Priceless Times aka Distant Palm
Complaint 348072 Details

This company called on 3/7/16 saying that they were calling as we are eligible for a 6 day 5 night all inclusive vacation on behalf of Marriott. Since we are already a Vacation Club Member with Marriott in Newport Beach periodically we do get calls like this from Marriott or Interval. Since it was "Marriott" my husband and I decided to go for it and on a budget we agreed to $299 up front and then $166 month for the next 120 days due on the 7th.

They ask you to sign their vacation certificate to win a free airfare as that is the certificate when reading closely that says that "we are not affiliated or sponsored by any other company or airline mentioned prior to purchase. Terms and conditions may apply"

Once I saw that and they emailed me twice asking me to sign it right away (on the phone the guy said within 24 hours to win free airfare) and the gal said the same day we agreed it had to be signed. With the certificate is the authorization to charge your credit card on a separate page. This sent up a red flag in my mind. I did not sign either form as the certificate said Distant Palms Vacations and not Marriott. On the Call they also mentioned we would get a cruise and could go to Alaska or on a Disney Cruise and that all places we would stay would be 5 Star and on the Cruise we would have a balcony per my request.

I called Capitol One when I first was suspect, but decided to wait 5 days as they promised to send out the travel brochures for the various vacations (was promised 3 to use within 5 years). I tried to stay open minded until that came. I waited for the Travel Brochures and nothing came. I called the company (NOTE: 800-901-2497) and the gal who was the one who "recorded" the call on the 2nd half of the sales presentation from verification department "Monse" said that they did not send out the brochures as we had not "activated" the vacation by signing their vacation package certificate.

I told her that we had submitted a dispute through Capitol One. I asked the Capitol One gal if we should cancel our card and get a new one and she said that was not necessary as it would be harder to get the refund credited back. I thought that was a bit strange as the first guy we spoke to on 3/7 or 3/8 mentioned we could do that and I said I would call back after I see the brochures. On 3/17 I called Capitol One back to file the Dispute since nothing cam in the mail and asked if I could stop the other payments and two parties from Capitol One said that would be difficult as it has to be for an exact amount and there is no guarantee on what the company might try to re-charge. After filing I did call Distant Palms 800# and actually Monse called back which was interesting. She said that since I had not signed the certificate my vacation was not activated. It sounded to me like I had nothing to worry about. On the call I asked her for the names of the Hotels at the vacation spots and she said she could not give that out. She said I could; however, go on their website. I did that and it's all generic - pictures of beaches and palm trees - gorgeous photos of what you expect on a vacation but no photos of the hotel rooms or anything on that - just beaches and photos of idyllic spots. After 3 followup emails on 3/20 asking for a refund from Distant Palms or Priceless Times (shown on charge) they decided without my knowledge until 3/29 to take all of the funds in 2 more charges of $349 approx. and $200 - much different than the $166 they stated would be all that we would have to pay on our budget (which we thought was Marriott). The amounts were taken from 3/22 to 3/29. I received an email stating they took the final $200 on 3/29 and that our vacation was paid up but since we had not signed the certificate (authorizing everything) that there was no guarantee on the type of vacation or package that would be available for the credit.

Most legit companies would refund your initial deposit within a couple days of a call and this one decided to take more funds (which apparently includes an 18% tax from Mexico) and also a possible fee as well. Not at all what we thought we were signing up for.

This is really too bad and someone should put a stop to this organization. The email I was receiving the limited communication (no response to my emails) was (email) [email protected].
I do know they were reading the emails though which is what prompted them to take funds all at once vs. the $166 for April 7, May 7 and June 7.

We should be protected from these fraudulent companies and authorities should go in there and close their office(s).

The full information on the which may be partial address is:
RFC MVA12110750
Av Bonampak#45 PH5
CP 77500 Cancun Q. Roo Mexico
Tollfree and Fax # - 1-800-901-2497

website: distantpalmsvacations.com

The other thing the certificate says is non-refundable but transferable and don't believe they mentioned non-refundable or wasn't clear on initial call from "Marriott"

I would like a response from Scambook that someone is looking at this information which gives most of the details.

PS. The calls do appear to be local when they call in so you will answer - I do believe the first call came from my area code of 707