Anonymous
map-marker Charlottesville, Virginia

Other Product Review

There so unamerican,run fast as you can to escape.big scamers with no savings at all.they make charleston abad place to visit,we'll never go back!
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Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anonymous
map-marker Charleston, South Carolina

Thifes through and through We need a class Action Suite

I hereby testify that at no time throughout my participation in a meeting with several agents of Wholesale Escapes, in Ccharleston South Carolina March 13, 2013 that at no time did I hear or see any expression, revelation, verbal or written, by any person, that eluded to or directly indicated that there exist any Consumer Protection ordinance, laws. or rights to entitlements for a buyer in the state of South Carolina regarding the right of a buyer to resind, withdraw or cancel a contract or agreement between a buyer and a seller consumated in that state. Only after shortly returning to MA did i discover that such law exists I immediately began efforts to withdraw with my bank and directly with Wholesale Escapes. I was attempting to withdraw because the benifits offered did not appear to be actual benifits and by reason of unsound mind given that I had very recently lost my wife and son to disease and was not of sound mind
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Loss:
$7000
Cons:
  • Thier very high pressure selling
Reason of review:
failed to reveal state law

Preferred solution: Full refund

Anonymous
map-marker Charleston, South Carolina

Deceived, Scammed & Ripped Off by Wholesale Escapes

These PREDATORS lure you in with free attraction tickets. They all work together beginning at the tourist information center, BEWARE, it is not an official SC run office. They suck you in with lies, false promises of awesome deals on hotels and resorts. Mike Dulaney will show you a BBB A+ rating, which is really D-, claim you will get dining discounts, event ticket discount & other local discounts that are not even part of Wholesale Escapes, they are sites such as Restaurant.com, etc. anyone can use. He swears their membership gives you the largest inventory above any other company. Janie will lie while looking you in the eyes about being able to save over 50% at the best hotels & resorts. Then Serena VonAllman finalizes putting you into financial and emotional burden by having you sign papers. You won't get your access to their site for at least 24 hours, that's when you realize you've been ripped off. They have little inventory, lots of hidden costs & little or no savings. They will not return any phone calls or respond to any complaints. File complaints & disputes with any government or legal agency that will listen and have your credit card company dispute it. These people have no conscience & need to be stopped.
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Loss:
$8400
2 comments
Guest

I am preparing to write to the FTC and the Attorney General of South Carolina. We were scammed and deceived also.

We've been in denial for a year, but we are finally facing up to the fact that there actually are predators out there, without conscience, ready to pounce.

They are good at it.

Guest

Thank you for your warning. My wife and I went the presentation. And because of your posting and many others, we said adios, no thank you, and took our free vouchers and ran...

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Anonymous
map-marker Louisville, Kentucky

BEWARE, this is a Scam!! Work with your bank/credit card company to get money back!

My husband and I were vacationing in Charleston for our anniversary and were offered free vouchers to restaurants, a free carriage ride, etc if we sat through a presentation. I knew it'd be some sort of time share thing and we agreed that we were NOT going to sign up for anything and just walk out with our free tickets! They gave a slideshow presentation - gave examples of how customers just love it, how much money it will save you on travel, how much better it is than time share. My husband really wanted to sign up for it but I had reservations about putting $7000 on a credit card. They knew that this was the issue, so they brought the price down to $2500, we just needed to pay a registration fee of $150 and sign up for a payment plan of $25 each month. We did this, and used our vouchers. I felt sick about the whole thing so I looked it up and read that it's a whole scam. We had put the money on our bank card, so we called our bank (Chase) 3 days later and they worked with us, completely refunded our money and sent my husband a new credit card so we wouldn't be charged. He tried contacting the company, called and sent some emails but never received a response. About 2 months later they sent him an email saying that his monthly fee was due and the CC didn't work - of course he responded and you can imagine what he said!! They haven't bothered us since, and it's been almost a year. I wish we had never wasted our last morning in Charleston with this bunch of scam artist! I'm just glad we got our money back, and feel terrible for all those people who have lost money to this company. This company needs to be shut down!
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2 comments
Guest

we went through the same thing lost money I called them when I finally got to talk to someone rip off scammers wish I knew what to do I would surely do it

Guest

We had the same experience. We were able to get our money back through our credit card company.

