Anyone heard of Getaway Escapes?

[QF WP]

Gee, first post, you wouldn't happen to be one of those people you know who works for them would you lvr181???
TG

Nice early pick up Travel Guru.

In the interest of a balanced approach to the reporting on this thread:

Not sure where you got that from Bob? I was one of the people who got ripped off by Funtastic holidays and got a call from Getaway escapes who have honoured all my vouchers and I have just got back from a trip and had a great time. I did ring Department of Fair trading and they said Funtastic Holidays or FHT got closed down but Getaway is nothing to do with them. I think the lady who used to run it is in jail which is where she belongs!

I did get ripped off by the other company, funtastic, thought I would throw my two cents in and that they actaully tried to help me. I went to the Gold Coast and stayed at the Oaks by the Gold Coast airport and had a great time, it costed about $1100 for me and my daughter and we came from Tas

seems to be statements from an apparently happy user of the products and services from Getaway Escapes; whereas

Really wish I'd found your question before we did our money! Stay away from Getaway Escapes!!:evil:

I contacted Consumer Affairs about Getaway Escapes - basically was told - "let the buyer beware", I should not have continued with the purchase of the package when Getaway advised they "do not post out brochures". There is no cooling off period with phone sales. Also made a complaint directly to Getaway, whose management advised myself that they have a recording of my phone call in which I "knew what I was getting". I don't have a recording do I ?! Its only a matter of time before they are out of business, and change their name and start all over again!!!

and

If you contact Department of Fair Trading on the Gold Coast as I did you will get help. I got my money back through them and they told me I was not the only one complaining.

I did get ripped off by FHT and during my dealings with the Dept of Fair Trading I was contacted by Getaway.The dept informed me that the connection between the 2 companies includes several senior people who are or were involved with both companies

seem to be statements from unhappy users of their services.

I think the best comment is from Consumer Affairs - "let the buyer beware" (translates to uberrimae fides in Latin). Do your own research if you are considering purchasing any product and service. The joys of the WWW

 

[oldlady]

I have lodged an official complaint with the Dept Fair Trading, Gold Coast. Will keep you posted.

 

[straitman]

I have lodged an official complaint with the Dept Fair Trading, Gold Coast. Will keep you posted.

Good luck oldlady.

 

[tuapekastar]

I think the best comment is from Consumer Affairs - "let the buyer beware" (translates to uberrimae fides in Latin).

Not caveat emptor LW?

uberrimae fides (and thanks for the intro to a term I'd never before heard of ) seems to translate to 'utmost good faith' or similar.

Whichever it is, the buyer beware warning is certainly one to be most mindful of.

Oh, and I just got my DJ Gold upgrade retraction...

 

[bobdavidson]

mmmmmmm what an intersting attack on the credibility of a moderator, forum and me as a consumer and oldlady. I can only wonder with all the legal jargon used in the reply how many lawyers they have to cover the scam. There must be plenty of money in the way they do business. Good catch LM

 

[broomhilda]

I contacted Consumer Affairs about Getaway Escapes - basically was told - "let the buyer beware", I should not have continued with the purchase of the package when Getaway advised they "do not post out brochures". There is no cooling off period with phone sales. Also made a complaint directly to Getaway, whose management advised myself that they have a recording of my phone call in which I "knew what I was getting". I don't have a recording do I ?! Its only a matter of time before they are out of business, and change their name and start all over again!!!

Well I have a brochure so i dont know why you havent. I just got back from a week in Sydney which I organised through Getaway Escapes and I would use them again in a heart beat.

 

[oldlady]

Of course I got a brochure! Just not until after money had been paid!

 

[straitman]

I have been following the comments on this website with some interest. As an employee of Getaway Escapes I am appalled by the concerted action by a competitor to discredit this company. Despite the fact that Getaway Escapes is a fully licenced travel agent, is a member of the Travel Agents Compensation fund, some of your contributors keep claiming they (Getaway Escapes) is a scam. My question is: if this is so, then why have the relevant authorities granted them a travel licence? Also, why has bobdavidson (or one of his cohorts) not laid a complaint with ASIC? Bob, put up or shutup!

Disclaimer: I do not have any other financial interest in the company or its associates, nor am I related to the owners.

And to the website forum controller: you are allowing slanderous and libelous statements to be made and this may well lead to you being enjoined in a future action against those making such statements. You should ask those making these comments to prove to you the validity and evidence of such accusations before publishing, as any reputable and responsible publisher would.

p.s. But you do need to deal with the slanderous and libelous comments by some of your contributors. There is a lot of misinformed and mischievous comment being made by posters who hide behind their anonymity.

inxtc,

Welcome to AFF.

Thanks for your comments.

