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The Vacation Store
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Joanne
July 14, 2009
arthur
May 10, 2009
Buyer Be Ware
May 05, 2009
Reviews [4]
English
Not really THAT bad!!!
I went in having done my homework and knowing what to expect and it wasn't really that bad. I went because I had nothing else better to do, didn't mind a free meal, and figured i might get the bonus gift of 2 nights accommodation in Mont Tremblant. The meal wasn't fancy but it was fine - quite a few choices. The young man whom I was with was very pleasant; we talked about all kinds of things - because I wouldn't buy I was passed on to two other sales guys but once I told them that I like to stay in hostels that cost a whole lot less than what they were offering they backed right off. My one prize was accommodations in Florida which I won't be using, and the other was 2 nights in Mont Tremblant - but not everyone there got that - you had to have a certain # ??? I will likely be using that since i will be in the area anyways. I would never give $20,000 up front for something that I intend on using in the future. I'd rather invest my money and spend it bit by bit on the holidays I actually get to take. And I certainly don't stay in 4 and 5 star hotels which is what they claim to sell. So, not for me but might be OK for someone else if you can talk them down in price???? and have a bunch of money burning a hole in your pocket!!!
BEWARE of The Vacation Store, Resort Villas, Bona Vista Travel & Triad International
Scam Alert: Resort Villas (eresortvillas), The Vacation Store, Bona Vista Travel & Triad International
Hopefully this will help some other innocent people out there.
My family members were recently scammed by an unethical, although not illegal, group of companies, including THE RESORT VILLA, THE VACATION STORE, BONA VISTA TRAVEL and TRIAD INTERNATIONAL.
If you are dealing with these companies, pleae beware. A telemarketer contacts an innocent person by phone telling them they've won a trip and to bring their wife and credit card to an event in Woodbridge, Ontario. When they arrive, there is vacation music playing and smooth talking sales people doing a presentation. There's cheap food available for attendees as an incentive. Essentially, they pressure you into signing on-the-spot deals for a time-share-like scheme, but using what they call "points." These points are supposed to go toward discounted 5-star hotel stays world-wide, but with all the user fees, maintenance fees, incidentals and restrictions, you end up paying much more than you would have, had you booked a luxury package deal online or through a travel agent.
The presenters convince the audience of their authenticity by throwing in familiar names like "Bona Vista Travel" - note: this is NOT the reputable Bonavista Travel, rather a similarly named travel agency based in Woodbridge, Ontario. They also say it is certified by the Ontario government (as are most travel agencies).
While Resort Villas, The Vacation Store, Bona Vista Travel and Triad International (their associated financing company) are supposedly unrelated, they actually all reside and work out of the Woodbridge area. They have been in operation for over a decade because their contract is airtight and everything they do is legal. While participants think they will stay at hotels like the Ritz Carlton or other big name hotels, these are only advertised verbally in the presentation, but aren't in the actual contract you end up signing.
Also, while the contract does refer vaguely to "Article 25" on a pdf document on their website, it doesn't explicitly inform those who do end up signing that they have a 10-day period to cancel the contract according to Ontario law. IF YOU READ THIS BEFORE YOUR 10 DAYS ARE OVER (counting each day after the contract is signed), CANCEL IMMEDIATELY. We have spoken to a lawyer, and there is no other way out. They will go to court and win, and they will continue to do business, because they can. File a complaint with the Consumer Protection Agency in Ontario and let all your family and friends know, especially the elderly, so they too, are not innocently scammed.
While the salespeople offer 49,000 points, for instance, for about $17,000 dollars, I have read other stories from people scammed saying that when they first refused, the salespeople lowered the price for the same 49,000 points to a mere $4900--still not worthwhile, but so much less than the original offer.
If you do attend something like this, ask for identification, business cards, catalogues or host hotels in the agreement. Also ask about the cancellation policy. And please, don't sign. If you decide to sign it or any other contract, please be sure to read the fine print. With words like "coersion" and "no cancellation" in their contract, please heed the red flags and get out of there.
This scam has been happening for years now, and also entices people from the United States and parts of Ontario. Please spread the word and protect yourself and those you love.
false promises
Very mis-leading sales presentation that leaves you out alot of money. Strongly encouraged not to buy.
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