- Report: #446634
Complaint Review: Worldwide Destination Services - Tampa Florida
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Author Confirmed
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Worldwide Destination Services
206 S Hoover Blvd Suite # 120 Tampa, 33609 Florida, U.S.A.
Phone:
813-282-9464
Web:
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Worldwide Destination Services What a scam Tampa Florida
We were lured into a presentation via a postcard offering a "free" cruise. The postcard states this is not a timeshare or land sale. We went to the presentation and found they were selling a "vacation club" for several thousand dollars. I was not really impressed with the offer and felt certain it was another ripoff or scam. They even offered the plan that was "not available any more."
We just couldn't tell anyone about it. This was like a "trial" version, but would still cost about $2,000. We signed up for the regular program that day after paying an $800 down payment and a $250 non-refundable processing fee. The full price was almost $4,000 for the lower regular plan. They will even finance it though themselves at 17.9% interest!
We were told we would have to wait up to 10 business days for the processing before we would get our user name and password to use the service. Of course, this is the 10 day rescintion period, so by the time you can see what they have to offer, you can't cancel and get a refund. While we were there I asked them to check for a better rate at a hotel where I already had a reservation, but they could not find it while I was there.
They did say we could call and talk to a manager if we wanted to make reservations before we received our password. It makes no sense that it takes that long to get a password or user name. It only took moments to take my money. Virtually every legitimate company gives user name and password immediately. They do offer a 365 day full refund offer, but you are required to stay a full week at one of their resorts. It seems they will get your money one way or another.
The very next day I called to tell them to stop the processing and just refund the money. They did say they would refund the $800, but we lost the $250. This was for the few minutes it took to run our debit card and fill a sheet of paper out. I asked for the $250 back, but as expected, they refused. It will also take 10-14 business days to get our refund. Why? The money was transferred from our account within 1 day. Why not just credit the account immediately?
The "free cruise" actually is through Spirit Incentives and will cost $199 per person. It is for off season travel and you have to pick three dates months in advance and at least 30 apart from each other. I suggest reading about Spirit as well before even considering wasting time at Worldwide.
This seems to be nothing more than a new way of selling time shares without actually selling the time share ownership. Any way you look at it, it will cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars the moment you sign.
If they change their minds about the $250 I will update this report.
Bob
Seminole, Florida
U.S.A.
We just couldn't tell anyone about it. This was like a "trial" version, but would still cost about $2,000. We signed up for the regular program that day after paying an $800 down payment and a $250 non-refundable processing fee. The full price was almost $4,000 for the lower regular plan. They will even finance it though themselves at 17.9% interest!
We were told we would have to wait up to 10 business days for the processing before we would get our user name and password to use the service. Of course, this is the 10 day rescintion period, so by the time you can see what they have to offer, you can't cancel and get a refund. While we were there I asked them to check for a better rate at a hotel where I already had a reservation, but they could not find it while I was there.
They did say we could call and talk to a manager if we wanted to make reservations before we received our password. It makes no sense that it takes that long to get a password or user name. It only took moments to take my money. Virtually every legitimate company gives user name and password immediately. They do offer a 365 day full refund offer, but you are required to stay a full week at one of their resorts. It seems they will get your money one way or another.
The very next day I called to tell them to stop the processing and just refund the money. They did say they would refund the $800, but we lost the $250. This was for the few minutes it took to run our debit card and fill a sheet of paper out. I asked for the $250 back, but as expected, they refused. It will also take 10-14 business days to get our refund. Why? The money was transferred from our account within 1 day. Why not just credit the account immediately?
The "free cruise" actually is through Spirit Incentives and will cost $199 per person. It is for off season travel and you have to pick three dates months in advance and at least 30 apart from each other. I suggest reading about Spirit as well before even considering wasting time at Worldwide.
This seems to be nothing more than a new way of selling time shares without actually selling the time share ownership. Any way you look at it, it will cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars the moment you sign.
If they change their minds about the $250 I will update this report.
Bob
Seminole, Florida
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Bob c
Seminole,Florida,
U.S.A.
Update
#2Author of original report
Fri, June 26, 2009
Basically, Mr. Carey's rebuttal is accurate, however, 24 hours is certainly well within the rescission period. When I canceled the membership I explained that this program is likely a good program for many, however was not right for us. After discussion with the company we have come to what I consider a fair resolution to all involved. Although I do not think this program is right for us and am not a member, I feel the company has stepped up and made a fair attempt to set things right.
Scott
Tampa,Florida,
U.S.A.
Corporate Response
#3UPDATE Employee
Tue, June 23, 2009
As the Director of Worldwide Destination Services, Inc. I am familiar with this individual and this situation and would like to respond on behalf of the company. First, people who think something is a scam do not invest their hard earned money in that product. Mr. Copechal is correct when he says we have a 365 Day money back guarantee that simply states if you stay in one of our resorts, hotels or vacation homes for a week and you do not feel you received a good value, we will refund your entire purchase price. Saying "they get your money anyway" is invalid as we do NOT make money on travel. Our business model is commission free travel so if we don't make any profit on travel, it stands to reason that we have this guarantee so that people use and experience our program and services. This individual was not willing to do that. He asked to cancel his purchase well out of rescission and we gave him his money back anyway as we want happy customers. In the past 4 years we have seen in excess of 13,000 couples and we have vacationed thousands of families. We have very few complaints against our company. We know that buyers remorse is a strong emotion and that is exactly why we have a guarantee. Use our program before you jump the gun and slander a good company. Scott Carey Project Director
Scott
Tampa,Florida,
U.S.A.
Corporate Response
#4UPDATE Employee
Tue, June 23, 2009
As the Director of Worldwide Destination Services, Inc. I am familiar with this individual and this situation and would like to respond on behalf of the company. First, people who think something is a scam do not invest their hard earned money in that product. Mr. Copechal is correct when he says we have a 365 Day money back guarantee that simply states if you stay in one of our resorts, hotels or vacation homes for a week and you do not feel you received a good value, we will refund your entire purchase price. Saying "they get your money anyway" is invalid as we do NOT make money on travel. Our business model is commission free travel so if we don't make any profit on travel, it stands to reason that we have this guarantee so that people use and experience our program and services. This individual was not willing to do that. He asked to cancel his purchase well out of rescission and we gave him his money back anyway as we want happy customers. In the past 4 years we have seen in excess of 13,000 couples and we have vacationed thousands of families. We have very few complaints against our company. We know that buyers remorse is a strong emotion and that is exactly why we have a guarantee. Use our program before you jump the gun and slander a good company. Scott Carey Project Director
Scott
Tampa,Florida,
U.S.A.
Corporate Response
#5UPDATE Employee
Tue, June 23, 2009
As the Director of Worldwide Destination Services, Inc. I am familiar with this individual and this situation and would like to respond on behalf of the company. First, people who think something is a scam do not invest their hard earned money in that product. Mr. Copechal is correct when he says we have a 365 Day money back guarantee that simply states if you stay in one of our resorts, hotels or vacation homes for a week and you do not feel you received a good value, we will refund your entire purchase price. Saying "they get your money anyway" is invalid as we do NOT make money on travel. Our business model is commission free travel so if we don't make any profit on travel, it stands to reason that we have this guarantee so that people use and experience our program and services. This individual was not willing to do that. He asked to cancel his purchase well out of rescission and we gave him his money back anyway as we want happy customers. In the past 4 years we have seen in excess of 13,000 couples and we have vacationed thousands of families. We have very few complaints against our company. We know that buyers remorse is a strong emotion and that is exactly why we have a guarantee. Use our program before you jump the gun and slander a good company. Scott Carey Project Director
