Ramada Inn vacation package - paid $ 698 - not allowed to cancel - told had to pay additional $ 698 or would lose the first $ 698 paid - then the second charge for $ 698 appeared on card as unauthorized charge

Complaints.com received the following on March 28, 2003:

From: Dorleane Killingsworth [Email User]

RE: Ramada Inn vacation package - paid $ 698 - not allowed to cancel - told had to pay additional $ 698 or would lose the first $ 698 paid - then the second charge for $ 698 appeared on card as unauthorized charge In March 2002 I received a voucher from Ramada Inn for a discount on a vacation. I called the 1 800 number on the voucher and spoke to a Sales Rep. The package seem good but, I did not want to make a decision without talking to my husband. After being pressured I finally cracked. After I gave the Rep. my credit card number I asked her where do I send the voucher.

I was told to throw it away that it was not any good. I asked her why did they send it to me if it was not any good.

I asked that the transaction be canceled and was told that it could not canceled. She said that if I did not pay an addtional $698.00 that I would lose the $698.00 that I has just charged on my card. I kept trying to get her to cancel, but she refused.

So after being frustrated, I hung up and immediately called Citibank. I explained the situation to them and asked that the charge not be processed, because I felt that it was a scam. I was told that they could not stop it and that I had to wait until it was on my account and dispute the charge.

I told them "I am telling you not to process the payment because it is a scam and I will not be responsible for the charge since I am telling beforehand". When I received my bill the $698 and another charge that was unauthorized was on the bill. I called Citibank again and spoke to customer service. The next bill both the $698.00 and the other charge was taken off.

The $698.00 was put back on 3 days later along with a finance charge. I received a letter from Citibank stating that the charge was valid and that Ramada Inn refuse to give money back. Citibank calls me on my job, at home about twice a day every day. When I get home there's always a message on my machine from Citibank. I have explained things over about 50 times to Citibank.

They refuse to listen to me, so I sent a letter and proof of the Ramada Inn scams. Ramada Inn class action suit website will reveal how consumers have been ripped off. I fell that if Citibank had listen to me in the first place I would not be going through this harassment from Citibank.