Divine Destinations St Thomas Vacation Club Scam Internet

 I can not believe John Jureidini still has the audacity to be in the vacation club business, as I wonder how he has managed to avoid prison all of these years. He is a crook!!!! In 2000, I went to a TGI Fridays for dinner. They had a box for a drawing to win a three day getaway for two.

I was in my early 20’s, the internet was not yet the easy research hub it is now, so of course I entered. I got a phone call from "Holiday Connections” telling me I won, but had to come to their office for a short seminar. I went to their office in Hasbrouk Heights, NJ, and sat for an hour while this beautiful scene was painted for me of how I could travel the world for such a small cost.

I was cautious, but found they were registered with the Better Business Bureau, (which I didn’t realize meant NOTHING back then!) so because of that and their connection to TGI Fridays, I figured it had to be legit. Long story short, I lost over 3K to them. I was 23 years old, recently out on my own.

They were collecting all of our money, but it was a Ponzi scheme, or something to that effect. A few months after joining, I tried to book a trip and always got their machine. I drove to their office and found it completely cleaned out except for a telephone and answering machine!!!!

I spoke with the landlord and was told they skipped town. I immediately stopped paying, and Juredini had the audacity to send me to a collection agency. That ended fast when I provided proof he was a scamming crook. Twenty years later and I will never forget this slime ball, completely taking advantage of innocent people.

     When you give your money to Devine Destinations, they keep it! Island Traders gets $199. That's it!

     I believe Island Traders is legit, but if you want to join a travel club, join one directly. Giving those clowns at Devine Destinations thousands of dollars? What for? They promice free stuff and send you to Passport To Travel to redeem travel vouchers and get ripped some more!

     Save yourself a lot of grief; avoid these people and NEVER sign anything with there name on it!     

 

Mr. Jureidini,

For the record, I'm not Steve Ingram. If he was smoking crack in company housing then he deserved to be fired. I haven't corrected you until now because my identity is not relevant. Facts are facts.

Maybe he was influenced by working for a convicted cocaine distributor. I know you say that was a long time ago, but weren't you also arrested for possession of a controlled substance in Georgia after your prison sentence? And then there are the St. Maarten newspaper reports of alleged drug use on the premises of the travel companies you managed there. Are you really drug-free now? I know you will claim that this has nothing to do with the Divine Destinations business complaints. However, it does demonstrate a pattern of criminal activity over a long period of time. Combined with your dubious history in the travel industry, it raises serious questions.

The contract changes you describe are interesting. Of course, the three year period will allow you to shut down and start a new business before anyone can claim a refund. Even so, are you willing to put those contract documents on your DD web site so they can be reviewed?

Frank B doesn't need my help for an investigation. Everything I know is public information.

My suggestion for others is to warn people about these types of travel scams on popular travel forums before people are financially committed. RipoffReport is great but people tend to see this information after it's too late. Help to prevent the rip offs in the first place by sharing your information in forums people read *before* they travel. St. Thomas travel forums on Trip Adviser are a good place to do this. Cruise customers are often targeted because they are in port for a short period of time. Cruise related forums would also be a good place to share information. If you are on a cruise, ask the cruise director to warn people about "barkers" (street marketers) and travel scams at ports like Charlotte Amalie.

If you are really adventurous (and I don't really recommend it), you could attend on of the Divine Destinations presentations with a recording device and post the results to document the techniques used to convince people to sign away their money. There are very nice and effective recording devices for both the iPhone and Android. Check whether this is legal or not before you do it.

The Attorneys General of most states are cracking down on these companies. It will only be a matter of time before the same thing happens in the USVI. Until then, be an activist and proactively inform travelers about travel scams.

Dear Readers,

My name is John Jureidini, and I am the President of Divine Destinations. The person posting this is Frank B., who joined our program in early December, 2012. We have made every offer to him, to try to work this out. We have been accused of everything under the sun, and now......well I guess he's just getting desperate. By the way.....he's an attorney too.

First.....Frank, you need to pay attention. "Joe Traveller" & "Steve" are the same guy. A disgruntled, ex-employee who was fired for smoking crack and drinking on the job. I don't think he's the guy you want trying to help you bring some mythical Government case against us. You might want to re-read the posts above too.

Second, apparently you didn't read Ed V's last post, where he said that he's now a "happy customer" after using the services that he bought. It's 2 posts above this one.

So, Ed V is out of the picture. Steve/Joe Traveller is a crack smoking, disgruntled ex-employee. The only person left is you.

Now let me tell the people reading this about Frank B......He bought our service and has never tried to use the program once. Yet he continues to call us every name in the book and make wild allegation after wild allegation.

He disputed this with his American Express card, without providing one shred of verifaible proof. We responded, and American Express closed the dispute in our favor. Immediately, he disputed this again with American Express with a new set of wild allegations and outright lies. And again, we resopnded and American Express closed the dispute in our favor.

Now here's where it gets interesting.....he disputes to American Express a third time AND the Attorney General of Michigan simultaneously. I got a letter from the Attorney General, and several phone calls from American Express. We responded with a nine page letter, with 30 pages of supporting documents that essentially blew his case out of the water.

How impressed was American Express with Frank's latest approach and accusations? Well.....they had been holding a $13K reserve, ever since Frank B began his crusade. Three weeks after we repsonded to both the AG of Michigan and American Express.......American Express released the $13K.

He has again disputed this (for the fourth time) with American Express with a new line of accusations. And again, we responded. I called American Express and asked them "How many times can he dispute?" And "Are you going to hold a reserve again?". American Express responded that he can dispute it as many times as he wants, but that "no", they would not be holding any more reserve as long as I answered on time.

Frank's big investigation is nothing more than his complaint filled with false allegations to the AG of Michigan, which didnt impress American Express. But please Frank.....share this "compelling eveidence" that you claim that you have.

