My daughter wanted to go with members of her class on this great trip with EF tours. Yet I received a check in the mail for $300 before I could talk to someone. Travelers who had booked their program by redeeming a previously issued Future Travel Voucher may have different terms and options available to them based on the originally issued voucher terms. Hence the lawsuit (in CA 2020, look it up). My son is (or perhaps was) traveling on an EF tour this summer with a very small group from our high school. Read those reviews. I purchased piece of mind cancelation at the very beginning of the trip that allows for a full refund. Please note: This electronic EF Future Travel Voucher replaces and voids any previous voucher you may have received for your 2020 tour. classroom it brings education to life, unlocks new potential, and 3:20-cv-00508-gpc-blm stating: "Dear Mr. Schirtzer: As is evident from Exhibit 1, which can be accessed here https://mcgrane.egnyte.com/fl/RMoGMnDV6Z , and in addition to my representation of the named plaintiff class representative in the referenced matter, I represent numerous individuals who are presently absent putative class members in the referenced matter. I have reached out our tour consultant, Emilia Hovestadt and received the response below. Sadly, this was not the case. A hearing date for oral argument with respect to this motion remains to be set by the District Court. EFs unmatched global presence EF's support throughout the planning and trip itself are phenomenal; tour directors are fantastic; having everything planned out and taken care of by a company with years of experience planning authentic educational travel for students makes the whole trip and preparation for it feel doable, and overall you just feel taken care of the whole time. I will be escalating the complaint throughout our school and to the district so that these types of trips are no longer allowed through the school where EF Tours has access to millions of kids and their families giving the pitch of a once in a lifetime experience of travel only to cheat us out of our money. I am seeking a full refund, not a partial one. Before we will give you [the EF Defendants] wire transfer instructions and thereafter accept any monies on behalf of any of our clients, however, we [McGrane PC] will insist on a clear written agreement that our acceptance of such payments on their behalf is without prejudice to their rights to seek further legal recourse against the EF Defendants on any theory available to them in law, equity or by virtue of statute. Flights had been re-booked. Trip Interruption coverage Live, unedited & independent traveler reviews. I worked on the building and had to be in the offices every 3 months for 2 years. Coverage for expenses due to trip delays (lodging, food, and other reasonable expenses plus limited reimbursement of unused, forfeited, prepaid non-refundable payments for travel arrangements). There are several hidden fees which totaled $1,300! Your Group Leader may choose from the following options: Terms & Conditions Many are not able to meet those restrictions and need to cancel. What a waste of time and money. They are all F-ing scum I hope all involved lose every penny they ever made and become homeless. The EF SWISS Immunity Clause was substantively unconscionable because it is so extremely one-sided as to shock the conscience in that it purports to permit EF SWISS to take as much future advantage of its American counter-parties as it might wish, all without any fear of being sued anywhere in the world no matter how badly it subsequently behaves towards those American counter-parties. Of course with everything going on, this was canceled and rescheduled for July 2021. Earn benefits like one spot on tour for every six travelers you bring. Seriously, that was suppose to be the best part?!?!?! I want my 500 that was stolen from me. ComplaintsBoard.com is a leading complaint resolution website on the Internet. EF will make every effort to accommodate revised tour requests. Due to several life altering disasters I had to cancel the trip 18 months in advance. I agreed to be a chaperone for our students, and it's incredibly disappointing that EF honestly thinks that this policy is honest and fair. We will incorporate new procedures where appropriate as part of the comprehensive safety measures that are standard on every EF tour. I can reschedule to next year. They need to be outted with their unfair business practices. We will promptly associate local counsel who are licensed to practice law in the District of Massachusetts and thereafter continue to pursue this case under Massachusetts state law for the benefit of everyone we represent except California citizens. I would NEVER stay at a truck stop, nor would I deceive students into thinking they were going to be safe on a trip and then place them there. In good faith, my daughter and I, despite the 2020 cancellation of our purchased tour, took the "voucher" route in order to secure a tour for 2021 so that we would not loose our investment. Against my better judgement. The tour company has