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Once you get into a package with Destination Paradise you have THREE days to cancel your contract in writing. You either pay with a credit card or finance a portion with their finance provider, Universal Accounting Services. So far, I haven't heard of anyone getting out of contract after the three days. I was conned...I say conned because when I attempted to book something, there were NO discounts whatsoever and the properties were limited. I have since found hundreds of complaints about this company on www.about.com in the travel section and on /link removed/ I have filed a complaint with the BBB.org and with Consumer Affairs in Hawaii and everyone who has a problem with this company should file one, too, even against Universal because they harass people at work. We need a lawyer so we can start a class action suit and I hope someone out there is willing to help us.
If you're already committed to Paradise Blue, see what you can get from them. I am curious to see exactly how much money you'll be saving. And remember that if you do book and decide to cancel for whatever reasons, you won't be able to. There is no cancellation insurance. I don't know what you're paying for your package but you have to see if you're really saving money when you take those payments into consideration. As of 2008, they have changed their names four times...Valued Guests, Destination Paradise, Paradise Blue and now Pacific Dreams. That's a red flag right there! You hardly find anything positive about this company unless the employees/officers are writing about it themselves. You just will never know who actually is writing.
File your complaint with the DCCA Hawaii and RICO ASAP...
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Hawaii Attorney Generals Office for help
Here is futher proof that Destination Paradise Hawaii has SCAMMED others.These all complaints filed with the DCCA of Hawaii.As of now they no longer have a rating with the BBB due to sheer numger of unresolved complaints.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 1213N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 1197N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 1196N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 1195N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 1194N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 1184N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 1173N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 1164N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 1143N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 1134N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 1096N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 1085N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 1077N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 1060N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 1044N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 1028N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 1018N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 1017N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 1001N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 1000N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 0974N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 0947N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 0919N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 0918N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 0878N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 0845N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 0815N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 0809N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 0732N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 0730N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 0568N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 0565N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 0489N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 0470N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 0468N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 0458N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2009- 0345N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2008- 1243N
OUTCOME: THIS IS A PENDING COMPLAINT. NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.
Complaint No: OCP- 2008- 1212N
I'm from Australia and while on my honey moon, using high pressure tactics they had us sign on. Does anyone know how I might be able to STOP the credit card deductions. They are a con.
I know on the "AUTOMATIC PAYMENT" charge authority it says that
"This authority is to remain in full force and effect until I have supplied written notice of termination"
Does this mean that if I provide written evidence that I want my automatic payments from my credit card terminated, that they legally have to stop deducting my account?
I'm from Australia so if they stop deducting my credit card I will get away with it. This is because I seriously dont they they will take me to court. It would be financially unviable for them and I would turn up anyway.
Any thoughts any1?
Hope this helps:
To the people who are writing asking if we got our monies and if our credit was affected, about 23-25 people filed with the DCCA and YES we got a refund of our downpayments at Destination Paradise (DP) ranging from the processing fee of $250 to thousands of dollars and MOST of us got a refund from Universal. However, because DP offered us the option of using their product for free, some of us got billed the annual fee of $189, even though we didn't accept the terms of the offer. Personally, I don't want any dealings with DP and this is what I'm trying to square off because none of us have gotten a letter from Universal (for those who used Universal for the financing) that we are no longer responsible for the debt. Also, as far as credit is concerned, Universal's account never showed up on my credit reports, only as an inquiry so for all of you concerned about that, I suggest investing a little money in credit monitoring to make sure no negative feedback shows up.
For those that haven't filed a complaint with the DCCA/BBB, you need to do it right away. Don't wait for the DCCA to come to you because it's not. Everything can be found online. All you have to do is fill out the complaint and send in your paperwork to the DCCA. They will follow up with your case.
As a group that succeeded getting refunds, we have discused the fact that we need more exposure. Problem is we were all tourists in Hawaii/Waikiki and the only way to get the word out is word of mouth, perhaps standing near the offices of DP and dissuade people from becoming the next victims.
Same here got scammed after talking to the manager and telling her that me and myhusband had only taken a vacation for all the pain and the stress that we were going thru do to my cancer and having to take care off my six kids she seemed to feel sorry and gave me a 1, 000 dls off she was crying and felt so sorry for me and still rip me off! i can not belive that she would lie to me knowing how sick i was and knew about all my kids i hope sh reads this and think about it know their is one god up there that you cant hide from and scamming people out there is not right and th time will come for you good luck!
