Anonymous
map-marker Morristown, New Jersey

Tried to cancel our Vacation Package with Vacation Network Inc.

I purchased this vacation package on March 3, 2010, and tried to cancel on March 4, 5 and 6, 2010, but found that Vacation Network Inc. only rented space at 55 Madison Ave. Ste 400 Morristown, NJ for one day. The staff left the night of March 3, and never returned. I have contacted Georgia State Govt. Complaint Intake Center in Smyma, GA. with no help from them. They referred me to New Jersey Office of the Attorney General Division of Consumer Affairs. NJ Attorney General Office could not reach a resolution with I-Globe Travel (Vacation Network Inc.). They recommend we file a claim against them in Small Claims Court. Calls to Vacation Network Inc. claim that they only fulfill vacation requests and that I-Globe Travel no longer sells these Vacations. We tried to find a vacation option, but everything we found was "not available" at the time we requested. We could not fine any suitable location for our vacation plans. Clearly Vacation Network Inc. is simply interested in taking your money and not offering any service as promised in their presentation!!!! As we researched the the properties offered in their promotional material we discovered the properties were not as nice as we were lead to believe.
View full review
Loss:
$4299
1 comment
Guest

Does anybody know what happens if you don't pay the annual service fee?

Lorinda Wee

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Atlanta, Georgia

Cancel my contract a day after i slept on it

I signed with VNI about ten years ago.The next day i call to cancel my contract they told me it was ok Thinking that this matter was done 10yrs ago until i tried to buy a house i cant. They said i must pay them $5000 dollars for something i never made one payment toward.This sounds like a old scam of taking money from people without lifting a finger.I want this resolved now. They serve me with court papers to come to court i am ready to proceed . They should not be doing this to people . IRA ADKINS
View full review
Loss:
$5000
Shai Zqo
map-marker Mesquite, Texas

Vacation Network is a SCAM

We attended a presentation from Vacation Network and ended up buying into the "timeshare", only to find out we could never use the product we purchased. Since original purchase we have never been able to book a single vacation. We have reached out to the company on many occasions to only get told the same thing over and over. We hate that we lost so much money thinking we would be able to take our family on vacation and have yet to be able to do this through the company that convinced us that we could.This company took our money and ran! Others please be aware and don't give them a dime!
View full review
Loss:
$10000
1 comment
Guest

Exact same experience. We have tried numerous times to book something and they have never been able to accommodate.

Their presentation shows 4/5 star properties and in reality you are lucky if you get offered a 2 star. We have never been able to get a property that was acceptable (one review said to be aware there were muggings in the parking lot of a property they offered us) or dates that were acceptable. The list goes on and on and on.

Most disappointing experience ever.

Cleota Mji
map-marker Cottonwood, Arizona

Travel Network-Sign up-Kiss your Money Goodbye

Can't believe I fell for this one! Many thousands of $$ invested and absolutely NOTHING in return. We paid our membership and our yearly fee for the first year and they disappeared from the radar for us. Never got any correspondence, phone calls went unanswered-even registered overnight mail was ignored. Our membership number didn't work so we couldn't even prove we were a member. Didn't even get our free trip for attending the meeting. RUN-don't walk away from them as fast as you can. Should have followed my own advice-"if it sounds too good to be true it absolutely is". Vacation Network is a HUGE SCAM!!!! Hope they enjoyed my money.
View full review
Loss:
$8500
1 comment
Stepfanie Nwn

I think we have been swindled too. We called the hotel they supposedly were going to book for us. They never heard of these people..what a surprise. We were taken for $3,000..half of what they wanted. We stalled for a while, then they lowered the price from $6000 to $3000 [supposed employee price].

Should have smelled a rat...at presentation, they said no sales pitch would be made. Liars. After the session they herded us into a room...guess what...with a high pressure salesman!

No shortage of crooks in the world!!

Journei Aft
map-marker Austin, Texas

Mislead and Pissed Customer

We attended the "presentation" and "bought" this package because we were told we could travel ANY PLACE in the world. We attempted to schedule vacation a vacation in Oahu but was told there were no properties available. We then tried Toronto and other major cities in Canada but was told by the representative that they only have properties available in resorts outside (100-200 miles) from the cities we chose. So far, we have found a property in San Francisco the week of Memorial Day, where we have been numerous time. I feel like we have been scammed because we have not been able to find properties at any of the cities we chose!
View full review
Loss:
$5000
2 comments
Guest

Going through that right now, how is it that we can't get a place in New York City?? One of the most sought out vacation places in America.