Just as you have had your say and it has been allowed, the same applies to others who are simply expressing their opinions. You do not have to like everything posted, as I do not but the purpose of the forum is for people to express their opinions.

Knowing admin, I am sure he has his ducks in a row about how far people are allowed to go with comments. He knows the limits and will counsel people off line when necessary to ensure the limits are understood by the individuals.

 

[inxtc]

Of course I got a brochure! Just not until after money had been paid!

Many purchases made require a payment BEFORE the goods are delivered - ever bought a car? (just a simple example of many that are available). If I was a seller I would not deliver "goods" until I had received payment by whatever method. That is the way of the world.

 

[serfty]

Many purchases made require a payment BEFORE the goods are delivered - ever bought a car? (just a simple example of many that are available). If I was a seller I would not deliver "goods" until I had received payment by whatever method. That is the way of the world.

In EVERY other case I know of in such a situation there is a defined cooling off period within which the purchaser can opt out should they not like the details once they are available.

I certainly would never put my hard earned in until I had access to either:

1. the applicable T&C/PDS etc. in relation to the product/service being purchased before such a sale (as in purchasing airline tickets on-line) or
2. such a cooling off period with an opt out clause as described.

 

[ChrisBNE]

Many purchases made require a payment BEFORE the goods are delivered - ever bought a car? (just a simple example of many that are available). If I was a seller I would not deliver "goods" until I had received payment by whatever method. That is the way of the world.

No, I'm pretty sure I've picked up a brochure for a car before purchasing one.

 

[NM]

Many purchases made require a payment BEFORE the goods are delivered - ever bought a car? (just a simple example of many that are available). If I was a seller I would not deliver "goods" until I had received payment by whatever method. That is the way of the world.

Each time I have purchased a car, the dealer has been very happy to provide me brochure and other literature outlining the exact specifications of the vehicle I am going to purchase and is willing to let me see, read and digest the terms of sale before I pay anything. I am offered the chance for a test drive and given time to go away and consider my options, compare with other products and suppliers etc. Then I am only required to pay a deposit and the remainder is only paid when I have inspected the vehicle at the time of delivery and am satisfied I am receiving the product that I am believe I am purchasing. From what I have read here, the process is a little different for the products being discussed.

 

[drron]

Many purchases made require a payment BEFORE the goods are delivered - ever bought a car? (just a simple example of many that are available). If I was a seller I would not deliver "goods" until I had received payment by whatever method. That is the way of the world.

And I'm another who has always had a brochure and read it before buying a car.
And I thought the posters were buying travel,not a brochure.Prior to my becoming educated I always studied several brochures before purchasing travel.Not once did a travel agent require me to pay for a trip before supplying a brochure.
Of course now i have no need for travel brochures-I just log on to AFF and someone is sure to tell me where to go .

 

[inxtc]

Bill,
Basically I don't disagree with your comments about people having their say, but people and organisations need to take responsibility for publishing what maybe be construed as slanderous/libelous comments. Those who write, as well as those who publish can be taken to court – that is why I mentioned that the forum moderators need to check the validity of statements before publishing online. It is also known as protecting your own backside J

Despite the forum having been given the facts of the legitimacy of Getaway Escapes, who have been properly licensed, there are some who still refuse to accept those facts! I am not asking people to agree with how business is conducted. The method of business is not the issue – it is the inability, refusal or failure of some to accept facts and the constant “scam” comments made. I have put it to those making these comments to take it up with the ASIC/state Consumer Authorities to test their accusations and prove their claims.

inxtc,

Welcome to AFF.

Thanks for your comments.

Just as you have had your say and it has been allowed, the same applies to others who are simply expressing their opinions. You do not have to like everything posted, as I do not but the purpose of the forum is for people to express their opinions.

Knowing admin, I am sure he has his ducks in a row about how far people are allowed to go with comments. He knows the limits and will counsel people off line when necessary to ensure the limits are understood by the individuals.

 

[admin]

inxtc,

If you believe the posts are "slanderous/libelous", you should instruct your solicitors to contact us with specific examples. We will then take appropriate action, if we believe you have a case. You should take your own advice and test your "accusations" and prove your "claim".

Posting vague threats, won't win you any friends on AFF. As far as I can tell, there has been balance: some pro and some anti your organisation.

Bill,
Basically I don't disagree with your comments about people having their say, but people and organisations need to take responsibility for publishing what maybe be construed as slanderous/libelous comments. Those who write, as well as those who publish can be taken to court – that is why I mentioned that the forum moderators need to check the validity of statements before publishing online. It is also known as protecting your own backside J

Despite the forum having been given the facts of the legitimacy of Getaway Escapes, who have been properly licensed, there are some who still refuse to accept those facts! I am not asking people to agree with how business is conducted. The method of business is not the issue – it is the inability, refusal or failure of some to accept facts and the constant “scam” comments made. I have put it to those making these comments to take it up with the ASIC/state Consumer Authorities to test their accusations and prove their claims.

