Greed is an entrapment tool for the enemy.

Wa pian!
I nearly wanted to bring my wife and daughter down there by 5pm today. They told me so simple, just go there, bring your own outfits, shirts, whatever, or if don't have can use their clothing there. On the phone: bla-blah-blah...

After reading what you kind folks has to comment (especially Minnie) I am not going, and will think twice about recommending others, or should I say warn friends...

Thks folks!
Pete ; )

~ A Christian is cheap, a disciple cost you! ~

I had been a member with Grand Seasons for almost a year.
I find it very good and worth your money. Anyway, had used their services for 3 times and really find it very cheap rather that other tour agents.

Has anybody here ever heard abt Asialinx Group and/or Unified Consultants Pte Ltd? These 2 companies claim that they can rent out your timeshares. Is that true? Would like to hear your comment/experience with them.

Can say that ALL this is a stupid SCAM, just make sure that you all keep in mind that there is no FREE LUNCH in the world. If that really good, you will not see more than 1 complained on this BLOG. Just tried it by cancelling what so call reserved "FREE GIFTS" to you, and you will then see their really attitude!!!! By the way, my friends has experience this as well, so last advise is : "Think and care for yourself"

hi agatha, i have the same situation as you, the entire process was the same, jus that when I went down to cancel the contract on the 3rd day of the contract I've signed, they agreed that they will made a full refund of my deposit back to me within a mth.

I was quite worried, so I made the Senior Customer Officer, Mr. D, to sign his name and to acknowledge that I have came on the 3rd day to cancel the contract, so afraid that they might turned back and bite me. He then assure me that if they would send letter to ask me for payment in future, I can always seek legal action against them.

Anyway, same tactics as you, I have photocopied all the paper that I have signed.
Then keep a copy what the Senior Customer Officer had signed.

Was ready to seek CAD - Commercial Affairs Dept's assistance if I feel cheated.

CASE - heard quite a number of people, they say they have no use.

It will be better to get the organization that was currently investigating Sunshine Empire, to investigate on GSI.

Hi Riki, I have also cancelled the contact but they demand a 5% card fee for the payment I made. I notice that you said you got the full deposit back. Are they lying to me about the 5% card fee from the bank?

I almost made it to the list of their latest victims!!!

Luckily "Emperor" and "Delfi Orchard" sent alarms ringing when I saw the signboard when I reached their office. Did a quick google. And thank god, I googled.

I just got called from this lady called Andrea from Trend Setters (a so called advertising company) saying that she was calling on behalf on Grand Seasons. She started by telling me the list of things i just won and asked me to come down to pick it up. When i asked how she got my number, she said it was through some coupon or some online registration or lucky draw... something to that effect... she asked when i could come down and pick it up... i said ill come down today... she said that theyll be open 2moro and i could pick it up then... but theyll call me to set up an appointment.... she then asked a few questions like the ones stated in other posts... like how old/job description/maritial status and etc... thats when i got suspicious and started asking her questions... she said she worked at Delphi @ Orchard. I reconfirmed her company's name... Trend Setters... and the company she was calling on behalf off... Grand Seasons... When i asked her for her number she said i could contact her back on the number she was calling from... She then hurridely ended the conversation... I went online and search for Trend Setters and couldnt find much but TIMESHARE Scam popped out for Grand Seasons... when i dug more with regards to the phone number.. it was registered to Emperor Resorts International Pte Ltd... Is this whole thing a scam????

I'd like to ask what is the next step mista_g have done after that. Do you go down to collect your free gift? As i also received the same call from don't know what advertising company.Is it true?

Hi All. Have you heard anything about Grand Pacific Intercontinental? I have a timeshare and trying to sell them. They are asking for a coupl e of thou upfront for Search fee and etc but I am not sure. I have paid a $200 deposit and tomorrow is the 3rd day "cooling off" period. Will need to pay them full amount within 2 weeks or so before I can sell. Any advice is good.

I was a member of GSI for a very short period of time and recently just went down to terminate my membership w/in the 3 day cool off period. Talked to the Customer svc rep and was held for an hr.. He tried to presuade me and even offered me lower installments and other offers. He was very persistent on letting me stay. Good thing I stood firm and finally signed the FTA and incident report. He mentioned that w/in 1 mth, I will be receiving the 2k cheque amt which I earlier paid thru VISA. Now I am waiting for the 1 mth to see if they live up to their words...should I just wait or refer straight to CASE? but what shd I complain about for now to them?

