On January 23, 2015 I called American Dream Vacations inquiring about renting a travel trailer for a family weekend trip. I spoke to a gentleman named Michael Velazquez. I had already been on their website browsing around a the different trailers, when one popped out to me. THe 26' Spree, it was immaculate! It looked brand new, and looked like a good fit for me and my families weekend getaway. I spoke to Michael about the trailer and he assured me that everything was as it should be, so I went ahead and gave him the required $200 reservation fee.
For two months my wife and kids could not wait for our upcoming weekend camping trip. Seemed like all we talked about! Our whole trip had been planned around this travel trailer, even down to reserving the spot at the camp ground. On March 25, 2015, the day of pickup, two friends and I arrived at American Dream Vacations to take delivery of the trailer with plans to head out of town with it the very next morning.
I walked in and spoke to a lady, Kim, behind the desk, explained to her why I was there and explained which trailer I was to be renting. She handed me the keys to it and told me to walk out on the lot to have a look at it. As soon as I rounded the corner and saw it I knew we were going to have problems. It looked absolutely nothing like the pictures they had posted on their website. When we walked up to it there were two men trying to get the awning to close (not a good sign). They explained that this was indeed the 26' Spree I had reserved, so I walked inside for a further look. The trailer literraly looked like it had been flooeded. Let's face it, travel trailers aren't built the best. Mostly composity lighweight materials and particle board. All the decals on the exterior were either peeling or gone, all the base board and door frames appeared to be rotted and falling off, the carpet was nothing I would want any of my family walking on barefoot, and there were tons of things broken and scuffed up on the inside. All the while the two men were still outside trying to get the awning to fold in (You cannot tow a travel trailer unless the awning is fully folded in).
I walked back inside and explained to the lady, Kim, that there must be some kid of a mistake. That thing on their lot was not what I reserved, per their pictures online. She said "it's just normal wear and tear" but that the pictures of it on their website were from when it was new. I told her that I didn't want that one and asked what other options they had, so she sent me to look at a different one. It was definitely a nicer trailer, but was a lot bigger and was going to cost quite a bit more money ($300). As this point I asked to speak to a manager. After he finally finished his cigarette he walked over and asked what the problem was. I explained the whole situation to him, and his exact worder to me were "So what do you want me to do?". I chuckled, trying to hold in my extreme anger and frustration at this point and explained to him how badly the trailer was mis-represented on their website. He explained how they do not own any of the RV's, that they are all individually owned, and that they had just had a conversation with the ownders of this triler about its condition. But yet, they are still renting it out and taking peoples money. I explained to him that we were leaving in a few short hours to head out of town and asked what he could do for me as far as a discount or renting me the larger trailer for the same rate. Keeping in mind I was still willing to rent the thing being that I was pretty much out of options and my time constraint. He basically told me that he could knock off $10 a day on the Spree, but there was no discount he could give on the larger trailer. That was going to save me a whopping $30 on a $700 bill. I was so angry and frustrated at this point that I walked back inside to the lady, Kim, behind the desk and she explained that we would loose out $200 reservation fee due to their 90 day cancellation fee. I HADN"T EVEN HAD IT RESERVED FOR 90 DAYS!! She said that was their policy and it didn't matter. So extremly angered, I felt best that I just left their lot before I got myself in trouble.
We did still make our camping trip, but it wasn't until I spent another $300 on a tent and other camping gear at the local sporting goods store before we could get on our way.
We filed a claim with our bank to get back the $200 deposit we made. 2 months later Visa sided with American Dream Vacations because I signed a contract. Visa didn't care that the contract stated the trailer would be in good condition, but the trailer looked like a dirty meth house. Now we are out $200 for trusting a company to post accurate pictures online. My wife attempted to resolve this with Kim at American Dream Vacations, but they are impossible to work with. Do not rent from this place, but run from them!!!!!
