We 'bought' into this Travel Agency Company in Feb 2006 with the intent on having a home business. We paid alot of money. We were told that we had a Platinum membership and that we would never have to pay anything for life. Including 6 weeks in condo's free per year, 2 free websites and all the training that we needed. The websites were set up through another agency. Then they went bankrupt and we were never paid our commission to this day.
Ocean Blue and Associates then wanted us to pay yearly dues. They then changed there name to Island Breeze Travel Agency. A new website was set up, but every hit or lead was taken by them so we never received any customers from it.
After not hearing from Island Breeze for a while and it coming time to renew our Agent Cards for CLIA, I tried to reach them and the phone number is now listed under Superior Choice Travel Agency.
Who are these people and why do they keep changing hands? We just found out that their License in Florida expired in 2008, and the BBB in Florida and New Mexico have dropped them. The New Mexico Attorney General is looking into pressing charges.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
No longer in business and IATA # invalid.
My wife & I purchased a cruise travel plan (to become CLIA travel agents), we payed a lot of money. We got some e-mails from them, and tried to do their training online, but to no success.
I tried to pick this up again recently, saw all of the other complaints online, and their toll-free numbers no longer work.
I have a Florida number for them that still has an answering machine, but no one has called back: [protected]
Did you ever get this resolved? We are in the same boat, also from NM and very disappointed with the misleading pitch they gave.
The exact situation happened to me. Took my money and were very difficult to communicate with regarding rates, availability etc. When I did get in touch with them the rates they quoted to me for cruises and condos were higher than direct internet pricing that is available to all the public. What can we do?
glssimmons2@netscape.net
Ocean Blue Associates took my money as a travel club memeber for 6 weeks of vacation time. Told me I can act as a travel agent or get reduced rates on travel. When attempting to contact OBA I had difficulty. When finally made contact the had problems getting me availability, rates etc. When I finally got rates, they were quoted higher than published rates to the general public. When questioned they hung up. Took all the training classes etc. and they still never gave me access to "agen" rates...I understand the the state of New Mexico is considering a law suit. How do we participate or provide information? This group needs to be stopped. Now I haer it changed toIslan Breeze travel agency and then Uperior Choice travel agency.
We also "joined" this club. When I had the same kind of problems as others have stated, I called and told them I wanted my money back or I would sue. They gave me a small portion of my money back and told me I could still have the membership. I sold for Island Breeze and later Superior Choice. When the commissions were not paid, I quit selling for them and went to my local travel agency and became an agent with them. I saw where Island Breeze was declared bankrupt and a suit was filed against them; however, no compensation was paid to the agents who sold for them like myself. A LEARNING EXPERIENCE! However, I did get the training to become an agent and am now enjoying working with a reputable firm. I hope they do something with this outfit in New Mexico.