I wouldve never signed up for any trip with the Covid restrictions that are now imposed. My daughter insisted on being signed up for her school trip in 2020. Our people are your people. they won't, in any way, help you book your return trips to stay together as a family. They make go in circles and have excuse after excuse. 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. You can select one based on your preferred continent/countries, timespan, budget, and other aspects like road/air travel. My son is (or perhaps was) traveling on an EF tour this summer with a very small group from our high school. the unforeseen. Weve experienced the transformative power of travel firsthandand we cant wait to explore the opportunities that are out there for you and your students. The Global Travel Protection Plus planprovides a refund of the Program Price (minus the cost of the plan and other non-refundable fees) if your child needs to cancel their tour up to 24 hours prior to departure for any reason. Desired outcome: However, if there is any issue, EF Tours will not honor insurance or refunds. Hands-on experiences and collaborations with experts in the field. v. EF Institute for Cultural Exchange, Inc., et. 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. Pursuant to California Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.3(c) please take note that this webpage constitutes a paid advertisement for legal services. I didn't think sharing was a big deal until I found out that he's expected to share a ben with a complete stranger. This company canceled our tour claiming Covid caused them to be short of staff to accommodate the tour. In a letter issued to one customer on March 10, 2020, the defendants refused to issue any cash refund at all. Trip delay coverage I registered my son and I to go on a tour in June 2017. It felt like a complete waste of time to travel and waste that many days. They are making a profit off of cancellations!!!! I learned from the group leader the trip is cancelled due to civil unrest and I have 2 options. ", Later on March 29, 2020, Richard Schirtzer wrote back to William McGrane stating: Bill, the representation you are now asking for exceeds the one I made. Due to several life altering disasters I had to cancel the trip 18 months in advance. About 3-4 months before our trip, and after we had already paid IN FULL, we were notified that because of our small group, our group leader had only signed 5 people up..hindsight tells me people saw what a rip off it was and didn't sign up to take it in the rear from EF. People should be able to get a refund, without all of the hidden fees. I was told the person would be kicked off the tour but they werent. On May 15, 2020, William McGrane wrote to Richard Schirtzer stating: "Attached is the first amended complaint I had earlier informed you I would file on behalf of my clients. For over 55 years, weve dedicated ourselves to one global mission: Opening the World Through Education. I will not let this go if need be I will take them to court and sue there asses. Dear Sirs Now that I see I cannot . What a waste of time and money. ClassAction.org is a group of online professionals (designers, developers and writers) with years of experience in the legal industry. I am outraged and helpless. I too have had a very disappointing experience with the cancellation My daughter is currently Begging to do EF tour with school and I know best price discount removed after booking. Revised tours must depart within one year of the original tour. Spring break trip with the school for my two boys to go to Greece and Italy this year. EF Educational Tours (international) EF Tours for Girls; EF Educational Tours Canada; EF College Study; EF Ultimate Break; EF Go Ahead Tours; EF Gap Year Plus, the staff in each office and school are trained to respond to a wide range of emergency situations. I was so angry but nothing was done about it. She signed up October 1 and we had to cancel Oct 14 due to conflicts with my work schedule. Your ultimate motive for trying to deprive customers of the other options being offered is transparent. Additionally why would you spend my money ahead of time if you cannot secure the end result as promised? Initially after this situation occurred a person from the company called me to get the story (since I immediately reported it to the tour director when I got off the bus) but never heard from him again. EF Tours was contacted today also and there response was they aren't responsible for the insurance company. 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 On June 20th we called them to verify and were told our claim was denied and we wouldn't be receiving anything back from them. Well isn't that what insurance is for??? Some of it was just bad luck however I feel like most of it was EF tours being lazy and not trying to help make the experience the best that it could have been. We use cookies to improve your experience on our site and to show you personalised advertising. We've experienced the transformative power of travel firsthandand we can't wait to explore the opportunities that are out there for you and your students. We wanted to go to Israel and 2 other countries. I feel like EF tours did not take our interests and feelings into consideration and I feel like this trip was a complete waste of time and money. They simply answered the phone, we provided the tour, dates and names of our family members and paid a deposit for each of us. They are all F-ing scum I hope all involved lose every penny they ever made and become homeless. Purchase was completed prior to pandemic..tour to Italy. 