Perfect Leisure - Free Holiday is this a scam?

[bexta]

I received a phone call last night about �holiday award' courtesy of Hospitality Scotland Promotions (Dunfermline). I was naturally sceptical to start with but as the conversation went on amid reassurances of 'we do NOT sell time share' and 'we are not involved in property sales' I became more interested. I was then told how they prefer to promote through word of mouth and that is why they give away free holidays in the hope of us having a good time and therefore recommending them. The 'award' included free accommodation in one of their hotels (as it is better for them to fill an otherwise empty room/villa/chalet) and also include flights to any one of four destinations (Spain, Austria, Turkey and the Canary Islands) for 4 adults and all we would need to pay is �49.50 per person for processing and we would have to do our own admin (which I assume meant sort our own insurance etc). I was then informed they needed to see some form of ID so we needed to attend an �exhibition' which would last 2 hours at �their' Duchally Hotel in Stirling. The girl on the phone arranged a date and time that would be suitable to attend (sooo flexible�) oh and under 7 year olds are unable to attend (probably make too much noise!!). After confirming I was interested she said she would send out info for me to read over and also an email (never got the email- I guess this could be used as evidence after they take the letter off me!).

I then spoke to by husband (always sensible) who told me it was a con. I then tried to convince him- he remained sceptical but agreed we could go to the �exhibition' so I could see for myself! Fortunately on doing my research I stumbled across this and other websites forewarning me! I have saved us a two hour drive and childcare arrangements not to mention more costly mistakes!! Thank you sooooo much!!!!

I received the �information' this morning. It consists of a business looking A4 leaflet with a plastic credit card looking thing �CLC Compliments Card' for redeeming �25 high street vouchers (!). It also says you pay �29 per person (in addition to the �49.50) for �airport passenger duty/security' which I wasn't told about on the phone. It looks quite official (if a bit cheap). It has on it telephone numbers and an address. I will hang onto it for future reference

Needless to say we won't be attending the so called �exhibition'.

R Y

[burmese27cats]

We entered hospitality scotland promotions at NEC in Birmingham for a weekend prize draw.

We are supposed to be attending a presentation in Leeds this pm for our ' free ' holiday although they have told us we would pay approx 50 pounds each.

After reading all these posts i wont be bothering, i had doubts but this confirms it so thanks to all who posted

[madmara]

I have read everyones comments on this forum of how they have either been scammed or have avoided being scammed. There are however some genuine companies doing these type of promotions that are a dream come true for a lot of people. I have just started such a business, which is based in Madeira. We are promoting a 5 star hotel called Madeira Regency Palace.

The reason for this promotion is that Madeira Regency Palace is promoting a policy called "TRY IT FIRST" on the concept of holiday ownership. However, you will be expected to attend a 90 minute sales presentation during your stay to discover for yourselves the benefits of holiday ownership membership. All we ask for is an open mind, BUT BY ALL MEANS FEEL FREE TO SAY NO, if after the presentation you feel this product is not for you.

You will NOT be hassled or subjected to any kind of hard selling as we believe the resort sells itself. Besides the fact that Madeira Regency Palace is a five star resort and rated one of the top hotels in Madeira, which pursues excellence and professionalism, they know that even if you don't buy anything, you will most likely reffer the promotion to friends and family.

As the policy states you will be given a chance to "try it first" to see if you like it. You will have the chance while staying at the hotel to speak to existing members and ask them for their opinion. As you can see, Madeira Regency Palace really believes in their product and due to all their satisfied clients, they are using this concept to attract future clients. The big surprise to nearly everyone attending the presentation, is how affordable holiday ownership really is.

Of course to be fair to everyone and to ensure certain standards, we offer this promotion for just �125 (administration and transfer fees). The way it works is as follows:

1) Go to http://www.madeira-seekers.com/PromotionalHoliday.html

2) Fill in the application form.

