CONTACT

Katie Mitzner / Communications Director
Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado
Telephone: 719/636-5076 Ext. 118
Fax: 719/636-5078
Email: katiem@bbbsc.org

Hawaiian Vacation Luring Colorado Residents

The sand, surf and dreams of a Hawaiian holiday are enticing as we get ready for winter - but watch out! Recently, a number of local consumers fell for an ad running in the Gazette and Denver Post offering the vacation of a lifetime, at a great price.

The company, Vacation Properties International which claims to be located in Honolulu, Hawaii offers a discounted trip to Hawaii for two, priced at around $1400, including round trip airfare, a 7 night – 8 day stay and car rental. Participants are required to attend a 90 minute timeshare presentation. When consumers contact the company they are asked for their contact information and are told their call will be returned. Some consumers can not get the company to return their calls; others are contacted and informed that to book a vacation they must put down a deposit paid by either cash or check.

Two local consumers have paid their deposits on their trips with Vacation Properties International, roughly $1000 each, and still have not received any plane tickets or hotel confirmation for their trips. One consumer was set to leave on his Hawaiian vacation today but never received his plane tickets and other confirmations. When contacted, the company explained that there was a problem with booking his vacation and that they would be refunding his deposit money by mail. The consumer has yet to receive that money. Another consumer, who also paid a 50% deposit, is still awaiting her trip confirmation and plane tickets. Both consumers received complete itineraries of the flights they would be taking aboard United Airlines traveling direct from Denver to Honolulu. United Airlines has no record of their reservations.

Upon investigation, the BBB of Hawaii has been unable to locate Vacation Properties International. The company advertises that they operate out of a location on Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu, yet the company directs all correspondence to an address in Oakland, California. The BBB of Hawaii has checked with property management of the Hawaii address but the building has no tenant by the name of Vacation Properties International. In addition, the company advertises that they are members of the Hawaii Timeshare Bureau and have been recognized by the Hawaii Trade Association. Upon investigation, the BBB has not been able to find any evidence that these organizations exist.

When responding to vacation or timeshare opportunities beware of the following red flags:

• Heavily Discounted Offers - if the offer is heavily discounted and sounds “too good to be true” it probably is
• Policy Changes - Vacation Properties International informs consumers that their policies have changed and they no longer take credit cards for deposits, only cash and check will be accepted. Remember when using a credit card you have recourse should the company not provide their services; when using cash or check there is no recourse if you want to try and get your money back.
• A Rush Offer - companies will often put a deadline on their offer to try and get you to commit quickly

Other helpful tips to avoid a ruined dream vacation:

• Read all of the rules of your package carefully.
• Determine all costs involved in booking this vacation.

  Do you pay for…

- hotel, timeshare resort or other lodging?

- meals?

- transportation from your home to the resort?

- transportation from the airport to the lodging accommodation?

- additional fees for the peak tourist season?

• Ask when is the peak season?
• Ask if there are any port taxes when visiting a foreign country?
• Ask if you have to travel to a distant location before the company pays for "free" travel?
• Before traveling, confirm all arrangements directly with the:

- airline, cruise line, etc.

- hotel, timeshare resort, etc. (By requesting descriptive brochures directly from the lodging you may avoid any unpleasant surprises once you arrive.)

-business sponsors such as restaurants or resort attractions offering discount or other coupons. Determine any restrictions on the use of these coupons.

To arrange an interview with a local consumer affected by this company, contact Katie Mitzner with the BBB of Southern Colorado at 719-636-5076 x118 or 866-206-1094 x118.