okay im going to be another one to stick up for suntasia because for one our company does our part we do send out the packages ... i work in customer service and know the ins and outs of that company regardless if people are getting screwed over or not ..ive had people call me wondering why they were getting billed and then literally say "oh i remeber that i threw those packages out thinking it was junk mail" so really its not the companies fault that customers dont read their own mail and just throw it out not even bothering to read it ..because if they read it they would have never got billed ...they are all aware of the terms and conditions most or actually about 90% of the customers do not listen to what is being told to them in that recorded conversation ..some customers call and state that they was informed their was a 15 or 30 day FT period when neither one of those FT periods exsists its either 14 days,7 days or 21 days and then people insist that they were never informed of the $149.00 or that they were never offered the long distance calling card ...and then when i play back that recording they hush mouth because they dont know what they hell to say because they was just proven wrong ..they are not mislead in ANY way possible...the reps say vouchers ...that dont mean airline tickets ...and no one forces them into giving their account number out ..people have their own minds i dont know how many people i had who called and stated that they was "forced" or "pushed" or "talked" into accepting the packages...and my reply is "you have your own mind cant nobody talk you into anything"..if customers say from the start that they are not interested then how is some one going to pursue them into getting something they dont want ...obviously people have a lack of controll if thats the case ...the company does do our part in sending out those packages ...they are well aware that there was 3 different things offered to them that day on the phone unless of course they werent paying attention which is the case about 90% of the time ..if they knew there was 3 different services then when they call back to cancel they shouldnt just exspect that everything is canceled out ...we cant read minds sorry but you gotta be specific about why your calling customer service ...i love my job and i can sleep just fine at night because all the blame cant go onto the company ..customers screw up too main screw up is they dont listen on the phone ...people are thick headed and thats why they are stupid enough to be getting billed because they dont listen ...putting suntasia on blast like that is completely over the limits just because you got fired because of something you did doenst mean you have to seek revenge on the company ...you got fired because you screwed up ..not suntasia step up to your own responsibilities because at one point in time ...and from what ive been reading nomad or watever your name is ..you was working at suntasia for a long time ..so obviously you enjoyed what you did and you enjoyed the pay or else you wouldnt have worked there for so long ...suntasia didnt get you fired ...your own self did..dont take it out on suntasia for your lack of controll and saying the wrong thing to a customer and you can come back with watever petty remark that you must because i know you got something to say and i would LOVE to hear it because it would make my day to laugh at a stupid low life like you whos basically gonna put suntasia on blast ...you basically made it so easy for people to come to suntasia and do whatever they want ..your a low life scum...if some one one day wanted to come and blow up suntasia we would have you to thank for it ...employees bring they kids into that place all the time and your one of the people that made it extremely unsafe to do so ...your an asshole and thats all that needs to be said =)

Well April... I'm just curious... what did you mean by "regardless if people are getting screwed over or not " So would this mean that your company IS screwing people over?
I'm also curious why you didn't bother to comment on my own personal experience with the company???? The only thing that you've bothered to talk about in your post were the people who "you say" weren't paying attention to what they were doing.... Well in my experience... just speaking on my own behalf... everything you just said is a complete lie. So maybe you should do your research and read up.
AND... you have no right to call any one stupid... Maybe you should go back and read what you wrote... you sound completely ignorant... maybe try taking a few english classes. Here's an example (incase you don't know what I'm talking about and you really are that ignorant) "they hush mouth because they dont know what they hell to say because they was just proven wrong"
So yeah... you looking that ignorant only makes yourself look worse when you try and call other people stupid. And what is it with you and nomad (just so you know he's one of your current co-workers... you know on the same side as you) and all the name calling??? Are you that defencive? I've not seen anyone call you guys any names.

Well another employee manages to muster up the courage to "try" and defend this questionable company. Nomad only lasted two rounds and couldn't answer the bell for round 3 of our so called, "famous" debate. lol Now we have someone in "customer service" named "April" who wants to take a shot at bringing me down. All I ask April is that you DO NOT attack me personally b/c like Nomad you'll be down for the count.

SO, we here go April "Round 1"! Are you ready?

To begin this "debate" I will CORRECT you on something you obviously mis-read.

Quote from April:

"from what ive been reading nomad or watever your name is ..you was working at suntasia for a long time ..so obviously you enjoyed what you did and you enjoyed the pay or else you wouldnt have worked there for so long ...suntasia didnt get you fired ...your own self did. . . . "

LOL LOL LOL. You're off to a bad start already. You NEED to learn how to read these posts properly April. I am NOT Nomad. He is the one making the BIG paychecks and is the one defending YOUR company. Pssssst. (whispering) Another words, he's on your side.

