seasons holidays - is this a rip off or did my mum win ?

caffenero

my mum got a registered letter and email as below. has anyone else used seasons holidays, are they good or is this a rip off to get the 275 'management charge', would the holiday be worth it?

CONGRATULATIONS ON WINNING A FREE CLUBSEASONS MEMBERSHIP WORTH £3750!
I am delighted to confirm that you are one of our prize-winners drawn in this month’s daily internet / Grand Prize Draw. More than 23,000 British families already enjoy their holiday with Seasons every year – and now you can join them; your introduction to Club Seasons is enclosed. Please visit xxx.seasonsholidays.com/clubseasons for comprehensive information about your membership.
Your Membership, which normally retails for £3750, enables you to enjoy a holiday for up to four people in any luxurious villa, cottage or apartment at any of our resorts in the UK or overseas EVERY YEAR until 2069. Club Seasons members also enjoy many other benefits. Once you have activated your Membership, you will be able to request your first 7 night holiday at any Seasons Member or Selected Resort.
To ensure your resorts and club facilities remain in the same standard as you see today, all Members contribute an annual management fee: in 2008 this is only £367 (including all on site utility charges). Your first holiday entitlement can be booked up to 12 months in advance, whenever you choose to travel subject to availability including all school holiday periods.
As a gesture of goodwill I have been authorised to contribute one quarter of the initial management fee in respect of your first holiday. This means for just £275.25 you could enjoy a week of luxury on dates of your choice for up to four people either at one of our award-winning UK resorts or perhaps overseas. This works out at less than £69 per person for a 7-night holiday!
We are offering new Club Seasons Members a 100% Money Back guarantee. If you are not entirely satisfied with your first stay at a Seasons resort, you can surrender your Membership and receive a full refund of any management fee paid (notification required within 14 days of return).
If you have any further questions, or wish to activate your membership now, please call the Membership Office on 0800 448 448, between 11 am until 8 pm Monday to Friday), or email xxxxxx. Cheques should be made payable to ‘Seasons Holidays plc’ and sent to Membership Secretary, Seasons Holidays plc, 86-90 Victoria Street St Albans Hertfordshire AL1 3TG. For your convenience we will also accept payment by debit/credit card.
You must activate this Membership within 14 days of the date of today’s letter, or our audit department will randomly re-allocate your prize to another same-day entry participant.
We look forward to making you feel especially welcome at Seasons, and trust that you and your family will enjoy many happy holidays and short breaks with us in the future.
Yours sincerely,

Happy_shopper

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it doesn't look good:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=227618&highlight=clubseasons

Hope your mum gets a 'real' win soon.

Bonbon

I too think it's a rip off. If your Mother hasn't entered a competition, then she couldn't have won. Also I don't think you should ever have to pay anything for a true prize, especially hundreds of pounds.

caffenero

thanks for the replies, have told me mum not to contact them!

cheers

kianicky

total rip off, my mam won this ages back. first i heard you have to pay for a prize, that should set alarm bells ringing.