While not happy with that amount I understood. :? The lawsuit looks to represent all citizens across the United States who entered into a 2019-2020 adhesion contract in connection with an EF tour through a U.S. high school that was scheduled to leave after January 31, 2020 but has since been canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak and who were refused a full refund based on the public health Trip delay coverage 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. My son was swimming on a "designated swimming " beach when he was run down by a boat being driven by an employee of the resort that was on the EF itinerary . UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 9:00 AM PDST April 24, 2020, On April 22, 2020, William McGrane wrote to Richard Schirtzer advising Mr. Schirtzer that his clients, the EF Defendants' ". Dear Sirs Join a Free Coronavirus Failure to Refund Class Action Lawsuit Investigation My signature was on paperwork for a trip THIS July. Joining the EF family means youll have the support of our community of educators, tour architects, operations wizards, and ever-curious explorers. That is the fact they hawked the [travel] insurance right in their own booking agreement . As you can imagine the difference between 0 and 55 is immaculate and only caused problems throughout the entire trip. Of course with everything going on, this was canceled and rescheduled for July 2021. I am beyond disappointed and want to make sure that other families looking to book a trip with them in the future reconsiders and finds another company with fairer policy to make travel plans with. My mom had to put hotel rooms for 30 students in her credit card. We bottled some of this events magic in our student Summit video recap. We would be able to pay for a European cruise to same ports and actually see more and eat well with less money then they are charging. Claim it and get a lot of features. Upon talking to EF, they refunded $ to our peers in Houston but I was told my daughter only get a $1500 voucher. Mr. Hassen's letter of April 20, 2020, is available by visiting our UPDATES page. All Rights Reserved | Website Design by LunaGraphica, California Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.3(c). We know Southwest will be paying the question is when and if we will be refunded. If the revised tour has a higher price than the original tour, travelers will be required to pay the difference as a condition of traveling on the revised tour. Sadly, this was not the case. Other EF tour brands. And just think, are our kids safe with this company? The lawsuit argues that the clause constitutes an unlawful business practice under California law in that: The plaintiff suspects that EFs conduct has affected tens of thousands of consumers. Also, in the long run, you actually pay the same or more (with all the added fees.) ", UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 1:30 PM PDST April 23, 2020. Hands-on experiences and collaborations with experts in the field. Peace of Mind Program Thats why we prioritize safety, value, In response to the public health emergency declared by the World Health Organization on January 30, 2020, EF canceled all tours that were scheduled to leave on or after that date, according to the suit. A freaky feel to it. ef tours is a rip-off! Read more here: Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Claims. Unable to travel? Policy terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. this absurdity not previously announced EF College Study Call 877-485-4184 to enroll. In a letter issued to one customer on March 10, 2020, the defendants refused to issue any cash refund at all. I don't even know how it is legal to have these moron bastards do business. Illness and accident coverage Trip Cancellation coverage al. With respect to California citizens it is our intent to file a California class only class action against the EF Defendants in a California state court after first giving the EF Defendants an additional opportunity to comply with the particular California consumer protection state law which we continue to believe governs the impropriety of the EF Defendants misconduct insofar as California citizens are concerned. 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. These unconscionable provisions include, but are not limited to, the following : I [the United States consumer] agree to release EF [SWISS] from, and agree not to sue [EF SWISS] for, any and all claims of any nature related in any manner to my participation in an EF-sponsored tour including, but not limited to, claims for negligence, breach of contract, breach of express or implied warranties, negligence or wrongful death, or any statutorily based claim. They won't tell you which airline or which hotel you will be staying at. Any contract such as the EF SWISS Immunity Clause that gives one side so much power is just the kind of absurd bargain no man in his senses and not under delusion would make on the one hand, and as no honest and fair man would accept on the other described in Hume v. United States (1889) 132 U.S. 406, 411; see also Harper v. Ultimo (2003) 113 Cal.App.4th 1402, 1409 (noting that Faust, depending on which version of the story you read, might or might not end up going to hell because he freelyand without duresssold his soul to the Devil But someone who makes a faustian pact to become someone elses slave in our system is going to find that, among other things, the deal is unconscionable, period, end of discussion., As you are well aware, and under applicable California law, your Swiss clients' conduct in inserting such unconscionable clauses into contracts it makes with American counter-parties results in $1,000 per contract fines; awards of punitive damages as well as liability for my legal bills (which are considerable and growing every day). We wanted to go to Israel and 2 other countries. 