That's all that I have to say about this. I'd like to be more cheerful and upbeat about Frank B, but I'm truly tired of typing all of his responses.

Anyways, Frank.....you have my email and number. Whenever you can stop the threats, false accusations and name calling, I'm here to help you travel. As for an accomodation, I've made several on 4 occassions before. They are now withdrawn.


Thank you,

John Jureidini

Ed,

I would like to thank you for finally using the program, but then being a big enough person to admit that you were wrong. I meant what I said.....had we not been able to save you money, I'd have refunded all of your money.

The service is not perfect, but there are sevral areas where we can save you alot of money.

I can understand why you were upset in the beginning. The information on the internet IS misleading and it might make ANY person, intelligent or not, feel uneasy about their purchase.

We have added a cancellation policy that goes like this.......if you use the program, and we cant save you the cost of the program in 3 years, we'll refund your money. There are a few minor conditions on it, and it is not retroactive for the members who already joined, but I think its a step in the right direction.

Ed.....please feel free to call or email me in the future.

And again, thank you for doing the right thing.



John Jureidini

To: Joe Traveler, Ed V, Steve and others that would like to help us terminate the fraud practices of Divine destination, I will be one of your biggest advocate to help fight this company and have them closed for fraud practices.

Divine Destinations defraud us while in St Thomas and we are active in a battle to get our money back.

But, I 'm not just interested it getting our money back, I'm committed to stop this awful and unlawful  practice by Divine Destinations to lie and defraud vacationers in St. Thomas.

We have compelling evidence against John Juriedini and Divine Destinations and have filed similar reports to the Attorney General and others that are investigation the criminal behavior of these scammers as we speak.

Please do all that you can to find others the have been scammed and together we win the battles but ultimately the war.

Thank you and please respond to me in kind through this Ripoff Forum.

Having failed to get a refund, I decided to take a chance and use the service of IslandTrader.

I am pleased to report that after only 3 attempts to secure a condo hot week, I was able to book a 1 week stay in a 2 bed 2 bath condo overlooking Egg Harbor Bay in Wisconsin and saved about $800. Danielle at travel services responded by phone and email consistently and was extremely helpful in fulfilling our request.

I am now confused by the negative reports that led me to believe I was scammed in the first place. The information on the Internet is misleading but would make most intelligent people suspicious as I was. I also don't understand why divine destinations couldn't provide me with better information when I provided them with what I found.

With that said, I would suggest that people try to educate themselves on discount travel clubs before making a decision. I now believe that the vacation club we purchased does have value and will save us money, maybe not in all the ways presented, but certainly enough to keep the membership. Since the club does work, I would recommend buying from a company that does offer a cancellation policy and a money back guarantee so it gives you the security of trying the service for yourself instead of having to worry like we did.

I hope this helps readers and restores some faith in Travel Services Inc. and the clubs they service.

I can honestly state that I am a happy customer of Island Trader Vacation Club.

John,

At last your being honest, in admitting that you have skeletons in your closet too.

Maybe you would be so kind and honest to disclose that physical address of Travel Services Inc. that I requested a month ago from the company and still have no answer.

I also never received the membership package you mentioned that I supposedly recieved in pristine condition.  The one that what supposed to include addresses and membership cards and was shown in your office that we were supposed to get in 7-14 days...Oh but thats right, your not really Travel Services Inc or Island Trader Vacations or any of the other vacation company names you call private labeling????  So it's probably not your responsibility to see that customers get what they paid for, is it??  Your just a independent dealer or distributor for Travel Services Inc..  How convenient and profitable for you...

PS... I like Mike, and I think your right... I think he must know you very well indeed..  Thanks Mike.

"My heart weeps"? Really?

You work in the exact same industry as I do. So please, enough with the "holier than though" stuff.

And I'm sure you have seen me in action......you sound like someone I fired, and now is looking for a little payback.

Here's where you and I differ.....I dont hide behind a fake name on this site. I tell everyone who I am and what I've done. You and I both know that you arent going to reveal yourself because we both know that you have a a big closet full of skeletons too.

So, either act like a man and lets talk about the issues or just crawl back under the rock you came from.

my heart breaks for the people who are convinced to spend thousands of dollars on travel services that turn out to be essentially worthless.

speaking of hiding things, do you tell your potential customers that island trader vacations is a white label of funseekers vacations that has a D+ rating with the better business bureau? you can say that, no, they are travel services inc now, but your contact email yourtravelservices.org resolves to funseekersvacations.com. it seems like a many dubious travel companies change their names frequently and often move from location to location.

as for world presidential travel, i've only heard your side of the story. you have enough experience in the travel industry to not know what's up when you are hired to run a company with a staff including several employees with convictions for travel fraud (including doing prison time). it's no surprise to me that you couldn't trust them and they couldn't trust you. no honor among... well, you know.

anyhow given some of the other misinformation you've provided in this report i have my doubts that you are telling the whole and accurate story. i know that you were the project director for an earlier incarnation of world presidential travel in philipsburg (world vacations travel) and that company also had legal issues and problems with the government.

speaking of misinformation, according to information you've provided elsewhere you worked for sun country travel for almost a year and it was only 6 months before the law suit was filed by the texas ag. it very likely that the fraudulent activities were happening long before the law suit was filed. you opened new offices for them so you would have had insider knowledge of the those operations. but it's all about plausible deniability, right? like with caribbean fun stays in kop.

i'd think with all these skeletons in the closet you'd do everything you could to keep a low profile. keep the customers happy. give them refunds if they insist. in the long run you'd make more money that way. that's what a smart guy would do. i've seen you in action and you have a good personality for the kind of work you do (slick is a good description in my opinion) but i believe it will be eventually self-destructive.

