Certs review: Certs is a huge scam! 77

Gregory Peaden's "response" to our complaints is both dishonest and disingenous. Allow me to address one of his statements:
"Our business is no different than any other business transaction in which both parties must comply with their agreement and adhere to the terms of service."
In fact, CERTS Inc. "business" is quite different from other businesses in many respects, the most important one being that their business model is predicated on the vast majority of CERTS "customers" either not bothering to use the "product" or attempting to use the "product" but being unable to due to CERTS ridiculous and inflexible "terms and conditions."
I have read that the CERTS certificates cost businesses that distribute them about $15 each. Now think about it...how could CERTS possibly afford to provide its customers with two airline tickets for $15? The fact is they can't. It would be impossible! And they don't! What CERTS does is use any and every pretext conceivable to prevent their "customers" from ever receiving their "product". Come on, Mr. Peaden. Do you really believe that other businesses operate that way?
In my case, CERTS claimed that I had violated the "terms and conditions" by leaving only 29 days instead of 30 days between my travel dates. After they sent me a refund check (with no explanation), I called them and explained that the way I counted the days, I had indeed left 30 days betweeen travel dates, but that I'd be more than willing to change my dates by one day to accommodate CERTS. (I still had a couple of weeks before the certicate expired.)
I was told, "You've violated the terms and conditions, and therefore we voided the voucher. There's nothing we can do about it."
Now let's be honest, Mr. Peaden. Would any legitimate, honest business have responded in the manner yours did in that situation? If so, would you please name that business? Sears, Starbucks, Toyota? Which other business would have prevented me from resubmitting a coupon that had yet expired?
CERTS Inc. only gives its customers 14 days notice before it gives them the date of the flights because it knows that the vast majority of people require more notice than that before they can take up and leave on a trip. CERTS does everything possible to make sure that, for one reason or another, customers receive a "full refund of all monies paid to Certs, Inc." Why? Because CERTS wants to do everything possible to make sure that its "customers" never receive their airline tickets.
Again, what other company works on a business model that assumes that the vast majority of its customer never use its product? Insurance companies perhaps, but certainly no other business in the travel industry!
On this and other travel and complaint sites, I have asked a simple question over and over again: would someome who has successfully redeemed a CERTS travel certificate please me how you did it. Include all the details of where you flew from, where you went, what the dates were, how much notice CERTS gave you, etc.
It's been almost nine months since I asked that question. And I have yet to have a single person respond affirmatively!
I urge anyone with a complaint against CERTS to direct it to the Attorney General's office in Florida. Maybe evenually the office will do something if it receives a few thousand more complaints!

I was offered a weekend getaway at any Marriot in the country. I had to fill out 3 different forms and I was still denied because they said I did not give them the 60 day notice. However, I sent the letter well before they said they received it. They did not even send me the US POSTAL MONEY ORDER i gave them to confirm my reservation. Total scam. Hard to reach. TERRIBLE!

Hey Greg buddy,

I looked at the form requirements. There a lot of conditions/restrictions but nowhere does it say that the flight is "confirmed 14 days prior" to travel. How the hell do you expect people to plan their vacation with only 14 days notice?

Its a scam that my wife and I fell victim too along with others. Shame on us.

Come on Greg, there has to be a better way to make a living.

You IDIOT!

Best Regards,

-Bob

I have been rooked worse than anyone. I got scammed by Certs and they have siphoned over $2, 000 away from me. I've tried to complain, but they only hassle me and abuse me emotionally. I called a customer service representative, and I kid you not, he called me a "mother f***er" and hung up the phone on me. I can't get any help from the BBB. Certs has been sending me threatening letters still trying to get more money. They are worse than criminals. Worse than mobsters. They have threatened my family.

On 7/23/08, we took the bait and attended the "90 minute" presentation in Concord California. My husband and I decided not to become "our own travel agents" and simply accepted the two round-trip air fare vouchers and bonus car rental certificate.
Fully intending to follow the printed instruction to the letter, I thought I had better Google Hallmark Travel, Certs, Inc. and VIP Travel Reservations, Inc. first.
So glad that I did!
THANK YOU, to all who have posted their experiences on this and other watch dog sites.
Today, I am $175.00 ahead of the game; not counting the cost for 3 postal money orders!
That should cover gasoline expenses this week!

