Portfolio to paradise review: Scam 37

On June 26, my wife and I were awarded a judgment against Portfolio to Paradise to refund the money they charged us along with court fees. As of today, November 6, we have yet to hear from them although I have repeatedly sent them emails and letters requesting they pay or provide the statute required Judgment Debtor's Statement of Assets. As I submit this complaint, I am in the process of moving to the next step of the legal process that will provide me with the information I need to pay for the seizure of the money owed to me. What a pain - they will have to pay our judgment - they are simply showing the type of customer support I've noticed documented throughout the Internet as I have researched and shared my tale of woe. If you haven't been scammed by this company - stay away! If you have - my condolences.

My husband and I won a Judgement against this company in The Superior Court of California, County of San Diego. This Company failed to appear in court nor did they respond to the 30 day Appeal process. Now they are refusing to return any phone calls so that we can receive our monies. They are being investigated by the FRAUD Dept. of our Credit Union. Do not get involved with this company - they have the worst customer service and their offerings are a SCAM.

Listen up everyone. The Portfolio to Paradise is a scam. What everyone is saying is true. They are running a scam. Protect yourself.

We were promised a complimentary 8 day cruise and RT airfare to attend Portfolio's presentation.. We received the certificate then had to fork out $150 to VIP Travel. Then our complimentary trip couldn't be scheduled during the non peak time, so it was scheduled in January 2012. Unfortunately for us it would cost over $500 dollars per person for our "complimentary cruise" to the Caribbean. I can get the same cruise cheaper on my own.
I complained to Portfolio and they explain how it isn't their fault because VIP is an independent contractor so too bad for me. Portfolio says they no longer do business with VIP because of this. They offer me a two day hotel certificate and airfare! Why not an eight day cruise and RT airfare as originally promised. If this changes I will update you but it just goes to show that the so called travel business is going to end up with the same rotten reputation that the time share industry had. Many at the presentation told us they had come out of that industry and now here they were here to get us all this wonderful travel at such great prices. Gold Crown is the travel resort. My advice is - there isn't anything free in this world - I learned the hard way.

The presentation was a waste of time, If Portfolio to Paradise has been in business for over 25 years, how come we haven't heard of them except for the non-descriptive postcard that came in the mail. How come they haven't put Expedia and the rest of the online companies out of business? There is so many restrictions on their free trip. Is it worth the $350 for the two airline tickets and a 3 day, two night trip? Has anyone actually used the trip?

My wife and I responded to the "Free Cruise" mailer in November 2011. We had been to other presentations as well and had actually bought into one before (WorldMark); which we loved and used often until we sold it. We ended up buying into a 1 week package with the travel discount portal access. I negotiate with a manager for no recurring mantenance fees; ever for a cost of $2k. I totally feel bad for all the upset persons here who are all complaining about the problems with their freebies; which are all through this VIP Travel company. Seems every presentation I've ever been to who offers the free travel vouchers have the booking, tax and other fees associated. So, nothing is ever absolutly free of cost. My laziness led to us never using the free airfare or cruise before the vouchers expired. I even asked P2P for new vouchers because I failed to respond to the first expiration date. They quickly and effortlessly gave me fresh vouchers; which I also let expire due to my busy work schedule.

Now, the freebies aside, I've used my actual purchased service, Gold Crown Resort Travel, for two booked cruises and have saved about $200 per person for each of the trips I've booked. The cost savings also did not include on-board credits GCR gave us for use on the cruise; which were not offered by any of my ususal Internet-based cruise portals. So far, my savings over Internet-based cruise sellers (which I have used a lot as well) is up to $800. Another two cruises and my membership in GCR will have practically paid for itself.

My conclusion is that the majority of the complaints and screams of fraud are for the free travel vouchers because I've not seen a single complaint about the actual GCR service (the service actually being sold) being bad. It is possible I may have been amongst the complaints if I had tried to use the vouchers, but since I didn't I can only write about the product purchased; which has not been bad for us.

Not sure this will help anybody; but I just thought I'd chime in.

