| Celebrity Productions |
| Celebrity Productions Fun Time Vacations Cycle of processing fees, activation fees and other 'fees' in a cycle of various vendors with the promise of |
| 30th of Apr, 2011 by User525844 |
| First offer was from "My Divine Getaways" with promise of a FREE 8 night/7 day cruise package in exchange for attending a presentation on their program. They ask for $12,500 THAT NIGHT to "sign up" at end of presentation and you can't think about it for a day or the offer does not stand! They then hand out a card that you have to mail in along with $98.00 to 'activate' your cruise package and the statement stressing how to be sure you do not miss a single step in the process. This one goes to a Celebrity Productions at a PO Box in Woodbridge, VA You then receive another package with several cards, each one with activation and processing fees and other 'fees' all of them stating not to 'miss any steps'. Each one of these that you 'activate' then sends you to another vendor, this time the one I chose to 'follow' sent me to and organization in Maryland calling themselves: Fun Time Vacations who you now pay another 'activation fee' too. (The email from them indicated they were part of an organization called 'dreakations'.) They then send you documents stating you now need to pay a 'processing fee' and other additional 'fees' depending on the cruise you pick out. (They show Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Discovery Cruise line logos on their travel 'vouchers' that you can pick from--each with it's own associated processing and activation and other fees payable to Fun Time Vacation. At this point I had invested $250. and received nothing but promises for more 'travel documents' that would be sent to me once I paid the next 'activation' or 'processing' fee. I am now trying to get my $$ back that I sunk into this since it appears to be nothing but a cycle of fees and promises for more 'travel documents' so that in the end, if you DO get a vacation out of it, it is far from FREE or even a 'deal'. I hope this helps anyone considering attending one of these presentations or offers. I tried to research Divine Getaways before I went but could not find much on the internet to understand what a scam the organization was for people. |
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| I would like more information on this since my husband insists we attend this presentation this weekend. Has anyone actually taking the promised trip for attending the presentation without having to buy the membership fee offered at the presentation (ranging between $5000 - $12, 000)? |
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I was offered a 2 year trial membership for 1295.00...thank god I didn't do it.
I'm reading sooo many complaints about this company and their "FAT ASS TRAVELING SALES MEN" |
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My husband and I attended a presentation just yesterday, June 10, 2011. We did NOT buy the VIP-Platinum Membership that was presented, It appears to be a scam. We received the "free" gifts, however, there are so many fees involved for the cruise and airline tickets. There is "no expiration or deadline date" on the cards to send monies & redeem the gifts issued. The 8 day cruise require $49 per person activation fee and a check or money order for $98. Then taxes, service charges, fuel surcharges etc, at time to purchase vacation can range from $179 to $259 per person possible more. For future reference, always "google" customer reviews for and the name of the business. You can find information about the business and what consumers have stated and experienced concerning a product or service.
For informative Customer reviews about Divine Getaways go to the following websites:
www.scaminformer.com/scam-report/divine-getaways-rip-off-traveling-sales-men-try
ing-to-c27606.html
http://www.ripoffreport.com/travel-services/divine-getaway/divine-getaway-paradi
se-escape-9533a.htm |
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This company sent me a "free" 7 night cruise and 2 airline tickets offer if I attended a presentation. Sounded simple. They said all I had to do was pay the taxes and port fees. It sounded to good to be true! Well it was. I went to their seminar in the Embassy Suites Hotel in Santa Ana. It was a good presentation. For a little over $5, 000 you got the capability to have the costs of vacation packages at wholesale prices. They gave many examples of what it would cost through Expedia and other websites vs. going through Divine Getaway. The packages were half the cost of what you could get otherwise. It sounded great! Problem was that when you sat down to close the deal with their aggressive sales person, you couldn't think about it and sign up later. I really wish I brought my laptop with me so I could research it before I purchased it. I went ahead and purchased it because it was a great offer. You could get this deal for life and you could sign up 4 family members to use it as well. I made sure however that I could cancel later. They did have a 3 day cancellation policy. The stupid thing was that you couldn't actually see this product or use it until 7 days later. Smart of