Bait and Switch vacation

[Molly Robinson]

THe details

Signature Vacation and sears travel

Fight booked through sears travel a month ago (really good price)

flight only to Costa Rica leaving this Thursday early early am

Get call today saying all flights with Signature to costa rica are cancelled for the month of feb.

They are offering a flight to Mexico instead. WTF Mexico or a full refund.

Condo rental paid in full for Costa Rica and to late to cancell, not to mention Two weeks holidays start today and can't be changed.

Friend is pissed is there anything she can do. other then except the refund and count her losses on rental

 

[landscaper]

there is a regulatory group that deals with travel agents etc, however that may only cover the trip. The accomodations if not booked through the agency are probably not covered. Send a registered letter to the agency requesting a refund on the acomodations , this will not work but it will start a paer trail for later. Follow up with one of the T.V. consumer advocates etc. The squeeky wheel may work but don,t jhold your breath.

 

[S.C. Joe]

Most likely not!

I bet Sears put in a cause that says they can change the location if necessary.

Sears has went down hill since they were bought by K-mart. Their tools are now junk too but thats another story.

What you could do is check like -priceline, hotwire and see how much a flight there would cost. You will be getting a refund in a few months. Maybe for a hundred or two more, you still can go.

 

[Larry_Fyne]

Quick stupid question. Did you buy cancellation insurance?

 

[Larry_Fyne]

6:25 AM Depart Buffalo (BUF)
Arrive San Jose (SJO) 2:37 PM Fri 15 Feb
Duration: 9hr 12min US Airways 807 / 1773
Connect in Charlotte (CLT)
C$683 Return

 

[KBear]

Are there no other flights available to Costa Rica?

It is Signature you should be pissed at. Sears travel just did the booking for you.

 

[great bear]

Air Canada flys on wed and sat to San Jose direct.

 

[Aardvark154]

Are there no other flights available to Costa Rica?

Molly take a look at Expedia, Travelocity, and Hotwire. As well, perhaps as Priceline.

From BUF Delta, Northwest, U.S Air, Continetal, American and United offer flights to San Jose. Leaving from YYZ adds the option of Mexicana.

Just taking a brief look I found flights from BUF for $431 on US Airways and $518 on Delta and from YYZ $568 on Delta. Of course these are only ball park figures before taxes.

 

[Berlin]

Get call today saying all flights with Signature to costa rica are cancelled for the month of feb.

For the whole month ? I wonder if that has anything to do with the sewage problem/ hotel closures in Tamarindo. Even Allegro Papagayo hotel was shut down last week.

Molly, how much your friend is paying for the 2 week rental, a grand and a half about ?

 

[big dogie]

Jezzz I think this guy is got it right!!

b d

I doubt Signature will change their mind and send a plane down for your friend. I'd suggest that she look where the others have said and buy a ticket and go on holiday.

Then when she gets back, write Signature?Sears and demand the difference be paid or you will take it to Small Claims Court.

There is likely some language that they will attempt to rely on to get out of it, but I'd bet a Small Claims Court JP will not take kindly to that and find in your favour. Or more likely that Signature will simply pay up when faced with the actual statement of claim.

But if she doesn't go that means she is not trying to mitigate her loss so I doubt she'd be able to recover the cost of her condo since the flight is available.

This advice is worth what you paid for it!

 

[longlegs12]

Isn't the body in Onatrio that deals with travel agency complaints called TICO ??

I think I remember a comercial...any help on this guys?

 

[Molly Robinson]

I did talk to TICO they were very helpful....and found out what the problem was.

Berlin you are correct it has to do with the hotel closurs due to a sewage problem. Signature had a package deal to one of these hotels so they have had to switch it to mexico. So anyone who happend to have purchased flight only is sort of... how should I put it, shit out of luck!

what gets me neither sears or signature gave an explanation. They were quite rude and simpley said flight has been canelled. My friend was more understanding when we got an answer. It was TICO that found out what was up.

 

[cypherpunk]

Small Claims Court is aweseom. Most big companies fucking hate it when you actually serve them the statement of claim. They will 9/10 cave in and pay for the costs associated with filing the claim. Easy to file one too.

It's not immediately clear to me who is at fault here and who would have to pay out. Am I being dense or would that be a problem?

 

[mariola95]

Take it from a pilot...never book your holiday on a "charter"

 

[The Cunning Linguist]

Rubmeister has it right. Take his advice.

Signarure, Sunquest, Air Transat...they're all bandits. Your purchase of ticket contains more legalese small print than most mortgages. Basically the conditions of purchase reserves the right for them to do whatever the f*ck they want. Without fear of legal consequences.

However, my experience is that they will cave when facing determined opposition, and they hate bad publicity. I've never thought of small claims court, but I could see how the nusiance of it would make them cave in. However, your friend must go via another carrier, and then she can sue them for the difference in flight costs, and the cost of any missed time(rental of condo) at her destination once she gets back.

 

[Malibook]

I would write to them and let them know your disappointment and how much you are out of pocket.
Aside from the flight cost, they are not obligated to pay you anything, however, they may give you a few hundred dollars or so.