Holiday Travel Of America For Shell Vacations Timeshare Travel Scammers will not return calls; dates for "free" travel never available Carlsbad California

This company works with Shell Vacations. They have booths at art and wine festivals and they call you over with an offer of a free trip to Hawaii.

My friend and I signed up to attend their presentation in Napa, which took 2 hours each way to get to. In return for sitting through the presentation, we were promised each a trip for two to Hawaii.

I got my information, gave 3 alternate dates 3 weeks apart in July and August, leaving on Tuesday and arriving back home on a Thursday, paid the $100 deposit, and sent everything in. (I had been hoping to upgrade the T-Th schedule for a reasonable price.)

After several tries to get through to a live human, I was quoted additional nights for Oahu at approximately $350 per night. The Maui upgrade was about $500 per night. Knowing that I could book a room on my own for much cheaper, I said just give me the 2-night deal.

There was no contact after that. I was told that I needed to call them to confirm my dates. After several tries, waiting on hold, and unreturned emails, I finally got through and was told those dates weren't available. They said they set me up with the August 4-6 date.

Around July 25, I realized I still hadn't received plane tickets or any information so I called again, waited on hold, then emailed that I want a response or I would report them to Ripoff Report and the BBB. Someone emailed me to contact them which I did. That person told me those dates weren't available, would I like to choose some more? I said I just want my $100 back.

They did send me my money back in a timely manner, and they don't owe me anything. I'm filing this report because I just wanted people to know not to deal with this company.

Travel Girl
San Jose, California
U.S.A.