My wife and I decided to rent a travel trailer for 3 weeks to take our kids across the SE United States as this would allow us to stay at some campgrounds and allow our kids the opportunity to see some of the magnificent places our country has. Ok so 1st we looked at the American Dream vacations location near our home in AR and even though they were very nice, they did not have anything that fit our needs. No big deal we located the next closest branch which is in Oklahoma City and they had one that would work available for the dates we needed. This is when it all began....
When we booked the trailer we were of course lured by the initial price of $660 a week thinking a little under $2000 for the 3 weeks. Then when we pick up of course that ends up being $2700 after all the fees and the tax. That part was expected just aggravating as it is with everything you rent. Now to the experience. When we arrive to pick up the unit we were greeted by a gentlemen who must of been the manager or owner as he had an office in the corner. He was very nice and prepared all of the paperwork for us then handed us over to another nice gentlemen who checked out the unit to us. Part of the fees we paid were for prepaid cleaning of the unit and a dish kit which on the website and the paperwork said was for 8 people however it is really only for 4.
Now for the issues- 1st we drive 15 miles up the road and get fuel and I notice the tail light cover fell off the unit. I tried to call back to the office however we left right as they were closing on a Saturday and they wouldn't be back until Monday morning (to be fair- they do give an after hours number) I decided for the sake of getting on with my trip I would get a cover that could work temporarily and stop at camping world along the way to get the correct one. Unfortunately camping world didn't have one so there goes my deposit since it did happen in my possession. Now for when the real issue started. When I pulled up to return the unit I walk inside to hear the receptionist yelling at a customer "I don't know who told you that, but...." she says this while gesturing with her fist at the handset as if she is punching the customer. This is in front of me another customer who she has no idea what I am there for at that point. So after standing there for 10 minutes listening to her yell at a customer on the phone and of course she refuses to acknowledge me, I see a guy come in the back door so o ask him where he would like me to park the return unit. He says pull around the side and wait for someone. So I go out pull around and wait for this person he told me. After 30-40 minutes my wife goes inside and ask the lady at the front if we can get checked and the receptionist yells at my wife telling her we should of been here before they closed (we were there at least 40 minutes before they closed but since we got blown off so much now it was passed closing time) she tells my wife she has another job she is supposed to be at.
So my wife comes back out to the truck and 10 more minutes pass and she steps out the back door and yells accross the parking lot in a very rude way of course what is your unit number. I reach for the paperwork to tell her and when I look back up she is back inside. So I walk back inside with the paperwork to give her the unit number and she stops me in the hall way and says I will check you in this time however we are closed and says that check ins are before 11 and i am 2 days early ( I specifically mentioned during the checkout of the unit that since I live 3 hours away I would be bringing the unit back either Thursday afternoon or Friday afternoon even though I paid for it until Saturday and was told no problem since I prepaid for the cleaning and dumping of the unit I would just need to make notes in the green book of any issues I might of had) so after she gets in the unit and starts to check me in and verify that everything is there, of course complaining the whole time she tells me I'm going to have to pay additional for the cleaning since there was a dirty plate in the sink.
At that point I was just done and got in my truck and left her with the unit.
I reserved a pop-up trailer on the 18th of july. on the 27 of july i cancelled my reservation, due to a bad wind storm that accurd in albuquerque friday nite. this being a local bussiness you would think they would be a little more understanding but,alas they were not. they told me if i had cancelled 90 days out it would be fine, i did not even make my res 90 days in advance. me being a blonde then asked them to reserve me for 90 days out and i would then cancel and get my money back. sounded good to me but not to them .they informed me that my money was gone. i really think this is wrong i gave them pleanty of notice.
Do Not go to this place! It is a joke. First of all, the travel trailer wasn't ready as promised. I arrived to pick up the trailer and was informed the refrigator was not working! Secondly, you've gotta be kidding right? No only was frig not working but the trailer was completely disgusting. I'm talking filthy. I would not let my dog sleep in it, let alone myself.