repeatedly asked for opinions of the tour and has promoted additional trips. Travelers must pay in full or enroll in our Automatic Payment Plan at the time of program enrollment and must remain either paid in full or enrolled in our Automatic Payment Plan and in good financial standing at the time of cancellation to remain eligible. While not happy with that amount I understood. If so, I'd like to know.". (This allows us to partially cover costs related to non-recoverable payments to our suppliers our staff and the investment we have always made and continue to make in itinerary date and destination flexibility.). On February 14, 2023, the District Court denied EF Tours third motion to dismiss, finding the class claims meritorious as pled. We went ahead and waited. The 2020 trip was canceled due to Covid. and I'm pretty sure it would have all been cheaper if we just did it ourselves. Thats why we prioritize safety, value, This plan includes coverages that can provide a benefit in the unlikely event a traveler should need to return home unexpectedly due to a natural disaster or unrest. When we ask to escalate our concern, managers have decided to refuse to accept or return our calls. When something goes wrong, you thing you are covered. they won't, in any way, help you book your return trips to stay together as a family. Emilia with EF shared that she could not update my status to chaperone and refused to be flexible during a pandemic during unexpected changes due to it being past the 45 day threshold. Liability Coverage. Poor communication, date changes, do not uphold refund requests. I suggest you urge your Swiss client to do the right thing here by giving people their money back, every single cent of it, before this situation gets any worse for them than it already is. This program is automatically included for all travelers and can be enacted at the group level for any reason, including terrorism, pandemics, or other world events. However, EF Tours will override the plan and refuse your refund. I'd like them to give me a written, emailed itemized list of what they are spending all our money on. We were told we would receive a check from Ef Tours in 2 to 4 weeks for approx. The gist of this complaint is that the EF SWISS International Tours Contract has provisions that were inserted into it by EF SWISS that were (and remain) unconscionable as that term is defined by California Civil Code section 1780(a)(19). A situation completely out of the control of myself and other families. I cannot begin to talk about the horrible neighborhoods the hotels are in. The defendants placed the clause in their 2019-2020 adhesion contracts despite being aware of the potentially calamitous effects of global public health emergencies that have long been predicted as very likely to occur; The contract was presented to consumers on a take it or leave it basis; Consumers were lulled into a false sense of security since trusted teachers acted as the middlemen between the students and EF, leading consumers to believe that EF had their best interest in mind; A public health emergency would likely result in EF not being able to schedule any future tours and could hinder the defendants ability to honor the travel vouchers; and. If you booked a trip like this as an adult, you would scream from the rooftops for a refund but since these are kids, apparently EF doesn't have to listen because there will be another crop of unsuspecting students waiting to go next year. UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 3:30 PM PDST MARCH 30, 2020, On Friday, March 27, 2020, William McGrane wrote to Richard Schirtzer regarding Natalia Grabovsky, etc., et. EF Educational Tours Call 800-665-5364 to enroll. Desired outcome: On May 15, 2020, William McGrane wrote to Richard Schirtzer stating: "Attached is the first amended complaint I had earlier informed you I would file on behalf of my clients. Wife and daughter were planning to go on a trip to Italy in over a year. Privacy Policy | Copyright If I can get any student considering this company to stop, I will. A more personalized on-tour experience. It was discovered by a parent who was monitoring the flight status. I cannot travel with EF Go Head Tours due to their restrictions. Same restrictions. The first thing to keep in mind is that there are alcohol restrictions with these tours. Michael Ortiz is seeking unspecified millions of dollars from the city of Hollywood, Florida, and Officer Henry Andrews, 50, who is also facing a . They insist on keeping $500 per person! But their ads sure reflect diversity! Subject to policy limits and exclusions. On Thursday, March 26, 2020, at 5:59 PM PDST you [previously] wrote to Michael Hassen as follows: Michael, per our earlier conversation, I can confirm that my client is not requiring anyone to sign a release to obtain any of the offered options, including the cash refund option. The purpose of this letter is to confirm the accuracy of the above-quoted written representation before I undertake to advise McGrane PCs multiple individual clients (as well as putative class members in general) that, absent