KEK
Sandy,#2Consumer Comment
Tue, October 11, 2011
I don't usually post on websites that encourage people to sit on the pitty pot and rant and rave but I have some input on this particular subject. I own timeshare as well at the Great Escapes membership and I love them both.
Having seen a bunch of presentations from multiple companies, I think I've got the routine down pat. They always invite you in by offering a vacation gift of some sort. The vacations gifts are almost impossible to use with their many restrictions but if you know how to read and follow directions, I assure you- it can be done! From the sounds of the original post, the gift was the main complaint; you didn't read the instructions or follow them (think of it as a test, if you do not follow directions you fail- duh!). I'm sorry, but I get extremely angry when people cannot take ownership of their own decisions. You sound just as ridiculous as the people that bought a house they couldn't afford but then turned around and blamed the bank for giving them the loan in the first place!!!!!! I wouldn't be surprised if you did that too...
My timeshare is great because we use it for a family reunion every single year and the kids know exactly when and where it is and to plan on it. I have been a member of Great Escapes since 2006 and I have used it multiple times a year except for 2009 and 2010. By your standards, I should demand my money back for not being able to use it for two years- but I will not. I have made many irreplaceable memories that I wouldn't have made without it and I hope I continue to so for the rest of my life. I have greatly enjoyed their discounts on hotels, cruises and an all inclusive packages to Mexico. I have also enjoyed using their condos on multiple occasions. Has it worked absolutely perfect every single time that I went to use it? No. But neither has my new washer (currently fixing the hose since it was leaking water everywhere!). What I'm trying to point out is: Nothing is Perfect. But not even using it and complaining to the cyberworld that it doesn't work to satisfy your "poor me" syndrome is ludicrous.
Your claims to cheaper airfare???? It was stressed repeatedly to me that they could not offer discounts on airfare and I remember they even showed me that it stated that fact in the contract. Did you not read your contract before signing it?
The straw that broke the camels back: Khatz, your allegations of going to the office and being ignored are simply false. The offices on the west coast have been closed for the past 2 years. How do I know? I happened to be driving by and noticed the office in my area was no longer there. Very concerned, I called the 800 number and was assured that because of the economy, the western states had temporarily closed their sales offices until the economy could recover but that my membership was still the same. And it worked beautifully both times that I have used it this year, but I'm a see the glass as 'half full' kind of gal and tend look for the good rather than opportunities to complain.
As for the so called 'former employee'- I am an avid shopper and I price check everything. I haven't had a situation where I have found anything cheaper online. Not once in five years. My guess is that was also posted by Khatz, whom obvioulsy did not vent enough with his original post!
What is wrong with people today? Why is okay for people to shrug off their own accountability and project it on to someone else? No one forced you to purchase anything and yet you did. You. An adult to some degree. The only 'class action' needed is for you to take action and go to class to learn about: Honesty. Integrity. And Accountability.
MJS
United States of America#3UPDATE EX-employee responds
Fri, September 23, 2011
This company does a podim show on how you can save money by joining their club. The truth is that you can get the same deals if not better by visiting www.hotelsetc.com. vacationstogo.com. gimme shelter vacations. redweek.com and many more. They also use a web service that cleans up negative reviews and write their own positive review. If you continue to write bad reviews they threaten to sue you for up to 1.5 million dollars for declamation of a business. It is a bunch of bull. A lot of what they claim they can do is untrue and they put down other travel sites like expedia etc in their presentation. Buyer Beware.
Michael
Connecticut,#4Consumer Comment
Tue, April 12, 2011
Strange people, here. I have been a member since 1995, and love this company. I use them all the time; including my hotel bookings (they get me the best price and discounts too), condo rentals, air tickets, and cruise. And they charge no commission. It's like I own my own Travel Company. Ignore these soreheads....
Judy G
Centennial,#5Consumer Comment
Mon, November 17, 2008
I have had a GreatEscapes Travel Club membership since 2000. Although I have not been able to use the membership as much as hoped due to illness I can attest that I have saved substantial money on trips I have booked through them and their staff have always been extremely helpful in planning trips and answering any and all questions. If I found a trip or service online at a special price, they were always happy to research and do thier best to beat the other offer. I don't know that they ever promised to always save 50% and as someone who has travel agency experience would not expect this of any travel club. Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience but they have saved me money multiple times proven by taking trips with friends who had the exact same trip package and they paid substantially more than we did. You also receive cash back earned through their Advantage dollars and I have collected checks from this as well.