My question---------isn't this illegal and should not this company be put out of business? It virtually is theft when someone takes your money and gives nothing in return.

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Tykia Lst
map-marker Charleston, South Carolina

CANCER IS A PLAN KILLER.

I'm 74 My wife and son died 6 years ago. I've met another women and we wanted to travel. In Feb. 2012 we attended a session run by W.E. LLC in Charleston. They run a straight forward, fully disclosing sell. We ended up buying a $7.200 plan. A few days later my fiancee's health changed(dx: Incurable cancer). I phoned my credit card company to withdraw my deposit payment but, as stated at the selling, - "NO REFUNDS!" I pleaded directly with the Company - "her "MONTHLY medications will cost as much as we paid for membership!" Our travel plans are restricted by medical appointments. " We haven't even gotten THE COURTESY OF A RESPONSE to our appeal. I promised myself that, once alone, I'll do everything in my power, for the rest of my life, to to make other people aware of W.E.LLC's lack of compassion. Buyer beware: The lure of a free carriage ride might mean less time with a dear one if money for medical care is lost.
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Loss:
$7242
1 comment
Kamilah Iou

Does the contract you signed allow for refunds? The contract prevails, not emotions.

Azad Nws
map-marker Daytona Beach, Florida

Easy Travel Planning

i travel for work often and have to coordinate my own travel plans, bookings and connections. This task can be very time consuming and frustrating especially when there are multi legs involved. This is one of my reasons for becoming a member with wholesale escapes. They have vacation packages (Fantasy Getaways) that take care of the logistics for me, which include transportation, lodging and most meals. I pick a package and they make the plans for me. I just show up with my luggage. AND the package costs were cheaper then booking each leg of my vacation individually. They also have resort weeks that you can book for crazy low prices for the week, if you don't want to book an entire package.
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2 comments
Javen Elh

I love my membership with Wholesale Escapes. I've got to see so many more places than i imagined.

Guest

Good review I would like to have the info all in one place.

Are there skiing condo deals? And how do I plan my trip to get the best price.

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Susan Bhu
map-marker Kissimmee, Florida

Great experience and great escape at Wholesale Escapes!

I love my membership with Wholesale Escapes! I have full access to weeks at beautiful and luxurious resorts at a great discount! I was able to go Costa Sur in Mexico for a full week for only $155! That is a deal that can't be beat and what a fantastic trip it was and all went so smoothly! The customer service I received from WHOLESALE ESCAPES both on-line and on the phone was excellent- everyone I dealt with was courteous, knowledgeable and competent and was with me through the entire process and everything went off wonderfully and without a glitch! I highly recommend using Wholesale Escapes membership for your vacation travel needs- they rock!
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2 comments
Guest

More lies, don't believe anything good you read about WE! :( :(

Guest

CURIOUS --- THIS AND THE NEXT THREE POSITIVE COMMENTS ARE ALL DATED WITHIN DAYS OF EACH OTHER AND ALL FROM FLORDIA - DO I TRUST THAT ???

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Anonymous
map-marker Charleston, South Carolina

Wholesale escapes-Try it before you believe any of this negativity

I'm only a pissed off consumer because wholesale escapes is a great travel choice. People are looking this up and seeing people complaining who obviously haven't traveled with this program yet. Please don't be a follower, take a vacation for $155 for a whole week in a beautiful condo in the location of your choice and you'll see why my family loves it. It's like having a travel agent in your pocket. Try it And you'll vacation like you never have before. We have been on two cruises also, one was a christmas cruise out of Charleston to the Bahamas with my mom and mother in law
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6 comments
Guest

I'm James Fender, Project Director for Wholesale Escapes. I am leaving my position because I am sick and tired of stealing innocent people's money.

I have worked in timeshare and now vacation clubs for the past 12 years. I have helped facilitate $2,500,000 in sales over the past 2 years alone, and the entire product is a scam.

