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Out of all the bad choices I have made in my life, going to this seminar full of bad liars, greasy salesmen and greedy scammers, this one was the worse. Think of a stereo typical cars salesman who is obviously discontent with his poor life and yet trying to sell you on how great his life is! If he has to hold his pants together with a safety pin and grease his hair with Dollar Tree tar, and yet somehow possessing the key to happiness, then you know it's a sham. I agree... bring a tape recorder and record the illegally coercive tactics and bring a hefty lawsuit. They are just waiting to be sued!
Do not believe anything these liars say. They lie constantly and continually through everything they say. They will withhold information and then twist what little truth they have.
Such as: Free Vacation! Lie! It will cost you $300. You select several locations and several months, then they will find something that is inconvenient. Vacation International claims they pay $700 for this trip... liars! You can get this for $50 online.
Please, please, please... do not go. You will get nothing for your time and money other than a major headache!
Watch out! As a lawyer, they apply illegally coercive techniques, while withholding necessary information that would sway a person's decision for financial gain. DO NOT ATTEND! It is unfortunate that some do fall for their illicit activities and lies.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
![Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club [LHVC] Reviews](/images/business/48-48/117322/lifestyle-holidays-vacation-club.jpg)
FRAUD AND SCAM - ILLEGAL CONTRACT PRACTICES - WILL STEAL $30, 000 FROM YOU NO MATTER WHAT YOU SIGN UP FOR
In 2016 my wife and I attended a seminar here, thought it looked good, and signed up. I'm a disabled veteran and this looked like a good way for us to be able to travel and vacation. Nope. They quoted me one price, talked to me about it, walked me through the point cost, and after I signed the paperwork they changed the price from $5Kish to $30, 000. They didn't disclose the annual fees, their "Interval Internationale" programs are just affiliates, and getaways/cruises/packages are through 3rd parties.
I'm now a 100% disabled veteran on a fixed income, haven't been able to use this program at all, and have paid them thousands of dollars.
100% FRAUD. Will steal your money and try to lock you into contracts for the rest of your life, and after you die the contract passes onto your children.
Awesome company! Love my experiences with them!
Have owned a VITimeshare since 2007. Bought on the 'resale' market. We have been able to use VI Resorts at least twice a year ever since with few problems getting what we want. Yes, it does take some advance planning. You have to check availability and grab space early. There is a $20 reservation fee that is non-refundable, but you can cancel (up to 30 days before arrival) and get the points back. We use the Clock Tower in Whistler frequently. Have also used Vancouver, Palm Springs and San Diego. We also pay the extra $125 per year to be part of RCI. Have used resorts in Orlando, New York City, Mexico, San Diego and Whistler. Always pretty happy with what we have received. Being able to have some meals and evening drinks in our suite saves us $ when we travel. Having a suite allows us to invite family or friends to join us. For us the point system works well. We can go to different locales for as little as two days (mid-week days are cheaper than weekends). Annual maintenance costs are $7.50 US/point, so for about $1000 Canadian we get about 3 weeks of time (a little less than $50/night). My advice is to research what you are buying, make sure that you are buying something that you can and will use.
We are older and want to be able to travel more. I am most concerned, not with shoddy salespeople that tell you anything... almost all salespeople will do that whether it is this company or someone else, but with the availability of the rooms.
I went to a presentation in Las Vegas and was lied to. They told me I could deposit with them a week I had in the bank with RCI and they would give me VI points-LIE- they couldn't do it when I tried. Also, I was told I could deposit with them future weeks I owned in a resort and get 4 years to use it-LIE again. When I tried I only would get one year while RCI gives two years. When I called the manager Pilot Park, I was told those sales people would be reprimanded but since there was nothing in writing I had no recourse. GET ANYTHING THEY SAY in WRITING-they will tell you anything to make a sale.
I ended up buying VI. Their little line about owning your vacation seemed frugal. I hardly used the system, mostly because the property in Puerta Vallarta was run down, and the property in Victoria BC was lack luster. I find out later in an upgrade meeting (which they have every so often) that the former leadership of VI had been squandering the maintenance fees for lining his wallet instead of maintaining the properties (kinda surprised they even told me that). This bad news is in turn followed by more surprising bad news which is that I was lied to about the whole "owning my vacation" line. I didn't OWN anything, I was merely renting it for a 20 year period and then all my points would be gone for no reason what-so-ever, but I could upgrade my points to be permanent.
At this point I just wanted out, but was told I only had 2 options.
Option 1: pay VI for something I didn't want and use it.
