I received a postcard in the mail stating that a company was trying to reach me. Not much info was given except to call a 1-800 before 8:00 pm daily. The words "United" was printed on the post card and free airplane tickets were for two were supposedly issued in my name. So, I made the call and found out that the offer was connected to Beachcombers vacations. Upon pre-qualifying and telling them I was married, I was told that both my husband and I had to attend.
So we made an appt. For 6:00 P.M. And was told to come 15 minutes early. We showed up on time, showed the receptionist that we have major credit cares and ushered to a small room where other couples were waiting. We waited ~ 15 minutes until we were assigned to a young, rosy cheek man.
The other six couples were also paired off with someone who sat directly acrossed from them at their assigned table. Then the presentation began. A young nicely dressed man (in his late 20's, early 30's) began his speel. He had a wipe board and began quizzing us couples about our favorite destinations. He then told us that Beachcombers was a full service travel agency who offer wholesale packages for airfare; resorts, hotels and cruises.
That Beachcombers was a vendor for "Castaways" who have been in business since 1985. The presentation dragged on for 90 minutes and the young salesman delilvered a convincing performance telling us how much $ we could save with this company. Mind you, no video clips of the fabulous places were ever depicted, just this handsome's young man's word that a place like Playa del Carmen, Mexica (4 days & airfare) could be had for $427.00 a piece for their members.
Oh, but this wonderful discount will only cost you $9,473 for a 10 year, non-transferable membership. Lucky us, if we acted that night, we could get unlimited resort weeks, unlimited travel, air, rental cars, cruises, hot weeks and a family plan of 8 for only $7,500 before we are to pay ala cart for these trips. Wait a minute, it got better. A tan, middle aged man wearing a Hawaiian shirt with slicked back dark hair would lower the price to $4,995 if we only wanted 2 weeks and not unlimited and we could be lifetime members (yeah until the company folds).
By that time, all my husband and I wanted to do was get our tickets and go to dinner! Guess what??? Our free airline tickets turned out to be an 8x10 colored brochure from a company called "Worldwide Travel Center". We have only 21 days to send them a $100 ($50 a piece) Money order to reserve our spot to an unknown destination for 2 nights that can only be used on Tuesdays, and cannot take place 7 days before nor 7 days after ALL Major Holidays! Well isn't that special?
Reducing my vacation time to only 34 possible weeks. If that isn't laughable, read all the reports about folks who followed Worldwide's instructions to the T, only to be hung up on, or made to go through more frustrating, idiotic, insulting hoops.
Bottom line - Go to dinner, choose your destination via the internet, research it on TripAdvisor and book it through expedia; travelocity; priceline; hotwire on any other reputable service! At least you'll know that you have a real place to go to at the time of your choosing!
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