Frustrating experience with a travel agent = any suggestions on how to deal with possible fraud in the Philippines?
Hi. I signed up for membership in an E-Club Vacation Plus program (fee equivalent to 6,000 pesos) in Manila, which entitles me to discounted rates for 2 nights in pre-identified hotels and resorts. The hitch was that I needed to make prior reservations with the seller (Zydan Marketing), through only one phone number. I've made several attempts to get a booking (the most recent ones during the lean season) but was given the runaround, if they even answer my calls. Has anybody experienced this as well? Ewww, I hate to accept that I've been duped!
Reply to this Hello Chichi 😊
Does the E-club program have a good reputation? There are some real rip off merchants out there.
It is always possible to find decently priced hotels in most places. No need to join a club.
I think if those people are not responding it may be better to just write them off as a mistake. And if there is a place to report bad services you could put them on the rubbish list. There are organisations which specialise in uncovering bad services and making what they do public.
When did you sign up? It might not be too late to ask your credit card company to pull back the payment.
Mel
Reply to this Hi Chichi,
I am a travel planner by profession, and my suggestion would be just as Mel said - i would quit the club and try to get my money back. My thought is this - if they won't make an effort for you when you are looking to book with them, think about how much worse they will probably be when they already have your business and your money! Bad customer service is just something I don't understand and it angers me when i see other travel planners acting in this manner - it's why people are so leery to use a travel professional these days. And if it makes you feel better, I think all of us have somehow been duped in one way or another at some point in our lives :-) I know i have - not with travel but with other things. As Mel suggested, I would try to report them to an agency that deals with bad business practices - here in the US it's called the Better Business Bureau.
Reply to this Hi Chichi,
Another thought - I'm not sure what you have in the Phillipines that is like this, but here we have a couple of accrediting organizations such as the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and US Tour Operators Association (USTOA) and you can generally look on their websites to find a travel planner/tour operator in your area. These organization do monitor their agency members, so it's much more likely that a travel company/tour operator that you find through these agencies is legit. Perhaps there is something like that in the Phillipines. I know there is PATA but i'm not sure if the Phillipines is included in that organization - might be something to check out, you can just do a google search.
Reply to this Hi Chichi,
I have travel agency based in Cebu and I know a bit about Zydan marketing as they have branch here in Cebu they are offering membership cards in which entitles you about free stay at hotels they are affiliated to but sad to say there are lots of complaints from clients as they could not used their free stay and the worst thing is they sometimes deducted your credit card twice and if you will not notice it then it's your loss and if you do they will credit it back in a span of 2 months or more , that is due to mis presentation with marketer they promise lots of things in which they know they could not provide you just to get commission they will lower their prices just to capture clients but it turns out the wrong way and when clients get back to them those marketer could not be located, office will close down and change name and the worst thing ur agent is not using their true identity they will used fictitious names (alias) , there are still membership which are genuine but u have to verify the company first and their existence. We as travel agents we make it sure that our clients request will always be attended carefully and put into writing all the services inclusive on our package.
Reply to this You really have to scrutinize the people you deal with especially with travel😊
There is no regulating body in the Philippines to accredit agents.
Reply to this Hi chichi,
I also signed up for this zydan marketing crap which at first they sound really prompt and honest but believe it or not i called the number
up to 21 says Globe telecom that the number is out of service. My membership will last is just a few days this march. How can we get our refund for this. I also did use my credit card for this cheaters. Sorry I easily get angry for this type of people, the name that she game was bea honasan with cell number . I would like to get my refund for this. do you think we can still go to their office at Makati City, Unit 6g, 6th Floor Citiland Herrera Tower VA Rufino st. Salcedo Village, makati. You know that bad karma never fails. Reply to this Hi chi2,
If you wish we can plan about this you can call me thru
as i dont have anyone to help me on how to get my refund. I really need money right or at least i get something in return. dont you? Reply to this i am sorry for you guys but i would suggest that in case you will plan your travel going to the philippines make it through an IATA/ PATA approved travel agency or otherwise book it directly with airline and hotel. its tideous but its all worth it and safe.
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