“Freedom Escapes” spam / scam
[edited 19 July 2007 - ok, not a scam afterall - see comments]
[edited 3 July 2008 - not sure if it isn't a scam. Could be. Who knows. Still bloody annoying for sure. One year on, after telling them to remove my number from their list, I just received ANOTHER call!!!]
Just got an international call from some company called “Freedom Escapes” telling me I have been selected to give them money for some holiday package.
A quick search on Google seem to indicate that this may be a scam as well as spam.
They were very insistent that “Freedom Escapes” is an NSW registered company. A search on ASIC shows four entries - one Pty Ltd company and 3 business names.
Idiots…
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[...] “Freedom Escapes” spam / scam By Zern A quick search on Google seem to indicate that this may be a scam as well as spam. They were very insistent that “Freedom Escapes” is an NSW registered company. A search on ASIC shows four entries - one Pty Ltd company and 3 business … eicolab: creative strategies… - eicolab.com.au/blog [...]
Hi! this is one of the directors of freedom escapes pty ltd. FYI we are not a “scam”. We have over 50,000 customers in Australia and New Zealand enjoying our promotional accommodation stays and great internet rates on hotels worldwide with some great last minute rates as well… A word to the wise, its easy to jump to conclusions if you are predisposed to doing so. Check out our site and save on accommodation if you like! cheers.
OMG they wrote back, they exist!
Not knowing them from a bar of soap at the first encounter - ie that unsolicited phone call which oddly kept stressing they are a registered NSW company and that I have been “specially chosen” etc - is it any wonder that the impression was “oh poo, not another spam call”? How would most people have reasonably be expected to respond to that?
And the subsequent Google search to find out if they are real flagged up (unfortunately for them) a series of scam entries. Incidentally the company’s website is here http://www.freedomescapes.com.au
Thier website looks like a legitimate travel company. But their action instilled the doubt. In an age where legitimate looking websites and brochures are very easy to make, actions count more. I would not spend money with some stranger who interrupts me at home to push me something. There are plenty of alternatives out there.
And no, I don’t think it’s a scam afterall. Just another dreadful marketing doo doo.
[...] my previous post and comments on this annoying phone [...]
These bastards have harassed me at least 3 times in the past week, despite me constantly telling them I wasn’t interested, the third time was the quickest call yet, I just told them to fsck off. After doing a quick search I found this on their website in the FAQ section:
The hotel I called does not know about the promotion?
Management and staff change at hotels. If the hotel is listed on our site they are participating in the offer. Please call us and we will liase with them directly on your behalf. Remember, these offers are only available via freedom escapes, so if you are planning to purchase a promotional pack we advise you do not call the hotel first as obviously hotel staff will not be versed in the details of our promotional offers. A consultant will be happy to talk to you on #### ### ###.
That one paragraph just screams scam.
Hi,
This is an employee of Freedom Escapes. I would like to respond to the previous post to put everyones mind at rest. I’m unsure why Tekgno thinks that the paragraph on our website that has been copied above denotes that it is a scam.
We have put that instruction on our website simply at the request of hotels. We find that some customers upon receiving a call from us call the hotels to ask for further details. Of course it is not really fair that the hotel staff are doing our customer service for us - that is why we are trying to direct people to us for those calls.
There is also the situation where a new employee is unaware of the promotions that a hotel offers. This does happen especially since the hotel industry has such a high turnover of staff. In this case we are trying to explain that if this ever occurs we will handle the booking with the management or the head office of the hotel. We do hundreds of bookings for happy customers each month saving them lots of money on their accommodation.
If anyone has any further comments or questions or would just like a great deal on accommodation I invite them to call us on 1300 780 811 or visit our office. The address for which can be found at our website http://www.freedomescapes.com.au
Was contacted three times this week by an Indian woman claiming to be ‘Jessica Williams’ from FreedomEscapes. Phone had a delay that sounded like it was being routed via the moon, but she claimed that she was ringing from Bondi Junction. Offered the standard fare, and told repeatedly to check out the website (because those can never be faked) and that they have an ABN. When I said that I wanted to research the offer first before giving my credit card details, I was told that the companies sales department could not be contacted from outside the office, and that this was a one time phone offer (I should be so lucky!)
