Mini Vacations, MVI Marketing scammed me out of vacation money and promise of a 7 day cruise Tampa Florida

I never thought I would let someone, let alone an entire group of people, trick me like this. I got the certificate just like so many others who have written before me. We all fell for it too. The promise of a wonderful vacation (free no less) with a $500+ price tag attached. I knew it was kind of fishy from that point, but I only did it because, if it was true it would have been the first of many great cruise vacations my wife and I would take. Unfortunately, I am sunk with many others as we ponder what other uses our hard earned money could have gone to.

I recived this certificate August 2004. I sat on this brochure packet for almost a year before I gave in and thought I would get the cruise at the time I wanted. I guess I should have followed my instincts which are usually to procrastinate, and pick up whatever is left over if I don't get first pick. Nevertheless, they got my money and when I recieved the letter in October 2005 indicating that Hurricane Katrina caused a delay in our booking, I thought,"We'll give me my money back", and that is exactly what I said to the customer service rep. when I called. First they said I would have to send back the letter indicating I would prefer a refund. So I did. In addition to that I called asking how soon I would get my money back. First I was told," At the end of December." When January came around I called again and asked why I didn't recieve my check? This customer service rep. (Doris) claimed that it had never been processed and she assured me that my check would be sent in Feburary. Now anyone who can relate to this knows that somehow magically the Mini Vacations company vanished and ceased all communications. I tried to call the numbers that had worked in the past and all I get is a operator message that says the phone traffic is too heavy to get through, and one that has been disconnected. And all too late I find my way in here to the Rip -Off Report site as I Google the name Mini Vacations. As I am very upset and disheartened by the dishonesty of my fellow man, I simpathize with those who can relate to this loss. Some $$50-$100 and others $500+. God knows we could all do something emuch more fulfilling with that money rather than having it swindeled by a pack of thieves.

Should there be a way we can reclaim our losses, then that is why I'm here. Otherwise, I can only hope for others to be wiser by heeding our warnings. I know for a fact that there are certificates from Mini Vacations still being handed as prizes for time share presentations.

I'll definetly be refering to the Rip-Off Report before I dare to get involved with another questionable business again.

Anthony
Lemon Grove, California
U.S.A.