006
Hi Joe,
Still no package. Now it has been 7 months or more. Did you have it couriered? The address is correct yet it has never arrived. Can you provide me with a courier number so that I can track it? The children’s miracle auction is this month.
Thanks,
Kathy
June 18th 2006
Hi Joe,
Sorry to bother you, but I have yet to receive any documents regarding the package that I signed up for in December.
If you have sent them via courier, can you provide me with a tracking number so that I can follow it. Otherwise can you let me know where we are at with this.
Thanks, Kathy R
I have not received a response from the last 2 e-mails.
Jay I did not say that Sunstar was not legitimate. I note that you have far less complaints than other companies. What I did say is that if you are legitimate, your customer service is very poor. It is now 10 months later and I still do not have my package.
I am an honest person but I expect honesty and integrity from others. I spent $600 to buy my sister and her family a nice cruise as she had been diagnosed with cancer and always wanted to go on a cruise. I was told it was all 4 star accomodation but it wasn’t and so I was embarrassed to offer her the package at all. In December she is going on a different cruise.
I regret purchasing the package not because I regret my decision, but because I believe I was told one thing and given another. But, if I was not in a legal position to return it (as per Joe), then I would try and make the best of a bad situation. I thought I might donate the package to the Children’s wish foundation. Again, because the kids are ill, the quality of the accomodation is not high enough to donate. But they said they could possibly use the package for their silent auction in June. Still no package. It was good for a year (without an extension fee) and you require 30 days notice to book so where does that leave me?
I am willing to phone you and if you are able to rectify the situation, I am certainly willing to post that on this site as well. I acknowledge that Joe appeared to be trying to help me but when I was finally going to have a tracking number (yeah – proof it was sent) and suddenly the e-mails stop what would you think? You too would think you had been taken.
I checked with Joe and for whatever reasons Kathy, some of those emails were not received. He is an honest person and a great owner and always does as he says. I also checked with Shipping and the US POST OFFICE today and they verified what Joe told you in that there is no way to track the package unless you send by an express courier which would cost triple the cost of sending it through the mail.
It was SENT using the GLOBAL PRIORITY MAIL system several time, because each of the packages we have to pay for from our printers, and I show the packages ordered and sent out in our log. I have no clue as to why they were not received or to where they were delivered. Again, please call us and I am sure that we can find someone to resolve the situation. We always try in every way to cure all problems with clients and work hard at doing the right thing. I spoke with Joe and he is going to DHL OR FEDEX you TWO packages, one for you and one for the charity organizations that you mentioned.
He also said that he would personally set up your cruises for you with Royal Caribbean so to make sure that we get you all you wish to do. Please call and speak with myself or Rosalie and give us the exact physical address to have them deliver and once it is sent I will post your tracking number so that all can see that we do indeed fulfill our promises and we can all wait for you to receive the package as promised.
Secondly, you are 100% wrong in what you say about the resorts we use, I do not know how you are assuming that the hotels are not good when you claim to NOT HAVE YOUR PACKAGE??? Sorry, but if anyone would like to check out our resorts such as the Radisson Worldgate Resort in Orlando, or the Cocoa Beach Hilton in Cocoa Beach or any other you wish, they are not shabby resorts as you say and they are actually very nice accomodations. The Aquamarina Beach Resort in Cancun is a 4 star resort so is the Flamingo in Puerto Vallarta, look it up for yourself, a good website that is unbiased is http://www.travel-center.com You can see all of the caribbean resorts and their ratings and pictures. Again, we aim at traveling all of our clients and try our best to accomodate all.
IF you call in, and give us the address correctly we will attempt this again. And Again, I am going to post the tracking info so that all can track with us and see that you are being sent things as said.
Thank You,
Jay Hammond
Hi Everyone,
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who has posted on this site. The comments and stories I have read have really helped in my struggles to secure my refund. You will find that the following is very similar to the other stories on here.
So like all of you, I bought into the whole vacation package proposition with Great Vacation Destinations (“GVDâ€). I won’t bore you with all the details of the initial phase of the chronicle… and will simply skip to the part regarding the first refund call.
