Hello--
I have researched your question and have an answer for you.
This company has additional phone and numbers that may be helpful to
you:
770-936-9876
770-458-7363 Fax
281-492-9744 Fax
The exact address of this company is:
Southern Journeys of Texas, LLC
16350 Park Ten Place, Ste. 150
Houston, TX 77084
I've called the toll-free number you gave and asked some questions.
They are looking for you to agree to go on a five day/four night
cruise to Cozumel leaving from Galveston. They say they'll pay for two
meals per day and insist your only charges will be to pay $128 per
person for "taxes, port charges, and gratuity." The cruise is meant
for two people, but there are upgrades available.
In addition, the lady I spoke with said they would require you to
spend a few hours at "the appointment" to listen to their pitch. They
want you to conduct further business with them. It's unclear whether
this is a timeshare situation, or whether they sell other vacation
packages, or what they want to sell. Typically in situations like this
there are no requirements for you to buy. You can certainly sit and
listen to their talk and leave the seminar and enjoy the remainder of
your vacation.
One thing to note is that this company has only been in business for a
few years. While this doesn't necessarily mean anything, it's
something to consider.
Many smaller companies like this one team with well-known companies
like Carnival Cruise Lines to offer vacation packages. I work with
scams and consumer complaints as a career. And I can tell you that I
have encountered many complaints from people who have received
vacation packages affiliated with "big name" cruise lines or resort
areas and were sadly disappointed. Many people are quite satisfied
with these vacations. The biggest complaints I get are: that they had
to pay for their transportation to the cruise ship and then the cruise
ship had no record of them being assigned to the cruise, that there
are hidden fees that they didn't know about and weren't told about up
front, and that they were given the cruise but they had to stay in
very cheap motels and it wasn't as "elegant" as they thought it would
be. I'm not saying that this company is like that or that you wouldn't
enjoy this cruise. I'm saying proceed with caution and look out for
yourself when doing business with a company like this.
The best indicator, I've found, about the reliability and credibility
of companies like this is their rating with the Better Business
Bureau. This company has a "satisfactory" rating. This is the highest
possible rating the BBB gives. The company has had one complaint to
the Bureau in the past 12 months, but the company resolved that
complaint.
Below I'm attaching the company's full report with the Better Business
Bureau:
"BBB Reliability Report
Southern Journeys of Texas, LLC
16350 Park Ten Place, Ste. 150
Houston, TX 77084
General Information
Original Business Start Date: January 1999
Local Business Start Date: June 2001
Principal : Mr. Jeff Bolton
Customer Contact: Mr. Tom Stevens
Phone Number: (281) 492-9575
Fax Number: (281) 492-9744
Type-of-Business Classification: Travel Agencies
The information in this report has either been provided by the
company, or has been compiled by the Bureau from other sources.
Nature of Business
This company specializes in travel services.
Customer Experience
Based on BBB files, this company has a satisfactory record with the
Bureau.
To have a "Satisfactory Record" with the Bureau, a company must be in
business for at least 12 months, properly and promptly address matters
referred to it by the Bureau, and be free from an unusual volume or
pattern of complaints and law enforcement action involving its
marketplace conduct. In addition, the Bureau must have a clear
understanding of the company's business and no concerns about its
industry.
When evaluating complaint information, please consider the
company's size and volume of business. The number of complaints filed
against the company may not be as important as the type of complaints
and how the company handled them.
Closed Complaints
Number of complaints processed by the BBB since the firm's BBB file
was opened in September of 2001: 1
Number of complaints processed by the BBB in last 12 months: 1
Complaints Concerned
Sales Issues: 1
Outcome of the complaint -
Resolved: 1
Licensing Information
This company is in an industry that may require licensing, bonding or
registration in order to lawfully do business. The Bureau encourages
you to check with the appropriate agency to be certain any
requirements are currently being met. These agencies may include the
Airline Reporting Corporation."
