Is this a scam, what is the catch?

[Dupont666]

Just got a phone call saying I have won a european holiday for 4 people, all return flights and luxury accommodation (villa/apartment) is all paid for, they knew my address, name and number.

They didnt ask for any bank details etc... but did want me to come down and collect the tickets from their office at some point... But they want me and the OH to come down to collect, which is a problem with her out of the country

I have 18 months to take the holiday.

what is the catch? It was apparently for a survey I have done (did a few to get online for some football channel) but im a bit of a sceptic about it.

Is this a scam anyone knows of or have I actually won something?

[Hedders]

Dupont666 said:

Is this a scam anyone knows of or have I actually won something?

Don't we live in sad times

I don't know, BTW.

[Glassman]

Why can't they mail the tickets?

[bmw2002]

6 hour timeshare spiel to listen to before you get your tickets I'd guess.

[shakotan]

Dupont666 said:

Just got a phone call saying I have won a european holiday for 4 people, all return flights and luxury accommodation (villa/apartment) is all paid for, they knew my address, name and number.

They didnt ask for any bank details etc... but did want me to come down and collect the tickets from their office at some point... But they want me and the OH to come down to collect, which is a problem with her out of the country

I have 18 months to take the holiday.

what is the catch? It was apparently for a survey I have done (did a few to get online for some football channel) but im a bit of a sceptic about it.

Is this a scam anyone knows of or have I actually won something?

Timeshare.

Edited by shakotan on Friday 23 July 16:14

[Road Pest]

What's the companies name?

[Dupont666]

Hedders said:

Dupont666 said:

Is this a scam anyone knows of or have I actually won something?

Don't we live in sad times

I don't know, BTW.

well that is the issue i was more concerned about watching the football so i might have or i might not have entered the competition i just won... that is the issue im getting old and dont remember

[shakotan]

Glassman said:

Why can't they mail the tickets?

Because they can't sell you a timeshare by letter.

Edited by shakotan on Friday 23 July 16:15

[TankRizzo]

Got to be a timeshare pitch.

[joe_90]

They will takeshare attack you for a few hours on picking up the ticket.. Then (if) you get on holiday (after admin fees) you will be chased about all day to buy a timeshare..

[Dick_Phallus]

bmw2002 said:

6 hour timeshare spiel to listen to before you get your tickets I'd guess.

Not six hours if you just buy the timeshare after 20 minutes.

[bmw2002]

Dick_Phallus said:

bmw2002 said:

6 hour timeshare spiel to listen to before you get your tickets I'd guess.

Not six hours if you just buy the timeshare after 20 minutes.

[davemac250]

You are going to be bored stupid for 6 hours listening to an 'interesting and once only opportunity to own your own luxurious retreat in the sun kissed XXXXXXXXXXX'

When you then tell them no for the 592nd time they will get bolshy.

After another 4 hours the senior manager will arrive, in tears, telling you she is going to lose her job if you don't sign in, then you can cancel it if you like.

[mrmr96]

Have you seen the South Park episode about the timeshare? Works just like this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asspen

Edited by mrmr96 on Friday 23 July 16:19

[Hedders]

Will the holiday include an obligation to go trapesing (?) round timeshare complexes too?

[Flintstone]

Sounds too good to be true?

Ask yourself, what company could prosper by giving this stuff away to dozens, nay hundreds, of people? Even if only a small percentage sit through the whole spiel and 'qualify' could they do it?

As others have said even if you stubbornly stay until the end and demand your tickets there'll be 'admin charges'.

Don't bother.

[Dupont666]

I found it out and after checking the number and a bit of digging they are not a timeshare, its a holiday club membership....

Right so now its a definite scam where I have won first prize but need to turn up to a conference meaning that there are multiple winners...

More here:

http://www.ianfitter.com/blog/2006/03/07/how-free-...

and here:

http://forum.holidaywatchdog.com/Timeshare-&-H...

The number is 01268557600 and it says this about them:

http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/0126855760...

Now how to have some fun with them?

[Pesty]

bmw2002 said:

6 hour timeshare spiel to listen to before you get your tickets I'd guess.

this,

they will say if you sit and listen to it all you will get the holiday.

I told my mrs it was bks she would not listen she dragged me anyway ( you both have to go or you don't get the holliday)

we sat, we listened, she stood up and clapped like all the other sheep when the other sheep apparently bought a time share.

I just sat there wishing I was dead amongst all the American style hooting.

After what seemed like a lifetime I told the bloke we were never, ever going to invest in a timeshare, and asked where is our free holiday? we were asked to leave.

ok so its not a timeshare but holiday club is probably just the latest scam because of the timeshare conotations.

At the very least you could agree to go to several meetings and not turn up.

Edited by Pesty on Friday 23 July 16:29

[shakotan]

Dupont666 said:

Right so now its a definite scam where I have won first prize but need to turn up to a conference meaning that there are multiple winners...

It's not a scam.

It's a form of marketing.

A pretty stty form of marketing, but marketing all the same.

It's not a scam, you're not being conned out of anything.

[Pesty]

shakotan said:

It's not a scam, you're not being conned out of anything.

right up until the point where you say.

Thanks for the talk but I wont be buying anything today can I have my free holiday?

And they say go away or have so many conditions and extras you have to pay for

perhaps the one I went on was a bad one and they are not all like that.

Edited by Pesty on Friday 23 July 21:22