My Husband and I caved in and purchased a low cost "59.00" vacation and agreed to attend an informational seminar. We did, and easily said no to the Fractional. We rarely have the time or money to go on Vacations anyway. They immediately invited us back for Quality Control, they promised to pay us 60.00.instead of a survey for Quality control, we got another pitch, only this time for H S I (Holiday Systems International). However this was sold to us more so as a business opportunity. We were told travel agents are wanting the program, in order to offer better rates to clients. We were told we could purchase a $5.00 1-800 number from Best Buy (can not), and list their reduced vacations (60 days and less) on E-Bay, and Craigslist etc. The presenter claimed his father was was doing this and making $1,000.00's.
We were ultimately sold a "Taste of Paradise" package that included 2 breakaway weeks per month and unlimited Burn weeks... (and all the other benefits). This was for about $3,000.00.891.00 down and the rest financed. Regretably, we took the bait. We were given a binder and paperwork and told the membership card with account number so we could access "burn weeks", would be sent within 7-10 days. That time period came and went, then we receive a bill! I called H S I, they had no record of us. When I told her where I joined she said oh, they were slow in forwarding applicatioons, and had yet to send ours in.
Within a couple of days we had our membership number, but as they were reviewing our plan, I found out we had been mislead...
1. Our package was for 10 breakaway weeks over 25 years...???
(I faxed our contract whch states 2 breakaway weeks/year for %years... They said they leave that blank because there is no year restriction).
2. H S I does not allow the burn weeks to be marketed online... (why did they use that as the MAIN selling point?)
3. We do not already have the breakaway weeks, we only get ab option to PURCHASE??? (pay the maintenace fee... Usually 550.00 and up PLUS a $100.00 "booking fee".
4. We can not trade a breakaway week in for a discounted Hotel rate... However their Hotel rates are not that cheap... Their "guaranteed in writing" is only for rates listed online on the Hotels site. (they are cheaper then that... (who pays the rack rate anyway). Most of the Hotels listed were Comfort Inn, Holiday Inn, etc... 2-3* top... Their rates ranged from $100.00 and up! I never pay that amount.
These are only a few examples, there are more!
At that time I asked how I can "get out of this deal". She said to call the resort. I havenow tried for over a week and left 25 messages at least. Their "business" bunber foes to a cell phones voicemail. H S I claims this is not their doing, and not their problem.
*WARNING DO NOT PURCHASE HSI IT DOES NOT SAVE*
*Branson's Nantucket will LIE!!! *
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