AAA ruined my vacation before it even started!

[delswife]

First off, Thank you to everyone who helped me do the "ugly" math involved in my vacation package. I am so greatful for these boards!

Here's the thing, I went to AAA and was quoted a price for the Fairy Tale Package on June 23. Just before the special ended. She quoted me a price of $3650.41 and hand wrote it out. I still have it. It says on it, 1 room=5 people=2adults, 3 Children Land/air/limo. Port Orleans Riverside. Deposit $200 due July 7th, Final payment due Aug 18th.

OKay, so on July 7th I went there, paid my $200 and was a very happy DISer. On July 9th, she calls me and says she had made a mistake, forgot to add our youngest child to the package and the price was now $4275, minus $200, giving me a balance of $4075!! Oh and by the way, that moring my SIL paid $2000 on my package as an early christamas gift to our family. So I get a slip in the mail saying I ONLY owe, $2075. Shouldn't I ONLY owe $1350? On the paper she wrote out, It says 5 people. I can't cancel the package, because the special ended.
Is there anything I can do? Can't I make them stick to the original quote? When she called me I was shocked and just said "ahh, ok" because I didnt know what to do. But of course, my DH is NOT happy. My DB & SIL are very angery and plan on calling Monday moring and yelling.
What would you do? Its the differance of $625. Please help!

 

[Geoff_M]

Can't I make them stick to the original quote?

Unfortunately, I don't think a quote is a legally binding offer. Your best bet is to press it firmly with their management and they MAY offer to eat the difference... but it's probably a long shot.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

I think that they should honor the price they quoted you (especially since it is in writing), but that doesn't mean that they will. Speak to a manager, preferrably in person, and see if (s)he will resolve this to your satisfaction.

If management can't/won't resolve it, you need to consider your options: 1) cancel the package and pay more for another one; 2) pay the difference and then file complaints with the BBB and your state AG's office.

If it were me, I would take option 2. It will be cheaper than another package and you still get to go to Disney. Plus, companies must respond to AG complaints and most respond to BBB complaints, so you could still get your money back.

BTW, you have a very generous SIL! How wonderful that she is helping pay for your trip.

 

[delswife]

Thanks for the responces!

I don't think its fair they raise the price after $2200 was paid on it and after the package ended. If I have to pay the differance, I will BUT I will take your advice and go to the AG & BBB. They dont want to mess with my SIL, she is very generous, but very powerful.

When she paid on my package, I was dumbfounded! I cried and everything. I asked my DB what I could possibly give her for christmas that she couldnt get herself, and he said "Dummy, photographs of our trip!" (I am a graphic artist)

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

speaking as an attorney-- legally an offer based on a mistake may not be a valid offer. in other words, because the AAA rep made a mistake, the offer may not have been valid in the first place. though there's also the counter-argument that the offer became binding when you made the deposit, but I don't know how strong that argument can be, since the only "writing" you have is the handwritten, unsigned note the AAA rep made. if you had a printout from AAA on their letterhead you'd have a stronger argument. so I don't think you can make them stick to it. and frankly, unless you can prove a pattern of such mistakes with other customers, complaining to the attorney general and the beter business bureau are not going to get you far. they'll make an inquiry on your behlaf, but once they hear the AAA rep's side of it, they'll file it away and won't pursue it. especially since you have the option of cancelling the package, i.e., you are NOT stuuck with the package.

if the management at AAA wants your good will, they'll eat the $600. but I certainly wouldn't count on it. few merchants are in the position these days to give you something for nothing.

 

[delswife]

if you had a printout from AAA on their letterhead you'd have a stronger argument.

I do! She printed out a reciept when I paid my deposit. I should have mentioned that, sorry. The only thing is, on the printout, she hand wrote the other child on it. If I cancel the package, I lose my deposit.

Thank you so much for your help Briar Rose 7457. I guess I wont get my hopes up, but I will give it a shot anyway. I will never use them for anything again after this, and will probably cancel my membership. (Not that they will care)

 

[lynr]

In my opinion I would do two things, the first one would be talk to the manager of that office and the second would be to write a letter to the home office of AAA. I would not be nasty or demanding I would simply outline exactly what happened and what you think would be a resonable resolution. Maybe they would pickup the whole amount or maybe just half. It is worth a shot.

I am so sorry this happened. This happened to me one year with Disney reservations. I thought I had purchased a package with what was called fun and food back then. But when I got to the resort they said it wasn't included and I had to pay extra. Talk about a shock. Now I always double and triple check everything to make sure it is right.

