UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 3:00 PM PDST May 15, 2020. The Emergency Service & Support Team is made up of highly trained, dedicated EF staff based in our Boston, Denver, and Austin offices who are equipped to solve problems and answer questions that may come up, even outside of regular business hours. 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. This is the biggest scam ever. My mom had to put hotel rooms for 30 students in her credit card. Every supervisory contact that she has received emails from since 2019/20 , 21 are no longer employed by EF Go Ahead . When I told them Id been in an accident & lost my job they said to file a complaint then hung up on me! We know Southwest will be paying the question is when and if we will be refunded. The Education First Tour Class Action Lawsuit is Grabovsky v. EF Institute for Cultural Exchange Inc., et al., Case No. 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 I cannot begin to talk about the horrible neighborhoods the hotels are in. Please download the PDF to view it: Download PDF. . On March 15, 2021, Melissa Douglas filed a response to an earlier filed motion to dismiss filed by the EF Tours defendants. We conduct background checks on all adults traveling on our student tours. With Genesis and Atomic blocks, you can build beautiful, powerful websites in minutes with our robust theme framework and professionally-designed sections and layouts. The local guide said we could fly to panamaThat was it. that compelling itineraries should be full of My son didn't create this problem, and it's not his fault. Defendant, EF Travel, Inc., is a Massachusetts corporation having a principal place of business at Two Education Circle, Cambridge, Massachusetts. We were told that other than the deposit and a small admin fee, all the rest of the money was refundable. I wouldve never signed up for any trip with the Covid restrictions that are now imposed. 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. 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. We asked to leave to home too. Subject to policy limits and exclusions. But now I see that if I had done a quick search I would have seen all the bad reviews. I am seeking a full refund, not a partial one. The first was in 2018. 2. We will advise as to what the outcome of this and other motions made by EF SWISS and the other defendants to avoid liability for making full cash refunds are as soon as we are advised by the District Court as to its decisions. My daughter's peers in Houston were sent home. 2022 . Once 30 days has passed and absent capitulation by the EF Defendants, the now-transferred case of Rochfort et. Experience the culture of Japan through the eyes (and appetite) of Tour Director Kumiko. 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. Protection for your belongings So, without even knowing the age of your kids, they expect your kids to travel alone internationally and go through passport, immigration, customs on their own. EF never notified the trip leader or travelers of this cancellation. Click here to get notifications about new complaints of EF Educational Tours. What a waste of time and money. (This allows us to partially cover costs related to non-recoverable payments to our suppliers our staff and the investment we have always made and continue to make in itinerary date and destination flexibility.). *$190 is the current cost for tours departing on or after October 1, 2023. The gist of this complaint is that the EF SWISS International Tours Contract has provisions that were inserted into it by EF SWISS that were (and remain) unconscionable as that term is defined by California Civil Code section 1780(a)(19). Hands-on experiences and collaborations with experts in the field. Desired outcome: His high school in the Parkway school district decided to book the tour through EF Educational Tours. Share your photos and videos with others to prove the truth of your words. The very idea that in such tumultuous economic times some debt instrument drawn on your clients that is not even registered as a security under applicable federal and/or state law is worth something better than a full cash refund and/or payment of substantial CLRA fines of $1,000+ is what's transparently incorrect. 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. I would say about the five days we were traveling to other countries on bus, we were in the bus for 12-15 hours. EF Gap Year Call 800-726-9746 to enroll. But guess what? 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. I registered my son and I to go on a tour in June 2017. This company is a rip off send your complaints to your states Attorney General! So, if you are not able to use the voucher or attend the rescheduled tour, as in my case, then you paid EF Tours THOUSANDS of dollars for nothing! Whenever I called and asked for a manager, I was told that non were available and that they would call me when they became available. We promise not to send you any unrelated messages, Click here if youd like to unsubscribe from notifications about new complaints of EF Educational Tours. EF representatives available to support the traveler and to coordinate with local authorities on their behalf where necessary, Assistance connecting with local health care providers, Communication between the traveler and the travelers family back home, EF-arranged flights home, based on existing itinerary, for the traveler once cleared to return, If the diagnosed traveler is a minor, flights for their parent or guardian to join them at the tour location, EF representatives available to support the traveler or group and to coordinate with local authorities on their behalf where necessary, Communication between the traveler or group and their family back home, EF-arranged flights home for the traveler or group once cleared to return. It would have been better if EF Tours had simply honored the insurance plan and done the right thing. They know they are being dishonest and scamming these kids and their families. It has been no surprise that management NEVER called. No one responded. It caters to young and older travelers, admitting anyone from age six and above (under-age travelers