Travel Club Scam Warning
 

This is a buyer beware message - Grand Crowne Leisure Travel Club out of Branson/Springfield, MO with offices in Irving, Houston, and Galveston, TX that I know of, has many BBB complaints as well as attorney general and Federal Exchange Commission complaints. They misrepresented and deceived us to get the sale. Then after checking we found out the travel discounts just weren't there and that they had a bad reputation. We are still trying to get our contract void and a refund. It all started with a postcard in the mail, so beware.

Too bad you didn't check before handing over the money.

Thanks for the warning, good luck.

One of those scams has been working in our area lately. The local paper wrote about it:
http://www.hsvvoice.com/news/2005/11..._page/006.html

Another reminder to be aware of all mail and phone offers. Always check with BBB!

We went to one of those just to see what a travel club was. We didn't buy.

But I was convinced that one of the couples in our audience group was a plant. They were the first (only?) ones to buy and seemed way too familiar with the terms and facility, etc. Did you notice this too?

I wish you the very best in getting your money returned.

They aren't really a scam - they just don't have any better deals than are readily available without a membership fee. My folks have had a membership with them for a couple of years and have gotten some good deals, couple of free condo stays, etc. However, it takes several phone calls, and a lot of personal research on your part to get them moving. You never get thru to anyone on a first phone call. My folks are also retired, so can take advantage of some of the last minute deals they advertise. Grand Crowne has booked us a good price thru Funjet a couple of times, but realistically, you can book those directly yourself and save the middleman fee. But they don't really give extra service like a real travel agency, to justify the middleman fee. Their car rental discounts are real, but again no better than AAA or other widely available discounts.

Mom and Dad won't be renewing, as Mom has gotten better with her internet searching, but I doubt they would say they were scammed.