My first call to GVD occurred on or about 9/28 – 2 days after the purchase. I explained to the rep that I changed my mind about the package for personal reasons and needed to cancel it. The rep was a tad bit discourteous and told me: (1) that she could not offer the refund to me; (2) that I would need to submit a letter to GVD stating my reasons for the refund; and (3) that there was nothing else she could do for me on her end. Further, she stated that GVD will “review†my letter upon receipt but there was no guarantee that I would get my refund — it was up to the discretion of the “authoritiesâ€. In addition, she kept asking on the phone, why I would accept the package in the first place if I didn’t want it.
Frustrated, I called again later on that same day and spoke with another rep. The rep pointed out that I already called earlier and spoke with someone and asked why I was calling again. I merely stated the same reasons and that I was not satisfied with the first call. He told me that I would have to do what the first rep advised – send in a letter.
This phone call lasted for about 45 mins. During this call, I stated over and over my reasons for wanting to cancel and requesting a refund. The rep kept on attempting to lure me back into the pressure of keeping the package because of the many benefits. In fact, he even suggested adding other amenities onto the package. Finally, after battling it out with him for 40 mins., he told me that the best he could do was offer me half of the charged amount. He wasn’t able to offer me the full refund because he “would get in trouble by his boss and would get fired.†I continued to demand the full refund but was unsuccessful. The rep then told me to send the package back along with a letter stating that I wanted to cancel the purchase. His boss would then review the letter and get back to me regarding the refund. He then told me that I would get the full amount credited once they receive the package. I then accepted the half refund at that point but informed him that I will still pursue the other half and that my mind was made up.
To date, I still have not received any refund to my card…not even the half.
Right after that convo, I wrote a letter to GVD memorializing all events that took place up to that point. As I hadn’t received my package yet at the time, I just mailed off the letter. I sent it via certified and first class mail.
I received my package about 5 days later. I wrote another letter to GVD and sent it out along with the package 2 days ago, via registered mail…I tracked it and they have not received it yet.
Today, a rep from their cancellations department called in reference to my first letter. As they left a voicemail message for me, I called them back. I was placed on hold for a half hour before a live rep came on the phone. I stated that I was returning a phone call from their cancellations department and that I needed the full amount charged refunded back onto my credit card. The rep was really rude to me and stated that it is not possible as they do not issue refunds for just “cancellationsâ€. I further advised her that the rep I spoke with previously told me that I was able to get my full refund if I returned the package. She became defiant and asked me who told me that, because it wasn’t true. She stated that it did not work that way. At that point, I was aggravated and furious. I felt that I was given the runaround and that I will never resolve this issue.
She kept making reference to my first phone call with GVD wherein I accepted the offer and asked why I would cancel if I initially agreed upon it. She was very rude and kept on talking over me while I attempted to explain my situation. In fact, she even asked that I not interrupt HER while she was talking. Frustrated, I threw out some language regarding Florida State Laws. She then stated, rudely, that she was aware of the statute but that refund still could not be honored because I willfully “accepted†the deal. She then placed me on hold for 10 mins. She came back on the phone and blandly stated, “We will honor the refund. You will receive it in 7-10 business days.†And that was it. End of phone call.
Let’s see if this refund will really be honored.
While I knew that the package was legitimate and not a scam, I still needed the refund because of financial reasons. The reps will keep trying to make you feel like the purchase was a definitive decision that you made and that there is no turning back once you agree. Simply put, these people will keep giving you the runaround to keep their business. In fact, they are not even nice people. They are trying to sell their vacations…the least they can do is be courteous. I am glad that I got this over with but am really appalled by their lack of proper customer service. This experience has caused them to lose any future business they may have had with me, or anyone I know for that matter. I wanted the refund because of CURRENT financial issues.
This is it for me. Let this be a valuable lesson learned. If you would like a refund, DEMAND it. I feel like I had to go through so much just to get back what I was entitled to all along. People make mistakes. And people change their minds.
Hopefully, my story brought about some light and reassurance in your process and struggles. Keep your heads up!
PS…they were able to offer me the refund even though they hadn’t received the package yet…
Dear Jay,
Thank you for your response. I am working long days right now and will call this weekend.
