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2.9 58 Reviews

Sundance Vacations Complaints Summary

27 Resolved
31 Unresolved
Our verdict: Dealing with Sundance Vacations, which has an average resolution rate, requires some diligence. Research their service in depth and read a variety of customer reviews for a balanced view. Approach any customer service interactions with detailed and well-prepared queries to facilitate a better resolution process.
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Sundance Vacations fraud

I went to a computer show with my husband, and filled out a form for a contest to win a cruise/airline tickets. Of course, we won, I think everyone that enters wins, and got talked into this vacation deal (plan with tan.) I followed all of the rules, and was told that every friday at 2:00pm, there would be this ginormous list of vacation areas to go to. After they took my check of $1200, the lowest deal that they had, every friday for a month and a half afterwards I checked on this list, and the same 3 properties came up. Nothing changed, and all of these properties were in the middle of nowhere. I called the company and asked them to find me a place in ocean city maryland for the end of july, and they said nothing was available. I then asked about the jersey shore, south and north carolina, the whole atlantic coast, nothing available. What was available, you ask? In texas, where there was an oil spill at the time, properties I never heard of that were out in the middle of nowhere. Needless to say, I wound up paying for my own vacation, now I have some bank calling me and harrassing me at all hours of the day and night for the balance of their money. I refuse to give them another dime. Do yourself a favor — tan vacations is a huge scam — don't do it. I threw away $1200 that I couldn't afford to do because they make it sound so great, and now i'm being harrassed every day for that huge mistake. If anyone has any advice to get myself out of this, I would really appreciate it.

Read full review of Sundance Vacations and 7 comments
Update by C & K Williams
Feb 03, 2013 2:31 pm EST

This comment is just for the people who are posting negativity towards folks who they claim to have no patience with TAN finding them sufficient vacation spots in a timely period; well let me tell you something... I asked to find something for me 6 months ahead of time for one particular weekend, not days or even weeks! What kind of reputable company needs to take that long? And in regards to Cheryl Rose103's comment.. maybe you should find out the facts before you go shooting off your mouth about another person's posting. Goodie for you if you didn't have any problems. I did, and I followed all of the rules, and read all the information before I signed on the dotted line, thank you very much KQ and BC. And if you wish to find out about the horrible cruise that I supposedly "won" just email me and I'll tell you all about it. We went on the cruise, and it was one disaster after another. The part that kills me is that if you people all had such a wonderful time, and feel so great about this company, what the heck are you doing on the message complaint boards in the first place? Think about that for a moment, you unfortunate people who've been scammed like I was. They are probably all representatives of TAN trying to defend their jobs anyways, so the company doesn't go out of business from all of the law suites they probably encounter from bleeding all of the unsuspecting members dry.

Update by C & K Williams
Dec 08, 2010 3:38 pm EST

I felt like everyone else when I signed up for this vacation deal with Sundance Vacations that it was the opportunity of a lifetime, you get all these vacation deals all over the place for very little money, and when I actually wanted to pursue several spots, all I heard was everything is booked, everywhere I wished to go. I refused to pay them another dime, after being out over $1350, and made a complaint here on this forum. A rep from Sundance saw my complaint, (why they were here on this site is still beyond me) and after several emails and phone calls, got me all of my money back and stopped the harrassing phone calls. I don't agree with their business, I would never fall for something like that again, but if you persist hard enough, there is a way out of it if you feel like you've been scammed like I did. They did work with me at the end to get me out of my mistake.

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JMC0801
, US
Jul 20, 2013 10:14 pm EDT

By far the worst company I have ever had to work with. We own time share and thought RCI was getting expensive until we started with TAN. I was told they dealt with four star resorts. What four star resorts make you bring your own sheets and bath towels? I have never heard so many reasons as to why they cannot honor a request as I have heard from this company. I am trying to use up the weeks as quickly as possible so I can get out of this nightmare. And I would like to comment on something C & K Willliams posted - why are people who supposedly have had such wonderful experiences with TAN on this complaint board to begin with? I am beginning to wonder if they might not be TAN employess!

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Jody S
Loves Park, US
Oct 27, 2012 1:45 pm EDT

Where do you find places on the ocean? Everything I find is in the middle of nowhere. I want to take my family of 8 to Florida and stay on the ocean and never find anything avalible no matter when I try. Have been a member 2 years and not been able to use it yet. I paid 15, 000 for nothing so far. If anyone has sugestions of what I can do let me know.

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KQ&BC
, US
Sep 10, 2012 3:45 pm EDT

So far so good. We have only planned three vacations w TAN and all worked out well. Two were from Hot Weeks or Excess Inventory I forget which and another was planned several months in advance because it was prime shore season and we needed two units each w two bedrooms. All three of these were acceptable. One unit on Cape Cod needs new furniture for seating comfort but the unit was clean. We had one problem which was handled immediately by Tan workers and when the resolution took longer than expected they compensated us for the inconvenience, which was minor. Think about what you are doing before you sign on the dotted line. If this method of planning vacations is not for you don't sign up. Staff have ALWAYS been courteous and most helpful in answering our questions. We hope our association continues to go as well as it has thus far. K&BC

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Notta Sucker
Pensacola, US
Oct 31, 2011 10:00 pm EDT

One of the biggest red flags on each of these scams is the requirement to send the funds via Western Union, which is well known for the impossibility of reclaiming funds. Once it is in WU's hands, it is gone, without recourse. So whenever you are directed to only send funds via Western Union, it is most likeky a scam.

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CruiserSheila
Wilmington, US
Oct 31, 2011 9:44 pm EDT

I have thoroughly enjoyed TAN! We've used it multiple times for Excess Inventory. Been to Outer Banks in April, Ocean City and Bethany Beach in September and with the proper planning I was able to arrange for 9 of us to stay in Maui, Hawaii for a full week. Don't let the negatives that some folks are all too happy to report keep you from looking into TAN. I'm in DE and deal with the Pennsylvania office! Great people. Courteous service. When I found a hairdryer not operating properly, it was replaced within 4 hours--- plenty of time before our luau reservations!

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cherylrose103
Bridgeton, US
Apr 05, 2011 3:33 am EDT

I have been a member of TAN for 9 years and not only loved every minute of it, but tell anyone who will listen how wonderful it is. If you plan your vacations ahead of time instead of being "last minute" which falls under the category of "lack of planning on your part, does not constitute an emergency on mine" you will love TAN. Every single unit I have stayed in has been clean and nicely decorated. The home office is courteous and ready to answer any questions I have or to resolve any problems. Only once did I have problems with a refrigerator, and someone was there within the hour to fix it. Yes, Sundance Vacations does use their "so called contests" where everyone is a winner, but of course not the "big" winner. I don't like that type of sales, but I have to say, TAN was the best thing that ever happened to our lives. We now go on a shore vacation every summer, and travel to other places during the rest of the year. The people who seem to be the most guilty of not following the rules, always seem to be the loudest. Don't be influenced by the few negatives, but check out the positive reviews as well. I am sure the "complainers" have many problems that are always someone else's fault. Too bad, because you missed out on a wonderful vacation plan.

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Jeanne 5608
Highspire, US
Mar 24, 2011 4:19 pm EDT

I would suggest calling your state's office that deals with contracts and fraud...or at least tell Sundance Vacations that you are going to report them to your state, your BBB and are considering a lawsuit for misreputation of the package you purchased. Also make sure you are on the "Do Not Call" list and tell the company that you are on the list and the next call they make to harass you will be reported so they can be fined. Make a note of this and, if they call again, report them.

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Sundance Vacations - possible scam

My boyfriend and I had gone to the cincinnati beer festival several months ago and put our names in to either win a car or a cruise. He received a phone call from [protected] and spoke with 2 women, kathleen and yvonne, and they stated that we had won a cruise and gave him a confirmation # for him to give them and asked for us to show up at 8 tonight to be...

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Sundance Vacations vacation plns

I recently went to a sundance vacation presentation and listened very thoroughly to what the presenter was saying. $15, 000 dollars for a 30 vacation package. A $500 dollar vacation sounds good door to door. I mean from the time you leave the house until you get home you only spend $500. This $500 dollars is only for the hotel so all other expenses are out of pocket. Again, I simply picked this up by listening closely to the presenter. What made my small no a big "no" is when the presenter said there was a $350 yearly fee as well as a $99 registration fee whenever you booked the vacation so you are already out almost $500 dollars a year just for that. So now the $500 vacation (hotel room) is costing nearly $1000. I picked this information up during the presentation and knew that I could do better, pretty much anywhere else. They also finance, but that typically means added expenses over the long haul. As a consumer, if you took the monthly expenses that would be going into one of theses vacation packages and put together your own vacation package ultimately you would be better off. Don't think of it as a scam but more of a rip off. This is more like a car sales man trying to get more than a car is worth. If you don't want it, and honestly, why would you, don't buy it. During the one on one interview I laughed loudly when I realized that I went to a baseball game, filled out a form to win a prize, got called for a free cruise and now they were trying to sell me 30 vacations for $15, 000 dollars. I am a priceline or motel 6 guy when it comes to hotels so it was pretty much a joke when the saleman tried to entice me with nice hotel rooms.in short, if you listen closely, you will not buy, so listen closely.

