Key West Artist House Scam

Old Dec 16th, 2001, 05:29 PM
  #1  
MR
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Key West Artist House Scam

I booked rooms at the Artist House and Artist House Villas at a price, as quoted on the telephone by both Mike and Dave of the Artist House, of $2050 ($1839 + 11.5% tax). When I received my reservation confirmation, the total was $2741, plus tax.

I called the Artist House upon reading the confirmation and spoke to Jim, who identified himself as the property owner. Jim adamantly insisted that he would not allow the rooms to be secured at my quoted (and secured by credit card deposit) rate. He became indignant and insisted that there had been an error or miscommunication. He then informed me of having other business to attend to, and hung up.

Jim called me back with an adjusted rate, and insisted that I take that rate or lose it. I informed him that I had to check with other members of my party, and asked him to Email me a quote to guarantee the rate, as there had been confusion in dealing with the Artist House staff. He refused to send the quote, saying that confirmations were only sent upon payment of a deposit. I reminded him that he already had my deposit, but he still refused to send
me the quote. He then told me that he was canceling the reservation, and hung up the phone.

Jim not only breached his contract, but left me without accommodations seven weeks after I had arranged them initially. Comparable rates solicited from other properties had long since expired, causing a frantic search for accommodations, which were attained at a rate of an additional $1700.

Jim's actions were unethical, unprofessional, and possibly illegal. I have already contacted the Better Business Bureau, and will contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce. Does anyone else have suggestions about additional sources of help to contact to get this problem resolved, and more importantly, to prevent the Artist House from pulling this scam again?
 
Old Dec 16th, 2001, 05:38 PM
  #2  
e
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Sounds to me like you were both wrong. Him in the beginning, you in the end. Get over it.
 
Old Dec 16th, 2001, 06:00 PM
  #3  
x
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That is horrible! I don't see how you were wrong!
 
Old Dec 17th, 2001, 05:02 AM
  #4  
Mark
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Contact the local paper.
 
Old Dec 17th, 2001, 07:08 AM
  #5  
D
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The reply that e posted here is just plain stupid. How were you wrong?

Call the local paper, contact the better business bureau, take him to court(small claims?). Even if the place is a palace, the reputation is what keeps it going. An inn that does that to a customer is doomed to failure.

I go to Key West a couple times a year. I'll add this to the list of places I won't stay, along with the Heron House and the obnoxious manager, Jeff.
 
Old Dec 17th, 2001, 07:10 AM
  #6  
x
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http://www.elsop.com/wrc/complain.htm
 
Old Dec 17th, 2001, 07:23 AM
  #7  
xxx
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You have no legal case if a telephone conversation is the only initial contact. It's your word against theirs.
 
Old Dec 17th, 2001, 07:27 AM
  #8  
aaa
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1. Sent a copy to all travel books that rate their property.

2. file a complaint with the STATE attorney Generals office.

3. Send a copy to the Miami Herald. The local paper does not get a very wide audience,,mostly ready by locals.

 
Old Dec 17th, 2001, 08:53 AM
  #9  
huh
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I find it interesting that someone would post a criticism of you. I'm guessing it was Jim, the Artist House manager.
 
Old Dec 17th, 2001, 09:32 AM
  #10  
TADESQ
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I disagree with the reply that poster that stated that there was no legal case. The fact that a price was agreed upon by two different representatives of the establishment, and a deposit was taken based on that amount, constitutes a contract.

There are methods by which damages may be recovered. Small claims court is a low cost way to bring action against the Artist House, but filing will need to be done far in advance to arrange a court date when you'll be in Key West. Retaining an attorney from Key West will save you some effort, and may result in a judgement on your behalf without you having to make an appearance.
 
Old Dec 17th, 2001, 10:09 AM
  #11  
aaa
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What type of redress are you looking for...refund of deposit,,,,reservation at original rate,.,,or the difference between quoted rate and rate for comparable accomodations.