You may read this report directly from the web site of the Houston
Better Business Bureau. The link is
http://worf.usshurdman.com/~hous/commonreport.html?compid=22000599
I have found quite a bit of information on how to protect yourself
from vacation scams and how to protect yourself that you might find
valuable. I'm attaching it below:
"Vacation Certificates
Timeshare resorts, travel clubs, and other companies may notify you by
mail or telephone that "You have been selected for an island vacation
that includes free airfare and accommodations." Or maybe you filled
out an entry form for a vacation sweepstakes at a store, trade show or
other local event. Why are these offered and how do they work?
Businesses often provide vacation certificates with the goal of
selling a specific product or service. They print these certificates
in large quantities, believing that the attraction of a "free"
vacation will draw customers to their sales site. Making a purchase or
attending a sales presentation may be required to claim a vacation at
a timeshare resort, membership campground or other land sales
promotion.
Vacation certificate offers vary. Some certificates include lodging in
a hotel or timeshare resort for a certain number of days and nights.
Other offers include airfare or a cruise, or provide one complimentary
ticket with the purchase of a second. Some certificates include
discount coupons for restaurants, tours or attractions in the resort
area.
Companies using vacation certificates may require a non-refundable
processing and handling fee or a refundable deposit of $50 to $100 to
reserve a vacation offer. Vaca-tion certificates requiring a
refundable deposit often state that the deposit will be returned after
a vacation has been taken. Written confirmation should be sent when
the deposit is received.
What to Look For
Before committing to participate in any vacation promotion, it’s wise
to do the following:
Contact your Better Business Bureau for a reliability report on the
company providing the vacation certificate and any other company
involved in an offer that requires you to listen to a sales
presentation or purchase a product. Until you receive complete details
in writing of total cost, terms and conditions and restrictions, do
not offer any payment to the company.
Read the rules carefully. Do you meet the required conditions, such as
age and marital status?
Determine all costs involved in using a vacation certificate. It will
be your responsibility to pay for anything not specifically mentioned.
Do you pay for:
1. Hotel, timeshare resort or other lodging? Meals?
2. Transportation from your home to the resort? Do you have to travel
to a distant location before the company pays for "free" travel?
3. Transportation from the airport to the lodging accommodation?
4. Additional fees for the peak tourist season? When is the peak
season? Are there any port taxes when visiting a foreign country?
Before traveling, confirm all arrangements directly with the:
1. Airlines, cruise lines, etc.
2. Hotel, timeshare resort, etc. (By requesting descriptive brochures
directly from the lodging you may avoid any unpleasant surprises once
you arrive.)
3. Business sponsors such as restaurants or resort attractions
offering discount or other coupons. Determine any restrictions on the
use of these coupons.
Ask the vacation certificate promoter what happens if the hotel or
other accommodations are completely booked.
If a refundable deposit is required, when and how do you get it back?
Find out what the company will do if it can't match your request with
a specific vacation time. Can you get your money back?
If "free" travel is offered, can you make your own travel
arrangements, or do you have to use a specific travel agent? If you
use the company's travel agent and you must pay for a second ticket,
determine if the cost of the second purchased ticket is more than if
you had made your own travel plans for two through another source. Is
the rate competitive with rates available through other travel agents,
airlines, etc.?
If you attend a land sales presentation, obtain a copy of the Property
Report often required by federal law, and read it before signing any
contract or written agreement.
Travel Packages
A travel package is a prearranged vacation. Usually, these packages
are assembled by an independent tour operator and are sold through
travel agents. Purchasing a travel package has the advantage of
convenience and, in many cases, value. Paying attention to the
following can help you choose wisely:
Small Print or Asterisks: Make sure that asterisks or small print are
not used as a means of altering the meaning of any advertising
statement. Asterisks are commonly used to indicate restrictions --
required length of stay, particular days and/or times of departure or
additional charges.
Availability: Make sure that the travel services are currently
available at advertised prices. If the travel service at the
advertised price is not immediately effective, availability should be
stated in the advertisement.
Extra Charges: Any extra charges such as port taxes, service charges
or single supplement charges should be clearly and conspicuously
disclosed.
Features: If the brochure/advertisement states, for example, that you
can play golf or that you can visit an amusement park nearby, it does
not necessarily mean that these attractions will be included in the
travel program for the advertised price.