them! I'm sure most people don't cancel until they receive their online account after 7 days, which is past their cancellation period. If they were so legit, wouldn't you think they would want you to have full access before the cancellation period to see if it really was a good thing for you and your family?? Only a scammer would do it this way! That night after paying $5, 200 they handed me my vouchers to get my "free" cruise and airline tickets. I read in small print that you had to pay additional fees just to activate it. I read online that night that people sent in their money but yet never got their trip. They lost over $200 in fees. I never sent mine in. It was all a scam. I also learned that Divine Getaways is a new company (only about 15 days old per their manager) and that the same people keep closing one company and opening up another under a different name. Some who paid all of that money was not able to use the product because of them closing their doors along with other problems. After reading all of the reviews, immediately I sent my cancellation letter and binder via UPS so I would have proof of the cancellation. After they received my package, they had the nerve to still charge my card in the full amount. I sent them e-mails as well as called them. I left messages. Nobody called me back. I had to go through my credit card company to file a dispute. Luckily I have all of my documentation so Divine Getaways will never be able to argue with them and validate the charge. I did finally get a response back from a manager. He was verbally abusive and very unprofessional. I printed them all out in case of needing them for future reference with my credit card company. If you get this postcard in the mail, throw it away!!! It is all a scam. I am sure some people were not as stupid as me to fall for it in the first place without being able to research it before spending that type of money. But I'm sure there are a some people out there who didn't read that small print about the 3 day cancellation and waited for their account to activate after 7 days to try it. If there weren't, they wouldn't keep spending all this money on the hotel banquet rooms and having employees do these presentations throughout the U.S. Divine Getaways will soon close I'm sure and once again they will open up under a new name. I wish the government could step in to really see who has gotten cheated and close them down for good!!
http://www.scaminformer.com/scam-report/-c27606.html?selcom=817363
To me, personally, it's not about the money anymore but the principle of it ... I still want my 85.00 back. That could go toward my vacation I already booked with the airlines - not these frauds! |
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Divine Getaways
Has anyone heard of Divine Getaways? My husband received 6 postcards from them on the same day.
Avatar for betsys55 betsys55
2 months ago
Apr 05, 2011 04:19 PM
Divine Indeed...
betsys55 wrote:
Has anyone heard of Divine Getaways? My husband received 6 postcards from them on the same day.
Divine Getaways indeed... Was the postmark perchance "Heaven"?
If so, perhaps hubby should be concerned that this multiple mailing of an "invitation" has some deeper, spiritual meaning. Maybe the "getaway" invitation is for the REALLY BIG, FINAL "getaway"...
Last edit by ken1193 on Apr 08, 2011 03:52 AM.
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Avatar for ken1193 ken1193
2 months ago
Apr 05, 2011 04:48 PM
Divine Getaways
betsys55 wrote:
Has anyone heard of Divine Getaways? My husband received 6 postcards from them on the same day.
I too received an invitation to Divine Getaways presentation in April 2011. I searched the web and found a BBB site listing them as officially VIP Client Services. A search on that name with BBB shows them with multiple aka business names. See paste from a BBB site below.
------------------------------
Business Management
Brandon Bizar, Vice President, is also known to BBB as a principal in the following companies: Vacation Link of Florida, Inc., California Vacation Holdings Group, LLC, Preferred Guest Services, LLC, Summer Bay Getaways, LLC and Summer Bay Partnership.
For a complete report on any of these companies, please visit www.bbb.org
Contact Information
Primary Contact: Ms. Cheryl Arscott (President)Mr. Walter Elvy (Director Client Services)Mr. Rick Arscott (Vice President)Mr. Brandon Bizar (Vice President)
--------------------------------------
I searched on a sampling of their aka names to find a mix of BBB complaints and that the BBB reported the company had resolved almost all the complaints, and about 50% were confirmed by the customer as having been resolved. The nature of the resolution is unknown, and not disclosed by BBB. But I also found 2 sites listing multiple complaints for Summer Bay Geteways. On one site, customers were frustrated trying to dispute billing issues and the phone numer had been disconnected. Someone else had found that the company name had been altered and a new phone number was in use. Odd practice for building loyalty. One client reported on that site that she did have a good experience with her trip and the price she paid. The second site is full of frustrated clients.