We attended a VIP seminar and received the certificate for 2 airline tickets. We followed the instructions to a T, first choice in June second choice in Sept. In May we received a letter asking for another $50, that makes $150, because of taxes and fees flying out of the airports we had chosen. Yesterday we received a letter stating there is no space on the plane for the days we picked in Sept, June passed us by. Low and behold there was another form to fill out, one we had never seen before. This one had all the airports we could fly in and out of, of course neither one we had picked was on the list. Does anybody find that amazing, not me.
You bet I'll be writing some letters tomorrow.
My husband sent in the gas vouchers exactly like he was supposed to, is anybody surprised, we haven't gotten a penny from them.

Thank God our WELE Radio Station has been exchanging or refunding the Certs Vacation Certificates. Maybe others should follow suit. Certs has been a real headache and should be sued, but how many of us have that kind of money for the lawyers? Thanks for the opportunity to express my experiences.

What a SCAM! I never received my deposits back! I filed my complaint to BBB a few months ago. While doing some research, here is what I found...

Owner: Gregory A. Peaden

Mangers/Associates: Seneca, Lauren Gallo, Nicole Abraham

Partners: Festiva Resorts, Travel Talk, VIP Travel, UTOPIA travel club, Suncoast Vacations, United Vacations, Wele 1380 AM Radio Show, Phoenix Travel Club, DirectBuy

Physical Office Address: 201 S. Orange Ave., Suite 1030, Orlando, Fl 32801

Mailing Address: 424 E Central Blvd #413. Orlando, FL 32801

Toll-Free No: [protected]

Local No: [protected]

Website: www.certsinc.biz

THIS COMPANY IS A COMPLETE SCAM! THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO COUNT. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 3O DAYS AND THE 7 DAYS PASS A HOLIDAY. THEY COULD HAVE CALLED AND CORRECTED IT, BUT I THINK THIS IS HOW THEY OPERATE. I WILL CONTACT THE BBB OF FLORIDA AND COMPLAIN ALSO. LET'S PUT THEM OUT OF BUSINESS, THEY MUST MAKE A FORTUNE ON EVERYONE'S $45.

Having sat through several hours of twisting my arm to purchase a vacation club and forcing them to except my refusal, I agreed to take the SW Airline tickets for the taking time out of my busy day (evening). I looked at the forms and thought, "what a waste of time." But sent the first group off to VIP Travel. They returned them informing me I had forgotten to send them certified mail. I re-sent them certified. I then got the forms from Certs, Inc. I read the material over & over and highlighted what needed to be done. I could not choose a 2nd time to travel because I was being honest and that was the only time I had off from my job for the next 12 months. Three weeks later I received a non-compliance letter saying the offer was now void because I did not follow directions. They returned my postal money order made out to them, of course. The post office said they would give me my money back IF I had all the documentation/receipts that they gave me. I had kept all the info because I was skeptical at the start. BUT what a waste of time, travel, and money FOR NOTHING. (4 hours of wheeling-dealing with the Resort Club, 2-hour travel time round trip, and the post office expenses ie.: travel, certified mail, money order.)

Yep, Certs, Inc. is pretty much a joke. I feel fortunate that I might be able to get away from my little run-in with them with minimal out-of-pocket losses. I got the 3 day/night night hotel offer for a stay at numerous locations. Well, I sent the $29.95 refundable fee to get a reservation form. When I get that, over half the destinations were missing that were in the brochure. Imgaine that. Well, one that was missing was the only one I had any desire to go to. I called and they gave me the tagline "destinations are subject to change." Yeah, or be omitted. Anyway, I read through the terms and conditions that had to be met to use the form in case there was another destination I might like to go to. There were so many stipulations that I'd sooner enter a decathalon (and it probably be a hell of a lot easier) than to try and meet all the terms and conditions. It's like everything they put down is something that will try and dissuade, if not outright prevent, you from using it at a convenient time for you. The first was that you have to arrive on a Sun-Wed, so weekend trips are out. Well, whoop-te-freaking do. I get a 2-day vacation and can't use it on the weekend. What a waste. Guess I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, but still, it just illustrates one of the ways they make it less than accommodating. Anyway, I said that I wanted my $29.95 back, since I didn't dig the hole any deeper by filling anything else out, and they said I could get it back, so I'm expecting to at least be back to even. However, the trip is a no go and just a waste of time.