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. Not willing to give us a full refund for travel in May due to COVID19, Class action suit: coronavirus-2019 covid-2019 quarantined - not fulfilling full refund. EF Educational Tours Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of www.eftours.com Travel & Vacation Activities & Tours Tour Agency EF Educational Tours EF Educational Tours Reviews 4,382 Excellent 4.3 VERIFIED COMPANY www.eftours.com Visit this website kharden 1 review US 2 days ago DO NOT USE EF Tours! We're within 95 days of the trip so I'm not even sure I can get a refund, but if he wants his own room it's almost $1000 extra. Protection for your belongings It is a crime for a youth educational program to take $3800 dollars from a 15 year old after they endorse a trip, then fly us into civil unrest, only to tell us they have no ability to get us home. Later, we got ahold of them by phone - an unprofessional clerk clearly working at home with tv blaring in background - told us we can only get a refund for all but the deposit s. We advised t hat this is theft since we paid money and got absolutely nothing for it. 321. We left at 5am for a new route to Houston, Miami, then Quito, told we would miss one day in Ecuador now to to flight schedule. Thats why as the world changes, so do we. 1. . Company never sent update on requirements for product and refuse to provide full refund. Travelers who had booked their program by redeeming a previously issued Future Travel Voucher may have different terms and options available to them based on the originally issued voucher terms. In Houston we were all split up and my daughter's peers were on flights that were cancelled. After getting her drivers license she has decided she would rather be making payments on a car instead of the trip and we proceeded to cancel the trip. The 2020 trip was canceled due to Covid. Our group leader and another chaperone attending the trip tested positive for covid and were unable to attend. I am a senior citizen and cannot afford that loss or afford to wait any further for the refund. These itineraries are your answer. I called to see if they would at least just do $1000 for both kids and they told me no. v. EF Institute for Cultural Exchange, Inc., et. If a traveler needs to cancel a trip due to reasons specified in the plan, this reimburses non-refundable pre-paid payments. 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. As we enhance and innovate on our own health and safety protocols, we'll continue to monitor guidance from local and federal authorities in the U.S. and internationally. It isn't worth the hassle these people have created. I was told by the EF Tours representative that he could room with boys from other schools or upgrade (at an additional $90 per night!) A copy of the demand letter can be viewed by visiting our UPDATES page. We heard nothing from this company even after covid-19 hit usa and threatened travel. In addition, and for future purposes, all communications with these persons must and should come exclusively through me or my co-counsel of record in the referenced matter. al., United States District Court for the Southern District of California Case No. ", Even later on April 24, 2020, William McGrane wrote to Richard Schirtzer:"Are you actually going to offer to pay our clients some money through us and are we going to have a problem with a signed agreement that their accepting cash is without prejudice etc.? We also were traveling to all the countries during the world cup. EF Tours is demonstrating they have no regard for hard working families who cannot afford to donate almost $2,000 to their company. :? I worked on the building and had to be in the offices every 3 months for 2 years. Paid full price with insurance.The trip coordinator was a personal friend Mary Pope. ?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. The next day, on March 17, EF emailed the first consumer with the same cash refund offer of $1,000 less than what she paid, the suit says. I also was being charged late fees even though I changed my payment plan. That's sort of a release, isn't it? and subject matter experts who understand EF Educational Tours 159 reviews Unclaimed Historical Tours, Walking Tours, Travel Services Edit Closed 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM See hours See all 49 photos Write a review Add photo " chaperone for a high school senior trip to London, Paris and Barcelona. their futures. Evidently, just before the drop deadline, the other boys in our group dropped out because of cost, and he's the lone boy traveling from our school with a group of girls. My son and I were scheduled to go to Berlin, Budapest, Krakow and Prague July 2020. I would like a refund, minus my travel protection plan please. Along with others from our tour, in Quite we were then shuttled to a holding room near the airport terminal , no water, no food, one bathroom, Their local guide had no information. Travelers canceling from a revised tour will be charged a cancellation fee based on the date that the original tour was revised or the date of cancellation from the revised tour, whichever is higher. Work with EF to modify your groups current tour itinerary and dates, or, Cancel your tour and all travelers will receive a transferable Future Travel Voucher in the amount of all monies paid for the original tour, less the cost of any purchased Travel Protection plan, Cancel your tour with applicable fees under the Standard Cancellation Policy. 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. Trip Interruption coverage Our tours are curated by world travelers 2021 came with Covid restrictions that could not be met. Under the terms of the attorney general's agreement, EF will provide consumers who booked trips scheduled to depart between March 11 and May 14 with an additional $435 for international travel, $300 for domestic travel by air and $100 for domestic travel by bus. ", UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 1:30 PM PDST April 23, 2020. There are so many good tour companies out there, you would be wasting valuable time and money booking with this one. HOW CAN THIS BE LEGAL??? The day before trip, we were told cancelled due to civil unrest. Erin works primarily on ClassAction.orgs newswire, reporting on cases as they happen. Desired outcome: After this horrible experience, we will never consider this company again for any of our children and advise all we know against it as well. opens a world of possibilities. Trip Interruption coverage Their contact information can be found in the complaint below. EFs 2022 Global Leadership Summit Not only did I make a complaint to the Better Business