URLs to the complaints are below.
www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/summer-bay-getaway-c126968.html
http://www.ripoffreport.com/directory/Summer-Bay-Getaways.aspx
BBB ranked Preferred Guest Services an "F". URL below.
http://www.bbb.org/central-florida/business-reviews/vacation-certificates-and-vo
uchers/preferred-guest-services-in-winter-park-fl-18000577/complaints#breakdown
After 20 years in sales and marketing, I might be left skeptical as to why any company would change names so many times. What you want most from your hard work is brand recognition and customer referalls. My assessment is the name changes are to hide a very, very tarnished brand(s), and start over again with a new name but the same old high pressure, half truth, sales tactics. Buyer... Beware.
Last edit by marke214 on Apr 07, 2011 10:57 AM.
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Avatar for marke214 marke214
2 months ago
Apr 07, 2011 10:36 AM
Divine Getaways
marke214 wrote:
My assessment is the name changes are to hide a very, very tarnished brand(s), and start over again with a new name but the same old high pressure, half truth, sales tactics. Buyer... Beware.
You hit the nail squarely on the head ... the scammers close shop and start again under another name.
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Avatar for jayjay jayjay
2 months ago
Apr 08, 2011 09:45 AM
Divine Getaways
Exactly
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Avatar for rayt76 rayt76
1 month ago
Apr 12, 2011 02:29 PM
Divine Getaways / Complimentary 7 day cruise & airfare ??
Has anyone actually used the complimentary cruise certificate offered upon completion of their 90 min. presentation ? is my concern..since we have to activate the gifts with a dollar amt... i was wondering if they are legitimate before I send my check out.
btw. we also received a complimentary round trip airfare, ...again in order to activate it, we have to send them a check.. and after 15 days we are to receive a packet to fill out, and would only be eligible for travel after the 90 day period...
Anyone ???
Thanks,
Ann
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Avatar for anng185 anng185
1 month ago
May 04, 2011 12:43 PM
Complimentary, but hard to use and nearly worthless...
anng185 wrote:
Has anyone actually used the complimentary cruise certificate offered upon completion of their 90 min. presentation ? is my concern..since we have to activate the gifts with a dollar amt... i was wondering if they are legitimate before I send my check out.
btw. we also received a complimentary round trip airfare, ...again in order to activate it, we have to send them a check.. and after 15 days we are to receive a packet to fill out, and would only be eligible for travel after the 90 day period...
I have no personal knowledge about this particular operation, having never even heard of them before reading this thread.
However, be aware that there is a consistent pattern reported by many others regarding virtually ALL such "complimentary" cruise and air travel offers. The restrictions, limitations and "blackout periods" associated with these "gifts" are so numerous and so severe that it is nearly impossible to derive any actual use or value from them.
MY advice would be to just put your checkbook away and don't send these people a DIME, but it's your choice and your decision.
Last edit by ken1193 on May 05, 2011 04:39 AM.
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Avatar for ken1193 ken1193
1 month ago
May 04, 2011 01:43 PM
Divine Getaways
I called the 800 number listed on the postcard and was placed on hold for approx. 4 minutes. A person finally came on the line by anwering "hello", I was confused as to why they had not answered by using the company name. I asked who I was speaking with and he said "Andy", I then explained that I was dialing an 800 number, he laughed and handed the phone to another person who again asked "hello?" I again asked who I was speaking with, the response was "uhhhh, Divine Getaways", I said that I did not feel this was very professional and she states "well then, call back!" and she hung up!!! LOSERS!!! People don't waste your time!!!
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Avatar for loftinkat loftinkat
1 month ago
May 04, 2011 03:22 PM
Divine Getaways
well..def a red flag..
I was @ the embassy suites last evening attending their seminar where i received the complimentary cruise & roundtrip airline cert... i did some research today on the BBB, they have an 'F' rating...I also checked by all of the names they provide on the papers given to us.
Then i 'yelped' them ...DO NOT EXIST
I called 'embassy suites' to try to locate anyone there giving more seminars.. i was transfered to the room, the guy that answered was skeptical in answering any of my concerns, then handed me to another person that says...well you signed off on all liability and responsibilities and hung up on me...such professional customer service !! NOT
I immediately called front desk, where they need to be aware what is going on in their luxury hotel, scam artists are breeding and scamming innocent people..
BTW... if you go on their company's website, ..it states that payments can also be made thru 'paypal'..
what legit company works thru paypal ? ...we are obviously not protected, like we would be thru american express or visa should we need to retreat our lost monies...
ps..i am too skeptical to be putting out any money..
they are going by the names..
