Complaint Review: The Vacation Station LLC - Randy Gardner CEO - Charleston South Carolina

My wife and I responded to an unsolicited notification by mail that, on its face, appeared to come from US Airlines stating that we had been selected to receive two free US Air airline tickets. All we had to do was come to a location in Charleston to pick up those tickets, produce two forms of identification, and listen to a short undisclosed presentation. We were also asked if each of us was under the age of 75, since 75 year of age was the cut off for eligibility.

When we arrived to claim our reward on April 11,we were asked to show a major credit card and our drivers licences.We had not been previously advised that a credit card was necessary. After we located and showed a credit card,we were brought to a large room where an hour long presentation was made to us and to about 10 other people. We had assumed that the presentation would relate to US Air and programs of that company; however, the program was a sales pitch by Robert Winkelman for a vacation program involving stays in condominiums for increments of one week or morein retrospect, a classic bait and switch manoever. The cost of the program was represented to be in excess of $7000. However,we were told that if we made a decision during the one hour period of the presentation, the price would be only $2995. During the closing period, the price was reduced to $2495 if a decision was made in the closing five minutes. We were told that free US Air tickets would be explained only after our decision on the condo program was made.

To boost the credability of Vacationstation, the presenter stated that , because the City of Charleston is a major tourist destination, the Mayor of Charleston and the Charleston tourism department were very vigilent in protecting the good name of the city and the tourist services offered there. The mayor would not tolerate firms employing questionable tactics. By direct implication, these officials would have had to endorse the vendor's program since the vendor had operated openly in the city. This was an initial source of comfort but probably, on investigation, no such endorsement will be borne out.

Under pressure to make a quick decision, our initial reaction was to sign up for the program. Our credit card was imprinted, after which a company representative marked up some printed documents including a Purchase Agreement, an Addendum.and an Acknowledgment. We did not get the promised US Air tickets.

On leaving the site and on quiet reflection, we realized that the benefits outlined in the oral presentation were too good to be true - as in a Bernie Madoff situation. In fact, a review of the Agreement disclosed that its terms obligated the company to do NOTHING, but, rather, only attempted to provide the company with defenses to fraud claims suggesting that the real purpose of the transaction was fraud. The documents specifically provide that any representations not in the written contract would not be upheld by the companyeg the hour long condo presentation by Winkelman.

These considerations, and the fact that I turned 75 last month, made us realize that we had no alternative but to cancel our involvement. We did so on Monday morning, April 12 , requesting that our membership be cancelled and that our credit card not be charged. The company acknowledged receept of this request on April 12. Our request that the credit card charge not be put through was not honored; The company refused to participate in the dispute process and our credit card was finally charged for $2495. on June 10.

On April 15, 2010, we received a second Award Notification by mail bearing the same US Air logo and again offering two free airline tickets.

This aroused our curiosity and we emailed US Air asking whether it was responsible for the Award Offers.On April 18, 2010 , we received an email from US Airways stating the the mailings offering free airline travel were unauthorized by US Air and that US Air and the US Postal Inspectors were investigating the matter .