Has anybody else WON a holiday through club la costa? I am very suspicious, it all seems too good to be true

[AnguaVonUberwald]

We went to a fete the other day, and some bouncy woman with a clipboard asked us a couple of questions, and then informed us we had been entered into a travel competition.

I got a phone call today saying we had won a luxury holiday to europe, one of three destinations, flights for 4 adults, self catering!

I was told to ring this other (0800 - not totally daft) number to get the details. They told me that to claim I and DH (without DS), need to come to a 2 hour presentation, and there will also be a half hour presentation on the holiday. Oh yes, and they say they give you £50 of M&S vouchers for attending the presentation.

Has anybody else had this? I am failing to see whats in it for them - I mean it must be a holiday club of some kind - but how do they make their money?

It has to be con, doesn't it? Money tight this year so a free holiday would be much appreciated.

(NB they say you have to pay booking fees of 29.5 per person, and the airport tax as well)

Don't know about this particular company but had another sim' experince. With the company that contacted me the arrangement, when I got to teh bottom of it, was something like when you got there you would have to agree to some kind of sales pitch day where they try and flog you a time share. Also had to pay £50 or something for some kind of registration fee and give a load of dates as could only take the 'holiday' when they specified

Yes, it's a holiday club, you pay a few thousand pounds and get a fortnight's holiday each year. I can't quite remember how it worked, it wasn't timeshare, there were a variety of places to choose from.

The free holiday was free if you could go at any time. If you wanted, I think it was, at least 2 weeks notice of your holiday there was a price to pay and if you wanted to select your dates it was even more. Then of course there were the booking fees and taxes. It wasn't actually free at all!

OK, so basically, we have to go when they say, pay more than they say, and they keep trying to sell to us: Also the more than two weeks notice thing! Thats really crap!

Thankyou very much ladies, I thought it all sounded too good to be true!

It isn't actually timeshare in a traditional sense - but it is the modern timeshare of sorts.

FIL is a member of such a "holiday club" - and they do alright out of it (apparently).

However, I wouldn't go near it with a barge pole - because essentially, to all intents and purposes it is timeshare in a new format. Not worth the hassle.

Thanks ladies, I think, on balance, we simply won't go any further with them, or even contact them again. Very useful information!

You can also find out more about what its like being an owner, and share weeks through renting them and selling the points. They have they're own Website with almost 3000 members, and you can learn how to get the best out of owning them. By buying from owners, who frequently sell, you get the exact same product for a fraction of the price. visit www.clcmembers.co.uk/forum
Its free to register, but full access is £5 for a full year, to help fairly run the site. They recently had their first Physical National Meeting in Birmingham.
Hope that helps.

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It depends how much you feel able to sit through presentations and hard-sell - I've read horror stories where the "half hour" actually went on much longer, and you had all been taken somewhere in a coach, so you had no option on leaving, even if you had a miserable child with you, or had to get back because of childcare etc.

I too have heard tales of the 'short presentation' becoming a high-pressure sales pitch, followed by various 'follow up' contacts during the stay. Seems a lot of interruption to, and interference with a 'holiday'

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I phoned the women back and asked about dates and she said: "you have to give us four weeks where you are available as a family and you get one of those!" and I asked how much notice you got for which of those four weeks it would be and she said; "thats not my department!"

So I told them we weren't interested.

Its such a shame,as I would have been over the moon at a free holiday - BUT there is no way we can book four weeks off work, in advance and then just go when they say!

I think they must bank on you not working this out until you have been to the presentation!

hi i did an online survey then got a call from clc holiday near the Trafford centre Manchester. i need to take id and also i will get a £75 voucher. The holiday is for 6 people with a choice of 4 destinations abroad . Has ayone else ever been on one of these holidays or is it a big fat scam.

Its a scam. its always a scam because there is no such thing as a free lunch. they bank on people being so desperate to get one free holiday that they sign up and tie themselves into an agreement lasting many years. if it looks to good to be true, it always is.

Actually that's not quite true. It's not actually a scam just hardcore marketing. They want you out on their holiday because it's much easier to give you the hard sell when you are out of your comfort zone.

It doesn't cost them as much as you think because they already own the properties you are staying in and you do pay for airport taxes and other bits.

Aside from the costs they have told you about you have to sit through at least 2 hours of intensive selling otherwise you have to pay for the entire holiday. They can be rude and demanding about you signing. But no, you don't have to and I guess if you were quite tough skinned you could get through it and enjoy the holiday.