HARRISBURG – A recent settlement announced by Attorney General Michelle Henry brings significant relief to consumers who fell victim to deceptive practices by Sundance Vacations, a travel company based in Wilkes Barre. The settlement mandates that Sundance Vacations compensate harmed consumers with half a million dollars and offers the potential for millions more in debt cancellation. This action comes in response to the company’s misleading bait-and-switch pricing, high-pressure sales tactics, and misrepresentations concerning “sweepstakes” programs, impacting individuals seeking affordable “Sun Dance Vacation” packages.
Moving forward, the settlement terms require Sundance Vacations to ensure complete transparency by clearly disclosing all costs associated with their travel packages upfront. This measure aims to prevent future consumers from encountering hidden fees and unexpected financial burdens often associated with vacation deals that seem too good to be true.
Unveiling the Deceptive Tactics of Sundance Vacations
The investigation into Sundance Vacations’ practices revealed a pattern of misleading sales pitches. Potential customers were subjected to slideshow presentations that advertised enticingly low partial package costs, such as “30 vacations for $15,000.” This tactic effectively concealed the actual, full cost of the vacation packages until after consumers had committed to agreements. Many individuals discovered the true financial implications only later, realizing they had been duped into expensive deals that did not align with initial representations of affordable “sun dance vacation” opportunities.
Attorney General Henry stated, “Sundance misled Pennsylvanians into thinking that they were getting significant bargains on pricey vacations, when, in reality, Sundance was just hiding the final bill. Bait and switch pricing will not be tolerated in Pennsylvania, and this settlement ensures the deceptive practices employed by Sundance end today.” This strong stance underscores the commitment to protecting consumers from deceptive marketing strategies within the travel industry, particularly concerning vacation packages marketed under names that might evoke imagery of affordable getaways, such as “sun dance vacation” deals.
Legal Violations and Consumer Protection
The settlement addresses violations of the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law attributed to Sundance Vacations. These violations include a range of deceptive practices:
- Misrepresenting Overall Price: Failing to clearly state the total cost of vacation packages.
- False Value Comparisons: Inflating the perceived value of their packages compared to competitors.
- High-Pressure Sales: Employing tactics that limited consumers’ ability to carefully review contract details and make informed decisions.
- Misleading Sponsorship Claims: Falsely claiming affiliations with third-party organizations.
- Sweepstakes Misrepresentations: Distorting the nature and value of sweepstakes prizes associated with their offers.
Restitution and Contract Cancellation Opportunities for Affected Consumers
The Office of Attorney General is actively working to provide financial restitution to consumers who have already filed complaints against Sundance Vacations. Furthermore, consumers who believe they were victimized by Sundance’s business practices may still be eligible for restitution if they file complaints before May 16, 2025. This provides a significant window for affected individuals to seek compensation for the financial harm they endured due to deceptive “sun dance vacation” offers and related packages.
In addition to restitution, the settlement mandates Sundance Vacations to offer certain eligible consumers the opportunity to cancel their contracts and be relieved of any outstanding financial obligations. Sundance is obligated to send written notices via USPS and email to those eligible for cancellation. Consumers who receive a Cancellation Notice and wish to cancel must act within 30 days of receiving the notice. This provision offers a pathway for consumers to escape burdensome contracts secured under false pretenses.
While the settlement’s cancellation offer is specifically for eligible consumers, Sundance Vacations retains the discretion to extend cancellation options to other customers as well. Customers who successfully cancel their contracts will have their loans marked as paid in full to credit bureaus, ensuring their credit scores are not negatively impacted by the deceptive deals. Any future bookings will be cancelled, and associated fees and taxes refunded.
How to File a Complaint and Seek Restitution
The Attorney General’s Office urges any consumers who believe they may have been victims of Sundance Vacations’ practices to file a complaint to be considered for restitution. Complaints can be filed:
- Online: File a complaint online
- Consumer Protection Hotline: 1-800-441-2555
- Email: [email protected]
This settlement, filed in the Court of Common Pleas for Luzerne County, represents a significant step towards protecting consumers from deceptive vacation sales practices and ensuring companies like Sundance Vacations operate with transparency and integrity, especially when marketing vacation opportunities that might be perceived as affordable “sun dance vacation” packages.