Bottom line: this offer is a waste and Certs, Inc. is a joke. Stay away. Be savvy and book trips yourself on priceline, orbitz, et al. You'll be much better off. And we'll all be better off when Certs, Inc. is shut down by the Atty General or BBB.

Experienced the same problem. Sent in a MoneyGram International Money Order and they returned it. I was told at the bank a money order is a money order is a money order. Has anyone contacted the Attorney General in FL? I'm in MN and will be filing a complaint with both the FL and MN Attorney General.

I too never received a cent from CERTS after sending them my gas receipts. I played their game for a couple of months and forgot about the hassle of the game when I never heard back from them. They make it incredibly complicated to follow their rules. I am certain their game is to frustrate people and count on them not following up. I hope companies like these are outed for their unethical practices. I haven't attempted to use their travel certificates because they too are not easy to use. It is just not worth the hassle. Oh, but they sure make it sound rosey at the presentation.

To read a sample of the positive feedback Certs, Inc. has received from some of our customers, feel free to visit our wepage: http://www.certsinc.biz/feedback.html

Sincerely,

Gregory A. Peaden, CEO
Certs, Inc.

Mr. Peaden,
Your "positive feedback" is funny. Perhaps you should have an open forum on your site so your "happy customers" could freely post comments on their experiences with your company. That would be a wonderful addition to your site. Think of all the endorsements you would receive for all your potential customers to see! I can't wait to hear your comments.

Sincerely,

Not-interested-in-loosing-any-money-to-your-company, CEO/CFO - My Wallet.

I also have been scammed by CERTS and will never be at a presentation by them again. They should be removed from business as they are a corrupt professional scam business and the better business bureau needs to shut them down.

WHY are these people still in business? We waited for months, complying with every demand, sending a total of 150.00 (because "the costs were higher than they expected"), picked two 'sets' of possible travel dates and then FINALLY, at the last possible minute, got a letter telling us that they weren't able to comply. We got a list of possible airports, and another 'chance' to ask for two more sets of dates. I'm so mad I feel like hanging on till they give us what they promised, but I am sick of our lives being held hostage while these crooks do their best to get us to give up. I am going to request our money back and they had better come through or they will be sorry they ever heard of us.

This is just another example of how the public is at risk. My husband and I also went to the 90 min. presentation. I was didn't ever think we would get what was promised. I'm glad I found this web site I won't give them any more of my time and I will complain to the BBB in Florida. Not that it will do any good. It amazes me people like this can continue to scam people and get away with it. America ain't it great!

GLOBAL DISCOVERY USED CERTS, INC. TO LURE US TO THEIR PRESENTATION. WE DID GO AND WE DID BUY, HOWEVER CERTS, INC. HAS NEVER PRODUCED THE AIRLINE TICKETS WE WERE TO RECEIVE CONTINUALLY SAYING WE FILLED THEIR FORMS OUT INCORRECTLY AND VOIDING THEIR OFFER. GLOBAL DISCOVERY SAYS THEY PAY $500.00 FOR THE AIRLINE CERTIFICATES HOWEVER WILL NOT HELP US AT ALL. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THEY ARE WORKING TOGETHER ON THIS SCAM!.

In July 2008 I attended a Perennial Vacation time share presentation. The incentive was a Certs, Inc., round trip airfare for two anywhere in the continental US. Certs required some paper work including two photos of the passengers and a $100 postal money order. We sent in the paper work. Certs replied that the photos were not as specified and the "gift" was void with no recourse. The $100 was never returned. These "gift" programs should be bonded or the deposits sent in by us victims should be put into a trust account until released by us when we receive what was promised. Get your state legislators to require a bond or a trust account for any and every program like Certs to protect the people who in good faith take their offers. There are many more scams than Certs and they all should be required to put up a bond or deposit our money into trust accounts.