Yes Mike.....I worked for a company that was involved in Police corruption. I was the one who made these allegations of police corruption. This company owed me $20,000+....when I asked for the money, police were bribed to have me arrested. I was released with an apology by the acting police Captain, within an hour. He then called the 2 police into his office afterwards. I don't know what was said, but the Police Captain was yelling. I then sued that company in court and told my story to the local papers.



I worked for Sun Country for 6 months. I left years before any lawsuit was brought against them. It had nothing to do with me.



Obviously you have an issue with me and you know me. Be a man and call me directly. Why are you hiding?

anybody know the status of the wisconsin AG law suit against travel services, inc. (island trader vacations)?

found an interesting web site: http://thetruthaboutbailey.wordpress.com/about/
discusses bill bailey (william bailey) and one of his many companies, island trader vacations.

also learned that john jureidini and adrian miller worked at the same company, sun country travel. the company later became famous because of a $64,000,000 verdict against them in texas. follow the social networks...

does usvi have an attorney general? we can at least warn people on the travel forums to watch out for vacation club travel scams when they travel to st. thomas. especially, the cruise passengers.

be careful, ed. the companies that this guy ran in st. maarten were involved in police corruption and there were allegations of local government officials being on the payroll. he's not a beginner at this. he's been doing it for decades, a true professional.

 Continuing from my last post.....

H) Visa did take our side. We responded to the chargeback that same day. Visa put the money back into our account 3 days later. Obviously, they have sided with us. As for lies and deceptions......weren't you the guy who wrote us that you had the Feds filing a RICO claim against us and also that you had your County Prosecutor coming after us? I haven't heard from them. So I guess you are the one who lies and is deceitful.

G) As for Flywinkie & Moore for Your Vacations: You're right about taxes with a subcontractor in most instances....there are instances where a subcotractor handles their own taxes. However, in this case it is a company paying a company. Nothing suspicious about it, its perfectly legal and a VERY SMART business move. And in this case, everyone has to pay their taxes, otherwise your license cant be renewed.

And go ahead and tell the DLCA whatever you think is going on Ed. Its a small Island and everyone knows everyone. I know a dozen people who work at the DLCA. I'm very politically active here. So take your best shot.....but be careful. If you say anything slanderous, I'll sue you for that too.

I) No cancellation waiver: You're being very misleading here Ed.....you're being "slick". A no cacellation waiver implies that they have a right (by law) to cancel. They never had that right here by law, here in the USVI. So we dont have them sign a "no cancellation waiver" which waives their right to cancel. We have them sign a "No Right of Rescission" document that informs them that they never had that right in the first place.

Ed.....try being honest for once, OK? Tell the truth.

J) Bill Bailey & Christy Spensberger: You should read what you post. As I said before, their distibutor got shut down, not them. As you can read in your update from April 11, 2011....they were dismissed from the lawsuit. So again, it wasn't Travel Services who got shut down in TX, it was their distributor. And their distributors are still operating in TX today.

K) Offering Discounts: Ed.....I'm going to email you the latest print out of our hotweeks. Read that and then tell me that we dont offer discounts. In the past 60 days.....I booked my honeymoon cruise for $1000 less than anywhere else, and I got a condo week here at Bluebeards Castle for $600. I know it works.

Also, you really are very confused. You sent an email to Sabrina where you wrote "We know that you dont exist". She brought it to me and we laughed. Not only does she exist, but she's the one I'm marrying and taking a cruise with. And I got the condo week at Bluebeards for her Parents.

But we are still here to servicve your travel needs. But we are no longer here to take your threats, verbal abuse and libelous/slanderous statements.

Call us when you want to make a reservation. Be sure to answer your door when we serve you for the lawsuit.

1. 02/04/2013    02/18/2013    Return    DIVINE DESTINATION LLC    -$2,995.00
    Print     CHARLOTTE AMA000000000VI    In-person transaction

I am not the one lying here.  It is your creditability and the credibility of the product you are selling that is at issue.

2.  I have sent all the information provided in these reports to the Michigan Attorney Generals Office.  You are welcomed to contact them at your convenience. I am sure they would be interested in your help to determine how to actually get in contact with the owners of Island Trader Vacation Club.  Perhaps you would be willing give out the physical address Travel Services Inc and where they operate from to show you are not intentially hiding this information.  I emailed Island Trader 3 weeks ago asking where they were located and who the owners were and have yet to get a response.

3.  I am just a consumer with a complaint.  It is up to the proper authorities to determine if there is illegal activity going on and/or charges should be filed.  I have provided the information I have, and as you have stated before, the government works very slowly sometimes.  I will look forward to the outcome.  I am done wasting anymore of my time with you.  This will be my final post as I believe I have made my point. 

Ed Vandervries....you've now crossed the line into "libel". I will walk accross the street and file suit against you this week. You cant go around writing the things you've written unless you can back them up. But let me answer your false allegations again....

A) Illinois Law only applies to certain purchases, like a "buyers club". It doesnt apply here in the USVI, or to this type of purchase. Thank you for pointing that out, ED.

B) Ed.....in the USVI, Michigan Law does not apply. Its that simple. The state laws of one state do not apply in another state.  

C) Your Point Four: We are not in violation of ANY law in the USVI.

D) We are in full compliance when we offer dinner & shopping vouchers, rum, sandal pendants, Island tours, etc.....as enticement to come to our offices.

E) We have disclosed all of our addresses, email addresses and phone numbers to you. You've actually been in our office too, called us and emailed us. You have the legal mailing address for Travel Services. There is no violation there. There's no "slick" answer here....you're just wrong and you know it.

F) Unfair trade parctices prohibited: You didnt comment here, so I guess you have no answer OR you just know youre wrong.....AGAIN.

G) Yes, you can cancel your contract if you can prove financial hardship when you financed through us. You paid for it on your own credit card and never mentioned financial hardship. So we are not in violation here either.

