On 6/16/08 I received a automated phone call from West Star advetising claiming that I hand enter my name somewhere and won a 4 day five night cruise all inclusive, and a 300 dollar gas card. All I had to do to obtain the offer was go to their grand opening of their new location in Irving Texas, be married or living with partner (co-habiting), 25 years or older, and have a credit card with a Visa or mastercard logo. I accepted the offer.
That afternoon I recieved a from call from Lauren at West star and she again confirmed the details listed above and also mentioned that I would have to attend an hour long presentation and the only reason they needed the credit card was for identification purposes only and she gave us a confirmation code. She stated that I could go pick up the gifts and attend the presentation that next day on 6/17/08 at 6:00 pm or 8:00 pm. I chose 8:00 because I don't get off of work until 6:00. Me and my fiance arrive 30 minutes early, excited that we would finally get to go on a cruise which we could have used for our honeymoon!! When we arrived I noticed that we were the second couple there. The receptionist asked us for the confirmation code, to see our ID and our credit card. Let me remind you that I was told that any credit card with a VIsa or Mastercard logo would work, so I handed her my debit/credit card that included a Visa logo. When I gave it to her, she asked me if I had a "major" credit card, I replied yes, but they're in my other purse and explained that I was told that the card I had was okay to bring. she told me that it was not a problem and gave me the application to fill out.
As soon as we sat down, a guy by the name of Craig approached us and asked how did we here about them, I told him that we recieved a phone call thgat stated I had enetered my name somewhere. He insisted on knowing. He then asked, well, do you think it was on craigslist or backpage. I told him that I didn't remember, all I know is I recieved the phone call from West Star Advertising and he replied "Oh that makes sense". What ever that's suppose to mean. So we finished the application and handed it back to the receptionist. A couple of minutes later she returns and asks us what gifts were we offered, I told her, then she preceded back to her desk. At this time more couples have shown up. We had been there about 30 minutes and we were noticing that all of the people who arrived after us, all except two African American Couples and and a Caucasian couple who happened to be sitting right next to us.
Ten more minutes had passed and then a guy comes up to us and tells us that they can't let us in the presentation because we did not provide a valid credit card. I explained to him the same this that I explained to the receptionist and I also told him that this was a waste of time, the receptionist should have told us that at the beginning. I told him that I had two major credit cards at home, I brought my debit card because it just happened to be in the purse that I was carrying that day. I also told him that my fiance could run back to the house to retrive it. He said that they were about to start but he would go and speak to his manager. The couple next to us over heard the conversation and told us that they didn't have a major credit card either and they were told that any card with a visa, master card logo would work. In the middle of our conversation the same guy that we were talking to called them to the side room. When the couple left the room they told us that the reason they wants your credit card was so that they could bill you every month for the "free" cruise. After they told us this, we got up and headed for the door. I told the staff while we were heading out,that the whole advertisment was a crack of bull and they shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. Craig came behind me explaining that they were about to ask us to come back to the presentation while at the same time ripping up our application.
To be honest, I feel as though we were being discriminated against. We were one of three African american couples that were the only ones remaining in the waiting area. One of those couples they told they could not attend because they to did not have a major credit card, the other couple they let into the presentation. Its my assumption that they let the other couple in, which arrived right after us, because they had no other choice. I'm sure they had a major credit card and they didn't have anything else to single them out. Another question that I would like to know is why did they call the caucasion couple that did not have a major credit card to the back to explain to them the criteria if you didn't have a major credit card but automatically were telling the african american couples that we couldn't attend the presentation. Were they going to let the caucasion couple go to the back if they had excepted the terms or was it because they automatically judged the african american couples as low income people who are unable to afford their cruises? Your guess is as good as mind but whatever the case may be, no one regardless of race, age, ethnicity, or gender should be treated the way that we were!! They need to own up to the offer that they promised and maybe this letter will give them a wake up call. I would hate for someone to endure the humiliation and embarasement that we did with this company!! They should just post a sign that says" If you are a minority you can not attend the presentaion but if you have a major credit card "which is suppose to be for identification purposes but we really need it so that we can sell you cruises and bill you, then this is not the place for you." We will not give you a free cruise or $300 gas card because we will not get anything in return" The only way to get this items is if you are willing to PAY!!!
Engaged Couple
Dallas, Texas
U.S.A.
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