 

[oldlady]

Methinks inxtc doth protest too much. (apology to Shakespeare)

 

[inxtc]

inxtc,

If you believe the posts are "slanderous/libelous", you should instruct your solicitors to contact us with specific examples. We will then take appropriate action, if we believe you have a case. You should take your own advice and test your "accusations" and prove your "claim".

Posting vague threats, won't win you any friends on AFF. As far as I can tell, there has been balance: some pro and some anti your organisation.

I believe that under the Westminster system the accuser has to prove their case - not the accused providing proof ahead of that. You seem to accept that it is "legitimate" for these anonymous people to call a properly constituted and licensed organisation a scam? I am not making threats, vague or otherwise (that is your interpretation), it was never my intention to do so, ONLY to point out that there should be a balance of facts not speculative comment.

 

[Keith009]

I am not making threats...

Oh really, now?

And your grasp of our legal system seems to be rather tenuous at best.

 

[moa999]

inxtc -
I think you confuse the judicial concept of 'innocent until proven guilty' with the Westminster System - parliamentary which is very much an open debate. In fact speaking on the floor of both the UK and Australian Parliament gives members many protections from statements that are not available outside parliament.

This forum does not pretend to be a court, it is a place for people to put forward suggestions and comments, which may at times by the nature of a be one sided, but equally will have posts on the other side.

With regards to complaints, typically people will try and get get direct redress and only post to a public forum as a matter of last resort or vent. My initial reaction to these sort of posts is:
- Does the airline / provider adequately deal with customer complaints?
- Are the customers fully informed up front about all the terms and conditions of their flight / package etc
- Is there anyway communication could be clearer.
- Did the customer have expectations that were too high / had misunderstood the terms and conditions and is now unwilling to accept.

There are plenty of examples of complaints in the latter case on this Board, particularly from LCC flyers, but equally I think many that fall into the earlier categories.



Reading this thread afresh it appears that your company sells a relatively complex product by phone whereby a number of customers sem to have failed to have understood the detailed terms and conditions.
Without undertanding your full sales script, it would appear that there are some things that could be done to improve customer satisfaction.

 

[inxtc]

inxtc -
I think you confuse the judicial concept of 'innocent until proven guilty' with the Westminster System - parliamentary which is very much an open debate. In fact speaking on the floor of both the UK and Australian Parliament gives members many protections from statements that are not available outside parliament.

This forum does not pretend to be a court, it is a place for people to put forward suggestions and comments, which may at times by the nature of a be one sided, but equally will have posts on the other side.

With regards to complaints, typically people will try and get get direct redress and only post to a public forum as a matter of last resort or vent. My initial reaction to these sort of posts is:
- Does the airline / provider adequately deal with customer complaints?
- Are the customers fully informed up front about all the terms and conditions of their flight / package etc
- Is there anyway communication could be clearer.
- Did the customer have expectations that were too high / had misunderstood the terms and conditions and is now unwilling to accept.

There are plenty of examples of complaints in the latter case on this Board, particularly from LCC flyers, but equally I think many that fall into the earlier categories.

Reading this thread afresh it appears that your company sells a relatively complex product by phone whereby a number of customers sem to have failed to have understood the detailed terms and conditions.
Without undertanding your full sales script, it would appear that there are some things that could be done to improve customer satisfaction.

Great – it appears that now we have some reasonableness in this discussion.

Yes we do try and deal with customer complaints in a fair and reasonable manner. We willingly give refunds if a consultant has not correctly sold the product, (they must fully inform the customer), and are also required to reconfirm the details before the end of the telephone call. All sales calls are recorded and following a customer complaint about “misinformation” we will willingly refund if the consultant has been wrong. I understand that the law allows the customer to request a copy of the phone call should there be any further dispute. And despite what one forum contributor has stated “There is no cooling off period with phone sales” we don’t subscribe to that.

We try to make communication as clear as possible but as anyone who has completed a course in personal communication would know – people do not always hear what is being said. That is the reason we reconfirm with the customer at the end of a telephone sale.

The customer is then sent a complete package in the mail and they have a number of days “cooling off” period, from date of receipt of that package, (I understand the time varies from one state to the next) in which a person can request a refund.

If people want redress as a result of what they perceive as some injustice then they should approach the relevant consumer authority in their state, if they have not received satisfaction from us. We are licensed by the state and this provides a proper channel of redress which is a far cry from publicly claiming a company is a “scam”. We have many satisfied customers and some complaints do not mean we are a “scam” organisation.

Despite our best efforts I still believe that there has been a concerted campaign by a competitor to discredit this company.