OK People Instead of your incessant ### get your money back if you bought into the membership. If you didn't then why complain?

For those who legitimately did buy and tried to cancel and was told the three day right of recession had passed and now you own it, don't despair that exactly what the owner Ron Morf wants you to do (look him up on the net) so here is what you do.

File a small claims action. Cite Portfolio to Paridise of if your up north Paridise World Vacations. Your case is to include RONALD MORF and the "AUCTUAL OWNERS OF GOLD CROWN' COLLEEN ARRIGONI AND JOE ARRIGONI When the owners get subpoenaed enough times and have to travel from their office in Florida to make multiple appearances in a California court because of an evil affiliate the likes of MORF they will become so incensed that they may become the real hero's as pull the SOB franchise. ITS MORF who tries to steal your money. Subpoena the GC owners and watch the fireworks. When you win your judgement make sure that the court mandates a specific date that all damages must be paid or MORF will try to skirt that as well. Hes a very slippey eel. I hope that helps you good folks

21st of Aug, 2011 by ninjagirl, would you please post some proof that you got your cruise? Otherwise, I will think of you as a company employee trying to divert attention away from the main issues. Yes, I DON"T believe everything I read. 'Portfolio to Paradise' has schooled me in this, if nothing else!

See my complete struggle with this company at http://smartravelexperience.blogspot.com/
I have filed with the FBI, the FTC, and the BBB.
Doubt I'll ever see my money returned, the company Smart Travel and Incentives is not responding to emails, and may be out of business. I'm getting "mailer daemon" responses of 'un - deliverable'.
I like to think my humble blog had something to do with that.

Portfolio to Paradise, I'm sure, is aware of this complaint site as well as all the questions concerning their business and practices thereto. I've been checking this site for months now in the hope that Portfolio to Paradise would answer or comment on public questions and concerns regarding their company. I guess just another indication of what kind of company they are! Any company that cannot respond to concerns or questions presented by the public tells me one thing: not only do they have questionable business practices as I suggested in a previous comment, but now, I feel they should be considered a complete scam prying on the public and my guess, operating within the bare limits of the law! Hopefully, not to many individuals fell for their pushy and unrelenting tactics to sell their product when attending the "limited seating" sales pitch.

Here's another scam one should beware of: Portfolio Travel, which is either an offshoot of Portfolio to Paradise, or the same company with new name and address in at a nearby location (324 Horton Plaza, Suite 534) when complaints against Portfolio to Paradise became overwhelming. In any case, they're in the same business: duping people to attend a 90-minute-or longer sales pitch for their travel services by promising a free cruise or trip to Hawaii or something similar. My wife and I attended a home show in Del Mar, CA and must have given someone in the travel bussiness our names and phone number. A few weeks later, we received a call informing us we had "won" a trip to Hawaii, including air fare and 3 nights lodging, and all we had to do to claim our "free" trip was to attend a sales presentation at Horton Plaza. I asked about out- of -pocket cost, and was told about $200 would cover taxes and other fees. (I later learned that the "free trip" which I had "won" is something which is offered matter-of-factly to anyone willing to attend the sales pitch). Before attending my scheduled presentation, I emailed Portfolio Travel, asking for specific details about the "free trip" (basically, conditions and costs). A rep from the company called back willing to answer my questions on the phone, but when I asked that he send the info via return e-mail, that was the end of the conversation. Obviously, the company did not want to commit itself in writing. Perhaps needless to say, we did not attend the presentation.