Hello Powman,

You will definitely get your refund back. My friend had done so.

Hey honestguy*,
thanks for the assurance...that definitely made me feel better..it's been a wk ever since. I really need my money back!!! So did they mail to your fren or did he/she go down to GSI to pick up cheque?

Hi Powman.

Thay had arranged for him to pick up the cheque personally.

Hey guys..I got my cheque last saturday..Thank God it's all OVER!!!

Any more people who have signed the contract, but later get back all the money through FTA act?

F***... i just joined the member 2 mths back.... there comments really makes me feel a little freak out... i joined coz my wift tot it's quite good minus the price... ok... i'll try to use the facilities den get back to you guys k... and continue to share your bad experience esp the members... i'll like to hear from you....

Only about 20 mins ago, I received a call from GSI, and some female started talking to me, starting off with the following:
(NOTE: My hearing sucks, so make do with my version of what they said.)

Her: "Have you ever *something* any coupons from any supermarkets, stores, etc?
Me: Uh, no.

It went on from there, from the 5d/4n stay, to the vouchers and the 1 hour presentation. I agreed to meet on Sunday, and assured the lady I'll answer her call on the day before Sunday, which is tomorrow.

Then a few minutes later, I got another call from the exact same number, and ANOTHER female started talking. The thing is, she said the exact same thing, like it was a script.

Her: "Have you ever *something* any coupons from any supermarkets, stores, etc?
Me: Uh, no.
Her: Well, you've won a lucky draw by Grand Seasons Int, and...
(1 min later)
Me: Haven't we had this conversation before?
Her: (hangs up immediately)

After that, I knew something was up. It was so scripted, so false. I Googled the only words I could make out, "$588 voucher", "China tickets", and found this blog. Thank goodness I did, I nearly got scammed. o.O

I better warn my pals about this.

Timeshare:
TO be honest im an ex-staff of timeshare.
I do agree with some of you that it works and i also agree with some it doesnt.

Timeshare yes u can save money.
At the same time yes if you don't know how to use it you lose money.
Consumers should think whether they understand believe or afford it first before buying.
A sales person from TS is just doing his job. Just like yourselves if your a marketing person you would wana earn money from your prospect.
But consumers must ask themselves would they be travelling 2 times a year.
Im not talking about batam bintan or bali or malaysia..im toking about euro america and so on.
2ndly do you for sure know wat is ur travelling period in advance.
if yes then timeshare is for you.
If not..pls dont buy and later complain.

I went for the grand season international presentation. Sounded interesting but they told way more than the 60 minutes which they assure me over the phone. In the end, I told them I really need to meet a friend and leave having spent 2 hours of my time there. I roughly got the idea of what they are doing, but never need know what I was supposed to buy or join. I still got the china resort free stay, the Spa voucher and a decent looking watch.

I received a call from GSI yesterday. A guy called Vincent told me they'r new setup and if i like to go for Cruise, as their package are priced competitively. I replied him that i dun mind cruises and he started asking me some questions like my job, income, age, marital status and thereafter he thank me for my time and hung up the call.

The next day at 11am i received his call..i was still sleeping actually. He told me GSI will want to give me 3 gifts which's the China Trip and 2 other gifts I can't remember.
He say he'll be giving me a presentation about the prices and offers they've and it'll be at Delphi Orchard. I asked if this is like TimeShares, he didn't pay attention to my question and continued guaranteeing that they'll not bluffing me and the gifts are really free, the talk is just presentation and no obligations needed..

I was v.quiet and he overassure too much that it made me feel suspicious of the whole matter. So i asked him, since it's purely free he can mail the freebies over and i needn't make my way to "barter trade" my time with a presentation b4 the "prize" is awarded isn't it. I told him i'll think about it and give him a call when i'm keen.

He asked,"what time will u be calling?". It sounded pushy to me...actually from the way he talks, it's really promising no oligations, 1 hour, you've nothing to lose...these tactics reveal further on his 'desperateness' to 'lure' me to attend the talk...and i knw i'll be "dead-meat'' by then. Haha..

