Complaint Review: United Vacation Network - Largo Florida

Christy, I wish that I had listened to that little voice telling me that something was wrong during the sales presentation that my husband and I attended on January 24, 2007 when we spent $6,699.00 to join your travel club - and to date we have not received the first service from your company. Also, until I wrote the Ripoff Report, I had been unsuccessful in reaching anyone in your company. United Vacation Network has a website, www.unitedvacationnetwork.com, which is totally useless, meaning you cannot view any properties that they say they have available and you cannot make reservations on-line, or email agents at United Vacation Network. The only way to reach your company is through regular (snail) mail, or by calling the either (800) 718-4228 or (727) 531-1400 so that you can be put into voice mail and wait for a return call. Now for the "free cruise" that you lure the innocent and elderly into your high pressured sales presentations with, your company UNITED VACATION NETWORK is well aware that the "free cruises" are not free and that a consumer could go to any travel agent and get a cheaper deal than your so-called "free cruise." My husband and I were told at the meeting that we would be responsible for taxes, port charges and administrative fees. We asked approximately how much they would be and we were told that they would not exceed $100 per person. Well $200 for a so-called "free cruise" for two people still seemed to be a good deal. We began corresponding with Spirit Incentive on Feb. 23, 2007. On March 29th, we mailed our check for $358 and the dates that we would like to travel. On June 19 when we had not heard back from Spirit Incentive, I emailed and asked why. I was told that they would require another $358 to process our trip because we had picked the summer months of June, July, or August. I told them that we had not been told that these dates would require more money and that I would like to change them. They said, "No." At this point, I asked for my money back and after 4 months of keeping my $358 finally on June 23rd I received my money back from Spirit Incentive, which is what I would like from your company my money back! Since your company has not provided me with any service, I would like for your company to refund my $6,699.00. Your company was not straightforward with us regarding your services during the sales presentation. You cannot travel whenever you want. You do not have resort rooms all over the world, and you do not have adequate staff to meet the needs of your members. You only have one travel office in Florida! As an afterthought, I forgot to add that you also charge your members an annual service charge of $225.00 on top of whatever they might have paid you up front. Your company has quite the racket going!

United Vacation Network does not offer, service, or fulfill any complimentary travel vouchers for attending our presentation; they are offered from the appointment setting company that contacted the consumers. The appointment setting companies offer their own incentives that consumers are responsible for their own taxes, port charges, and administrative fees; all consumers accept and agree to the above terms and our lack of fulfillment when they sign the gift acknowledgement form at the presentation. Our resort weeks require three travel destinations and three travel dates in order to guarantee fulfillment. If we are provided only one destination or date we will do our utmost to fulfill the request but availability will control. In the event that a condo at the set priced week fee is not available for a request that is not guaranteed and not submitted by guidelines then our members may use the travel department for prices at the best possible per night rate. We fulfill all of our memberships to the fullest and provide all of our members with outstanding customer service. We encourage our members that anytime they have questions or concerns pertaining to their membership they contact our customer service department to discuss and come to a resolution as we want all of our members to receive the maximum value from their travel purchase.