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Sundance Vacations ethical behavior

First, sundance vacations is not a scam. They sell wholesale weeks of vacations at a price, that in some cases, is lower than what you would pay retail. There are other limitations that will drive the cost higher than retail.

With that being said, please allow me to explain the sundance experience. After being called many times by their telemarketing department, you finally agree to attend a “one hour” presentation. Plan on spending 1.5 to two hours at the facility. When you arrive you check in and are escorted into a presentation room. The presentation lasts between 45 minutes and 1 hour. The will attempt to explain how much money you can save by using them for your vacation accommodations. They will first give you a price for 25 weeks of vacations. But, if you buy “today only, ” they add in another 5 weeks of vacations and lower the price by $5, 000.00. At the time of this writing, the 30 weeks of vacations is $15, 000.00. That equates to $500.00 per week. However, if you plan on traveling during peak season (which seems to be almost all the time), holidays, or special events, you spend an additional $30.00 per night. That's another $270.00 per week. Finally, you must pay an additional $99.00 to book the week. Add it all up and you are spending $869.00 for your accommodations. That equals $124.15 per night. Now you still might think that's a good price for a condo for a week. Oh, before I forget, they claim you can get additional additional bedrooms for another $30.00 per night. Since they claim the condos will sleep up to 4, if you want 5 or 6 people, you spend another $270.00 making your cost $1139.00. That's $162.71 per night. Now, I can book two hotel rooms in peak season for approximately $60.00 per night per room. That's $120.00 for two rooms. Multiply that by 7 nights and the cost is $840.00 plus taxes. Assuming a tax of 7% you spend an additional $58.80. Total cost - $898.00. By not using sundance, I save $241.00.

Next you are escorted into a room by a salesperson. After a recap of the presentation, they ask you to buy.in my opinion, don't do it. They will go get a “manager” who will show you a smaller package at a “lower” price. When you do the math, it's still $500.00 per week with all the additional cost described above. Again, in my opinion, don't do it. Finally they escort you to yet another sales person who will attempt to sell you something even smaller.in the end, the real costs remain the same.

Sundance also offers their “excess inventory.” these are weeks in locations where they have not booked their properties. They offer them at $198.00 per week. This is a good deal.

But let's talk about quality. Sundance's guarantee states that your accommodations will be “clean, comfortable, convenient.” not a bad thing. Further they state, “if your accommodations do not meet these standards, simply contact tan's total vacation services department to request a replacement vacation week be added to your account. Your additional vacation week is, however, subject to the usual reservation fees/procedures.” in other words, you pay another $30.00 per night for additional bedrooms, another $30 per night for peak, holidays, and special events, and another $99.00 to book the week. That's another $639.00 out of your pocket because they can't clean their rooms.

Next lets talk about the actual accommodations. They claim that each condo will sleep 4. Two in a bed and two on a hide-a-bed. I have first hand personal experience in one of their “condos.” I stayed at the sandbars on cape cod. Yes, the room was clean. However, it was just that, a room. It had a bed, but no hide-a-bed. There was a small, well equipped kitchen with a very small counter you could sit at. The counter was barely big enough for two. It was claimed to be an “efficiency” condo. To me, it was a motel room with a kitchen. I've stayed at motels with large floor space than this with the same quality, comfort and convenience. Only spent less money.

Last, let's talk about ethics. During the presentation they claim it's a today only special. That's a bunch of cow pies. Their policy is that they cannot sell to the same person if they have been to a previous presentation in the last 6 months. If someone attends 6 months and one day after their presentation, they can sell them a package.in other words, they lied. Further, the target market, as it was explained to me, is low to medium income people who cannot afford to take many vacations. Hmm … people have to spend more money, but cannot afford to take vacations anyways. Just doesn't seem right. Also, what about the hidden cost of having to finance the cost to enroll. Spend even more money they cannot afford. I'll leave it up to you to determine if this is ethical behavior.

By now, you may be asking yourself, “how does he know this?” easy, I worked for sundance vacations. I'm sorry to all of you who bought from me. I needed to make a living. I'm not proud of what I did. Hopefully this will prevent others from making a mistake.

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Update by Fitzgb
Jul 20, 2010 9:42 am EDT

Wisconsin has a 3 day Right of Recision. Call Sundances New Client Services and tell them you want to cancel. By law, they are required to cancel. They will try to sell you something even smaller, but stick to your guns and tell them you want to cancel. State law trumps Corporate law. Eventually they will cancel your contract. It's important that you do this in the first 3 days after you purchase.

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NikiW
, US
Nov 15, 2010 5:10 pm EST

Does anyone know what to say to them in order to get your money refunded?

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poco
Tellico Plains, US
Jul 20, 2010 10:50 am EDT
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Unfortunately, WTC used different language...never was the word cancellation brought up or writter. However there is a clause that read as this: "I understand that membership in WTC is for vacation and travel use only and does not involve real estate tranactions, therefore by SC law (I am in TN), there is no right of recission. I acknowledge that no representaion has been made as to investment or resale value and that the membership benefits are for my personal use and enjoyment and that of my family and friends. Your reserve the right to rent your conformation out, however, WTC and Vacations Plus do not provide this as a service" I feel very foolish if I was suppose to understand the word rescission. I heard it only once in a real estate trans. Why couldn't they just use the word "cancellation" and wasn't I supposed to have a separate form explaining cancellations.

I am a disabled widow which I disclosed immediately and at least 6 times during the hour I was trying to get out because of the agent being so confusing. She told me the sale was only today. I caved to get out initialed all I was told...without explaination from the agent on the rescisssion clause. I have a witness that this was not explained to us. I when back to the office within less than 24 hours and told the owner I wanted out . He suggested I let him book one trip with him. I refused because I thought I would be pulled into this further. My CC company is disputing the charge...what are my chances of recovery. I emailed numerous letters telling him I want to get out. Any questions and reviews I asked for he would respond to. He want me to call him...What should I do. Should I write a cancellation letter even though my CC company told me they are handling it? So ashamed and scared.
I'm on a fixed income and really cannot travel alone.

Poco

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poco
Tellico Plains, US
Jul 18, 2010 8:49 pm EDT
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I think that just happened to me and I tried to cancel within 24 hrs. Actually less. I was never given a cancellation policy or told about their cancellation policy in layman terms. The language in the "membership" form another language change to make you think you are joining a club and not signing a contract. what ever happened to you? Did you seek legal advice, to you have any advice for me? I'd appreciate it ... I did stop paymeny on CC

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newyork81
newyork, US
May 21, 2010 9:34 am EDT

omg.. is there a way to get out of the contract

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Sundance Vacations scams

I have a membership with sundance vacations, and this is a mistake and a headache. I was hesitant with the offer of the $12, 000 vacation package because it was rather expensive and I wasn't sure how soon i'd be able to travel, the sales rep offered my husband and I extra weeks of vacations. I asked if I could just buy half the amount of vacations and they said they are not allow to sell nor have ever sold any half package deals. They offered financing through tri-state without credit check and said that this financed account would not affect our credit if we were to face financial difficulties in the future.in addition, the sales rep said sometimes people have a hard time making payments, so then it makes sense that they can't use the vacations that they have not paid for. We thought it was a good deal at the time with the intentions of take our big family on vacations, so we bought the package for $12, 000. Excited, we told our close friends and family about our new timeshare with sundance. About 6 months later our bestfriends sat through to one of sundance's sale representations and later that night called us and told us that we've been scamed because sundance was desperately trying to sell them vacation packages at lower prices. At first the sales rep tried selling them a smaller package, my friends refused since it was silly that they would have to pay the $350 yearly fee, it didn't seem like a good deal because what if they could only travel once a year o none at all...? Sundance continued to lower and lower the price and offered them a $100/yearly fee. After researching more and more about sundance, I realized that there are so many people with similar stories. After making 2 years of payments, I called sundance and talked to them about my dissatisfaction with their sales tactics and lies and that I didn't want to pay for anymore of their vacations nor could I afford to since my income have now been cut down to almost half. I told sundance that i'll try to use up the vacations i've paid for but no more payments. They said that I would have to call and talk to tri-state. So we ended the conversation with me saying "so basically, you can't do anything for me except booking my vacations?" the girl over the phone replied "I could help you with your vacation planning, but you would have to call tri-state about payments." I understand that we signed the contract, but what can I do in this situation? I'm paying for pre-paid vacations that I now realized I don't have as much time as and now with the economy I can't afford to pay for this luxury that I can't even use. I hope people would consider my situation and just not sign up for anything like this, there are many great vacation deals out there that works out to be even less expensive than sundance and less the headache.