H) Your comment "Most States have these same consumer protection laws. Why try to operate in a location that trys to work around the law".

Ed....this is my home, it has been for a long time. I like living here. It is insulting and libelous to infer anything else. You want to live in the cold North, that's your choice. I like sunny beaches and boating on the weekends. Plus, you've been to our office. Its located right on the square where 2 million tourists walk by every year. Its right in the heart of the downtown shopping district. Its a perfect location to talk to high income tourists who like to travel.

But we'll be your discussing your above comment in the lawsuit, Ed.

More to come.......

A couple things before I answer this tomorrow......

A) Ed has also lost his dispute with his credit card company.

B) Ed had never tried to use the service.

C) Ed told us that he had a "RICO Claim" being filed against us BY THE Feds. AND he had his County Prosecutors filing charges too. And he was good friends with his US Representative and Senator and he would call them to put pressure on us. I told him if he got a letter from all 4 that backed his claim, I would refund him immediately. I'm still waiting.

D) Until Ed provides those letters, Ed is never getting a refund from us. But we will service him like any other Member.

E) Ed's interpretation of the law is grossly incorrect. But if he thinks he has a case, I'lll meet him in Court here in the USVI.

Good night.

Steve.......3 things;

1) You got fired for drug & alcohol use and you're disgruntled.

2) You have lied or been misleading in most of your posts. So your credibility is "zero". Your last post is a complete fabrication.

3) You and your buddies have been trying to recruit my staff since you left. Nobody is even thinking about leaving? Why? Because what person would follow a crackhead who got fired while they are getting paid now?

I wish you well. I'm too busy being successful to keep replying to your nonsense.

First Point - Not from Canada - Different Ed.. I am From Michigan. 

Second Point - Your Acknowledgements and Bylaws for Island Trader item#10 says that Michigan Law is Applicable and Binding.  "You say Just doesn't apply to Divine Destinations"

Third Point - Your "No right of rescission" form says that US Virgin Island Law nor Illinois law does not have a 3 day right to cancel. Not that I am from Illinois, but your forms are inacurate and unlawful. 

Illinois law provides citizens with the right to cancel certain consumer
transactions within three business days. However, many people mistakenly
believe that you have a three-day right to cancel all transactions. In fact,
this right applies only to certain types of purchases, as described below.

Illinois Buyers Clubs Administrative Code: Under the Buyers Club Contract, you may
exercise your written three-day right to cancel. You may also cancel the
contract by delivering notice of cancellation by telephone, provided that you
follow telephone notice by written notice within the next two days.

Point Four - You are in violation of the following US Virgin Island Laws.

VIRGIN ISLANDS CODE ANNOTATED
Copyright 2013 by THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR for THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

*** Statutes current through Act 7383 of the 2012 Regular Session **

TITLE TWELVE A  Consumer Code  Chapter 6.  Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices
12A V.I.C. 309  (2013) 309.  Offers of free prizes, gifts, or gratuities; disclosure of conditions

It is an unlawful practice for any person to promote or advertise
any business, product, utility service, including but not limited to, the
provision of electric, telecommunication, or gas service, or interest in
property, by means of offering free prizes, gifts, or gratuities to any
consumer, unless all material terms and conditions relating to the offer are
clearly and conspicuously disclosed at the outset of the offer so as to leave
no reasonable probability that the offering might be misunderstood.

12A V.I.C. 305  (2013) 305.  Disclosure of legal name of business and address

It is unlawful in the sale of consumer goods or service for any
person conducting a mail order or catalog business in the Virgin Islands, and
utilizing a post office box address or a street address representing a site
used primarily for the receipt or delivery of mail or as a telephone answering
service, to fail to disclose the legal name under which business is conducted
and the complete street address from which business is actually conducted in
all advertising and promotional materials, including order blanks and forms.

Divine Destinations sells memberships to Island Trader Vacation Club with a Suite# in Bloomfield Hills impling that they have a physical location when it is only a Mail Box at a UPS Store.  In all the documents and websites that are run by Travel Services Inc., It does not disclose where there physical address actually is.  This is illegal and deceptive, But I am sure they will have a slick answer for this one.

TITLE TWELVE A  Consumer Code  
Chapter 2.  Consumer Protection Law of 1973  
Subchapter I.  Unfair Trade Practices
12A V.I.C. 101  (2013) 101.  Unfair trade practices prohibited

No person shall engage in any deceptive or unconscionable trade
practice in the sale, lease, rental or loan or in the offering for sale, lease,
rental, or loan of any consumer goods or services, or in the collection of consumer debts.

TITLE TWELVE A  Consumer
Code, Chapter 7.  Uniform Debt Services Management, 
420.  Cancellation of agreement; waiver, VIRGIN ISLANDS CODE
ANNOTATED Copyright 2012 by THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR for THE GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

... may cancel the agreement within 30 days after the individual assents
to it. To exercise the right to cancel, the individual must
give notice in a record to the provider. Notice by  ...... in bold-face type, surrounded by bold black lines:  Notice of Right to Cancel (c) If a personal financial emergency necessitates the disbursement of an individual's money to one or  ...... before the expiration of three days after an agreement is signed, an individual may waive the right to cancel. To waive the right, the individual must send or deliver a signed, dated statement  ...... words describing the circumstances that necessitate a waiver. The waiver must explicitly waive the right to cancel. A waiver by means of a standard-form record is void.

Most States in the US have these same consumer protection laws.  Why try to operate in a location that trys to work around the law.

You state the the VISA company stood behind you.  I can tell you that we recieved our refund on February 18th, 2013.  VISA has not taken your side in this dispute.  People should not give up demanding that MasterCard and VISA look past the lies and deceptions and act quickly to dispute charges from this company.  Save yourself the headache and walk away to begin with. 

