We received in the mail an "Official Document", an "Award Notification" for two round trip Arline Tickets worth up to $ 1,298 including a number to call to validate the claim. The notice included a note: "This is not a timeshare or land sales offer". When I inquired about specifics when I called the number given: 866-568-6354 I was invited to make a reservation for listening to a presentation by a travel agency who would hope we would use them for travel plans in the future. The agency name was not given.
Since we needed to go to Lexington anyway we agreed to go. Reservation Services International (RSI) had rented rooms at the Clarion Hotel in Lexington KY. We and six (or so) other couples were paired up with a representative. We were then treated to a skillful, fast-talking presentation including lovely pictures. Then we were offered a membership this day only for @ $ 9,999. And yes, there was some candy on the table.
Paired up with "our" sweet-talking, soft-spoken representative again we were offered various packages, scribbled on an 8 x 10 piece of paper. I felt it was all rather vague and requested a brochure detailing services provided, conditions, etc., in other words, exactly what we would get for this hefty amount of money.
Charles, our representative told us that the brochures were reserved for those who bought the memberships. He did flash a copy for us to look at but never handed it over.
We told him that we needed time to think about it and he retorted that this meant "NO" and the "membership drive" would last only another day and that the membership purchased at any other time would cost $ 12,995.
Since we are not easily scammed we said a polite good bye. But I am pretty certain that this is just what we think it is - a scam. We will find out exactly what the so-called two 'free" airline tickets will really amount to.
Stay tuned.
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