Ok, maybe we will go to Washington DC.... NOPE, can't go there either. We were told we could go anywhere in the world, just like the person who posted this and that is not the case.

Sent an email in to complain about it and I was assured that this was a great package. I'm glad that the employee is convinced because I (the customer) am not.

Guest

Exact same experience. We have tried numerous times to book something and they have never been able to accommodate.

Their presentation shows 4/5 star properties and in reality you are lucky if you get offered a 2 star. We have never been able to get a property that was acceptable (one review said to be aware there were muggings in the parking lot of a property they offered us) or dates that were acceptable.

The list goes on and on and on. Most disappointing experience ever.

View more comments (1)
Nneka Jyq
map-marker Austin, Texas

Not What It Appears to be

We spent a lot of money and they have yet to find a suitable accomodation. They are not what they advertise at all.

We have asked for numerous locations and they come back with inappropriate or NO accomodations. They "loose" your request for a month and then tell you that the time for them to "find" something just started even though you have emails proving you sent in the request. I heard someone in Texas sued them and won. If anyone knows the attorneys name I would like to use him.

This is not what they advertised at all. I have not seen one property that would match the advertisement.

View full review
Loss:
$5000
2 comments
Guest

I have similar experience. Let us collect VNI members with similar experience and we can get an attorney to start a class action suite.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-866964

I'm all in for this.

View more comments (1)
cruzct
map-marker Austin, Texas

VNI Travel Network -- Beware of Fraud

When we first responded to their promotion (free airline tickets just to visit their travel agency), I called their local office (Platinum Travel in Austin, Texas) to ask for the name of the company so that I can do a research before our appointment. The person who answered gave me a false name which kept me from seeing all the complaints posted about them. We still made the appointment because they claimed that it is a travel agency that offered vacations at a discount reduced price. During the presentation, they made false claims regarding the quality of the resorts available, they said they were 5-star quality resorts/villas/condos located all over the world available at a reduced price of $499 per week, and specified a savings of over $2,000 per week. We asked them if there were resorts in countries like Argentina, Chile, China, etc., and they said yes. When we asked for the list of resorts, they said there are so many and we can access it all when we become members (i.e., after signing a contract). After being lured by the misrepresentations, we were offered a big savings if we signed that same day. We expressed our concerns about signing without an opportunity for research and we were lulled into false security that under "normal" circmstances, one could not cancel an agreement without penalty, but that we could if we cancel within 7 days of purchase. With this in mind, we bought a 5-week membership for $7,500. That evening, we did our reserarch and were dismayed by the horrible reviews and complaints. We also checked the available "resorts" from their website only to find that they were mostly condos and not resorts and upon checking those condos, found complaints of people who stayed in some of them that they were dirty and infested with bugs. We also checked the price of the condos if we were to rent them, and we could get them at the same rate as what VNI Travel charges, where is the $2,000 savings that they claimed? Why would we have to pay the membership fee for something that we could rent at the same price and get an immediate confirmation of a reservation (versus the 60-9*-180 days waiting to book with VNI)? The next day, I immediately went to their office to cancel the contract only to be told that we would incur 50% penalty (it was on the contract, but we believed them when they said we can cancel within 7 days without mentioning any penalty, in fact they said this was not under the "normal" circumstances.)

We were seduced by false promises and misleading assurances and no longer wished to do business with such dishonest people so we cancelled the membership. We had every intention to take the matter to court. The lawyer we consulted said that it is clearly a fraud. We also called our credit card company and told them we wanted to dispute the charges. Fortunately for us, MasterCard gave us an immediate permanent credit for 100% of the $7,500.00 membership fee because we have been their client in good standing for over 30 years. I'm not sure if MasterCard is absorbing our loss or will dispute it with VNI Travel. I hope that they will not let these people get away with it.

We believe that misreprsentations , diverting us from researching with a false company name, luring us with a presentation littered with false promises were made purposely with the intention of inducing us to sign are elements of fraud.