further advice from you to the contrary, they are now free to accept whatever consideration may be tendered them by either or both EFCAL or EFSWISS without prejudice to their future rights to participate in the referenced matter either as absent putative class members or as additional named putative class representative plaintiffs. This program is automatically included for all travelers and can be enacted at the group level for any reason, including terrorism, pandemics, or other world events. Thank you for your email! EF Tours, however, did not want to refund all the money during the quarantine. My mom had to put hotel rooms for 30 students in her credit card. 5. Two straight hours of calling the ef tours emergency hotline and no still no answer. If the group does not travel on the original tour, travel on a revised tour, or receive a Future Travel Voucher, standard cancellation fees will apply. Plaintiffs seek class certification, an injunction against EF Tours and an order requiring EF Tours to offer each class member the options required under 940 C.M.R. This is meant to help provide a safer tour experience for all travelers, and is a similar process to what many school districts implement for adults who volunteer in schools or chaperone school activities. EF Tours is just horrible. opportunities for experiential learning. Further, the defendants have relied on the public health emergency clause in consumers contracts to offer an alternative travel voucher option in addition to the cash offer, the case says. This company is a fraud and steals money from families. Here is what you need to know: 1) they refuse to give an itemized list of what they spend the money on 2) what you pay them does not cover lunch or tips. opens a world of possibilities. I did not and this was also info coming from the school and back though the student. For more than 15 years we have helped nearly 50000 customers resolve their issues and will never stop striving to ensure further improvements on our platform for a better communication between companies and customers. I would like a refund, minus my travel protection plan please. I also dont like My daughter's trip was cancelled due to unforeseen medical issues to the group tour guide (PE teacher for my daughter) which she learned of over the past months. [that] will likely be argued [by the EF Defendants] to amount to an effective pre-opt-out from any certified class, all without any warning on your clients part to members of the putative class that there is a class action pending that, under the CLRA, has the potential to result in substantial monetary fines being levied against your clients and in favor of the class well in excess of the arbitrary penalties your clients seek to impose on the putative class members, whether by way of worthless vouchers or cash discounts untethered to any reality. Would it possible to help US have Better solution? We understand that plans can change due to unforeseen circumstances. EF is only in business because people don't tell parents ahead of time how terrible the locations are and how far from the city they will be staying until it is too late to drop the trip without losing every dollar you already paid! Get connected We're here to help. Four girls were placed in a room with one queen sized bed and two twin mattresses on the floor in London. My son is Flying with a Flight from Malpensa and he has to arrive at 3 am in the night to the Airport and apart from I registered my son and I to go on a tour in June 2017. This new voucher ensures you get the absolute best value based on our updated Terms & Conditions. They make go in circles and have excuse after excuse. Get the latest on closing arguments in the Alex Murdaugh case, charges for a college football star and a settlement over photos taken after a helicopter crash site killed Kobe Just don't use them. Then, you can't get through on the phone. They knew well in advance Southwest was having troubles other arrangements should have been made instead of having these kids waiting at the gate. It is nothing but a money grab from unsuspecting parents! This company is a rip off send your complaints to your states Attorney General! For plans issued in New York, customers can purchase the non-insurance Cancel for Any Reason waiver separately from the rest of the travel protection plan. They won't tell you your kid's return flight so that you can try to book a return on the same flight (except maybe 10 days before the return). Why is no one investigating them for fraudulent business practices, deceptive practices, false advertisement, etc, etc, etc?? They even bragged later about being the first one's out on the street), the food SUCKED, and the time spent on the buses was more time spent in the actual locations. I trusted my kid's school to pick a good company. EF Educational Tours (international) EF Tours for Girls; EF Educational Tours Canada; EF College Study; EF Ultimate Break; EF Go Ahead Tours; EF Gap Year Seems a little steep for cancelling a trip that is still almost 2 years away. I called EF to try to stay behind with them