I got a piece of mail also saying I've won a cruise blah blah blah. What I want to know is where people would go to leave positI've feedback of their experiences with this company(if any could provide proof of their use of the gifts or club)... I do know that people are always so quick to complain about every little detail... Has anyone redeemed this cruise? Or used the air? And when I called they did say we would be responsible for the deposits that were designed to cover the cost of Port fees and taxes and because the certificate was designed to promote off peak travel times that certain dates like high season or holidays could incur a surcharge... Now clearly it is not free but at the least deeply discounted have you seen the costs of a cruise! They aren't cheap. The actual cost of the cruise is what they say the pay for. I was also told it was for an entry level cabin and if I wanted to make upgrades that would be okay at a cost. This all seems understandable. Where can I find a site that would show me with actual facts of the happy customers they supposedly have. I know real people who said they have participated with luck at this sort of thing in the past and have had positI've feedback which is why I'm inclined to check it out for myself. I guess 90 minutes to go listen and learn about them is less time than I've already spent trying to research this company. If anyone has had a good experience and actually went on the cruise, not just picked up a voucher and tossed it please let me know feedback. They said I have as far as next week to respond before the end of the promotion dates. Feedback greatly appreciated! P.S. again I'm just asking for response on whether or not anyone has gotten to sail off on their promised discounted vacation!

We've been punked by VIP Travel too. We've been trying to use a 7night cruise certificate and airline voucher from them for almost a year now. We paid $174 for these and have made 16 date requests, all were turned down. now when we try to get a refund of our deposit they inform me that it'll be mostly used up by their "processing fees"! At this point I don't believe that we we will see anything back! Beware of the SCAM known as VIP Travel Reservations Inc. 4606 S. Clyde Morris Blvd. Ste 1P Port Orange Florida 32129

We were saved from a similar fate as all of you have described! We were approached by a gentleman at the Horton Mall and invited to attend a 'Show'! He said it was low key, no pressure and a lot of fun. Since we don't do cruises and never will after the cruise ship debaucle recently in Italy, the gentleman offered us two airline tickets and a 3 day 2 night stay on top of any destination we were going to choose. When we signed up to attend the presentation, he asked us for a phone number and as we were about to leave he then asked us for $20 to hold our place in the 'Show'. We began to walk away smelling a sketchy outfit. Why not be upfront? Why not explain what they are selling instead of act so mysteriously? Why do they need money to 'hold' our place? The gentleman retracted his statement that he could not hold our place and said he'd keep our name in and we didn't have to pay. So we said we'd talk about it and get back to him. Since we were on holiday in San Diego and had the evening free, we decided to attend. They called us to check up whether we were going to in fact attend. When we arrived they assigned a chaperone to follow every step we took...even to the bathroom to keep us from escaping in case the rat became too obvious too early, I am guessing . Once we were inside, they asked for our drivers' license and credit card. Since we had been at the zoo all afternoon, I had left everything but my camera and credit card in the trunk of our rental car. So I did not have my DL with me. I offered my credit card and my husband had his DL, credit card and my birth certificate (which he had in his wallet) to prove my identification and they refused to accept it. My husband, along with his chaperone, had to return to our car in the parking garage to retrieve my DL. In the meantime they asked me to fill out a form that asked some personal questions including our income. The rather arrogant front desk 20 something girl, said she needed that information. I said sorry but you have no right to know what our income is before we know what we are here for. She gave me a hard look, said we could not take in the 'show' unless we provided the information. In the meantime the 'Show' started in the next room and I heard a smooth talking loud man begin his spiel. Not long thereafter, the gentleman who had signed us up, came and sat beside me and seemed genuinely upset and nervous. He gave me the $20 back..yes we still had to pay $20 to see the 'Show', even though we were now there in flesh & blood. He apologized but said the boss had said we did not qualify for the "Show". He was the only nice person there. He offered to show us where the exit to the garage was located and repeated over and over how disappointed he was for our sake and apologized for his boss for not believing we were able to afford the 'Show'. Wow, cheap, slick and sleazy operation is what we came away with. Yes I agree with the person who said the office looked tackily decorated and I couldn't but help to think how quickly the sparsely furnished office could be dismantled...had a very temporary feel to it as if they could easily pack up and be gone overnight. VERY GLAD we got out of the scammy situation! Felt like I needed a shower after we left their office, felt greasy all over! Little did the pompous boss know that we have spent about $12, 000 in vacations last year and are spending a week in San Diego in January, a week in New Orleans in Feburary and 10 days in Miami in March...sorry Mr. Paradise...we won't be using any of your properties or travel gimmicks in our upcoming travels.