WHOIS reveals that the freedomEscapes domain name is registered to Advantis Pty Ltd, a company that went into liquidation in Sep 2004 unable to pay its creditors. One month later the same company set up FreedomEscapes, which they are now trying to offload (see:
http://australian.businessesforsale.com/australian/High-Cash-Flow-Direct-Marketing-Business-For-Sale.aspx)
Note that (according to their for-sale website) they only have 4 employees (Lance Martin, Jessica Williams, Iain from above, and one other) Gee they must be kept busy what with 50,000 customers…
Sorry FreedomEscapes but if your direct marketing makes it sound like a duck, and your website looks like a duck…
…don’t blame us if we think your quakers!
2 phone calls in 2 days. Lucky me to be “selected” so often - maybe I should buy a lottery ticket and see if my “luck” holds out. It must have been Jessica’s husband who called me - Mohatma Williams from Mumbai St Bondi Junction.
REALLLLYYYYY !!!!!
I’ve also received this scam - twice. The first time, a couple of months ago, I didn’t let them get to the spiel of their scam, but this time I was at work and was not in a position to tell them to get lost. I kept saying to “Jenny” that I wasn’t interested and was not prepared to pay any money until they sent me documentation. As a result, and I should have hung up, I was directed to their supervisor, who did a really aggressive sell, which came across as rude, and in some instances I felt like I was being yelled at. I called him for it, there was no apology, just simply the spiel again and again. Based on my quick research, there is NO way I will provide any further details. I also didn’t feel comfortable with such a forceful sell, and as per the other comments above - I know how easy it is to get an ABN and setup a website with a legitimate sounding domain name. Time to get on the Do Not Call Register.
I had another call from Freedom Escapes today. Someone called “Kevin”. Same shit. They are just a pest.
In way this IS a scam - they keep calling and calling and calling and someone must give in at some stage.
This sort of business practice is utterly deplorable. Obviously the owners of the business have no problems with strangers calling their elderly relatives to goad them in to buying something they don’t need.
Oie u know wat , i initially thought this was a scam , but after i got a package (after giving my credit card details) , found out that I GOT WAT I WAS PROMISED , they are a very legitimate company .,.,., so people i would only advice you to take up this package (I actually ended up saving $1700) on my holiday this time
Hi guys
This still smells bad to me. I rang the two hotels in Noosa that was on their list. Both of them denied any knowledge of voucher or deals for freedom escape and alerted management that this scam ncluded their hotel. Reception and on site management catorgorically denied any knowledge of vouchers that promised free acoomodation if you bought meals from their restaurants. The one hotel laughed because they didnt have a restaurant attached to their hotel. The management of these two hotels are taking this scam seriously and strongly advised me not to give freedom escapes any money.
Guess what….I just paid for this accomodation deal $109..what a fool. I am researching after the fact. I called my credit card company and asked to cancel my card they said freedom escapes can still take the money becauseI gave them my details….I usually check these things out thouroughly I feel like an idiot!!!!!!!!!
I have purchased an accomodation voucher on the phone b4 which was legit I guess this was my downfall!
Kevin phoned tonight. Deal sounded awesome, but did a search afterwards and read this list. Card now cancelled.
Just got a call from a indian sounding guy named steven, he insisted they were legit and told me that their address was 79 oxford st Bondi junction, smell a rat now given that is a different address to what sue said above. No company can make money letting out rooms for 7 nights at $99
OMG Looks like i fell for the scam too!!!! I bought 7 vouchers for $99 in the end as i was pushed into the sale after talking on the phone to an indian sounding telemarketer for hours, literally, where i said i wasn’t comfortable with the legitimacy of the whole thing. As was stated above i then spoke to the supervisor whom was much more pushy, it was a real nightmare. I paid the money in the end, have my vouchers now and am wondering whether i can actually use these things. I will book and use them in a few weeks and let you guys know if it turns out a nightmare or not. If it IS a nightmare, these guys won’t hear the last of me.