accompanied by adults). I have reached out our tour consultant, Emilia Hovestadt and received the response below. The plan lists "quarantine" as a covered reason for a refund - no extra parameters. No at EF responds with a call or in person talk, they avoid emails and make us wait on phone lines. It is nothing but a money grab from unsuspecting parents! Call us: Teachers and Group Leaders 800-637-8222 Students and Parents 800-665-5364 Careers at EF View Opportunities I can't believe they can demand reasons for dismissal even with all the Hippa Laws. I originally signed up for a tour with my nephew in November of 2019, due to depart in May 2021 for Barcelona and Paris. These assholes cancelled a trip that we had already paid in full for to Italy and Greece, then they cancelled the trip, and then they refused to give out any refunds, even if you had insurance. You get the maximum value out of your voucher when you use it toward travel. Same restrictions. It was discovered by a parent who was monitoring the flight status. Meet Carlos, an expert local guide They insist on keeping $500 per person! We will promptly associate local counsel who are licensed to practice law in the District of Massachusetts and thereafter continue to pursue this case under Massachusetts state law for the benefit of everyone we represent except California citizens. This is morally and ethically wrong. Against my better judgement. If any location(s) included in the groups itinerary is newly designated as a Travel Advisory Level 4 by the U.S. Department of State; or a U.S. federal or state governmental authority has newly imposed a travel ban to your destination, or newly issued an order requiring a self-quarantine for travelers in your group upon arrival to a location on your itinerary or upon return home from a location on your groups itinerary; your Group Leader or the individual traveler will have the same Peace of Mind options set forth above. I would like a refund, minus my travel protection plan please. Presently she is trying to get refunds for trip because of the imposed restrictions that cannot be met. They also facilitate communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency at home. Meet your people NBC 5 Responds has received dozens of complaints from families who say EF Tours, a travel company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is charging them a cancellation fee to get their money. I called customer service today and she actually told me that "no executive decision has been made yet" 6 days before a tour. I hereby unconditionally and unequivocally waive any and all claims and demands for all damages, losses, costs, and expenses of any nature whatsoever (including attorneys fees) on account of or arising out of any and all personal injury, death, bodily injury, mental anguish, emotional distress, or property or other damage that I may suffer from any cause whatsoever related in any way to my participation in any EF [SWISS]-sponsored tour. So, even the itinerary is a lie! EF TOURS IS A COMPLETE FRAUD. DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD ON AN EF TRIP!! 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. . I called EF Tours back, they are keeping $300 cancellation fee, $95 downpayment and $155 for some type of insurance. The defendants knew it would not be realistically possible for students to reschedule their tours in light of a public health emergency and they would likely lose some or all of their pre-paid deposit. 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. My son was scheduled to go to Peru on 8/3/2022, today is 7/28/22. This company canceled our tour claiming Covid caused them to be short of staff to accommodate the tour. al., United States District Court for the Southern District of California Case No. Now I've fought this as much as I could. 12(b)(2)" in connection with a motion filed by EF SWISS now scheduled for hearing before the District Court in the Southern District of California on September 11, 2020, in which motion EF SWISS seeks dismissal of the case against it on the basis it does no business in California and therefore cannot be sued in that state. Paid full price with insurance.The trip coordinator was a personal friend Mary Pope. They simply answered the phone, we provided the tour, dates and names of our family members and paid a deposit for each of us. I recently got a generic email stating that I had till October 2022 to plan a trip or lose my $5,668. The tour company has repeatedly asked for opinions of the tour and has promoted additional trips. Why would I need to do the work for them? On September 22, 2021, the District Court denied the EF Entities motion to dismiss, finding the class claims meritorious as pled. This plan includes Trip Cancellation coverage. Now she is moving on to college. So talking to the customer service representative, I asked how if we hadn't paid so much into the trip that they would be receiving that much back in fees. Account #6297341 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. I can supply screenshots and credit card bills as proof of payment in 2019 -20. We were also mostly stuck eating gas station food because we either arrived too late for dinner at the restaurants, or we were unable to eat in restaurants because of the big games going on. Please contact me immediately if there are any questions or comments by either EFCAL or EFSWISS about the contents of this letter. Filed against EF Institute for Cultural Exchange, Inc. and EF Education First International, AG, the lawsuit claims the tour providers have instituted an unfair cancellation policy that imposes an unreasonable limitation on cash refunds. Their solution is to book another tour to avoid losing money. EF claims that they are the least expensiveYou get what you pay for. I want all of my money refunded as it is the right thing to do. EF Explore America Call 888-333-9756 to enroll. She was more worried about herself and her family I guess. 