6/23/2010 1:41 PM (PST)
Generally "free" vacations involve sitting through a 90 minute presentation on purchasing a timeshare or a condo of some sort. Many people go and end up buying into the programs they offer. If you decide to take the vacation, my suggestion to you would be to not sign any contracts or buy into a timeshare. At least not on the spot! The last thing you want to do is get involved in the "Now or never"/in the moment purchase.They are very good at what they do, which is to get people to buy on the spot and spend thousands of dollars!
Chances are you will most likely get the package that they offered, but I would make sure that it is writing. The last you want is to get there and find out you are paying for more.
And as far as the government doing something about it...when it comes to the travel industry, the government makes a lot of money from taxes, property taxes (on timeshares), and tourism. If a timeshare company is operating legally with all the proper licenses, then shutting down the timeshare industry would simply be cutting off the $ to the government.
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6/24/2010 8:38 AM (PST)
Marv,
I agree with Yumi. What they tell you and what you get are two different things! Their use of high pressure sales practices for an attractive offer for extremely low fees are intentionally meant for you to hurry and buy in before it's too late. However in reality the accommodations are less than impressive and the hidden fees can add up to more than what a travel agent could offer. I suggest you stay away from these types of offers/seminars as they are meant to hook you in and are full of misrepresented offers.
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6/24/2010 8:45 AM (PST)
Oh wow thanks Yumi and Mari for this info. But the cruise line did not mention anything about this being a business trip, or that they were selling timeshare. Unwanted solicitation would not be my idea of a vacation. I will ask the cruise line for further details if it is true and they did not initially mention this as being part of the offer aren't they obligated to give me a full refund???
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