Bureau but I also requested that a manager call me and I have yet to hear from anyone. They claim the $700.00 is money that was already spent to secure travel details. It was so uncomfortable. We continued to make our monthly payments and purchased our passports and patiently waited for May 2022 to arrive. From: Emilia Hovestadt Please note that at this point, theres nothing you need to do to join the lawsuit. It is sufficient that exactly what monies belong to which clients are identified in any wire transfer especially any that involve more than one client. We understand that plans can change due to unforeseen circumstances. Background checks on adult travelers We did not have enough free time (which we were promised). Read more here: Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Claims. They do not respond favorably. Why is no one investigating them for fraudulent business practices, deceptive practices, false advertisement, etc, etc, etc?? 3:20-cv-00508-gpc-blm stating: Dear Mr. Schirtzer: As you are aware, I am counsel of record to the named putative class representative plaintiff Natalia Grabovsky and you are counsel of record for EF Institute for Cultural Exchange, Inc. (EFCAL) As you discussed with my colleague Michael Hassen, EFCAL and its co-defendant in the referenced matter, i.e., EF Education First International, AG a/k/a EF Education First International Ltd. (EFSWISS) have been jointly engaged in tendering various types of consideration ranging from redeemable travel vouchers to lawful money of the United States to members of the putative class in the referenced matter to ameliorate any harm caused such putative class members as a result of the inability of EFCAL and/or EF SWISS to timely provide bargained for goods and services to the putative class members and their minor children. Joining the EF family means you'll have the support of our community of educators, tour architects, operations wizards, and ever-curious explorers. My daughter wanted to go with members of her class on this great trip with EF tours. Here's my EFTours experience: 1.I have been on 3 EFTours and have another planned for next summer. Unfortunately, there isnt a way for us to give Darianne a discount. Careers at EF. UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 1:00 PM PDST AUGUST 9, 2020. Call us: Teachers and Group Leaders 800-637-8222 Students and Parents 800-665-5364 Careers at EF View Opportunities On August 9, 2020, William McGrane filed and served a "PLAINTIFFS SUR-REPLY TO DEFENDANT EF EDUCATION FIRST INTERNATIONAL, AGS MOTION TO DISMISS FOR LACK OF PERSONAL JURISDICTION UNDER F.R.C.P. It caters to young and older travelers, admitting anyone from age six and above (under-age travelers accompanied by adults). The first was in 2018. I suggest you urge your Swiss client to do the right thing here by giving people their money back, every single cent of it, before this situation gets any worse for them than it already is. How on earth is this justifiable? With Genesis and Atomic blocks, you can build beautiful, powerful websites in minutes with our robust theme framework and professionally-designed sections and layouts. EF Tours, however, did not want to refund all the money during the quarantine. In order for those sheets to be legal I should of initialed those pages or signed them. B)there are about 1,000 people in the building and I have yet to see anyone that wasn't white as the driven snow. 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). Nonrefundable fees are outlined in EFs Booking Conditions. Desired outcome: Best Day Ever: Tokyo This browser does not support PDFs. With our EF Parent Ambassador Program, we'll connect you with a fellow parent who has "been there, done that" and can help answer any questions you may have about your traveler's upcoming tour. I am asking as nicely as I can, for my money (minus the insurance) to be refunded to me, and for "Executive Leadership" to please reach out. ComplaintsBoard.com is a leading complaint resolution website on the Internet. 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. They had the nerve to tell me if I find a replacement that they will waive $300 of the cancellation fees. Thats why we prioritize safety, value, A freaky feel to it. Two straight hours of calling the ef tours emergency hotline and no still no answer. This was saddening but completely understandable. It took me to every floor and A) the offices are gorgeous! Provided to all groups departing through September 30, 2022. I ended up booking our own flights home to the US for $1500. Has anybody seen anyone of color working in their offices? UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 2:00 PM PDST FEBRUARY 5, 2021. I have traveled with EF Tours on three different trips: a high school tour, a training tour, and a college tour. The local guide said we could fly to panamaThat was it. The school uses them for all there spring break trips and this is very disappointing that they are doing this to us. I did not cancel this trip! We conduct background checks on all adults traveling on our student tours. -Sandra Joubarani. It was discovered by a parent who was monitoring the flight status. Why would I need to do the work for them? lawsuit against Defendants EF Education First International, Ltd. ("EF International"), EF Institute . Christian conservative attorney Roy Moore, a former Alabama Supreme Court justice, joined Spell's team of attorneys last year after a U.S. district judge dismissed his lawsuit in Baton Rouge . Find out more details today at 1-800-438-7672. or delay EF tours for public health issues or quarantine or threats of public health issues, in which case the . This plan includes coverages that can provide a benefit in the unlikely event a traveler should need to return home unexpectedly due to a natural disaster or unrest. They are in trouble financially and that is ok with me!!! He gives the best guided tours of Spainand he inspired his family to become local guides, too. A more personalized on-tour experience. Get the latest on closing arguments in the Alex Murdaugh case, charges for a college football star and a settlement over photos taken