They say I won a holiday to Spain! (Timeshre deal, I think)

onlyoneme

I had a call today from some questionire I completed, that I can go on holiday to Spain or Turkey (Flight & hotel paid for). The only thing I have to do is go to one of their timeshare presentation next week (in London). The holiday is ours -regardless we buy time shre or not.

I know I should be suspisious of these offers, but what do really have to got to loose as long as I don't sign up to anything next week?

it is from a company called Club La Costa, I looked at their website as well.

Has anyone done any of these " free holiday" thing?

GlennTheBaker

You would probably be subjected to a hard-sell 'presentation' before taking the holiday and then another one when you get there. I wouldn't bother but then I don't have personal experience.

SCOTTEX

Keep a million miles away from Club La Costa, its a timeshare, rip off con.
Please don't think "Oh all I need to do is sit through a short presentation" because you will be there for hours and pestered and offered loans to help you buy it.

Tap Club la costa into google and see for yourself.

dzug

You CAN get a cheap holiday this way (it won't be free, there will be a 'processing fee') but both you and your partner (they won't take singletons - they like to play you off against each other) have to be good at saying NO and flexible (you may be expected to travel at short notice or lose your holiday and processing fee).

It might be a 'Holiday Club' rather than timeshare - but that's even worse.

Steer clear would be my advice.

across

just ignore it hubby or i have won a few of these holidays over the last ten yrs or so and everytime theyve been holiday timeshares or these days holiday clubs inc the one you mentioned be very careful i'd say you dont get anything for free (apart from on mse freebie site of course for small things!!)

seven-day-weekend

I know someone who took one of these holidays, they hired a car and went miles from the resort every day for the full week so that they were not bothered too much by the timeshare salespeople.

On the other hand, I have heard of the salespeople following the holidaymakers into the sea!!

You WILL get a holiday, but really do have to be determined and hardnosed about the hard-sell timeshares.

Enjoy! Whatever you decide. (But don't buy a timeshare).

jmarko

hey! :T I've sent you a pm.

best wishes

jmarko

onlyoneme

Thank you so much to everyone for the replies. As you said, I thought as long as I sit through the presentation and say no, we would be fine (I like to believe that I am not easily manipulated!)
However your notes does make me think about it now...!
I am so tempted as the holiday is for both of us & for the kids( its £29 booking fee per person), but really worried.

Oh....

jmarko

have a look over at this thread...

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=327003

you might be able to find something there that will be a lot more enjoyable and a lot cheaper - especially in the long run!

jmarko

SCOTTEX

Please don't do it, I can't imagine it much of a "Holiday" in the mists of these evil creatures, praying on you night & day.

Please read this piece by a jouranlist who went through the experience
http://travel.guardian.co.uk/article/2003/jul/19/budgetingforyourholiday.scamsandfraud#more-article

vavacroft

Everybody's a winner with them, had a winning call today and I've had to hang up on their face, just watch out and stay away from them if you can, I've known people ending up in tears with that type of timeshare cie