I too was ripped off for a 2 day over night say still waiting for a refund check
this co.stinks sstay away from it

Me and my girlfriend went to a time share presentaion and they told us we would get a free vaction out of the deal. we started to follow the instructions but found them confusing and veage we sent them a 100 dollar check and that was a big deal to us then i was working for a supermarket and were just wanted to get married and go some place nice for our hunny moon well its crap. now a few years later and i am starting a new part time job and as a promation for looking at our product we are giving these things out and i am going to tell my new boss moday theres no way i am going to give these out any more.

I agree...this company is as sleazy as they get! I carefully did everything I was supposed to and they invalidated my offer because they said the dates I chose fell within 7 days of a federal holiday. I picked 9/14/09 and Labor Day falls on 9/7/09. I mistakenly counted the 7th as the first day! As with everyone else, no second chances and the people at Certs didn't want to hear anything about it! I spoke with Eileen and Seneca and they not only were very argumentative, they seemed to take pleasure in arguing! I didn't waste much time arguing though...it's clear to see that they are not worth the fight and will probably be out of business soon! Any company that uses them for promotional reasons should be looked at very carefully because they're not legit!

I agree, there are several hoops to jump through in order to receive what is promised. We were given the $100 gas voucher and a travel reimbursement voucher. We only collected $20 out of the $100, because our third gas receipt was not dated within the 7 days before mailing (one of the hoops). But, I chalk that us to our fault. We will be vacationing next week, I hope that we receive our travel money. I have read the requirements over and over again and I think that I have it all in order. I have made copies of everything. It will be worth it, if everything goes as planned. I'll let ya'll know.

There are a TON of bogus travel cert programs out there. Before you send ANYONE any money, check them out at the Better Business Bureau. I actually use a travel cert program for my business that is legit and has an A rating with the BBB. So if any of you are looking for a REAL company, you can contact me. I am not advertising here, just letting you know. WHOMEVER you choose, search their address or phone on the BBB. You should try BBBonline.org and the standard BBB. Some urls are available on bbbonline (alot are not), but the company SHOULD be on bbb.org. The company I use has been in biz for over 30 years and has had a total of 6 complaints that were resolved with good report to the BBB. Be sure you not ONLY read their ratings, but what kinds of complaints they have gotten, and how they were resolved. Ultimately, anyone can make a mistake, but if they resolve it, that is what counts in the long run.

ALL THESE COMPLAINTS ARE LEGIT. Certs and the company (Westgate Vacation Club) that issued our promotional certificate are well trained scam artists. STAY AWAY FROM CERTS AND ANY COMPANY ASSOCIATED TO CERTS OR USES CERTS AS A PROMOTION AT ALL COST, TRUST US THE ENTIRE OFFER IS BOGUS, FULL OF LIES AND LOOP HOLES. THIS ALSO HOLDS TRUE TO THE COMPANY THAT WE WERE INVITED TO INVEST WITH WESTGATE TRAVEL CLUB. I wish we would have googled "CERTS INC." before sending in our money. CERTS, I hope this scam blows up in your face. I am going to the Attorney General and BBB with this BS.

I AGREE! This is the worst company in the world! I filled out my form, sent in the check and was told nothing was received on time. Then when they "checked the system" They found that it was recieved and decided that because I didn't send in money for taxes that they would not honor. Its absolutely ridicuolous the amount of money they try to scam out of people probably hoping no one will call for the return. I called a few weeks ago and they said my check had been processed but never mailed out. When i asked what the hold up was they said it can take 4-6 weeks to be mailed out. I will call every day until i recieve my check! I will write my complaint to the BBB as well. This company needs to be stopped!

I wish we had realized that the money order required was a huge red flag of warning that something was wrong with this company before we sent in our money order - I am so angry with myself for not checking this out, but it came from Westgate Resorts as a gift for attending their sales presentation. We know that Westgate Resorts is a viable company so we weren't aware of this scam by Certs. I am now on phone on hold trying to get the cruise we signed up for or my money back. Actually, we weren't too concerned about the money order requirement because many companies don't want to bother with personal checks, some bouncing then having to collect and also credit cards that require them to pay a % to use, so anyway ...
I'm going to take them to small claims court if I have to and I'm going to report them to Westgate Resorts as well and the BBB. I asked the agent at Certs if she was aware of the reports on the internet and she said, ''yes''
The Attorney General of Fla is also going to hear from me about this, apparently, Certs doesn't really care, they just keep rolling in the money orders. The agents must know that they are employed in a fraudlent business but they keep on working anyway. What other recourse is there ? Has anybody been successful at getting their prize or their money back from Certs ? I'm in Miami, Florida.