View full review
11 comments
Guest

I wish I knew that earlier, I've had it 3 years and got better deals last minute on my own took

Guest

Received a very authentic looking check for a Free travel voucher from a Travel Union for US Airlines. 1-88*-***-****. Went to the the presentation as am in the market for a travel agent being an empty nester. There was no name on the outside of the office, no listing on any of the signs just an address: 1 Chisholm Trail Rd, Suite 4250 Round Rock, TX. My husband noticed that all of the travel magazines were at least 2 years old. In the presentation there was not a logo, name of a company, no sign that this was a legitmate business of any kind just a lockbox on the stairwell. May have been a leased furnished office where they rent space.

If you pay the $9,999 you get 2 weeks vacation and pay $299 a year plus $499 a week PLUS any taxes, surcharges and fees. However, if you pay tonight you can get away with only $7,999 and you get 3 weeks vacation. You will still pay all of the fees and they will be increasing the rate in 2014 to say $399 a year plus $599 a week or more as they can increase the amount as they want plus you have to pay for travel to and from your destination.

They gave us a mail in certificate for FREE travel vouchers which clearly state you must send $100.00 to redeem. After reading reviews am so thankful that did not fall for this SCAM. It also says that you will pay all taxes, surcharges and fees which appear to be more than the price of 2 tickets.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND ATTENDING this presentation as it is not worth your time and will not be worth the money if you are not able to contact a representative of any kind to book your flights or make travel arrangements. The voucher clearly states that you may not contact them by phone until you have sent your money.

Reviews that I have read say that the booking is selective and most just give up and lose patience after several months of trying to book their travel. They do get some of their money back but not all and they are out more time and money than any of this is worth.

Stay home, don't go.

Lyndsee Uhe

SCAM!!! Run away!

They should be shut down! You can get the same deals through Living Social and Travelocity with NO membership fee and with great cancellation policies. They charge you a HUGE membership fee & yearly renewal fee for NOTHING. They pretend you will get deluxe accommodations and they have an extensive inventory to select from.

The truth is the properties are mostly average, and they have to wait for other companies to have an overstock to make an offering. Their policies are outrageous, making you wait months and months to get your booking, with a it's all we have take it or leave it attitude, and you have to cancel more than 60 days in advance for a refund. Don't believe a word of the presentation. If it's not in the contract you won't get it.

They are smooth talking thieves. The "free" plane tickets is also nearly worthless as you are charged a surcharge to leave from Austin, flights can't be booked two weeks before and after any public holiday, must be booked a month in advance from the time they have validated your policy, and only valid for a year which means about 10 months. You have to pay $100 for this as well and of course don't have a choice of the connection times. Perhaps the person with a positive review paid a small membership fee.

They have a hugely variable membership cost (we paid $5000 plus fees for 2 weeks/year, heard of someone else paid $3000 plus fees for 3 weeks).. nevertheless I could get the SAME deal on Living Social for zero membership fee and could cancel and reschedule if I needed to.

Guest

This company is very much a fraud which lures consumers with misleading information. I need help getting out from under the hideous yeaarly fee. Please contact nudall1@***.com

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-574082

just stop paying the ASC (annual service charge), it is clearly stated in the contract your membership is on a year to year basis. you don't own a timeshare, that's the beauty of it.

I've been using this program for a while and get way more out of it than my minimal ASC. hope to hear you book a trip soon and talk about some great things you see on vacation rather than spend time trying to figure out why you shouldn't be using it.

Guest

We visited the Austin location and bought the deal. The quality of the "resorts" that we have viewed is much less than advertised by the company. We are continuing to look but at this point we are becoming skeptical and very concerned.

Guest

My husband and I visited this company because of the promotion of free airline tickets.

SCAM SCAM SCAM!!! not free at all!!!!

When we heard the membership fee was over 9000.00 we knew then it was a scam.

I feel for the elderly and the ones who show up alone for they all feed on the feelings of what you would be missing out on if you don't sign up. BEWARE this company should be shut down!!!!

Guest

Thank you for your information. My husband and I went.

We were on time, but that was too late for them. Everything seemed suspicious and they said the presentation already begun.

Warning sign! So we came home and researched we are glad we did.

Guest

Wow! We were late and was spared of this injustice, thank you for your comments.

Actually we were not late. We were on time, but they said the doors were closed, because we were fifteen minutes late. It seemed very suspicious to me.

We then begin to research. I am glad we did.