I (Joe) use to work for these crooks and STAND BY what I say. I got fired b/c I told a so called, "customer" that if he felt bothered by us then to call his lawyer, call the state attorney general but don't take it out on me b/c I was just doing my job. I was willing to put him on the DNC list but he refused to give me a CORRECT number to do so. He in turn knew EVERYTHING about Suntasia but was asking stupid questions and was just being purposely arguementive like he was trying to paint me into a corner which was obvious. It simply was a setup call by someone who just wanted me out of there b/c I began asking too many questions and realized the product was shady at best. I don't regret it at all and I was glad to be out of there. Like I have stated MANY times before in these forums, it was a relief.

This is NOT a matter of revenge just letting the truth be known. April I am going to dissect your post piece by stinking piece. There is NO way you can honestly defend yourself with the evidence that is laid out before you.


Your next quote:

"i work in customer service and know the ins and outs of that company regardless if people are getting screwed over or not ..ive had people call me wondering why they were getting billed and then literally say "oh i remeber that i threw those packages out thinking it was junk mail" so really its not the companies fault that customers dont read their own mail and just throw it out not even bothering to read it ..because if they read it they would have never got billed ..."

Really? It's scary to know that you could care less if people are getting "screwed" over or not. The second part of the paragraph sounds ignorant on your part. Yes there are some people who inadvertently throw the product away thinking it's junk mail but what you don't say is that the majority of people who call in to cancel have a hard time doing it. You don't even bother addressing the problem of the people being billed before they even got the product or if they ever got it at all. And what do you guys do to rectify the problem when the customer calls complaining? Instead of a quick refund you offer $200 in gas vouchers in lew of payment. What good is the vouchers when they are worthless unless you are a member of the program. On top of that the customer has to call three different numbers to cancel but of course April they don't know that until they talk to you. Right April?

Another quote:

"they are not mislead in ANY way possible...the reps say vouchers ...that dont mean airline tickets ...and no one forces them into giving their account number out ..people have their own minds i dont know how many people i had who called and stated that they was "forced" or "pushed" or "talked" into accepting the packages..."

Again, really? When I was there agents were written up left and write for saying "tickets". It was a common thing to say in order to get the sale. As long as they didn't say "tickets" in the recording it was legit. Agents often misrepresent themselves before the recording starts b/c they know what the customer is going to ask. Like for example telling the customer that they have their account information on hand when they only have their name, address and phone number on their screen. That's misleading lady. Don't tell me the agents pretend to be honest especially if they manage to get the routing number so they could fool the customer into thinking ALL their account information has to be verified by them.

As for being "pushed" or "forced" if the agent can't get the sale he or she puts the manager on the phone for further badgering. Agents are pressured to get a sale an hour.

Next quote:

"they are well aware that there was 3 different things offered to them that day on the phone unless of course they werent paying attention which is the case about 90% of the time ..if they knew there was 3 different services then when they call back to cancel they shouldnt just exspect that everything is canceled out ...we cant read minds sorry but you gotta be specific about why your calling customer service. . ."

Yes but your agents NEVER tell the customer that they have to call 3 different numbers to cancel plus they must write a letter to your department requesting the refund and in there lies the problem. No where before, during or after the recording does the agent tell the customer that they have to call 3 different numbers or send a letter if they want to cancel and get their money back. They also don't tell them if they do cancel there is a $29 processing fee which they pay. It's in the fine print April. Didn't think I knew that did you? The customer is led to believe if they call customer service everything will be taken care of. It's just a matter of the "slick" wording in the script on your lawyers part which he created. This keeps you just slightly ahead of the law.

Your next quote:

"i would LOVE to hear it because it would make my day to laugh at a stupid low life like you whos basically gonna put suntasia on blast ...you basically made it so easy for people to come to suntasia and do whatever they want ..your a low life scum...if some one one day wanted to come and blow up suntasia we would have you to thank for it ...employees bring they kids into that place all the time and your one of the people that made it extremely unsafe to do so ...your an asshole and thats all that needs to be said =) "

So now you personally attack me. This is usually a sign that you are running out of ammunition. How sad, isn't it April? That I can break down your point of view on the company and you have nothing to say but nasty, childish things to me. Did you get your debate training from Nomad? Lol. Don't blame me for putting Suntasia on "blast" b/c before I came along these anti-Suntasia forums had already existed. If you go to reportoffreport.com you'll see there are multiple reports on Suntasia going back years to the day when you guys had "Capitol Vacations" which was changed to Agents Travel Network which in turn then became Travel Agents Go Direct. You guys change the name every year. Why? Because once there are too many complaints business slows down and you can't scam anymore people. So the name change is needed.