I'd rather sleep under a bridge. The office personnel is bottom of the barrel (seriously ). It is totally chaotic. I would not compare the personnel with animals in a zoo in fear of insulting the animals. Take my advice, spend a little more if you demand organization and great customer service. These people don't know the meaning of either.
I rented an RV from American Dream Vacations for the Memorial Weekend and left a $500.00 deposit against damages. I returned the RV on the Tuesday after Memorial Day and it was inspected and I was told that they would contact me with in 48hrs if any more damage was found. The next day I received a call from them informing me that damage was found on the RV. I went out to their location to inspect the alleged damage. They showed me a picture of the RV that was taken before we rented it. The picture was taken from a distance which allowed the entire side of the 31 foot RV to be visible in the picture. He then showed me a close-up picture (taken at a different angle and extremely close up) of what he claimed to me my alleged damage. The damage was so small that there was no way of telling if the damage existed before I rented the RV because they had no close-up pictures taken before I rented it. He then claimed that I scratched the side of the RV with tree branches and that two new decals would be required which cost around $400 - $600.00. I informed him that I did not drive near any trees as I rented it and drove it on all interstate highways to the beach to the designated RV pad which had no trees at all around it then back home. I also pointed out that opposite side of the RV had these same scratches. They claimed that these were done by the Owner of the RV.
They then requested that I sign a paper which resembled a repair order and was titled work required or something along those lines. I informed him that I would not sign a blank piece of paper authorizing work without knowing what the charges would be. I asked him to get estimates and fax or email me the paper and I would review it and then decide whether to sign it or not.
They never sent me that paper so I can only assume that they have decided to just keep the deposit. I then checked on the web for information on this business I discovered that they have an F rating with the local Better Business Bureau as well as complaints on other websites.
Based upon my experience with American Dream Vacations, their BBB rating, and complaints by others this appears to be business as usual for these people. This RV is also for sale and American Dream Vacations is also an RV retail seller under a different name. I am curious as to whether American Dream Vacations is the actual Owner of the RV and they are renting the unit and keeping the deposits by making up damage claims and using inadequate evidence to support their claims.
I did not damage this unit and their before and after pictures are of insufficient quality and are taken at different angles and distances and cannot prove whether the damage was preexisting before I rented the RV or occurred while the RV was in my possession.
We reserved a pop-up travel trailer on the 18th of july ,for the week-end of aug 2nd. we then had a freak wind storm, in which my house was damaged. i called and cancelled my reservation with in 10 days and was told my 200.00 dollars,was gone due to the fact that i had not cancelled 90 days out. my point is i did not even book my reservation with-in 90 days. i was also told they would rebook in the future. i then got the bright idea to book it 90 days from now and then cancel ,my problem is i'm blonde, and i told them what i was gonna do and they shut me down. i feel they are just being mean due to the fact i could have done it had i not given myself away. Please try to tell them they are not very nice to do bussiness with,by the way i'm telling all my friends.
Very dishonest company. We rented a large RV from them in January 2013 for a week and one day. They took over 4 hours to check us out and when we returned the RV it took another 4 plus hours to check out. They did the video comparison from the beginning and the turn in and there was nothing damaged. We signed out and left. They actually owed us a few dollars from our mileage overage. Three months we get a call stating there were $2500 in damage and tried to charger our card. We disputed it claiming such a long time passed and the RV had been rented several time after. They ended up suing us in small claims court. We got our insurance to handle the claim and since it would cost them more to fight it they just settled. Now nine months latter they charged my card for $350 for mileage overage and court cost! I have disputed this with my credit card company. It appears that this is their motive Add on charges, small claims court if you fight and they know they will win because of the time, effort and cost associated with fighting. Bad company and policies. Go some where else and make sure you have a reputable company you are dealing with.