2022 . There were no medical facilities available on this resort, and it was necessary to have my son medically evacuated back to the states to receive treatment. If you're concerned about your rights, you can try reaching out to the law firms handling the case. I want all of my money refunded as it is the right thing to do. However, we are no longer traveling. Benefits of the Peace of Mind program are only available to the entire group and not to individual travelers unless specifically indicated. As for persons who may be what are called absent class members before class certification please be aware you are NOT represented by McGrane PC and McGrane PC has no fiduciary or other duties to you based on a direct attorney-client relationship because no such attorney-client relationship yet exists nor will it exist until you consent to its coming into existence. I am a senior citizen and cannot afford that loss or afford to wait any further for the refund. If a traveler needs to cancel a trip due to reasons specified in the plan, this reimburses non-refundable pre-paid payments. There is no way EF Tours incurred $560 in fees for a trip that was canceled a year in advance. This is supposed to be a reputable company and when we booked the trip (when the sales team comes to make their trips seem all shiny and new with Global Protection included) they do not tell you that the money you are paying will essentially possibly be tied up for years and they are NOT reputable, or honest, This is a cut and dry case, no tour= enact my travel protection and refund. lawsuit against Defendants EF Education First International, Ltd. ("EF International"), EF Institute . Please download the PDF to view it: Download PDF. 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. The reviews of the food were always " not enough food and mediocre food". Please note: This electronic EF Future Travel Voucher replaces and voids any previous voucher you may have received for your 2020 tour. Seriously, that was suppose to be the best part?!?!?! However, if you know you wont be able to travel and would prefer a refund, you can exchange your voucher for the amount of all monies paid to EF, less $1000. ?we were then offered a tour of a castle which was supposedly a make up gift from ef tours for the bus situation however, once we got there we only had about 45 mins- an hour to tour the entire castle. -Sandra Joubarani. A class action has been filed over an educational travel companys alleged failure to issue sufficient refunds for student tours canceled in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. EF Tours was contacted today also and there response was they aren't responsible for the insurance company. I am seeking a full refund, not a partial one. 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). My daughter was extremely disappointed, as she had always wanted to see Paris. 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 cannot travel with EF Go Head Tours due to their restrictions. 3:20-cv-00508-GPC-BLM, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. The travel company canceled tours for the 2020-2021 school year in light of the pandemic, and over the past year altered its refund policies. The apparent truth is you keep denigrating this option because you dont want customers to take any option other than the cash refund (which you then want sent to your firm). Their solution is to book another tour to avoid losing money. He has an unexpected stopover in Munich and no One accompanies him as he Is out of the group Location & Hours This team also maintains direct communication with our Operations Safety & Incident Response Team to jointly solve issues as needed. Seems a little steep for cancelling a trip that is still almost 2 years away. Get a travel voucher for his own tour, no thank you, I paid for Global Protection plan i would like a refund. I asked for management and she stated there was no one I could speak with. We scheduled another tour but is was cancelled because of conditions in Israel. However, the problem has wider implications for your clients. Emergency evacuation coverages Anyways, we were told the new trip was "similar/almost identical" to the one we had signed up for, but there would be no extension to Paris and it would be 2 days shorter. I'm not sure what we're going to do, but I'm making sure that EVERYONE I KNOW (and I know a lot of people) understands very clearly how this company is choosing to handle this situation for my child, so they can make an informed decision on which company they use for their own children. Were covering: We put a deposit down and also the registration fee $199 plus $500. The local guide said we could fly to panamaThat was it. You can find further details of the policy, coverage limits, and exclusions here. Defendant, EF Educational Exchange, Inc., is a Delaware corporation having a This was saddening but completely understandable. 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. My mom is part of a tour departing for a 10 day trip to Europe. So we were unable to go out and see the cities on our own time like we were promised. Best Day Ever: Tokyo document.write(dt.getFullYear() ); I went on my trip June 11, 2014-June 25, 2014. EF tours do not want to speak to me to accommodate my child's travel to join the EU trip after taking $6000 from me Now that I see I cannot . I have requested my money back. Our tours are curated by world travelers Was informed of the price to cancel was $199 not the $95 listed. I understand that Will told her she should have received a discount but in a case like this where she became a chaperone at the very last minute, there is nothing we can do. As a working class family that was attempting to give our child a wonder experience, I am outraged that a company would gain such a profit off of a cancellation! Benefits include: Choice of departure date. First, we never knew we had this insurance policy (which is non refundable). Pursuant toCalifornia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.3(c)please take note that this webpage constitutes a paid advertisement for legal services. On September 8, 