Option 2: pay collections for something I didn't want and lose it.
I figured since I was forced to pay for it no matter what, that I may as well own it and defer my payments while they revised my contract. However, I think in a strange attempt at being vengeful, they sold my information to 3rd parties because now I continually get spammed by even more shady characters who want $200 up front to sell/rent my time share to other people eventually (which according to reviews, never happens).
Unless you have all the free time in the world to make decent use of it and enjoy mediocre motel conditions (albeit much larger rooms) I suggest not buying a property. And if you do buy, go for the smallest package first. You'll be invited to many upgrade seminars where you'll get extra freebies, and you'll have more opportunities to catch up on interest.
One thing I will say is despite all the negatives, their customer service has been very satisfactory, and they definitely aim within their limited scope of power to do what they can to ensure you are happy.
Did you ever find a way to get out of this crap? I’m locked in too
The people that go to a presentation such as this looking for something free or at bargain prices deserve what they get. A 100.00 price tag for a $1000.00 trip is still a bargain.
You all sound like a bunch of whining cheapskates.
Thank God for reviews, I'm sitting n the parking lot at VI RESORTS In tukwilla WA. read the reviews and siting throught 90 minutes is Not worth a 50 dollar gift card thanks everyone That posted.
I should have believed the reviews for this company. Wow, do not go to a meeting unless you plan on buying a package in the first place. I sat there for 3 whole hours before they let me go. I stuck out to get the free weekend trip, which is also a total waste of time...and it is not free. It requires tons more work and sending in papers, and waiting, and travel only on weekdays, departing late and returning early! Don't go to their meetings...they will pressure you hard for something you barely know anything about. Don't most people like to research before they go buy thousands of dollars for a vacation deal?
My mom has been enjoying their resorts for around 10 years and has loved them. Unfortunately, her health has declined and she is no longer able to use the membership. To my surprise they are going to allow her to relinquish her membership! This is normally unheard of in the timeshare world.
Hey! How about talking about the program. What is Vacation Internationale like AFTER you bought it. I get the whole presentation thing. I have been to those too and did not like it at all. And, I did not buy into it. But now I am doing well financially and want to purchase a time share for the purpose of convenience. I do like to travel and my business now lets me. So, in all regards of this complaint department; how about the PRODUCT!
The "free trip to vegas" is NOT free. It's probably costing us more this way then if we would have gone thru priceline or expedia. To get you to come in for the presentation they tell you on the phone the hotel is some nice hotel on the strip... but its an absolute lie. Its some cheap motel off the strip. Once we found out we were lied to about the hotel, we booked and paid for a room at the Paris, because we didn't want to be off the strip. You can only chose a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday departure. AND the flight we were given (after sending a $195 deposit) has TWO layovers in CA (San Francisco and L.A.) arriving in Las Vegas at midnight. Same with the return flight, leaving at 5am and TWO layovers in CA. Now they got you were they want you. If we pay an extra 267 bucks they can upgrade us to a new flight. We don't want to be on a flight/in airports for 10 hours for a trip to vegas so we agree. Then, the letter comes in the mail saying they applied the $195 deposit to the cost of the upgraded flight (total is $462 for flight to vegas).
So, total cost to us for the FREE vegas trip: roughly $762.
Then there's the whole timeshare scam. When you book a room with RCI (their partners in crime), you have to pay a $189 transaction fee, just for the hell of it. We booked an all inclusive hotel in Puerto Vallarta. Not a very nice place, and we ended up having to PAY for the all inclusive part. Came to about $850 dollars for the week. I have such huge buyers remorse. Save yourself time, money, and stress and STAY AWAY FROM THESE PEOPLE!
We've only been part of this company for about 6 months, so will write updates on future trips. But so far, HUGE disappointment.
For a company that is selling some high-priced timeshares, the presentation is pretty tacky. You sit at a table with a salesperson, in a room with at least 5 or 6 other tables/people/salespersons. The music is turned up loud "for confidential reasons." Then you're chatted up a good half hour before they ever begin the pitch. Ideally, their offers continue to look more and more affordable as they scribble numbers and comparisons all over paper until you're pretty confused. If, at the last, you're still able to do the math, and have not been disabled by pitchmen and raucous music, then sign away! Do be mindful that "free" gifts will cost you something out of pocket if you act on them.
I take the program from long time from vacation company and I use it for my work travel and some vacations and this company really do good and so cheap price and some time when no need for the weeks I rent some of them and it's give good income if u followup the rent but I really all this years I'm happy with them ..
jerks!