Guest

Wow! We were late and was spared of this injustice, thank you for your comments.

Actually we were not late. We were on time, but they said the doors were closed, because we were fifteen minutes late. It seemed very suspicious to me.

We then begin to research. I am glad we did.

View more comments (10)
Anonymous
map-marker Austin, Texas

Don't Make this same mistake

When responded to their promotion (free airline tickets just to visit their travel agency), and made the appointment because they claimed that it is a travel agency that offered vacations at a discount reduced price. During the presentation, they made false claims regarding the quality of the resorts available, they said they were 5-star quality resorts/villas/condos located all over the world available at a reduced price, and specified a savings of over $2,000 per week. We asked them if there were resorts in countries like Argentina, Chile, China, etc., and they said yes. When we asked for the list of resorts, they said there are so many and we can access it all when we become members (i.e., after signing a contract). After being lured by the misrepresentations, we were offered a big savings if we signed that same day. We expressed our concerns about signing without an opportunity for research and we were lulled into false security that under "normal" circmstances, one could not cancel an agreement without penalty, but that we could if we cancel within 7 days of purchase. With this in mind, we bought a membership for $5,000. When we got ready to travel we checked the available "resorts" from their website only to find that they were mostly condos and not resorts and upon checking those condos, found complaints of people who stayed in some of them that they were dirty and infested with bugs. The resort they recommended in Puerto Rico had a warning that they were mugged in the parking lot. Why would we have to pay the membership fee for something that we could rent at the same price and get an immediate confirmation of a reservation (versus the 60-9*-180 days waiting to book with VNI)? We then contacted them for a refund and were told that we could cancel but would not get a refund. We were seduced by false promises and misleading assurances and no longer wished to do business with such dishonest people. We have written back and forth with the company and they continue to tell us what fantastic propertiees they have. We also called our credit card company and told them we wanted to dispute the charges. They said based on the contract we could not do so. We believe that misrepresentations and luring us with a presentation littered with false promises were made purposely with the intention of inducing us to sign are elements of fraud. I encourage anyone who is solicited to NOT do business with them.
View full review
Loss:
$5000
casutton
map-marker Dallas, Texas

Platinum Travel Network is a front for Vacation Network Inc.

Updated by user Mar 03, 2013

Please Remove Complaint: My complaint against Platinum Travel Network and Vacation Network Inc. has been satisfactorily resolved, and I request that you remove my complaint from your website.

Original review Dec 28, 2012
Platinum Travel Network has a new office in Plano, TX, but is only a front for Vacation Network Inc. Their email solicitation comes via rapidtravelawards.com domain name. Beware! They duped us through deceptive and we believe fraudulent misrepresentations and material omissions into signing a contract. When we discovered the deception, misrepresentations and material missing information, as well as saw the many other complaints and warnings on the Internet about Vacation Network Inc., we rescinded our contract within 3 days and protested our credit card charge. So far, they have kept $4,147 of our funds, now forcing us to take legal action and involve the Texas Attorney General to recover.
View full review
Loss:
$4147
1 comment
Zaya Jcf

We were dupped in Feb. 2013.

We missed the window to rescend, we didn't find all the negative information until the 3 days past - they actually told us we only had two days.

But I need to consult an attorney to see what can be done - can you recommend someone? If so, you can contact me at anastasiasmith1211@***.com

Anonymous
map-marker Scottsdale, Arizona

Can we sue this vacation network international???

Reading the amount of people that are totally dissatisfied with VNI is not surprising. If there are other people out there that would like to get some kind of retribution, contact me. I was hoping to find other people that would like to consider starting a class action law suit against VNI for not delivering what they sold. The more people we get to join in the suit the better chances we have If there is an attorney that would like to take this on that too would help also. fee to be discussed please contact me at 480 699 **** and leave a message
View full review
11 comments
Guest

sign me up too.

Guest

I would like to sign up also please contact me at nomeymoney@***.com

Guest

I would like to join any class action suit against VNI. We've been duped!

Guest

Would definitely like to be part of a class action lawsuit against vacation network

Guest

Please add me to the list.

Guest

Please, I want in on this if possible. contact me at grhester1@***.com.

My wife and I have literally never been on a vacation & could have gone on several for the $ we lost. They seized us like wolves.