3) You will then be contacted directly by the hotels guest relations manager, to book the week you wish to holiday in.
4) You may then contact the hotel and ask for her, to ensure this is not a scam.
5) Once your week is confirmed and booked, you will receive an invoice by email with instructions on how to pay.

So for just �125 and a 90 minute presentation you can spend a fabulous holiday in one of Madeira's top five star hotels. See the site for more details on the hotel, etc.

http://www.madeira-seekers.com/PromotionalHoliday.html

[Fred 2]

1) It's still a fly/ buy 2) you are using this site for free advertising and 3) exactly what are you selling - "holiday ownership membership" is rather a meaningless phrase. I see that your site is hosted anonymously in Utah.

[madmara]

Yes Fred you're right, it is a Fly buy! But it is no scam! You spend a week in a 5 star resort for �125 and a 90 minute presentation. Whatever the term you want to use "timeshare", "holiday ownership", "vacation ownership" etc. it all ends up to the same thing. A 90 minute presentation on buying an apartment for a week, for the next 10 or 26 years that is linked to RCI membership which will allow you to swap or get additional weeks at excellent prices, at 5 star resorts all over the world. That is what the presentation is all about. The fact is that 7 out of 10 people don't buy anything! And on my site that is exactly what I advise everyone. If after the presentation you're not totally convinced then just say NO!!!

At the end of the day, this is really a numbers game. The more people see the hotel the more people you will find that want in.
Like I have already said "You will NOT be hassled or subjected to any kind of hard selling as we believe the resort sells itself. Besides the fact that Madeira Regency Palace is a five star resort and rated one of the top hotels in Madeira, which pursues excellence and professionalism, they know that even if you don't buy anything, you will most likely reffer the promotion to friends and family. "

The fact that I am advertising for them on my site, does not mean its done for free! We are NOT offering a free holiday! The cost is �125 for a an apartment that sleeps 4, for a week, including taxi transfers to and from the airport. This is where we make our cut from. Like we have already mentioned in the last comment, this is no scam and the way it works is as follows:

1) Go to http://www.madeira-seekers.com/PromotionalHoliday.html

2) Fill in the application form.

3) You will then be contacted directly by the hotels guest relations manager, to book the week you wish to holiday in.
4) You may then contact the hotel and ask for her, to ensure this is not a scam.
5) Once your week is confirmed and booked, you will receive an invoice by email with instructions on how to pay.

Fred I don't know if my site is registered on Utah or if it is supposed to be, but one thing I do know. My site with all my details including my personal phone number is listed in WHOIS. Also all my details are on my sites main page.
Once again people this one is no scam! And I challenge anyone to prove otherwise.

[open_minded]

I received a call that I had won a "free" holiday last year and was told that I had to attend a presentation at Bluewater to get my prize and �25 voucher. Being the cynic that I am, I googled the company and checked out their website and realised they were a holiday club/timeshare type organisation. However, I was told on the phone that we would have to pay �29.50 per person and taxes upfront.
Not one to pass up an opportunity, I attended the presentation with my husband, with the intention of getting more information and collecting my vouchers.

It was as I expected, a hard-sell marketing opportunity by Club LaCosta. However, I don't regret going, they had a good product to promote and I got �25 M&S vouchers out of it. (It was endorsed by Jenny Bond i.e. video presentation - just mentioning this as another post suggests this was fake).

The holiday is not free and you will end up paying about �300 for a family of four for a self-catering break. You can take up to 6 people but would pay �199 per extra person. The draw backs?

- No real control over when you go. You suggest 4 possible dates within an 18 month period, only one of which can be within a school holiday.

- You don't know where you are going or the standard of accomodation

But if you are willing to risk that, it is still reasonable value for money. A week in Pontins cost me almost 3 times that amount.

This post is intended to present the otherside of the coin, so readers can weigh up the risks and decide whether or not it's worth it to them.

I will post on this site again when we come back in May and let you know whether it was a complete waste of money or if it was in fact a bargain.

[thefullcarrot]

Mecca advertising for Classic Holidays is this another scam ? Have been promised a free holiday and vouchers for turning up?