Politely i make my stand v.clear,"I'll call you by today if i'm interested. Thanks."
and i hung up. Thereafter i tried to search for GSI in internet yellow pages..in such simple website, GSI can't be located. I got uneasy and went into yahoo
and typed in GSI to see if there's blogs like this where i can identify my plight with others...Phew, am relieved after browsing through the encounters people have had with them and thanks for kindly sharing them! At least, i've a clearer understanding, i've not attended the talk hence i can only comment that,"there's no such thing as a free lunch." Just be careful out there folks!

0_o

I have a few pointers to share with all

1. It's not timeshare.
2. If u have the time, y not come and sit through the 1 hr talk?
After all, U will get the vouchers even if u don't purchase anything.
3. Perhaps u will save hundreds if u utilize the membership and go for frequent holidays.
But if u think u it's too expensive or skeptical of it,
be persistent and DO NOT BUY/JOIN.
Save u the hassle of trying to get your hard-earned money back if u change ur mind.
4. If they get rude if u cancel your appointment, get even. Scold them back.
It will make u feel better!

Trust me.

I agree, better get even with these rude callers.
By the way, for the benefit of those who are not in Timeshare, or already stuck in 1;
i did some research and found out of a few scam companies in SG.

some of these companies might have already closed down.
BEWARE OF:

L.G.M
Oriental Travel
E.N.C- Emperor
K.Z Travels
H.M.I
Geraway

SCAM RESALE OR TERMINATION COMPANIES:

Supreme Motivations- resale
Aztek- resale
Orion's Belt- renting
Asset Inc-

Hi All. Have you heard anything about Grand Pacific Intercontinental? I have a timeshare and trying to sell them. They are asking for a coupl e of thou upfront for Search fee and etc but I am not sure. I have paid $200 deposit and tomorrow is the 3rd day "cooling off" period. Will need to pay them full amount within 2 weeks or so before can sell. Any advice is good.

Thats a good one
-
`We even have requests from escort agencies in towns near Singapore, such as Johor Baru`

testing testing 1.. 2.. 3..

testing 1.. 2.. 3..

Hey, do all of you know which consultant gave the presentation? Rude?

Normally when i get these kind of calls i just say that i am unemployed (or a student) and i have no credit cards. They couldn't get off the phone fast enough...

I received a call from a guy sometime ago. He asked a few qns like what am I working as, what's my partner working as... Whether I find that cruises are expensive, how much we are earning etc. I asked him which company he's from and he said that he's from Lifestyle Services.

Recently I received a missed call and voice mail from someone called Janet. I check out the number and found that it's the same company. Lucky I didn't pick up, if not I'll definately give her a bad day. These people are irritating and rude!

These people are incredibly rude. When they called to confirm my attendance on the day I was to go for the talk, I said I couldn't make it cos I remembered reading about them, the guy over the phone promptly scolded me a 'motherf**ker'. How's that?

I tried to terminate the contract by going to CASE and was advised offering a $2000 as a penalty charge.
The company finally replied me like after more than half a year saying they declined the $2000 penalty charge. They will only breach the contact with a compensation fee of $7000, payable within 7 days of receiving the letter.
CASE was of not much help here. I do not wish to pay $7000 for services that I do not and won't be using.
What should I do? Fight the case in court? I dun think I stand much chance of winning. I've to bear in mind that should I lose the case, I would have to fork out the legal fees for both parties.

I was stucked in your situation before... i even engaged legal service thinking that the best way out of this SCAM program is through the law, but it fails.
I ended up paying SGD$14,000 for my lawyer.
What makes it worst, the company that i ought my timeshare from sent me a letter demanding for $$$, claiming that its a penalty fee for breaching the contract agreement.
I am so pissed.

Luckily I came across a company that assist me with this useless program.
I am now free from my timeshare program, & at the same time get my money back. the money i spent for my timeshare.

Thank you O.V.

Hi Ranjit,

How did you get out of the timeshare? Who is O.V.?

pretty sure this "kabpom" is either a staff of GSI or maybe the owner!

Obviously those "Praising" GSI are members from GSI or lackeys themselves. Look at Kabpoms posts.. totally different scenarios and background but same writing style and username

If Kabpom is really innocent he should stand out and defend himself?

Obviously not

Obviously GSI had seen the postings since last yr n decided to take action now

Yes. .the whole thing in my opinion is a scam.. a relative of mine got scammed too. Telling you one thing and giving you a different contract to sign. Esp. those illiterate or not so proficient in English must beware. The vouchers as you can see is not legitamate and all the birds of a feather flock together.

haha don't make sense leh. by reading the pattern of the way the *spy*'s posts here, its obvious that its the same pattern as their sales method lor.