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annette luvs ericsson
, US
Mar 27, 2011 2:06 am EDT

i just wish i had done some reseach prior to buying i too got scammed. what can i do about it. i'm losing sleep over this

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amysuern
Oshkosh, US
Jan 04, 2011 5:03 pm EST

I did the same dumb thing, wanna go on vacation with me? lol amysuern@yahoo.com

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Sundance Vacations paying for something i'll never get to use

I am very worried about my membership with TAN. I see that Sundance Vacations has lost there license. I have been a member since 2005 I believe and have used their service 1 time. I paid a great deal of money and would like to know my options.

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Sundance Vacations - rip off sundance/plan with tan

Purchased a vacation club 3 years ago. Had one vacation it was roach infested and my sister had to get her money back.. It took 3 months for the company to refund the money. They charge a maitenance fee of 300.00 every oct. I refuse to pay it. Sundance vacations is a rip off. Got me for 4, 000 upfront and 8, 000 finance free of charge. It look like a great...

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Sundance Vacations misrepresentation

Sundance vacations sweepstakes
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By anon (not verified) on fri, 04/17/2009 - 9:30am.

If you entered the sundance vacations sweepstakes with the hopes of winning the grand prize but not with the express intent of inviting relentless telemarketing calls bordering on harassment, and you have been the recipient of uninvited or unwelcome telephone calls and are registered on the federal or state do not call lists, you should call the ftc at its toll-free hotline at: [protected]; or you should call the specific state in which sundance vacations has sales offices:

(1) illinois [protected]
(2) new jersey [protected]
(3) pennsylvania [protected]
(4) wisconsin [protected]

You may find the following article very informative and interesting:

http://naskiewicz.blogspot.com/

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Sundance Vacations scam

My girlfriend and I were completely mislead when we signed up for tan vacations. At the time that we attended one of their information sessions, we were concerned about the economy and if we would be able to finance this vacation package, if god forbid, either one of us were laid off. We were told flat out by the sales representative that if we need to cancel the vacation package, all we would have to do is simply write a letter to the headquartersexplaining the situation and our contract would be terminated. We were told that we would not be able to receive any of our money paid back on the package, which we were okay with, but that we would be able to cancel. Fast forward a few months and I was temporaily laid off. I contacted sundance about canceling the vacation plan and was given the run around and told that I would not be able to cancel the plan.

Sundance has been incredibly rude, has not returned phone calls and is downright deceitful with their business practices. They were recently featured in the philadelphia inquirer concerning their unfair business practices. Do not go to an information session and absolutely do not sign a contract with them.

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Sundance Vacations 3-day cruise

Thank you, nick, for your post. I checked my voice mail over my lunch hour today and got a message from "isabelle" saying that she had wonderful news for me regarding a contest entry I filled out at a recent baseball game I attended in milwaukee. (actually, I should probably complain to the milwaukee brewers, too, for allowing this sweepstakes to be distributed in their stadium...) she said she'd be available until 9pm tonight. I called right away, entered her extension, but only got a general operator. I asked for isabelle at her extension but got some man. After giving him my phone number and name he said something to me about the entry I had filled out. Honest to god I couldn't understand a word he said! He spoke so fast, I kept saying, "wait, I don't understand. What did you say?" he kept repeating himself but I said I couldn't understand him. He said "is your connection breaking up?' and I replied,"no, I just can't understand your voice, you are speaking too fast"finally, exasperated (and being the cynical person I am"winning"anything) I just asked,"did I win something or not?"he said I had to attend a 1-hour presentation and then I would obtain a voucher for 3-day cruise. I asked him if he could mail me something so I could read things over. He just referred me to sundance website. He was really rude, unhelpful, never bothered to slow down his speech so that I could decipher his words.
So, forget it. Some other poor schmuck can sit through some god-awful, high-pressure sales pitch (and in these tough economic times, you'd think sundance would get a clue that most people will not or cannot fork over $15, 000 in one fell swoop) sundance vacations, and other corporate shysters, if you are not going to award me a prize (cash, cruise, vacation, etc,) for picking my entry out of a hat, then don't contact me. It's just so annoying and all the more confirms my instinct to never fill-out"contest entries". I just was having such a good time that evening at the brewers game, had only been to one ball game before, and thought,"hey, i'll fill this out, what the heck?"
Well, folks, don't do it, and definitely it sounds like people should not attend these"presentations" according to nick's post.
Inga
(milwaukee, wi)

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heatherj2001
, US
Jun 29, 2010 2:34 pm EDT

I am going to this presentation on Friday night. Many people have said that they push you. I will not be buying anything! I cannot afford to, as most people. I too am going to Brookfield...I live in Beloit and my husband filled out a entry form at the Snappers game. This board scares me, but I think I will still go...just to see. What do I have to lose...just gas money, right? I too want to know if anyone has gone on this cruise.

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josie27
Chicago, US
Jun 09, 2010 10:05 pm EDT

Hi I won the cruise las week at the cubs game too, I thought I was lucky but seems like its completly the opposite. they keep calling me to set a metting but is an hour away from my house and I don't wanna drive all the way and waste my time... Obviosly the person that wrote about her amazing experience at the cruise is somebody that works there. Today they called me and I told them abou what I red here and they got all nervous and defenseve claiming that I should look up their actual website instead of this...still don't know what to do...did somebody go to the F^%$ing cruise?

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ChristinaB2086
, US
Jun 04, 2010 9:32 am EDT

Hello everyone, I won one of the 3 nigth cruise packages to the Bahamas at a Cubs game over the weekend. I am skeptical. Can someone please tell me if they actually ever went on the cruise or not? Thank you!

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tessi
Philadelphia, US
Apr 06, 2010 6:46 pm EDT
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So did anyone ever use their "Free Bahama Cruise" after all? we did go to presentation & survived through it, now we are not sure if we should use their free cruise or not?
thanks
Tessa

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aintmybaby
Milwaukee, US
Apr 02, 2010 11:08 am EDT

Just got off the phone with "Tonya" from Sundance in Brookfield, WI All of these stories I'm reading sound exactly like my experience. I got the voicemail to call "Kaitlin" (I think? Couldn't understand her, even though I listened 3 times) Filled out a form at Bucks/Heat game last Friday Spoke with "Tonya" Was pleasant & congratulatory Ran down the schpeel Offered times to come to office "tonight" or "tomorrow" Tomorrow's hours were one hour apart "No obligation to accept the 3-day Bahamas cruise" Would even leave with $1000 (really?) But she couldn't tell me what intersection on Bluemound Road the office is located (I do have the address) This trip is good for 1 year & I have a confirmation number :) Oh, bring a friend/family member with A good friend of mine always told me to "go with your first mind" & it's SCREAMIN' "STAY HOME!"

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nadafree
Budd Lake, US
Jan 23, 2010 4:48 pm EST

I atttended a presentation today, and politely declined the vacation plan, even though 3 different guys tried to convince me to go for it. Didn't like the gotta-buy-it-today-special offer. If it's that good, why can't I come back for it in a week or a month?
However, did get the certificate for the cruise, but haven't implemented anything yet. I've read some of the complaints about the cruise offer, and most are for Spirit Incentives more than Sundance. Don't know if it's legit or not, but I'll give them a call next week and find out what's up. Sundance does tell you that you will have to pay some fees for the cruise, so I know it's not 100% free (but what is?).

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celobanks
, US
Nov 23, 2009 10:54 am EST

Did any of you people ever try just going, listening to the pitch and just saying "NO"!...? Because if you took the time out to do so, you'd be relaxing on your 4 day /3 night cruise for a measly $300 (airfare included). I tried it and I loved it...so so happy I didn't take advice from you guys that are succumb to crumble from peer pressure...lmao!

