International Vacation Services reviews and complaints

I signed up for VSI not IVS, you think they changed they're names again?. I had 3 days to canceled, which I did-faxed in & mailed the 2nd day, but 8 days later (RR Venture charge me $9063 off my discover card, not the 495 processing fee-just the large amount. Can't believe all they offered but nothing on website and no one
answer phones. So mad that that I've been taken in to this scam. Sounds like they keep changing names to avoid bad B B rating

hello, i am a member of the services myself. i did not try to cancel and have been using the service for more than a year. i absolutely love it! they have been able to save me thousands on travel, which i do very frequently. i was a little nervous at first because it did seem too good to be true. but as my travel unfolded i found that they can really save you thousands and book all your travel for you. the one consistency I'm seeing in these reviews is that NONE of you have ever used the service. how can you bash on something that you have never tried! that's like saying you hate a food that you have never tried.

This bussiness is renting space in a hotel having presentations nightly many people are calling the hotel and coming back in complaining, DO NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS MEMBERSHIP it is a scam!

For the record. If you don't sign up the day you go to the presentation, and you went back the next day or hell even 3 weeks later and asked them for the promotional items and the same cost, they will honor it. Don't think you are getting a good deal just because you join the first night. You're getting ripped off either way around. You pay $4000 for a membership to have a couple of condo weeks per year, that you STILL have to pay for, then when you use your condo weeks, your limited to availability, and chances are the company is making at least an additional $500 on you because they mark the condo weeks up from their price.

They want you to send a certified letter to a PO Box in Aynor, SC. Have any of you ever been to Aynor, SC? It barely has a gas station, let alone a legitimate travel service. They just opened up shop in Lexington, SC a few months ago after being ran out of Lexington a couple of years ago under the name of VIP Travel, Elite Escapes, and Resort Reservation Services. The Department of Consumer Affairs of SC had a class action lawsuit again the owner Michael Mitchell. So he did what a coward would do and filed bankruptcy on his business, laid low for a couple of years, and is now back in the act.

I can't believe people are still falling for these scams. The cruise isn't free. And you do have to pay more for port fees and taxes. And with the airline companies, why do you think they are charging baggage fees? Because they were losing money. Do you think they are going to provide "free" airline tickets to these scam companies and lose money in the process. HELL NO! Don't be a fool and don't waste your time.

We have not been able to. They have denied us refund and cancellation. We are pursuing other options. Happy to share with you. Best to reach me at arleneu@cox.net.

Have you been able to receive your cancellation and all money paid to them? We are trying to cancel ourself.

September 13, 2011
I received an automated call from [protected] stating free cruise. When I spoke to the rep "Vincent" I asked the name of the company and he got skittish and put me on with his supervisor "Krystal" she told me the name of the company was GREAT VACATIONS, did not want to give the location of their office, they were doing presentations on 9/14 and 9/15 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Clearwater but the times were during normal working hours "so sorry, we'll call you back when they are on the weekend". Courtyard had no bookings for them for either day. Krystal didn't want to give me the GREAT VACATIONS phone # but finally relented (she said because she gets so many complaints from people on do not call lists - REALLY?!) and gave me [protected] which does work because I had to call back to question why I can't find RESORTSPLUS.COM but they put me on hold for 20 minutes then disconnected the call, surprise surprise. Be careful folks, they are at it again.

We received a full refund from International Vacation Services (Travel Services Unlimited) after falling for their tricks. But you must act fast.

My husband and I went to a presentation last night after receiving a postcard for a free cruise and airfare, and we ended up getting suckered. I didn't have a good feeling about it, but went against my gut and bought a 2 week package for the grand total of $3, 593. On our way home, my husband and I started discussing what we thought was a little strange about it. What was funny is that we both noticed different "flags", and when we started putting them together between the two of us, we realized what a mistake we made. Immediately after getting home, we started researching them on the internet and found several complaint boards indicating that their services were as not as legit as they claim. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a scam because I'm sure they do provide travel services, but I don't believe the validity of their discounts. After reading site after site, I began to feel like we were never going to get our money back.

We immediately called our credit card company (mastercard) to see if we could dispute the charges. Unfortunately, they said we couldn't do anything with a dispute until the charge actually posted, which would take a couple of days. The following day, I took to research to determine my rights. I began looking into FTC regulations on the "cooling off period" for sales. This transaction falls under that law, and found that we had 3 days to request cancellation (in writing, according to the contract) for a FULL refund within 10 business days. I contacted the FTC help line and discussed my situation with a representative that explained everything to me and my rights. He suggested that I request cancellation as indicated on the contract and contact the Ohio Attorney General's Office to verify the laws in my state.

Then, I called the Ohio Attorney General's Office to verify the "cooling off period" for sales. It was determined that this transaction did in fact fall under that category, and that I was entitled to a FULL refund of the transaction within 10 business days of cancelling. (Ohio Revised Code 1345.23). I printed out my documentation for these laws and attached it with my letter requesting cancellation. I also indicated in the letter that according to the Ohio Revised Code 1345.23, I was requesting the full charge to be credited within 10 business days, and if it wasn't, I would be disputing the charge with my credit card company.

