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  • Report:  #328727

Complaint Review: VIP Travel Vacation International Professionals - Lexington South Carolina

Reported By:
- summerville, Georgia,
Submitted:
Updated:

VIP Travel Vacation International Professionals
322 West Main St. Lexington, 29072 South Carolina, U.S.A.
Phone:
866-763-6372
Web:
N/A
Categories:
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?
We purchased a membership in Sept. 2007 and tried to use it several times, without success. We asked for a refund but was curtly and bluntly refused. Then we read the following by Chanel 7 a major television station in South Carolina.

Consumer Affairs files Lawsuit against travel company

Wednesday, Apr 09, 2008 - 03:34 PM

By Heather Sullivan

E-mail | Biography

The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs has filed a lawsuit against VIP Travel, based in Lexington, South Carolina, saying the company has used unfair and deceptive practices in its solicitations. An attorney for VIP Travel says the company is cooperating with Consumer Affairs and taking steps to address those concerns.

When Cheryl Rich wanted to plan a trip to Europe, she says she attended a seminar in Greenville for VIP Travel based in Lexington.

Said Rich, "They were giving us information that were similar trips and cruises that we had taken, yet they were much less expensive than what we had paid."

But Rich says after paying VIP about $3500, she wasn't getting booked on the trip she wanted. Said Rich, "I started calling about one particular cruise and I was getting put off. I was not getting information I needed."

Said Danny Collins, an attorney with the Department of Consumer Affairs, "They promise quite a few things that they don't deliver on."

After receiving about 50 complaints from customers in the Carolinas and Georgia, Consumer Affairs filed a lawsuit against VIP Travel in Lexington, accusing the company of offering free rewards that the Department says were not really free, and not offering customers a three day right to cancel their contracts.

Said Collins, "A lot of people tried to cancel the contract but the company told them they did not have such a right. But that is not true under the law. The law does give a person a three day right to cancel when a presentation is made any place other than the regular place of business."

VIP Travel's attorney Robby Birnbaum told us by phone the company is cooperating with Consumer Affairs and taking steps to address concerns and make sure it's complying with the law. Birnbaum says some customers may receive refunds, but did not have details at this time.

A refund is what Cheryl Rich is hoping for. Said Rich, "We have lost a lot of money for something that I felt like was going to be something really fun."

The Better Business Bureau offers the following advice to protect yourself when using any travel company.

- check for complaints filed with the BBB or Consumer Affairs

- get offers and travel arrangements in writing

- get copies of cancellation policies

- pay with a credit card. Many credit cards will refund your money if you don't receive the trip you pay for.

Rick b.

summerville, Georgia

U.S.A.


3 Updates & Rebuttals

Rick B.

Summerville,
Georgia,
U.S.A.
Membership fee refunded-not at all-look at number of inquiries on The Squeaky Wheel about VIP

#2Author of original report

Sat, June 07, 2008

VIP Travel stated here, on this complaint board, on May 19, 2008, that they had in fact made mistakes regarding service they were supposed to provide for the membership fee I paid. They further stated they have been trying to resolve the matter with me since December 2007. And then they state the membership fee has been refunded. 1. They did fail to provide service as stated in their own membership package we received at the seminar where we paid for the membership. 2. They did fail to provide service as stated on their own website. 3. I would like a copy of the documented proof, addressed to me, where they have been trying to help me since December 2007. 4. And I would very much like the documented proof of where I received the refund of the membership fee of $3,596.00. 5. I am pretty sure anyone, with the least bit of intelligence, would know if they have been offered help. 6. I am pretty sure anyone, with the least bit of intelligence, would know if they had received $3,596.00. 7. And yet, here I am. Still having to defend myself. I paid $3,596.00. I initiated contact with VIP Travel for travel accommodations. I persisted over and over trying to get their service. I persisted in trying to get them to work with me. 8. And yet, here I am. Still having to defend myself. They stated last year at the seminar, in Sept. 2007, where I paid for the membership, that they had over 20,000 ( twenty-thousand) memberships. And that is what they stated in their membership package that they gave me when I purchased theie membership. 9. And they have been holding "selling" seminars in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and I don't know how many other states. 10. And their owner, in an e-mail to me, stated: I have been out of the country taking care of some important matters. I will be back in two weeks and personally address your situation. Well, those two weeks passed and nothing. Si, I sent an e-mail asking him to please respond. He responded. He said, I have to be gone again. I will address your situation. After some time, I sent another e-mail. He responded. And said: I have just completed 3 months of traveling around the world doing mission work with different organizations and our folks work hard so I can represent this company in these endeavors and they are proud of this. Because of this, I could not take your case and examine it like I wanted to. My decision for your refund has been based on getting rid of you for there sake, not because I have read all of your letters. I do not think they are worth reading, and it is easier and faster to say goodbye. We do not need you or want you in our membership. 11. Yet, I am still here defending myself. I haven't received a membership refund yet. Nor do I anticipate one.


Rick B.

Summerville,
Georgia,
U.S.A.
Response to VIP Rebuttal of May 19, 2008

#3Author of original report

Tue, May 20, 2008

I am the original poster, Rickie. The indicate my membership costs have been refunded. The membership costs have, in fact, not been redunded to date. I believe I would know if I have received $3,596.00. It appears they continue the deception characteristic which has encountered from the day we started trying to use their proposed services. Repeat, I believe I would know if I had received a $3,596.00 refund. But, as of right now, no refund has been received from VIP Travel. Repeat, no refund has been received from VIP Travel, as of right now.


Vip Travel

Myrtle Beach,
South Carolina,
U.S.A.
In response to Rickie

#4UPDATE Employee

Mon, May 19, 2008

Mr. B has received a refund for his membership. We have documented proof showing that we have been trying to help Mr. B since December 2007. He had a complete case of buyer's remorse and would not use the program in the way it was indicated. Mr. B's complaints have been resolved as our company strives to take care of our members and consumers we come into contact with. Our company see hundreds of thousands of consumers each year, and we try to make sure they are all taken care of to the best of our availability. We are human and we make mistakes. In this case, we made mistakes and because of that, refunded Mr. B his membership.

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