After receiving a postcard in the mail from "Suncoast Travel" for a free 5 day cruise we telephoned the number on the card, were made an appointment and told to expect to spend 60 minutes. We went to the scheduled meeting to receive a free 5 day cruise. Upon arrival we were placed in a room with a projection system and charts which were to enlighten us of a company called "United Vacation Network". Twice I raised my hand to ask a question only to be told "I'll get to you later", which never happened. Then the sales bomb began... An agent for every couple in the room decended upon us to sell us this "new" concept in discount traveling. During the presentation we were told that United Vacation Network "bought blocks of weeks" from various company's which was how they were able to offer us such low prices. They did not tell us about hidden costs associated with the booking of packages not do they allow you the time to calculate the lack of savings you receive by participating in this program. The huge one time fee coupled with the sizeable annual fee and hidden fees with each booking hardly make this "lower prices" than you can find on your own on line or even through a travel agent. They showed us a directory of resorts offered... Only to find that the directory belonged to "Interval International" and United Vacation Network put a cover page of their own on it. Please note "Interval International" was not one of the associated companys shown us during the presentation. The associated companys were: ARDA (timeshare); CARE (still can't figure this one out);CLIA (crusie);IATAN (recognition of travel agents);ASTA (American society of travel agents);ARC (airline ticket distribution);and IATA (trade assoc. Representing and serving the airline industry). The have you sign a paper that you were not under duress for this purchase however they rush you through, at one point instructing us to just fill in the blanks all Yes except number 4 where you write no... Which refers to financial burden and sign.
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