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bigperm
Wauwatosa, US
Sep 09, 2009 4:57 pm EDT

Thank you Jill and to others that have posted on this site. I too, attended a brewer dodgers game this year (2009) and I filled out a form for what I thought was a chance to win world series tickets. WRONG! I received a call from a sundance representative explaining that I have been chosen to come to the city of Brookfield for a chance to receive a free trip. Thanks to all of you...I WONT BE ATTENDING TONIGHT'S MEETING!

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JillH
Milwaukee, US
Sep 02, 2009 10:49 pm EDT

I have the same situation going on right now. I went to the Brewers game in July and entered to win tickets to the World Series. What I got was a call from Sundance Vacations telling me I won a 4 day/3 night cruise to the Bahamas (or was it the Caribbean?). Anyway, he said my husband and I just needed to attend a 1 hour presentation at the Sundance Vacations office in Brookfield and then would receive the vouchers. And, if we went in by the end of this week, the airfare would be paid for. All we would have to pay is for the taxes and spending money on the cruise.

After much research, I found Sundance Vacations is a "vacation sales club" that sells vacations in bulk for discounted prices. I've read that the "presentation" is actually a high pressure sales pitch to by a bunch of vacations. Who wants to buy a boatload of vacations? Do we all have such an incredible amount of time off that we can do this?

Thanks to everyone on this board who shared their stories. My husband and I will not be attending the presentation.
Jill
Wisconsin

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Sundance Vacations - terrible company

My boyfirend and I recently purchased a vacation plan from sundance after filling out a raffle ticket at a bull's game. We did indeed recieve a free cruise (3 night 4 day) with round trip airline tickets included. We haven't taken it yet b/c its valid for a year and we want to wait until next month. During our visit to the location, the employees where very...

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Sundance Vacations - actually not a scam

Hi everyone, I just wanted to clear some things up about sundance vacations. I, by no means, work for, or really care about sundance vacations other than winning a 3 day cruise and round trip airfare from them. I am actually writing because when I read all the complaints about this company it made me nervous to go ahead with my "prize." I thought I...

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Sundance Vacations rip off

All I will say is that I will laugh my # off at anyone who will fall for their # sales tactics. Thank god, I go to depaul university and have some "basic training" in marketing. First of all, when someone has a flip book of # vacations that you have no idea what hotels and locations will be included, there's your sign. When you have "won" a free vacation, what does that mean? You don't pay a cent! In other words, no matter what they say according to corporate standards they must award you with a free vacation. Now, that means don't buy their crap vacations, bottom of the barrel crap. They are selling middle class people on vacations that suck donkey balls.in life, remember one thing... "you get what you pay for!"
When it come down to reading what I have written, be skeptical of the corporate monster. Oh yes, those people know how to take this fantastic session of writing, put a spin on it, and try to convince you that they are righteous. They have done nothing wrong, and we don't have two wars, a crisis in gaza, airplanes crashing in the hudson, and the uncontrolled abuse of american citizens! Put it this way, we are sick and tired offers that are too good to be true! Last thing I need is a cruise that will lead me to a timeshare presentation. # you sundance!

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me26
Richmond, US
May 04, 2011 5:18 pm EDT

YOUR AN IDIOT! How you could get into De Paul University I don't know. I bet your professors would love to see your conjecture in a public forum! You are going to make a great Marketing Major some day. Good Luck buddy boy

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nl3146
Milwaukee, US
Aug 31, 2010 12:04 pm EDT

I recently received the infamous "PHONE CALL" from Sundance. Sat thru the presentation and the selling vultures. But i'd like to get a response from someone who actually went on the free cruise trip. What was that experience like?

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Dolores
, US
Feb 27, 2010 1:55 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Deserie:

I personally monitor the Sundance Vacations developments quite closely as do many of my friends and associates in the media. And although I perceive your comments to be intelligent, articulate and well contemplated, I am of a different opinion as to why the Better Business Bureau “revoked” Sundance Vacations membership accreditation.

The state of Wisconsin “revoked” their membership on January 25, 2010, while their membership in another branch of the BBB “expired” on January 4, 2010.

In both instances I suspect that the “revocation” and “expiation” was the result of declining to renew their paid membership in the BBB. I further believe that Sundance Vacations has concluded that the time and effort invested in responding to the overwhelming complaints was not cost effective and, therefore, allowed one membership to be “revoked” while the other membership expired.

What I find most disappointing is that rather than engage in legal, ethical and moral marketing and selling practices, Sundance Vacations opted to relinquish their BBB memberships as I suspect they may do in other jurisdictions where they operate. I also believe that Wisconsin is less tolerant of their questionable tactics than other jurisdictions.

Despite the fact that the BBB is nothing more than a paper tiger the average consumer doesn’t know that, notwithstanding the argument that a BBB membership may be a good selling point. I wonder if Sundance Vacations’ is still proclaiming the invalidated BBB memberships during their sales presentations!

Oh, by the way Deserie, although I do my best to refrain from ad hominem writing, I loved your characterization of the Sundance Vacations’ communications director as a “myrmidon.” For those who may not know the meaning of the word, it describes a subordinate who executes orders unquestioningly or unscrupulously.

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kay
Abington, US
Dec 02, 2009 8:06 pm EST

I am sorry. For all the people that state no one made you sign up. You are 100 percent correct. IT is like paying for a car and the car stops running 3-6 months in. You are angry and upset. I have dealt with this company. THEY NEVER have rooms available (I need a room that sleeps 4 they have a room that sleeps 8.)You must upgrade. This is where the rip off comes in. They charge you upwards of 325.00 for maintenance fee every October. I HAD a room from them filled with roaches. I was stuck for the whole week and it took 3 months to get my money back.. losing out of my 99.00 . I need not lie. I am already 12, 000 in with them. I am the one that report ### room. It is the truth. All I am saying is give a person what they are paying for. Do i feel duped YES could i have said NO -Yes, however I thought it was a nice vacation club.. unlike Timeshares. I STILL say buyer beware. These are the tactics I have 32 vacations-12, 000 dollars I put 4000 down with 8000 being finance with NO interest.. Right Can't beat that! I have used it twice. The first time I had to cancel ..Note had to write to the BBB to get a booked vacation 3 months in when I could get a vacation. NOTHING AVAILABLE HOW CONVENIENT. I get the vacation and it cost me with flight 2000 dollars. Tan 500.00 .Had to cancel due to death in family Could get money back for that(flight).. oh but guess what couldn't get it from TAN because i didnt call 60 days in advance.. Well sorry should have told my Grandma not to die I had a vacation planned .. Second Vacation full of roaches. Now, for people who want to say this and that about getting a point across. IT IS A RIP OFF and it should be shut down. People cut me a break with some of these legitimate Business.. yeah right!

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Smills
Mount Carmel, US
Nov 23, 2009 7:28 pm EST

First of all you people who are mad should read what u sign up for. If you dont want a call, then dont fill things out. It is a ligit company, and they do have great savings. Yeah it might not be for you, but that doesnt mean you have to slam the company just because its something u didnt like. Not everyone will like the same things, and this world would be pretty damn boring if we did.

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JCvi
Lombard, US
Sep 27, 2009 12:29 pm EDT

I have no connection to Sundance companies - neither customer nor employee. My husband received the phone call telling him that he won a trip. After consulting with one of our friends regarding this phone call, she informed us that a few months earlier, she had gotten the same phone call and had already gone through the whole process of booking her trip. I asked her numerous questions, as I was skeptical, and most of what she said sounded like it wasn't a vicious scam. I figured we didn't have anything to lose, so we made an appointment.

The casual remarks they make during the presentation and while they are trying to persuade you to purchase make offers more convincing than the actual talk of sales. The offers are lowered until you receive your voucher. In their defense, they have developed their sales tactics very well and the associates are well-trained and very smart. Even still, it's not a terrible scam if you are really interested in vacationing often for a week at a time. The longer you take to use the packaged vacations, the more money it will cost you.

We got down to a 10 vacation package for $4, 000, with $100 down payment, to be paid over 4 years at 8% interest. With the addition $350 "membership" fee each year and the $99 registration fee for each vacation you book, should you use all 10 vacations in 5 years, the total will come to a total of just under $700/vacation - not including interest toward the purchase price. Adding airfare for each vacation for the number of vacationers raises that price in addition to extra activities (scuba diving, golf, water/amusement parks, spas, etc.). Should it be a vacation for 2 with airfare at $150 round trip each, this vacation is now at $1, 000 without extra activities. To us, it wasn't worth it at this stage in our lives, but maybe when we were older and almost at retirement age.

