Club member who feels ripped off seeks a way out of contract

I HAVE been struggling to get out of a contract with Vacation Recreation Services and Multi-Destination Club for a year now, as they are refusing to cancel the agreement and have handed me over to a legal team that is threatening me with summons.

The truth is that, in the first year, I did not have enough points for any holiday, despite paying about R800 per month (R9 600). By year two, I managed to finally book a holiday but not in my preferred location and the holiday was in August, when I would have preferred it to have been in December. By then, I had paid in excess of R16 000 and yet the same self-catering lodges would have cost no more that R6 000 for a week’s holiday if I booked directly.

I then decided to cancel the contract and they refused. I have taken the case to the National Consumer Commission, but it has not responded in more than 12 months, despite assuring me they would investigate further.

I would appreciate pointers to a good lawyer or a way out as I am prepared to go all the way to the Constitutional Court to stop this unethical practice – selling services that are not readily available, charging exorbitant fees, forcing contracts on customers who want out and misleading consumers that they have won a prize, only to spring on them a timeshare sale.

Georgie: The National Consumer Commission starts its public consultations on timeshare next month. Watch this space.