On November 28, 2013 I purchased a voucher offered on Eversave.com that was for the company Bill Brown's Plaza Travel. Following is the exact wording on the voucher: ""A three-day, two-night stay at a Ramada hotel (a $400 value),"" and the price was $99. The terms and conditions made it very clear that the travel had to be reserved and redeemed at www.fetchmyvoucher.com at least 35 days in advance, and travel must be completed by 11/28/2014. It listed a few blackout dates, which I was sure to avoid. Before purchasing the voucher, I also went to their website to ensure that the hotels they offered as valid with the voucher would suit my needs. When they did, I purchased the voucher, and a family member purchased another for a total of $198 (2 vouchers for $99 each).
On Sunday, 4/13/14, I followed the instructions for redemption exactly as they were outlined in the voucher, as did my family member with his voucher. I should note that the website also states the exact same conditions, even as of today. The hotel I wanted was still available, as were the dates I was requesting, so my reservation request was accepted and I was told that I would be contacted within 3 business days by one of their agents to confirm my reservation.
Today, Tuesday, 4/15/14, both my family member and I received the same email message from Michelle Oyama, Customer Care Manager. Her email states: ""Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances we will be unable to book your reservation. Please know that at the time of your purchase we were not having issues with our travel vendors and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience."" She goes on to say that ""in an effort of good faith"" she will offer me two options in replacement of the travel voucher, and directs me to respond within 24 hours to let her know which I choose.
The first option is simply a travel gift certificate with their travel agency for $99, the amount I paid for the voucher. ""Travel MUST be booked through our in house travel agency, Bill Brown Plaza Travel,"" and is ""only good for hotel, airfare, tour and cruise fares."" It also expires 1 year from the date of issue. Why would I want $99 that I am forced to use with a company that is proving itself as disreputable rather than just have my money back?
The second option is a TWO night cruise of the Bahamas, but does not cover my costs to travel to Florida or anything other than the cruise fare alone. If I wanted to book a cruise, I would have booked a cruise.
They provide no contact phone number at which to reach them, and the only one listed on their website (855-4-FETCH-4) is a recorded response stating that they do not accept calls. I responded to the email asking for a contact phone number and received a response stating that ""due to the extremely high volume of customer service inquiries, a phone call is not feasible today."" She then proceeded to offer me a prepaid VISA gift card. I should also mention that they require I respond with my voucher information and a copy proving I have it, when she is only writing me an email because I previously provided all of that same information on their website. How would that not be available to them?
I am baffled that they would still present the deal and voucher as valid on their website now if they will not honor the reservation once it's booked, especially since the email stated that they're having issues with their vendors. Additionally, I am baffled that they would not simply refund my credit card as they clearly are not providing the service for which I paid. The sole reason I purchased the voucher was to redeem at the hotels listed on their website as partners in a specific city. Even more off-putting was the tone of the email, which comes across as they are doing me such a favor to offer alternatives at all. They even went so far as to state that it was a ""special courtesy"" and that phrase was underlined for emphasis. I have requested a full refund to my credit card and indicated that if it is not initiated within the next few days, I will be contacting my credit card company to submit a chargeback.
Bill Brown's Plaza Travel Reviews
On November 28, 2013 I purchased a voucher offered on Eversave.com that was for the company Bill Brown's Plaza Travel. Following is the exact wording on the voucher: ""A three-day, two-night stay at a Ramada hotel (a $400 value),"" and the price was $99. The terms and conditions made it very clear that the travel had to be reserved and redeemed at www.fetchmyvoucher.com at least 35 days in advance, and travel must be completed by 11/28/2014. It listed a few blackout dates, which I was sure to avoid. Before purchasing the voucher, I also went to their website to ensure that the hotels they offered as valid with the voucher would suit my needs. When they did, I purchased the voucher, and a family member purchased another for a total of $198 (2 vouchers for $99 each).
On Sunday, 4/13/14, I followed the instructions for redemption exactly as they were outlined in the voucher, as did my family member with his voucher. I should note that the website also states the exact same conditions, even as of today. The hotel I wanted was still available, as were the dates I was requesting, so my reservation request was accepted and I was told that I would be contacted within 3 business days by one of their agents to confirm my reservation.
Today, Tuesday, 4/15/14, both my family member and I received the same email message from Michelle Oyama, Customer Care Manager. Her email states: ""Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances we will be unable to book your reservation. Please know that at the time of your purchase we were not having issues with our travel vendors and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience."" She goes on to say that ""in an effort of good faith"" she will offer me two options in replacement of the travel voucher, and directs me to respond within 24 hours to let her know which I choose.
The first option is simply a travel gift certificate with their travel agency for $99, the amount I paid for the voucher. ""Travel MUST be booked through our in house travel agency, Bill Brown Plaza Travel,"" and is ""only good for hotel, airfare, tour and cruise fares."" It also expires 1 year from the date of issue. Why would I want $99 that I am forced to use with a company that is proving itself as disreputable rather than just have my money back?
The second option is a TWO night cruise of the Bahamas, but does not cover my costs to travel to Florida or anything other than the cruise fare alone. If I wanted to book a cruise, I would have booked a cruise.
They provide no contact phone number at which to reach them, and the only one listed on their website (855-4-FETCH-4) is a recorded response stating that they do not accept calls. I responded to the email asking for a contact phone number and received a response stating that ""due to the extremely high volume of customer service inquiries, a phone call is not feasible today."" She then proceeded to offer me a prepaid VISA gift card. I should also mention that they require I respond with my voucher information and a copy proving I have it, when she is only writing me an email because I previously provided all of that same information on their website. How would that not be available to them?
I am baffled that they would still present the deal and voucher as valid on their website now if they will not honor the reservation once it's booked, especially since the email stated that they're having issues with their vendors. Additionally, I am baffled that they would not simply refund my credit card as they clearly are not providing the service for which I paid. The sole reason I purchased the voucher was to redeem at the hotels listed on their website as partners in a specific city. Even more off-putting was the tone of the email, which comes across as they are doing me such a favor to offer alternatives at all. They even went so far as to state that it was a ""special courtesy"" and that phrase was underlined for emphasis. I have requested a full refund to my credit card and indicated that if it is not initiated within the next few days, I will be contacting my credit card company to submit a chargeback.