Question about contest at E Travel & Tours

[Belle0101]

My friend got a call tonight that she had won their contest that she had entered in November. The rep. told her the prize was 3 nights each at 3 different hotels in the Orlando area and a rental car for 9 days. Sounds great and I was pretty happy for her until she started mentioning more details. It's sponsored by Universal and Alamo, airfare is not included, no theme park tickets or meals are included. She has to pay the hotel room taxes and I think she also said the car rental taxes. They told her that by Florida law they are not allowed to pay that. Now, they also encouraged her to attend one 90 minute timeshare presentation at each of the 3 hotels. If she does, they'll give her special gold theme park tickets. It's for 2 people however, she can invite 2 other people at a cost of $198.

I have never won anything in my life so I don't have much experience but this sounds fishy to me. Any opinions? She invited us with her but I hate to get taken or see her get taken.

Thanks!

 

[FoodLover]

I really think it's a scam... they are trying to sell timeshares.

As someone who has actually run a national sweepstakes, I can tell you that the winners are responsible to pay any federal income taxes on their winnings, but there would be no hotel or rental car taxes because the prizes are donated! You don't charge tax on something that costs zero!

Also, it's supposedly sponsored by Universal, yet there are no theme park tickets included? Right.

It all sounds beyond fishy. I would run fast the other direction.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[Belle0101]

Mary, thanks again! You've been a wealth of information for me today and I really appreciate it.

I hate to call her and tell her she's getting involved in a scam since she was so excited but I as a friend, I owe it to her. She said they are sending her all the info and when she gets it I think I'll look it over for her very carefully. I'll also tell her what you said.

The tax thing is what got me too. Not to mention that she could invite friends for extra money. And you're right, if Universal is a sponsor what exactly is their role if they aren't giving tickets? I mean, all of that just doesn't sound normal.


Fishy fishy fishy ...

 

[buzz2400]

She is being scammed. Make sure she does not give out her credit card number or send them any money. When you really win something, it is free. You should not have to pay a cent. I got a call from someone at KMart saying I won these vouchers for free things at the food store for being such a good customer. He went on and on and then said I had to pay $5 for UPS charges to they could send me the vouchers. I told him I would not and hung up. The next day he called again asking for me and spoke to my mother. He went through the same sales pitch. He would not give her a phone number where I could reach him. He then called again the next night and I talked to him (it was the same guy-I knew because he had a very distinct accent). I told him he called two times already and I told him I was not interested. I then asked him for the company's name and address and he hung up on me.

Bottom line-If you "win" something and they tell you you have to pay, walk away.