EAGLES CHOICE
DIVINE GETAWAYS
CELEBRITY PRODUCTIONS
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Avatar for anng185 anng185
1 month ago
May 04, 2011 03:35 PM
Divine Getaways
I attended their seminar last evening...
and have been doing research on them.
everything comes out looking like scam..
they either do not exist, or they have a very bad rep..on BBB.
they are going by diff names and none of which i am able to find on google nor yelp.
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Avatar for anng185 anng185
1 month ago
May 04, 2011 03:37 PM
Divine "Getaways"...
From some of the above experiences and observations, it sounds more and more like these folks might actually be quite adept at "getaways" themselves. Sounds like their business practices might routinely require "getaways" (divine or otherwise) from their dissatisfied clientele... ;-)
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Avatar for ken1193 ken1193
1 month ago
May 05, 2011 10:16 AM
Message deleted.
Avatar for brookj brookj
1 month ago
May 10, 2011 11:39 AM
Cheerleader Shill posting for "Divine Getaways" ???
Oddly, the above "hooray for Divine Getaways" post constitutes the ONE AND ONLY (... and very vague) positive "endorsement" among numerous other specific and detailed negative reports of experiences and observations concerning that same entity.
The individual reader will just have to decide for themselves which postings about "Divine Getaways" are likely accurate and truthful --- and which ones might just instead be shills "plugging" their own business with some bogus "happy talk".
Last edit by ken1193 on May 11, 2011 12:48 PM.
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Avatar for ken1193 ken1193
1 month ago
May 11, 2011 10:19 AM
Complimentary cruise my foot!
This is definitely a scam, come on type of operation. The so-called "free" cruise actually costs over $800. And it has so many limitations that it is virtually impossible to use.
If you want a deal on your cruise, better to avail yourself of the cost savings that you can get by last-minute bookings. Cruise lines will almost give away cabins to fill up their ships, because the really big money they make are for services, alcohol, gambling, excursions, etc.
Last edit by davidw1010 on May 14, 2011 01:35 PM.
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Avatar for davidw1010 davidw1010
4 weeks ago
May 14, 2011 01:29 PM
Divine Getaways
My husband and I attended the seminar for Devine Getaways. It sounded good, but we wanted to do more research. We did sign up and after returning home that evening we were already writing our letter to cancel. We found nothing good about the company. Seems they change their names a lot. The following day we drove to the Reston, VA location, gave the letter to cancel and the book back. We are now waiting our money back.
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Avatar for lindae200 lindae200
4 weeks ago
May 14, 2011 04:13 PM
Divine Getaways
Don't do it. Check out the internet and you will find a lot of negatives about the company.
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Avatar for lindae200 lindae200
4 weeks ago
May 14, 2011 04:14 PM
Divine Getaways
marke214 wrote:
betsys55 wrote:
Has anyone heard of Divine Getaways? My husband received 6 postcards from them on the same day.
I too received an invitation to Divine Getaways presentation in April 2011. I searched the web and found a BBB site listing them as officially VIP Client Services. A search on that name with BBB shows them with multiple aka business names. See paste from a BBB site below.
------------------------------
Business Management
Brandon Bizar, Vice President, is also known to BBB as a principal in the following companies: Vacation Link of Florida, Inc., California Vacation Holdings Group, LLC, Preferred Guest Services, LLC, Summer Bay Getaways, LLC and Summer Bay Partnership.
For a complete report on any of these companies, please visit www.bbb.org
Contact Information
Primary Contact: Ms. Cheryl Arscott (President)Mr. Walter Elvy (Director Client Services)Mr. Rick Arscott (Vice President)Mr. Brandon Bizar (Vice President)
--------------------------------------
I searched on a sampling of their aka names to find a mix of BBB complaints and that the BBB reported the company had resolved almost all the complaints, and about 50% were confirmed by the customer as having been resolved. The nature of the resolution is unknown, and not disclosed by BBB. But I also found 2 sites listing multiple complaints for Summer Bay Geteways. On one site, customers were frustrated trying to dispute billing issues and the phone numer had been disconnected. Someone else had found that the company name had been altered and a new phone number was in use. Odd practice for building loyalty. One client reported on that site that she did have a good experience with her trip and the price she paid. The second site is full of frustrated clients.
