Abysmal customer service

YOUR report on Simon Mahla and Vacation Recreation Services and Multi Destination Club refers.

We had similar experience of accommodation not always available where and when we needed it, and refusal to cancel the contract with The Holiday Club.

At first, we tried to sell our points back and was referred to their marketer, paid an amount but without success.

To cancel the contract, we then requested a copy of our purchasing agreement from HC.

Instead of a contract, we received a telephone call and were promised that the contract would be cancelled.

The caller refused to give his name and we got nothing in writing, but it seems to be the end of a (costly) and protracted story and the violation of many sections of the Consumer Protection Act.

According to postings on the internet, there are several group actions under way to obtain a Consumer Commission’s ruling regarding timeshare practices, due to the awareness created by your column, mobilising timeshare owners.

The pending hearings of the National Consumer Commission and the severe penalties they can impose, should influence club administrators to prudently resolve issues beforehand.

Keep up the good cause. Hein van der Walt