Case takes legal action against timeshare firm | |||
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By Jessica Lim THE Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) has taken legal action via an injunction against a timeshare company for unfair trading practices. Yesterday, the consumer watchdog said at least 19 complaints had been lodged against Garraway Enterprises' Singapore branch, and attempts to get the firm to make redress had failed.
Said the association's executive director, Mr Seah Seng Choon: 'We had no choice but to take action to make sure that they observe fair practice.' The injunction demands that the company stop making misleading claims and exerting undue pressure on consumers. Total claims against Garraway come to $230,000, with amounts ranging from $3,650 to $30,000. The complaints follow a similar pattern. Complainants say Garraway approached them with winning scratch cards, then asked them to collect the prizes at the company's premises. Once there, they were coerced into buying memberships which promised them benefits like an easy access booking system, and discounted airfares to various places. None of these came to be. Case said it had tried to get the firm to sign a Voluntary Compliance Agreement, in which a company admits it has carried out unfair trading practices and will compensate consumers and clean up its act. But Garraway officials refused. The company could not be reached for comment despite repeated calls. If it does not comply with Case's injunction, it may find itself in the district court. The action against Garraway comes on the back of 2,000 complaints lodged against timeshare companies annually for the past five years, the most for any industry. In 2006 and 2007, Case proceeded with injunctions against timeshare companies Orion's Belt Network and Global Europ (Asia), after numerous complaints were filed against them. Midway through their respective court hearings, both companies conceded to unfair practices and stopped them. This article was first published in The Straits Times on February 06, 2009. |
crimeshare said:
To those of you living in Singapore, and who have yet to get that annoying telephone call, a timely warning of a timeshare scam from a company calling itself "GreatConcepts" and claiming to represent a "sponsor" named "O.T. Travel" or, as I have come to find out is in actuality "Oriental Travel". The anatomy of the scam call is as such : 1. Some chap calling claiming that you've won a IBM notebook computer valued at $4,000; they sent the notice to you - didn't you get it? No? Well, they auctioned the "prize" off because it was unclaimed (yeah, you and 2 others who didn't claim their prize). They supposedly even have an advertisement in the local paper highlighting the prize (Wow! Can't believe you didn't see that ad. Well never mind, they have a copy they can fax to you).______
Hi
Its a reminder never to sign up for any Timeshare company contract or whatever travel thing. My dad signed up under Garraway aka Concept Travels and we are stuck with this thing for for god knows how many years.
They do some hardselling thing, wrote some 'benefits' on a piece of paper which they kept it afterwards. All the 'benefits' are a huge load of crap which we never get to enjoy.
When engaging with their services, the first proposed rates is so much higher than the published rates by the airlines,tour agencies, etc. Had to make noise with them before they make it $50 cheaper. Worse, they can actually take 1 week plus to reply.
And no. its not the first trip... my subsequent ones with them is also the same.. therefore we had no choice but to complain to CASE.
Till now, problem is still pending. The director apparently cant seem to be bothered. Their replies to CASE was slow. They really really cant seem to be bothered.
Now, we're being bug by another company "Option Vests". They said that they can help us claim back the money, etc. But I really doubt so. Will check with CASE and seek for their advices next week.
I did question "Option Vests" on how they know about us. They said something about our list being displayed on this Developers' List the moment we signed up w Garraway. Strange right?