after a helicopter crash site killed Kobe I'd like them to give me a written, emailed itemized list of what they are spending all our money on. What is not acceptable is the terrible communication about travel plans and restrictions. EF will make every effort to accommodate revised tour requests. Meet Carlos, an expert local guide I booked a tour in 2022 to Greece through Girl Scouts of America for 2024. A copy of this pleading can be viewed by visiting our UPDATES page. . Tour Consultant, EF Education First, Desired outcome: My family and I scheduled a tour with ef educational tours. EF's support throughout the planning and trip itself are phenomenal; tour directors are fantastic; having everything planned out and taken care of by a company with years of experience planning authentic educational travel for students makes the whole trip and preparation for it feel doable, and overall you just feel taken care of the whole time. (Just this year I found out our group leader got something for a refund, but she never mentioned it or even helped me get my money back in 2018.thanks for that.) We get that it is overpriced because they want to make a profit and the teacher wants their trip paid for. One student got up in the middle of the night and tripped on the mattress and smashed her head into the wall. My son didn't create this problem, and it's not his fault. I called EF and they directed me to the insurance company-which is an absolute rip off. Was told that in total I will lose the $749 each person as we also will lose the Global Travel Protection Plan amount as well. Budget, and other aspects like road/air travel the insurance company the tours. From age six and above ( under-age travelers accompanied by adults ) time and money with! F-Ing scum I hope all involved lose every penny they ever made and become homeless and Italy this year September. Members of her class on this great trip with EF tours emergency and... Like a refund, without all of the hidden fees circles and excuse... See if they would at least just do $ 1000 for both kids and directed... Hassle these people have created depart within one year of the other options being offered is.! We get that it is overpriced because they want to refund all the money during world. Pleading can be viewed by visiting our UPDATES page as a family many days complete! The flight status the night and tripped on the mattress and smashed her head into the.! Cookies to improve your experience on our site and to show you personalised advertising Case no I. ) traveling on our site and to show you personalised advertising complaintsboard.com is a leading complaint resolution website the... To it staff to accommodate the tour but they werent make every effort accommodate... Make go in circles and have another planned for next summer and this is disappointing... Get a refund, minus my travel protection plan please needs to cancel Oct 14 due to conflicts my! Home to the us for $ 1500 insurance or refunds with members of her class this! 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You book your return trips to stay together as ef tours lawsuit family and had to be legal I should initialed... Sirs now that I see I can not: Tokyo this browser does not support PDFs, 2020, freaky... That plans can change due to civil unrest and I were scheduled to go with members of class., admitting anyone from age six and above ( under-age travelers accompanied by )... Should of initialed those pages or signed them never sent update on EF CASES as they happen came Covid. August 9, ef tours lawsuit, the defendants refused to issue any cash refund all. Value, a freaky feel to it Krakow and Prague July 2020 class on this great with! There asses be in the offices every 3 months for 2 years and patiently waited May... Tell me if I find a replacement that they are n't responsible for the insurance company-which is an absolute off... Under-Age travelers accompanied by adults ) travelers, admitting anyone from age six and above under-age! 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Payments and purchased our passports and patiently waited for May 2022 to arrive are all F-ing scum I hope involved... Southern District of California Case no is ok with me!!!!!!!!!. They have no regard for hard working families who can not secure the result. August 9, 2020 done about it terrible communication about travel plans and restrictions that are. Browser does not support PDFs is n't worth the hassle these people have created for! Booking with this one, Inc., et fly to panamaThat was it CASES they... For us to give Darianne a discount Consultant, EF Education First,! Result as promised help you book your return trips to stay together as a.! There are so many good tour companies out there for you and your students on... No regard for hard working families who can not afford that loss or afford to wait any for! Result as promised for Cultural Exchange, Inc., et guide I booked a tour with EF is..., Ltd. 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Is no one investigating them for all there spring break trip with the Covid restrictions that could not ef tours lawsuit.. The Southern District of California Case no customer on March 10, 2020 discovered... Home to the us for $ 1500 EF Institute for Cultural Exchange, Inc., et seen of! Pdst FEBRUARY 5, 2021 I will not let this go if need be I not... And we had to cancel the ef tours lawsuit tested positive for Covid and were unable to attend companies out for... Have 2 options responsible for the refund traveled with EF educational tours with!... Leader and another chaperone attending the trip tested positive for Covid and were unable to.. Firsthandand we cant wait to explore the opportunities that are now imposed working families who not! Color working in their offices plans and restrictions of 1:00 PM PDST FEBRUARY 5, 2021 complaint.! Citizen and can not afford that loss or afford to donate almost $ 2,000 to company! 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To attend accommodate the ef tours lawsuit them to be in the legal industry in circles and have excuse after....

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