I was able to obtain a number to call "John" who handled cancellations from calling the booking number on the travel website. I called him and requested that my membership be canceled and issued a refund. He explained that I would need to submit a letter, but would be charged the $399 processing fee and 20% cancellation charge (a total of almost $1, 100). I told him I would not be paying that and according to Federal and State laws, they were not able to do that. I told him that I would be disputing the charge with my credit card company, as well as, going back to speak with the group later that day. I also sent an email to the email address provided, and sent a copy of the letter I mailed certified/return receipt stating that I had already sent this letter via mail, but wanted to send it electronically as well. I received a response within 10 minutes from them. I got the feeling that they were kind of worried because they mentioned knowing the "laws" for Ohio and that they were operating well within the laws, then said that I didn't need to result to "threats" (which I did not, I simply stated what would happen if they did not comply with my request under Federal and State laws).

Fortunately, we only lived about 15 minutes from where the presentation was held, and planned on going back right before the first presentation for the day (I called the hotel and verified what time their room was held for). We arrived about 25 minutes before the first presentation. As soon as we walked in, they recognized us. We asked to speak to the person in charge and were immediately taken into the presentation room with the doors shut. We politely requested a refund indicating that I was not the kind of person they wanted on their bad side. He refused (obviously). I explained my ordeal about feeling deceived and went over the laws I reviewed that day, and told them that it would be in their best interest to issue a credit to my card now versus dealing with the headache I would cause them. I had planned to talk with the hotel manager to tell them of the shadiness that was going on in their facility. I also have a friend that is a special reports investigative reporter, and told them that I would have no problem calling her to request a news story be done on their little business. I also have several friends that are police officers, including the police chief for the area that I would call if he felt the need to involve the authorities with my request. He said corporate had already notified them of my previous contacts with them (which indicated to me that they were worried I wasn't going to stand idly by). It got extremely heated at certain points, and I told them that I would no problem telling everyone waiting for the presentation outside not to waste their time, as well as everyone coming in for the remaining presentations for the remainder of the week. They held strong and said no refund would be issued since I already disputed the charge with my credit card company (which I had not). We walked out the door and told the four couples waiting not to waste their time for the garbage they were about to listen to, and proceeded to the front desk. We requested to speak to the hotel manager, and went inside the hotel restaurant for more privacy. We explained that we felt the group was not representing what they selling, and that they might want to know about what was going on. As we were talking to the manager, the IVS "manager" found us and asked us to follow him. He requested our credit card (which we did not hand over, and said we wouldn't let it out of our sight) so he could issue the credit since he called and spoke to the company owner. Apparently, they didn't like the idea of not selling another "membership" for the rest of the week. They issued a credit to our card for the full amount on the spot, and I guarantee that their first presentation for the day resulted in no sales.

We were extremely lucky, and counted this as a valuable lesson, even though we only lost a night of sleep and a day of work. A refund can be received, but you have to act fast and become knowledgeable on your rights through the FTC and State, so you can be prepared to fire back with any BS they feed you about why they can't do something. Make detailed documentation of who you spoke to, at which number you called, and what was said/discussed (your credit card company will need this if you end up disputing this). You CAN get your money back, but you MUST act fast and be extremely detailed. Good luck to anyone having to fix this themselves.

I received an unsolicited phone call from these people even though I am on the do not call list. Very nice and friendly up front. I was even given a rep's cell phone number. (Incidentally, when I tried to call it on the day of the appointment, a message said the person was not taking phone calls). At the meeting, right off the bat, my husband and I were told that they were out of certificates for the gifts. A red flag went up right there. During the presentation, we were told (and there was only one other couple in attendance) that the corporate office Travel Services Unlimited was located in Fort Mills, South Carolina. That's what showed up on the screen. Better do their homework. It is not Fort MillS - it is simply Fort Mill, South Carolina. Not very professional if they don't know where their corporate office is - or the spelling. They wanted to make sure we were between the ages of 30 and 70 and that we had a major credit card and driver's license. As soon as the man who sat at the table with my husband and me found out we were not going to buy anything, he abruptly ended everything which is fine with me. I doubt we will get a free gift, and then have to wonder what it is going to be and what it will cost us. This whole thing is a scam and DO NOT FALL FOR IT! One package was being sold for almost $8, 000 while the one that had to be purchased right then was almost $7, 000. Then they tried to sell another package at a lower price. By the way, we weren't even given the correct name of the company prior to attending the presentation. I guess so we couldn't look it up on the internet and find out what a scam it really is. We were given another name - Great Vacations. Then when we get there, it is International Vacation Services and Travel Services Unlimited. You can get better deals going on line and won't be part of this scam in the process. BE WARNED! DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS SCAM! If they call you, hang up!

My mother received a call from them the other day, which doesn't make sense because she is on the "do not call list" the number they listed as a call back # was [protected]; same thing 90 minute mtg and then you get either the 8 day vacation or airline tickets for two to whereever you want; they needed two pieces of i.d. that night of the presentation; your driver's license and a credit card; sounded fishy to me. You can only be between 30 and 70 and if you didn't fall between those age groups you can recommend someone who did. Thanks to those who already listed complaints I'll tell my mother not to call them back.

oh, by the way they've changed their web site to getmygetaway (dot) net

I received an unsolicited call as well. The question that got me is when they asked 'when someone was home'. I of course said that we work different shifts so someone is always home. I'm so glad people have taken the time to complain on this site, so all I've wasted is 15 minutes on the phone. However, has anyone had any problems with theft in their home after talking to these people?