- when asking potential customer to go down will be very nice, very por, then when cfm u not potential customer already, they chg attitude. so unprofessional.

- the person posted that 1 mth before that post, they juz utilized the membership and went overseas. then on another posts with the same nick, the person say he/she is ex member, cos 3 mths ago got diagnose with kidney failure. so cant travel due to dialysis 3 times a week.

harlo? don't make sense wad.

obviously same style, same attitude as the sales ppl there - not professional, even as a spy.

some of these ppl they went to be spy at proper survey companies like synov***. the last time i went synov*** to interview for surveyor, during the wk aft got a guy sms ask if i wan to do survey at orchard, with very good pay. i found out from my friend that she went to the interview at that location before, and its to *lure* ppl to go for the talk. sounds like conning so she gave it a miss. probably those spy at such mkt research company also got numbers from those lists for tele-surveys in those company. perhaps those HR ppl shld be more careful in selecting part timers.

It was about a year ago my boyfriend and I came across a young girl in Orchard asking for a survey to be done. Was so happy I scratched and won a shopping voucher and some travel package. Was led up the Delfi office for more info abt the travel package. But we had to fill in some particulars first. The personnel said the quota for the talk is full and apologise. My boyfriend told me it might be that I was still a student. I didn't belive him but later on when i asked for my voucher, they told me its for those who attended the talk. wasted our 30mins.

hey ya man i totally agree! I got a phone call, and the girl on the line said that i had won a free cruise thing. Initially i said ok i'll come down and collect, but i was busy that day and couldn't make it. They kept hounding me for DAYS. The girl would call me when i'm busy at work at least 15 times a day, a few times every hour from an anonymous number. Finally she sms-ed me, then asks me to come down and collect my freebie and i said 'no thanks i'm not interested and i'm too busy'. She begs me and says her job is a serious one and that her boss will think she's skivving at work, I prepared your free gift package already and i cannot return it, etc. But i refused. Then came the clincher:

She sms-es me: "Then why did you make the appointment with me? WHATEVER, k. Thanks SO much for wasting my time.. Thank you SO much."

Now that, is the weirdest experience of my life. Trying emotional blackmail on a customer. What is the world coming to.

Well human are human, if you think they are eating you, better eat them back. cut away all the argument. if you want it, take it. if dowan, den dun take. if you already take, den too bad, if you dun, den up to you. if cannot afford den dun buy.

simple rite? we customer wat. they give servis. we dowan, they grumble, not our problem. anyway the company pay dem to do dat. not the customer.

becos i always go for all these freebies, even free drinks and refreshments if they were to provide. but if ask me to pay, i would say no money if i dowan. dey take back gifts den take lah.

Turns out that there were two companies registered under that name. Read what the ‘Status on Register’ says about the first company name. What could have caused the first company name to be closed in status?

(bleah. hate moderation) Funny. I did check as well with the keywords ‘Grand Season’ & under status for ‘Grand Season Trading Pte Ltd’, it mentions: “Dissolved - Members’ voluntary winding up”. Rather unfair (and yes, defamatory) to link these two companies together as the implication is negative. Seriously, how did you get that result page?

- http://www.acra.gov.sg//general/directory.html
- click "Directory of Companies / Business /Limited Liability Partnerships Names "
- keyword: grand season

I say for all those who went for the talk and got persuaded to part with their money DESERVE it. If you are stupid enough to go and attend the talk despite knowing full well about these scams because you were blinded by your greed for freebies, then you shouldn't blame anyone but yourselves.

So worried now.

I attended the presentation just today by Grand Seasons International. I decided to check online on this and found the many complaints etc. I guess I have added to the number of people who were conned!? They said that the whole program was on promotion and that I just needed to pay $1500 once for a 3-year membership, where they will waive the RCI and ICE membership fees during this period. The TRIENNIAL membership which costs $9800 is an OPTION if I wanted to continue with the membership after the promotion.

