Have you gotten a phone call recently from a company that claims you have won a free trip or hotel stay because you entered a contest through a trusted source like David's Bridal, etc. ?
Then you will want to read this:
Today I was contacted by Today's Bridal stating that we won a free vacation and two $500 gift certificates (towards the wedding supplies, I was told) from David's Bridal and that all we needed to do was show up at a bridal show at the Ramada Inn at the Orlando Airport. The woman on the phone sounded like she was trying to pencil us in to meet with them either Friday at 7pm, or Saturday or Sunday at 1 pm or 5pm. She said that we should bring proof of identification. So I told her that I'd like to discuss this with my husband first since he did not know I had entered the contest.
Now, I actually had entered a contest with David's Bridal because I would like to renew our vows on our tenth anniversary, since we had a private, outdoor ceremony with a minister. So I thought there was at least some truth to this matter. It had sounded plausible enough. I asked for a name and number where I could reach them. The first was the number for the Ramada Inn. The second number was for the company, which I typed in and found these links. Then I called back: "I'm sorry; could you please confirm the name of your company for me?" I was told that it was Royal Prestige Bridal.
Please read the first link.
Notice any similarities?
Here is a link to consumer complaints about the company:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff187210.htm
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news0..._prestige.html
http://www.ripoffreport.com/results.asp?q1=ALL&q4=&q6=&q3=&q2=&q7=&searchtype=0&submit2=Search!&q5=Royal+Prestige
The last link show that the website has received four pages worth ofcomplaints.
Now here's the kicker:
UPDATE EX-employee responds
Submitted: 7/15/2004 5:44:19 AM Modified: 8/7/2004 1:32:39 PM
Royal Prestige/Bridal Awards/Lifestyles Unlimited/Hy Cite=a SCAM
Yes, I am a former employee who had access to an abundance of the illegal and immoral business practices upheld by this company. It has recently come to my attention that they are now soliciting business under the name of Bridal Awards using a website address of www.bridalawards.com
Please do not be fooled by them. It is Royal Prestige and you will be offered a "lodging certificate" which claims to be 4-star accommodations (actually you have to sit through a time share presentation even though the person who calls you assures you it is NOT a time share). I have been told by one customer that actually used this lodging certificate that all they got was a roach infested Ramada Inn in Orlando. This couple eventually settled quietly with the company for an undisclosed amount of money to keep quiet.
Royal Prestige/Bridal Awards/Lifestyles Unlimited/Hy Cite---those are all names used by the same company with the deceptive sales practices. They prey on newly engaged couples caught up in the excitement of their upcoming wedding and convince them that cooking with their products will assure a long and healthy life together. At $2000 a set, these couples cannot afford this purchase and I have seen sales people even accept credit applications from folks working at Burger King making $600 per month and will be strapped with a $100 Royal Prestige payment if they buy the products.
Please avoid ANY dealing with this company at any cost. Hang up when you receive that initial phone call. It will save you a lifetime of misery.
Judy - Livonia, Michigan
U.S.A.
So, you may ask yourself how do they get your info?
UPDATE EX-employee responds
Submitted: 11/22/2005 11:22:50 PM Modified: 11/22/2005 11:22:50 PM
You've "won" a honeymoon trip! Royale Prestige did get your name from David's Bridal
Melanie, you are absolutely correct. Royale Prestige did get your name from David's Bridal. Please keep in mind that I am a former manager of David's Bridal and have not worked for them for nearly 2 years. Some of this information may have changed.
As you walked into the store, you may have noticed a fixture full of wedding planning material. You may also remember that you filled out a registration on your first visit. For a price, the vendors who had info on the fixture received the names and contact information of every new bride registered, unless....she checked the tiny box at the bottom that allowed her to opt out. The disturbing thing is that the "Vendor Participation Program" sold the list to some vendors who had no visible representation in the store.
After receiving several calls from some of my brides, I expressed my concern and displeasure to the corporate office. I heard stories just like yours and felt that it was incredibly misleading, if not deceptive. There was no action taken then, and it appears to be continuing to this day.
Ladies, please be careful when giving personal information. Know exactly why it is being requested of you, and know who will have access to it. No one can "make" you give up information. In a world full of "do not call" lists, vendors are always trying to find new ways to reel you in.
If you have already registered, and are tired of the calls and mail, contact the David's where you registered. They should have a form (they did 2 years ago) that will remove you from this list. Want to take it a step further? Voice your complaint to customer service by calling David's Bridal corporate in Conshohocken, PA.
Best wishes!
April - Stafford, Virginia
U.S.A.