I hope everything works out for you.

Lyn

 

[safetymom]

I would write down all that happened and then go to AAA. Talk to them calmly and you might find that they can do something to make it better. If you go in insisting that they fix it and you are upset they may not do anything. But if you can explain all that happened they may be able to correct the problem and even make it better for you.

Contacting the AG and the BBB before you give AAA the chance to do something is not correct. People do make mistakes. You also should have gone over all the numbers and details before you left the office to make sure that everything added up.

I am sure AAA will do what it can to make it right.

 

[sparp5]

delswife:

I don't know if this would work but since you already have it booked and disney has the room set aside perhaps you could call disney travel company tell them your dilemma and ask if you could book it directly through them. There number is 1800-828-0228. I have the BC concierge booked 7 nights lagoon view five of us (2 adults, 3 kids 15, 12, 9) and we are only paying 3,280 (room and tiks) they WDTC quoted me a price for POR for the same days at 2,142.00 so I'm sure you are being cheated by AAA. I don't know if it would work but maybe it wouldn't hurt to try. You'd probably have to get a Manager to help you. Hope you get justice it sad to have vacation plans ruined like that. Good Luck.

 

[susy]

I was going to suggest the same. Call Disney and ask for a manager. Then explain what happened and offer to fax over your info. Maybe they have some power and can extend the package for you. Offer to pay the depost right then on the phone with a credit card. If that manager can't help, ask to speak to someone higher.

 

[delswife]

*UPDATE*

Wow! You wont believe this, but AAA just called me! They said they had made a mistake, they added the youngest kid twice. The original quote is what I will be paying!!!!!

I am so happy!
Thank you so much for all your help, I was really losing sleep over it. I hate to fight over things, but didnt think it was fair.

Thank you again!

 

[lynr]

delswife:
I am so happy that something finally worked out for the positive for someone. It seems like it never turns out that way. Have a great trip.

Lyn

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

First let me say I'm really sorry this happened. Unfortunately I think you will find that until a package is PAID IN FULL the price is not guaranteed. It's usually somewhere in the fine print - It will not say anything about a quote or deposit making a package a guaranteed price. So as someone else said a quote, or even a deposit will not bind AAA to the deal - and you do have the option of cancelling.

Calling Disney themselves, explaining what happened and hopefully they'll find some pixie dust for you, might be the best option. I doubt AAA is going to eat that much $$$.

Sorry - good luck to you.

UPdate! Wow, that's wonderful - got posted I guess while I was writing mine! BUT - two mistakes like that - may I suggest getting a new travel agent?!

Glad it turned out so well

 

[Gillian]

I'm glad it all worked out! What a wonderful gift from your SIL, too!

I have never had a good experience with my local AAA and so have never booked with them. I've called for pricing & advice (Disney & non-Disney) and hard a hard time getting either. They took days to return phone calls, even the first one!

Until I started using Dreams Unlimited I just booked everything myself.

 

[disneydreamer1970]

delswife,

I'm so glad that everything worked out for you!! I am from Maine too! Have a wonderful trip!!!!

 

[TIdoublegaER]

I'm so glad everything worked out. I'm glad they figured out the mistake without you having to spend more time trying to get it corrected. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[UltimateWDWFan]

I, too, have had much grief when trying to use AAA services. They seem to have a very bad record of not making full disclosure, and I wouldn't trust them with something as important as my vacation travel. I do have to say, though, that when I when in and raised cain with my local AAA club manager, he was able to intercede and get me my money back. I'm glad he was able to do that, but I hate the reinforcement of the concept that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If I hadn't made a fuss, I just would have been out the money, and that's not fair to all the nice people in the world.

 

[DrTomorrow]

delswife, I'm very glad it all worked out - I too can get myself crazy when things go awry.

And let me add to the AAA Trouble Team. When we first started travelling more - WDW, Las Vegas - we used AAA Travel. I can't remember a trip that they booked for us that didn't have some issue. Some minor - forgot to note a non-smoking pref on a hotel ressie; some not - didn't provide the airport - hotel transfer we paid for, forgot to inform us of charter flight time change. Now that DW and I are semi-seasoned travellers, we're pretty much on-line DIY-ers.

 

[Sammie]

Glad they found the mistake. We have had really good service with our AAA, so I am sure as with all things it can vary by office.

Mistakes do happen, people are not machines, the good thing is they resolved it.

 

[delswife]

Thank you all so much for your help and support. I will be very leary of ever using them again. I am so glad I didnt have to go through any more stress!

I will be using dreams unlimited in the future!