Newlyweds experienced a nightmare day on what was supposed to be one of the most special times in their life.
Whilst honeymooning in the Bahamas and upon leaving their hotel for a day of sight-seeing. They were stopped in the street by a man who started asking the pair a lot of personal questions about what they were doing there, how long they were planning on staying and would they ever like to return. Out of politeness the pair started to interact and answer his questions, he asked whether they had heard about Ocean Reef and told them that if he could get them to the office to listen to some information about their product he would get $300 commission which would help him pay his rent, a definite guilt trip on an innocent couple.
One question he did ask was how old the couple were as they needed to be over 28. The couple informed him that they were not yet 28, he just shrugged and said ‘hide the dates and just show your ID’, otherwise, he’d lose his $300. Upon entering the presentation the receptionist requested to look at their ID taking all the details, including their name and ages.
The couple were offered some food and drink and were introduced to more salespeople in the presentation room and also an attorney. A lady called Donna took over the sales part of the meeting and told the couple that the attorney would be present throughout the meeting.
Donna was asking lots of questions and according to the couple was really trying to build a rapport with them and talked of common interests. Again Donna asked about whether the couple had been sight-seeing, they told her that they had planned on doing it that very day, however, the meeting had already taken a few hours at this point. Donna went on to speak about the fact that she books all her holidays through Ocean Reef and she had a membership with them which meant ‘massive discounts’.
Donna went on to show the couple a sales video and customer maps, of other people who owned Ocean Reef in their hometown area. The couple was excited and thought they had been offered a fabulous opportunity. The couple admits that they were pretty naïve and not massive travellers, everything that they were being offered, hugely cheaper deals, were mouthwateringly tempting.
Donna really got stuck in with the couple and told them that their family could be named on the deal and they could pick the weeks that they wanted. She told the couple she would throw a free week into Aruba and gave some details of cost, then told the couple all they would have to do is pay a deposit.
It was at this point the couple stopped Donna and told her they couldn’t afford it as the cost was far too high, also informing her that they were not indeed 28 so they couldn’t sign up for the deal that has been offered anyway. Donna left the meeting and returned with her manager who, even though they were not 28, was also trying the hard sell; the couple were even told they could split the deposit onto 2 credit cards.
The young couple was persistent and kept telling Donna and her manager that they could not afford it, and they both started to feel uncomfortable. Donna then went on to keep the couple ‘occupied’ whilst her manager ‘crunched’ some numbers. He then came out and said that as they were on their honeymoon he would offer them a ‘special deal‘, but it was now and now only! Lots of sweeteners were included, namely the free week, free meals and the fact that they could sell their membership to someone else, overall an amazing deal.
At this point, the honeymooners had been there for the whole day and they just wanted to go home, exhausted, they finally caved in and agreed to the deal, signing the paperwork!
Upon returning to the UK, the couple has realised that they honestly could not afford it and wished to cancel, however, the couple is still trying to exit themselves from the trap they fell into with Ocean Reef. They have tried to contact Ocean Reef to cancel the contract and complain about the hard selling and mis-selling, however, this has of course fallen on deaf ears.
We at the TCA have warned consumers in the past to never be worn down at such presentations, if the company is truly offering what they say they are, then you will be able to think about your purchase and return the following day to proceed. The sad fact is they are a young, naïve couple who have been conned and lied to and this could have a serious effect on their financial status and their ability to borrow in the future.
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