High price of giving in to hard sell

The standard contract for a holiday club is for "five weeks luxury accommodation for up to four people at selected high quality resorts".

In one case, a couple from Cork was involved with two different companies. One day they entered into a contract with one company. After trying unsuccessfully to withdraw from the contract the next day, they were stopped again by a representative of a different company who promised to release them from the first contract if they signed a second contract with them.

At the end of their holiday, they realised they had lost two deposits and that it was unlikely they would be able to enjoy the holidays for which they had contracted.

Another couple from Carlow entered into a contract after being assured that the holiday they had won on a scratch card was "totally free". When they received the brochure weeks later, they found out that the "free holiday" was not free as they had to pay for flights for two. When they complained to the company they were told that the holiday was a "bonus holiday" and not a "free holiday".

They had also received vouchers for a cruise based on the principle of "buy one, get one free". When they tried to avail of the offer, they discovered the offer was for one person only and included just the accommodation and not the travel.

A couple from Dublin was told by an Irish representative that his mother was a member of the Holiday Club and that it was "the best decision she had ever made as she had saved a lot of money since joining". The consumers signed.

An elderly couple from Waterford found it difficult to leave the premises during a presentation on the club concept to which they had been lured as it was held in offices far from their hotel. They did not know exactly where they were or how to get back to their hotel.

They tried to leave but claim they were prevented from doing so. Once they signed the contract, a taxi was called immediately for them.