I've done a lot of research on both DPH and Global Escapes and I believe the companies exist to scam unwitting tourists. The companies were affiliated through owners and employees until many of them left San Antonio and started woking in Hawaii. I'd like to see them shut down as a service to past, current and future victims. Here are links to the steps the Texas Attorney General took to shut them down.
INJUNCTION: http://www.oag.state.tx.us/newspubs/releases/2009/040109globalescapes_pop.pdf
BANK ACCOUNT SEIZURE: http://www.oag.state.tx.us/newspubs/releases/2009/040109globalescapes_tro.pdf
THIS WILL HELP YOU>
I tried to make some honest dealings with the company as a vendor. I know its a scam. But I go to the seminars anyway just for the gifts. The guy who runs the show is Mike, here is his businees email address. I feel sorry for anyone that gave them $$$. You can get the same deals at www.wyndham-vacations.com
Contact Name: Mike Balicki
Phone Number: [protected]
Contact Type: Corporate Client
Industry: Other
Sales Associate: XXXXXX
Contact Every: n/a days
# of Employees: 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Street Address: 2250 Kalakaua Ave, #300
City: Honolulu
Province/State: HI
Postal: 96815
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assistant's Name:
Secondary Phone:
Fax Number:
Email Address: Mikeb@DestinationParadiseHawaii.com
Secondary Email:
Web Site:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Notes:
My husband and I were scammed by Destination Paridise Hawaii in February, 2009. We were intentionally mislead on how to cancel when we asked as we signed the papers. After two weeks, we got our user name and password and could not access the website. We called the toll free number and found out no deals on the website as presented in the powerpoint presentation. We spent many hours working with our credit card company, the Hawaii BBB and the Hawaii State Attorneys Office to protect our credit rating and cancel out of the bogus contract. We also worked with a group of other good people who realized they had been scammed and wanted to help and protect others who were scammed by Destination Paradise Hawaii. BEWARE, DO NOT SIGN A CONTRACT - Contact Sasi at the Hawaii Attorney Generals Office for help.
Want more proof of the Global Escapes/DP Hawaii connection? Lookie here:
http://www.global-escapes.net/testimonials.htm
and here:
http://www.destinationparadisehawaii.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=5
How interesting that there are pictures of the SAME PEOPLE on both testimonial web pages!
Come on, DP, you can do better than that, can't you?
Sounds like I'm not alone on this. i guess i dont have to explain my situation w/Destination Paradise, everyone here has gone thru the same thing i did!
I was just in ABOUT.COM, trying to find anything on "Destination Paradise", , , NO LUCK...
PLEASE, provide more info...
I WANNA GET ALL MY MONIES BACK. I FELT USED & ABUSED!
AND, Thank you all for the information & support.
To everyone who feels they have been scammed by Destination Paradise Hawaii, please read the following:
You're not alone. A group of us have filed complaints with the BBB and the DCCA (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs) both in Hawaii. We managed to have their BBB rating removed for a little while but now it's back to a D. Our complaints ranged from not being able to log onto the website to questioning their business practices and advertising tactics. The DCCA met with Mr. Balicki of Destination Paradise a few weeks ago and had them draft a release of contractual terms. The release promised return of any and all monies invested, including that infamous $250 processing fee that they claimed was non-refundable. Some of us received refunds today. Please, I urge you to file your complaints ASAP with both agencies. They can be done online but you will need to provide paperwork in order to prove that you were in fact in contract with Destination Paradise.
The DCCA is actively working with all those who complain. There is more information about this on ABOUT.COM under Destination Paradise. Again, you're not alone and you will get your money back.
While on a business trip here in beautiful Waikiki, I was approached by someone offering free luau tickets.The catch was I had to attend a 60 minute presentation on vacations.No problem.The same day I attended their "Presentation".The speaker giving the presentation was professional and had great insights on travel.My problems started after the speaker finished.