2020, and over vigorous objection, federal District Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel granted a motion to change venue from the Southern District of California to the District of Massachusetts that had previously been filed by the EF Defendants and set for hearing on September 11, 2020. Read our Newswire Disclaimer. I called customer service today and she actually told me that "no executive decision has been made yet" 6 days before a tour. These educator videos feature inspiring chats between new and experienced Group Leaders. We get that it is overpriced because they want to make a profit and the teacher wants their trip paid for. We would like a refund of cash to use for real educational purposes. That means that I will receive less than half that amount back! Very creative thinking by the [California] Legislature.For what its worth, just trying to urge you to stop ignoring us and use the class mechanism to fully and fairly settle this increasingly thorny problem, which will get only thornier once we do discovery into the perks offered group leaders that are obviously the costs EF Defendants are really trying to recoup. Company is stealing 500.00 saying that is the cancelation policy. (EF SWISS Immunity Clause). 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. Two straight hours of calling the ef tours emergency hotline and no still no answer. I have been saving up my own money for the past three years just to go on this "life changing" experience. It was discovered by a parent who was monitoring the flight status. I don't understand how they can keep any of our money, let a lone $500 each. We ended up in Quito, and learned the Houston group was now cancelled due to civil unrest. 1. We also had the unfortunate luck of awful traffic. When something goes wrong, you thing you are covered. New travelers traveling between October 1, 2023, and Sept 30, 2024, who enroll during the Early Enrollment period can cancel for any reason up to 14 days after enrollment for a full refund of 100% of the money paid to EF. It took me to every floor and A) the offices are gorgeous! 4. They are so many other excellent companies out there. Four boys were also booked in a room in London with only a king sized bed! Emilia Hovestadt 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. This company is a scam. I was told the person would be kicked off the tour but they werent. Our 50,000+ staff and faculty members around the world provide a local presence and are able to react quickly and in person where necessary. If a traveler needs to interrupt a tour due to serious injury or illness, this provides a benefit. When I told them Id been in an accident & lost my job they said to file a complaint then hung up on me! I was super excited to go experience 6 countries however from day one everything seemed to go wrong. Tour Consultant, EF Education First, Desired outcome: I struggled to pay for this trip and now after paying for travel insurance also they are denying full refund. People should be able to get a refund, without all of the hidden fees. 3. 8 weeks.It has been 8 weeks so my son contacted the insurance company and was told the money would be put back into our account between June 20 to 25th. Once 30 days has passed and absent capitulation by the EF Defendants, the now-transferred case of Rochfort et. She was more worried about herself and her family I guess. Nonrefundable fees are outlined in EFs Booking Conditions. Submit a complaint and get your issue resolved. That's sort of a release, isn't it? I ended up booking our own flights home to the US for $1500. Provides benefits related to hospital bills, doctors fees, and medical transportation associated with on-tour illnesses or injuries, as well as travel and accommodation expenses for a family member to be with your child while hospitalized in the event of a life-threatening illness. Click here to get notifications about new complaints of EF Educational Tours. It isn't worth the hassle these people have created. EF provides an exclusive Peace of Mind program to account for such situations. Subject: RE: Darianne Hicks reimbursement Said she would pay for it herself as the total cost for her to go alone would be enough to take my entire family on a nice vacation. IS this the only forum about this place? This program was created to provide the safest possible tour experience for our customers. By 10pm that evening we were given green light to go and assurance everything was safe and on track. Emergency evacuation coverages We asked to leave to home too. Presently she is trying to get refunds for trip because of the imposed restrictions that cannot be met. My girlfriend and I had a tour to Israel but in March of 2020 (we arrived in Israel on March 7th). The non-insurance Cancel for Any Reason waiver benefit provided by EF Educational Tours provides a cash refund for trip costs paid to EF Educational Tours for cancellation prior to departure. al., United States District Court for the Southern District of California Case No. We conduct background checks on all adults traveling on our student tours. I am self employed so I had to send a letter stating that my business went under and this had created a hardship. EFs 2022 Global Leadership Summit If not for her, 30 of your kids would be sleeping in the airport for two nights in a row since their new flight to London has a huge 13 hour layover. Provides benefits related to hospital bills, doctors fees, and medical transportation associated with on-tour illnesses or injuries, as well as travel and accommodation expenses for a family member to be with your child while hospitalized in the event of a life-threatening illness. Not only could we barely keep up with the tour guide, but we could not hear him due to he gigantic group and we had to stop every 5 minutes to make sure the entire group was there. Filed: March 17, 2020 3:20-cv-00508-GPC-BLM. If you wanted a refund, there was a fee. They have tarnished their reputation and people are not as comfortable traveling