Resort travelers scam
My husband and I, unfortunately, fell victim to this scam as well. Last June we recieved several calls from a broker, who gave us his name and all his information (which I still have), including the licensing number for the company.
He reassured us and made us feel very comfortable with the decision. However, we should have questioned it when they requested the entire fee up front. He actually sent us the paperwork first, so we could read through everything before paying or signing anything, so we didn't think to much of it. I also looked up the company and did not initially find anything alarming. But obviously we should have been more thorough.
They are now asking for $1059, not $2000. They must have realized that they were asking for too much and lowers the fee. We did not recieve our first set of offers until September, and they sent us a document to sign confirming we had recieved the offers. I looked up the offers, to see if they were legit, before signing anything. Only one of the resorts was found through our timeshare, but they wanted a week later than what was available. I recieved a couple calls and emails the week the offers came through, requesting that I sign the document. When I finally spoke to someone, I asked if I could contact the person requesting the week to see if they might be willing to go a week earlier, but they told me "no. Unfortunately it has to be an exact match", but not to worry because I would recieve more offers soon, but before they coukd do that I had to sign the document conforming I had recieved the offers even though I could not fulfill any of them.
Well, I should have re-read the original contract, because by signing that document I was actually not just confirming that I recieved the offers, but I was actually waiving my right to a refund or dispute of the fee in the future. After that document was signed, surprise surprise, they stopped harassing me. I recieved no new offers until November when I called and complained. Again, I could not fulfill any. Since then, I have spoken to several agents and managers, all apologizing and saying they don't know what happened and that the notes show exactly what I am complaining about.
I have been promised more offers, and now a "manager" has actually "personally taken over the account", whom I have spoke to and keeps promising me more offers but it has now been over a week and I've not recieved anything. I actually had one offer a few weeks ago that I could fulfill, and got all excited thinking I might actually at least make my money back, but I called the offers department and they "submitted the offer" telling my I would get a call back within "24 hours" to let me know if the person requesting that week still wanted it. I never heard back, and when I called they told me they didn't see that offer in the system but they were working on getting me more offers. I call Bull!
I wish I had seen this forum before I got that call. Now, with our first child on the way, we need every penny. We are not made of money. We work hard for every dime and it is extremely frustrating that companies like this exist and can legally take your money, and there is nothing you can do about it. I even talked to a lawyer and they pretty much told me there was nothing to be done on a civil level.
Moral of the story: just hang up! Never pay for anything up front! Always to thorough research before agreeing to anything. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Not sure if it will do any good, but I plan to reach out to the Florida attorney general. I encourage anyone else who has had experience with this company to do the same. Hope this helps.
