Has your business received an enticing offer like the following?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: All Corporate Employees
FROM: Diane Johnson, Corporate Travel Division
SUBJECT: Today's Special
DATE: 04/99
CORPORATE SELLOUT
BAHAMAS CRUISE AND ISLAND VACATION ONLY $79.99 PP
FIRST 50 CALLERS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These deceptive offers are blanketing business fax machines across the
U.S. Even Better Business Bureau staff members are targets. At least
one such unsolicited travel offer arrives over the fax machine at the
Council of Better Business Bureaus each week.
From its appearance, the offer seems to come from a staff member within
your organization or from a travel firm your company uses. Guess again!
The offers typically come from firms, usually out-of-state, that
specialize in offering travel packages. They are specifically designed
to lead recipients to believe that their employers are sponsoring the
promotion.
The example illustrates two problems that, when coupled together, can
mislead even the savviest consumer - unsolicited faxes and deceptive
travel/vacation packages and offers.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns consumers that businesses
that send unsolicited faxes are violating Federal Communications
Commission's regulations. In addition, these particular faxes may not
be the great deal they represent themselves to be.
"This is the time of year when many consumers are planning their
summer vacations," said James L. Bast, president of the Council of
Better Business Bureaus. "If you want a vacation that matches your
dreams and your budget, learn how to carefully evaluate vacation/travel
offers."
Complaints to the BBB indicate that consumers most often fall
victim to "great deals" and low-priced offers from unfamiliar
businesses.
"Our best piece of advice is to verify the reliability of the
business and verify all travel package details before you pay any fee,
no matter how small. Deal only with businesses you know and have
confidence in, or have checked out with the BBB or a recognized travel
organization," Bast said. "And, get the details of your vacation in
writing before you send a check or provide credit card number
information."
Consumers should be aware that travel packages might require
consumers to travel during restricted times and to stay in
accommodations whose quality and location may not match advertised
photos. The company may also reserve the right to change accommodations
without consulting the consumer.
While seemingly cheap, travel package plans may fail to cover basic
expenses -- such as transportation to and from the destination, meals,
accommodations, and taxes -- the addition of which may make "the deal"
less worthwhile. Reservation and cancellation requirements may also be
restrictive. Consumers considering purchasing a travel package should
request information about all accommodations, any costs not covered by
the package and reservation and cancellation policies before buying.