Its pretty obvious from what you wrote Mr. Portfolio to Paradise employee that you are very limited on intelligence to think anyone would believe you or perhaps you approve of unethical business practices in the San Diego community. Mr. Employee, please tell us all, the relationship Portfolio to Paradise has with VIP travel. I was told while attending your presentation (I might add with an open mind) that VIP Travel is the parent company of Portfolio to Paradise. True or False? VIP Travel says they are not affiliated with you. Can they be lying?

My wife and I responded to the cruise offer so many have complained about. Not only did we by a membership on the spot, I liked what we got so much that I eventually went to work for Portfolio to Paradise. We've booked the free trip, sure some costs were involved, but also a refundable deposit was needed. No problem. The money will be returned when we take the cruise scheduled for April. As to the club membership itself, once used a couple times the deal pays for itself. Yes, I now work for the company and am proud of it. A number of people come to presentations only to get a free gift. We ask all to keep an open mind. If the gift is all you want. Your mind is closed let alone your priorities in life need to be reviewed. If you are serious about saving money while vacationing, owning a Gold Crown travel club membership gives you the tools to do so. I bought it, now I work for them, and I am not stupid. The product is well worth the time and money. Get a life.

This company use to be called Global Exchange Vacation Club also. Beware! Do not go to these things. They are lying to you.

My wife and I also attended the 90-minute presentation a few days ago. We certainly expected a sales pitch, but pretty much knew we were going to say no, and just take the 'complementary' gifts and run. Most everything that others in this list of reviews mentioned were strangely, almost entertainingly, familiar. The biggest rip was indeed the complimentary (normally meaning 'free of charge') travel vouchers. They were anything but complimentary, and it makes me think just how close to false advertising this can get without breaking the law. If I knew that it would cost me $350, up front, just to take a 2-day trip somewhere when I was led to believe they were complimentary, I would have stayed away and not wasted my time. And its a bummer that you can't take a cruise in the spring or summer months without incurring and additional surcharge. Alaska was not even an option. It causes me to wonder what else was deceitfully represented there. The presenter threw out a bunch of numbers for retail prices, and then threw out smaller bunch of numbers for their club prices. I mean, where did they get these numbers from? Before you could ask yourself that question, he was on to the next power-point slide. No real mention of restrictions or acceptable times of the year these 'numbers' were valid. It was as slick as they could make it but was certainly a C+ to a B- rated presentation at best. I guess the weirdest thing to me was the invite-to-the- presentation brochure that came in the mail had 'Royal Caribbean' written all over it, official logo and all. So, I figured it would be a RC cruise line, right? No, it was a Carnival line offering. OK. Yet, the representative did say IF a qualifying Royal cruise was heading out of the port we would choose then, maybe it would be a Royal Caribbean cruise. Funny thing is...when I got the voucher package upon leaving the preesentation, it listed all of the participating airlines, cruise lines and hotels, but one entry was neatly covered with white-out. I thought, hmmm what's underneath that? I scratched, and you guessed it, Royal Caribbean was blotted out. Crazy and slippery for sure. I won't be using these vouchers and I am happy we didn't drop 8 grand on some pavilion-to-paradise club membership. Yikes... beware.

My husband and I had the same horrible experience. We lost more than 90 minutes of our time and the cost for the stupid vouchers. Very disappointed! I should have trusted my instincts when I looked around the room and wondered why it was decorated using items from Party City and Summer Clearance Items from CVS Pharmacy! What a joke! I never even thought for a second I would buy the ridiculous "travel assistance" package for almost $9, 000! That's like buying a $9, 000.00 membership to Priceline.com! They mentioned that they had a high rating from the BBB... did you know that any business can purchase a grade from them? Hopefully this company will be gone tomorrow so they don't screw people out of their money. They showed pictures of trips but not once showed pictures of the "hotels" they supposedly own!

Complete agreement!

