A representative of Global Vacation Network contacted me via phone in early February. The caller indicated that they wished to offer my wife and I an opportunity to be shown a unique travel concept, and that for merely attending a 90-minute presentation, we would be guaranteed free airfare and accomodations to one of 4 locations (Orlando, Las Vegas, Reno, or Anaheim), AND a coupon worth $40 for gas.
I was told that Global Vacation Network had determined it to be more cost-effective to use these types of promotions than traditional advertising methods, and that is how they could afford to provide the free airfare and lodging. They did require that we meet a minimum household income level.
I told the caller that it sounded intriguing, but that due to prior commitments, we couldn't attend during the evenings they were offering the presentations. I was then told that they could reserve a spot for us the following week, but that these were limited. Due to an unexpected snowstorm which occurred on the night scheduled, we did not attend. They called the next day and offered to reschedule the following evening, which we did.
We drove the 35 minutes to Ann Arbor and arrived at the "office". The receptionist took our confirmation number we had been given over the phone and gave us a questionaire to be completed, which we did. We saw perhaps 4-6 other couples while we were there. Unlike them, however, we did not recieve a presentation, per se.
We were escorted into a small office where the representative explained the program and what was available. Finally, she explained that the cost was about $12,000, but we HAD to sign a contract at that time! She said the "law" required them to offer another package, which did not provide nearly the same amenities. When I asked if we could go home and discuss it, I was told, "No".
Then, another man whom our saleslady claimed was her "boss" entered the room and proceeded to make 3 alternative offers, each with slightly less options and each for slightly less money. Yes, they offered financing packages, but those would cost us more. They wanted access to our checking or savings account, or a major credit card.
I briefly conferred with my wife in private and told her this was not such a great deal, especially when factoring in the maintenance fees annually. Therefore, we declined and requested our free travel vouchers. We had not been told that we would have to submit anything, or that there would be additional fees, other than any applicable taxes.
We were given a form to be filled out which we were told to mail to the address listed. We did this. It took about 6 weeks to receive a packet from them, postmarked in Pennsylvania. However, the letter enclosed reflected their corporate offices in Clearwater, Florida and Spirit Incentives in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Further, it required us to complete and submit ANOTHER set of registration forms within a time frame.
Upon doing this, it indicated that we would then be sent vouchers which could THEN be used to book travel... AFTER we provided them with a $50 deposit. The hoops we would have to jump through in order to utilize the four $10 certificates for gasoline were even more arduous.
My suggestion is that if it sounds too good to be true, then that is probably the case. This appears to be nothing more than a high-pressure pitch to get folks to commit significant dollars immediately. Their "free vacation" is hardly free, and appears designed to deter anyone from using it. I am thankful that we were wary enough NOT to give them any money. I can only imagine how hard it might be to get any type of service or satisfaction from them once they have your money. Please beware!
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