There’s one outfit you won’t see exposed on the new scam-busting BBC1 series Rip-Off Britain, presented by Jennie Bond.
And that’s the timeshare giant Club La Costa.
Promoted by Jennie Bond. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqthnKFcYGw
We’ve been contacted by dozens of unhappy CLC customers (says the Daily Mirror)since writing about its habit of telling people they’ve been awarded a free holiday – which will include a mammoth timeshare sales pitch.
The Timeshare Consumers Association says it averages more than one complaint a day about CLC and that is still true today.
The then Association’s chairman Sandy Grey was interviewed on camera about CLC by Rip-Off Britain – but the section has been axed.
“I got a call from the BBC telling me that the CLC item had been dropped,” Sandy said. “No reason was given.”
A BBC spokesman said: “It is common for various story ideas to be considered for a series of this nature and clearly not everything makes it into every programme.”
The daily mirror also asked Jennie Bond to comment but heard nothing.
One of CLC’s latest victims was Cliff Walker, 48, whose horrible CLC experience provoked him to launch a scathing attack on Jennie Bond, who is the BBC’s former royal correspondent.
“How dare she front a BBC show that crusades to stop ordinary Brits from being misled – and then give her name and face to this holiday company?” he asked.
“It is rank hypocrisy.”
His nightmare began when he was approached in the street by a Club La Costa rep and asked to fill out a questionnaire to win a free holiday.
“Surprise, surprise I won,” said Cliff from Wingate, Co Durham.
To collect his prize he had to go to a sales pitch in Leeds, which included a promotional video… presented by Jennie Bond.
Then came the prize holiday in Spain where, following “relentless” selling, Cliff paid £3,595 for three-year CLC membership.
He married soon afterwards and took bride Christine on honeymoon to Tenerife to “enjoy” CLC accommodation.
“To call the place a flea-pit would be an understatement,” said Cliff. “The door was hanging off its hinges, it was infested with cockroaches, the TV didn’t work and the toilet seat came off in my hand.”
Club La Costa was founded its chairman Roy Peires, 58, and describes itself as “widely regarded as the leading holiday ownership company in Europe.
“We are focused on building a growing industry with the highest of standards in all areas.
“Various operations have won numerous awards for the quality of their resorts and their high standards.
“Club La Costa has some 50,000 members and our staff work hard to ensure members receive the best of service and holidays. We take all issues very seriously and will investigate fully the matter that you have raised regarding the quality of one of our apartments.”
The statement also had a pop at Sandy Grey of the Timeshare Consumers Association, saying he’s been prosecuted for libel.
Not so. Notorious timeshare company Resort Properties did sue him for libel but the case was dropped.
TATOC says:- http://www.tatoc.co.uk/press-releases/63-industry-news/146-chairman-of-tca-behind-libellous-websites-
Sandy Grey created and published for years the Crime-share websites launching allegation after allegation against some in the industry. Resort properties sued the website to extract the mind behind it and that mind was Sandy Grey. The case was they exited by Resort Properties as fast as lightning. The allegations were dropped. One has to wonder why if those allegations were false. Would you not have you day in court and clear you name. “i would- but alas Resort Properties did not”.
Where those allegation true you decided!
For more information regarding this article or assistance in any other timeshare related issues please contact the TCA on 01908 881058 or email: info@TimeshareConsumerAssociation.org.uk