Steer very clear of W.E.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-965576

Thank you for your information

Guest

this company isa rip off I lost several hundred dollars tried to make plans to stay at a certain motel was told a price of 600 dollars when we started making plans for vacation found out the rooms were 2000 RIP OFF no refunds

Guest

We tried quite a few times to get accommodation in various places and they could not provide any. We gave them many opportunities to assist us with our vacation plans and got n-o-t-h-i-n-g!!!! :sigh :(

Guest

You obviously work for this predatory company! :(

Guest

it could be coincidence but it is curious that this anonymous posting originated in Charleston SC, home of the company the writer says is such a great company ! Selfserving ?

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Katharyn Tvh
map-marker Holly Hill, South Carolina

Wholesale escapes

Just find it funny how people can complain about a service that they either don't have or never tried to use. My wife and I purchased a membership from wholesale escapes last summer, we have used it twice with great success both times. Purchased a week in myrtle beach for $367 for the week! Place was very nice and seemed like a much better deal than paying $118 per night for a hotel that wasn't even on the beach! Now we do our booking online, so I can't comment on the customer service area, but Definatley works online. It kills me when somebody posts a complaint saying "run like we did! Don't get scammed!" seriously people!!!!! If you didn't purchase the program, don't post a complaint, grow up!
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Loss:
$7995
2 comments
Jim F Uzh

I have reviewed the site as a member and have found that there are MANY deals online and with the concierge. If you cannot find a deal that you want call the concierge number and get some help.

In order for this system to work you must USE it.

The pleas for court cases and everything else are fruitless because all those people thought they were getting something for nothing!

Guest

:) I agree with you! We got a week on the beach in January in clearwater a 3 bedroom unit for CHEAP .

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Janemarie
map-marker Tampa, Florida

Going to West Coast of Florida

We were looking for a family condo on the west coast of Florida in Jan. The ones we found were very pricey. Than I did a search with our new membership from Wholesale Escapes and we found a a great deal at a great location right on the Gulf. I am looking forward to Jan and the time I will spend with my brothers family and my parents. You know that the time family spends together is so important. We live fast lives and we live over 2000 mile from each other so having a great place to stay is very important. I can wait for Jan now.
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Frank C Bop
map-marker Greeley, Colorado

Misrepresent membership, dishonest, would not return contacts

I am 75, been in business for many years. Purchasing a membership from Wholesale Escapes is one of the worst decisions I ever make. They would not return my calls or emails. In my opinion, they were dishonest and misrepresented the advantage of membership. I requested my membership be cancelled within 10 days of purchase . The local government should investigate and shut the company down. They told us we could save several thousands of dollars on a crjuse we were planning. In reality the savings came to approximately $600.00. I called Mr. Fender about the situation, he stated he would get back to me and he did not.
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Loss:
$8000
Anonymous
map-marker Tampa, Florida

Cruz to the Caribbean

We are just back from a Cruz for the Caribbean. We have always wanted to go on a Cruz. With our business and busy lives we have not done it till now. We joined the travel club with Wholesale Escapes and the first thing we did was to take a Cruz. The price was less that we had seen others priced for. We are very happy to save money who would not be. We went to St Martian, the ABC,s and more. Each stop was full of fun thing to do. Some tines we just stayed on the ship and relaxed. Everything is included in the price of the Cruz so it makes it really easy. I can wait to go again. I an looking at an Alaskan Cruz.
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2 comments
Guest

Chill out. Maybe u need a Cruz in the Caribbean. Cauz after a cruise you can chill and say Cruzzzz

Guest

Perhaps on your next "cruz" you could bring a dictionary. :roll :roll

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Ann G Oxt
map-marker Mount Laurel, New Jersey

BEWARE!! Total scam..Wholesale Escapes

Purchased $3000.00 membership in 2011. Lunch cupons worked, "free" cruise out of Charleston, SC did not. Tried to get refund of $225.00 paid for "free" cruise" port fees with no returned phone calls or emails...I'm still trying to get this refund after 1 year! I called the 888-275-****, 888-494-**** and 407-404-**** numbers given and was placed on hold for 1 hour and 56 mins before hanging up (lousy music and a recording that said I was 1st in line for the next representative). BUYERS BEWARE, THE FEDS NEED TO SHUT THIS CO DOWN!!!!!
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9 comments
Guest

I am James Fender, Project Director for Wholesale Escapes. I am leaving my position because I am sick and tired of stealing innocent people's money.

