I’ve got Scammed. Am I again?
Leah (my wife) got too worried today as she followed up about our free 4 days/3 nights at Crown Regency package from Club Ultima. We paid a reservation fee of Php 5,000 last weekend, with a confirmation from them that we will have it back when we check out. The thing is, they have not issued us a receipt yet because they said it’s still for processing and it will be delivered to my office on Monday. Now it’s Tuesday and nobody answers their phone.
Earlier this morning, Leah got a text message from her mom saying that it might only be a 1 day stay and the Php 5,000 is actually a payment for that. Leah called me up and she sounded worried about it. Much more when she realized that we still don’t have the receipt of the payment we made. Right after she got to her office, she consulted Google about it and learned about Noemi‘s and JayDJ‘s posts. I also read about it and will keep hushing Leah for the meantime while there’s still no confirmation.
I have another story, and if you’re interested to know, just continue…
The Danvil (f.k.a Family First) Scam
Another scam I learned from Noemi is the scam about pre-plans involving the Family First, now known as Danvil. This brings back the worst experience I had with them. I thought I’m over it. But I think I’m still not. Should I still seek justice? Keep on reading if you wanna know the story. The close (x) button is just right there, free for you to click when you get bored.
It was the last quarter 2003, I just got my first job, I was new to the city, I got my first credit card, it was my first gimmick at SM Megamall, and I was suppose to have my first Smart Gold plan. Oh, I also just got my first salmonella and was totally ill that time.
I went to SM Megamall for the Smart Gold plan, but because my credit card is still unused at the time, my application was denied. So I just called up my colleagues to meet me up and have dinner together. Around 4:30 PM, they came, and while we were walking, someone approached me and asked me if I already have a credit card. I thought he’s going to offer me another, but instead told me he’s gonna give me 4 SM Cinema tickets of any movie I like, so I can treat my friends. My friends also got no idea about it so all of us went along with the scammer. Right after we got to the office, we were offered cold iced tea, and we were actually excited. My friends got no credit cards so I was the only one to experience what they call, “The Pressure Talking”. (No idea yet at that time.) So I told my friends to go and I’ll just meet them after.
The DEMONstration started, I listened, and declined their offer in the end. Or maybe at the start? But they won’t allow me to leave. They kept asking me what stops me. I said I have no money for that, it just didn’t work. They even told me that they have a policy holder who is just outside the mall selling cigarettes, and she can afford the plan. They offered me the lowest package but still I kept on declining. I was introduced to another interrogator who seem to have more hypnotic power.
An hour have passed and I was still imprisoned on that hell. There were also a lot of other victims, who they applaud to whenever they signed a deal. The interrogation about my financial capability went on, the clock kept ticking, and my friends got stoned waiting for me. They left. Another 2 hours passed and they asked for my credit card. I said I’m not sure it’s already activated because I have just been denied for a Smart Gold plan, but I still handed it to them. I have not signed on anything at that moment because I was firm that I’m not interested. A guy said he’s going to confirm if it’s activated and swiped it on. And… Tada! Php 2,600.00 was deducted. OMFG! Should I get wild already?
The guy said I can still reimburse that amount as long as I don’n sign to anything. Then alright, I’m not signing. He kept asking if that’s my final decision, I kept on saying YES. But then again, he called another person to interrogate me and convince me to just sign. It was 9:30PM, and they finally succeeded. I signed, just so I can get out of that place. They announced my name on a microphone, and applause came after. 2 months more, I decided to stop paying and cancel my package, but I did not get anything back.
After that, a couple of interrogations from other scammers including the vacation package and several over the phone interrogations followed, but I already learned. Never get scammed again. Though it looks like we’re about to… What will happen to our planned Trip to Cebu?
Hi,
I have used up the same voucher that you were availing in Club Ultima for Cebu last year. The said 5000 pesos was indeed returned to us at the hotel upon check out. Try calling them in the afternoon instead of morning. They have an office in Makati I just dont know the exact address. Hope this helps.
That’s right. We we’re able to get the refund right on the minute we checked-out. It’s just so kind of them.
thanks for reading and linking to my post.
I’ve heard of some good stories about others availing of the offer and gift certificate. Whether legit or not, I’m not happy about the non-transparency of their entire business, from the initial phone call with limited details, to the presentation at their office which nobody would have an idea of until they get there, and the 5K deposit. I’m not keen on shelling out money especially if you’ve won something and don’t know much about it. They don’t even offer flyers or brochures about the entire thing. No DTI permits and the like. When you ask about it, they seem reluctant and even evasive which makes you wonder if all this is a scam or not.
For those who had a positive experience, good for you. Personally, if I don’t have a good feeling about it, I won’t go through it, even if it’s a tempting offer.
Be safe everyone.
That’s right. Safety first. They say there’s no harm in trying but for this one, it’s time wasting. I actually found it suspicious so I endlessly confirmed about everything I want to know about the free stay, deposit and reimbursement until we finally take the offer.
And when we were already at the hotel for 2 days, we still get confirmation from the hotel about the reimbursement. And we’re just lucky we had everything as expected. It’s enjoying.
welcome to philipine
keep ur receipt next time
and all ways ask for it..
if they dont give u receip than call the dti…for talk to mr king….
First of all, Club Ultima never had a tie up with any resort in Jakarta Indonesia. None now, none before so it is impossible for the company to have offered Jakarta in lieu of Malaysia. Second, all the tie up agreements with the hotels in Malaysia are still existing and there is no hotel whose tie up is no longer in ever since they entered into an agreement with Club Ultima. Third, China is not included in the issuance of gift certificate.
The 5k refundable booking fee is required to make sure that the guest is committed to push thru with the reservation since the hotel is giving up free hotel accommodations. This is being refunded upon check out at the front office of the Crown Regency Hotel or at the membership or sales office if the vacation is done outside the country. I wonder why the 5k being refunded was not mentioned.
It is also not true that the blogger has “forgotten about the investment” since she has made use of the membership twice this year, one in Cebu and one in Boracay. How convenient for her not to mention using the membership.
Club Ultima members who joined 2007 onwards can sell their membership 2 years after full payment. In other club memberships (i.e. sports clubs), this is called the holding period. The blogger is not yet fully paid with the membership, therefore still cannot sell it. She also cannot refund her payments as what she initially demanded. No self respecting company will refund payments to someone for something that has already been used or availed of. Club Ultima has, however, has allowed her to let someone else assume the membership for her for a fee and she agreed to this. She has in fact endorsed somebody for the company to contact and explain the membership to, which was speedily done. This person is already willing to assume the membership. In fact, she only had one question: if this membership is up to date with the payments to which the company said yes. The company has also already agreed to the manner of payment to the balance. The assumptee informed Club Ultima that she will just dicuss everything else with the blogger. The blogger is informed regarding this and everything is documented. Club Ultima’s only requirement for this to push thru is the letter that will be forwarded to the company regarding the assumption should bear the signature of her husband who is the principal member and authorized signatory of the membership. The company has not heard from her since this was raised. The company has also delayed calling the husband since it is not known if he is aware of this transaction, the company does not want to create trouble between them.
My husband and I was so disappointed because when we were about to book the free voucher they have various reasons to refuse the booking. They gave us alibis such as they are fully booked, they don’t entertain booking beyond 5 PM (LOUSY ALIBI!!!!) aside from the fact that they don’t answer the phone. You have to relentlessly redial their numbers before someone answers the phone only to know that they will refuse your booking.
Do not give in to this scam just avail the free buffet. Say “NO” to their baits.