I do not know the quality of the accommodations or resorts that they own or operate out of, so I cannot testify to that. However, I can testify that this is really not that big of a scam. It really isn't that difficult to say no to them; especially if you cannot afford it and your priorities are in check.

Do they tell you upfront that you really haven't won anything? Yes. They hand you paperwork with that statement on there as well.

Was this tricky? Yes. You feel duped when you arrive and see at least 5 other couples here, too.

Do they offer you free airfare if you come in by the end of the week? Yes. They use various other sentences to make you feel more special and more exclusively privileged even though you are treated very similar, if not the same, to everyone who has walked through the same door.

Do I think that it's cheesy for the company to post on here, again, trying to get customers to contact them? Yes.

Do I think that their practices should be reported? Not necessarily. There were a few points that were stretched or maybe even entirely untrue during our experience with this company. Bottom line: we didn't purchase anything. We have no association with this company at all. Their attempt to complete a sale with us is over (so far) so there is no reason to report them. They haven't stolen money or committed anything like that. Their tactics are simply well thought out and just barely on the borderline of being a little unethical.

Of course they are trying to sell their company ideas and products to you - that is what companies do. If they have nothing to sell you, they make no money which, in turn, makes no sense.

Those of you who are sincerely against this company because of reasons you've mentioned, don't really have valid points. Out of ignorance, maybe you don't understand the concept of a for-profit business or maybe you feel victim to marketing and sales practices leading you to entirely do away with anything positive that this company really has to offer. If you could bend the laws to get benefit out of them, wouldn't you? They are as well regarding Do Not Call lists and other ways.

Next time you try to argue so strongly against something:
a) find out for yourself and make your own opinion regarding your own personal experience.
Sites like these are useful as a 'heads' up' so you can go in expecting the aforementioned. You just have to be alert and skeptical when pursuing questionable offers. For those of you who did go through this experience, your opinion is only valid if you understood the entire concept of what you got yourself into. Those uneducated will feel vulnerable, and feel the need to make a nasty remark. Educate yourself to make an educated opinion.
b) use language that is not profane.
The validity of your discussion regarding your opinion of anything is incredibly decreased when you cannot use appropriate language. Conduct yourself professionally if you really want your opinion to be worth something. If not, why bother posting? Go back to the trailer park.
c) use correct grammar.
Again, the validity of your opinion is still incredibly decreased when you cannot use the English language correctly. Get an education.

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scammed_too!
King of Prussia, US
Jun 19, 2009 6:54 pm EDT

I agree with the legitimate business comment that rips people off. It is a hard sale, just have to work there and read the scripts! It's another example of BUYER BEWARE or in this case "WINNER". wait they don't say winner, it's selected, but everyone is selected, EVERYONE that fills out one of those forms at games, in restaurants, EVERYWHERE, and then they can CALL CALL CALL, without breaking any DO NOT CALL laws, should say PREYED upon.

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kay
Abington, US
Jun 07, 2009 8:57 pm EDT

All i can say is Sundance Vacations is a legitimate Business that rips off people. They sell them vacations only to take their money and give them ### hotel rooms.. so take this how you want it IT IS A RIP OFF

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whitleybree
Nesquehoning, US
May 16, 2009 2:02 pm EDT

Well, everyone’s first mistake seems to be thinking this is something they have "won." We, here at Sundance Vacations make it vary clear that this promotional item is NOT something you have won. So you did not in fact win it, we offer it to everyone who fills out an entry form, equal opportunity; everyone has a chance to take it. You are simply asked to visit one of our local offices for 60 minutes, no longer, this is because we have presentations every hour, on the hour between 4pm and 8pm on weekdays and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays and if we were to keep you longer, it would conflict with our next showing. This is not a free item. At this time, May of 2009, we are offering a 4 day, 3 night cruise on Royal Caribbean Cruise lines to the Bahamas for two passengers leaving from Port Canaveral or Miami, Florida, your choice. This is a $1200 package that my company, Sundance Vacations, is paying for, what you are asked to pay is simply the port charges, taxes and security fees, which totals $189 in the off season and $225 in the peak season. The only thing we ask of you is the 60 minutes I mentioned earlier, if you are physically capable of sitting in a chair and listening for 60 minutes, you will leave with the 2 travel vouchers. You don't have to buy anything to receive the cruise either. You aren't even required to have anything on you to purchase anything with; you don't have to have cash, check or plastic on your person when you come in. We are also offering 2 round trip airfares, these are absolutely free, simply because we purchased overstock of them and they work with our promotional item quite well.

My second item of discussion is the fact that if you don't want to be called by us, you simply pick up the phone and say "Please, don't call me again." Ignoring the phone calls won't do anything unless you want us to call you back tomorrow or later on that day. We have a 'DO NOT CALL' list and you will be placed on it immediately. Of course we're persistent; of course our first response will be something along the lines of "Are you sure?", or "This is a wonderful offer!” something to get you to change your mind, but that is because that is what we are paid to do. Do you understand that in our job, yes, we are paid hourly, however that doesn't pay much, we make our money by booking you and you showing up. We NEED you to come into the office because if you come and sit for the 60 minutes, we get paid for it. That's a pretty small price to pay to help someone out, don't you think. You sit, view a presentation, are informed about our company, receive a cruise and I get paid for it. You know, to become a part of this company I had to sit through the presentation too, and all I got out of it was a ham sandwich, you get a cruise.

My third item for you is something you should think about. Now-a-days, everyone has or had or will be a victim of fraud, therefore we should all be wary of where we write our names, our numbers, our addresses, and any other confidential information we don't want others to have. When you see a contest or a give-away, you already know they are going to want your contact information, to contact you should you win the grand prize, right? You are also aware that on the back of the card you fill out there is tiny print that you should read, tiny print that is legible and is written there because you were meant to read it. If we wanted to hide it from you, it would not be on there. READ IT. In there it says that in putting your contact information on this card you are giving us the right to contact you for any reason, not only if you win the prize, but for advertising purposes as well. Hence the phone call you just received.

Lastly, I’m just going to put in my two cents (the rest has been factual information I think you should know). Why be rude? If you get a call from me, I’m very pleasant when you pick up, why don’t you do the same. This is my job. I did not come to work today with the attitude, “well, I wonder how
I can piss the next person off.” I came in with the same attitude we all have when we go to work… “I need to make money today.” Make my job easier, pick up the phone when it rings, listen to me talk for just a few minutes (we have this thing called ‘talk time’ and you being on the phone for an extra two or three minutes adds up as the night progresses), and tell me if you’re interested or not, consider that you spending that hour of time with us will earn you a cruise and me my dinner, my bill payments, my kids clothes and my home.

My name is Whitley Bailey and my extension at Sundance Vacations is 112.

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jessicer420
, US
Mar 18, 2009 5:38 pm EDT

Umm...you don't listen well. All you have to do is sit there for an hour and listen to them try and sell you a vacation package. Which is also worth it if you payed attention. Plus, may i add that no one will pay your taxes, port charges and airfare. IT"S ILLEGAL. THEY HAVE TO BE PAID FOR BY THE PERSON.

You got a phone call that you signed up for...and your judging to company without any solid proof of scamming. You shouldn't write bad reviews when you haven't been mistreated! They are a legitimate company with legitimate employees who are just trying to put food on the table for they're families. It's not like they're a foreign company who operates under 12 different names. They're located in the united states and it's very easy to just go there and see what they're about!

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Sundance Vacations - free cruise and sales pitch

In december, 2008, during the neverending annual christmas shopping at southridge mall, my fiance, jody, and I came accross a "sweepstakes" to win a mercedes automobile. We happily entered while "ooing and ahhing" over the vehicle. We left the mall and thought nothing further of putting our names and phone numbers into this sweepstakes. This would mark the...

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Sundance Vacations free gas card

Was solicted by a travel & vacation firm as part of the process was given a free gas program. All I needed to do was to purchase $100.00 in gas each month from a list of particular vendors for 12-month to receive a $25.00 a month voucher.

I did receive 1- $25.00 gift card for aug. 08 purchases which finally came in oct. 08 after several calls to the company. Since then I have received nothing, and upon calling the number listed [protected] no answer at all.

Places like these should be defintely listed as fraudlent.

