Fractional Ownership (The short break company)

[Stuart1957]

The "fractional ownership" deal being offered by Short Break Company in "Dames de la Mer" - a yacht based at Marmaris, Turkey, seems a tad expensive.

I have been contacted by a couple from South Wales who were offered two "fractions" in this yacht for the princely sum of £16,795.

It's a four-cabin, eight-berth boat. Two fractions represent one cabin for two weeks per year. If Short Break is selling 200 fractions (4 x 50 weeks) at that price, it would generate revenue of £1,679,500.

Interestingly, the video on the "Dames de la Mer" website, used to promote the yacht, is the same video as on the website of D ickies International, a reputable company that sells yachts.

The couple say they researched on the internet after initially agreeing to purchase and have now sent a solicitor's letter to Short Break to say they've had second thoughts and won't be going through with the deal.

No money changed hands and no credit agreement was signed.

[JasonRoberts]

We thought this was a little expensive, but if we were going to get money back by selling our fraction back to he charter company we thought it was worth it.

I did a quick search on the net while I was at the presentation, but the only bumf we were given was Interval International, which sounded ok.

I now doubt that we would get any money from the charter company and it's looking a lot less attractive.

We too are now going to send a letter of cancellation. The fact that they've lost a court case I'm hoping to use to our advantage.

I'll let you know how it goes. Thank you so much for all this information.

Kind regards,

Jason.

[jwilton]

Hi Jason
Well done for seeing a con, there will be a story in a paper soon!!! It will make interesting reading and will be in the Express and echo in Exeter ( I think)as the reporter actually had an invite to one of the presentations !!!! Some of the same muppets who have just gone into liquidation with St Francis Marketing aka Beuna viva aka classic cruisers aka loads of other names!!!! are the directors of this co.
Jeanette

[mel1957]

We went along with our 2 year old son [we were encouraged to bring him ].We also sgned under a lot of pressure ,and not even being allowed to talk on our own . When we got home and read up on the info ,we hit the ground realising we had been conned . I rang first thing the next morn ,and was told it was a non cacellation . I sent a recorded delivery letter cancelling the agreement . we went on 25th june ,and so far no far nothing from them , only a welcome letter from the sales consultant I dont know what to do next . Is there a cooling off period ???
mel

[stress]

have you canceled the finance this is the key to this scum. if not be quick ,ithink there is a cooling off period but thease morons will not tell you this .cancel the finance then see what happens .good luck.

[Stuart1957]

Mel, please contact Somerset County Council's trading standards dept or Consumer Direct South West and recount your experience in full to them.

[sunshine09]

Hi Everyone

Help. I went 5 weeks ago with my mam to a no strings attached, won't be sold anyhting presentation by The Short Break Company. I was told on the phone, I would have to listen to a presentation and would get some vouchers and be able to take a very cheap holiday. However, my mam and I were given the hard sale and despite asking numerous times about catches in the deal etc we were assured it was too good to be true and so we signed to buy 2 fractions in a yacht. We weren't given any time to speak alone except I had to leave after 3 hrs to pick up my children from school, they called me 3 times to check I was returning to go ahead with the agreement. So we returned with my children and signed.
I came home with my stomach in knots, I'm usually a very responsible person who never takes risks or act spotaneously where my finances are concerned.We were given 3 weeks to pay the £15,995, the only contact that I have had from them was a call 3 days later, a courtesy call and a message was left on my answer machine, I didn't speak to the lady.I organised a loan and left the money in my account I think hoping that the whole ordeal was a nightmare and hadn't really happened. The good news I hope is that I eventually came to my senses and never sent the money, it's been 5 weeks now since the presentation. I'm in complete shock now having read the comments on this site. Can you advise me please, do I ignore any letters they send asking for my money not that I have received anything yet or do I send a letter to them saying I want to cancel?
Please someone let me know what I have to do.
Thank you Jackie

[stress]

follow classic cruiser threads they are the same scum bags .the good news is they havent had any money so they might go away.i would get a solicitor and contact any threads on the classic cruiser thread.

[sunshine09]

Hi

Thanks for your reply. Without sounding ignorant, what are classic cruiser threads? I have cancelled my loan today and although I had interest to pay, it was a weight off my mind than if I had actually sent the money to them. I don't know how these people sleep at night with their blatant face to face lies. I will try to sort out a solicitor tomorrow, do you think I should get a solicitor to write to the company to inform them that I have withdrawn and cancelled the agreement? It feels like a living nightmare at the moment.
Please continue with your brilliant advice.
Jackie

[witch7nx]

If anyone is in this situation with St Frances/Classic Cruisers/Fractional Ownership and is outside of their 14 day cooling off period then contact Sandy Gray at the Timeshare Consumers Association for advice - I did and he has helped me out of a very bad situation (www.timeshare.org) or 01909 591100