My other comment is on the other LLC's - Flywinkie LLC and Moore for your vacations LLC.  You say that your employees requested this.  As employees, you would be subject payroll taxes which you may be trying to evade.  As the employer, paying an employee as a subcontractor is not allowed unless they qualify as a subcontractor.. So which is it.. Do they run their own independent businesses under your umbrella, or are these LLC's just another gimmick to avoid licensing issues and taxes.  I am not saying which is which, but it appears suspicious and I will let the St. Thomas Department of Consumer Affairs and Licensing determine what you are doing. 

Tips.  Never be presured into buying immediately, especially when they start at $15,000 and end up at $3,000. Never agree to signing a no cancellation waiver even if if is illegal and not enforceable.  It should be a warning that this company plans to keep your money once it gets it no matter what you do.  Check out Travel Services Inc. and all their so called Brand Labeling..  Look up their owners Christy Spensberger and William Bailey.. See the following:

Attorney General Abbott Charges Dallas-Area Travel Clubs With Unlawfully Defrauding Members
All Inclusive Excursions, others targeted in investigation
DALLAS Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today charged a
Dallas-area travel firm and three of its principals with violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA).

According to court documents filed by the state, Royal Palms Travel Inc. and All Inclusive Excursions falsely
promised steep discounts as part of travel club memberships they offered through
a shell company, Sealand Travel Club. The memberships actually had little or
no value. In response to the states enforcement action, a Dallas County
District Court today issued a temporary restraining order against the defendants
that prevents them from continuing to violate the law. A temporary injunction
hearing is set for 2 p.m., March 30.

Among the defendants charged with legal violations were company principals
Adrian D. Miller, William H. Bailey and Christy Spensberger. Other named
defendants were Travel Services Inc., Funseekers Vacations Inc. and Royal Palms
Travel. According to state investigators, Royal Palms Travel and a related
entity, All Inclusive Excursions, unlawfully misled potential customers and
relied upon improper high-pressure sales tactics to sell worthless travel club memberships.

The defendants scheme in this case closely resembles other
unlawful travel scams that the Office of the Attorney General has shut down in
recent years. The states court documents show that the defendants lured
customers to sales presentations by offering free trips, airline tickets even
gasoline. However, seminar attendees were informed that their free trips and
tickets were contingent upon paying a deposit and submitting receipts for
vouchers or rebates. Customers also discovered that the free trips were
subject to restrictions that rendered them effectively worthless.

The defendants urged other prospective customers to join Sealand Travel Club, which
claimed to provide significant discounts and the lowest prices for travel. The
states enforcement action reveals those claims were false and thus unlawful,
and that Sealand is an unincorporated shell company existing in name only. The
defendants routed Sealand memberships they sold customers to a mail drop at a
UPS office in Kansas City, Mo. In turn, Travel Services Inc., a Delaware
corporation also known as Funseekers Vacations Inc., received the forwarded
Sealand memberships at an office in Litchfield, Ill.

Sealand charged its members from $2,000 to $8,000, but customers received little or nothing of
value, as they were unable to book travel at lower prices than they could find
without the Sealand membership. Thus, prices under the Sealand banner were no
more discounted than ordinary prices quoted on the Internet.

To prevent further unlawful conduct and prevent additional Texans from being harmed, the
attorney general is seeking a temporary injunction that will extend the
temporary restraining order the court granted today. The Office of the Attorney
General is also seeking civil penalties of up to $20,000 for each instance the defendant violated the DTPA.

Because Travel Services Inc. unlawfully failed to obtain a certificate of authority for conducting business from the
Texas Secretary of State, the attorney general also charged the defendant with
violating the Business Organization Code a violation that renders the
defendant liable for franchise taxes from 2008 through 2010.

Texans who believe they have been deceived by similar fraudulent business practices are
encouraged to call the Office of the Attorney Generals toll-free complaint line
at (800) 252-8011 or file a complaint online at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov.

UPDATE: On August 12, 2010, the 162nd District Court in Dallas entered an agreed judgment against Royal
Palms Travel, Inc. also known as All Inclusive Excursions and Adrian D. Miller.
The judgment provides for a permanent injunction and monetary remedies against these defendants.

On April 11, 2011 an agreed judgment was entered
against Travel Services, Inc. At that time, William H. Bailey and Christy
Spensberger were dismissed from the suit, and were not part of the final
judgment. The final judgment provides for a permanent injunction against this defendant.

You say we could save money if we just tried to use the service.. After reading this, and all the information I have discovered.  Do you really expect me to trust you or these people when it appears to be the same scam.  The only difference is you are the Royal Palms of St. Thomas. and instead of selling SeaLand Travel Club Memberships you are selling Island Trader.  Anyone looking at the websites will see that all of the Travel Services Inc websites offer the same travel deals that the Texas case proved offered no better deals than people could find on their own..

Stop the scam and quit ripping people off.

How very ironic for you to call anyone a liar or to label them as pathetic. As I said before, I believe this information is relevant because it shows that you have a long history of consumer complaints and investigations by law enforcement. Although I doubt that anyone who has already paid money to Divine Destinations will ever see it again (or see much value from their "membership"), I hope that this information can warn others before it's too late.

By the way,  I suspected that you'd change your LinkedIn page after being exposed so I made a copy of it first. You do know that hastily removing that information is very suspicious, right?

More about Caribbean Fun Stays

July 2009 - "Police said they are investigating if that company rented office space at a King of Prussia location and offered those incredible deals with no intentions on making good. Federal and local police sources said the company is Caribbean Fun Stays. Sources said it's under investigation for taking advantage of dozens of area people looking for vacation deals."

 
Link to Article
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/More_People_Come_Forward_Following_Vacation_Scam_Investigation.html

Unfortunately, this probably won't be the last ripoff report associated with you or Divine Destinations. In case it's useful to anyone in the future here was the original Jureidini LinkedIn information about his roles at Caribbean Fun Stays which he removed since my most recent comment.