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Sundance Vacations sweepstakes

Sundance vacations "there ain't no free" nothing

I recently had an experience with a "travel" company in brookfield, wi. After entering a contest at a promotional booth at the milwaukee zoo to win a "free ford expedition or $50, 000" I received a call that I had "won a trip to the bahamas" and that all I had to do was come to the travel companies office and listen to an introduction to their company with no obligation to purchase and I would receive my free trip. Well my husband and I went to the office and listened to a intro and sales pitch that was quite convincing and seemed legit and reasonable. We were convinced during a high pressure sales pitch... Which was like the most stresseful used car deal you can imagine.. Into purchasing a vacation package that included 12 vacations for $3600, supposedly anywhere in the us at one of this "whole sale companies luxury resorts". I thoroughly read the details of the contract we signed and left feeling somewhat shocked that this company could offer such an opportunity.

Well, once home I went to the companies web site and did some research (which I later regretted doing after the fact). There were two lines in the contract that stated exceptions for additional costs and "peak season travel and black out dates etc." turns out these times are 80-90% of the year and the cost to use your trips at those times is significantly higher. The reviews all over the internet (except those testimonials on the companies website) all state similar experiences with a deceptive company that is legit and registered with the bbb, but scams customers by omission. I cancelled my check to the company that night and made a call to their customer service department the next day, trying to clarify my concerns.

The woman offered me a cheaper deal on the vacations and tried to convice me that this was something that was "good for my family" I then told her to cancel my contract on the basis of omission of the facts about what the travel trips really included, or I would possibley have to take legal action due to the omission of the details and the invalid statements of the presentation, execution and wording of my contract. It wasn't until I mentioned anything legal that she agreed to cancel. I think that local comsumers need to know the details of the operation of this company before they walk innocently into their office thinking that the won a free trip. Please google the company name. You'll find a slew of similar experiences. Fortunately I was able to get out of my contract before I lost any money, but others may not. My advice... "there ain't no free"... Don't waste your time. Check out this thread.. http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?p=328828

October 16, 2008 by elaine

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Jason37
Williamstown, US
Dec 08, 2009 7:56 am EST

SUNDANCE VACATIONS SWEEPSTAKES FALSE ADVERTISEMENT!

I entered the Sundance Vacations sweepstakes (it was for a car) and I received the same telemarketing call but the telemarketer stunned me when she categorically contradicted all the Sundance Vacations Internet advertisements.

The Internet is saturated with Sundance Vacations advertisements urging the consumer to enter their sweepstakes to “win” a “free” cruise. (The sweepstakes primary purpose is to obtain your telephone number to conduct telemarketing.)

Obviously Sundance Vacations is deceptive and here is a perfect and glaring example of that deception, as copied directly from Google: “Sundance Vacations Sweepstakes / Sundance Vacations Free Cruise. Enter the Sundance Vacations Sweepstakes to win a Sundance Vacations free….” The Sundance Vacations web site clearly states: “Sundance Vacations Sweepstakes: Win a Sundance Vacations Free Cruise.”

However, when the telemarketers call you they indicate that you didn’t “win” the cruise and that the cruise isn’t “free.” Red Flag! Rather, they state that the “promotional” cruise requires the consumer to pay taxes and port fees and is offered as an incentive to attend their sales pitch. Since you didn’t “win” the “free” cruise, you must attend the sales pitch to receive it. Red Flag! (From what I can glean they start out with a $15, 000 vacation membership and then they keep dropping the price to make you sign a NON-CANCELABLE CONTRACT THAT NIGHT!) Red Flag!

Sundance Vacations has dozens of web sites advertising the potential to “win” a “free” cruise, but when their telemarketers call suddenly you didn’t “win” anything and the “free” cruise could be more costly than if you booked the cruise yourself without all the discouraging restrictions and blackout dates! As one blogger wrote, all those restrictions and blackout dates are designed to deter the consumer from ever using the “free” cruise! That reminds me of commercial on TV from allybank when the narrator says: “Even kids know an offer shouldn’t come with ridiculous conditions.”

All things being equal the fact remains that Sundance Vacations advertises that the consumer can “win” a “free” cruise which is simply not the truth because you don’t “win” it - and it’s not “free.” That’s a bait and switch scam, plain and simple! Red Flag!

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maria21
Manchester, US
Nov 20, 2009 11:19 am EST

well now im scared b/c yesterday my boyfriend got a call sayin that we won a free trip to the bahamas n that all we have to pay is the taxes.. and that all we had to do is go to a 1 hr sit down on saturday n then they will pay for our airfare... so today i decided to check it out n see the website n i ended up here! if this is a scam im pissed cuz we were so excited we have been havin alot of hard times and we both said wow looks like things are finally lookin up for us.. but once again probably not... but we still just might run up there saturday neways and my boyfriend is about to call them.. i dont mind payin the taxes if its not to much but if it is than screw them... hate to say it but they r gonna end up pissin the wrong person off... n how do u go to bed at night knowin that someone is excited thinkin that they r getttin a free trip but then to screw them over... JUST BE HONEST! its not that hard... n im a nurses assistant so if they try sayin o well its a great vaca for nurses ill tell them to kiss my ### point blank!

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whitleybree
Nesquehoning, US
May 16, 2009 2:03 pm EDT

Well, everyone’s first mistake seems to be thinking this is something they have "won." We, here at Sundance Vacations make it vary clear that this promotional item is NOT something you have won. So you did not in fact win it, we offer it to everyone who fills out an entry form, equal opportunity; everyone has a chance to take it. You are simply asked to visit one of our local offices for 60 minutes, no longer, this is because we have presentations every hour, on the hour between 4pm and 8pm on weekdays and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays and if we were to keep you longer, it would conflict with our next showing. This is not a free item. At this time, May of 2009, we are offering a 4 day, 3 night cruise on Royal Caribbean Cruise lines to the Bahamas for two passengers leaving from Port Canaveral or Miami, Florida, your choice. This is a $1200 package that my company, Sundance Vacations, is paying for, what you are asked to pay is simply the port charges, taxes and security fees, which totals $189 in the off season and $225 in the peak season. The only thing we ask of you is the 60 minutes I mentioned earlier, if you are physically capable of sitting in a chair and listening for 60 minutes, you will leave with the 2 travel vouchers. You don't have to buy anything to receive the cruise either. You aren't even required to have anything on you to purchase anything with; you don't have to have cash, check or plastic on your person when you come in. We are also offering 2 round trip airfares, these are absolutely free, simply because we purchased overstock of them and they work with our promotional item quite well.

My second item of discussion is the fact that if you don't want to be called by us, you simply pick up the phone and say "Please, don't call me again." Ignoring the phone calls won't do anything unless you want us to call you back tomorrow or later on that day. We have a 'DO NOT CALL' list and you will be placed on it immediately. Of course we're persistent; of course our first response will be something along the lines of "Are you sure?", or "This is a wonderful offer!” something to get you to change your mind, but that is because that is what we are paid to do. Do you understand that in our job, yes, we are paid hourly, however that doesn't pay much, we make our money by booking you and you showing up. We NEED you to come into the office because if you come and sit for the 60 minutes, we get paid for it. That's a pretty small price to pay to help someone out, don't you think. You sit, view a presentation, are informed about our company, receive a cruise and I get paid for it. You know, to become a part of this company I had to sit through the presentation too, and all I got out of it was a ham sandwich, you get a cruise.

My third item for you is something you should think about. Now-a-days, everyone has or had or will be a victim of fraud, therefore we should all be wary of where we write our names, our numbers, our addresses, and any other confidential information we don't want others to have. When you see a contest or a give-away, you already know they are going to want your contact information, to contact you should you win the grand prize, right? You are also aware that on the back of the card you fill out there is tiny print that you should read, tiny print that is legible and is written there because you were meant to read it. If we wanted to hide it from you, it would not be on there. READ IT. In there it says that in putting your contact information on this card you are giving us the right to contact you for any reason, not only if you win the prize, but for advertising purposes as well. Hence the phone call you just received.

Lastly, I’m just going to put in my two cents (the rest has been factual information I think you should know). Why be rude? If you get a call from me, I’m very pleasant when you pick up, why don’t you do the same. This is my job. I did not come to work today with the attitude, “well, I wonder how
I can piss the next person off.” I came in with the same attitude we all have when we go to work… “I need to make money today.” Make my job easier, pick up the phone when it rings, listen to me talk for just a few minutes (we have this thing called ‘talk time’ and you being on the phone for an extra two or three minutes adds up as the night progresses), and tell me if you’re interested or not, consider that you spending that hour of time with us will earn you a cruise and me my dinner, my bill payments, my kids clothes and my home.

My name is Whitley Bailey and my extension at Sundance Vacations is 112.

