Absolute World Group’s earns a 1.8-star rating from 5 reviews, showing that the majority of property investors are dissatisfied with real estate purchases.
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rental from fractional ownership
Purchase Agreement No. [protected]
I have a cessation agreement with you that in the first 3 years of my ownership, I would not use the apartment and you would pay me the rental. Payment is due in the May of each year. Last year, after repeated emails to Chantal James I received my payment in late August.
This year, despite numerous emails I have still not received my payment, it is now the end of September. Can you please tell me when this money will be in my bank account
Carole Morris
Holiday Package
On the 30/09/2015 we attended a Thailand Expo in Bundaberg. At the expo we spoke with a couple of staff members with regard to the package & advised at the time we did not have the full funds to pay for the package. We also advised of my husbands back issues pending surgery & this could impact on the time schedule to take the holiday. We were told that the time issue would not be a problem that we could take the holiday when is suited all we had to do was phone & advise. With regard to payment we were asked to put down a deposit which we did of $700. We advised we had money owed to us so the balance would be paid when received. Money didn't arrive when it was supposed to so I contacted absolute world to ask if we could set up a payment plan to get the balance paid. I was told no that they would just change the date of the payment due. This happened a couple of times. I also met with a staff member in Bundaberg a month or 2 later & they advised that we had to have payment made within 2 weeks, however we would have a total of 4 weeks due to the timing of sending out letters. I was going to write this all down & was told that a confirmation email would be sent which did not occur. During this time my husbands back condition worsened so my only option was to cancel out of the holiday package as it would probably be at least 12 to 18 months before he would be able to travel & could I have a refund of money paid. I was told there would be no refund given even though I advised them prior to the end date for final payment of account. I understand that businesses may have a cancellation payment but $700 is rather steep. I went to the Office of Fair Trading who couldn't get anywhere either. They advised to go through QCAT again this costs money & time. I sent further emails to Absolute World asking if the money paid could be held as a deposit for a holiday in the future when my husband is able to travel, however, they did not reply to my emails. I am aware that there have been other complaints about this group. So don't get sick & not be able to travel.
Refund
Unusually, we were influenced into buying a holiday from this group. Normally, we aren't affected by any such conning tactics. This time we succumbed, and paid $3200 for a one week holiday in Thailand as a preview to their timeshare. Within a day of paying the money on our credit card, we phoned them and asked for a refund. They said they'd take it to the board of directors and get back to us. They didn't get back to us, but when we phone again, they said they'd sent us an email. They hadn't, but I rang and asked them to resend it. They sent the email saying they wouldn't give our money back. So in writing, via email, I asked for a refund as we hadn't used any of our purchase and don't intend to. They said they did not have to by Australian law.
So we contacted our credit card company, and although it took almost 6 weeks, we were refunded in full our money. So relieved and thankful to have used NAB visa card. We've found them to be very helpful on more than one occasion.
We’ve been on holiday last August’s and we were convinced to purchase a membership with them, , unfortunately our financial status been changed for some reason and when I emailed them bout canceling our purchase been told that it is not possible, in contrast of their purchase agreement the right of the purchaser to be refunded of all the payment that has been made and the return of all the goods that have been received their contact person been out of reach ! Not to professional I can say !
Is Absolute World Group Legit?
Absolute World Group earns a trustworthiness rating of 94%
Highly recommended, but caution will not hurt.
Absoluteworld.com has a valid SSL certificate, which indicates that the website is secure and trustworthy. Look for the padlock icon in the browser and the "https" prefix in the URL to confirm that the website is using SSL.
Absoluteworld.com has been deemed safe to visit, as it is protected by a cloud-based cybersecurity solution that uses the Domain Name System (DNS) to help protect networks from online threats.
Absoluteworld.com you are considering visiting, which is associated with Absolute World Group, is very old. Longevity often suggests that a website has consistently provided valuable content, products, or services over the years and has maintained a stable user base and a sustained online presence. This could be an indication of a very positive reputation.
According to our analysis, Absolute World Group appears to be offering travel services on their website. While many travel companies are legitimate, it's important to be cautious and do your research before booking a trip to ensure that you are getting a good deal and not falling victim to a scam.
However ComplaintsBoard has detected that:
- Absoluteworld.com has relatively low traffic compared to other websites, it could be due to a niche focus, but could also indicate a potential lack of traffic and popularity. The absoluteworld.com may offer a niche product or service that is only of interest to a smaller audience.
- Absolute World Group protects their ownership data, a common and legal practice. However, from our perspective, this lack of transparency can impede trust and accountability, which are essential for establishing a credible and respected business entity.
Timeshare Scam
My wife and 2 kids went to Phuket for a holiday with Absolute Vacation Club.
We were meant to be staying at a beautiful resort on a private Island.
