Summer Bay Resorts Abrupt denial of my request for refund due to catastrophic car accident Clermont Florida

Back on February 19, 2008, when online, I was lured by Summer Bay Resorts to purchase a vacation package, I accepted and $698.00 was charged to my credit card.

This amount was refundable only if a request for cancellation of the package was made within 7 days.

Well, when I already made up my mind to cancel, it so happens that when still within the cancellation time frame, on February 23, 2008 I had a catastrophic car accident.

As a result, I landed in the hospital through Emergency and had two major surgeries performed and an overall hospital stay of 50 days, from which I have not yet fully recovered to this date.

Today, over one year later, my physical condition has worsened to the point that my attending physician has started me on an aggressive morphine treatment as there is no prospect for recovery any time in the future.

On October 29, 2008 I wrote Summer Bay Resorts, asking to refund me - at least partially - the $698.00 payment made for the Vacation Package at a time when I didn't know what destiny had in store for me.

In my letter I pointed out that only that car accident on February 23, 2008 (still within the prescribed cancellation time frame of 7 days) had prevented me to cancel accordingly. I also offered to provide a medical certificate.

Their reply dated November 6, 2008 came from James R. Baker, Manager of Marketing Registration and Compliance Department.

He flatly stated "We are sorry to hear of your auto accident, however we cannot refund the package due to health/financial reasons and/or unforeseen circumstances.

I do apologize but as your request is outside the ricission period, it is the decision of Summer Bay Resorts to deny your request for a cancellation refund."

Another letter on my part was given the same treatment. Desperate to get back my had-earned money, I have most recently emailed James Baker.

In my email I told him that they may have their policy but that the extraordinary cicumstances which prevented me to cancel within 7 days cannot be ignored.

Based on my previous bad experience with them, quite frankly I don't expect to get any positive reply soon.

I am a sick 78 years old senior, living alone, desperately in need of spending money, so please do your best to help me get the refund I feel I am rightfully entitled to, on humanitarian grounds. Thank you!

All the best.

Francois
Chicago, Illinois
U.S.A.