American Dream Vacations Reviews
On January 23, 2015 I called American Dream Vacations inquiring about renting a travel trailer for a family weekend trip. I spoke to a gentleman named Michael Velazquez. I had already been on their website browsing around a the different trailers, when one popped out to me. THe 26' Spree, it was immaculate! It looked brand new, and looked like a good fit for me and my families weekend getaway. I spoke to Michael about the trailer and he assured me that everything was as it should be, so I went ahead and gave him the required $200 reservation fee.
For two months my wife and kids could not wait for our upcoming weekend camping trip. Seemed like all we talked about! Our whole trip had been planned around this travel trailer, even down to reserving the spot at the camp ground. On March 25, 2015, the day of pickup, two friends and I arrived at American Dream Vacations to take delivery of the trailer with plans to head out of town with it the very next morning.
I walked in and spoke to a lady, Kim, behind the desk, explained to her why I was there and explained which trailer I was to be renting. She handed me the keys to it and told me to walk out on the lot to have a look at it. As soon as I rounded the corner and saw it I knew we were going to have problems. It looked absolutely nothing like the pictures they had posted on their website. When we walked up to it there were two men trying to get the awning to close (not a good sign). They explained that this was indeed the 26' Spree I had reserved, so I walked inside for a further look. The trailer literraly looked like it had been flooeded. Let's face it, travel trailers aren't built the best. Mostly composity lighweight materials and particle board. All the decals on the exterior were either peeling or gone, all the base board and door frames appeared to be rotted and falling off, the carpet was nothing I would want any of my family walking on barefoot, and there were tons of things broken and scuffed up on the inside. All the while the two men were still outside trying to get the awning to fold in (You cannot tow a travel trailer unless the awning is fully folded in).
I walked back inside and explained to the lady, Kim, that there must be some kid of a mistake. That thing on their lot was not what I reserved, per their pictures online. She said "it's just normal wear and tear" but that the pictures of it on their website were from when it was new. I told her that I didn't want that one and asked what other options they had, so she sent me to look at a different one. It was definitely a nicer trailer, but was a lot bigger and was going to cost quite a bit more money ($300). As this point I asked to speak to a manager. After he finally finished his cigarette he walked over and asked what the problem was. I explained the whole situation to him, and his exact worder to me were "So what do you want me to do?". I chuckled, trying to hold in my extreme anger and frustration at this point and explained to him how badly the trailer was mis-represented on their website. He explained how they do not own any of the RV's, that they are all individually owned, and that they had just had a conversation with the ownders of this triler about its condition. But yet, they are still renting it out and taking peoples money. I explained to him that we were leaving in a few short hours to head out of town and asked what he could do for me as far as a discount or renting me the larger trailer for the same rate. Keeping in mind I was still willing to rent the thing being that I was pretty much out of options and my time constraint. He basically told me that he could knock off $10 a day on the Spree, but there was no discount he could give on the larger trailer. That was going to save me a whopping $30 on a $700 bill. I was so angry and frustrated at this point that I walked back inside to the lady, Kim, behind the desk and she explained that we would loose out $200 reservation fee due to their 90 day cancellation fee. I HADN"T EVEN HAD IT RESERVED FOR 90 DAYS!! She said that was their policy and it didn't matter. So extremly angered, I felt best that I just left their lot before I got myself in trouble.
We did still make our camping trip, but it wasn't until I spent another $300 on a tent and other camping gear at the local sporting goods store before we could get on our way.
We filed a claim with our bank to get back the $200 deposit we made. 2 months later Visa sided with American Dream Vacations because I signed a contract. Visa didn't care that the contract stated the trailer would be in good condition, but the trailer looked like a dirty meth house. Now we are out $200 for trusting a company to post accurate pictures online. My wife attempted to resolve this with Kim at American Dream Vacations, but they are impossible to work with. Do not rent from this place, but run from them!!!!!