I have worked in timeshare and now vacation clubs for the past 12 years. I have helped facilitate $2,500,000 in sales over the past 2 years alone, and the entire product is a scam. Steer very clear of W.E. There is a state investigation of our practices.

It is a matter of time before we are shut down and possibly prosecuted.

Guest

We purchased a $5,000 membership only to get nothing! the discounts they claimed are no better than Expedia and the first time we used them to book a hotel, the hotel never got our reservation!

they did nothing to resolve or compensate our loss. Charleston SC needs to shut them down!

its a total scam and we will never get our money back!

Guest

I would strongly warn anyone visiting Charleston to stay away from this place!! The free cruise could've worked, but none of our three dates were available, not even close.

Also the room you would get is a bunk bed room, so you have to pay $100 upgrade to get a room with twin beds that you can push together. It's really a joke. So we paid $2000 for our wholesale esc license and have had it almost a year and the only savings we found was $50 off a cruise that we had previously booked. I've checked event tickets, hotels, cabins, etc...can't find any significant savings like they promise, and the places are not luxury like they insist.

Plus when you call to get a price they want you to book right that second and don't give you time to look anything up about the place. I've tried to get restaurant coupons and they offer 2 restaurants in my town and hardly any more than that in surrounding towns. No big chain restaurants, just places no ones ever heard of. I thought we could Atleast get our money back from the free cruise we were promised, but that spirit incentives company only has the most random dates available and basically sets it up to where ppl can't or won't book it.

So I am sickly disappointed in this decision my husband and I made to invest in wholesale escapes. It's definitely not even close to what they show you in the presentation.

BEWARE! :cry

Guest

I feel the company has scammed us too. They have changed their programs and we can not find what we were shown was available when we purchased. They do not even get back to you.

Guest

"Our hotel search and booking engine accesses the same information as Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com etc"

You said right we were scammed bcause we are getting the same info as the free travel search engines. Shame on you Randy and Wholesale Escape, we do not need to pay for a free service

Bobbie P Ocl

please contact me at padjenb@***.com. I and others are trying to get a class action suit against this company for scamming every person who walks in their door.

This company needs to be shut down and hopefully State attorney general office will take notice. We are powerful in numbers.

R C Eje

Ms. Garrison,

The Cruise program offered as a gift to attend our presentation is represented as a Complimentary Cruise.

You are obligated to pay only for the port taxes and government fees. Once you book the cruise it is no longer in our control as we did not collect the $225. Your issue would be with the cruise line.

Therefore, if you contacted anyone in our office for a refund for cruise taxes, they would not be able to help you. However, If I can be of any assistance to you, feel free to contact me: randy@***.org

R C Eje

Lois,I have been hired by Wholesale Escapes to address member issues. I do not understand what you mean by "can't get any hotels or condos".

Our hotel search and booking engine accesses the same information as Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com etc. Each day there are 200,000 weeks of available condominiums.

If you send me specifics on the issues you are having, I will be happy to address them for you. Please email me at randy@***.org.

Guest

I agree I can't get any hotels or condos and can not get a refund when I find a cheaper price. Do not get this!

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Belvin Kir
map-marker Clermont, Florida

Untruthful

Just like all the get you in, and get whatever we can get as fast as we can. The bottome line there is no truth to what they have to offer. I could go on forever about my disappointment and the money I paid for a WORTHLESS, INVALUABLE TRAVEL SERVICE. They tell you about the great deal when you let them know about your vacation plans, and they come back with this great price. But when you sign up and tell them you want to pay for the vacation package at the same you become a member, the management and his team, comes back and says you can't get that becasue it takes seven days before you can get into the system, and he go on and show you other things on the website for instance the leisure collection that is suppose to offer discounts on entertainment and dining. When we tried to use the the site to purchase tickets for Charleston, SC where we live, Charleston SC does not show up in the dropdown any where. They have a bunch of excuses bur nothing is concrete with them. I WOULD NOT SIGN OR OFFER THERE FREE SERVICE TO ANYONE I KNOW. BEWARE!! Of the contract, they go over the contract but they don't tell you that this is a no cancellation services, the bottom line your THOUSANDS BUCKS OR MORE WAS JUST WASTED TO FATTEN SOMEONE ELSE POCKET IN CHARLESTON, SC OR CHARLOTTE, NC
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Loss:
$1000
5 comments
Guest

'm James Fender, Project Director for Wholesale Escapes. I am leaving my position because I am sick and tired of stealing innocent people's money.

