I was advised I had won/later told I was eligible for, a vacation on a trip to all seasons Florida plus an optional cruise to the bahamas. I asked for time to think it over but the salesmen pushed and pushed. I have sent copious emails and received phone calls saying they would refund my $998 and this would occur in about 5 days. I sent a registered letter also asking for my refund. I found out during the phone call, I had to attend certain seminars and saw later after I paid and had a chance to read the fine print that these were timeshare. I don't want this holiday and I have a number of expenses on which I could use that money, such as rates, a new washing machine, then my mower died and recently had to buy a CPAP machine. I am a pensioner I need my money back. Despite looking in my bank no refund has appeared. J Edwards

I received a telephone call approx. 10 am this morning 10/9/2010 from Mike Tharney saying I had entered a competition and won a 2 weeks holiday in Olanda Florida.

I was handed to Brandon Brooks, the Travel Coordinator (whose voice sounded just like Mike's had) who told me all about this fantastic holiday for 4 people (adults or children) that I could take anytime in the next 18 months as long as I gave them 45 - 60 days notice & all I needed to do today was hand over my Visa card No. & pay $998 for the trip and have the transaction recorded on tape for verification.

I was handed to Patty Jones, from the Corporate Department who then told me I only needed to pay $698 today & the $290 left on the day I booked the trip and let them know whom the 4 people would be that would travelling. This was completed via a supposed tape recorded session.

Not long after the phone call had ended I was phoned again by Patty saying the amount she had asked for was incorrect and that she would actually need the $998 today and went through the recording again. An email would be forwarded to a nominated account for verification of the holiday & funds to cover this cost.

When I left the phone I checked my email account & discovered that the details seemed correct but the amount I had supposedly paid & the amount paid were two differing matters. The email states $698 was authorised by me as payment as required giving a partial Visa card no. as follows: 456457******4467. Also I might add that an extra 3 digit pin number is required for funds over the amount of $500 via any Visa card for transaction & this number was NOT given out.

Further more, once I checked my credit card statement I found that there were two amounts withdrawn as follows: 10.24am - ASTAR800-2313760 US for $759.43 then at 11.06am - Florida Resort HoliTampa US for $326.40. I contacted St George immediately and asked about these amounts. Apparently a further $326.40 had been transacted but not gone through. I have 5 transactions on my credit card from this date, none of which were authorised by myself. St George has since cancelled this card, luckily and are investigating this matter. Hopefully it will be sorted out. Until then I would hope that somebody at your end would put a stop to this company. I have the email which I could forward if you have an address I could send it to. I also have a printed copy of my St George Visa statement page showing the first two transactions including, dates, times, amounts withdrawn and name of withdrawal company.

If you wish to contact me via email my email address is ( [email protected]), I would be happy to hear from you, thank you for your time. Irene Starr

Was called up this morning to be told I had won a holiday, but had to pay for 15% of the trip. I was very sceptical although unfortunately gave out my Visa details (not the security code). They way they told me was that it was my choice to take the package and accept it or not accept it. I basically told them I would need to see something in writing before I accept the trip.
I ran to my internet banking as I had a bad feeling about it and they had taken $1, 100 AUD from my account already. When I had a go at the guy on the phone, telling him I did NOT accept the trip and they had no right to deduct the amount until AFTER I had seen something in writing. The guy told me that I had 30 days to get a refund if I decide against taking ...

I don't think that will be an option some how - just be careful people - I have leared an expensive lesson today...