I got my information about the hotels from a website that Joe referred me to. The accomodations were 3 star but I really was told by the initial sales clerk that the accomodations were 4 or higher. I assume now that some are 4 (the locations you mention) but others (Orlando) are 3. The Childrens wish foundation have to go with quite high quality accomodations because the children are all sick so they need to be assured of higher end accomodations.
I do believe that you mailed the packages. I don’t know why they didn’t arrive. Again, I acknowledge that during the first 6 months, Joe personally looked after this and seemed very helpful and sincere. It was only the tail end where I felt that I had been strung along. If he did not receive those e-mails then that would explain the sudden silence. They did not bounce back to me so I don’t know where they went.
We could go back and forth and back and forth about what I think I was told and what Joe says I was told. We will never be able to settle that part of this. It doesn’t matter – if you can help me out I am content.
My boyfriend lives in Orlando. Maybe you can get the items to him and he can bring them to me at Christmas. That will save you money and accomplish our goal. I will phone this weekend.
Thanks again,
Kathy
Thanks to you guys and this website I didn’t get scamd by Great Vacation Destinations. I was working at the Fall Home Show in Toronto and filled out a ballot during my lunch bread and yesterday I got a call saying I won the trip to Florida/Bahamas. BUT I had to give them my credit card info so they could charge me a “SMALL” promotional fee of 390/person. I told them that I would think about it and after some pressure give them my info they said that they would call me back on Sunday. I can’t wait for them to call back …. that is if they actually will
Hi, just wanted to reply to the above post. Glad that you got your money back from GVD by being insistant.
I think you spoke to the same lady that I’ve been speaking with. The company’s called me several times and left me messages to call back, but after the call I had with them on the 6th of this month, I’m no longer returning calls to them. They basically told me the same thing that they told you, about not being able to cancel the package. I’m going through my credit card company to get the $200 they still owe me back. I just can’t deal with talking with the company anymore, it’s too stressful.
Hi Julia – I agree with you…these people will go to great lengths, or any lengths for that matter, to get you to keep the package. It is preposterous how that they can flat out lie to us about not being able to cancel our purchase when in fact their policy clearly states the contrary. I contacted my credit card company after my first and unsuccessful attempt to speak with a rep on the phone. My credit card company was able to provide me a temporarily credit until the merchant was willing to resolve the matter.
The good news is that I checked my credit card today and GVD has finally credited my account. I am going to cancel my credit card after this horrific experience.
In any event, I know that this can be stressful — good luck in your pursuit — I hope that you can resolve this as quickly as possible…
i too have been swindled by great vacation destinations. ow i gave them my credit card number and like everyone else called to cancel when i came to my senses, and i am being told tha it is impossible. now that i have read other peoples problems on this site i decided to call again with your suggestions but found that they are closed for the long weekend. so before i try again i was wondering if their was any last minute suggestions u you can give. i understand that they are not actually an amercain company and as far as iknow their is a 30 day refund as well can you verify that?
i got hooped they called me saying i won a great once in a lifetime trip for me and my girlfriend. I fell for it make a long story short i felt odd so tried calling back. they said they were closed surprise surprise. so i tried back in the morning oh wow its american thanksgivingthey wont be open for days.what i suggest to people or what i did, was call your credit card company saying you have no idea what this charge is and havent verified or signed anything.the key is to say they never called you or anything put the fraud back on them.where does your money go anyway? isnt there a way to trace these *******.i cancelled my credit card and got a new one issued. telling the bank the last purchase i made. once again do not let the bank know you had any discussion with them,i got this info from a former banker woman just another bank write off. dont be meek get mad at the bank saying you dont know what this is about . so sorry to you who actually lost your money. im still very young i learned a valuable lesson. email me at bloodklot_666@hotmail.com you couldnt imagine the things i dreamt about doing to this company and finding anyone who worked for them… dont be a sucka….
dan or anyone please take note on what i done hopefully its not to late what city are you in i filled out my contest entry at vancouver snow show how do they set a booth up any ways? you can call the coordinator of vancouver snow show and ask for answers im still waiting for a response is he with them?his number is250-370-2983 good luck shred that card up.
signed – brother from another mother….
vancouver snow show coordinator patrick doyle 250 370 2983 lets get some answers isnt there some pictures of them or what. i want to go to the media about this…..
