COLUMBIA (WIS) - As summer starts to wind
down you may be thinking about your favorite vacation spot, or you may have
even been offered a rock bottom deal on a club that promises future premium
vacations. However, before you sign-up for anything, the South Carolina
Department of Consumer Affairs has a heads-up for consumers.
When it comes to purchasing a membership with
a vacation buying club, the Consumer Affairs office says it's important to do
your research. Officials say an incredible deal now, may come with high
membership fees and less vacation options later.
Officials say they've received complaints
about clubs this year and often the biggest frustration for a consumer is that
they didn't realize the difference between a vacation buying club and a
timeshare. Juliana Harris with the Department of Consumer Affairs says it's
important to separate the two, "A timeshare is usually a set place and you just
get certain amounts of time in that place, whereas with the vacation buying
club the locations can change and the times can change, as well," said Harris.
So Harris says first and foremost, research
the company that is offering the deal before you make the big purchase. A
potential future discount could come with strict stipulations.
"As always, do your research, do
your research, do your research," said Harris. "It's important as consumers,
especially when you're making a pretty large purchase like this, to definitely
research the company and make sure you know what kind of company they are.
Harris also says it's best to ask lots of
questions about membership, annual and pop-up fees, as well as blackout dates.
She suggests asking if your vacation can be transferred to someone else if you
cannot make the offered vacation date so that you do not lose the vacation.
Most
importantly officials say read and re-read the contract. Once you've signed on
the dotted line, it can be hard to get out of the commitment until it expires.
The
Department of Consumer Affairs says vacation buying clubs are not regulated in
the state of South Carolina.
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