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Re: Dream Travel Condos anyone? (by Lou B.):

Here is an interesting one you may remember from back in 2010 - the last "Special Assessment":

"Dear Member,

As many of you know 2009 was a very challenging year, especially in the travel industry.

From the economy, to the swine flu to travel advisories, we were hit from all directions.

We at Resort Villas usually purchase our inventory 1-2 years in advance, and could not have forecasted what occurred.

Much of our inventory went unused. This put a serious strain on our financial resources, as our program unlike other vacation clubs allow members to pay only if they travel.

As our members have become accustomed to staying in higher end resorts and having availability just a click or call away, we continued business as usual.

Unfortunately, because of all the unforeseen circumstances, the club has incurred extraordinary costs, and must assess a special assessment to the members.

This is the first time in Resort Villas history (since 2001) that this has occurred.

We have made adjustments going forward, hopefully preventing this from happening again. We have purchased less inventory in the area of Mexico, and have added Aruba, and continue to look for different options.

Once again, We would like to mention that this has never happened before, and we will do everything possible for it not to happen again.

As per the provision for special assessment in the Rules & Regulations we are implementing this assessment for the benefit of ongoing member fulfillment operations and obligations.

Please submit $149.00 (US) to on or before April 14, 2010. Or Click here to pay online"

Note the statement that they purchase inventory 1 or 2 years in advance. Yet in an inquiry about availability 5-6 months in the future, I recently got this response:

"The request has been placed. Once our brokers send us what is available, I will forward you the information. This may not be right away as the winter season is still upon us and not all summer space is available as of yet."

So, they supposedly purchase "1-2 years in advance" yet they have to wait for brokers to release availability 5 months down the road?

And they "will do everything possible to prevent this from happening again"? I guess not, because here we are. So what adjustments did they make? If they have to wait for brokers to tell them what is available, when members ask - that means they DON'T pre-purchase inventory - they simply book it when the member requests it. So how do they get $580k in the hole with DreamTravel? Probably never happened. They see DT going bankrupt, and realize the perfect opportunity to milk some more money from members.

Even if that's not true, and there is no fraud here, at the very least its poor management.

Just like the government - mismanage our money, then go back to the trough to get more.