Article states request refund within 30 days
Company clearly told me I was unable to get refund
Can you request refund if over 30 days?
Hi Sue. If you’re within 30 days of when you received your package, yes, you are entitled to a refund. If you’re outside that period but were mis-sold the vacation then your credit provider (your credit card) may be liable. Refer to the above and contact the DOACS.
I just expreinced the same scam from Summer Bay resort, when I tried to cancel the vacation I was told it is not possible. They said that they only post generic terms in confirmation letter and since they have said in intial order phone conversation, that the trip is non-refundable, they do not refund. They gave me 200 usd discount but that is ofcourse not the same.
Thsi is total scam. Extremely unethic. Do not do business with unethic parties, how can you know what is true and what is not.
We fell victim. We also followed the guideline above and got all but 40 bucks back. I guess they don’t refund the currency differnce, as visa said. Anyway, they called my number several times again starting with saying I had won and stuff. Even though at this time I was going though phoning them everyday to confirm the void of my contract due to family loss and financial reasons. Just be persistant and keep calling, you’ll get passed around and they will try and avoid it, but it will work.
Hi!
I bought my trip a year ago and they promised me up to 24 months time to take the vacation. I now have started to plan for the trip and only now found out this was a scam! I’ve tried calling up all the phone numbers there is for Starr Getaways but with no luck. I’ve left messages on their answering machine which they say they will return, but of course don’t.
My only hope was to be able to take the vacation, but now it seems impossible as I’m not able to get them on the phone nor do
they reply my emails…
Is there any possibility to complain now and get my money back?
I surely don’t want to fax them the vouchers as they request the bookings are done! It would probably just give them opportunity to charge my account again. Does anyone have any experience of booking the trip?
I am taking a world tour starting on February and this vacation in Florida was supposed to be my first destination. I will write to my credit card company but does anyone have any good advice on how to gt my money back since I really was going and didn’t even think about complaining within those 30 days…
I really could use that money for my journeys!!!
please anyone out there can help me, im afraid i also fell for the smooth talking sales people[3] because i thought i had won a holiday for four people but it would cost me only
§898.my companion gavr me her credit card because she had more funds than me at this time we both thought god had given
us this amazing holiday because we had not been able to afford to do anything but work for the last 4 years due to
having a son of 4.5yrs of age children cost more than you think…… the deal was with summerbay resorts.com
orlando,florida,bahamas,+bonus mexico.
regards
si……
The steps described above are fairly detailed and have worked for many people. Beyond that that there’s not much help anyone can give you. Good luck, and let us know how you get on… the more people describe what happens to them, the more others will be able to find help with whatever stage of the process they’re at.
I work for the Summer Bay Resorts the promotion department. What surprises me about the people that complain is that when you call in all excited about winning something.We give you all the information about the vacation. We give you web sites to go onto. you talk to at least three people who give you the same exact details. We make a voice recording and tell you on tape what you are getting. Then you yell when you don’t understand. We give you plenty of time to ask questions. I in fact ask you if you have any questions.
I think if you are a credit card holder your should know if you give your credit card number and exp date that you are being charged something.
There are scams out there you do have to be careful but our resort is registered with THE BBB so you can read up on our resort.
We have been around for ages and We do have a reputation to upkeep.
Myself I love working here and my only job as far as I am concerned is to help people with their vacations with anyway that I can.
YEAH FOR SUNSTAR …. With reference to my experience with Sunstar travel, I am writing to inform you all that, as he indicated, Jay from Sunstar travel has couriered my vacation package to me. I am not sure when/if I will be using the package but will post my experience if I do.
Thanks for this Rich. I just ran across this on Guardian’s website:
http://technology.guardian.co.uk/online/insideit/story/0,,1971224,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=1
Half way down the page there’s a Macromedia Flash advert that tells me I just won a vacation from “Travel Services, 13176 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite #156, Tampa, FL 33618″. The website is hosted at https://www.ashoppingspree.com
I’ve suggested to the Guardian they need to look into this.
I don’t suppose you have the swf in your browser cache do you?
Did anybody had dealt with A1 travel reservation or fun time getaway? My mother in law was contacted by somebody from http://www.sunnies.com that sold her a dream vacation with no obligation to buy nor no charge for now.
