No, I didn't attend their 90-minute presentation to get "free coffee and snacks." No refreshments were offered! The sales staff was very friendly and kind to us...until we turned down their $8995 offer (which was then "generously" reduced by $2000). Then they became extremely cold and accusatory. I had been promised a "free gift" and a "free $100 gas voucher." To get the "free gift" - a 3-day vacation - I am expected to pay $50 per person. To get the "free $100 gas voucher" I had to mail in the form, then receive another form, mail that in with my choice of listed gas stations (what do you want to bet that their "listed" stations are not in my town??), wait to receive another form from them, visit the "chosen" gas station and spend $100 in one month's time (OK, that's not going to be difficult), then turn in the gas receipts and wait for my $25 coupon. Are you getting the picture? I must jump through hoop after hoop after hoop...is it no wonder that people are skeptical of this company? I'm so glad I went with my gut feeling and turned them down. The last representative I dealt with that night reminded me of a gangster - in looks and actions. He was a very scary individual. I felt sorry for the single girl who attended the presentation that night. At least I was with my big, strong husband! If I ever feel the need for a cheap vacation I will go to lastminutevacations.com or some other reputable, non-pressure agency.

This company is a scam...they lie to you & make vacations look affordable...however truth is you wind up paying for something that you can get better prices for elsewhere. I fell for it & charged $6, 000.00 to pay for this...then had a personal emergency that took my money...I called the company to cancel & was told to mail everything back to their main headquarters which I did...I also filed a dispute with my credit card company assuming they would handle it...well they did, they took back the charges & star vacation club didn't respond at all to them...Now almost a year later a Collection Agency in St. Joseph Mo is hounding me & adding on additional fees. I have no contact numbers and am angry & upset & want this resolved...Do they talk to you? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO only when they collect your $$ & then you hear nothing from them...They lie & I was stupid to fall for it..Stay away from them!

Like the others listed on the posts about Star Vacations, I received a phone call telling me I was a prize finalist. I called and heard the song and dance about having to show up for the 90 minute award presentation. Being skeptical, I started checking the internet for information on this company. There is none. That was when I found the complaints on this board. I called them back and asked for a website. They told me they did not have one, but could e-mail me some info. Here is a copy of what they sent...

We at Star Vacations would like to congratulate you for being a recipient of one of our gifts. As a Guaranteed recipient of one of our gifts, you are going to receive a Sweepstakes Scratch-Off Ticket. This ticket will reveal which one of our five major gifts you will receive.

If you would like to contact us, you may reach us at
(1-800-339-1856)

THIS IS NOT A LAND, TIMESHARE, OR CAMPGROUND OFFER.

Sound Too Good To Be True?

As a full service travel agency with offices nationwide, we are fully aware of the often-quoted adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Unfortunately, these days, we all have a right to be suspicious and should be cautious. Allow us to explain why and how we offer gifts worth hundreds to thousands of dollars. We have experimented with direct mail, and do you know, the national average is that 300 letters are mailed in order to get just one guest to attend our introductory seminar?

Did you know that a 60-second commercial on network TV during prime time runs between $12,000 and $80,000, depending upon the show, the time slot and the season? We have considered newspaper advertising and you might be surprised to learn that a half page ad in the Sunday travel section can cost over $12,000.00. We explained all that to say this: This is actually the most cost effective for us to give you a quality gift package then to spend tens of thousands of dollars on advertising and advertising agencies. If we were to spend all that money on commercials or printed advertising, you may or may not ever see it; and most importantly, most likely would not ever respond. The bottom line, it is more cost effective for us (and more beneficial to you) to spend our advertising budget on a nice gift for you than some expensive advertising campaign or promotion that may or may not work.

Finally, you should also know that we would not risk our reputation by attempting to deceive you. We have been in business for years, are members of numerous industry and civic organizations and associations and fully, bonded, registered, and insured.

What to expect. While you are here you will hear a brief discussion on our discount travel club and various worldwide vacation opportunities for your entire family. We will show you how to create your fantasy vacation in comfortable, exotic locations, at affordable prices. Our representative will gladly answer any questions you may have and assist you in any way possible. Upon completion of the presentation, prizes will be awarded. Again all prize recipients must claim their prize in person with 2 valid forms of I.D. Remember your prize is guaranteed, and you are under no obligations. No children or guest allowed because of insurance purposes. Expect to be in and out within 90 minutes. You must arrive 15 minutes early to register. In addition to your gift you will receive a bonus gift, which is a $500.00 Internet Shopping Spree.

