Timeshare Scam!! Anyone of you in it too?

[goering]

steven,

sorry to sound harsh, but you don't really have a case against ERI. did they dishonour any part of their agreement? were u denied the use of your timeshare? all you did was to regret buying it ("buyer's regret") and want to cancel the contract.

Actually Siron does initially have a case against ERI based on what he had written. What ERI has done constitutes unfair trading practices - which include pressure selling, making false claims and unfair contracts

However, since the contract was signed 2 years ago, and payments have already been made, I would think this is a lost cause. Nevertheless, approaching CASE for assistance is still a good idea since they are very familiar with ERI (from the link given by Sulhan). Moreover, you really have not much to lose. ERI may even offer some concessions if CASE intervenes

 

[kex]

i would go to court and settle it legally,be it winning or losing the case.at least u can sleep well and know it will end soon.

life is too short to be unhappy,it's just another episode in life.
It's only $$$ after all.

 

[poh6702]

That I have to agree on what you said too, but really if you read my story, it was that pressure that thay gave us...that can't leave unless you sign thing. I know its all free will, But there are alot of mis-representation when selling their products, Its like they will whack anything juz to sell off their timeshare. Ya know what I mean? Right now I am gathering some people...or rather I am joining some grp, hopefully we can do something abt it real soon. I really hate to drag this matter, but thank You guys!! You guys had been so helpful!! Really I really appreciate you guys!! THANK YOU THANK YOU,

But can I conclude that none of you here is in the same sh*t as I am? hmmmm

I almost got it many years ago, luckily I called my brother before signing it and my brother told me to get out. When I told them that I need time to re-consider, they became very excided, told me that this is the offer of the century if I miss it, I will never get it in my life. I started to feel something wrong, and determine to go, they became very angry, telling me that they have spent so many hours with me, they could have spent it with other people and sure to get the deal, how can I walk away. I finally walk away and didn't ask for "the gift" that I was promised.

Whenever I received such call, I tell them off right away and never attend such talk anymore.

 

[ST_sg]

I almost got it many years ago, luckily I called my brother before signing it and my brother told me to get out. When I told them that I need time to re-consider, they became very excided, told me that this is the offer of the century if I miss it, I will never get it in my life. I started to feel something wrong, and determine to go, they became very angry, telling me that they have spent so many hours with me, they could have spent it with other people and sure to get the deal, how can I walk away. I finally walk away and didn't ask for "the gift" that I was promised.

Whenever I received such call, I tell them off right away and never attend such talk anymore.

yup. same situation happened to me about 4 to 5 years back when I and my wife walking along orchard road, in front of Taka, and a young fresh grad came and approach me, asked me to strike a ticket, after doing do, he was so happy that, I won the first prize from that lucky draw ticket. He said I brought him luck, and he will earn S$100 dollar for that as commision, and I'm the first who strike that for the past one week.?!

ok. As usual, he asked us to go to the office to collect the 1st prize, Free 2 way air tickets to somewhere (forgot already) for 2 person. I said I don't want that, and no money for the oversea expenses, then the young boy keep begging me, just help him out, go collect the gift then only he can claim the S$100 bucks commision, no obligation just listen the talk for 40min, and hints me, insists to get out and claim the gift. Then my wife was ok with me, just to help the boy out for the S$100 bucks commision.

Once enter the reception area, another lady approached us, show us a short tour along the "hall of frame" about all the resorts around the world! And then asked us, was the boy telling us anything about the talk? did he tell us to left after 40min talk? do we aware of any time-sharing thing? then we answered nope. Wow,.. the lady every happy and her story starts...

After almost 2 hours talk... really time pass very quick.. a loud bell rang (someone proudly announce Mr. so and so are the no# join for that day,..all clap hands),... me and my wife like sudden wake-up, it has been almost 2 hours sitting down there,.. looking at her drafts, financial plan, which destination to go,.. and finally, we said no money for the moment.. from S$500 down to not even S$100 a month

The lady face turned 180 degree, voice rise, body language out... then she go and bring a senior to see us. Very straight forward, the manager asked us, how much is our affordable installment, he can work out anything as long as we say yes. Luckily, we said, sorry...not interested anymore. Immediately, the guy face black black and told the lady,..don't waste time on us.

then we just walk out... don't even border to queue for the free air tickets... what a waste of time.. sigh...