Well, we are back from vacation and we submitted everything that Certs asked for (and then some). We received our check, as promised within 2 weeks. For those of you asking, it does work if you are diligent with the paperwork.

-472-2600 and ask for Mr. Seneca.

This is the man who can help with your complaints / issues.

My Mom found out this info. today, as she is having an issue as well.

So I thought I would pass it on!

I just spoke with the owner of Certs, Inc. I also spoke with him yesterday. I wanted to address my concerns about all the negative information on the internet about his company. He answered the phone on the defense. I wanted to know how all this worked. He said I called him a crook, which I did not, he said I was a mooch and was hunting something for nothing, which is not true (just paid $2500.00 for a Rainbow Vacuum, and got a "free vacation"), he also said he could post I was a mooch and a "loose" woman on the internet if he wanted to and would do so if he had my name. I called again today because I obtained his cell number from the Rainbow dealer, I thought surly the owner would not talk to someone like that, that maybe someone from his company took it upon themselves to be an idiot, but no, it was him. He again read me the riot act and said all sorts of nasty things to me. I called the Rainbow rep and he is supposed to call him. The owner of Certs, Inc. name is Greg (don't know a last name) and his cell phone number is [protected] if anyone else has a problem with him. I will not do business with this company and advise anyone else thinking about it not to. SLW

that number no longer works. it just dumps you into the dead end voicemail.

I am also trying to get my 75.00 money order refund. I have called and sent letter after letter. I have also had my attorney to mail them a letter. I will end up spending more money with an attorney, but it's the principal of the thing. This was a total reap off and I want my money back.

Absolutely a scam, I have paid $150 for a long, long time, and yet after about 17 months, it has not sent me the two promised airline tickets. It will try to find every possible excuse to void your certificate. If you have done everything by its terms, it will then sit on it. Moreover, it does not respond to my letters and faxes, does not return my voicemail messages, and often, does not even allow me to leave a voicemail. I will give it 30 more days, and if its dead silence continues, will sue it for bad faith as well as lots of our time wasted. We victims should consider filing a class action against this company.

Wow, I just signed up for a presentation with this company and I am so glad that I researched first. I was supposed to go in tomorrow. No way in hell I am going now. If anyone is interested, they are currently presenting (scamming) in Tucson, AZ at the following address: 4811 e Grant Road, Ste. 261 Tucson, AZ 85712. Thanks to everyone for posting.

I could not agree more. I am scammed by "Hotel and Resorts Promotions, 424 East Central Blvd. #413, Orlando, FL 32801". They are very frustrating..they have no contact information, not tracking information..nothing! I wish I could sue them!

Certs, Inc. has scammed me out of $498. On June 27 2008 7:45 pm I attended a time share presentation for Royal Palm Vacation (AKA: World Vacations) in which I was promised a Cruise from Bayonne, NJ. to Bermuda for both my wife and I. Certs, Inc. requested $249 per person for port charges, Taxes and Fees. I sent out full payment of $498.00 by postal money order on 8/4/08. The expected sailing dates promised were for the following year in 2009. After waiting a year for this long awaited and much needed vacation we were notified by mail 1 month prior to the trip that it was cancelled! The two options given to us were to choose another sailing date 1 year away in 2010 or request a refund. Of course we requested a refund. We signed the required form and submitted by registered mail to Certs, Inc. at 424 East Central Blvd. #413 Orlando, FL 32801 on 09/17/09. I was told it would take 4 weeks for a refund. I have been waiting ever since for my refund! I must have called Cert, Inc. at phone number [protected] over 60 times and all I get is a recording. No one ever picks up and you can not leave a message either. The recording instructs you to send your questions by email and I have done that as well several times with no response. It is now 1/12/10 and we have yet to receive our refund or any correspondence from Certs, Inc. I have everything documented. This company has scammed many people out of their hard earned money and it's not until we all file our complaints with the attorney generals office and start a class action lawsuit that we will we ever see our refunds! What troubles me the most is that Certs, inc is collecting taxes for these cruises and not submitting the taxes which makes that a federal crime!