Make sure to look for the following:
What features are included in package price? Ask about:
airfare
hotel
transfers
sightseeing
gratuities
baggage handling
meals
car rental mileage
The total number of nights in each city and hotel, as well as the
amount of free time you will have on the tour.
The daily itinerary/schedule of events.
The name of each hotel and the type (grade) of accommodations offered
by each.
Is the tour escorted and to what degree?
Conditions: You should pay special attention to the contents of the
"conditions" clause, usually found in fine print on the last page of
the brochure:
How firm is the price? (i.e. does the tour operator have the right to
increase the fare?)
What are the cancellation penalties? What is considered a valid reason
for either you or the tour operator to cancel the trip?
What are the conditions under which you can receive a full refund?
Abbreviations: Common abbreviations used in travel ads and brochures
include:
AP (American plan) -- hotel rate includes bed, breakfast, lunch and
dinner.
CP (continental plan) -- hotel rate includes bed and continental
breakfast.
FIT (frequent independent travel) -- a prepaid, custom-designed travel
package with many individualized arrangements.
GIT (group inclusive tour) -- a pre-paid tour of specific group size,
components and value.
single supp. (single supplement) -- extra charge for a single
accommodations tour.
pp. dbl. occ. (per person double occupancy) -- price per person for a
room to be shared.
OW (one way) -- one way airfare.
RT (round trip) -- round trip airfare.
dep. (departure date) -- date of departure.
Quick Check List
Before finalizing any vacation or travel plans, you should do the
following:
Deal with a business you know or have checked out with the BBB or
other reliable groups like those listed on the back of this brochure;
Verify everything before you pay. Get the details of your vacation in
writing and copies of all cancellation and refund policies;
Be cautious about prepaying for multiple years. Timeshares,
campgrounds or travel clubs may offer to sell membership vacation
accommodations for five years or more. Take into account your physical
and financial health, a company’s solvency, potential rising
membership and maintenance fees, and the often poor appreciation of
such investments;
Watch out for instant travel offers. If a company offers special
identification that they say will guarantee discounted travel rates,
be wary. No company has control over discounts. Only suppliers of
travel such as cruiselines, hotel companies, car rental companies, or
airlines can decide to extend such professional courtesies.
Vacation Scam "Red Flags"
Be alert to the following "redflags" that may signal fraudulent
vacation promotions:
Salespersons who use high pressured tactics such as:
demanding your credit card number before explaining all the conditions
of an offer;
requesting that you identify yourself by your credit card number (a
sign of possible misuse of your card);
or refusing to provide all the information about the total cost of a
vacation or travel offer.
Post card or fax promotional mailings that require you to pay a fee or
to purchase membership in a travel club, in order to claim a vacation
or travel prize.
Low rates on air travel that require you to purchase an additional
ticket for a companion.
Offers by companies attempting to subvert U.S. postal authorities by
requiring a messenger or courier to deliver the travel package to you
in exchange for your payment.
How to Protect Yourself
To avoid falling prey to a vacation or travel scam, heed the following
advice:
Be wary of “great deals” and low- priced offers.
Be suspicious of companies that require you to wait at least 60 days
before taking your trip.
Ask detailed questions.
Get all information in writing before you agree to buy.
Don’t give your credit card number or bank information over the phone
unless you have confidence in the company you are dealing with.
Don’t send money by messenger or overnight mail.
Check out a company with the Better Business Bureau before you buy.
Don’t be pressured into buying.
If in doubt, say “NO.” "
You may read the above information directly on the Better Business
Bureau's web site. The link is
http://worf.usshurdman.com/~hous/go.html?location=http://www.bbb.org/library/vacation.asp
If you have questions regarding travel scams, you may also get more
information by contacting the following agencies:
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF TRAVEL AGENTS
at 703.739.8739
THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
at 202.382.4357
NATIONAL TOUR ASSOCIATION
at 606.226.4444
U.S. TOUR OPERATORS ASSOCIATION
at 212.599.6599
I hope this helps! If you need clarification about this answer, please
don't hesitate to ask!
darrel-ga |