just beware...those guys really try whatever way to made you say "yes"! :angry:

 

[lavenderlilz]

yup. same situation happened to me about 4 to 5 years back when I and my wife walking along orchard road, in front of Taka, and a young fresh grad came and approach me, asked me to strike a ticket, after doing do, he was so happy that, I won the first prize from that lucky draw ticket. He said I brought him luck, and he will earn S$100 dollar for that as commision, and I'm the first who strike that for the past one week.?!

ok. As usual, he asked us to go to the office to collect the 1st prize, Free 2 way air tickets to somewhere (forgot already) for 2 person. I said I don't want that, and no money for the oversea expenses, then the young boy keep begging me, just help him out, go collect the gift then only he can claim the S$100 bucks commision, no obligation just listen the talk for 40min, and hints me, insists to get out and claim the gift. Then my wife was ok with me, just to help the boy out for the S$100 bucks commision.

Once enter the reception area, another lady approached us, show us a short tour along the "hall of frame" about all the resorts around the world! And then asked us, was the boy telling us anything about the talk? did he tell us to left after 40min talk? do we aware of any time-sharing thing? then we answered nope. Wow,.. the lady every happy and her story starts...

After almost 2 hours talk... really time pass very quick.. a loud bell rang (someone proudly announce Mr. so and so are the no# join for that day,..all clap hands),... me and my wife like sudden wake-up, it has been almost 2 hours sitting down there,.. looking at her drafts, financial plan, which destination to go,.. and finally, we said no money for the moment.. from S$500 down to not even S$100 a month

The lady face turned 180 degree, voice rise, body language out... then she go and bring a senior to see us. Very straight forward, the manager asked us, how much is our affordable installment, he can work out anything as long as we say yes. Luckily, we said, sorry...not interested anymore. Immediately, the guy face black black and told the lady,..don't waste time on us.

then we just walk out... don't even border to queue for the free air tickets... what a waste of time.. sigh...

just beware...those guys really try whatever way to made you say "yes"! :angry:

yeah my parents kena this a few years ago and my dad told them that if the air tickets are free as they told them, then they should just give it to them and not ask them to sign up for anything. In the end those ppl "LL" hahaha

I got a call at work once about winning some air ticket and was told to go down for a talk and collect. I said I'd call back and when I called back to tell the lady I am not free to go - she asked me "why not? " in a very demanding tone. Just told her I am not and that is the end of conversation

 

[Wai]

yup. same situation happened to me about 4 to 5 years back when I and my wife walking along orchard road, in front of Taka, and a young fresh grad came and approach me, asked me to strike a ticket, after doing do, he was so happy that, I won the first prize from that lucky draw ticket. He said I brought him luck, and he will earn S$100 dollar for that as commision, and I'm the first who strike that for the past one week.?!

wow..never know this started 4 to 5 years back, I guess more people fall for this last time...

 

[Lensman]

Time share, holiday resort ownership, multi-level etc etc

Why can't these people resort to a day of honest living then get rich quick scheme, at the expense of other people ? Or is their integrity or honesty are worth that 40 -50 % comission (for MLM) made ?

So sad ...

 

[ed9119]

My mum and dad also got conned in 1999. They refused to pay on the spot but they did sign the contract after 4 solid hours of torture lectures and presentations.

After reading the fine print and considering things like ' are we EVEN going to Costa Rica or Jamaica for a vacation anytime soon???' they decided not to join.

The company sent letters from their so called leagal department threatening to sue. My dad contacted his lawyer and counter sued twice the amount for selling under duress.

After a few more threatening letters from their legal department till 2001, it seemed that my parents' 'debt' was sold off to another time share company! And they continued to chase for payment. It ended late 2002 after we simply ignored all their letters (on advise of my dad's lawyer) and ended finally after my dad's lawyer proceeded to sue the timeshare firm for harrasment.

Never heard from them again since.

Best of luck, dont pay and counter sue them! Their letter are just that.....letters from legal department.....it doesnt mean that they are right and you are wrong.

My dad's lawyer said that they either cannot afford legal counsel OR more likely, NO REGISTERED LICENSED LAW FIRM wants to represent them for fear of being censured or disciplined by the Law Society.