I attended the 90-minute presentation with an open mind. My questions to the first sales representative regarding availability of condos and their discount travel services must of been to tough, so a second "more knowledgeable" sales rep was brought in. She answered my questions then gave my partner and I time to discuss among ourselves what had just been presented to us. During this time, my partner googled their name that led to the many negative comments found. In the short time period alone, I was only able to read the first comment with reference to VIP Travel Agency. My first question to the " more knowledgeable" sales rep. was "who is VIP Travel Agency?" She stated that they were the owners of Portfolio to Paradise. My questions must have been to tough for the "more knowledgeable rep, " inasmuch as an owner of the company was sent over to talk to us. My question again was "who is the VIP Travel Agency as it relates to your company?" His reply, " their the company's advertiser." Very interesting! Two different answers. The part owner says she would never say that. My questions is, "what reason could there be to lie?" It would seem that a "knowledgeable" rep would know who their working for. Needless to say, this red flag brought out more questions concerning Portfolio to Paradise with questionable answers. My questions concerning availability of their condos was never really answered. When I commented about the numerous negative comments I was told that they all revolved around the free ticket offer for attending the presentation. The owner brought me a folder of all these wonderful comments about their company. Also, know that these "free trips" will definitely cost you: $99 to make a reservation, $100 for taxes $100 deposit plus additional charges still. In my mind, the 90-minute presentation was not a waist of time, but a reminder of the shadiness that some company's resort to in order to sell their product. Any company that tells you that the price quoted does not apply once you leave the premises tells me that they don't want you to know or find out something about them. Like I told the co-owner upon leaving, "if I don't investigate into who this company is and their practices, I can only blame myself if I join and something comes up." My advise: always look further into companies where they promise substantial savings yet are unable to present factual information. Don't rely on their generalized statements. If they don't allow you to think overnight about spending $4, 000 or some up to and more than $10, 000 for a travel club membership, "RUN THE OTHER WAY!" My question concerning the above positive comments, "who really wrote them?" My review is based solely on what was presented to me today. The "free ticket" offer is definitely a reflection of the company. It represents the only factual information concerning the practices of this company. Smart move giving them out when leaving. A scam: maybe; shady practices: definitely! When leaving the premises after not signing, the owner 's comment to me was that their company just gave me two free tickets to Hawaii. My advise to Mr. Owner: dishonesty in advertising practices and inconsistent statements from employees are a reflection of your company and what you are selling. A new company to San Diego with dishonest business practices: HERE TODAY AND GONE TOMORROW?

I have to agree with Joe. My wife and I attended this presentation at Horton Plaza and we had a good experience and bought a membership. We've used the membership once already to book flights and a one week stay in the far east and saved $600 per person over any price we could find on the internet. We also had the same problem with the free cruise and airfare being relatively short notice for the travel date so we contacted portfolio to paradise and after explaining to us that they had corrected the problem they graciously gave us a new travel voucher that could be used anytime up to one year. The taxes and fees that come with it seems a small price to pay for something worth ten tmes that amount. For what its worth we see a substantial value in what this company offers.

seems to me that everyone is complaining about something for nothing, funny how none of the complaints are about weather the product they are selling works ... but then again since everyone here doesn't use it what can you expcet... if you got somthing in the mail that said, free this or free that i'll just bet that you didn't read the fine print (and there is always fine print) i don't attend things looking for something for nothing. if it says attend a 90 minute presintation that should tell you they are going to try to sell you something (you can't be that stupid) so lets see, you attended a sales presintation for a travel product that you didn't buy and are now complaining about the gift that you didn't read the fine print about so you could complain later sounds pretty typical. tell me you bought the product and it doesn't work or tell me the gift didn't work when you tried to book it, but so far it just sounds like you didn't get something for nothing.

They told me I had to pay $400 and the Office Manager got in the way between me and the door so that I could not leave. My son started crying. He was red-faced and yelling at us, because we wouldn't give him the money.

I agree with Ninjagirl and Scamjob. Their cruise and airline certificates are unusable and worthless. They misrepresented by using Carnaval as the sender of their promotional mail. We regret that we wasted two hours in attending the presentation and were almost talked into buying the membership. this is definitely a scam.

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck. Thanks for the insight and confirming what I thought before even calling this fly by night operation!