I have worked in timeshare and now vacation clubs for the past 12 years.

I have helped facilitate $2,500,000 in sales over the past 2 years alone, and the entire product is a scam. Steer very clear of W.E.

Guest

Bank of America should be held responsible as well. Although this company is rated D- it keeps providing this company with credit lines so that unsuspecting persons are sucked in.

Even when your credit score is bad and everything is stacking against you, BOA provides the credit line. WHOLESALE ESCAPES is in bed with BOA :(

R C Eje

It is difficult to respond to anonymous criticism but I will try if you will be more specific. Our travel agency has been in business for 31 years and is the largest independent travel agency in the US.

We successfully fulfill several million reservations each year. I apologize for the inconvenience of not being able to purchase the tickets you requested in Charleston but I am confident, even though they did not appear on the website, if you call the travel center we can accomodate you. The Charleston store does not actually book travel on site.

These are sales people and not travel specialists. If you have more specific concerns, feel free to contact me and I will be happy to try and assist you; randy@***.org

R C Eje

It is difficult to respond to anonymous criticism but I will try if you will be more specific. Our travel agency has been in business for 31 years and is the largest independent travel agency in the US.

We successfully fulfill several million reservations each year. I apologize for the inconvenience of not being able to purchase the tickets you requested in Charleston but I am confident, even though they did not appear on the website, if you call the travel center we can accomodate you. The Charleston store does not actually book travel on site.

These are sales people and not travel specialists. If you have more specific concerns, feel free to contact me and I will be happy to try and assist you; randy@***.org

Guest

Okay here's the punch; we get a small -but attention grabing- slip in the mail telling us that we just got chosen to win an Android Tablet, a 500$ camera, and a "destination of your choice" 2-3 day hotel stay. We call the number on the card and wait for a few minutes...okay, the service is relatively quick... and the reception woman tells us to simply come to a 90 min. presentation about their 'travel services'. The woman would NOT tell us the name or anything vaguely specific about their so-called company. Finally we agree and attend the presentation (WORST MISTAKE EVER). We enter the location and they explain about their services, ya da ya da and their 300,000(?) members. Then they cram you into a room with other innocent victims like you and play a short heart-warming video about how their 'company' started. Long story short its about a grandfather and his grandson and touching vacation memories. Now with our hearts melted they attempt to sell us vacation memberships and discounts under high-pressure, some were unable to resist, just being polite. By the end of the presentation we're steaming and ready to go home,yet still unsure of the credibility of their services. Before we leave they give us our supposedly $500 camera... the thing is made of cheap plastic, the screen is barely an inch wide, its as light as an empty plastic bottle, and Turns out that our 'android tablet' ends up costing us $105 and it (quote from the slip in the mail) 'may vary from the android notebook'...which is worth LESS than $105. DONT TRUST WHOLESALE ESCAPES>>>>IT IS A TOTAL SCAM!!!!!!!!

:(

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Anonymous
map-marker Charleston, West Virginia

Beware!

In Charleston we were sucked in by the free ticket offers (which do work) and sat through the presentation. If something sounds too good to be true, it IS. We wanted a few hours to do more research, and they said no. Well no kidding! Google this company and you'll see a ton of complaints and that A+ rating they show around proudly is a LIE. Another red flag? The VP and President were at this office, doesn't sound like a big company to me. Don't fall for this awful scam The BBB site actually gives them a D-. Ugh, this is fraud all the way around.
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1 comment
Guest

It's not Charleston West Virginia ....... Duh !Join the multitude of other complainers and write to onlyclaynow@***.com with your email address to join this brigade of fighters determined to file a class action and/or put Wholesale Escapes out of business.