They need to be shut down.

There is no free lunch in travel or in life. You get what you pay for and/or what you negotiate.

People have to realize that when you know the price of everything your often forget the value of anything.

Companies like Cheap work on razor thin profit margins and throw up numerous roadblocks in the Customer Service process designed to frustrate the average consumer into just giving up and “going away”. The internet is a powerful tool for leveling the playing field. When consumers wake up and see how easy it truly is to raise hell and do so then things will change. As it is now we are all calculations on a spreadsheet. When the cost of settling court claims and negative media exposure excedes the amount budgeted for “The Squeaky Wheel” then change will occur, probably in the form of even harsher rules and contracts at first followed by improved customer service once they see people won’t “Go Away” quietly.

Bottom Line is:

Know the rules
Know the contract
stand your ground
Don’t give up with the first “NO” you get.

Oft times they will agree with you to get you to go away which is fine YOU WON.

CheapoAir’s name alone is enough of a warning for me.

With the Cease and Desist, include a request for validation (not verification). Any further collection attempts without validation, file in JP court.

Search the web, plenty of places to assist pro bono.

Thanks to everyone who posted. Keep posting, as it will draw more attention to the sleazy tactics they are taking to rip people off.

I had the Law School Admission Service for an account for many many years. So perhaps I’ve earned my opinion.

I also sell copiers which is an industry NOT for the faint of heart. Being called a “SLeazey Copier Salesman” earns a smile. When you choose a profession with a spotty reputation then you’d best have a thick skin.

I find the idea that you need an attorney to take a crap insane. God game me a brain and I use it. Right now I’m batting a thousand with various consumer agencies.

But what I’m really struggling with is my Girlfriends 13 year old son. GRRRRRR! Trashing Lawyers and fighting with travel companies is a walk in the park

I gave numerous suggestions above to the original letter writer on trying to resolve this herself. Only after those suggestions fail, did I suggest an attorney when CheapO escalates the matter. Not everyone wants to spend their lives chasing a few hundred dollars when an attorney can handle the matter AS THEY ARE TRAINED TO DO.

I applaud you for what you say you have accomplished. Whether an attorney could have done more for you, probably, but whatever makes you happy. I spent 3 1/2 years doing client counseling trying to help people avoid having to retain attorneys, if at all possible, by giving them legal advice to follow themselves. Here is the clincher, it is not always possible.

However, Joe correctly pointed out the hazard of an untrained person giving potentially wrong information. Sorry that fact bent you so out of shape but I’m sure Ms. Dennis would appreciate the correct information.

So, back to the actual topic at hand, Ms. Dennis should complain effectively following the steps outlined above and then, if those steps have failed, may wish to retain an attorney who specializes in this area.

All it takes is an internet connection and some legwork and one can save thousands in legal fees. I’ve become a very skilled advocate for myself and I don’t bully well. I provided an address I found in under two minutes. If it was my case I’d have done more.

Somehow I feel like the villian here because I didn’t suggest a fee generating lawyer. It’s way way long past time for people to stand up for THEMSELVES.

Over the last eight years as a frequent traveler I’ve gotten thousands in refunds, vouchers by effectively raising hell. Anyone can I’m not that smart.

Thats why people use lawyers – because we are trained to read ALL of the statute AND the regulations of the FTC or whatever agency may be involved and to be certain the interaction comports with the requirements of the law, not someone’s best guess. . . .

That may very well be the same address, but somehow, I doubt it.

Second, collection agencies (even attornies handling collections) are normally required to be licensed in the state in which the DEBTOR resides. Thus, CheapOAir or whomever they contract to do their collections is usually required to be licensed in the state in which Melanie lives. What are the chances CheapO is licensed in Melanie’s state? Slim and none. The State Attorney General or Consumer Advocate generally handles complaints like this and they usually will contact the offending party on your behalf. If Melanie writes to CheapO, I recommend she copy in the Atty General for her state. It works.

Finally, Melanie must review her credit report in the next 3 months because this debt will likely appear. Then she must dispute the item with the credit reporting agency immediately. If this happens, file another complaint with the FTC under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. If CheapO won’t remove the item from her credit report, it’s time to find an attorney who practices consumer law. They usually take the case on a contingent fee. The fines mount pretty high.