When we arrived in Phuket there was no one at the Airport as promised, so we took a taxi at our expense.When we arrived at Absolute they said that the Island had no water and no electricity, so we had to stay in the Sea Pearl Hotel an absolute shi# hole.
We later went over to the Village Coconut Island were we was greeted in a very profession manner and saw for ourselves wat a beautiful place .
My advise to any one who has purchased with Absolute do not listen to their ### and ball story go and check the Village Coconut Island, they will treat you with the holiday of a life time so much so we took them up on there wonderful Vacation club.
Please don't go to Absolute or listen to any of there lies.
The Village Coconut Island all day all Year.
Thanks again.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
I got done years ago by this scam. If you see a Club Absolute scammer, run away!
False Information
My wife and I were in Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui, Thailand in January 2011. We were invited to lesson to the Absolute Vacation Club offer and took their tour. We were told the price of a three year membership in the vacation club would be $3, 128 and that would be the exact charge on our Visa credit card with no other fees. We stupidly signed the contract. The next day I was notified by my Visa credit card company that I had been charged $3, 309.75 with the transaction fee. I immediately went to the internet and found this website and others. I then realized that the Absolute Vacation Club was a scam. Two days later I emailed Justin Haith, contract officer for Absolute, and told him to terminate the purchase agreement and to credit back our credit card. Mr Haith emailed us the same day to state that the purchase agreement is "legal and binding and is non cancellable." We also contacted our credit card company to dispute the charge.
When we returned home we contacted our credit card company and were told by the first two customer service representatives that since we sign the contract that it was binding. After talking to the third level, and after this customer service representative did some research, we were told that Visa International allows a 14 day period during which a signed contract can be cancel without question. Our Visa account was credited the full amount.
If you have paid in cash I have learned that the Direct Sales and Direct Marketing Act (2002) Thailand allows a 7 days compulsory cooling off eriod on contracts signed in Thailand.
Don't let the Absolute Vacation Club intimmidate you. Exercise your rights.
Sponge17 - When I contacted Visa in the USA I was told both by the first person I talked with and then that person's supervisor that since the contract stated it was legal and binding and that all monies paid are non-refundable, they could not reverse the charge. I then asked to speak with some else with higher authority. This person was Diane Brown (her fax number is [protected] - I do not have her telephone number). She researched this matter futher and then found out that Visa International has a 14 day cooling off period. The charge for $3, 309.75 was then reversed. You need to speak with someone with more knowledge and authority. I cannot believe that Visa Europe's policy is different than Visa International. Keep on flighting - don't let Absolute win. I have also told Visa that they should determinate their business agreement with Absolute because this firm is giving everyone blatantly false information in order to get people to sign their contracts.
Hi Sponge17. See by comments above. I have been informed by Visa USA that Visa International has a 14 day cooling off period. My charge was reversed by Visa. This policy should also apply to you.
Yes, we received the same letter. Then I contacted Visa and eventually they reversed the charge because I was informed that Visa International has the 14 day cooling off period. At first I was told by Visa that they could not help me but after talking to individuals 2 level up from my initial contact I was informed that there was a cooling off period and then the charge was reversed. The person at Chase Visa Cardmember Service who reversed the charge was Diane Brown. I don't have her direct telephone number but her FAX number is [protected]. If I can be of further assistance just let me know.
We had bought and were very unhappy, we found an Asian company called iVacAsia.com and they helped us sell it in 45 days, thank god we found them. Hope this helps someone.
Same thing happened today - pressure selling methods £6500 for 10 year offered 12 month payment plan offered. Wouldn't trust these guys as far as could kick them. Plenty of promises but a scant contract weighted in their favor. The irritation on their faces when we said "we're out, your contract sucks" was priceless. I'll book my own trips thank you very much!
Hi,
I recently learned from my parents that they were lured into this scam while in holiday in koh Samui well over a year ago for - to my shock and horror, not the $3000 ish that I'm mostly hearing about here but the FULL AMOUNT. For a lifetime membership.
This makes me sick. They are both really honest, hard working, good hearted people and on their holiday of a lifetime. Granted they are absolutely gullible, they really didn't deserve this. No one does. And the fact that they paid the full amount doesn't mean they have the money for it either. They found themselves in this truly beautiful place having a nice break from all their hard work and someone promised them they could have a break like this each and every year. So they dug into their life savings, the money they were meant to retire on and made a horrible mistake.
Some of the comments here about people being stupid and not deserving their money back are really heartless. They didn't go buy a dress, get home and try it on then just decide they didn't like it (which would be considered totally fine btw) - they bought a bargain of a dress, got home, and found their shopping bag empty. If I had to take a side with naive or evil, I would go with naive every time.
Now, I want to do something to help them get out of this. We are in Australia, so if anyone has any advice on what we can do from here - if we go see a lawyer what do we need etc, I would appreciate ANY help or advice.