---

Managing Member/Project Director
Caribbean Fun Stays
January 2008 June 2009 (1 year 6 months)

Co-Owner
St Thomas
January 2008 June 2009 (1 year 6 months)

Co-Owner
Caribbean Funstays
September 2007 December 2007 (4 months)

* Was hired as a Project Director and managing member of LLC in King of Prussia.
* Opened St Thomas office in January of 2008. Was one of 2 dual signatories on all bank accounts.
* Closed St Thomas in March of 2009 and opened Puerto Rico Office in March of 2009.
* Set up all Governmental and company paperwork and negotiated every contract from leasing to marketing.
* Set up an entire new program. Hired new staff, brought in new vendors and experienced closers, handled re-training of current staff.
* Provided sales and training manuals (which I wrote) and a scripted podium presentation.
* Provided new, airtight contracts on an Excel platform.
* Implemented a new podium presentation and began development of PowerPoint presentation.
* Handled closing, podium presentations, motivational meetings, staffing and day-to-day operations.

My LinkedIn page says nothing like that at all. Stop making things up. You really are pathetic.

Read your own LinkedIn page. It says you worked for Caribbean Funstays and were "hired as a Project Director and managing member of LLC in King of Prussia", Pennsylvania. It goes on to say you later opened offices in the USVI and Puerto Rico. Was it a coincidence that those offices were open after law enforcement started investigating the King of Prussia office?

Thanks for the correction on the Holiday Connections lawsuit. I don't have the experience with the criminal justice system that you do, but I definitely want to be truthful and accurate. The NJ Attorney General filed a lawsuit against you and your companies. Whether or not you were exonerated is unknown (you could have just fled the state, for example), but what is known are the ripoff reports that are associated with that company. Nobody needs to take my word for it, just search this site.

Ed joined our program on November 30th, 2012. Ever since then, he has done everything he can to cancel and get his money back.We have tried repeatedly to come to some agreement with him, but to no avail. He has accused us of everything under the sun. He tried to dispute this with his credit card company. HIS CREDIT CARD COMPANY SIDED WITH US.

He continues to make wild allegations and continues to be uncomprimising. Let me tell you what he hasnt done.....HE HAS NEVER TRIED TO USE THE SERVICE. He can only speak of what he's read and what he thinks is going on. And he continues to use inflammatory language describing us as a "slick operation".

We are still here to service him. He will still save alot of money on his travel if he books through his membership.

So let me answer his allegations......

A) We are waiting on a "tax clearance" letter to renew our license. This is very common down here. NOTHING moves quickly here. I pestered our accoutant about it this morning and he wrote back "If I could make the Government work quicker here, I would". Ed would have you think this was "sinister" in nature. The truth is I applied for renewal in January and I'm still waiting. Welcome to the Caribbean.....nothing goes quickly here.

B) Travel Services allows distributors to sell their memberships all over the Country. What Ed refers to as "Shell Companies" is actually called "Private labelling". "Travel Services" is not a catchy name. For example, we plan to sell in the Caribbean.....so we had our memeberships called "Island Trader Vacations". Nothing sinister......just good marketing.

C) Several Employees here wanted to get paid directly through their own LLCs for tax purposes. I helped them open these LLCs. Their paychecks go directly to their LLCs......"Flywinkie LLC" and "Moore for your vacations LLC". There are actually 2 more that he did not mention. Again, nothing sinister....just a smart business move for tax pruposes. And it makes payroll sooooo much easier!

D) Travel Services had distributors get shut down in Wisconsin and Texas. It wasnt Travel Services that got shut down, but their distributors. Unfortunately, Travel Services was dragged into both of these messes. Travel Services has since tightened up several areas of their operations to avoid these problems in the future. And they operate in mulitple states now......including Texas.

E) Regarding Michigan Law......Ed is from Canada. I've tried to explain to him that Michigan Law does not apply to a contract signed with a USVI Company, while the signers were in the USVI. He's still not understanding this. His credit card company understood this......which is why they sided with us when he disputed his charge.

Again, nothing sinister in the way we conduct business. And we have a great program that will save you (and Ed) alot of money.....as long as you use it.

Steve......it's funny that a guy, who just got fired for smoking crack and drinking on the job, wants to say "It raises the question of your credibility". Yes, a crack head is questioning my credibility. NOW I can truly say that I've heard it all.



Regarding Holiday Connections, It DOES not say "Charges were filed". That would indicate that an arrest was made and that this was a felony. It was not. So now you're just making things up.



This was a civil matter. It was a simple investigation, followed by a lawsuit by the Attorney General. Holiday Connections was exonerrated. That's why there is no follow up article......because there was nothing to report after that. The initial press release was found to be false, as far as Holiday Connections was concerned. I cannot speak about what happened to the other companies.



AGAIN, none of this has anything to do with the complaint by the lady above. Except that you're tryin g to smear my name.



As for "Caribbean Funstays"......I did own "Caribbean Fun Stays LLC" of "ST THOMAS, USVI". I never worked for the Caribbean Fun Stays" in Pennsylvania, as you claim.



AGAIN, a guy who got fired for drug use is just "making things up" now in an effort to smear my name.



Youre bordering on being pathetic, Steve.

Beware Divine Destination selling Vacation Club Memberships to Island Trader Vacations.  Island Trader Vacations is one of many shell company names used by Travel Services Inc who services all the different club names sold all over the country.  Look up Funseekers Vacation Club, Bona Vita Global, Coconut Club Vacations, Voyager Vacation Club, Tradewinds Vacation Club, Castaways Vacation Club, Getaways that give.  They use the same website, the same company info, the same promotional info, but they all go to the same company, Travel Services Inc.  Look up Travel Services Inc in Texas.  They settled, but were shut down by the Texas Attorney General. They are now dealing with the Wisconsin Attorney General.

