Tuesday, January 30, 2007

I won the GRAND PRIZE! and how MAJESTIC IMPERIAL CRUISE LINES wanted me to pay for it! It stinks from the old hustle, BAIT & SWITCH! By Tim Canter

I was doing my routine e-mail surf, nothing exciting as usuall. Just the same oldpitch "should you have the winning number..... I eventually pondered upon a promotion for a free cruise to the Bahamas. I never expected to win. I have the luck of getting hit by a car first. I've already been hit by a direct bolt of lightning, without a scratch to prove it. But that's another story.

I know you see my next lines. Yep, the phone call. I know this scam . Here's a previous expierence I had so I was prepared. My father had signed a sweepstakes entry for a $50,000 car in a shopping mall here in Palm Springs. They stay here part time in their desert home. However. they were in their other home when I was in the desert. I recieved notification that pop was a winner. Of course I assumed the grand prize.

The sweepstakes agency stated that a manditory seminar be attended prior to the revealing of your "super prize". This was to last for an hour or so. The company was a condo time share buisness. My wife and I went to check it out. When we arived the atmosphere stank from scam. The seminar was conducted in a old motel, with 30 year old carpets and tobacco stained walls. We looked at eachother in amazement. What's the message? The owner looked like he was right out of the Sopranos ie 6o's retro clothing, and lost of fake bling. Looked cheap and was cheap. A desk that you practicaly ran into entering the place looked like it was dragged out of someone's log cabin that only entertained the ghost of George Washington.

The biggest gold fish bowl I had ever seen was on top with blue tickets. It was a grab one and hope your lucky. I'll put money on It there's no Car nothing. You know the shtick, They dangle a prize then in the end after wasting your time to their pitch, you have to commit bucks to even see if your number hit the jackpot. It was probely the sweepstakes brother in law who got the car. If their was any.

I expect to hear some carefully crafted wording and I'm listening intentfully. I took a double take at what I thought I heard. The wording was spicific. A recording with an energized voice" Hello, you have won the Majestic Imperial Cruise Lines Grand Prize!" "Please call XXX right now!" So I'm thinking yea, right. But, the recording said "YOU WON". no maybes in there.

O.K. what's a phone call. I was connected with an answering agency. What I thought was strange was, I was asked if I recieved a recording stating I won the grand prize from a promotional drawing. I said, "yes" and their responce was, "We are just the answering service. I will notify the travel agency and have an agent contact you shortly". "Sure", I said still thinking this is a set up. I know I may have some moronic tendencies but I'm no fool. Well, most of the time. (Better to be a blundering idiot than a blithering fool, I think).

I knew I'm going to waste my time with this person. Ironically I did. At 46 I learned just to hang up on these dirty tactics. I soon learned there is always someone who is hell bent on ways to get your money. And do it smoother than the gutterized competition.

A woman by the name of Marlene Woods responded. Indeed, she confirmed in fact I had won the grand prize! "I'll be damned", I thought. She was very pleasant and sounded legitimate. I held no grudges for her. She sounded elder and was just trying to live. Ilbeit the wrong job. I enjoyed our conversation and her mannerisms. It's her supervisor that's a dick head!
She gave me the winning confirmation number of KB4568. I stayed on the phone with her for almost an hour, with her telling me all that I won. I was exstatic. At first I though there's still a hitch. but as we talked and loosened up, I realized for once in my life I hit the jack pot. ALAS! Faith renewed.

My wife and I were thrilled. A date was settled for March 13, 2007 to depart from Ft. Lauderdale Florida. for a 2 day 2 night cruise on board their flagship M.S.S.Garbage Scow. The first part of the prize was a stay package provided "no charge" for Florida for 3 days and 2 nights before the cruise and another 4 days 3 nights after the cruise at the Ramada's "Flagship Hotel" with a free rental car during our stay provided by Alamo Car Rental. The last part of the package is 3 day 2 night stay in Vegas, Wow!

I was so pumped up and happy. I'm able to give my wife a honeymoon to remember after all. I truely believe that no matter how hard I work, or what kind of job I have, The good Lord want's to keep me humble. I'm happy and greatful for what I have in life. A loving wife and family. I do wish sometimes life was somewhat a little kinder. At least to give a little easer existence for them.