Btw, we got our free gifts of airline tickets for two and a world class cruise.

we attended the presentation on 8/25/11, i agree with mrtndelrosario, with the office manager's demeanor, he can't seem to take no as an answer. he got frustrated when we didn't want to take the deal no matter how low he went, when he gave us the 2wk2yr deal with a 200 bucks down, sure we bought the product. he was so happy little did he know the next day that i went there personally and hand delivered a notice of membership cancellation and was fortunate enough the owner was there and instructed the secretary to return my $200 cash back, yes! bye portfolio to paradise, thank you for returning my cash back immediately without hesitation..lol

When you signed up for the presentation everyone seems to be nice and so friendly, however after the presentations they will give you one-on-one talk trying to sell their products. They will do a tug team from a sales rep to the office manager and their price of their products will decrease eventually saying that they are trying to help you. The last man we have to talk was the office manager and he got mad at my wife because he can not convince her to sign up. All we asked that we will talk about it first because everything was so good to be true, and it turned up to be a heated up argument, the office manager tear off the paper works in front of us and state that we can go and our free gift was at the front lobby, which are vouchers for free cruise and a round trip airline. Soon as I get the vouchers, I tore them off and toss to their trash can I told those people waiting for their appointment that it was a waste of time and its nothing but a scam.

i think travelgirl1717 is either a plant of portfolio's or will find out the truth when she trys to book.

This is the biggest scam. Under no circumstance should anyone waste their time attending one of these presentations. My wife and I attended a presentation today 8/20/11 and listened to the 90 min presentation. We decided not to participate in the program, and expected our 8 day 7 Night Complimentary cruise and 2 free Air fares any where in the US. Upon reading the certificates you had to use the cruise by the end of the calendar year but have to book 90 days in advance which is not even possible. You have to pay $198 per person just to book and also a $40 fee. The airfare certificate requires you to pay $75 in advance and mail your payment in by money order or cashiers check. Several other couples were yelling at the staff after the presentation and felt this was a scam and false advertising. Although the location at Horton Plaza makes this company seem legit, this is the biggest scam job and shady company. I will investigate further to make sure this company is stopped.

We attended today and as one of the items received a gift cert for a 3 day 2 night airfare plus hotel. Today is 8/20/2011. I was dismayed when I got home to see that it expires on 9/20/2011 - in one month! Then, I went onto the Web site because I wanted to give it to a friend who has been shipped out for 7 months, and thought it would be nice to help them with his Vegas weekend to reunite with his wife. The cost to redeem this certificate to receive the reservation form is $50.00. Then they charge $100 per person for hotel taxes, airline taxes, transfers, airport fees, etc. plus an additional $50 per person travel agency processing fee. So, to use it you're out $350. Then, all reservations require a minimum of 90 days advance notice. So, how do we get "complimentary" travel that is $350 for a voucher that expires in 30 days when we have to book 90 days in advance? Ugh. Total waste of our day. But, at least we didn't sign with them.

Actually I attended a presentation and purchased the product and am very happy. Having to spend $150 for an 8 day cruise and airfare for two is nothing really compared to how much those this would cost me. And everyone that worked there seemed very friendly and helpful, its hard for me to believe they would swear and hang up the phone on someone. Also I talked to VIP travel as well and they did not say it was a scam...they are difficult to get hold of but do work with Portfolio to Paradise. Don't believe everything you read.

Yes, thank you for posting this. We just booked a cruise with Carnival and then received this voucher in the mail, so we thought it could be real. But after I googled the name of the company, no website, etc. came up. And now I read this...thanks again.

Thanks for this post, I have an appt with them on Sunday. I knew it sounded too good to be true. Im gonna cancel my appt. right now.

By the way, submit a claim/complaint as I did to the FBI at www.ic3.gov

Thanks for posting this. I had an appointment to go down this week and I called them and said some of the things that you posted in your email and they got SO DEFENSIVE. Then once I told them that I had called the police the girl, who sounded like she was some hot shot know it all 22-year old, said, "uh? what? OH, ###!" and hung up on me...