Please spread the word to those you know who are getting married or thinking of getting married. Advise them to research the better business bureau and other websites for information before giving out information.
Then you will want to read this:
Today I was contacted by Today's Bridal stating that we won a free vacation and two $500 gift certificates (towards the wedding supplies, I was told) from David's Bridal and that all we needed to do was show up at a bridal show at the Ramada Inn at the Orlando Airport. The woman on the phone sounded like she was trying to pencil us in to meet with them either Friday at 7pm, or Saturday or Sunday at 1 pm or 5pm. She said that we should bring proof of identification. So I told her that I'd like to discuss this with my husband first since he did not know I had entered the contest.
Now, I actually had entered a contest with David's Bridal because I would like to renew our vows on our tenth anniversary, since we had a private, outdoor ceremony with a minister. So I thought there was at least some truth to this matter. It had sounded plausible enough. I asked for a name and number where I could reach them. The first was the number for the Ramada Inn. The second number was for the company, which I typed in and found these links. Then I called back: "I'm sorry; could you please confirm the name of your company for me?" I was told that it was Royal Prestige Bridal.
Please read the first link.
Notice any similarities?
Here is a link to consumer complaints about the company:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff187210.htm
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news0..._prestige.html
http://www.ripoffreport.com/results.asp?q1=ALL&q4=&q6=&q3=&q2=&q7=&searchtype=0&submit2=Search!&q5=Royal+Prestige
The last link show that the website has received four pages worth ofcomplaints.
Now here's the kicker:
UPDATE EX-employee responds
Submitted: 7/15/2004 5:44:19 AM Modified: 8/7/2004 1:32:39 PM
Royal Prestige/Bridal Awards/Lifestyles Unlimited/Hy Cite=a SCAM
Yes, I am a former employee who had access to an abundance of the illegal and immoral business practices upheld by this company. It has recently come to my attention that they are now soliciting business under the name of Bridal Awards using a website address of www.bridalawards.com
Please do not be fooled by them. It is Royal Prestige and you will be offered a "lodging certificate" which claims to be 4-star accommodations (actually you have to sit through a time share presentation even though the person who calls you assures you it is NOT a time share). I have been told by one customer that actually used this lodging certificate that all they got was a roach infested Ramada Inn in Orlando. This couple eventually settled quietly with the company for an undisclosed amount of money to keep quiet.
Royal Prestige/Bridal Awards/Lifestyles Unlimited/Hy Cite---those are all names used by the same company with the deceptive sales practices. They prey on newly engaged couples caught up in the excitement of their upcoming wedding and convince them that cooking with their products will assure a long and healthy life together. At $2000 a set, these couples cannot afford this purchase and I have seen sales people even accept credit applications from folks working at Burger King making $600 per month and will be strapped with a $100 Royal Prestige payment if they buy the products.
Please avoid ANY dealing with this company at any cost. Hang up when you receive that initial phone call. It will save you a lifetime of misery.
Judy - Livonia, Michigan
U.S.A.
So, you may ask yourself how do they get your info?
UPDATE EX-employee responds
Submitted: 11/22/2005 11:22:50 PM Modified: 11/22/2005 11:22:50 PM
You've "won" a honeymoon trip! Royale Prestige did get your name from David's Bridal
Melanie, you are absolutely correct. Royale Prestige did get your name from David's Bridal. Please keep in mind that I am a former manager of David's Bridal and have not worked for them for nearly 2 years. Some of this information may have changed.
As you walked into the store, you may have noticed a fixture full of wedding planning material. You may also remember that you filled out a registration on your first visit. For a price, the vendors who had info on the fixture received the names and contact information of every new bride registered, unless....she checked the tiny box at the bottom that allowed her to opt out. The disturbing thing is that the "Vendor Participation Program" sold the list to some vendors who had no visible representation in the store.
After receiving several calls from some of my brides, I expressed my concern and displeasure to the corporate office. I heard stories just like yours and felt that it was incredibly misleading, if not deceptive. There was no action taken then, and it appears to be continuing to this day.
Ladies, please be careful when giving personal information. Know exactly why it is being requested of you, and know who will have access to it. No one can "make" you give up information. In a world full of "do not call" lists, vendors are always trying to find new ways to reel you in.
If you have already registered, and are tired of the calls and mail, contact the David's where you registered. They should have a form (they did 2 years ago) that will remove you from this list. Want to take it a step further? Voice your complaint to customer service by calling David's Bridal corporate in Conshohocken, PA.
Best wishes!
April - Stafford, Virginia
U.S.A.
Please spread the word to those you know who are getting married or thinking of getting married. Advise them to research the better business bureau and other websites for information before giving out information.
