 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
||||
 |
 |
||||
 |
 |
||||
ANCHOR INTRO:
WHO WOULDN'T LOVE A LITTLE GETAWAY-ESPECIALLY IF IT COSTS YOU NEXT TO NOTHING?
THE OFFERS ARE OUT THERE.
TRAVEL CERTIFICATES ARE A HUGE TREND...
SOME YOU BUY, OTHERS ARE "FREE". BUT THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS THE INCREDIBLE
ESCAPE THEY ADVERTISE. ________ GIVES YOU THE HEADS UP.
TRACK ONE Length:
09
PROMISES FOR "FREE VACATIONS" OR DEALS AT PRICES SO LOW YOU'D BE
A FOOL TO STAY HOME... THEY'RE POPPING UP ALL OVER THE INTERNET... IN THE
MAIL AND OVER AIRWAVES.
SOT
NO KEY
"The problem is that there are always strings attached."
TRACK TWO Length:
09
Source: National Consumers League, Average loss in travel scams is $1200
AND WHILE SOME ARE LEGIT...MANY ARE NOT. IN FACT, TRAVEL FRAUD IS NOW AMONG
THE TOP TEN COMPLAINTS REGISTERED WITH THE NATIONAL FRAUD INFORMATION CENTER.
SOT
KEY @: 23 Susan Grant, Director of National Fraud Information Center, National
Consumers League
"Consumers typically lose hundreds of dollars, sometimes thousands."
TRACK THREE Length:
14
CHUCK WADRO CONSIDERS HIMSELF LUCKY THAT HIS LOSSES WEREN'T THAT GREAT. HE
BOUGHT A TRAVEL CERTIFICATE THAT WAS ADVERTISED, HOPING TO CASH IN ON A NICE
HOTEL STAY. THE DEAL: PAY FOR ONE NIGHT AND GET A SECOND FREE. BUT WHEN HE
WENT TO REDEEM IT, HE WAS DENIED.
SOT
KEY @: 41 (QUICK) Chuck Wadro, Got a Travel Certificate
"I couldn't even believe it...I said how is that possible?"
TRACK FOUR Length:
03
HOW? BLACKOUT DATES THAT CHUCK SAYS WEREN'T SPELLED OUT.
SOT
NO KEY
"I was aggravated. This is not the right way to do business."
TRACK FIVE Length:
03
YOU MAY FACE A LOT MORE THAN RESTRICTIONS
SOT
KEY @: 55 Susan Grant, Director of National Fraud Information Center, National
Consumers League
"You might have to endure a high pressure sales pitch for a timeshare
or a travel club membership. Or, there may be hidden fees."
TRACK SIX Length:
19
CLIENT NOTE: Please see source information for more details on what the
BBB recommends
YOU MIGHT EVEN BE REQUIRED TO BRING A COMPANION, AND PAY FULL PRICE FOR THAT
PERSON. THE WAY TO AVOID ANY HOLIDAY SURPRISE?
GET A RELIABILITY REPORT FROM THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU BOTH AT HOME AND
IN THE STATE IN WHICH THE PROMOTION IS OFFERED.
GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING AND READ IT CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU PAY, PAYING SPECIAL
ATTENTION TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
SOT
KEY @: 1:22 Susan Grant, Director of National Fraud Information Center, National
Consumers League
"The best way for people to plan their vacations is by doing their own
homework and being sure that they have all of the details and that they've
compared prices before they agree to any deal."
TRACK SEVEN Length:
02
CHUCK SAYS HE'S LEARNED HIS LESSON...
SOT
NO KEY
"Would I ever do this again? Absolutely not."
ANCHOR TAG:
ALSO, CONSUMER ADVOCATES SAY BE WARY IF YOU'RE OFFERED A FREE TRAVEL CERTIFICATE
AND THE COMPANY STILL WANTS YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBER TO "CONFIRM"
THE TRIP.
SOURCE INFO
Susan Grant
Director of National Fraud Information Center
National Consumers League
Contact: Carol McKay, 202-835-3323
The National Consumers League is a coalition of government and nonprofit consumer
groups.
1701 K Street, NW, Suite 1200
Washington, DC, 20006
BBB website.
http://www.bbbsilicon.org/topic166.html
The website has lots of
information to help you.
It will tell you things to ask and things to watch for such as:
* ask what terms and conditions will apply.
* get complete details about total price, cancellation and change penalties,
transportation, accommodations and anything else your offer includes.
* find out how long you must wait before you can take your trip, and how far
in advance you have to notify the company
* read any written offer carefully
* contact travel agencies to compare airfares.
* get names, addresses and phone #'s of hotels connected with the promotion.
* If you purchase one, confirm your reservation with the hotel directly as
well as through the promoter.
* Check with the American Society of Travel Agents about the travel company
and the offer. It's # is: 703 739 2782.
* Get everything in writing before you pay.
* If you buy, don't send a check by overnight mail and don't let the company
send a courier.
* Pay by credit card because it allows you to dispute charges later.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
|
||||
