Apple Vacations Virtual Showcase Travel Breach of Contract Internet

Apple Vacations and Virtual Showcase Travel.

Online bookings require the customer to sign a contract with Apple Vacations. Apple breaches the contract at will.

In August 2004 I booked a land-only all-inclusive package in Mexico through Apple (New Years, family of four). I paid a deposit and was required to sign a contract. The contract stated the balance was due Sat. Nov 13, 2004. The balance was charged early to my charge card, without notice on October 24, 2004. This occurred at a time when the Canadian dollar was rising in value and the payment in full was unilaterally charged to my VISA 20 days ahead of the contract date.

When I observed that they had taken the balance in full and broken the contract which they required me to sign, the only option offered was to fully cancel my family vacation. I identified this problem to Ed Bank at Virtual Showcase Travel on Nov 15th. There was no acknowledgement of breach of contract. Subsequent to my new years travel, I wrote to Apple Vacations
on January 9th, 2005, providing copies of the contract and proof of their breach in charging me early (when the American dollar was falling in value against the Canadian dollar, action taken in breach of their own published Fair Trade policy). There has been no acknowledgement as of March 4, 2005.

I had not previously booked with on-line holiday agencies so I paid a direct commission to a long-time professional travel agent to assist me with this booking. She advised me that the on-line agency probably will not acknowledge what they have done (breach of contract) as if they do so, they might be responsible to do something about it.....

I did have accomodation. I did have ground transportation. The room was not what I had booked but the on site Apple representative did assist to resolve. Yes, we had our trip.

Yes, I still have a bad taste in my mouth about any booking agency which unilaterally breaches the contracts which THEY required, and ignores anyone who points out exactly what they have done. Will I use Apple again. Emphatically, NO.

Bruce
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada