Club La Costa promo - genuine or scam?

Bennifred · 23 March 2005 at 5:41PM

Would be grateful for feedback about Club La Costa. I have apparently "won" a flights-and- accommodation holiday with this company. They assure me they aren't trying to sell me anything but they do want me and OH to attend a presentation "So you can choose which resort you want to go to" and pay a booking fee at the time of booking the holiday of £49.50 per person. Payback for them is us telling everyone how marvellous their resort is. Must admit to being tempted, as we can't afford a family holiday this year! Am I wasting my time even thinking about going to the presentation, which will be about two hours long, in a town about an hour's drive from home? Or am I being unfairly cynical? Has anyone out there taken up an offer like this? If so, what was the outcome - good or bad?

Thanks in advance for any replies!

tonys_3 · 23 March 2005 at 6:43PM

They ARE trying to sell you something.Not familiar with this company,but it sounds like
a Time Share.They will do their best to get you to buy one.The holiday will be in one of their properties that they haven't yet sold so the only cost to them is the airfare.

The devil is usually in the small print so read it carefully.In addition to the booking fee,there is often quite a high priced obligatory insurance package.Also watch the
dates,since they are normally at their choosing and if you can't make the date,you often lose the chance of going away.So You just wasted two plus hours.

Some are more reputable than others and if you can get away for around that price,
then the time at the conference is the price you have to pay to get the holiday.If the break is only for three days or so,watch that your leaving date isn't about midnight,and your return flight at 6am.THen you would only have one full day in the resort which isn't much of a break.

Should your holiday times be fairly flexible,especially outside school times,flghts are possible around the price you were quoted anyway.look on the forums to get cheap holiday insurance and check last minute deals for instance and you might find a holiday
without the sales patter.

budgetflyer · 23 March 2005 at 8:07PM

Even if you get your holiday, you will have to do a "tour" of the resort/complex. These salesmen can be very persuasive. A few years ago we went to view a compex in Tenerife. It was luxurious and well out of our price range. The salesman was playing mind games with us and by the time he had finished I had it worked out in my head, if we only eat beans n toast and drink tap water for 5 years then we could maybe just afford this week of luxury.
Got out in one piece thankfully.

Bennifred · 24 March 2005 at 12:05AM

Sigh! Just like they always say: "If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is".
Thanks for the replies, tonys and budgetflyer, I think I knew really...... oh well!

samraj · 24 March 2005 at 3:56PM

We've paid the booking fees for accomodation and had to buy our own flights. We were put up in one of their best apartments as it is a sales gimmick and as mentioned above you will have to go for a presentation, which we did. We ended up buying a timeshare, but changed our mind when we returned as it had a 14 day cooling off period, phew that was close! We did enjoy the stay though, it was a good holiday except for the half day of presentation - read the letter in hand (small print, if any)and make sure you have a cooling off period (if you sign) so you can assess outside the environment. Go for it, and have a nice holiday on them and give them the impression that your finances are tied down from the start - you might pull it off.

Elliott_Woods · 25 March 2005 at 6:25PM

We went with friends last November, to Spain with Club la Costa. Excellent. You have to go to a "time share meeting" whilst there for a couple of hours - but if you can no to hard sell then no problem - as we did. We also know someone doing the same thing to Tenerife in a couple of weeks time. Not a scam as far as we were concerned.

Bennifred · 25 March 2005 at 10:03PM

Oh! Now I wavering again!

Thank you for the different views, it's food for thought - maybe I'll see what dates they have available............

Elliott_Woods · 26 March 2005 at 1:40PM

You usually have to select four dates over 18 months. Go for it.

Ted_Hutchinson · 27 March 2005 at 8:35PM

It sounds a similar idea to the UK Sunterra trial and selling presentation I went to recently and described in this thread
UK timeshare 3 night trial breaks From£29
I think if you were weak willed or had money to throw away you could be tempted, as the accomodation and facilities are excellent. However, if you are strong minded or simply don't have the cash then enjoying the trial holiday and saying "I'll think about it later" should be all thats required.
It's a very cheap break and providing you say no when mean it then there's nothing lost. The Sunterra offer is still available though not quite as generous now it's later in the season. But anyone looking for a cheapo break might like to give them a ring.

Bennifred · 27 March 2005 at 9:01PM

Thank you, Ted, but the link doesn't work when I click on it.....

saveapenny · 28 March 2005 at 12:29AM

http://www.devere-resorts.co.uk/cameron/
These have one to ...car hire, flights and 2 nights luxury hotel for 2 people £269 total
If you live close to Loch Lommond or want to drive up you get a discounted rate

Club La Costa promo - genuine or scam?

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