Nowadays there IS a law that allows a 'cooling off' period for people who still get coerced to sign on the dotted line and put in a deposit....this allows people a reasonable period of time to get their heads screwed back on properly and decide within a couple of weeks if they actually want to or NOT want to join the scheme

 

[zha]

Nowadays there IS a law that allows a 'cooling off' period for people who still get coerced to sign on the dotted line and put in a deposit....this allows people a reasonable period of time to get their heads screwed back on properly and decide within a couple of weeks if they actually want to or NOT want to join the scheme

This is an interesting point. A move in the right direction for consumers. Was the Trade Practice Act amended/ updated or something like that?

 

[Picard]

...and sat thru the whole DAMN presentation , got the discount vouchers and got the HELL out of the place man.

Yah...my wife and I have been thru twice of the same nonsense about a few years back. BAck then they gave pretty good gifts e.g. $50 TANGS vouchers and stuff. But...it was not easy getting it man. We sat thru almost 3.5 hours of watching video about some beach area etc...and then a verbal hardsell by a sales assistant and then when he/she know that he/she could not outwit 2 university grads she then called for reinforcements in the form of 'her boss' - once was a sleek fast talker and another was a burly dark and tall chap.

Thru it all we just kept saying 'No'. 'We'll think about it" etc....but it was not easy. WHen we got the voucher we quickly used them.

Whew...

Be warned.

 

[Yeo]

Hi ! Vince is right. Case have handled such cases before. The best place for you to seek redress. Just be moe careful the next time. Went thro two or three cases like this before. Been pressured by them and they even try to use hard tactics such " you mean to say that you can'y afford.........." when they know that you gonna back down. As for me, my objective was clear, I being tum sim, just focused on the free digital camera that they promised at the end of the presentation. Have given all the freebies away since then.

 

[benz]

i am more interested in the $50 taka voucher than the "1st prize" which i "won".
sat thru' the hardsell session...said no, not interested...the salesgirl did all the calculations of my supposed travel spendings over the years etc.
I countered by telling her all about time value of money, interest rates, risk and returns etc...all the financial stuff that some insurance agents and financial advisors bombarded me with...she was left dumbfounded, called her manager and decide to let us go.
in the end, walked away with the voucher, cross the street and spend it....btw, the session was in the building beside OG Orchard.

 

[Gymrat76]

yup. same situation happened to me about 4 to 5 years back when I and my wife walking along orchard road, in front of Taka, and a young fresh grad came and approach me, asked me to strike a ticket, after doing do, he was so happy that, I won the first prize from that lucky draw ticket. He said I brought him luck, and he will earn S$100 dollar for that as commision, and I'm the first who strike that for the past one week.?!

ok. As usual, he asked us to go to the office to collect the 1st prize, Free 2 way air tickets to somewhere (forgot already) for 2 person. I said I don't want that, and no money for the oversea expenses, then the young boy keep begging me, just help him out, go collect the gift then only he can claim the S$100 bucks commision, no obligation just listen the talk for 40min, and hints me, insists to get out and claim the gift. Then my wife was ok with me, just to help the boy out for the S$100 bucks commision.

Once enter the reception area, another lady approached us, show us a short tour along the "hall of frame" about all the resorts around the world! And then asked us, was the boy telling us anything about the talk? did he tell us to left after 40min talk? do we aware of any time-sharing thing? then we answered nope. Wow,.. the lady every happy and her story starts...

After almost 2 hours talk... really time pass very quick.. a loud bell rang (someone proudly announce Mr. so and so are the no# join for that day,..all clap hands),... me and my wife like sudden wake-up, it has been almost 2 hours sitting down there,.. looking at her drafts, financial plan, which destination to go,.. and finally, we said no money for the moment.. from S$500 down to not even S$100 a month

The lady face turned 180 degree, voice rise, body language out... then she go and bring a senior to see us. Very straight forward, the manager asked us, how much is our affordable installment, he can work out anything as long as we say yes. Luckily, we said, sorry...not interested anymore. Immediately, the guy face black black and told the lady,..don't waste time on us.

then we just walk out... don't even border to queue for the free air tickets... what a waste of time.. sigh...

just beware...those guys really try whatever way to made you say "yes"! :angry:

A year plus ago my wife and I had the exact same encounter, but it was a bubbly young girl instead, and the 'prizes' we 'won' ws a $40 Tangs voucher and a free holiday... Not knowing better we attended the talk at one of the offices in Taka, same thing happen, bell rang we clapped hands as a Mr and Mrs XX was welcomed into the "family".. Didn't have $ back then (lucky for us!) so we didn't participate and in the end after more than 3 hours there, we left with the Tangs voucher and spent it immediately.. Interestingly, my sis and bro in law got the same thing just last week, won a $50 voucher for some seafood restaurant in East Coast Park and "free holiday" also

 

[sehsuan]

When you receive such calls ... just say you are a student ... and they'll put down the phone immediately ...

perhaps you'd get recruited to be one of those calling the numbers.

heard of this emperor thing going on for eons, wonder if they're legally registered as "emperor" or under some other "cover name" instead. those who have fallen into this trap may want to try something like a "class suit" against them (i'm guessing on the extent of how big this might get)...

like what ed9119 said, the letters they mentioned they will send are more likely than not, from their *internal* "legal department, not some established law firm. any newbie law firm handling this client will have living hell, and established law firm having them as client will have hell on earth.

 

[drebel]

Nowadays there IS a law that allows a 'cooling off' period for people who still get coerced to sign on the dotted line and put in a deposit....this allows people a reasonable period of time to get their heads screwed back on properly and decide within a couple of weeks if they actually want to or NOT want to join the scheme

yeah the cooling off period is great.. but guess wat.. some of them will charge u $500 just for the admin fees and materials to cancel the agreement.. so they still earn from you in that sense.

 

[siron]

Thank You guys, I've read alot of stories regarding this.... No one to blame but myself and my ex then, was so foolish to sign. Anyway what trouble me most is that ya know I am a civil servant, and that its very complicated for me. A small matter can be balloon up!!! That is my main concern. That is why I am worried that the legal letter might bring some trouble to my career. Aiyah,... stressed. Hopefully I can get a good lawyer that can consult me on my part. Waiting for any one of you to intro?? Thank You very much.

 

[YogiBear]

Hi Siron,

I've also been 'so called' conned by ERI. I was just being greedy and thought that I could eventually sell it off for higher gains in the future, or sell cheap holiday packages to friends. I'm the type of person who loves budget travels but dont go for such exotic resorts to stay put for a week. I never thought that it would incur heavy financial problems for me now that I'm facing it. The contract started in August 2000 and I have already paid about S$16k using credit with about less than S$3k to go. This put tremendous pressure on my credit card debts as well as my family. What's more agonising is the maintenance fee of A$495 (current rates) that I have to fork out annually 'forever' for joining HCAP thru ERI. I could have consulted my sister who knew much better about time-share schemes but but the unfortunate happened.

Recently ERI did another recruitment exercise to ask me to convert my contract to another new one in which I dont have to pay maintenance fees. In fact the new plan promises returns should I not use the one week allocated to me. The twist to this plan is this: after trade-in I have to fork out another S$12k. Besides, this new plan is new and evolving, not like the earlier HCAP one which already have high quality resorts in Australia & Thailand. I have yet to agree to this new plan.

Feel free to contact me if you wish. My contact 90600699.

regards,
Simon

 

[madmacs]

i am more interested in the $50 taka voucher than the "1st prize" which i "won".
sat thru' the hardsell session...said no, not interested...the salesgirl did all the calculations of my supposed travel spendings over the years etc.
I countered by telling her all about time value of money, interest rates, risk and returns etc...all the financial stuff that some insurance agents and financial advisors bombarded me with...she was left dumbfounded, called her manager and decide to let us go.
in the end, walked away with the voucher, cross the street and spend it....btw, the session was in the building beside OG Orchard.

hey good one man! :thumbsup:

i usually just turn them down. maybe i should go up and claim the prize first one of these days. tell them give me the prize first then i sit down and listen ;p

 

[sulhan]

hey good one man! :thumbsup:

i usually just turn them down. maybe i should go up and claim the prize first one of these days. tell them give me the prize first then i sit down and listen ;p

Funny eh......those free gifts......probably are vouchers that they can "give away free" made possible from profits - they received from those people who are conned into contributing hard earn money to these scams...
:nono: :nono:

The only was to stop this kinda scam is to ignore them totally...

rgds,
sulhan

 

[benz]

actually, i got 1 "evil" idea.
Wonder if they allow me to "donate" my "prize" to another person?
If so, thinking of nominating a not-for-profit organization...some can afford the time and also the gifts may come in handy for them.