My wife and I are both pastors who attended 90 min. Presentation in SW Portland, Oregon on June 28 in response to a postcard invitation we received in the mail advertizing 2 free round trip air travel tickets.
During the presentation statements were made and a flashy presentation given about the "20 year history of this very reliable company that is registered as Vacation Inspirations LCC in Charleston, South Carolina." As the price offer kept dropping for great vacation locations throughout the world and in anticipation of our retirement, we decided to purchase their travel membership for approx. $3,500.
Shortly afterward our daughter contacted us to express her concern that this might be a rip-off so we contacted the Attorney General's Office in South Carolina and found they have no record of this company as an LCC as stated on the contract that we signed (a copy of which we have retained). We also have a written certificate from the Secretary of State of SC confirming the above.
Multiple calls to the company were evasive and Membership Services Director William Stenson to whom we were directed was very defensive and suggested we send a letter to their "board." So we mailed a certified letter requesting a full refund on August 6 along with a copy of the certificate of "no record" from the SC Secretary of State. On August 23 we received a written response from CEO Randy Gardner dated August 20 denying our request for a refund but saying nothing about our proof of fraudulent advertizing.
After a google search we have since found his name listed under "The Vacation Station" and have come upon this website and read the many complaints about this company which is an AKA for Vacation Inspirations and, Lord knows, how many other bogus travel companies.
As Vacation Inspirations has just recently moved into Oregon we want to shut them down before more people like us are scammed. We have contacted the Office of the Oregon Attorney General and issued a formal complaint. We will try to get a local Portland area television station to cover the story.
We are saddened that $3,500 of our hard-earned savings have been essentially stolen. We want to alert others - especially in Oregon - and would love to hear from people who would like to join us in devising creative, effective strategies to stop this fraudulent operation that especially preys on senior citizens!
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