As for bringing the kids to an unsafe enviroment? Do you honestly think your statement holds any water? You make it sound like I am some type of terrorist. Suntasia has been known for it's shady businesses practices for years. Many people know where you are. It's not hard to find out. What you are upset about is that Suntasia is getting more attention now than ever. You guys were caught back in 2000 by the then Florida Attorney General for "deceptive" business practices. You've also been exposed lately by two news stations as well as by the banks themselves exposing this scam and there is MORE to come I assure you.

So April although like Nomad I admire your loyalty to this company sadly it's like the Titanic. Remember the ending? Everything finally sank to the bottom and no one believed it could. They ignored the warnings and continue on with business as usual. Wake up lady b/c the truth is out there, you just need to come to terms with it.

Oh, oh, "Round 1" is over and April is already in trouble. "Round 2 coming up! lol

Ok April, this is the LAST time I have to address your bullcrap of a defense with this company. I think I've proven my point by now that you're just a scamming KISS ASS of an employee working in customer service. The only thing you could do now is to attack me personally to save face. It's all smoke and mirrors with you so I am putting the final nail in the coffin on our "debate".

I told you I wasn't lying when I said your department makes it hard to get a refund and that the customers are misled totally. Well here is a former employee letting us know what REALLY happens inside Suntasia's customer service department.

Some of the things she wrote was disturbing to read. Here are some of the quotes from her post.

1. "i worked for cust service for suntasia which pretty much means i cleaned up their dirty work and took the calls from customers that were ripped off . . ."

2. "we are instructed when a customer calls and wants their money back to make it impossible for them to receive it."

3. "also contact the better business bureau. they hate when they get calls or letters from them bacause they are forced to give you the refund without you having to write a refund letter."

These are just some of the things she told a consumer website that logs complaints. Just so you think I am not making this up, you can see the post for yourself.

Click below and scroll down to the bottom to read the rest of the story.

Former Customer Service Employee at Suntasia Speaks Out

So you see April your side is FULL of holes and doesn't hold water. You should be ashamed of yourself to even think this company does business honestly. I can't understand how you can sleep at night with ALL the evidence pointing against Suntasia but then again what do you care since your bonuses depend on keeping these victims in the system long enough to get billed.

I rest my case.

UPDATE: SUNTASIA REDESIGNS THEIR WEBSITE AND FINALLY FINISHES IT!

Suntasia Marketing has given their website a makeover along with some crappy music to listen to. Gold colored borders with black text on white background. Pretty site. You can actually see pictures outside of the building as well as what it REALLY looks like inside. There are pictures of just about every room (lobby, executive offices, customer service etc) including the ones where the agents call you from. They actually give you a map of where they are located and all the important information you need to know about these crooks.

http://www.suntasia.com/default.html

Despite fixing their mis-spellings on one of their webpages like the word "company" they still have NOT fixed the mistake on how they spell S-u-n-t-a-s-i-a. Just click below and scroll down to the middle to see it's still spelled "Suntaisa"

http://www.suntasia.com/overview.html

Geez you would think these guys would just look at the top of the webpage where it is still spelled correctly. I've only pointed this out about 100 times in these forums and then they wonder why no one respects them.

As for the content on the site, for example their "Mission Statement", it's kind of funny. I copied and pasted the statement below.

"Suntasia Marketing is committed to the highest standards of integrity and excellence in our industry. We strive to achieve supreme levels of quality in every aspect of our business.

Our mission is to stay profitable by consistently providing incomparably superior service, earning the loyalty and respect of staff and clients alike.

To do this, we must be diligent, trustworthy, honest and hardworking. When those values are realized, it is then and only then, that Suntasia can truly aspire to reach our ultimate goal – as the best total solution call center in the telemarketing industry".

Lol. Lol. Lol. Lol. Lol. Lol. Lol. Lol. Lol. Lol.

First of all, "committed to the highest standards of integrity and excellence in our industry"?

What standards? They have been and are being investigated by the Attorney General in Florida not to mention others around the country. Two news stations have exposed their marketing campaign as a scam and there is MORE to come I assure you plus the Better Business Bureau has numerous complaints about the sub companies they promote (IE: Distinct Advantage, Travel Agents Go Direct etc).

The next line is even more of a joke. "Our mission is to stay profitable by consistently providing incomparably superior service. . . . . . . ."

Yeah right! You mean ripping off people by giving them a product that's worthless then taking their money to earn interest on what was debited. This is how they "profit" from you.