If I were to sign the cancellation of the contract, will I get my $1500 back? I've already paid it! There's a statement in the terms and conditions of the purchase that says all payment made are not refundable. If I were to cancel the contract, is the $1500 considered non-refundable? Oh no! Someone advise please...

lin

I also received called from Rose last week and told me that I have been selected to receive the gifts and set appointment yesterday. I'm just curious therefore I am going.
They told me is only 1 hour, so I expect 1 hour for the presentation. In the beginning, Zaki, the consultant had nice attitute, but it was dragged very long until 2 hours plus. I was very tired therefore I told him I was very tired and pls just get to the point how much is the membership fee upon viewing all the benefits. He didn't answer my questions and kept telling other things until I fed up.
Then he called his manager, still I asked the same question how much is the membership fee. The manager wanted to go round and round again. I was very upset and I told them you promised me only 1 hour for presentation now is already 2 hours and I did'nt get my answer, if this small thing you can't deliver how I can trust the company for investing my money there. Then his manager's face changed and became very rude...oh Gosh...
Lucky, I can't walk off...

For your info or those who have not collected the vouchers. DUN have to go. The FREE makeover voucher, i went. Yes, its free, but if you dont sign up at the studio as a VIP member, you will have to delete all the photos that you took! What is this! Waste time there & they threaten! yes, i would say the whole ting is SCAM! These are only meant for the rich who also uses these, else, its reall unfair for us. Who knows, those who comment very well here, are the staff there. The makeover studio, SNAPz, staff very attitude! Once i said dont sign up, their face changed! Deleted all my photo & when i leave, did not even say bye!

I just received a call today from SNAPZ said is a free make over service and not selling anything and totally free. Initially I was agreed to go down for my appointment, after I google about this company and the comments posted here, I decided cancelled my appointment. If not dont knw what will going on tomorrow.

I totally agree! Dun have to waste time to go down for the stupid free makeover. I was there last saturday, greeted by their so called "image consultant". He started talking to me & asking me questions but after 10mins I was getting impatient so I asked him if we can start the shoot right away but he was just ignored my question & kept on talking. So when I appeared to be impatient then he said we can proceed to the studio. After he showed me around & after changing my clothes, he asked me to wait to do the make-up. While waiting he was telling me how personalised their services was, they dun serve walk-in customers, that's why everyone customers has personalised make-up artiste & image consultants. Then he said a few of their make-up artiste took leave on that day & one of them took MC that morning. The only make-up artiste & hairstylist was then doing a VIP member and I was getting impatient after waiting for 15mins so I told him in that case since you know your makeup artiste took MC in the morning then you should call & tell me to come later & not let me waste my time waiting, but he just kept quiet without further explaining. So after the photo session ended he ask me to proceed downstairs to see the pictures. After viewing the pictures he was explaining to me the kinds of special effects they could do to the pictures like removing the lines,eyebags,moles etc. He was rather inexperienced doing the special effects & I was getting impatient again cos as if I never seen this kind of photo effects before so I said ;forget it, just let me choose my 2 photos. But he ignored me & keep on fixing the photo. FInally after he finished and very pleased of himself finishing the special effect, he said he will show me more photos of what their professional designers did but I wasn't interested anymore & told him NO, just let me choose my photos. But he said "Oh, you cannot choose your photos, we will choose it for you!" I was really pissed off by then so I said what is the use of you choosing when I cannot choose what I like then in that case you can delete all my photos I dun want it! But he just ignored me & carried on choosing the photos he like. So after he chose the 2 photos, he left to take the CD & feedback form. So I wrote 'very disappointed in the services' & I know he wasn't pleased when he saw my feedback so after he copied the photos into the CD, he just passed the CD to me without putting it in a CD case. So I just took the CD & walked out. What kind of service is this!!! Is this how you do business? He told me that one of the bosses owns one of the hotels in s'pore which makes me more disappointed. Don't they know that it takes 10yrs to build up your reputation but it just takes 1day to destroy it? I was really tempted to call up the company & complain to the manager but I guess not. What if this is really the strategy of the company? Then I would be wasting my time calling. Anyway, if any of you intends to go for the free make-over, please think twice & be mentally prepared!

~ A Christian is cheap, a disciple cost you! ~

Referring to post by minnie on 3 September, 2007 - 10:03am

I had about the same experience with SNAPZ just last week. They chose two photos which I wouldn't have picked myself. No cd cover, just pass the cd to me straight. The superviosr was sarcastic when we declined to sign up.. Wow, they don't think of the long run. Now, I'll never consider their services ever.

Anyway, we were the ones being invited down for the photo shoot so I'm not gonna take it lying down. I gave them a good piece of my mind and scolded them in front of other customers.