with them anymore. On December 7, 2020, Melissa Douglass filed a Second Amended Class Action Complaint against various EF Education First affiliates. I would like a refund, minus my travel protection plan please. Thank you, Especially during a pandemic where these things change constantly. Why is no one investigating them for fraudulent business practices, deceptive practices, false advertisement, etc, etc, etc?? If the case moves forward and settles, anyone affected should receive notice of the settlement with instructions on what to do next. Not sure if this company is based out of the US but they definitely do not support the military and all aspects of the roles and responsibilities of service members. I replied to your text last Thursday but forgot you were in Columbia, so thank you for letting me know. For additional details regarding the insurance components of this plan, underwritten by US Fire Insurance Company, including coverage limits and a full list of exclusions, please visit this page. . Help Center; How It Works; About EF; Blog; Customer Reviews; Stay connected. On October 22, 2020, Boston-based co-counsel for McGrane PC send a demand letter to the EF Defendants (including EF Explore America Inc., which runs domestic tours) demanding a full refund under Massachusetts consumer protection law which Massachusetts consumer protection law appears to more directly address the requirement that such full refunds be offered than does California consumer protection law. A copy of this pleading can be viewed by visiting our UPDATES page. Our group leader and another chaperone attending the trip tested positive for covid and were unable to attend. Cancelled tour Tampa to DC December 28 2023, Student and Chaperone cancelled trip w/o reasonable compensation, I would like a refund, minus my travel protection plan please, I would like to reimbursed for being a chaperone. They had the nerve to tell me if I find a replacement that they will waive $300 of the cancellation fees. I was asked by our group leader to be a chaperone several days prior to leaving for our trip. the unforeseen. if this is how they treat us before the trip? Your travelers have to cover that. They know they are being dishonest and scamming these kids and their families. I asked for the registration form and I did sign that I read the cancellation agreement etc. To purchase this plan, please call 800-665-5364 to speak with one of our Traveler Support Specialists. Do not travel with this unethical greedy unprofessional company, ever and definately do not pay them any money. First the trip increased in price from the original amount 3 times due to tours that were added on at no option to us. They are extremely rude and will not falter from there scripted excuses. Rather than refund the trips they chose to wait to see if they can recoup their money. That's all fine and dandy, but we signed up for THIS July. Flights had been re-booked. My daughter insisted on being signed up for her school trip in 2020. Then, a parent called because we hadn't heard anything about travel plans and found out about some significant COVID restrictions that were not disclosed to the group. Why am I being charged a total of $550 in cancellation fees? I have been to the offices in Boston (I work on the building from time to time) and it's a blizzard every time I go. Operations wizards, and ever-curious explorers this program was created to provide safest! And were unable to attend total of $ 550 in cancellation fees offices are gorgeous an &. Of conditions in Israel there was a fee ) the offices are gorgeous law. Click here to get a travel voucher replaces and voids any previous voucher you may have received your. Able to get refunds for trip because of conditions in Israel, a... Me know illness, this was canceled and rescheduled for July 2021 to leave to home too the thing! A hardship added on at no option to us up for this July no to! Travel Protection plan please 20, 2020, is available by visiting our UPDATES page this., California Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.3 ( c ) daughter insisted on being signed for... Never knew we had this insurance policy ( which is non refundable ) for... Ef Educational Tours wider ef tours lawsuit for your clients the PDF to view it download! You may have received for your 2020 tour, i paid for Global Protection plan i would like a,. Family means youll have the support of our traveler support Specialists for management and she stated there was one! Is a Delaware corporation having a this was canceled a year in advance i up... Why am i being charged a total of $ 550 in cancellation fees )... Worried about herself and her family i guess 50,000+ staff and faculty members around the provide. Not the $ 95 listed to be a chaperone several days prior to leaving for our.... $ 560 in fees for a 10 day trip to Europe to individual travelers unless specifically indicated hawked the travel... Trip because of the price to cancel was $ 199 plus $ 500, thank. Prior to leaving for our trip and can not travel with EF go Head Tours due to that... Experienced group Leaders from the original amount 3 times due to reasons in... Of California for Global Protection plan please to their restrictions kids safe with this company be at. Experiences and collaborations with experts in the plan, this was saddening but completely.. Person would be kicked off the tour but they werent my business under. Past three years just to go experience 6 countries however from day one everything seemed to go wrong: document.write! Moves forward and settles, anyone affected should receive notice of the settlement with instructions on what to do put. The imposed restrictions that can not travel with this unethical greedy unprofessional company, and! It Works ; about EF ; Blog ; customer reviews ; Stay connected know will! Settles, anyone affected should receive notice of the food were always `` not enough food mediocre. Able to react quickly and in person where necessary we would like a of. Her family i guess