Finally the line, "To do this, we must be diligent, trustworthy, honest and hardworking. When those values are realized, . . . . . . . ."

Say what! Trustworthy? Honest? With all the complaints that this company has, they certainly are dilussional. You have agents that misrepresent themselves all the time when talking to the customers, the company itself is under investigation and the products they promote are useless. Hey, but at least they're honest, right? Lol.

This company belongs in the "Hall of Shame".

*Telemarketers Using Costco's Name to Entice You To Buy*

When a telemarketer calls you up and mentions Costco, that gets your attention. But in this case, Costco says watch out.

This tip comes from Rachel Randall of Shelton who says she got a call from a Suntasia Marketing. The caller told her she's get $100 in free gas and $400 in airfare if she would try out some products from Costco.

Rachel says what really freaked her out is the caller already had her bank account information - both her account number and the routing number of her bank.

Coscto Vice President of Membership Paul Latham wants you to know that Costco is not not involved in any telemarketing promotion.

"We aren't doing any kind of promotion with a telemarketer," Latham said. "We do not allow our membership base to go to anyone."

Suntasia Marketing's web site says it's a full service marketing company. But telemarketing seems to be the primary focus. Suntasia Marketing is actually part of another company called FTN Promotions, based in Saint Petersburg Florida.

FTN stands for Florida Travel Network and according the Better Business Bureau, Florida Travel Network operates under more than half a dozen names, including, Suntasia Marketing, Florida Travel Network, Confirmation Center, Sea Escape, Platinum Plus Travel, Classic Enterprise and Majestic Promotions.

It's travel promoter, but that's about all I could get when I called Suntasia to find out how they got Rachel's account information.

The customer service rep told me Rachel must have done business with one of Suntasia's affiliates.

A young woman who identified herself as "Miss Reed" told me the company offers different promotions and calls customers who've done business with their affiliates. She declined to say who those affiliates area.

Rachel says she was told the company buys or shares lists with other companies but no one would tell her the names of the companies that might have shared her information.

I tried to get a supervisor or owner, but was told there was no one else I could talk to.

From talking with the Florida State Attorney General however, it would appear Rachel is not alone in her concerns.

FTN Promotions, Inc. is the subject of an active investigation by Florida State, based on dozens of complaints about unfair and deceptive practices and unauthorized debiting of consumer bank and credit accounts.

Further background investigation turned up government action in multiple states dating back to 1997, including settlements in 2000 with the states of Florida, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Washington,DC, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

The settlements involved misleading and deceptive practices in the sale of vacation packages. At that time, Florida Travel Network agreed to modify its marketing but did not admit any wrongdoing.

I made several attempts to call both Suntasia and FTN Promotions, but either got no answer or the lines were disconnected.

If you get an unsolicited call from Suntasia or any company you've never dealt with who already has your account numbers or other private information, get as much information from the caller as you can and report it to the Washington State Attorney General's office.

Then, notify your bank and let them know your account has been compromised.

Reported by Connie Thompson - KOMO 4 News - July 6, 2006

That's right! Frosted News in Fort Wayne, Indiana is warning all of its residents in the state about "Distinct Advantage". They sent out the warning on August 30th. They were informed by the Better Business Bureau News Service. Basically, the alert says that the agents misrepresent themselves and in the end your account gets debited. Don't give them any of your account information.

You can read it below.

Don't fall for free airline ticket scam

FORT WAYNE (Better Business Bureau News Service)-If it's too good to be true, it probably is. Distinct Advantage, located in Largo, Fla., and whose type of business is a travel club, has been making calls to northeast Indiana residents offering them free gas vouchers and free airline tickets. All of this for free, right? The person on the other end of the line will then ask for your routing number, and then wants you to confirm you bank account number. STOP THERE! You could get a lot more than what you bargained for.

Distinct Advantage has a total of 145 complaints to date, concerning issues such as misrepresentation in selling practices, refund disputes, and delivery and billing issues. Consumers were told they would receive a free trial membership package prior to being charged. Before the trial period ends, however, money is being debited from their accounts.

Please do not give any information to anyone until you have completely checked the company out.

If consumers or business owners receive a call such as this from any company, please contact the Better Business Bureau toll-free at 1- 800-552-4631 or locally at (260) 423-44333, with information regarding the name of the company, how they are trying to get your account information, and whether they are asking for bank account or credit card account numbers.

End of article.

If you want to see the news alert yourself, click on the link below.

Better Business Bureau Alert on Distinct Advantage

I will keep you up to date as more alerts come in.