Would this be considered as a threat?
Posted in Law & Ethics on 01/25/2011 09:51 pm by admin
I recently booked an international flight for my son through an internet discount airfare company. Yesterday, my son realized that he will not receive his passport in time for the departure on Sunday, June 21st and called the company to change his departure date to either June 24th or June 25th. The eticket he received states that airline penalties and a processing fee by the company will be charged in the event of changes.
The company told my son the airline penalties would be $247.00 and the company fee would be $100.00 — but then they placed him on hold and returned to tell him his ticket would cost an additional $5,000.00. My son was terribly upset, hung up and called me. I immediately called the company, was on hold for 45 minutes before speaking with a customer representative. When I tried to change the departure date, I was told the airline penalties would be $350.00 and the processing fee would be $100.00. The customer rep placed me on hold for 5 minutes, then returned and told me there would be an additional charge of $7,000.00.
I read to her the statement on the eticket about changes, we argued about this for a little bit, then I insisted on speaking with her supervisor. Again, went through the same ordeal with the supervisor. It was difficult to understand the supervisor and the customer rep — they are with a call center in India.
I am preparing to call the toll free number now, hopefully talk with someone in the U.S.. This morning, I have investigated this company’s practices and discovered it is fraud.
My question is if I tell customer service that I am prepared to file charges and complaints with all authorities if this cannot be resolved reasonably, will my statement be considered a threat?
Pearl