We did check with VISA and there is a charge of 708$ (canadian fund). We are from Canada the company which charged my Visa is A1 travel reservation – I send them a letter that I want to be reimbursed.
Anybody had experience a similar situation with that company?
Thank you very much.
Great web site.
I feel incredibly stupid for falling for the GVD vacation. I had red flags and alarms going loudly when he asked for the credit card number, but after about 15 minutes of talking about the Attorney General’s office and the BBB, etc, I finally relented. I knew my wife would be thrilled.
I should have known better when he wouldn’t let me get back to him about it. I had to give it now. I thought of so many things I should have said, but only after it was over. They called me at work, so I didn’t have a whole lot of time to fiddle around.
I have already called my credit card company and changed my number and disputed the charge. I plan on calling GVD in the morning to cancel. It’s a shame, my wife was so excited to hear that we had “won”
For the travel agents, for me it’s not that I believe all travel companies are scams, it was the technique of “needing” our credit card number on the spot and not letting us call them back or check them out. I should have known better, now I do.
I’ll keep y’all updated on whether I receive a refund. But luckily, I know what to expect.
As predicted, I had trouble with the first man I talked to. He would not give me a refund unless I had a specific complaint about the package. I told him that I felt like I was deceived, and he played the tape of confirmation person (not the first person I talked to). I even used the Florida Statuate and he came up with some bs about not being a lawyer or not being here to interpret law. Our conversation got nowhere, so I called again.
The second girl was more accomidating, but not by much. She still gave me the runaround, but after being put on hold a couple times, offered a greater discount, and me giving her the statute, she finally verbally agreed to the refund.
I’m not stopping there. I’ve already complained to the DOACS and plan to send one to the BBB. I’m even thinking about sending a letter to the editor in my local paper so that others know what they’re getting into.
Man am I glad I found these post. Like you all I received a 4 day vacation in Orlando and a 3 day cruise from Port Canaveral. I had registered for this two weeks ago and was contacted today. Really sounded nice until they wanted the old C.C. #. Well being a retired police officer I said I didn’t think so until I received the packeage and checked it out. The conversation ended pretty quickly after that.
Well about 30 mins ago I received another call from GVD informing me again I had won. I told them no thanks I needed to think about it. She said I had plenty of time. Well after reading all of the post it will be along time. Thanks.
to whom it may concern, Amsterdam 9 January, 2007
i’m from Holland, Amsterdam and i won that same ‘prize’in june 2006 also, i think a guy called Craig/Gregg called me up, promising to send me a vacationpackage, it never arrived!!
so on 21-06-06 i paid also that amount of money, 898 USD, equal to 710,29 Euro
since i never received the promised package, i wonder if i can sue them for fraud??
thank you for your help
or can i claim a refund??
Any organization that is part of RCI is a scam. Don’t ever give your credit card # out to anyone on the phone, you have not won anything…you lose
HELP …. I bought the GVD package on Oct 10th and now want to
know if I have any chance of getting my money back … I paid
$798.00 US …. I rec’d a call the other day asking if I was
planning on booking soon .. since they are booking up to April
now .. I told them no …. so I thought that they were above board since they called me back to verify that I would be using the package and then I started my research and found this site ….
Have I been duped or is this a legitimate offer ?
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
Hi Collen, all I can tell you is what’s already written. GVD have been mentioned on the forum too, so you might want to read that.
Have you been duped? Only you know how you were contacted and what you were told (you’re welcome to add detail), but what you’ve bought is most likely something like this”.
I too have been fooled by a con man, trip to Orlando etc. etc. etc.
I had a bad feeling about the whole thing asked if he had a web sight after a few seconds he said yes http://www.sunnies.com he said he would call back in a while I went on this sight it looked legit but didnt give a lot of info on it ???
when he called back I told him the sight wasnt much of a help , he to said that they were with the BBB and Florida laws would protect etc etc etc .
I finally gave in gave my card # like a fool . got off the phone called my mastercard company told them the story and asked if this kind off thing was common told no so I waited for my package to arrive, no package but a month later a $800 charge to my card from Discovery Tours Orlando Florida.
Called my card co. they say they will Investigate.