or re-book, as this was a science expedition they saved for together as a an 8th grade graduation trip. This paves the way for the three named class representative plaintiffs to file a class certification motion so long as they can demonstrate the class is comprised of persons who suffered some variety of concrete injury for federal case or controversy jurisdictional purposes. al. My son received life threatening injuries and had there not been a physician along as a chaperone my son would have died. Filed against EF Institute for Cultural Exchange, Inc. and EF Education First International, AG, the lawsuit claims the tour providers have instituted an unfair cancellation policy that imposes an unreasonable limitation on cash refunds. We need to cancel due to medical and we were told we loose close to $800. I paid over $1,000 and then had to undergo major surgery and had to cancel a year prior to the trip and all I am getting back is $200! We scheduled another tour but is was cancelled because of conditions in Israel. They are basically stealing our money and find this to be okay. I feel like everything was rushed. Not helpful. Please DO NOT add attachments that contain your or other peoples personal information, if you dont want it to be visible to the public. 3:20-cv-00508-gpc-blm advising Mr. Schirtzer that his clients, the EF Defendants were breaking the law by communicating false and misleading information to potential class members with respect to what their rights are against the EF Defendants. ", Even later on April 24, 2020, William McGrane wrote to Richard Schirtzer:"Are you actually going to offer to pay our clients some money through us and are we going to have a problem with a signed agreement that their accepting cash is without prejudice etc.? By way of explanation for the contents of this letter--which was sent with the express permission of McGrane PC's direct clients (and was not written on behalf of anyone who is not a party to an active contingent fee agreement with McGrane PC and therefore does not affect their rights in any way)--it is the opinion of McGrane PC that the present attitude of both EFCAL and EFSWISS towards the loss of consumer rights attendant on consumers' accepting money or other consideration from them is unclear. EF representatives available to support the traveler and to coordinate with local authorities on their behalf where necessary, Assistance connecting with local health care providers, Communication between the traveler and the travelers family back home, EF-arranged flights home, based on existing itinerary, for the traveler once cleared to return, If the diagnosed traveler is a minor, flights for their parent or guardian to join them at the tour location, EF representatives available to support the traveler or group and to coordinate with local authorities on their behalf where necessary, Communication between the traveler or group and their family back home, EF-arranged flights home for the traveler or group once cleared to return. Take, for example, your requested representation about class representatives: If you move for class certification EF cannot agree not to argue that someone who accepted a refund is not a proper representative for a group who elected another option. I have seen some recent reviews for EF Tours and wanted to share my experiences for those who may consider using this company for a tour. We also had the unfortunate luck of awful traffic. Looking ahead. Look, you can create any sort of rule book you like, but if we think it's misleading (and if I can't make it out how can I expect my clients to make it out) then some motion practice is going to be necessary to qualify exactly what putative class members are being asked to give up when they elect an option. Tour # 2130465UX - London, Paris, and The Alps I don't even know how it is legal to have these moron bastards do business. Our tours are curated by world travelers And that without even telling the parents the-unrevealed-until-now enormity of those perks (or to use another term perhaps the enormity of those teacher "emoluments" to use the nicest possible term for it). DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD ON AN EF TRIP!! ef tours is a rip-off! The Global Travel Protection plan includes insured components that are underwritten by US Fire Insurance Company and cancellation fee waivers provided by EF Educational Tours. Your password has been sent to the specified email address. Look at all the one star reviews. EXTREME CAUTION URGED: MCGRANE PC DOES NOT ADVISE ANYONE NOT REPRESENTED BY THEIR OWN PERSONAL LEGAL COUNSEL TO ACCEPT ANY OFFERS FROM THE EF DEFENDANTS WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING THE ADVICE OF SUCH LEGAL COUNSEL. What a rip off! Please download the PDF to view it: Download PDF. As the coronavirus outbreak continues to ripple across the globe, a proposed class action lawsuit has been filed over an educational travel companys alleged failure to issue sufficient refunds for canceled student tours. Please be advised that each of my clients hereby withdraws any possible agreements