Leisure Time - Mini Vacations Club ripoff fraudulent travel club steals your money and doesn't deliver the goods promised Sarasota, Florida

*UPDATE.. Rip-off Report Investigation: Grand Incentives Grand Getaways - Jose Martinez hero and not the villain. Rip-off Report knows this first hand because of all of those consumers they assisted when Mini Vacations went out of business, Jose Martinez proved himself to be a man of integrity and a man of his word. Rip-off Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program,..A program that benefits the consumer, assures them of complete satisfaction and confidence when doing business with a member business.

My husband and I bought into a bogus travel club. This club (through the presentation) told us to expect and actually showed us supposed savings on trips to various parts of the world as well as great savings on timeshares. We were called to attend their presentation with the promise of a free trip with no obligation to purchase. The deal sounded too good to pass up. So, we like fools forked over $5,274.00 to join in December of 2004.

Since then we have taken one trip to Alaska - at a great price but only because they quoted us a price exclusive of port charges and taxes, and agreed to accept the price quoted. We have also booked one cruise for a savings of $75.00.

I tried to book the free cruise vacation and was quoted a price for more than it would have cost me to book it through a regular travel agency. So instead I asked for a voucher for a week's timeshare. I'm still waiting on that voucher.

Okay, I'm stupid, so I renewed the membership for another two years, thinking I'll give it a try - why let the $5,000+ go to waste. They gave me a two-year discounted membership renewal for $275.00 and included a certificate for gas reimbursement and a coupon for $50.00 to use toward a timeshare rental. To date, I filled out the form for the gas certificate and received that back with no forwarding address.

I did speak with a Nicole several times since February about getting a timeshare week for Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head for a week in July - They promise they'll get me something - not to worry. I call, they call me back, they have nothing, they will try again, I call, I call, I call. They give me a run-around and unless I call them I don't hear from them. Needless-to-say I don't have a week in July in Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head.

If nothing else, I would like to advise others to beware of the scammers out there. If it looks too good to be true - believe me - it is.

I would like at least l/2 of my initial payment back and all of the money I spent on the renewal. I doubt if that will happen. Criminals rarely confess to their misdeeds. They feed on the innocent and unsuspecting.

My husband and I are retired and while we are comfortable, we could have put that money toward real travel values. I have contacted a local news station who told me to report this to the Department of Agriculture. I'm not sure what this is about.

I saw the article from Tracy of Port Charlotte Florida - she is right on the money. Scott Morse is full of baloney as is his cohorts in this business.

If nothing else, lets put them out of business for once and for all.

Lois
New Port Richey, Florida
U.S.A.