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I am a parent of one of what seems like thousands of students whose summer 2020 music tour to Europe has been cancelled by VIL. We also got the letter dated March 17, 2020, telling us that VIL intends to keep $1,900 of the more than $6,000 we paid in advance for our son's trip.
I'm OUTRAGED by this unilateral and unfair decision on their part, and have contacted them numerous times by phone, but have only been able to speak with someone named Rick Netzer. He's been very unhelpful, cited language in the contract that I do not think applies in this case, and refused to provide me with an email address to submit a complaint or to contact Mr. Mahaffy, VIS's president.
I'm currently working with a nationally syndicated travel columnist, who also works as a consumer advocate when things like this occur. They're trying to contact VIL, but need an email address to do it. If anyone has one, could you please send it to me at mkatz415@gmail.com as soon as possible?
I fear that if they do send the refund checks by April 1, as they said in the letter, if we cash them, there may be some clause in a document somewhere that says we forfeit our right to seek legal action to get back the $1,900 they effectively have stolen from us.
Finally, if you had a bad experience with VIL due to them canceling tours for this summer, and you're upset that they are taking the $1,900 without our consent, please feel free to send me an email at the address above, and I'll pass it on to the consumer advocate I'm working with. If you agree to have him contact you for more information, please indicate that in the note you send and include your phone number, as well.
I have a feeling that when VIL realizes what terrible publicity it will be for the company to have this scam reported in major newspapers throughout the country, they may reconsider unfairly keeping our money.
Thank you.
Mitch Katz, mkatz415@gmail.com
Falls Church, VA
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