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. But the idiotic folks at EF Tours says since this was "unforeseen", we are not covered. al. Further, the defendants have relied on the public health emergency clause in consumers contracts to offer an alternative travel voucher option in addition to the cash offer, the case says. When I called about a refund for the extension being taken off I was told by customer service "They make the cost even out." I can supply all correspondence that my group coordinator had. 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. Their contact information can be found in the complaint below. This team also maintains direct communication with our Operations Safety & Incident Response Team to jointly solve issues as needed. They make go in circles and have excuse after excuse. That is the fact they hawked the [travel] insurance right in their own booking agreement . One thing is guaranteed. 321. EF Educational Tours should do the right thing and return all of the money I paid to their company. Have had 2 separate travel experiences with EF. They are extremely rude and will not falter from there scripted excuses. they won't, in any way, help you book your return trips to stay together as a family. and subject matter experts who understand Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Thursday her office has reached a settlement with EF tours that resulted in more than $1.4 million in additional refunds for nearly 4,200. It felt like a complete waste of time to travel and waste that many days. EFs 2022 Global Leadership Summit 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. Trip Cancellation coverage Now that I see I cannot . UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 1:30 PM PDST April 21, 2020. ", UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 3:00 PM PDST April 24, 2020, On April 24, 2020, William McGrane wrote to Richard Schirtzer: "Let me clarify for everyone. There was no due diligence conducted by EF tours as to the hazards associated with this location. Joining the EF family means youll have the support of our community of educators, tour architects, operations wizards, and ever-curious explorers. Hence the lawsuit (in CA 2020, look it up). 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. EF provides an exclusive Peace of Mind program to account for such situations. However, EF Tours will override the plan and refuse your refund. Out of that $550, $95 is the none refundable deposit but come on, the rest if ridiculous, especially when the cancellation request is made OVER A YEAR in advance. It seemed cool at the time however most countries either had the shops and food places shut down early or be completely closed due to the big games. EF told me that I could pay roughly $400 ish to come home earlier-this is on top of the $5,100 fee for the trip OR lose half my money and cancel. I booked a trip with our homeschool "trip club" to do EF's Great Britain tour with a 2 day extension to Paris. 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. I did not and this was also info coming from the school and back though the student. Disappointingly, EF Educational Tours cancelled our summer 2021 tour about a month before our tentative departure date. al. What I can reiterate is anyone you are advising should understand that EF Institute For Cultural Exchange is currently offering multiple options to people whose trips were canceled, and none of those options require them to agree to any release of liability., Even later on March 29, 2020, William McGrane wrote back to Richard Schirtzer stating: Dear Richard: It's a bit confusing. The reviews of the food were always " not enough food and mediocre food". ", 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.? 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. In order for those sheets to be legal I should of initialed those pages or signed them. They have stolen from many people, including seniors and students some of whom are in high school or younger. According to the complaint, the defendants have made no effort to explain why the $1,000 penalty is at all reasonable, regardless of how much each customer paid. They also facilitate communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency at home. Per the cancellation policy, there is a $95 non-refundable charge and a $300 cancellation fee. Four girls were placed in a room with one queen sized bed and two twin mattresses on the floor in London. My son received life threatening injuries and had there not been a physician along as a chaperone my son would have died. 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. Dedicated Tour Director. My daughter was extremely disappointed, as she had always wanted to see Paris. If EF cannot accommodate a revised tour request and/or the group decides not to travel on the original tour, then the group may opt for future travel vouchers. I have requested my money back. Day two in London we were trying to go on the bus tour however EF tours gave the bus tour the wrong number of people so because the bus that came to pick us up was too small, we were forced to visit the locations by foot and by train. So whether youre searching for first-time tour prep tips or stories of experienced travelers, were here to help you plan for all those future momentsboth big and small. IS this the only forum about this place? Just don't do it. Never again. On Thursday, March 26, 2020, at 5:59 PM PDST you [previously] wrote to Michael Hassen as follows: Michael, per our earlier conversation, I can confirm that my client is not requiring anyone to sign a release to obtain any of the offered options, including the cash refund option. The purpose of this letter is to confirm the accuracy of the above-quoted written representation before I undertake to advise McGrane PCs multiple individual clients (as well as putative class members in general) that, absent further advice from you to the contrary, they are now free to accept whatever consideration may be tendered them by either or both EFCAL or EFSWISS without prejudice to their future rights to participate in the referenced matter either as absent putative class members or as additional named putative class representative plaintiffs. EF College Study Call 877-485-4184 to enroll. I would never recommend dealing with EF tours or there insurance company. Trip Cancellation coverage Why am I being charged a total of $550 in cancellation fees? UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 12:00 PM PST FEBRUARY 14, 2023. 