My single mum daughter was harrassed, didnt know to hang up, bought a $99 pack to escape the persistent Asain caller, believing she could go to Daydream Is for seven nights if she only paid for meals. She couldn’t afford to use any one of these vouchers even if they were genuine. Have sent them back, but have scant hope of refund. Consumer Affairs will get a copy too.
Silly me paid $199.00 for a 2 Year deal to
“dine and stay FREE accomodation”….. BUT when trying to book today nobody in sales or Pacific Escape club have ever heard of such a “deal”.
This is an absolute outrage, was just on the phone to the apparent manager Ian and was rudely hung up on because he had a meeting to attend to, apparently he said he ‘will not’ give me a refund, even though it was on a case by case basis and he actually could. I would like everyone who has had the same problem as me in not getting a refund and those who have been given deceptive or misleading information in the purchase stage of buying these vouchers to post their details up here as i am planning to take this action further. This sort of conduct is not acceptable and the public should know about this company, i will make sure that the media is involved - just let me know what your details are and email them to suuup@hotmail.com. Thanks guys xxox
Hi , i initially thought this was a scam , but after i got a package (after giving my credit card details) , found out that I GOT WAT I WAS PROMISED , they are a very legitimate company .,.,., so people i would only advice you to take up this package (I actually ended up saving $1700) on my holiday this time
i’m still fuming. Normally I’m very careful.Ear bashings do work with some people in the end.The company is a total fraud from beginning to end. They lie.Missrepresent the facts. Prices.etc.Checked up too late.I,m all for a group action to try to expose their fraud and stop others falling into the same trap.Fume fume.THANKS for listening.
Its a scam with a twist. I have just been pestered by these people, so I went through the motions and then rang one of the hotels direct. (Even though I was specifically told not to) They seem to have a legit deal with SOME of these hotels in that the hotels have signed up for a 2 for 1 deal. The only deal that the hotel that I rang (which was an International chain) had with Freedom Escapes was pay full price one night and get the 2nd night free. We are talking $400 a night hotels here.
These scammers are then pushing this 7 night $99 thing providing you have dinner and breakfast there. This is NOT correct. These hotels do not and will not do these deals. If you arrive there expecting a room you are going to get a very big shock.They guide you step by step through their website and it looks like a great deal…until you go back and try it again yourself and come up with blank pages where a hotel should be.
Basically its a scam within a legit operation!! BUYER BEWARE…
[...] using ealier and it was deregistered! (Being canceled) He managed to find a forum regarding some scams from this Freedom Escape company on the internet, the promotion they were discussing in the forum are exactly like [...]
I have brought a package and Sandy (who posted above) said there were no hotels under $400 a night on the buy one get one free deal… well, I was surprised; most of them are actually rather affordable and all of the hotels I called to check, verified the deal… Looks like it all checks out fine to me. Some 3 stars are even under $100 for the first night…
Who can you believe so many conflicting stories! The one’s who say they received the package must be the scammers
These people have been ringing 3-4 times a day. When I answer they hang up. Many times I have to run from outside!! Seems “Charmaine” only wants to talk to the woman of the house, but the constant phone hang ups are driving us crazy.
SCAM!!!!!!!!!
OMG I had no idea this post would generate so many comments!
It is sad to hear from so many people who felt they have been scammed by this company.
Here’s a Western Australia government site with some very useful advice on how to handle telemarketers: ScamNet.
What a surprise I arrived home today to find a package sent REGISTERED POST from FREEDOM ESCAPE. Inside vouchers along with the free MP3 player they said I would receive.Maybe some people should not be to hasty to judge. I guess there are a lot of people out there missing out on this good deal. To you all now reading this saying yeah, yeah he is in on the scam. Guess what I am not!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing Paul. I’m glad to hear you got sent the stuff you were expecting.