Terms and Conditions.

This promotion is open to all married, single, and cohabiting adults. If married or cohabitating, both must be between 25-70 years of age and have a combined annual income of at least $50,000. If cohabiting, BOTH must possess photo identification with the same physical address. If single, you must be between the ages 25-70 with an annual income of at least $50,000. We do not have facilities for children, pets, or uninvited guests at this time. Two forms of identification are required. Acceptable identification is a driver’s license/photo ID and a major credit card (Master Card, Visa, American Express or Discover) or an established checkbook. United States residents only, limited to one premium per household. All recipients will be responsible for any applicable taxes associated with the premium they receive. The Awarding and Presentation start promptly so please arrive on time to be registered, and complete a brief travel survey. Any questions please contact this office at 1-800-339-1856.

Individuals not meeting these qualifications will not be allowed to attend the presentation or receive the gifts.

So, I would suggest that you heed the advice from the other posters on this company and stay far. far away.

My membership to date has been nothing but disappointments. We spent far too much to 'join' the club for NOTHING! I may as well have taken the money and ripped it up and thrown it in the ocean with similar results! Upon renewing (I rue the day) I received The Vacation Club Savers Guide that had the following sticker attached.

DUE TO A PRINTING ERROR
PLEASE DISREGARD THE
EXPIRATION DATES.

Of course, they are not usable since they are already expired!

I was urged (very strongly) to take advantage of 'yearly' promotional specials. Unfortunately I bought two. I was told that I could change trips as long as I paid the initial $499.00 each time. You have had MY money this entire time! I recently called to book a promotional cruise. The representative Kindy? was pushy, arrogant and totally unlikeable. She stated that if I did not make the reservations immediately I would 'lose my place'. What the heck does that mean? She didn't even know which cruise or trip I wanted at that point. I did not appreciate this type of 'salesmanship'. I am in a service industry on a commission only income. If I treated my customers/clients that way, HARD SELL/HIGH PRESSURE TACTICS, I would not have any left.

Upon some superficial research my guests and I found that we could purchase the same exact cruise for over $100.00/person less than the club's promotional price! I was astounded and disappointed yet again. This is the second occasion that we found a trip less expensive at a random website.

I have left several messages with customer service for a supervisor to call me regarding the above issues. To date I have not spoken with anyone except the customer service representative.

At this point I am prepared to go to small claims court AND THE MEDIA, BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU and any organization that will protect the public from being financially harmed by companies like yours, to demand a refund of the $998.00 paid for the promotional specials on the grounds of false information and $3500.00 for the 'club' membership for false promises.

I have to say that I also sat through a presentation and being stupid I signed up for this fraudulent vacation package. Just like everyone else said, you get a phone call saying you won one of the 5 prizes and all you have to do is come to our office in Mesa and show 2 forms of ID. I was asked to show a copy of my DL and my checkbook. I should of known by then this was weird.

Never the less I stayed for the presentation and somehow they got to me to buy into this condo package for $3995.00. I signed the papers and then after looking for more information on the internet found out that you can't even find them on the internet.

No address for the Mesa/Gilbert office... How strange! So I decided to email Star Vacation from my card they gave me when I signed up. I told them I wanted to cancel this contract and I was told there was no way out. I argued with them that they have to have a cancellation fee of some kind. They said nope you will never be able to get out of this contract. I said oh yes I will and I wrote a letter to the BBB and the Attorney General.

I also called the Credit Union that I got the so called loan from and they said I had to call First Funding and they gave me a phone# which I called and got an answering machine saying hello I'm the manager and leave a message and I will get back with you. So I left him a message saying I want to cancel my loan with the Credit Union regarding the contract with Star Vacation Club. I received a phone call back from this guy who said he was with First Funding and I said I want to cancel my loan because Star Vacation Club is a fraud. He said NO they are not and I said YES they are. He said I can't cancel your loan until I receive written agreement from Star Vacation Club and he said have you contacted them regarding this? I said yes I have and I also contacted the BBB and the Attorney General. He said you can't cancel this loan until I hear from Star Vacation Club.

I said ok, but I'm not paying for this loan. He said oh well, it's your credit. I said yep and you will not receive any money from me. So right now I'm in the process of getting this contract canceled and will get lawyers and everyone I can get to help me get this contract canceled. I will not ever give up on this nor will I pay my loan that I will never use. If anyone has any good advise I can use, I would greatly appreciate it. Email me at [email protected].