URLs to the complaints are below.
www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/summer-bay-getaway-c126968.html
http://www.ripoffreport.com/directory/Summer-Bay-Getaways.aspx
BBB ranked Preferred Guest Services an "F". URL below.
http://www.bbb.org/central-florida/business-reviews/vacation-certificates-and-vo
uchers/preferred-guest-services-in-winter-park-fl-18000577/complaints#breakdown
After 20 years in sales and marketing, I might be left skeptical as to why any company would change names so many times. What you want most from your hard work is brand recognition and customer referalls. My assessment is the name changes are to hide a very, very tarnished brand(s), and start over again with a new name but the same old high pressure, half truth, sales tactics. Buyer... Beware.
Reply to This Message
Avatar for lindae200 lindae200
4 weeks ago
May 14, 2011 04:15 PM
Divine Getaways
Do not, do not, do not sign on with this company. My husband and I went to their presentation today, in Greenville SC. We fell for it and wrote a check for over $4, 000. We also signed an agreement that allowed them to automatically collect the $319 annual fee on a credit card draft in 30 days. We came home, started doing some research and decided to back out. Only...when we started looking at our credit card online statements...the company had ALREADY drafted our credit card for the total $4000 amount to a different company called paradise something.
Another thing that really bothered us is that the presentation was not very professional, no name tags, no business cards, no stationary. When we asked for business cards, we were told that they were on order. Lesson learned...too good to be true.
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Avatar for audram12 audram12
4 weeks ago
May 14, 2011 04:22 PM
Divine Getaways
I recieved a postcard and made reservations with devine getaways for the 90 min presentation. My husband and I attented and was told it was overbooked, but received the vouchers for the free cruise and two round trip airfares. After futher investigation, we first had to pay 170.00 acitivation fee to receive the travel documents. Then, pay fuel surcharges between $50.00 and $60. 00, 911 security fees range from 179.00 to 259.00 per person, on top of that the port charges, taxes, services charges.. which was not disclosed at the meeting. So, it's not a free giveaway like they claim. If someone from Devine Getaways wants to clear this up call me..
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Avatar for dianam208 dianam208
4 weeks ago
May 14, 2011 06:43 PM
Divine Getaways
Where was the presentation in Greenville? We were considering attending.. and was wondering if it is the same one?
Avatar for adrinas adrinas
4 weeks ago
May 15, 2011 04:26 PM |
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| Their phone numbers don't work, I called to ask for my money back and they won't respond. |
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| I had the identical situation. The main difference is that I only sent in $98 to Eagles Choice and became very suspisious when I got an e-mail from Funtime Vacations requesting another $55 pp for a 1 year"package" and $74.50 pp for a 2 year one. I called Crystal Cosby who was supposed to be my booking agent at Funtime to inquire about these additional fees. She said that this a fee is for a VIP package but if I don't want "fast" service I don't have to pay it?! Instead, she emailed me another form asking for $39 "booking fee". She also said that it might take up to 4 month to book a cruise that would cost about $500 pp after you pay all these fees. Some "free" cruise! Besides, the dates are very restrictive and you probobly would also have to pay for the upgrade since I doubt anyone would like a cabin below the waterline LOL. I would like to team up with other people who had been scamed out of their money and try to get these bunch of liars |
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| My husband and I also received the "free" vouchers for the cruise and airline tickets. We payed the initial $98 "activation fee" and a secondary $100 "processing fee". We never received any other information from Divine Getaways, FunTimeVacations, or Celebrity Productions. These were all the names of companies getting us one step closer to our "free" cruise. I'd love to get together with others who have been similarly scammed and get our money back as well as close down these phony buisinesses. |
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| An update: I just got my refund of the activation fee( $98). This is what you do to get it: Call 888-873-8854 and enter the ext. 101, 102, 107 or 109. You will be able to speak to Eagles Choice people( if you're lucky). The person to talk to is Charles Matthews @ ext. 102. It seems like he is the one who can authorize a refund. Make sure to send back all travel documents that you've recieved from them via Certified Mail ( this way they can't say they never got it). Include a copy of the canceled check (both sides) and a letter explaining why you want a refund.Call back to follow up.Be persistent ! If that fails file the complain with BBB which I didn't have to do since I got my money back. Good luck ! If anybody gets their refund please post a comment so I will know that it worked! |
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