Mini-Vacations ripoff bargain vacation? deceptive company victimized many consumers Tampa Florida

Certificate Numbers (all with code number AIPF-4-0801):
204235, 204236, 204196, 204197

All I can say is at least I don't feel as bad knowing I'm not the only one!! (Now let's see what we can do to get our money back ASAP!!!)

I, too, purchased these 4 day/3 night packages through an online auction site for $99 per person. I bought enough for 8 people (4 packages accommodating 2 people each) only to find out that I can't use more than one of them at a time or within a 12 month period, and that if I want to travel during "peak" times I'll have to pay extra, above and beyond the ADDITIONAL $99 per person I need to send in for the reservation process to begin.

So right now, we're looking at $198 per person, airfare not included. Looking into airfare, it's cheaper for me to purchase a vacation package through an airline or travel company than to use this "bargain" I found on the internet.

So I called Mini Vacations, spoke with Donna, she said that she would put in a request for my $198 to be refunded since the time I requested wasn't available (and even if it were, I'd have to pay extra since it was "peak" time-since when is the Caribbean or Mexico in its peak season in the middle of summer when it's the hottest???). That was on July 31st and she said it should take about 2 weeks. It's now been 3 weeks and I've heard nothing.

I would really like to have my money refunded for ALL the trips (the $792 I paid for the "rights" to this bargain vacation, plus the $198 recently sent in, for a total of $990). Obviously, after seeing this website, I know that I'm pretty much screwed out of the money and it's not likely that it'll be returned.

I have emailed them that I would appreciate a response to this email to let me at least know the status of my $198 that was to be refunded, in addition to whether or not I can have the money, if even partially, refunded for the other trips. Of course, I doubt that I'll see the return of the money or get a response.

What an expensive lesson to learn!! All for a little R & R that's turned into a BIG, BIG headache! From now on, I'll stick with Apple Vacations or some other REPUTABLE company-not this nonsense!!

Kelly
Baltimore, Maryland