Guest

Please add me to this list.... You can contact me at guevmarc2003@***.com. Thanks, Marynel

Guest

I am so ready to sue the pants off of VNI. Please e-mail me at christinaelizabeth@***.net.

Guest

Sign me up! I was just scammed by someone who claimed to be with Vacation International Network.

I am working with my local police right now. I can be contacted at DEKNOR92@***.com

Zaya Jcf

Yes, I would like to join a class action law suit, too. contact me at anastasiasmith1211@***.com

View more comments (10)
Anonymous
map-marker Tyler, Texas

Vacation Networks is a scam

In 2009 we were with another timeshare company and decided to go with Vacation Networks Inc.. They in turn were purchasing our timeshare from us as part of the package. However, they have yet to this day, transferred the title into their name. This means I am still, after 3 years, stuck with 2 timeshares. I have battled with them this entire time to get the transaction completed. My last phone conversation with the company was, the initial timeshare is stuck with me and they aren't transferring to their comapny. Do not fall into their pit of bogus promises. It will only cost you more money.
View full review
John D Beq

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Houston, Texas

Vacation Network Inc scam

My husband and I, as many, many other people have been mislead into buying this program or whatever is called. We bought it 3 years ago and we have tried using it several times; different countries, dates and as of today and thousands of dollars later, we have not been able to use it. We are very upset, to put it mildly. Like many others, we are looking for a way to cancel this and I just can't believe there is nothing we can do. There are so many complaints online and so many people in the same situation, I am just surprised this company hasnt been closed or sued. This company is getting away with robbing so many people thousands of dollars and nobody can do anything. That just seems so wrong!!! If someone can give us ideas on where to officially report this company, we would appreciate it. Email me at guevmarc2003@***.com
View full review
Loss:
$8000
Ireta Icr
map-marker Pelham, Alabama

Misled and Scammed Us

We too went to a meeting at VNI and were told how wonderful they were and how easy it would be to book a vacation anywhere we wanted. My job is not very flexible for me to change weeks after I have booked my time off, so I asked this question specifically. I was told that it would be no problem to get places easily or the dates that we chose. This was a big lie! No one would help or talk to us later, and the few that did were extremely rude! Stay away or you will be sorry!
View full review
1 comment
Nicole Rhz

If you still need help getting out... email me Kactusflwer@***.com

I used to be a member and got out in 2009!

Frank G Btw

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Livingston, New Jersey

Vacation Network Inc is the biggest SCAM!!!!!!

We purchased the timeshare back in 2009 we have never been able to use it. Everytime we have called there is nothing avaliable and when I called to talked to a manager about it they said they never received a reservation letter from us. I have tried to make a reservation 5 times! We can't get our money back and we can't go anywhere on vacation through this company. When we went to the seminar in Birmingham, Al we were told we would receive two free plane tickets just for coming. We have yet to get those tickets. I even sent in the vouchers twice. When I called they told me it wasn't vacation network inc that actually gave the tickets away. I have paid this place over 3,000 for absolutely nothing but a headache and a run around!
View full review
Loss:
$5
2 comments
Guest

I also have fallen prey to the VNI scam. Any suggestions on how to get out of the contract would be appreciated.

Joined in 2009. thx

Nicole Rhz

If you still need to get out I may be able to help. Kactusflwer@***.com

Contact me...I was a member and got out in 2009!

View more comments (1)
Patricia M Qsk
map-marker Beaumont, Texas

VNI--took $10,000+ not what they sold me

VNI promised me 6 weeks of vacation time. I paid $10,000. We have never used their service and they were charging me a fee every year, plus you must pay an additional fee when you make the reservations. You must choose 3 locations and 3 different dates. They do not tell you this when you sign up. I was ill last year and just called and cancelled to stop them from charging the $400/year. A losing deal. Wish I could get my $10,000 back. I need it. I am on social security and cannot afford this since it is not what they told me. Who can choose 3 locations and 3 different dates. My children laughed when they saw this. Let the buyer beware. This is fraud if there ever was a fraud. Shame on VNI for selling one thing and trying to give you something else. Bait and switch.
View full review
2 comments
Guest

All this info was given during sales pitch. Also written in contract. It's unfortunate you "can't afford it" anymore.

Nicole Rhz

Contact me at Kactusflwer@***.com

I was able to get out 2009....lets see what we can do!

View more comments (1)