The latest string of discount travel clubs has found its latest recruit. MOR Vacations has just
"signed on" as the latest reseller of a "less than admiral" discount travel club provider.
What
is a "discount travel club"?
If
you're like most, a "discount travel club" just doesn't
provide the type of service we all seem to be after. Sure,
discounts on travel are great, but can't you pretty much
find discounts everywhere you look? If you're going to
invest money in your family's vacations, why not do it with
a membership club who specializes in that sort of thing.
My family owns a resort membership and we love it. Through
it, we've got access to resorts which you can't even get to
otherwise without ownership. Our membership has a
pre-existing relationship with each resort they offer,
delivering a service simply not available through a typical
"discount travel club."
So are all "discount travel clubs" a bad investment? Well,
it depends on how you travel and who the "provider" is. One
thing is for sure though; there are definitely a few of them
out there you may want to avoid.
All "discount travel clubs" are not created equal
When I started researching the numerous "discount travel
memberships" being sold throughout the U.S., I was surprised
to uncover a certain provider that seemed to be causing
quite a stir.
Keep in
mind, there are numerous companies "setting up shop" who all
happen to be using this particular provider. What this
basically means is, that if you happen to purchase a
membership from let's say for example, "MOR Vacations",
you've literally purchased yourself a "Castaways Vacation
Membership". (or Beachcombers, Funseekers, ect..)
Why is this significant? First of all, there's quite a
difference in price variations. For example, a lifetime
membership through MOR Vacations is nearly $4,000, however,
you could get the exact same (lifetime) membership through
Castaways Vacation club for less than half that. (and
apparently for even less if you "hold out" long enough)
And the other factor... What people are saying about the
actual service... With my family's membership, for example,
I've yet to find a negative comment anywhere online in the
two and a half years I've been a member. Yet when you
research Castaways Vacation Club, (and some other clubs who
are also using this provider) you'll find literally pages
upon pages of people's experiences with it. Now I can
understand a few dissatisfied customers, but this goes well
beyond that. Here's just a sampling...
"CASTWAYS IS A SCAM. We are two college educated people
who got suckered in. We have tried to book over 15 trips
through "the discount service" have yet to get a price
from Castways that is less than Travelocity. Not only
are their prices a joke and not "discount" the service
is awful. It takes 5-7 days for them to even call you
back with the prices for booking." 5/09/2007 5:07
http://www.romsteady.net/blog/2007/04/pen-is-mighter-than-vacation-club.html
"They make it sound like you'll save lots of money,
great places to stay and that they sell to people like
AAA and Orbitz.com. When I called AAA, 2 people told me
that they have never heard of either company and did not
do business with them. Somerset/Funseekers is supposedly
been in business for 20 years.
In fact there are at least 9 complains with the
Michigan's Attorney general office when I called."
Julie
Deckerville, Michigan.
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/148/RipOff0148694.htm
Castaways state that they will 100% guarantee that you
will get all your vacations at wholesale and then they
will pay you back 5 to 10 % in cash. Charging you
anywhere from $7995.00 to $350.00. Not even worth the
$350. they will go down to. In 4 different types of
travel I have found and booked travel on travelocity for
hundreds of $ less than, this so called travel
membership could do and in less than ONE hour. When
calling travel services (LOL) 1-866-729-6400 (Melissa,Tammy,Carol,Brenda,Christy,etc)
they tell you they will get back to you in a few DAYS.
Most of the time with no return phone call at all."
Mary
Orlando, Florida
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/156/RipOff0156530.htm
"Sorry man. You got scammed, but you are not alone. The
got me too. There is a service there, but it is not of
much value. Feel free to call if you find a way to get
your money back."
Brian
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i10700-k1586708-Castaways_Vacation_Club_aka_Beachcombers_Vacation_Club-Timeshares_Vacation_Rentals.html
"We just returned from a Vacation Club presentation with
Phoenix Vacation Club. In short, you are merely joining
with the promise of purchasing vacations at a discounted
price. We are timeshare owners and are able to get the
same or better deals through Interval International or
RCI"
Texas
7:51 pm, April 28, 2008
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i10700-k1586708-Castaways_Vacation_Club_aka_Beachcombers_Vacation_Club-Timeshares_Vacation_Rentals.html
I too would be very interested in persuing legal action
against Beachcombers (and Castawawys, Funseekers, etc.
they are apparently all related), I too am someone who
should have know better, spotted all the hard-sell
techniques and still signed up when offerred the $7999
membership for $1999. This travel club is a joke, and
worse, I believe it is definitely a scam, and quite
possibly may be engaging in actual fraud.
Casey
http://www.romsteady.net/blog/2007/04/pen-is-mighter-than-vacation-club.html
Now if you decide to buy this wonderful club, be aware
that the person sitting next to you may have just paid
$1300.00 for the EXACT same thing you just got for
$6995.00 + $399.00 processing fee and $199.00 annual
dues. BE AWARE and BE WARNED!! I only wish someone had
been there for me. They are NOT with the BBB and have
been reported. They are also being reported to the
Attorney General's Office.
Angist
Austin, Texas
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/354/RipOff0354365.htm
My Husband and I joined the "Castaways Vacation Club"
And what a rip-off! Please don't join.
wend
Maitland, FL
http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=12403
I bought my membership for $2,200 in Dallas, Texas. I
have been a member since May 2007. I've made countless
travel requests, only to find better prices online. As a
result, I have never used Castaways again.
Robert
http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=12403
Hi I agree that Castaways is a total rip off. I have
never found a better deal than hotwire or travelocity. I
would like to join a class action suit against them if
one exists.
Jeff
3/24/08
http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=12403
Now why would so many people feel the need to go out of their way to express their opinions if this membership (provider) simply offered a decent service?
Remember, there are many reputable travel membership clubs
out there, so due your due diligence, don't buy on "hype",
and be sure to get ALL THE FACTS before making any purchase.
Larry Sanders
truthreports @ gmail.com
P.S
I've included some customer service numbers for just a few
of the many companies who are
using this particular provider...
(Amazing how each of these numbers connect you to the same
provider)
1) Castaways Vacation Club:
866 729-5541 / 866 729-6400
http://www.castawaysvacationclub.net
2) Outrigger Vacation Club:
877 572-0204
http://outriggertravelclub.com/contact-us.php
3) MOR Vacations:
877 572-0177
http://www.morvacations.net
4) Funseekers Vacations:
866 513-6400
http://www.funseekersvacations.com/contact-us.php
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