The sales person quickly called over a gentleman who look like he had just step off the set from the"Sappranos"( also had a bad hairpiece).He quickly drop the price from 9995.00 to 2999.00 plus a pair of free airline tickets and condo anywhere in the world.At that point red flags started going up.I told him that I needed to process the information and get back to them the next day.He proceeded to get aggaitated and quickly ushered me out.I wasn't even told how and where to pick up my luau tickets.
My advice, stay away from DESTINATION PARADISE HAWAII.
Same company under the DESTINATION PARADISE HAWAII:
A family of Florida-based travel companies doing business in Austin and San Antonio are facing charges of deceptive trade practices and other business and commerce code violations from the Texas Attorney General’s office.
The defendants, Escapes Austin LLC and Escapes Midwest LLC, which do business under the names Global Escapes, Blue Water, Sun Tree and others, are accused of using false gift giveaways to entice customers to attend sales seminars that marketed worthless travel-related software programs, according to a news release from the attorney general’s office.
Attorney General Greg Abbott said his office is seeking restitution for some 5, 000 Texas consumers who may have been deceived into purchasing the software. In response to the attorney general’s actions, the 73rd District Court of Bexar County issued an order freezing the defendants’ assets.
Phone numbers connected to the Global Escapes’ Austin and San Antonio offices were disconnected when dialed on Monday. A representative with the company’s reservation service said she was restricted from giving out any corporate phone numbers. A 1-800 number listed on the company’s Web site consistently rang busy on Monday morning.
Court documents filed by the state also name chief executive officer James Carey III and managing member Gwendolyn Carey. According to the state’s lawsuit, the defendants used direct mail and telemarketing calls to inform potential customers that they “won” free cruises, hotel stays, vehicles, flights or expensive watches. However, recipients were told that they must set up an appointment to attend a sales presentation in order to receive their prize.
Those chosen also were told they only needed to pay taxes due on the gifts. Recipients were not informed about restrictions, hidden costs, the prizes’ overall value or the prizes’ limited availability. According to state investigators, prizes were difficult to redeem, expensive to redeem, or unavailable during certain dates.
During the mandatory sales seminars, the defendants touted their “proprietary software search engine technology, ” which they claimed would allow purchasers to locate and reserve bargain travel deals online. “The defendants then used high-pressure sales tactics to convince customers that their ‘software license’ opportunity surpassed all others in the industry, ” the release states. “The defendants’ sales representatives often purported to ‘negotiate down’ from the software’s $12, 000 retail price to $7, 000, $4, 000, or to a ‘one-time price reduction’ of $2, 200.”
Customers who could not afford the purchase price were offered financing. Rather than retain the purchaser’s outstanding debt, the defendants frequently sold it to third-party debt collection or finance companies.
According to the documents, after purchasing the product, many customers were unable to log on to the Web site for at least two weeks. “When the defendants finally provided the necessary user IDs and passwords, many customers encountered technical problems. Customers who were able to fully access the system discovered that the bargain travel deals they were promised did not actually exist.”
During the sales negotiations, customers were told they could return the product for a refund if they were dissatisfied with their purchase. However, when customers attempted to cancel their contracts, the defendants claimed the sales contract was binding. Concerned that the debt collection agencies could ruin their credit ratings, many customers also paid annual support “software upgrade” fees, even when they could not or did not use the system.
Under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, the defendants face civil penalties of up to $20, 000 per violation, as well as a $250, 000 penalty if the conduct was designed to harm a person aged 65 or older. The enforcement action cites numerous violations of the Business and Commerce Code’s Texas Contest and Gift Giveaway Act. Additionally, the Attorney General charged the defendants with violating the Texas Disclosure and Privacy Act, commonly called the Texas No-Call law.
Lets get a class action suit going and protest in August. Ill be there already around the 15th. Let me know surfinhi23@yahoo.com
They actual cost of the program to them is 300.00!
We got approached by this company on our vacation last week as well. I was really skeptical and felt this was a scam from the beginning. They put a lot of pressure on you to make the sale and eventually to down to a price of around 2000+. Of course, we still did not buy it and just waited for our prize.
When I got back to the hotel, I was so curious so checked around on the internet and found a lot of complaints. My husband also did some research on this company and found Destination Paradise is actually a frendise chain of a scan company. The holding company sells vacation software for $1500. In other words, Destination Paradise would pay $1500 to holding company for every software package to the holding company and keep the rest as profits. The holding company ran this type scam though a list of frenchdise companies and were listed as scam practice in many other states already. They all have different business names.