Divine Destinations has also not been approved for their business license renewal by the St. Thomas Buruea of Conumer Affairs and Licensing. You may call the Bureau to check for yourself and the reason why.  They now appear to be operating at the same location under either Flywinkie LLC or Moore For Your Vacations LLC which are newly approved licenses for the same business of selling vacation club memberships.  The license for Flywinkie LLC lists Chelsea Fly as the owner.  She processed our paperwork for Divine Destinations when we were there in February.  This is a very slick operation and it appears to run like Royal Palms in Texas did as the front end distributor for the different vacation club names operated by Travel Services Inc. a Delaware Corporation in Greenville DE.  They get you to sign a no cancellation waiver which should be the first indication to get up and walk out.  The paperwork indicates Michigan Law is Applicable and Binding but Divine Destinations says that only applies to Island Trader Vacations when we brought it to their attention that Michigan Law requires a 3 day cancellation provision for memberships of this type.  I hope this report helps protect consumers from this group and their various business names.  I am sure the company will have a slick answer to try and discredit this report, but I found all this information out on the internet so I am sure you can too.  Just remember that this company sells memberships to a vacation club it does not have any liability for their performance once you have given them your money and if you read the documents they provide clearly, you will see that for yourselves.

This information is relevant because it raises the question of your credibility as a representative of Divine Destinations or any other company, especially a travel services company.

Regarding Holiday Connections, the details can be found in a press release from the NJ Department of Law and Public Safety at http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/press/luxury.htm. The press release says charges were files and specifically names Jureidini as the owner and/or principal of two of the companies charged. According to the press release. "consumers were defrauded out of more than $750,000 paid for vacation travel accommodations and services. After receiving payment for their services, the complaint alleges that the defendants ceased operations and ran off with consumers money without delivering the services they aggressively peddled to consumers. "

Regarding Carribean Fun Stays (AKA Carribean Funstays), Jureidini's own LinkedIn page describes his role to be a co-owner. It also describes roles as Project Director and managing member of LLC in King of Prussia (Pennsylvania!). According to the NBC report I referenced in an earlier entry, "law enforcement sources said there is an ongoing investigation into Caribbean Fun Stays, a company that sold vacation packages for thousands of dollars and then closed its doors abruptly, leaving customers outraged."

Buyer beware.

Steve,

Again, you should be concentrating on your drug and alcohol problems. I suggest a drug & alcohol treatment program.

And I know you're upset that we withheld your last paycheck because you grossly violated your contact. We needed that to cover the costs of your airfare and housing, since you could not stay the 90 days as prescribed by your contract. Your drug & alcohol issues are not our problem. Again, you need to look into the mirror and realize that you are your own worst problem.

And I'm not sure what this has to do with the above client, who wanted to cancel because she was pregnant and we would not let her

But, for the sake of my clients......I'll respond to these allegations.

A) I did work in St Maarten for 3 months, for 2 companies, both owned by the same man named "Fred Slagle". He owed me $20,000. Rather than pay me, he chose to have me arrested for not having the "work papers" that he was supposed to file on my behalf. That company was "World Presidential Travel". And I agree with Steve Ingram......Fred Slagle and his companies were a bunch of crooks. Which is why I left and asked for my $20,000. I later had to sue him in court for the money, along with several other individuals.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE COMPLAINT ABOVE.....OTHER THAN AN ATTEMPT BY A DISGRUNTLED, CRACKED OUT EX-EMPLOYEE (NAMED STEVE INGRAM) TO SMEAR MY NAME.

B) 30 years ago, as a teenager, I did get a drug charge. I was 18-19 when this all took place. I'm 47 now. Stupid teenagers make stupid mistakes.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE COMPLAINT ABOVE.....OTHER THAN AN ATTEMPT BY A DISGRUNTLED, CRACKED OUT EX-EMPLOYEE (NAMED STEVE INGRAM) TO SMEAR MY NAME.

C) I did work for a company called "Holiday Connections" over 15 years ago. It was not "my company" as Steve Ingram alleges, I was an employee. I already admitted above, that this happened. However, the Attorney General "did not file charges against them for travel fraud". No such statute exists in NJ. These companies were investigated. Holiday Connections was exonerrated. End of story.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE COMPLAINT ABOVE.....OTHER THAN AN ATTEMPT BY A DISGRUNTLED, CRACKED OUT EX-EMPLOYEE (NAMED STEVE INGRAM) TO SMEAR MY NAME.

D) I never worked for a company called Caribbean Fun Stays in Pennsylvania. That has nothing to do with me.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE COMPLAINT ABOVE.....OTHER THAN AN ATTEMPT BY A DISGRUNTLED, CRACKED OUT EX-EMPLOYEE (NAMED STEVE INGRAM) TO SMEAR MY NAME.

Again, we stand by the program that we sell here. And any of my clients may call me at the number above, at any time if they need assistance.

Search for a story "Allegations of violence and police corruption in timeshare operation" published in the The Daily Herald (St. Maarten). The article states that Jureidini was arrested by St. Maarten police. This sounds like a "clash" to me.

Jureidini's company, Holiday Connections, in New Jersey wasn't just investigated. The Attorney General filed charges against them and eight other companies for travel fraud.

Another of Jureidini's companies, Carribean Fun Stay, in Pennsylvania was being investigated for travel fraud before it was quickly shut down and Jureidini left the state (allegedly with his customer's money). Search for a NBC news report from Harry Hairston in 2008 for more details.

World Presidential Travel (AKA World Vacations) in St. Maarten has had a long history of fraud and corruption accusations. Several of the employees were convicted travel industry felons. Jureidini was managing the place. There's a long term trend here.