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8:34 am EDT

Sundance Vacations fraudulent misrepresentation

I entered to win a $50, 000 prize at the 'tour de elk grove' (a summer festival) when I 'won!' a trip for 3 days, 2 nights at a Marriott of my choice.. After being very spektical, as I should have been, then HARASSED me almost by calling me nearly 2 or 3 times a day.. The telemarketers are EXRTEEMLY pleasant and REALLY make you feel like they understand your sketisim.. SOO she now offered me 'free airfare' and a 'free $1, 000 online shopping spree' ahhhhh RIGHT! but I figured they specifically said this is NOT for a timeshare or to buy anything.. that its just their way of 'advertising their travel discounts' So what DO i have to lose? well over an hour and a half of my time and LONGER if you dont have the 'i'm out of here' attitude..

They insisted I bring my boyfriend because we live together - so we went.. It was a rainy friday night, we didnt have anything special to do, its right down the street - and if we can just stick to the little weekend get-away they we offering - cool! then I had NO problem listening to the 'presentation'

To my surprise a room full of people also showed up! I figured that we ALL couldnt be suckers! but anyways - The presentation was short but introducing us to their sales pitch.. for a FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLAR TRAVEL PACKAGE! $15, 000!? WOW! for not 25 BUT 30 weeks of VACATION! (on special that day! of course!) Then Dwayne ends the presentation by having a SWARM of sales people wisk us away to their desks to see if we would like to right a check or finance the $15, 000 package...

I just started laughing! my boyfriend asks the kid that 'has been there 4 weeks' if he was serious!? of course he says, 'yeah, why!?' He said well its $12, 000 today - with the 20% off not $15, 000 BUT THAT MONEY HAS TO BE PAID THAT DAY - AT THAT TIME - NO time to even think about it! Then or never they said!

When I made it clear that we ARE NOT interested in purchasing ANY type of package and that I would NOT be writing him a check or having the package financed.. He brought his 'boss' over to the desk.. The boss then does us a 'SPECIAL deal' of $7, 800 for a smaller package.. which we were so aggravated that I wasnt even listening what it was for.. So I said NO.. please just let us go - we arent buying anything.. the kid throws in there 'wow! he never passes that out! he must have liked you guys..'
PLEASE!

Then they sit us in another little room to wait for the manager to 'validate our vouchers' I asked the girls that were sitting in the room waiting with us if they were offered the 'special deal..' and the guy must have liked them too because they were offered it! SURPRISE SURPRISE!

After being there for an hour and a half they wisk us away now to the manager's office.. who now offers us 'a special package that they only let him use twice a year..' for $895 and he could waive some fees.. blah blah blah - THAT was in fact the final attempt to get me to turn over a check to them.. but a scam none-the less..
I then checked on here (because a friend told me about /link removed/ and of course the place that our FREE TRIP is from is called Spirit Incentives and there's pages and pages of horror stories.. not to mention the complaints about Sundance Vacations..

I know now to check this whenever skeptical! and just wanted to give a heads up to anyone willing to WASTE their Friday night like we did - DONT DO IT! its a waste of time and is a complete JOKE!

I have tried calling the location I went to - to question this 'free trip' that they gave us.. along with the Online shopping spree that I did not receive and it keeps looping me through an automated system that wont even get me thru to the receptionist.. And I've been calling the number that they had me do the reservation to hear the 'presentation' thru and they gave me a bogus number to contact Spirit..

I never thought of myself as a stupid person - but holy cow- today I feel like SUCH an IDIOT for going to this thing! the only thing making me feel better is to warn those of you that are considering going!

Nichole
Elk Grove Village, Illinois
U.S.A.

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Caroline Monsalvo
, US
Aug 29, 2017 5:13 pm EDT

I made a hurried decision and signed too quickly...at the moment thought it was a good deal...but please read between the lines...they are not saving you money...I purchased the package, financed it...each time I had to travel had to pay additional monies and the yearly maintenance fee for something I don't own...I was very disappointed at the service received from the resort which I stayed for 7 days...I went to the front desk to request some clean towels. I was told by the resort that I cannot get it because its not in their package deal with Sundance...gosh! paying all this money and could not even get a role of toilet paper...

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Kccarter
, US
Jan 27, 2016 12:05 pm EST

I disagree with 90% of what I'm reading. I got the call the other day that I was receiving a free trip from sundance. When I was talking to the lady on the phone she DID tell me that it was not a prize, it was a promotion and it was not completely free. She told me I was responsable for the taxes, which ranged from 150-190 a person. I have a job, I can aford to pay 400 bucks for my husband and I for 4 days in Mexico, thats a steel! She said all I had to do was come and attend a presentation and I would get my voucher. I don't feel like I was mislead at all.

We did attend the presentation, and they did say that they do not advertise, instead they gave away vacations and in return had their clients go threw a sales pitch while keeping opened mind. My husband and I LOVE to travel so we figured we would give it a shot.

After wooing me with talk of resorts in Hawaii (my dream vacation) I was ready to sign, but my husband was not. We did get a "special deal" of 6, 000 for 17 weeks of vacation and some other perks. They did specified that there was an up charge for peak seasons and holidays (they even showed us a chart with locations and when those times were). AND they DID tell us that there was yearly tax fees of 375 (which is not shocking to anyone that vacations). They even specified that traveling with more people would up the reservation fee. If there was a fee in that contract I found it, I went over it for 3.5 hours because I don't sign without knowing EVERYTHING about a deal, and my husband is not very spontaneous and very sceptical. In my opinion, I left feeling very informed about my package. I will write a bad review if I have to, but my expierence was good.

The sales pitch I will agree was VERY high pressure, but I can understand why they do that. We came with about 6 other couples and us and another couple purchased, the others left after hearing the sales pitch. We purchased because we are planning to travel just us two and the plan sounds good. No matter what, your not going to get a FREE vacation with your package. They offer a package for 15, 000, but you get 30 weeks of vacations! My family of 6 went on a cruise a few years ago and our total costs was about 10, 000. 15, 000 is a big number, but if you weigh that with the reservation fee and yearly tax fee and divide it by 30 weeks of vacation, it's still cheeper than what you would normally pay.

I got a package and I don't feel like I was scammed, I just feel excited for my next trip! In my opinion, if your finding "unexpected fees" then you didnt read the contract close enough.

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ralph82672
Bartonsville, US
Aug 06, 2012 9:28 pm EDT

I am very sorry to say. I have never been ripped off like this before. How do people like this sleep at night. They lied and lied. Told me there were hundreds of beutiful vacation spots. All I found was roach motels with nothing about complaints about them being outdated, needing renovating, and overly priced. I found places that were brand new for half the cost. I mean half the cost also. It is a scam, a scam, a scam. They must have thier employees posting ads for them. For every good ad there are five negative. The negative ones are so bad, that the good ones you know are lies.

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Jen514
, US
Apr 14, 2015 10:32 am EDT

Thanks so much for posting this. I got a call on my cell phone from this number and thankfully I spent the time to look up the phone number and this site came up on Google. You have saved me so much of my precious time. Thanks again!

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Jerseygirl80
, US
Jan 06, 2015 11:18 am EST

I am SO GLAD that I used my common sense on this! What a joke! We filled out a stupid prize voucher to win a Jeep at a local mall (which I HATE doing b/c of crap like this), and end up with scammers (AKA, Sundance Vacations) calling us to offer a "free" vacation. They blatantly LIE on the phone. I asked if there was timeshare or sales involve, and the customer service operator flat out said, "NO". LIE! When things seem too good to be true, they are. No matter how "nice" or "polite" their "staff" is, they are scammers. Trained scammers. I'm glad I have a job that does not scam innocent people. I can sleep at night knowing that I'm a good person. These people should be ashamed of themselves. Seriously. I hope they end up being prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. One day, they are going to "scam" the wrong person:)
Sincerely,
Happy I'm A Smart Girl In NJ:)

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mandie celestine
, US
Oct 09, 2014 7:17 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Well am so glad that i googled Sundance Vacation because this sales rep sounded too good to be truthful. My fiance & i had an appointment to go to Parrisamy NJ to their presentation and receive a free 3 day trip to the Bahamas on a Crusie Ship of our choice. We did decided that we will go because we had went to a time share presentation in Las Vegas and we did get a great offer of(dinner for 2 at the Venietian sky top restaurant, tickets to the wax Museum, and a tour at the water front of the Venetian Hotel) and we did not buy anything but but after reading all these negative responses about Sundanece Vacation & their scam tactics, WE WILL NOTBE GOING.

