details, thank you for asking.
* my first corrispondance..............
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My tour operator had never shown up at the designated meeting time
and area for this tour. I met someone claiming to be the cousin of
that operator (VIV) who was leaving with a full van of tourists, he said
he would cancel the tour for me,and took my booking number.
I assume I will not be charged for this tour?
Thank you,
Mitchell Kephart
* this is the tour operators reply to shoretrips...........
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Hello Mitchell,
Thank you for your email. I forwarded your email on to the tour operator. Here is the response I received:
Hi Melanie
The guide that met the guest (Joe) always introduces himself as the cousin of the tour operator. The situation also was that Joe also had the name and was expecting the guests. Joe says he was all over the dock looking for them and checked at the office frequently since guests are directed towards the office. When he finally met the guests he did mention that he was the cousin of the operator and he also escorted the guest to the new 14 seater van where 8 guest were seated and even the other guest tried to convince the guest to enter the van but the guest hesitated and choose to cancel, Joe says he then wrote down the booking and voucher number as is the procedure. Joe also says he believes that the guides at the dock may have spoken to the guests who may have convinced him to go with them. We do not know if the guest did go to Altun ha and with who.
Regards, Narciso
It appears that the guide met you, escorted you to the van and you decided not to take the tour. As we are obligated to pay for your trip, I am unable to refund for this reason. I am sorry you missed this truly wonderful excursion.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Very Sincerely,
Melanie Lewis of ShoreTrips
Melanie@ShoreTrips.com
888-355-0220
414-964-2100
*my replay to the tour operators alligations.................
copying my travel agent who recommended shoretrips
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travel agents name removed
Here Is a copy of the corrispondane I have been having with Shoretrips below.
The tour operators accounting of the incident is only partially accurate.
I was at Office near the "cock and Bull" resturant, at the designated time.
there wasnt anybody with a "VIV tours" company sign with my name on it, as my
comformation stated. Looking and asking arround produced nothing, nobody ever heard of them.
Finally at 10:45 I asked yet another security gruard who took to "someone" who said
yes I heard of them, thats my cousin he owns both tour companies, let me
go find him, he was looking for you". This "someone"(never identifing himself) came back
5-10 minits later saying he couldnt find his cousin. His van was packed full, but he said
we could go with him, never explaing where he was taking me. As the other passangers
crunched together to make room for me and my wife, I said "I dont feel good about this, can I
just get my money back?". This "someone" said "sure, just let me take down your booking
number and it will be taken care of". He wrote down my number and we both went on our way.
First, His accounting of a 14 passanger van with 8 people in it isnt accurate, I whould have to guess at the
capacity of a full size van,but I can say his van was packed full with people, and nobody tried to "coinvince "us
to join then, other that politly crunching together to make room for us, no words where exchanged.
Second, He never stated where he was going to take me,should I join his tour.
Third, Why would he Identify himself as anything but who he was? I identified myself.
Once he found us, 15 minites late as we where, althouth my conformation said
" the tour operator is aware of a possiable delay" .
We where there "He" was there, at that point I should think he would say "yes I'm VIV, I've been looking for you
pls get in the van" He didnt do this He said thats his cousin, went to look for him, said he couldnt find him,
offered us to go in his van,never saying where he was taking us. At that point I said "I dont feel good about this,
can I just get my money back? He said "thats fine sir let me take you bookin number and it will be taken care of"
To me that ment canceling and getting a refund was OK
Forth, Stating I went with another operater? Please, that just infurates me more!.
And conjecture on his part is worth what? So far he is the the one admitty to not identifying
himself or his company, told me I could get my money back., and want to accuse me of being deceiful?
Belive me being harrassed by all the locals as I looked for VIV, I felt more like I was about to be mugged and just wanted to get out of there there!
Fifth. If his itentions or company policy says that I would still be chargded, what didnt he say so?
Instead He replied to my request to get my money back with "ok sir just let me take down
your conformation number". again deceitful on his part.
I and writing to you becaues Shoretrie is refusing to refund my $98.00 dollars. The full
tour price.
Should you need more information, please feel free to comtact me
my phone number is XXXXXXXXXX. A prompt reply would be appreciated.
Mitchell Kephart
Customer
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I had one converattion with the owner of the company(gerry),who
said he would get back with me, he never has, even after repeated calls on my part still hasnt call back.
Am i nuts...do I have a beef?????