It's very difficult to see my family looking at what can be with greater money. What hurts is they don't ask or complain of being without. I sincerely thought God gave us a gift. I was so joyous. I felt good. Very good. Then my first concerns apeared.I was told that I would have to provide for our incidentals and gratuity for the cabin staff. Also to pay for entry tax. Ms. Merlene said its about $56.00.

Measuring the out of pocket bucks against the package, I'm still alright with it. But, I know from my previous wife in the travel agency buisness, this prize package costs Imperial absolutly zero. Their sponsors provide everything free. Its promotional. Good advertisement and a tax right off.

Catching the stench of a rotting anchovie, I refused to acknowledge my instincts. I didn't want to believe I was to be taken for a hard ride. It's getting clearer I am. Then told I would have to make my own way to Florida! I'm thinking Grand Prize Winner paying for transportation.
Veins began popping out of my head. I've been suckered. Knowingly placing yourself in a situation when odds are against you is a sucker. Its something very different getting sucker punched! You never have a chance to prepare to defend youself. I would take a sucker punch in the mouth any day, compared to taking a punch that destroy's your spirit! To this day my anger remains unabashed!

I hung on to the conversation to see their tactics on whats next. I knew at this point they are not Kosher and they want me to do something. I wasn't totally sure but I knew they wanted money. I just had to know for sure. I had to finalize this bad deal and not leave any loose ends. This blog is slanderous with just cause. I'm slandering crooks! So sue me Imperial, you can't take what I don.t have.

Well, I was right. You can't straighten a bent rod and expect it to be as it was. I was informed I would have to pay $489.00 plus incidentials. their attempt to blind me was this feeble statement "It's not alot of money compared to what the total cost for the prize package, right?"
Now my mind is blown out! I am F---en seething!

I kept my composure as to not hint at my outrage. I didn't want to spoil my basket of goodies I have in store for these crooks and My vengence will be served legal but ice cold. The pompous gall to be so presumtous. Thinking I'm some moron that thinks this prizes costs alot more that the 500.00 bucks! Perhaps for someone booking this for themselves. Who's the moron here? This package was a promotion by participating entities and provided to a lucky drawing winner. FREE !!! And that was me.! Their attempt at getting me to infer that I'm revieving a deal and they are covering the majority of the expenses INFURIATES ME!!

As I write this my testicles are pushing their way up to my throat! So now I'm on to them and I'm ready to hear their closing pitch. Visa or MC. total amount. I stated I would have to discuss this with my wife first. You know from my previous paragraphs there's no way in hell I'm going to give them anything. I predicted their next move and nailed it. The only immediate recourse I had was to lead them in believing they had me hooked line and sinker.I twisted the rag to wring every effort and attemt they could make on me so they could close the deal with my money. I out thought them and made them work for every last minute.

I ran Marlene ragged to where she put me on hold and retrieved her supervisor. I understand why he was the supervisor. He had the tact of a slab of concrete and the personality to go with it. He was blunt to the point. He never even introduced himself. "Hello Mr Canter."" We require payment in full, right now, if you want the cruise package." I didn't correct him. I don't think to this day he realizes he forgot to say "Grand Prize". I said, " Thats alot of money for us I'll have to discuss this with my wife. I continued, "Can I contact you in two days and let you know what we want to do?" "No sir " he replied "right now!" I said,"forget it and refused the prize.

My wife and I will still have to wait for our honeymoon. Perhaps, I'll be able to find a better paying job. I just feel sad for her. I am so lucky to have her in my life. Tim Canter e-mail me if you want. timcanter@hotmail.com
I never heard of a winner paying for their prize.

I really believe that Ramada, Carnival Cruise Lines and Alamo Car Rental are not aware of what Majestic Imperial Cruise is doing. Or do they condone this method of advertising?

Its a sick joke on a very poor person whom can barely feed his family. Offer him a once in a lifetime adventure that he can never give to his wife, and then snatch it away because he cant even afford gas for work, and has to ride a bike and drive a golf cart.

What are people like this doing on Gods Earth? I just hope I am the last one they can ever do this to, and they get their just reward. Just knowing this is will I be satified. A gift is meaningless when it's givin with evil intentions.

Tis better to be happy with nothing, then be miserable with everything. Good luck and watch out! Tim