Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/27/2023

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I was called last week to attend a Travel expo 45 minutes from my house on a weekday late afternoon. I was promised airfare for 2 for $1000 and hotel stay for 3days and 2 nights at ******, *****, ******** hotels. The Travel Expo had my wife and I and another couple. It was fast but then was extended by personliseed meeting with the other couple and then going back and forth. The entire episode lasted about 90 minutes. It was offered to us for 7995 and in a minute were given multiple incentives and price cut to 4995. No doc fee or annual fee(another $600) cut off. In the personal meeting it was brought down to 1995 for 5 years. I looked at some reviews as the sales person was speaking to the other couples and figured it was a scam. I told them that I was not interested and was escorted out and quickly given vouchers that needed to be activated in just over 3 weeks. I thought that is fair. But, when I went to activate it, found it to be a third-party website, rewards, and **********.com. They asked me $50 for the processing fee even before giving me the actual option to pick. I realized that this was a SCAM as well. The next voucher for $100 for restaurant cash seemed like it was another scam needing $9.95 as a processing fee and then they would give me 4X $25 cash discount vouchers over 4 months. It was crazy. I could read into the clues and the reviews helped. I feel sorry for the people that get reeled into these scams and lose 1000s of dollars.

  Business Response

  Date: 10/03/2023

  Thank you for contacting us regarding the complaint submitted by ***************************** and giving us the opportunity to respond on behalf of Apollo Adventures. **************** begins “I was called last week…” this is a bit misleading. Our business model is to send invitations via the United States Post Office, that requires the receiver to make an appointment to attend a presentation. This is an invitation only presentation and we keep detailed records of every one of our attendees. The ******’s name is not in any of our manifests, perhaps this wasn’t the name on the reservation, so I cannot confirm or deny that the ******* attended without more detailed information. I can verify that the incentive voucher given to attend is not a “scam”. Creative Marketing Incentives (CMI) is a legitimate, government regulated business that provides high value incentives to generate leads. There is a legally required disclaimer on every invitation explaining “Certain restrictions, taxes and fees apply (see attachment).
  
  **************** used the term “scam” numerous times. Scam is defined by *******'s dictionary as "a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation". Although we recognize that everyone’s lifestyle isn’t a good fit for personal travel concierge services, Apollo Adventures specializes in filling, suites, condos, one-of-a- kind residences, and cruise itineraries at deeply discounted prices, spaces that would otherwise sit empty. Apollo Adventures Apollo Adventures Inc. provides the necessary materials, website training and licensing to access one of the Nation’s largest “members Only” travel companies with 13+ years of business experience and 300,000 members strong with offices in North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia.  

  The selling practices used during the presentation are also standard in many industries. Our sales team wants to make the maximum commissions to feed their families. The premium membership is a lifetime membership with unlimited weeks that are transferable, saleable, and free to up to 4 additional family members. In order to close a deal, the sales team has the discrepancy to reduce the benefits, thus also reducing the cost, allowing equal opportunity for everyone's budget. Apollo Adventures provides a service in which tens of thousands of people find value because the travel lifestyle is a priority, and they take advantage of deals that save up to 60% off retail prices. Since **************** never purchased a membership, he has little basis on which to judge our marketing and selling products as a scam.
  
  Respectfully,
  Apollo Adventures Inc. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/04/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: their very first comment is that they send information via MAil.  I have recording of the person calling and leaving me a message to attend the event. Also them not having my name in their presentation is an error on their part or may even be a way to hide things.  They probably have a good team of writers that can make the complaint look small or false.
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/18/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  We have been unable to log on to our Apollo site several times. At least once, we were able to call though to them and were able to get on their site. But several times, we have been unable to get through to the site at all. Not only is their site unavailable to us, but their phone number says no longer in service. As a result, we have had to make other travel arrangements at least a half dozen times.We would like to have Apollo cancel our service for a refund of the remaining years of service that we have paid for.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/24/2023

  Hi *******,

  We are sorry to hear about ************************* experience and were completely unaware of any issues. To my knowledge our phone number has not changed since they purchased their membership in January of 2019 and our physical address has definitely not changed. We've been in the same location for over a decade. Since it has been more than 4 1/2 years, in order to resolve this properly **************** should provide a copy of their original contract via email to [email protected] or they can mail a hard copy to my attention, ************************* Apollo Adventures, ************************* West Pittston, **  ***** so we can determine which contact information is not working, and any renewal dates or fees which may impact their ability to access services. I will do everything within my power to resolve this issue if the ******* are members in good standing. 

  **** and ************************* attended a travel presentation on January 19, 2019 (see attachment A1). If you look at the Sales notes you will see that their membership was activated and their web training was completed. There are also notes to demonstrate that they were able to utilize our services. After the first year, all membership renewal fees go directly to the fulfillment company for continued concierge services, so Apollo Adventures has not collected any fees from the ******* since they signed their contract in January of 2019. **** and ************************* also attended another one of our presentations in July (see attachment B1). The marketing notes show that the ******* were already members and had no complaints at that time. This is far past our cancellation policy. Our Membership Purchase Agreement stipulates a 3 day rescission period from the day the contract is signed. 

  Our membership cancellation policy is typically outlined in CAPITALIZED AND BOLD type directly above the signature line of the contract on the Membership Purchase Agreement. Just above the cancellation clause is usually a paragraph that states the purchasers acknowledge and agree to all terms and conditions and have read all paragraphs/addendums, exhibits, schedules.  A sales agent went over the Agreement with them and was prepared to answer any questions they may have asked when they attended the presentation. There are numerous ways the ******* could have notified us of their difficulties with the website. A simple ****** search brings up our website, ApolloAdventures.net where anyone can send us a message that can be returned in a timely manner. 
  
  Apollo Adventures Inc. honored the Agreement dated January 19, 2019 and provided Travel Club Membership along with the necessary materials, website training and licensing to utilize the Travel Club. If their contract was kept up to date, we can assure that their fulfillment company recognizes **** and ******************************* as members in good standing along with thousands of other satisfied members. Please let me know if there is any additional information you need. I look forward to helping the ******* resolve this matter. 

  Thank you,

  *************************, Ph.D.

  Apollo Adventures