For those who sent in a W-9 but not your reservation number, it appears that they are matching them up by name (and I suppose billing address). Looks like I am all taken care of, and they even had the correct amount for the 1099 that I suspected: $714...
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Does anyone happen to have the actual page captured when it stated that this is "not a prize, contest or sweepstakes"? It naturally didn't occur to me to copy it or print it out at the time, since I had no idea they would change the rules. . . again. (Silly me!) So, if anyone does have it, sharing a copy would be lovely.
Does anyone happen to have the actual page captured when it stated that this is "not a prize, contest or sweepstakes"? It naturally didn't occur to me to copy it or print it out at the time, since I had no idea they would change the rules. . . again. (Silly me!) So, if anyone does have it, sharing a copy would be lovely.
I called and asked if they could change my reservation to 5 nights instead of 6 and they changed my reservation without any problems. I am sure they were happy to save money. I am still bitter about having to pay taxes, but when I am in Bali I won't complain!
For those who wish to file a complaint directly with LMT, the representative who I spoke to at LMT's Customer Support line said that complaints would need to be sent by email in order to be forwarded to their executive team.
The rep said that the World For A Dollar promotion was "kind of like a sweepstakes" and "kind of like a contest" "because of the timer thing."
He said that he has heard complaints -- "about 2 or 3 per day."
He said that a supervisor was only available by email. He said that if I wished to give my SSN by phone, he could accept it.
For those who wish to file a complaint with a government agency, earlier posters have noted the IRS and the Florida Attorney General's office.
However, the Florida Division of Consumer Services also handles complaints and said that they have already received several complaints regarding this promotion. This Florida government agency is responsible for the regulation of Sellers of Travel and is also separately responsible for game promotions.
uva - do you mind forwarding me a copy of the pertinent info from LMT that specifies hotel rooms for $1 and "not a prize, etc"
I did have screen shots of some of the info but my fabulous 5 yr old managed to make my desktop look new and deleted some pertinent info for a lot of things!
Serves me right for not getting around to making a "folder" for my screen shots instead of having them on my desktop!
I have downloaded the IRS form 3949.
cheers
2kind
Quote:
Originally Posted by uva185
I just spoke to someone from the IRS and explained the situation. (Changing Terms and Conditions, etc) Please look for emails from LMT saying they will sell hotels for $1 per night and forward them to the IRS email address below along with an explanation of the scenario.
Email Excerpt
The IRS agent advised me to send an email to phishing@irs.gov to report them, forward their advertisements, terms and conditions, etc.
Additionally he advised me to download for 3949A from the IRS website and mail it to the following address (no street needed).
uva - do you mind forwarding me a copy of the pertinent info from LMT that specifies hotel rooms for $1 and "not a prize, etc"
I did have screen shots of some of the info but my fabulous 5 yr old managed to make my desktop look new and deleted some pertinent info for a lot of things!
Serves me right for not getting around to making a "folder" for my screen shots instead of having them on my desktop!
I have downloaded the IRS form 3949.
cheers
2kind
I don't have the printout of the T&C, which would be best, but here is a press release from a company official with many damning comments (every room available, sale...)
Well, I've still not received any email or phone call regarding 1099. No contact from LMT at all since booking, in fact. I'm in what LMT calls a 5-star hotel for 7 nights and must assume this is over the $600 threshold. Prices out as such on hotel's website. Calling and inquiring doesn't seem like the right answer to me, since the number one rule of these sort of things seems to be 'never, ever call.' Anyone else not get a 1099 or SSN request who probably should have?
jbatl: I would probably call to confirm they do not need your info. If you fell through the cracks (which is highly likely given the way they handled this promo) they will definitely cancel your room at the given opportunity. I know typically the rule of thumb applies with the not calling but in this case the deal is long dead.
JBATL--I emailed the Cust Rel at LMT and asked if I should have received an email requesting that I complete a W9. In response, they sent me the W9 and said that I could also provide the SSN by phone or fax if I wasn't comfortable emailing. I think they might have just overlooked some of us. Not sure if that means we'll get automatically our reservation eliminated for not providing a SSN....
BTW, I have a question into my CPA for his clarification on this.
Called the resort we booked during the promotion, and they had stuck us in a crappy room in the wrong building, blah blah blah... the resort said that all they received was a reservation for "1 room for 2 adults". After awhile, they FINALLY changed our booking for the better building and water view room. I suggest that everyone call their resorts and make sure you're actually booked for what your reservation via LMT says.
Checking in on Monday, I'll let you all know how that goes. I've packed a cardboard box just in case.
I suggest that everyone call their resorts and make sure you're actually booked for what your reservation via LMT says.
Also, everyone should take a printout of their reservation confirmation email. (And just in case someone brings up a hopefully unlikely response.... If you did not get a reservation confirmation email immediately after you booked your reservation, you should definitely contact LMT.)
What are you guys putting in your complaints to the AG and Div of Consumer services? PM me if you dont want to post here.
I have been following this thread for awhile. Today I contacted the AG’s office and was informed only five people had filed complaints against Travel Holdings, Inc/ parent company of LMT. I then filed on-line with the consumer protection agency.
I gave a brief background stating I had booked a room for a dollar on a advertised sale and now the company was claiming it is a contest. I have the pre-sale e-mails for clues sent which I am sending via mail which indicate this is a sale. I am also mailing the terms and conditions for week one.
I asked for clarification of the following:
Is this a contest or a sale?
What is fair market value?
What protections are in place to protect my social security?
Can a company after the fact change a sale to a contest and then require tax information?
If so, should travelers’ be able to then change their choices, after the fact now that tax implications exists when none previously did?
I clicked and it came up as "403 Forbidden." Although that did add excitement to my otherwise gray and cold day, might there be another way to find it?
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Sales promotion complaint procedures