My wife and I decided to rent a travel trailer for 3 weeks to take our kids across the SE United States as this would allow us to stay at some campgrounds and allow our kids the opportunity to see some of the magnificent places our country has. Ok so 1st we looked at the American Dream vacations location near our home in AR and even though they were very nice, they did not have anything that fit our needs. No big deal we located the next closest branch which is in Oklahoma City and they had one that would work available for the dates we needed. This is when it all began....
When we booked the trailer we were of course lured by the initial price of $660 a week thinking a little under $2000 for the 3 weeks. Then when we pick up of course that ends up being $2700 after all the fees and the tax. That part was expected just aggravating as it is with everything you rent. Now to the experience. When we arrive to pick up the unit we were greeted by a gentlemen who must of been the manager or owner as he had an office in the corner. He was very nice and prepared all of the paperwork for us then handed us over to another nice gentlemen who checked out the unit to us. Part of the fees we paid were for prepaid cleaning of the unit and a dish kit which on the website and the paperwork said was for 8 people however it is really only for 4.
Now for the issues- 1st we drive 15 miles up the road and get fuel and I notice the tail light cover fell off the unit. I tried to call back to the office however we left right as they were closing on a Saturday and they wouldn't be back until Monday morning (to be fair- they do give an after hours number) I decided for the sake of getting on with my trip I would get a cover that could work temporarily and stop at camping world along the way to get the correct one. Unfortunately camping world didn't have one so there goes my deposit since it did happen in my possession. Now for when the real issue started. When I pulled up to return the unit I walk inside to hear the receptionist yelling at a customer "I don't know who told you that, but...." she says this while gesturing with her fist at the handset as if she is punching the customer. This is in front of me another customer who she has no idea what I am there for at that point. So after standing there for 10 minutes listening to her yell at a customer on the phone and of course she refuses to acknowledge me, I see a guy come in the back door so o ask him where he would like me to park the return unit. He says pull around the side and wait for someone. So I go out pull around and wait for this person he told me. After 30-40 minutes my wife goes inside and ask the lady at the front if we can get checked and the receptionist yells at my wife telling her we should of been here before they closed (we were there at least 40 minutes before they closed but since we got blown off so much now it was passed closing time) she tells my wife she has another job she is supposed to be at.
So my wife comes back out to the truck and 10 more minutes pass and she steps out the back door and yells accross the parking lot in a very rude way of course what is your unit number. I reach for the paperwork to tell her and when I look back up she is back inside. So I walk back inside with the paperwork to give her the unit number and she stops me in the hall way and says I will check you in this time however we are closed and says that check ins are before 11 and i am 2 days early ( I specifically mentioned during the checkout of the unit that since I live 3 hours away I would be bringing the unit back either Thursday afternoon or Friday afternoon even though I paid for it until Saturday and was told no problem since I prepaid for the cleaning and dumping of the unit I would just need to make notes in the green book of any issues I might of had) so after she gets in the unit and starts to check me in and verify that everything is there, of course complaining the whole time she tells me I'm going to have to pay additional for the cleaning since there was a dirty plate in the sink.
At that point I was just done and got in my truck and left her with the unit.
I reserved a pop-up trailer on the 18th of july. on the 27 of july i cancelled my reservation, due to a bad wind storm that accurd in albuquerque friday nite. this being a local bussiness you would think they would be a little more understanding but,alas they were not. they told me if i had cancelled 90 days out it would be fine, i did not even make my res 90 days in advance. me being a blonde then asked them to reserve me for 90 days out and i would then cancel and get my money back. sounded good to me but not to them .they informed me that my money was gone. i really think this is wrong i gave them pleanty of notice.
Do Not go to this place! It is a joke. First of all, the travel trailer wasn't ready as promised. I arrived to pick up the trailer and was informed the refrigator was not working! Secondly, you've gotta be kidding right? No only was frig not working but the trailer was completely disgusting. I'm talking filthy. I would not let my dog sleep in it, let alone myself.