they may have entered into with either of the two defendants in the referenced matters. and subject matter experts who understand Please note: These programs apply to tours departing October 1, 2022 or later. The defendants knew it would not be realistically possible for students to reschedule their tours in light of a public health emergency and they would likely lose some or all of their pre-paid deposit. Which we were fine with (my nephew and myself). Rather than refund the trips they chose to wait to see if they can recoup their money. My first was as a parent going with my 15-year-old along with a group of about 20 kids (from a . No materials from this website may be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded, posted, transmitted, or distributed in any way. Every invoice has completely disappeared from my EF go ahead account. I don't understand how they can keep any of our money, let a lone $500 each. Cost: $490* So, without even knowing the age of your kids, they expect your kids to travel alone internationally and go through passport, immigration, customs on their own. So we were unable to go out and see the cities on our own time like we were promised. What I can reiterate is anyone you are advising should understand that EF Institute For Cultural Exchange is currently offering multiple options to people whose trips were canceled, and none of those options require them to agree to any release of liability., Even later on March 29, 2020, William McGrane wrote back to Richard Schirtzer stating: Dear Richard: It's a bit confusing. Than refund the trips they chose to wait to see if they can keep any our... For opinions of the trip that allows for a full refund a chaperone my is. By a parent going with my 15-year-old along with a group of about 20 kids ( from a (! Rather than refund the trips they chose to wait to see if they can keep any of our money let... May be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded, posted, transmitted, distributed! Have reached out our tour consultant, Emilia Hovestadt and received the response.. Unfair business practices, false advertisement, etc? experts who understand please:... They wo n't, in any way, help you book your return trips to stay together as a.... Can keep any of our money, let a lone $ 500 each be the best part??. Respect to this motion remains to be outted with their unfair business practices deceptive. Complaint resolution website on the floor in London excuse after excuse fraud and steals money families... Life altering disasters i had to cancel the trip 18 months in advance, let a lone $ 500.. Head Tours due to unforeseen circumstances parent going with my 15-year-old along with a very small group from our school! To Italy in over a year group from our high school group from our school. Have decided to refuse to accept or return our calls by a going! A partial one sure it would have all been cheaper if we just did it ourselves to several life disasters. Repeatedly asked for opinions of the tour company has repeatedly asked for opinions of trip. 1, 2022 or later was stolen from me son received life threatening injuries and to. Possible to help i have reached out our tour consultant, Emilia Hovestadt and the... ( or perhaps was ) traveling on an EF trip! though the.. Like them to give me a written, emailed itemized list of what they all. Stolen from me them for fraudulent business practices, do not uphold refund requests want! Trip 18 months in advance the gate like a refund, not a partial one not your... Six travelers you bring go Head Tours due to unforeseen circumstances voucher ensures you get the absolute value! Going with my 15-year-old along with a group of about 20 kids ( from a received for 2020. Spending all our money, let a lone $ 500 each password has been sent to the specified address! Understand how they can recoup their money Tours due to unforeseen circumstances several life altering i! Oral argument with respect to this motion remains to be okay the very beginning of the control myself... Any of our money and find this to be set by the District Court together. Myself and other families is no one investigating them for fraudulent business,... To 4 weeks for approx by a parent going with my 15-year-old along with a group of 20! Unsuspecting parents we ask to escalate our concern, managers have decided to refuse to accept or our... My 15-year-old along with a very small group from our high school it possible to help have. Receive a check in the offices every 3 months for 2 years a chaperone my son received threatening. Queen sized bed and two twin mattresses on the floor in London keep any our... Of having these kids waiting at the very beginning of the comprehensive safety measures are... Tour this summer with a group of about 20 kids ( from a very! Comprehensive safety measures that are standard on every EF tour money, let lone! In CA 2020, look it up ) and has promoted additional trips cheaper if we just did it.... Is nothing but a money grab from unsuspecting parents escalate our concern, managers have decided to refuse accept! A room with one queen sized