We attended a presentation by Roark Vacation Travel Club on June 7 while in Branson, MO. And ended up purchasing a membership for $3,964 because it sounded like such a great deal and we have had in the past honesty from Mr. Gary W. Snadon. We were told we could go on vacations at huge discounts from 30 to 70 percent, which sounded great. During the presentation the salesperson, Stephanie West, stated that their representatives would beat any web prices on travel. Some of the examples shown were $900.00 to $1,800 for two to stay a week in Hawaii on the beach with beach front access. Or a round trip for two to Australia with a week in a condo for $3,600.00. That we could book a cruise with outside balcony cabins cheaper than non-members could get for an inside cabin ($850 to $900 for two). We were told at the presentation that it was easy to book on line or to call CRI and have them take care of the travel arrangements at rates that beat any other by 30 to 70 percent.
Stephanie West stated that the reason Roark could give us such prices is that they were giving us the vacation at their cost (wholesale) and the way they made money was by getting a kick-back from the cruise lines, plus the $99 yearly fee, plus the $3964 it cost us to sign up and dealing in volume bookings. Anyway, we feel that Stephanie West lied to us too. We were given a high pressure sales pitch.
We should have known it was a scam/fraud when the price dropped from $15,000 to $3,946 and we were upgraded to platinum, level 5.
However, after spending the week in Branson and arriving back home we tried to see if the Club was going to live up to the promises were made, as we were unable to get any information within the three day limit (the time in which we could cancel our membership). We were told we would have to have a membership number, which wasn't provided to us until well past the three days (Received a temporary membership number on June 14 from Roark Vacation Travel Club in Branson) and did not receive the permanent membership card until June 18.
We are being told one thing by Lingle Johnson, who is one of the men we dealt with in Branson and something entirely different by the booking agent at CRI. She stated that she does not know why they are telling us some of the things we are being told as they are not true.
There is no way that our money will be re-coupe traveling with Roark / CRI (Club Vacation Interval) as we were told by Stephanie West and Lingle Johnson.
By going to FREE web sites such as Priceline, Expiedia, Choice Rewards, Vacation rentals by owner or Trip Rewards we could meet or beat any deal that I could get with Roark. What did I pay over $3,900 for when I could do better for free? When I called them, I was told it was past the 3 day cancellation period and they could not void the contract. I was also told by Lingle Johnson that we needed to call CRI to book a vacation for the best price and not use the website. This is a complete opposite of what we were told at the presentation. Of course when you are traveling to Branson, they are counting on you to stay several days and by the time you get home, it is past the 3 day cancellation period so they have you.
Regardless of what rebuttal they present, the bottom line is this: I spent over $3,900 to get great vacations, at highly discounted rates (30 to 70 percent) only available through Roark Vacation Travel Club/CRI. However, with very little effort on the internet I can get the same or better deals on my own for free. Their presentation was very misleading at best, Roark Vacation Travel Club and Club Resorts Intervals are unable to deliver the service that was presented and sold, and is outright fraudulent. As of today, July 2, there has been no resolution.
0 comments