I'd rather sleep under a bridge. The office personnel is bottom of the barrel (seriously ). It is totally chaotic. I would not compare the personnel with animals in a zoo in fear of insulting the animals. Take my advice, spend a little more if you demand organization and great customer service. These people don't know the meaning of either.
I rented an RV from American Dream Vacations for the Memorial Weekend and left a $500.00 deposit against damages. I returned the RV on the Tuesday after Memorial Day and it was inspected and I was told that they would contact me with in 48hrs if any more damage was found. The next day I received a call from them informing me that damage was found on the RV. I went out to their location to inspect the alleged damage. They showed me a picture of the RV that was taken before we rented it. The picture was taken from a distance which allowed the entire side of the 31 foot RV to be visible in the picture. He then showed me a close-up picture (taken at a different angle and extremely close up) of what he claimed to me my alleged damage. The damage was so small that there was no way of telling if the damage existed before I rented the RV because they had no close-up pictures taken before I rented it. He then claimed that I scratched the side of the RV with tree branches and that two new decals would be required which cost around $400 - $600.00. I informed him that I did not drive near any trees as I rented it and drove it on all interstate highways to the beach to the designated RV pad which had no trees at all around it then back home. I also pointed out that opposite side of the RV had these same scratches. They claimed that these were done by the Owner of the RV.
They then requested that I sign a paper which resembled a repair order and was titled work required or something along those lines. I informed him that I would not sign a blank piece of paper authorizing work without knowing what the charges would be. I asked him to get estimates and fax or email me the paper and I would review it and then decide whether to sign it or not.
They never sent me that paper so I can only assume that they have decided to just keep the deposit. I then checked on the web for information on this business I discovered that they have an F rating with the local Better Business Bureau as well as complaints on other websites.
Based upon my experience with American Dream Vacations, their BBB rating, and complaints by others this appears to be business as usual for these people. This RV is also for sale and American Dream Vacations is also an RV retail seller under a different name. I am curious as to whether American Dream Vacations is the actual Owner of the RV and they are renting the unit and keeping the deposits by making up damage claims and using inadequate evidence to support their claims.
I did not damage this unit and their before and after pictures are of insufficient quality and are taken at different angles and distances and cannot prove whether the damage was preexisting before I rented the RV or occurred while the RV was in my possession.
Austin
West Lake Hills, Texas
U.S.A.
We reserved a pop-up travel trailer on the 18th of july ,for the week-end of aug 2nd. we then had a freak wind storm, in which my house was damaged. i called and cancelled my reservation with in 10 days and was told my 200.00 dollars,was gone due to the fact that i had not cancelled 90 days out. my point is i did not even book my reservation with-in 90 days. i was also told they would rebook in the future. i then got the bright idea to book it 90 days from now and then cancel ,my problem is i'm blonde, and i told them what i was gonna do and they shut me down. i feel they are just being mean due to the fact i could have done it had i not given myself away. Please try to tell them they are not very nice to do bussiness with,by the way i'm telling all my friends.
Very dishonest company. We rented a large RV from them in January 2013 for a week and one day. They took over 4 hours to check us out and when we returned the RV it took another 4 plus hours to check out. They did the video comparison from the beginning and the turn in and there was nothing damaged. We signed out and left. They actually owed us a few dollars from our mileage overage. Three months we get a call stating there were $2500 in damage and tried to charger our card. We disputed it claiming such a long time passed and the RV had been rented several time after. They ended up suing us in small claims court. We got our insurance to handle the claim and since it would cost them more to fight it they just settled. Now nine months latter they charged my card for $350 for mileage overage and court cost! I have disputed this with my credit card company. It appears that this is their motive Add on charges, small claims court if you fight and they know they will win because of the time, effort and cost associated with fighting. Bad company and policies. Go some where else and make sure you have a reputable company you are dealing with.