Pro Travelers, S & L Vacations, LLCStephanie McAlister, OwnerLaura Schiavo, Co-Owner, manager Promise of All-Inclusive Discount Vacation including Air. Withdrew money prior to contract signing. Refuse to answer phone or messages. Website disappeared. Kissimmee Florida
S &L Vacations, Inc. is all so known as Pro Travelers, Inc. The Owners of these two companies, according to internet resources are Stephanie McAlister and Laura Schiavo. They operate out of Kissimmee and St. Cloud, FL. They have phone solicitors call and offer Vacations at discount costs in exchange for attending a 90 minute presentation. The callers stated that it was not at all a timeshare related presentation and there was nothing to buy. They are just interested in introducing the resorts to vacationers in hope of them returning again over the years or sharing the resort with friends and family. We spoke to the sales person several times over a couple of days. We were promised a trip to any of the Sandos resorts of our choice, including airfare. We could take advantage of the trip anytime over a period of 18-months. We were told since they are going to attempt to impress us, our accomodations (room) would be in the Royal Elite section, for adults only with all the best of best amenities. We would also receive full body massage and other complete spa treatments daily, as part of our vacation program. All meals would also be included through a variety of on-site restaurants of various cuisines. We were promised that there was a variety of entertainment shows to attend nightly, which were also included. We specifially asked if there would be Mayan events and activities and were assured there were, plus we would also be able to go to the Mayan ruins during the week. We also specifially asked to take our vacation, which we decided to extend to a full week, at Sandos Caracol Eco Experience Resort. The sales person tried to discourage us from doing so. He stated they are very busy and on the go and we would be required to follow a strict program of exploring the forest and such. We would not have a chance to relax. He felt it was too strenuous for myself at 62 and my husband at age 69. He encouraged more of a relaxing atmosphere such as Sandos Playacar Beach Experience Resort. In our research it seemed this particular resort was a bit more crowded than some of the others, for a true relaxing experience. However, for the price we were willing to give it a try.
We took our time and checked out their web pages and those of the resorts. We spoke to the salesman a numerous times and everything seemed to be legitimate. We agreed to accept the offer which was only $1,000 for the week, including airfare. We gave the salesperson our Debit Card to charge our account, once we signed the agreement, which would be emailed to us. When we received the document it was pre-dated for Sept. 10th. This was the date of his first call to us and not even the day we finally accepted the offer. I noted the date of signature and the date our bank account was charged. Our account was charged on the 12th, immediately following our verbal agreement. We were told we had 15 days to back out of the agreement and not be charged. We took our time at signing the agreement signing on the 22nd,as we wanted to be sure we were not making a mistake. Later, I received a different copy of the agreement with a different signature and the dates of signature and bank withdrawal removed.
After submitting our signed forms we called to set up a date for our vacation, as instructed. There was no answer. I have called and called several times per week and no answers. I have left message after message and no one returns my calls. The website has also been removed.
I spoke with a Sandos representative and he said they do have S & L Vacations listed as one of their agents and he had been in touch with Stephanie McAlister over recent weeks through email. He stated he would contact her and have her get in touch with me. She has not done so. I filed with the Florida State Attorney Generals office over a week ago but, have not heard word one from them, either.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Bee's Knees
Birmingham,Alabama,
USA
Imagination Vacation/ Laura Schaivo
#5REBUTTAL Individual responds
Sat, April 15, 2017
I came across your review, I'v had this same problem. Here is some information that I have on Laura Schiavo. The , company that she's with i-s Imagination Vacations, Global Vacations or Destination Vacations. Here are some phone numbers and a website: 407-873-4564, 1-855-252-8700, 321-280-9042. Website: globalvacations.us.
I hope this helps.
This case has NOT been resolved.
#5Author of original report
Thu, April 23, 2015
Stephanie Mcalister of S&L Vacations (aka: Pro-Travelers) promised to send vouchers for the vacation we paid for. I never received a voucher of any kind from her. I called a couple weeks later and again she promised to send the vouchers and apologized stating she had been very busy. Time went by and nothing came in the mail. I called again and told her how nice her new business page looked....CARRIBEAN ESCAPES....on Facebook. I had also found there was a another new company involved, Department Reservation, also now on Facebook. She was very friendly at that point and asked me if I would please recant the statements on Ripoff Reports. Stephanie also asked me to send a letter to her for her attorney complimenting her improvement on her facebook pages and overall professionalism. If I had gotten results I might have done so but, I did not. I called Taunya at Department Reservations and explained who I was and the situation. Taunya hit the fan. She could not keep up with all the problems S & L Vacations were sending her way. She stated she was a reservationist and she would need to charge us $75 to set up the reservation. We would pay the nightly room rate when we arrived and as far as airfare, Stephanie gave her vouchers but it cost more to use them than not. She finally suggested I call my bank and report S & L and get my money back through the Bank. She also stated I needed to call Laura Schiavo whom apparently she felt was at fault for all the problems. I called Laura, she was very sweet as well. She agreed to repay us our money. It was obvious there was a huge disagreement between Laura and Stephanie. They were both looking forward to facing one another in court regarding their business breakup. There were many people involved in trying to get their money refunded or their vacations set up and Laura said she was taking care of it all. I never heard from Laura again, either. I finally told the two girls that they needed to refund my money and whatever problem they are having between themselves is their problem, not mine. I contacted my bank and recently they sent me copies of everything I have written on Rip off Reports, including my statement that the problem had been resolved. Therefore, my complaint to them was closed.
I am sure Stephanie and Laura have both got a good laugh out of my trusting manner. I have not heard a word from either of these ladies nor have I recieved any type of vouchers or anything else from them. It has been 8-1/2 months since they first solicited us and sold us a Vacation to Mexico for $1,000.00. Please people do not be swindled by these companies offering these so called discount vacations. I researched S & L Vacations, LLC and Pro-Travelers and they appeared to be an honest legitimate comany. It turns out they are everything accept honest. Its not over! I will be hiring an attorney and taking these women to court and I can guarantee that is going to cost them more than it would have if they had just paid the $1,000 back or followed through on the vacation as promised in the beginning.
Melody
Vaughn,Montana,
Resolution reached :)
#5Author of original report
Fri, November 14, 2014
Today, November 14th, 2014 Stephanie McAlister called and we were able to discuss and resolve all our issues and any misunderstanding. Stephanie has dismissed Laura Shiavo and the salesman who sold us the package. He was also hired to answer phones and was not doing so, Stephanie stated. Since she has let those two people go her business is running much smoother. We are satisfied and thrilled to say we will be taking our Mexican vacation in Feb. :) Thank you, Stephanie and we wish you better luck with your employees in the future. We are glad to know things are running smoothly, now. We also apologize for our own mistrust. Those reading this we believe Ms. McAlister to be an honest business owner. It was unfortunate she had a couple employees who were less than honest.
Melody
Great Falls,Montana,
Warning, There is a third company involved!
#5Author of original report
Wed, October 29, 2014
According to information on the internet, Laura Schiavo opened up a new LLC, on Sept. 9th, 2014 by the name of Imaginations Vacations, LLC. This was the day before the company called me. There is no website for her new company, either. I did finally hear from the Florida Attorney Generals office. I will be filing further complaints with my local Sheriff's Dept., Florida BBB, and contacting other entities in Florida State connected with the travel industry. Any help in locating these two and getting my money back will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for posting and helping my husband and myself out.