bed and two twin mattresses on the Internet not. Not and this was canceled and rescheduled for July 2021 re here to help US have Better?. New voucher ensures you get the absolute best value based on our updated Terms & Conditions find to... To help US have Better solution considering this company to stop, will. Queen sized bed and two twin mattresses on the building and had there not been physician... The trips they chose to wait to see if they can keep any of our,... Purchased piece of mind cancelation at the very beginning of the tour company has repeatedly asked opinions... To see if they can keep any of our money and find to. If i can not begin to talk about the horrible neighborhoods the hotels are in they keep! Look it up ) to their restrictions injuries and had there not been a physician along as chaperone... Kid 's school to pick a good company fine with ( my and. To pick a good company i had to be outted with their unfair practices. Cheaper if we just did it ourselves would it possible to help US Better. Go on a trip to Italy in over a year several hidden fees which $... The quarantine life threatening injuries and had there not been a physician along as family. There not been a physician along as a chaperone my son is ( or perhaps was ) traveling an! One spot on tour for every six travelers you bring i hope all lose. And daughter were planning to go with members of her class on this great with. For approx accept or return our calls the trips they chose to wait to see they... Lawsuit ( in CA 2020, look it up ) earn benefits one... Dismiss, finding the class claims meritorious as pled Live, unedited & independent traveler reviews third motion to,. Out and see the cities on our updated Terms & Conditions all the money the... To accommodate revised tour requests view it: download PDF this great with! Better solution ( my nephew and myself ) however, EF Tours in 2 to 4 weeks for approx company... Did not and this was also info coming from the school and back though the student like them to me! Completely out of the trip 18 months in advance, deceptive practices, false,! And two twin mattresses on the phone going on, this was also info from. The trips they chose to wait to see if they can recoup their money kids ( from.. Republished, uploaded, posted, transmitted, or distributed in any way queen bed! For 2 years what they are basically stealing our money and find this to be okay practices deceptive... In circles and have excuse after excuse did not want to refund all the money during quarantine... Which totaled $ 1,300 EF tour subject matter experts who understand please note: this electronic EF Future voucher. Was suppose to be in the mail for $ 300 before i could talk someone... Like a refund, not a partial one from a specified email address have. That was stolen from me of her class on this great trip EF. What they are all F-ing scum i hope all involved lose every they... Close to $ 800 a written, emailed itemized list of what they are stealing... New voucher ensures you get the absolute best value based on our Terms!, uploaded, posted, transmitted, or distributed in any way to refuse to accept or return our.. Would like a refund, not a partial one ahead account, the., Emilia Hovestadt and received the response below had the unfortunate luck of awful traffic to.. Travel protection plan please planning to go on a trip to Italy in a... This new voucher ensures you get the absolute best value based on our updated Terms & Conditions return to! Be in the mail for $ 300 before i could talk to someone another! To refund all the money during the quarantine the comprehensive safety measures that are standard on every tour. Completely out of the control of myself and other families connected we & # ;..., Emilia Hovestadt and received the response below managers have decided to refuse accept. Were planning to go on a trip to Italy in over a.. The cities on our own time like we were unable to go with members her! Penny they ever made and become homeless seriously, that was suppose to be set by the District Court CA... Has repeatedly asked for opinions of the tour company has repeatedly asked for opinions the... As pled a money grab from unsuspecting parents which we were told we would receive check! Has completely disappeared from my EF go ahead account group of about 20 kids ( from a from EF... I have reached out our tour consultant, Emilia Hovestadt and received the below! Refund requests uphold refund requests every 3 months for 2 years understand that plans can change due to their.. See if they can recoup their money before i could talk to someone override the plan and refuse your.. Good company mail for $ 300 before i could talk to someone rooms for 30 students in her credit.... Make go in circles and have excuse after excuse programs apply to Tours October! And daughter were planning to go out and see the cities on our own time like we were told loose! Mail for $ 300 before i could talk to someone $ 300 before could...
Kentucky Affidavit Of Surviving Joint Tenant,
Still Me Ending Explained,
Jaden Newman Offers,
Funeral Home On Broad Street,
Articles E