My wife and I have been VI owners since 1988. We raised our two kids (now 20 and 19) in the VI system. We actually use the resorts, so we are not mere bystanders in this scene. We were first approached in Mazatlan, Mexico while on a vacation. VI reps offered us the use of a Jeep in Mexico for 3 days if we would attend their presentation. We attended, and they produced the Jeep. Before leaving (but after the cooling-off period), we decided to buy a VI contract. We were not really sure that we could use the time we bought, but it seemed like a good program. Through the years, we have learned what an excellent purchase we made. We are very satisfied with our purchase, and so are the many family members who benefit from our ownership in VI. Be smart about your approach. If you are going for the freebees, good on you. Don't waste any more time getting the booty than necessary, but please don't insult the salespeople in your quest. They work on margins, and realize that only a small percentage will actually buy. There is a lot to learn when buying a timeshare contract. They are not for everyone, to be sure. VI was right for our family, but it won't be for many others. Compare the points needed to use the resorts you plan to visit, based on dates, size of units, and length of stay. That's a good start to ensure you don't under or over-purchase. Compare maintenance points (annual costs of keeping the units up)... VI is currently at about $7 per point. That's a good rate, considering that every resort we use has been updated as promised. We like leaving a resort and returning to it as we left it...as if we owned it and someone maintained it for us in our absence.
I met them in Lamcy plaza on Thursday. I got a call on Friday & i was asked to meet them 21st century Tower. Nr. Hamarein Center, Deira.They called me 10 times...Thanks got I did not attend that.
I met them yesterday in Lamcy Plaza, Dubai and today I just got the same call from Vacation International, I will go at 5:30 and then after I will share my experience here .
Rahim Surani
I met a egyptian guy in Khaleej Centre Dubai and he offered me 1 week free vacation and all I have to do is to meet them next day evening, he collected my phone number as well. I did not believe it, but I got a call from a girl next day and confirmed the appoitment, they even asked me to bring my wife too. We all went happily there and met a group of people sitting in a big hall tabling all around. Most of the sales people were from Egypt, both men and women and I have noticed that majority of invitees were Indians. Maybe they have targeted them because most of us are greedy, in first 30 minutes of his sales talk and I could make out this is a kind of fraud, many of questions were unanswered but he was trying divert my attention to different subjects. Anyhow I left the place without making any commitments, and collected the so called free 1 week stay in Sharm ElSheikh in a 5 star resort. But still I do not believe this is absolutely free ! I am afraid that I will have to pay upon check in the hotel. So no plan to go to this vacation international...
Its very simple, they bring people in by lurring so called informed adults to do a preview, got it?
What is concerning these informed adults complain about the gifts and the sales people.
Interesting 1 out of 5 people buy form VI. Valdiate and verify by your actions.
You wanted the gift now you have to sit thru 90 minutes of presentation and selling.
Please I have done a quite a few of these and have enjoyed the spoils.
Forget about it. Thats why we have the attorney general in every state to police them.
Rememeber you can always say "NO" to their offer, grow up.
Thanks for sharing all the things. I got a call just now from Vaction International Dubai that I won the trip for absolutely free. I really dont believe this. Nowadays who will offer this one free. Just I googled the matter. After that only I had seen so many victims. Really they should get punished.
Sham Dubai
I just sat thru a presentation in Vegas. Having gone thru these before, I knew what to expect. I will never purchase one, but I am willing to take them up on the free gifts. I consider it as helping them with their sales training! :-)
When I told the lady flat out that the only reason I am here is for the free gifts-she got nasty. She starts arguing with me that I am wasting their time, they are all on commission and I am taking food out of their familes mouths by attending when I have no intention of buying. I laughed! I told her to stop calling and offering me the free gifts then!
She was trying every trick in the book to get to me--telling me I was scared, close minded, that I need to call my boyfriend so he can make the decision for me, etc. I guess she thought that tactic would make me suddenly decide to buy from her--yeah right!
During the presentation, she made snide remarks towards me. After the presentation, when I told her she can do her dog and pony show, but I am not buying--she stomped off. Seconds later I am handed my free gifts and I was out of there under the 90 min mark! I figure I can sit thru a 90 min "show" for $200 gift card, $40 to spend at Planet Hollywood and tickets to The Phantom at the Venetian!
Wish I had seen this before going to the presentation tonight. I "won" this free trip at a fair. Listened to the insane 3 hour ( not 90 minute presentation as promised). Then found out the dirty details about the 300.00 "free" trip. I wish I could get my 3 hours back. I am an idiot!
Teri