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Waste of Money with Sundance
Waldorf, US
Apr 17, 2014 2:46 pm EDT

I want to get out of my Sundance agreement so bad I can taste it. Went to the presentation got sucked in even when i told them i was litterally in the middle of planning my dead grandmothers funeral and couldnt spend the money they didnt care and kept the press so yep they caught me at a very vulnerable moment. Once I got home and started looking at the website i realize i wouldnt put my worse enemy in some of these spots. They are not 5-star as promised more like 2 stars and thats if its the last place to stay in a deserted town!

Im spending money for something i have no plan to use. I check the website often to see if anything has improved and low and behold nothing is ever available on the dates i look at hmmmm very interesting. And what is available looks like it smells like old mildew clothes and socks. How can I get out of this contract, I rather save my monthly money and pay for a vacation that I plan myself, at least I know the room will come with bed linens and a phone! Geesh you guys stop lying to the public!

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jonsonmayal
New York, US
Dec 07, 2013 6:27 am EST

Provides wholesale vacation packages. Customers who sign up can choose packages by type and destination, which are based on where the company and its partners own, lease, or otherwise have access to resort accommodations.

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3 dwarfs & Robin Hood
, US
Dec 03, 2013 10:18 am EST

Hello!
I am a realist and actually have a brain, which functions a third of the time normally. So mostly, on special occasions.

But wow…..
Can you say stroke job?

Sundance….O beautiful Sundance;) You can herd all the lemmings that will fall for such an easy pitch, but I'll save the trip and play with myself instead!
Thank you
but no thank you!

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skeptical independent thinker
Gouldsboro, US
Sep 04, 2013 11:05 pm EDT

If you follow the rules of getting the vacation package etc...You will receive them.They are not a fly by night business.Of course there's a sales presentation but you're under no obligation to buy anything.People are just dumb and don't follow the instructions. I've been to many including this one and read the fine print.

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12:00 am EST
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The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Sundance Vacations scam artists!

Sundance Travel Agency - www.sundancetvl.com

I would like to thank Becca from Pennsylvania for clarifying the position of Sundance Travel Agency as the sleaziest scam of travel agencies. As I understand it, if you scam the customer, then the customer is to blame for spending their money foolishly. Very nice!

I was contacted by this company after mindlessly entering a contest to enter a free car at the Blackhawks game. I was then advised that I won a 3 day trip to Orlando or Vegas. Nothing to buy and no time share to purchase. I only needed to give them an hour of my time with my wife (make arrangements for babysitting) and make over $30K/yr...oh yes, and be over 21 yrs of age. Here's the rub. i specifically asked if I was going to be solicited to buy something (b/c I was told I had to pick up my free trip in person). I was told no. Now that I have done the research to see that I will be solicited, I will not be attending. I have noticed that they have called 5 times since we initially agreed to meet with them...and the date scheduled hasn't even arrived yet.

Thank you to everyone for clearing the air. Most of all, thank you to Becca for showing what the company philosophy is really about... screwing the consumer!

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Sara2222
, US
Mar 17, 2019 12:36 am EDT

It is a scam...they make it sound way better then it is. Locations and time is limited, extra fees, and they make it sound so great like you can sell or give weeks as a gift. I couldn't give weeks away for free! I take full responsibility for being a sucker...thousands wasted..lesson learned...so over them. Would NEVER recommend!

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KatheAZ
Phoenix, US
Aug 19, 2014 3:26 pm EDT

Just for Future Reference the Sundance Travel you are slamming is actually named Sundance Vacations and their website is www.sundancevacations.com/pipasace.html ...The Website you are showing is from Sundance Travel in Phoenix Arizona www.sundancetvl.com which is an Awesome travel agency with a great bunch of Travel Agents who have worked there (most of them for 30 plus years) They know their Stuff!

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Managi Baltari
Indianapolis, US
Nov 14, 2012 8:20 pm EST

The "free" voucher has hidden fees attached to it. In the end, you will not be getting any real bargain. **** When you receive any phone calls regarding "offers" ask that they send all of the stipulations to you in writing. If a company declines to send information in writing, you can be certain that they are part of the underbelly of society.

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cj_892001
Florence, US
Feb 21, 2012 8:49 pm EST

did you get to go on the trip?

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Ruth Pasquariello
Riverdale, US
Mar 20, 2011 3:04 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

But, did you go on the free trip? Was that part a scam? We just sat through the presentation (1hour) and had the same experience moving from representative to representative until the price was really low too. We didn't buy in but did get a voucher for a free trip that we have to register for on line within 60 days to receive. I'm wondering if the free trip is a scam too. Is it worth even registering for ?

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Tom
,
Feb 20, 2008 6:51 am EST

I agree with Becca. Sundance Travel mislead me on the phone the same way as Becca was mislead. I chose to claim my tickets and I was asked to sit in on a 20 minute presentation. I thought that it was informative and was impressed with the price of the trips. They neglected to mention the $16000 price tag until the very end. That is when the high pressure tactics began. They moved me from one salesperson to another. Each step was less and less expensive until I was offered their special of the day for persons with great credit. $1,000 and $490/week for 10 trips a year with a yearly $90 maintaince fee. What a scam. I did get my free ticket voucher for two plane tickets to Florida and back with a three night stay in Orlando along with a Red Lobster $15 rebate. Then they tried one last time to say that this great offer is only available today because the better business bureau had restrictive regulations that mandated this.

Sundance Vacations In-depth Review

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Sundance Vacations

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Is Sundance Vacations a legitimate company?

Yes, Sundance Vacations is a legitimate company that has been in operation since 1991.

Is Sundance Vacations a scam?

No, Sundance Vacations is not a scam. The company is a legitimate travel agency that offers discounted vacation packages to its customers.

Are Sundance Vacations' deals too good to be true?

No, Sundance Vacations' deals are not too good to be true. The company negotiates discounted rates with hotels and resorts to offer its customers affordable vacation packages.

How does Sundance Vacations offer such low prices?

Sundance Vacations is able to offer low prices by negotiating discounted rates with hotels and resorts and passing those savings on to its customers.

Is Sundance Vacations a timeshare company?

No, Sundance Vacations is not a timeshare company. The company offers vacation packages that do not require customers to purchase a timeshare.

How does Sundance Vacations work?

Sundance Vacations offers vacation packages that include accommodations at resorts and hotels, as well as other travel-related services. Customers can choose from a variety of destinations and travel dates.

Can I trust Sundance Vacations?

Yes, you can trust Sundance Vacations. The company has a good reputation and has been in business for over 30 years.

Does Sundance Vacations have good customer service?

Yes, Sundance Vacations has good customer service. The company has a dedicated customer service team that is available to assist customers with any questions or issues they may have.

How do I book a vacation with Sundance Vacations?

You can book a vacation with Sundance Vacations by calling the company or by visiting its website. The company also has a mobile app that allows customers to book vacations on the go.

Does Sundance Vacations have any hidden fees?

No, Sundance Vacations does not have any hidden fees. The company is upfront about the costs associated with its vacation packages.

How can I be sure that my Sundance Vacations booking is legitimate?

Sundance Vacations is a legitimate company, so you can be sure that your booking is legitimate. The company also provides confirmation emails and other documentation to confirm your booking.

Are there any complaints about Sundance Vacations?

Like any company, Sundance Vacations has received some complaints from customers. However, the company has a good track record and has resolved most complaints satisfactorily.

Is Sundance Vacations affiliated with any other companies?

Sundance Vacations is not affiliated with any other companies. The company is an independent travel agency.

Does Sundance Vacations offer travel insurance?

Yes, Sundance Vacations offers travel insurance to its customers. The company recommends that customers purchase travel insurance to protect their vacation investment.

Can I cancel my Sundance Vacations booking?

Yes, you can cancel your Sundance Vacations booking. However, the company has a cancellation policy that may include fees or penalties.

How do I know if Sundance Vacations is the right company for me?

You can determine if Sundance Vacations is the right company for you by researching the company, reading customer reviews, and comparing its vacation packages to those of other travel agencies.

Are Sundance Vacations' vacation packages customizable?

Yes, Sundance Vacations' vacation packages can be customized to meet the specific needs and preferences of customers.

Does Sundance Vacations offer group travel packages?

Yes, Sundance Vacations offers group travel packages for families, friends, and other groups.

Can I earn rewards or loyalty points with Sundance Vacations?

No, Sundance Vacations does not offer rewards or loyalty points to customers at this time.

What is the refund policy for Sundance Vacations?

Sundance Vacations has a refund policy that varies depending on the specific circumstances of each booking. Customers should review the company's refund policy carefully before booking a vacation package.

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Contact Sundance Vacations customer service

Phone numbers

+1 (800) 220-9400 +1 (570) 820-0900 More phone numbers

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www.sundancevacations.com

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