Vacation Showroom - National Hotel Association, Palatka, FL - trying since April, 2003 to get $ 217 refund

From:

RE: Vacation Showroom - National Hotel Association, Palatka, FL - trying since April, 2003 to get $ 217 refund

Vacation Showrooms/National Hotels Association

I would like to begin by telling anyone that gets messages from this company BEWARE. I have been trying since April (and it is now November) to get a full refund of $217.00 I was sent an e-mail fax (April 21, 2003) regarding a wonderful vacation package.

The rep spoke to me for 30 minutes and it really sounded like a great deal. Trip to Cancun, Disneyland and Las Vegas. Long story short, I bought the package. They used my check card and the money was immediately debited.

3 days later I changed my mind. My confirmation papers clearly stated "If you decide to cancel, you must first notify the seller in writing of your intent to cancel by returning the certificate and sending notice to: Vacation Showroom Inc., P.O. Box 836, Palatka, FL 32178. I did everything they asked and spoke with a rep on the phone who confirmed that all would be taken care of.

After a month of waiting I contacted another person at the office that apologized and said they were running behind on refunds. I waited another month and called back, and the phone # is no longer a working #.

I finally called a company in FL that informed that the company is now National Hotel Association and that they bought the company and were trying to correct refunds, etc. They asked me to fax all my information, and to wait until after October to contact them regarding the refund. I have sent them letters, emails, and no one has even called me back.

My experience with this company is a horrible nightmare. I wish I had contacted the Better Business Bureau from the beginning. I have read complaints that involved a lot more money than what I have lost, but it's a shame that a company like that can operate in our United States. I am widowed, I have worked every day since I was 18 and I have a son that just returned from Iraq.

It amazes me that companies like this can operate legally in the United States while we work so hard to keep this a country we can be proud of. I hope my complaint will warrant some investigation into the misconceptions/illegalities of these companies. Thank you, Iris Looney

Dallas, TX 75234