Also search for a federal case (846 F.2d 964) where a John A. Jureidini of Northern Virginia was convicted (pled guilty) of distributing more than 1 kg of cocaine (it was 28.5 kg). It's obviously unrelated to travel fraud but if this is the same guy, it is further evidence of a criminal history.

Steve Ingram, an OPC, was fired yesterday (3-4-13) from Divine Destinations. He was fired for;

A) Smoking Crack Cocaine in a company leased house.
B) Drinking alcohol while working.
C) Missing work on Saturday
D) General disruptive and disrespective behavior.

This was his last text message that he posted to me today at 3:30pm;

"(1/2) Lose my number punk i will share your Ballessness with what is now your
team but will soon be mine noone trust you john gee i wonder why have you ever

(2/2) Go6gled yourself you might want to

Sent from my iPhone"
So I guess Steve Ingram chose to focus on issues that dont really apply here, instead of focusing on his addiction to crack cocaine. Not only were his roommates repulsed by his habit, but I had to pay our cleaner extra, because his room was so filthy from cigarette ashes that he was using to smoke crack cocaine. Steve Ingarm was apparently smoking crack cocaine last night, after he was fired.

As for his allegations, I'm not sure what he's talking about. I did work for a Company in St Maarten. But it was for 3 months only. I was an employee and I had to sue this company for $20,000.00 that they owed me. I'm not sure how that is criminal or a "clash with law enforcement".

I work for a company in NJ 15 years ago that got investigated by the Attorney General, along with 6 other companies. Nothing ever came of the investigation because no wrong doing could be proven.

Further, I am not the "Owner" of Divine Destinations. I am an officer of the company.....meaning that I was able to fire Steve Ingram for smoking crack cocaine in a company leased apartment.

I hope that Steve Ingram will get himself enrolled in a drug treatment program and I wish him well.

John Jureidini, listed as owner of Divine Destinations VI on whitepages.com, has a long history of dubious business practices and travel industry-related clashes with law enforcement. The most recent problems were in St. Maarten (World Presidential Travel). Do a Google search for "John Jureidini scam" or "John Jureidini crime" (without quotes) or similar terms to learn more details.

This is John again, from Divine Destinations.

When I had my telephone discussion with Mrs Abbott, the only thing that was discussed was that she wanted to cancel and get a refund because she was pregnant. She never said anything about using our services or NOT being able to use our services. The only things that we discussed were;

A) That I would not let her cancel and

B) That she was going to report us to the Better Business Bureau and

C) That she would dispute this with her credit card

D) And finally, that she would write bad things about us on the internet.

Now I guess that when she got to writing about us on this website/blog, she figured that she needed something stronger than "I want to to cancel because I'm pregnant, and they are bad people because they wouldn't let me". So this is where she added the other embellished comments/accusations. 

Now her assertion that we lure people in with "vacations that are not run by them"? That is very true. We are a discount travel membership company. We don't OWN the cruise lines, hotels, resorts, attraction ticket services, package operators or excusrsion companies that we get our discounted travel from. So of course, any vacation that we get you will be run by other companies, and not Divine Destinations.

I hope that this clears up any confusion. And again, any member can reach me at my cell phone here in St Thomas at 340-690-3760 (or call the office at 340-774-8128) if they ever have any concerns or need extra attention.

Thank you.

Mrs Abbott joined our program on December 5th, 2012. She called after Christmas and talked to Sabrina and told her she would like to cancel because she found out on Christmas that she was pregnant. Sabrina informed her that she could not cancel. Further, Mrs Abbott had signed a document informing her that she could not cancel.

This was not good enough for her, so she asked to speak to her sales representative Chaz. Chaz informed her of the exact same thing. Again, this was not good enough, so she asked to speak to me (John), since I am the Project Director here and the final authority. So, she was not "bounced from person to person" as she claimed. She just didnt get the answer she wanted and kept asking for someone else.

I called her back yesterday (Jan. 3rd). I was extremely cordial. She asked to cancel because she was pregnant and I told her she could not. She then said she would report me to the Better Business Bureau and dispute this with her credit card. I told her it was her perogative to do so, but that "being pregnant" was not going to be an acceptable reason to dispute this with her credit card company, so they probably wouldnt let her. 

I also added that I wasn't sure what she was going to tell the Better Business Bureau either. Her addition to her Family would not let her out of other financial obligations....so I'm not sure why she would report us for being just like all the other companies.

She then said that she would write bad things about us on the internet. Again, I told her that was her perogative to do so. She has kept her word by writing on this website, moments after we hung up. My only option is to respond and she's STILL not getting a refund or cancellation.

And unlike her claim that we are "not easy to deal with", in reality we are very easy to deal with. She was able to talk to 3 different people (over the Holidays) and several people at our corporate office. However, any questions or concerns by our members can be addressed by me at any time. My cell number is 340-690-3760.

She has received all of her materials. And she could book any travel she wanted immediately by just calling the corporate office. And in fact, she has called that office to make inquiries. So her claims that she "had not been able to use our services they claim because material has not been sent" is also false.

It takes 10-14 days to receive your materials. Hers were sent to her already and she could have made a reservation at any point by calling our toll free number.

It is true that we "lure" people in with gifts. Some are actually "free", like lunch vouchers or shopping vouchers. Some require minor fees that are disclosed to potential clients before they come in. She calls it "lure".....I call it marketing.

And it is true that we offer sodas, water, orange juice, mimosas, beer & wine as refreshments while they are here. It's hot down here and these folks are on vacation. The least we can do for having them come into our office is to offer refreshments. These are free. If it happens to "loosen you up for the sales pitch" as she wrote.....OK. Nobody is forcing anyone to drink while they are on vacation.

Despite her embellished accusations, we are still here to serve her vacation needs. And she can call me at any time to discuss her vacation needs in the future. Just like all of our other clients, we are happy to serve them.