Called information to get a phone # for this Discovery Tours sorry no such company in Florida and no web sight.
Has any one else been stung by this theif? I think my only Discovery will be I was a complete fool to trust this smooth talking theif. I hope what goes around comes around to eat him up! I can afford this lesson, but there are some that are just getting by and thats what hurts the most Sorry we trust people !!
Still no package and likely never will be Thanks for letting me VENT.
Bryan
Hi Bryan,
if you’ve been the vitim of a fraudulent cardholder-not-present transaction then you don’t need to “afford this lesson”, your credit provider is as liable as the fraudster, so you can and should receive a full refund.
Hi there.
I am Nepalese and Canadain PR, graduate student and a father of three kids living in Vancouver. I just fooled by a “Fantasy Tour and Travel” on Jan 12, 2007,and the email I recieved it from . customercare@discountmyvacation.com>
The worst is that they drew from my two acounts each worth 717CAD$. The story is the same as every one above. What they told me that they got error while transacting my visa, and asked for another card. I was mentally incapacited by them already, so I had no capacity to think correctly at that time. I gave them all the Card information they needed. I was so hesitant to provide them my visa card, but then they changed their staff. Firs, with Tifanny, a soft spoken lady, and then Jacob, an agressive guy, and then a soft spoken lady Venise. I did not give my details until it was 40 minutes but then finally they were able to get every thing from me. I immediately contacted my visa office, and found that they had already drawn from my both accounts. That means, they lied saying that they could not draw from my fist Visa account. I immediately cancelled my one of the visa accounts and blocked the another. I am so schoked and terrified, and nervous. Today,I called local police and notified them of this. Tomorrow, I am planning to call the phone number that I have got in the email, and I will ask for full refund. I will also do follow up with my visa account and lets see whether I will be able to get refund of it or not. Being a graduate student and father of three kids, the money that they have drwan (1434CAD$) from my two visa account would cost a lot of mental stress and financial burden. This website is a wonderful site, and I thank the web-hoster for creating this webpage. Thank you for reading my posting.
Thanks Rich for the ray off hope in such a hopeless feeling situation . Thanks for all the time you put into helping others, mayby there are good people in this scam world of ours after all thanks again Bryan
“www.SpecialTtravel.com” put an ‘pop-up’on a site for children which shows funny videos. My kids are crazy about those. The pop-up promissed they won a trip to Disneyland Orlando and a cruise to the bahamas. All they needed to do was call a number in the USA and everything was fixed.
I got curious when they wanted my creditcard and asked what for, they thought it was a big surprise for the family. Fortunately I was on had to put a stop to it and confronted “Dolores” & “Rebecca” with this reprehensable conduct.
The children are of course in tears and believe I have ruined a perfectly fine offer. This is worse then a scam, it undermines the beauty and functionality of the internet. These people should not just be stopped but jailed for this stuff !!
Hi Theo,
I was thinking we’d heard the last of Special-T (they also use the domains special-t-travel.com, freecuise.com and cruiseflorida.com and appear to trade under the name “Travel Shopping Spree” – all the pages linked here specify a Florida Seller of Travel License number of 23944).
Do contact the Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services and record an official complaint about this sorry episode.
Update to my previous posting:
I was charged on Friday evening (Jan 12, 2007).
Got call back from a lady on Monday(Jan 14, 2007).
I told her to cancel immediately. After telling her reason to cancel, she told me that she cancelled it.
I called back the office the next day, and asked about my status. A guy who spoke with me said that it has been cancelled. I did it to verify it.
I have not got money yet, but my visa company has said me to wait for another week. If money is not returned back to my account, I will file a dispute with Visa company, and then they will start investigation.
In the mean time, I sent an e-mail reply to cancel. Have got no response. I notified to local police. They told me to wait for some time. I sent an email to Florida Consumer Services using the webpage available in this section.
I cancelled my both the visa cards. So many phone calls, so many effort to be prevented from any scams in the future. I shall wait another 10 days and if my money is returned back, I will file a dispute with my Visa company and hopefully, I will be refuned because I have neither purchased any packages nor have signed. But visa company people are very helpful, and hopefully, every thing will work out. I shall keep up the update. Please check the comment section regularly.