They are currently being harassed to pay their maintenance amount, which I'm desperately trying to convince them not to, but they seem to have resigned to the fact that they lost their huge initial 'investment' and should keep paying up in order to at least get a free holiday or two.
My worry isn't so much the $180 maintenance (though I don't want to see these ### take another cent from them) but more that if they pay and do go on a free holiday at some horrible place they offer them that they will forfeit any little chance they have left at suing these people. As they will have technically 'delivered' on their end of the deal.
Any advice is really appreciated TIA
KylieMav - it's a bluff, we filed an official complaint with the police while still in Koh Samui and they told us they receive many complaints about Absolute Destinations. The popular wisdom supports the theory that shady businesses like this bunch simply pay off local authorities to turn a blind eye to their scam. No one has been sued for breaking their contract in any country, do not sign a silence agreement with Absolute if they offer a refund in exchange. Buying silence is their next go to tactic.
We have just been caught up in this scam too. We have only lost $250 and i have cancelled my card but after reading all these complaints we marched straight into the Koh Samui office and were basically told not being a thai local means no cooling off period and that is why they dont sell to Thai people. We were also told under thai government they do not need to provide a cooling off period and to not bring in the police as they would all be against us and support the Absolute Destinations company. I felt intimidated by this as we were then told that its like "if you hit someone and kill them while drunk on a motorbike everywhere else in the world you are guilty.. here you pay money and it all disappears" which lead me to believe they pay off the police. We were given a letter by Justin to take to our solicitor when we return to AUS and have 14 days to review the agreement, i our solicitor finds a flaw only then can we cancel and get our refund.. if not we are stuck with this stupid scam. Has anyone actually been sued as I have read on other sites complaining about this scam that they legally cannot sue? I have no intentions of paying as I refuse to lose any more money so I was just curious if anyone has infact been sued or is it all just a bluff to scare monger you into paying up?
@geraldusa: we signed up last week when we were in koh samui and i have already contacted capital one visa given the info you provided ( thanks so much for it!) they put me through to a supervisor immediately and he was very aware of the law that applies, BUT he said it only applies to timeshares and this may technically not be a timeshare. how did your contact person at chase visa handle this stipulation? i am worried they may not give me my money back based on that which is frustrating. please let me know as soon as you can. thanks!
please help! we are honest people and got sucked into Absolute world whilst on holidays in phuket, we are into our 2nd month of payments. Call me easily lead. How do we get out of this? we were not told of any cooling off periods whilst in thailand. please help
Just returned from Koh Samui and was approached by 5 Absolute touts our first morning along Chaweng Beach Road and another 3 times the next day! Politely brushed them off until the last, more persistent guy responded to our statement that "You guys got us last year and we don't have 6 hours to waste on a timeshare presentation" with, "But think of the savings you would be enjoying if only you had become members last year!" Suffice it to say he beat a hasty retreat when I clarified for him that we had not simply been suckered into the excruciatingly long presentation but had fallen for the litany of lies and purchased a membership. I sincerely hope more folks realize their intimidation tactics are only that and realize that you don't even need a lawyer to achieve a refund. File a dispute with your credit card company or appeal to your bank for assistance, but, whatever you do, DO NOT throw good money after bad in the false hope of recouping your losses. It's an elaborate con game and you will not beat these sharks at their own game if you follow by their rules...Best luck to you all!
Hello all,
I'm a russian speaking tourist from Kazakhstan, who had unhappy, but fortunately not long, experience with this scam scheme, which btw is getting more and more recognition among russian speaking people, 'cause these Absolute guys are mainly dealing with Russians. But obviously sometimes they caught european and american tourists too. There are a lot of discussions in russian segment of internet. The short summary would be - if you by unlucky chance managed to sign any contract with them and didn't able to cancel it and get your money back (as described above), then the only way to minimize your losses is to stop using their service as soon as possible despite the money already paid. On the later stages your losses would be much higher.
If you purchased so called a trial contract, which is usually for 1 year, and went for your prepaid vacation, Absolute will be considering you as the second chance prey. They will provide the best available accommodation for you, and will put the maximum pressure to persuade you to upgrade your current certificate. That's the benchmark. Please stop here. Don't give them a penny. Because as soon as you upgrade, you've swallowed the bait. Next time they will use thousands of tricks to get you upgraded again and again. They even will be blackmailing you, that if you don't upgrade you will lose your current status which would mean losing all the money already paid. So, the only way is to stop where you are.
This is a scam!
they take your money offering flexible any easy holidays and have no intention off ever furfilling your reservation . Not once since 2008 has there been any availability in any of my holiday request to any of my destinations I have requested. I don't know how you people can sleep at night ripping people off the way you do.
I have voiced my concern several time about incorrect advertising false claims also wanting a refund for not providing the product and services that were paid for but do you think anyone from absolute wants to talk to me! No they don't!
Beware this is a scam.
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