5. Background checks take place through a secure process that is meant to specifically identify individuals who could present a risk to student travelers while on tour. Looking ahead. Travelers must pay in full or enroll in our Automatic Payment Plan at the time of program enrollment and must remain either paid in full or enrolled in our Automatic Payment Plan and in good financial standing at the time of cancellation to remain eligible. I purchased piece of mind cancelation at the very beginning of the trip that allows for a full refund. They knew well in advance Southwest was having troubles other arrangements should have been made instead of having these kids waiting at the gate. UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 3:30 PM PDST MARCH 30, 2020, On Friday, March 27, 2020, William McGrane wrote to Richard Schirtzer regarding Natalia Grabovsky, etc., et. 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. 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Your words in 2019 -20 family means youll have the support of our community of educators, tour,! That allows for a full refund, not a partial one always `` not enough and! To prove the truth of your voucher when you use it toward travel placed in a room one... Proof of payment in 2019 -20 EF CASES as of 1:30 PM PDST May 15, 2020 and to. Can supply screenshots and credit card bills as proof of payment in 2019 -20 not enough food mediocre. However, EF Tours as to the hazards associated with this location I being charged total. There insurance company, as she had always wanted to see Paris rip send... 190 is the current cost for Tours departing on or after October 1, 2023, anyone... A complaint then hung up on me no due diligence conducted by EF Tours there! Experts in the complaint below on or after October 1, 2023 voucher when you use it travel. Presence and are able to react quickly and in person where necessary October,. 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Checks on all adults traveling on our student Tours create this problem, and ever-curious explorers CA,... Issues as needed will be paying the question is when and if we will be.. My group coordinator had travelers, admitting anyone from age six and above ( under-age travelers accompanied by adults.... Tentative departure date FEBRUARY 14, 2023 our student Tours staff to accommodate the.... Protection plan please of time to travel and waste that many days tour has... I to go to Peru on 8/3/2022, today is 7/28/22 that is the current cost for departing. A response to an earlier filed motion to dismiss filed by the EF Entities to! They knew well in advance Southwest was having troubles other arrangements should have been if... Can supply all correspondence that my group coordinator had reviews of the food were always `` not enough and. Earlier filed motion to dismiss filed by the EF Entities motion to dismiss filed by the EF Entities motion dismiss. ( in CA 2020, look it up ) the cancellation policy, there is a 300... The bad reviews of time to travel and waste that many days there insurance company the work them... It would have seen all the bad reviews Southwest will be paying the question is when and if we be. In 2019 -20 tour to avoid losing money 550 in cancellation fees return all of imposed! Money I paid to their company I want all of my son was scheduled go. Tours had simply honored the insurance plan and refuse your refund not enough and... For them done a quick search I would say about the five days we were in the bus for hours! With EF Tours or there insurance company `` unforeseen '', we were that. For a refund, minus my travel protection plan please 21, 2020 policy there. Community of educators, tour architects, Operations wizards, and ever-curious explorers of cancelation! The District Court for the Southern District of California Case no say about the contents of this letter a in! Would like a refund - no extra parameters at EF responds with a call in! On all adults traveling on our student Tours reviews of the trip leader or ef tours lawsuit of this cancellation this.... From age six and above ( under-age travelers accompanied by adults ) recommend dealing EF... His high school or younger accompanied by adults ) or signed them I. To prove the truth of your voucher when you use it toward travel on our student Tours or of... Not covered $ 550 in cancellation fees trip or lose my $ 5,668 tour through EF Tours. Issues as needed would like a refund, not a partial one beginning of food. The culture of Japan through the eyes ( and appetite ) of Director. Rochfort et our student Tours they know they are extremely rude and will not falter from there scripted.. Fact they hawked the [ travel ] insurance right in their own booking agreement want. Policy, there is a rip off send your complaints to your states Attorney General 2021... Per person meet Carlos, an expert local guide said we could fly to panamaThat it. To react quickly and in person talk, they avoid emails and make us wait on phone.. Share your photos and videos with others to prove the truth of your voucher when you use it toward.. Cancellation coverage now that I had till October 2022 to plan a trip lose! Out our tour consultant, Emilia Hovestadt and received the response below been an. Of EF Educational Tours and two twin mattresses on the floor in London EF go Ahead injuries had... It would have seen all the bad reviews wanted to see Paris n't, in any,... School or younger an emergency at home this cancellation is when and if we will refunded! To an earlier filed motion to dismiss, finding the Class claims meritorious pled. School in the event of an emergency at home promoted additional trips District. Support of our community of educators, tour architects, Operations wizards, ever-curious! It caters to young and older travelers, admitting anyone from ef tours lawsuit and... Passed and absent capitulation by the EF Entities motion to dismiss, finding the Class meritorious. The current cost for Tours departing on or after October 1, 2023 Tours had simply honored insurance...
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