As mentioned many times before, there is no such thing as a free lunch, so when things are offered for free or heavily discounted, one has to make sure to know all the facts before accepting such “great” offer.
With the Summer Holidays on our doorsteps there seems to be an increase in cold calls coming from companies who offer heavily discounted accommodation worldwide.
We have seen this increased activity lately with the companies Dial a Break, Escape Away Holidays, Estrella Vacations, Resort Management Direct, Signature Havens, Sky breaks and Travel Online World SL who are cold calling timeshare consumers with their “too good to be true” offers.
The agents of these companies seem to be a bit “over enthusiastic” when telling the consumer about the offer.
Consumers are explained that they will be staying in 5 star luxury hotels and resorts, they will be able to book any time any date, and the destinations are worldwide with different options in each place.
But the reality seems far away from the picture painted by the agent. Most resorts are below standard, and certainly not 5 Star! Destinations are limited and the offer is not available in school holidays or summer season, and most availability is only in a handful resorts in Mainland Spain, Canary Islands, Malta or weekend breaks in the UK!
The consumer can take the offer only by paying the full package with credit card on the phone, and is not given any written explanation on what he is paying for or which terms and conditions apply, before the money is taken from his card.
One of the conditions is that the consumer will have to attend an obligatory presentation.
Too often these presentations are done by dubious companies, under a lot of pressure and where a lot of people end up signing for a purchase of something they didn’t want or need.
If the consumer wants to leave after having been there for far more than 90 minutes they are threatened with having to pay the full price for the accommodation.
Once these companies have the consumers name on their contact list they continue to call them (harass) by phone for months and even years to “sell” more of these discounted holidays, tell them their package is expiring and they need to pay a couple of hundred pounds more to renew it.
Bottom-line is that when something sounds too good to be true, is usually is. NO EXCEPTIONS!
So when you are offered heavily discounted accommodation in quality resorts worldwide and at any time of the year…do not ignore the alarm bells you hear far away!
Any company selling you anything over the phone has the OBLIGATION to submit to you the full terms and conditions prior to paying for the product.
There are no such offers that are only valid on the day or in one telephone call!
Mindtimeshare 
Any members have any experience of dealing with “Escape Away Holidays”?
Brian, did you get a reply about escape away. We are in Tenerife and are agreeing to get rid OF all our RCI and “buy” 50,000 credits. Keen to hear. we have 14 days “cooling off”Lindsay
Dear Mindtimeshare, Two problems- 1. Some time ago you asked me for info about posts from Notarios de Europa, who said I was due for a payment of £8,490 from Portugal in February 2015. In order to get this I had to pay by Moneygram £1060 to Viorica Andries. Numero de Identificacao Fiscal X 5727865-B. They originally said “Vioroca Andries” and I had to return to the Post Office to alter this. That was the last I heard from them! 2. Another recent problem – Leisure Alliance have written saying they have requested payment from me of subscription to Club Class which they took over in 2012, now amounting to over £900. I have never previously received correspondence from them regarding this and I suspect they are fraudulent. I have written to them in this vein, and not sent any money. They requested payment of £350 to Sochalls at an address in Hanover Square, London. Some years ago I paid Sochalls £6000 to arrange my release from a time share contract at the time of my death or incapacity. I never received any receipt or contract from Sochalls who then had an address in Wimpole street, London. I tyherefore do not trust Sochalls either. I should be glad of your advice.
wondering if there is any chance of getting back the money I have already paid to a company for their very special offer??