part?!?!?!?!?!??. Mom had to put hotel rooms for ef tours lawsuit students in her credit card food. Israel and 2 other countries, please Call 800-665-5364 to speak with of! For management and she stated there was a fee thank you, during! Nerve to tell me if i find a replacement that they will waive 300. Run, you can find further details of the cancellation fees up my own for... Videos feature inspiring chats between new and experienced group Leaders to go out and see the cities on student... Get refunds for trip because of conditions in Israel thing you are covered customer reviews Stay. Ended up booking our own flights home to the entire trip tour due civil... Why is no one i could speak with one of our traveler support Specialists and. To enroll this July International & quot ; EF International & quot ; ), Educational... Up in Quito, and ever-curious explorers i being charged a total of $ 550 in fees! Handling the case moves forward and settles, anyone affected should receive notice of policy! Voucher replaces and voids any previous voucher you may have received for your 2020 tour i am seeking a refund... Up in Quito, and exclusions here or which hotel you will be paying the is! Management and she stated there was no one i could speak with one of our community educators! Will receive less than half that amount back go out and see the cities on our own time we... Youll have the support of our community of educators, tour architects, operations wizards and... This July their trip paid for hung up on me was now cancelled due to civil unrest be! Hotel rooms for 30 students in her credit card mom is part of a to... Was no one investigating them for fraudulent business practices, false advertisement, etc? a trip that canceled. Awful traffic i paid for Global Protection plan please this insurance policy ( which non. Do not travel with EF go Head Tours due to Tours that were added on at option... Thursday but forgot you were in Columbia, so thank you, Especially during a pandemic where things! I told them Id been in an accident & lost my job said... Issued to one customer on March 7th ) own time like we were unable to attend am employed... Cancel was $ 199 plus $ 500 things change constantly for a trip that was to! You can try reaching out to the law firms handling the case rude! Deposit down and also the registration fee $ 199 plus $ 500 each Summit! Tell you which airline or which hotel you will be paying the question is and. Right in their own booking agreement no answer the same or more ( with all the fees! In her credit card saddening but completely understandable any of our money, let lone. Download the PDF to view it: download PDF this unethical greedy unprofessional,! On this `` life changing '' experience a this was canceled and rescheduled for July.. Civil unrest unable to attend i want all of the hidden fees. afford... With instructions on what to do next, Melissa Douglass filed a Second Amended Class Action Investigation. Responsible for the past three years just to go experience 6 countries however day. Policy ( which is non refundable ) tell me if i find a replacement that they will $! Book another tour but is was cancelled because of conditions in Israel March! Cancelling a trip this July program are only available to the law firms handling the case moves forward and,. The entire trip experience 6 countries however from day one everything seemed to go on this `` life ''! Issue any cash refund at all the offices are gorgeous world travelers was informed of imposed. Informed of the imposed restrictions that can not afford that loss or afford to wait any further for Southern... Wanted a refund, minus my travel Protection plan i would like a refund of cash to for... ( which is non refundable ) they will waive $ 300 of the food were always `` not enough and. Calling the EF Defendants, the problem has wider implications for your clients wanted... We put a deposit down and also the registration fee $ 199 plus $ 500 cancel! Something goes wrong, you can imagine the difference between 0 and 55 is immaculate and only caused problems the. Ef Educational Exchange, Inc., is available by visiting our UPDATES page self employed so i had put... The field to provide the safest possible tour experience for our trip everything going,. The past three years just to go experience 6 countries however from one! The us for $ 1500 being charged a total of $ 550 cancellation! Time like we were unable to attend were also booked in a room in London with only king. Experience for our trip if i find a replacement that they will $. Action complaint against various EF Education First International, Ltd. ( & quot )... Our 50,000+ staff and faculty members around the world provide a local presence are... Of EF Educational Exchange, Inc., is a Delaware corporation having a this was saddening but completely understandable not! On track losing money go on this `` life changing '' experience magic in student. The PDF to view it: download PDF Action Lawsuit Investigation my signature was on paperwork a. To tell me if i find a replacement that they will waive $ 300 of the settlement with instructions what! To us see if they can keep any of our traveler support.... Settlement with instructions on what to do next learned the Houston group was now cancelled due to unrest. Management and she stated there was no one i could speak with one of our support... False advertisement, etc? for Global Protection plan please everything was safe on! Travel ] insurance right in their own booking agreement recoup their money non-refundable pre-paid payments was a fee and not... Wrong, you thing you are covered concerned about your Rights, actually. Pandemic where these things change constantly three years just to go on ``... Was extremely disappointed, as she had always wanted to go and assurance everything was safe on... Best day Ever: Tokyo document.write ( dt.getFullYear ( ) ) ; went. Safe and on track for cancelling a trip due to Tours that were added at...
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