| Sundance Vacations |
| Sundance Vacations Tan Vacations Deceptive, Scam, Take Advantage Of, High Pressure Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania |
| 2nd of Jan, 2011 by User968710 |
I went to a Kane County Cougars game back in August of 2008 and entered for a chance to win a free cruise. About 2 weeks later, I got a call saying I won and would have to meet up to fill out the paperwork. I went to the meeting which actually turned out to be a seminar to buy into their vacation program. I was told that the program was $12000 for 30 weeks of vacation and it would end up being about $400 per vacation (which seemed pretty good). My wife and I decided since we were 22 it would be a good investment at the time because a week of vacations at $400 a year was a great offer plus we just got our free cruise!.... And that's where it all started to fall apart.... I got billed $350 for an assessment fee. I called to complain and they wouldn't offer me any refund or anything. I tried to explain that we hadn't even used the services yet and I would like out of the contract and a full refund. Both fell on deaf ears from the people at Sundance customer support. Eventually I talked to a manager named Judy Romeneli who told me there was no way to cancel, and no way to get a refund, period! I tried and tried to argue my way out, but was given the run around multiple time. Eventually, she told me she could lower my program package to $2500 for 7 weeks, and since I already paid the $2500 they would erase the other $9500 I owed. I told her I didn't want anything to do with any of it but after about 5 days I gave in and succumb to her deal. A year later, here I am regretting that I even signed up for the program. I am now in the process of working with the IL Attorney General's office, the Federal Trade Commission, and talking to a lawyer. I have already filed complaints on multiple websites including the Better Business Bureau. I am hoping for a full refund and cancellation of all contract obligations because, being unemployed, I could really use the money right now. All I have to say to other complaint makers, keep up the complaints. Eventually they will shut this lousy company down and save a lot of other people the grief we've gone through with them. Sincerely, Mr. Taken Advantage Of.....
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There is a "Boycott Sundance Vacations" Facebook page at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boycott-Sundance-Vacations/172805172735470
(Copy & paste the above link into your browser)
Join the Boycott and "like" the page to assist others in avoiding the experience that you describe. |
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The experience is best explained by the following comments which is EXACTLY what the voucher says. Because it's only a voucher it must first be registered, but all the restrictions, blackouts and other discouraging conditions renders it, in my opinion, not worth the hassle. You can also register your complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at its toll-free hotline: 1-888-382-1222. Since I am on the "Do Not Call" list Sundance Vacations should not have called me in the first instance. That sweepstakes entry form does not waive my privacy rights to be free from invasive telemarketing as explained at Sundance Vacations Sweepstakes Vs Do Not Call!
"This company is a FRAUD. I also got suckered into going down to pick up the free cruise I had been given as a "gift." Now, the customer service agent was correct in that they never use the word "won". It’s just a matter of wording to keep their scams on the border-line of legal. And I understood that I had to sit through an hour of a sales pitch. which I was fine with. What I was not fine with were the LIES that they had told me in advance about this free cruise.
LIE #1: I could go on the cruise at ANYTIME during the year. I was told repeatedly by the woman on the phone about how I could basically go whenever dates I wanted to, anytime during the next year. Well, that is a lie. When I received my vacation voucher, I looked at the fine print on the back page. You CANNOT use this cruise during the months of June, July, August, or any week of which there is a holiday.
LIE #2: If I didn't use the cruise, I could do with it whatever I wished. I could give it as a gift or sell it. The fact is, you CANNOT. It clearly states that the name of the trip is non-transferable and cannot be sold.
LIE #3: I was told airfare was included and that I could fly from my local airport. which is a major international airport. That isn't true. They tell you where to fly out of. For example, they mentioned Newark, New Jersey as a possibility. Plus, the fine print says it only includes "base" airfare. I'm not even sure what the fine print is on base airfare.
LIE #4: I was told I would simply have to pay minor taxes on a trip which values at about 1, 200 dollars. Well, the taxes start at $225 dollars per person (35 percent tax???????) Plus, there are all kind of registration and booking fees on top of that.
LIE #5: I was specifically told on the phone I would even receive free gift cards to Applebee’s, Red Lobster, and Olive Garden if I came to the 5pm presentation. When I inquired about them, the girl gave me a funny look and told me that "they didn't give them out anymore because people don't use them." What??? I was told only the DAY BEFORE I would be getting them. So, they gave me this piece of paper and said to go eat somewhere (anywhere), attach the receipt to the paper, send a self addressed stamped envelope, and I could get up to 15 dollars for my meal. I'm not holding my breath. Bottom line, this company is a fraud. They told me out and out lies about the cruise just to get me in. They are very shrewd. They have people designed to search these very blogs just to tell you how wonderful they are. There is an old saying. "Me thinks thou protests too much." If someone has to over and over again tell you about all the awards they won and how great they are...makes you wonder why...doesn't it?????
The following links will offer you substantial information about Sundance Vacations and their sweepstakes giveaways used to induce the consumer to attend a $15, 000 high pressure sales pitch for a vacation club membership":
http://sundancevacationssweepstakes.blogspot.com
http://sundancevacationsmanipulation.blogspot.com/
http://www.ripoffreport.com/searchre...s&searchtype=0 |
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| I wish so much I would have done more research before going to the Sundance presentation. I thought "hey a free trip to vegas for an hour of my time? sold!". But when there were three people standing over me (with more coming and going) telling me what a steal the vacation package was I agreed to 15 weeks instead of the 30 they were trying to get me to buy. I still have never used it, continue to pay the $30 monthly fee (which i was never told about but it was snuck into the paperwork so I can't really argue with it), and have a mountain of debt. I don't know what to do at this point... cancel and just lose all the money I paid for it (plus interest!) or keep paying the stupid $30 a month fee in the hopes that I'll use it one day? I feel so taken advantage of! |
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