Ripped Off: My China Travel Nightmare
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I booked with them too. After seeing your post, I tried to get a refund, but they're ignoring me. I've already reported it to 12345.
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Personally, I think it's more reliable to book trips through established platforms. It's easier to get help or assert your rights if issues come up.
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Signing contracts on arrival? That's a scam nine times out of ten.
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Well, I signed my contract on arrival in Yunnan last year and didn't have any issues.
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Oh, she arranged my trip too, and it was genuinely great! They even threw in a complimentary hotel night extension.
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I booked through her, and overall, the trip was pretty good. Definitely book in advance, especially for May Day, as vehicles run out. A few friends of mine tried to go last minute, but all the tours from Hangzhou were fully booked and they had to cancel because there was no transportation available.
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I booked with them too. Even the deposit receipt with the company seal looks exactly the same. Is it called Xinglan?
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Sweetie, it's not Xinglan. Mine was with a company called Xingrun.
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It sounds like your initial discussions were quite vague. Personally, I believe that before any deposit is paid, every single detail needs to be laid out crystal clear. This includes the vehicle type and price, accommodation costs, hotel names, whether meals are included, and the complete itinerary. A firm agreement must be reached beforehand, with no objections from either side, before the tourist pays the deposit and the driver or company accepts it. It should also clearly state when the remaining balance is due. Some operators demand full payment upon arrival, whereas I always settle the balance after the trip is completely finished! So, it really feels like these details weren't made clear in your case. You absolutely must be more careful next time!
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A 100 deposit? That's clearly a scam! How are they supposed to book hotels, transportation, and attraction tickets with just 100?
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What would I possibly gain from faking this picture???
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Honestly, it's hard to avoid these types. They're likely just customer service agents operating across different platforms, taking orders. They could easily pull a fast one and then disappear by switching accounts. What probably happened is you booked, but then May Day got so popular that no local travel agencies were willing or able to pick up your booking.