Vacation Plan Scam Travel To Go - Rocky Hill, CT
I purchased a Vacation Plan on 3/31/05 from Ameri-World Group, 845 Brook Street, Rocky Hill CT 06067 for $4,995.00. I've submitted complaints with the BBB here in CT and in CA, I've also filed a complaint with CT state Consumer Protection (Sr.investigator Patricia Brown). This has gone all the way the the State Attorney's office on Elm Street in Hartford. Yet have not not received any updates or refund.
I attended a sales presentation for the Travel To Go Travel Club in Rocky Hill, CT on March 31. The presentation was about 60 minutes and highlighted that there are three levels of membership of course the more expensive membership which I purchased would provide a total of 4 8day/7night luxury (4 to 5 star) accommodations (travel expenses not included) to destinations around the world per year to the VIP members. The vacations could be gifted/willed to family and friends or sold. There is a yearly membership renewal fee $147.00. The 8 day/7night vacations could be combined to be taken in any combination as long as the stay does not exceed 30 days and there were accommodations available. The luxury accommodations available: studio (sleeps 2), one bedroom (sleeps 4) or two bedroom (sleeps 6 to 8) condos/townhouses. Depending on size of accommodation the cost of each 8 day/7 night vacation would range from $199 - $299. I was also told that membership included the following additional benefits:
40% to 70% discount on hotels
40% to 70% discount on rental cars
40% to 70% discount on airfare
Discounts at specific restaurants (Percentage varies by facility)
40% to 70% discount on cruises
Weekly specials called “Hot weeks” which are last minute 8 day 7 night accommodations to locations like the Bahamas, Jamaica, Hawaii, etc. From $199 for travel within 14 days.
Unlimited mini-vacations 3 days/2nights
10% off RV Rentals
Member only discounts on Attraction Tickets
Travel Insurance
During the presentation we were told that the VIP package was only available that evening and would be offered to one couple/guess for half-off; therefore, we were encouraged to consider the benefits and be aware that the offer would be given to the first person to raise their hand. The membership as it was describe sounded reasonable and half off made it affordable. So I raised my hand and was assigned to Clarence to review payment plans/option. I leather binder of the benefits and conditions of the vacation plan were passed around and we were given a few minutes to peruse it. I purchased the VIP package for $4,995.00. My credit/debit card was taken and I was asked to sign the receipt as well as a couple other documents. One of which included a release stating that I cannot simply change my mind about my purchase and request a refund. At the time I thought the release was a bit strange since a single 8 day/7 night vacation to Hawaii could cost me the same amount of money if not more. I was given a leather bound three ring binder that I was told contained all the information I would need to schedule and enjoy my vacations.
I contacted customer service/reservations at 1-800-477-6331 in April (discounts on Disney, Universal, and Sea World Tickets), May, and Jun, (discounts on weekend stay in the Poconos) and July (discounts available for airfare and hotel accommodations from Hartford, CT to Las Vegas, NV, as well as, airfare from Hartford, CT to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico). The prices quoted by VIP member services were all significantly higher than prices I found on the Internet. I attempted to locate deals on the VIP website (vipvacationplan.com) as well, and the packages available were also significantly higher than vacations and airfare available on the internet. Summary of the attached more recent examples include:
The following examples were accessed via the vipvactionplan.com and Travelocity via Yahoo.com on 9/29/05 the actual print-outs are enclosed.
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