What’s the deal with those unsolicited faxed offers for cheap resort vacations in the Bahamas, or Cancun, or some other popular beach resort vacation destination?
I’ve always been suspicious of those faxes. And yet, as they flutter into the recycling bin, I can’t help but feel tempted. I mean, a cruise to the Bahamas for $299? Today's fax offered “Cancun, Mexico OR Mayan Riviera (quantities limited)” for six days, $361 per person, all inclusive. I decided to call and satisfy my curiosity.
The sales pitch was fast and slick. Thirty resorts, all over Mexico. All you can eat and drink, something about Pamela Anderson’s honeymoon, beachfront. Pay now and choose a vacation from a DVD she would send me. I would have up to a year to travel.
Always a savvy consumer, I asked if there was a timeshare presentation. Nope, they’re "just promoting tourism to Mexico." Any other fees? I’d have to pay my own airfare. Taxes? Hotel taxes of 20 dollars per person/day. Could I pay by check or money order? No. Visa or MasterCard only.
Could I review the material before paying? Impossible, but she directed me to their website, choosecancun.com, pointing out that the faxed offer was far cheaper than the posted prices.
I told her I’d discuss it with my husband and call back. “Well, you can always call back,” she said, “But you won’t get the low price. You’ll have to pay the higher price on our website.” Then she hung up on me.
Afterwards I did some Googling and found that choosecancun is rather unpopular down at the Orlando Better Business Bureau, and Trip Advisor too. Oh, well.
Amigos, please be careful with your credit cards. Ask questions, do research, and don’t feel pressured into buying something before you’re ready, especially with unsolicited offers. Cliched but true: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
There’s always Little Corn Island if you’re looking for a cheap beach paradise.