One thing I learned from Hawaii trip: nothing is free.
Paying 3 hours of my time to get $100+ tickets really does not worth my time.
Destination Paradise Hawaii Scam!
I just got back from Waikiki and went to one of their presentations. At the beginning the guy joked about having mic's in the waiting area saying how everyone says "no matter what they have we aren't buying". We thought he was joking. After the presentation they reduced there price making it affordable for everyone, we were just there for the free gifts. The big Hawiian guy that took over after the scrawny guy from Minnesota couldn't close the deal, he reduced the price even further. Then said he would give us a minute to talk it over, about five minutes later he came in and was all pissed off saying "I'll get you guys out of here with your free gifts then". He looked like he wanted to kick my ###. Afterwords we figured that they probably do have mic's at the tables so they know what angle to press when they come back again. Good thing we were both addimant about not buying into this scam and saying it to eachother while we were sitting there.
Don't get sucked into this "Deal", what rational person would be willing to spend $2, 500 - $8, 000 on a product you have never heard anything about before they give there own presentation.
I agree. It is a total rip off. I would be more than happy to support in any type of legal action against them. We need to stand up for ourselves and everybody who has been conned in the past and everybody who is about to get conned in the future.
Forget the BBB. They are useless. We should be contacting the attorney general in Hawaii.
rg1805@att.net
i went to hawaii in september 2008 and me and my family signed up for that same thing in exchange for free luau tickets and a sunset cruise, unfortunately we are paying monthly on this and the monthly amount continues to rise out of no where, we havent tried to actually use it but since seeing this i will not be and i would like to join whatever protest you guys me be having. please include me and contact me please L_shawL@hotmail.com please
everyone go on face book, spread the word, destination paradise and their staff will lie to your face and blow so much smoke up your ###, no hotel deals, no crusie deals, there is a reason why they do not show a live version of the software and there isa reason why this is sold in hawaii, when you are on vacation you are not doing research on companies that are out to scam you, every one should arrange to go in, aug or sept and protest, spread the world, together we stand, divide we fall, lets go and send a message, strength in numbers
email me chambersthree3@hotmail.com
Last January we also purchased the software because they said that we would get these great discounts at the hotels that we use in NY and Boston etc. Upon getting home we found that the software is bogus offering only remote time share leftovers that are vacant anyway . Other discounts are easily beat on the web.
We immediately calle dand spoke with ike Balicki who basically aid we got a great deal and we are stuck with it . I kept records of all correspondance and filed with my bank and file case with BBB of Hawaii.
The bank credit card rep. calle dme today and said that they have contested my credit card refusal . They feel I have a good case but there are no guarentees. I guess they have lost some cases.
I will gladly support any class action suits.
The key issue here is that they give you 3 days grace period in the states it is 5 business days. You don't efven get the password until well after that 3 days is lapsed . Most people visiting Hawaii don't get home for a week or so never midnd check out the web site.
It is a scam and why these conttrracts are recognized legitimate by credit card companies that are suposed to protect us I jwould like to know. I am personally following up on this.
dave
This past December of 2008 my family and I went to Hawaii and we were approached by a man that stated he would give us free tickets to an excursion if we attended this seminar. They made the seminar sound so great it sounded too good to be true and by that I should have known that it was a scam. My fiance and I were hesitant on signing the document, So they got a little pushy and gave us a discount and threw airline tickets in so that we would sign. Unfortunately we signed that darn paperwork. We thought okay maybe we will get a great future vacation out of this but all the pricing is still high, and you actually have to go at the very last minute to get a great deal, who does that. Who decides to go on vacation from one week to the next! Only people who have money! And if I had money I would not have signed up with DP to get a great deal! All I have to say is DON'T DO IT! NOW MY FIANCE AND I ARE STUCK PAYING 150.00 A MONTH FOR 3 YEARS!
Janette
i was ripped off too, we should all plan a date in the summer and go protest this ### we call destination paradise hawaii, they are abunch of con men a they will get whats coming, any one interested in going in aug or sept, email at chambersthree3@hotmail.com attention dave
i will make sure they do not get one sale the week i am there