Mérida, Yucatán — A travel company called Corporativo Turístico de Mérida SA continues to do business despite a growing number of complaints filed with the consumer protection agency, Profeco.
The company ended 2016 with 250 official complaints, and so far this year, already has 170 more filed with Profeco, says agency spokesman José Antonio Nevárez Cervera.
Corporativo Turístico offers prizes and discount travel packages by cold-calling customers. Unhappy or suspicious would-be clients have detailed their experiences on a message board that addresses phone scams.
Profeco can’t shut down the travel company because they comply with the terms of their sanction, attending hearings and following administrative procedures — and then continue doing business in the same manner, Nevárez Cervera said.
The economic sanctions range from 30,000 to 50,000 pesos.
Profeco can only do so much. Consumers should take a company to court if they feel they were cheated, the official said. The Office of the Attorney General will receive serious complaints of malfeasance.
He also recommended that consumers read contracts and understand their terms before signing them, and in the case of a dispute, they can go to the Office of the Attorney General to file a complaint.
Source: Desde el Balcón