I don't think it would pay to hire an attorney. you would have to pay them win or lose...and you could wind up spending as much as you could win. Unfortunately, the amount of potential award is too small for most attorneys to take the case on a coningency basis.

Your best bet, if you want a court to decide, is to file in small claims court and hope that they are a corporation requiring them to obtain an attorney...and hope they will settle to avoid the negative publicity and out of pockert legal expenses,.

 
Old Dec 17th, 2001, 10:17 AM
  #12  
KathyH
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D,
You mentioned that the other place you would not stay at in Key West is Heron House. I've nothing but good about this B & B. In fact I was about to book a stay there for our 10th anniversary. Can you tell exactly why you wouldn't stay there again. Thanks.
KathyH
 
Old Dec 17th, 2001, 10:36 AM
  #13  
x
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Write a letter and send it to all of the travel magazines that have a section on travel stories. Also hit all of the Websites that have a section where you can rate the guest house.
 
Old Dec 17th, 2001, 12:12 PM
  #14  
perry
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I totally sympathize with your plight, but please do the world a favor and forget the "legal" route. Posters who encourage you to do stuff like "hire a local attorney" and "make sure you're in Key West" for the court date are really out there.

Forget it. Move on. You were wronged, but stuff happens and you'll overcome the emotional and financial scars. You don't need a lawyer, and the world doesn't need another petty lawsuit.
 
Old Dec 17th, 2001, 12:28 PM
  #15  
curious
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That's really too bad. Posting here should do the trick to help keep them in line in the future.

Interestingly, my husband and I stayed there about 10 years ago. I believe you when you say the owner became indignant and hung up on you. While we were staying there, the 2 owners got into a major screaming match with each other, slamming doors and everything. Not exactly the type of behavior you would expect from the owners of a B&B. We felt very uncomfortable since it was obvious that we witnessed the whole unpleasant scene, there was no avoiding it. For that reason alone I would never stay there.
 
Old Dec 17th, 2001, 12:49 PM
  #16  
xx
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Perry, you going to pay the extra $2k for the room? Would it be different if it was you that got screwed?

Sue them for all they've got!!!
 
Old Dec 17th, 2001, 12:50 PM
  #17  
Cheryl
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Definitely the Florida State Attorney General's Office. I cancelled a reservation at a small motel in Daytona last year, was charged an ridiculously expensive cancellation fee (that had not been disclosed when I initially made the reservations and which they took out of my deposit). They still owed me a few bucks and never sent it. After they ignored a request by the Convention and Visitor's Bureau and Chamber of Commerce for a return of my money, I contacted the Attorney General's office (online) and had my money back in about two weeks!!! Believe me, establishments do not want to hear from the Attorney General's Office, especially when you accuse them of fraud. Good luck.
 
Old Dec 17th, 2001, 01:04 PM
  #18  
L
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I wouldn't count on the notion there was a contract. Too many problems, including disagreement by the two parties about a material fact. And the owner will deny his agent agreed to anything the owner states is not acceptable to him, such as the price. Forget the entire episode, but do send your complaint to any publication that lists KW places. You might be able to do some good. And certainly tell Jim what you are doing - that might keep him awake at night. Ciao
 
Old Dec 17th, 2001, 01:39 PM
  #19  
x
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To play devil's advocate for a minute, how do we know this guy is telling the truth in the first place? How do we know something else didn't happen and someone suddenly has an axe to grind? I'm not sure there's enough information here to call it one way or the other. How many rooms did they book, and at what rate, and during what month? The Artist House has a website and the rates don't look all that expensive.

Anyway, I too would encourage MR to write to Key West publications, and let Jim at Artist House know what he's doing. But I would also encourage Jim to do whatever it takes on his end if MR isn't being totally honest and he (Jim) or his business are being slandered.
 
Old Dec 17th, 2001, 02:04 PM
  #20  
x
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Definitelym let the owner know of anything you will do. Drop him a line to look at the Fodors site. It might scare him enough to refund everything. http://www.artisthousekeywest.com/

 

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