Hello Guys ! I’ve been a victim of this SCAM of Late. I could find all your valuable comments only later. However, I have launched a complaint with the FAIR TRADE DEPARTMENT OF NSW, CONSUMER AFFAIRS & ACMA to ensure they are not troubling innocent people anymore. Thanks for all valuable suggestions guys especially Greg, tekgno and others.
Got the usual”enthusiastic quick sell call”, told them I’d want to check this out. They were INSISTANT I take up offer immediately. NOT THIS LITTLE BLACK DUCK. Here’s what I found:
1. I rang a hotel: YES the offer is real, but the room is JUST a room, and you have to spend a minimum bucks. OK so far.
2. The company sounds OK on the net, but my investigations show the MARKETING is overseas, slick, and greasy. (Note the Indians called Jack, John, Bob, Carl etc (Mine was Jack Nelson… can’t get more Engish than that!!)
3. ANY company that sells on line is suspect. I don’t disclose no credit card info to a stranger.
4. I do NOT NOT NOT deal with offshore agencies that suck our money.
YOU MIGHT WORK OUT IN SOME CASES, BUT I DON’T APPRECIATE PRESSURE SELL OR GETTING THE “BIG PUSH” I’D RATHER SECURE MY OWN ACCOMMODATION & PAY FOR IT THERE!!!!!! BUGGER OFF FREEDOM ESCAPES. That’s my opinion for what it’s worth!
[...] blogged about being annoyed by Freedom Escapes’ telemarketing calls a while [...]
Watch out!!! They tell you one thing, but in reality it is totally different. I was told I would get 2 meals included in the package, and could choose from over 300 motels. But after checking their website to double-check, I found out that I had to pay for the 2 meals, and there was only 60 motels, with a further 150 motels with the 2 for 1 deal. I ended up speaking to 3 different people, and I got 3 different stories. They are very manipulative if you question their honesty in what is getting told to consumers. They need to be exposed for what they’re doing to innocent buyers. We wouldn’t worry if we were just told the truth. Why can’t they be up-front with what the package really does & DOES NOT contain? But instead, they try and sell it on mis-information, and mis-leading tactics. BUYER BEWARE!!!
Hmmm was called, given the good deal I was like wow this sounds too good. They pointed me out to the http://www.abr/business.gov.au website and asked me to type in their ABN “See we are legit business”, “You can cancel any time” “People keep coming back for bigger packages” “your partner will love you for it” “we will give you a $10 discount” blah blah blah. I then googled freedom escapes review and found this site. Oh yeah got some more calls…..
We received calls from them 2 months ago and we thought they lost interests in us. Guess what !! Jack Nelson called me again today with a heavy Indian accent. He gave me all the information employee’s ID, website, ABN number, address at 79 Oxford St, Bondi and everything seems so legitimate. When I asked whether i could have a number to call him back ..the same story I am from sales department and not authorized to give the number out to customers !!! Sounds odd enough !!! Told him to ring me back tomorrow afternoon so i’d have sometime to do some research and I found this site…
Has anyone who bought vouchers from them got anything back? Or actually went on the holidays offered?
Responders 20.Sam and 29.Paul are obviously employees of said company. String these people along until they think they’ve got the sale then hang up.
Hi,
I am Michael working for Freedom Escapes. I am really sorry to learn of the problems of the customers in this session. See, Please understand that the hotels has got so many appointed staff to service and you cant expect everybody to know about the offer between freedom escapes and the Hotel Tie-ups. That’s the reason we always recommend our customers to drop a line to our customer toll free no 1300 780 811.
Please make sure we are running the business from 2004 and there is no chance of finding us default by the customers its the way other people who dont like freedom escapes blame the other people and do anti- marketing comments about freedom escapes. If really anybody wants the package I can assure you the best package with freedom escapes. Drop your telephone number I will call you back and also customers who are not satisfied also can drop the telephone number so that I will be very happy to solve your issues.
Freedom Escapes Main Motto - Customer Satisfaction.
Any query revert back to the email address below
eatandstayfree@gmail.com
Thanks for your post Michael - this really does show you are aware of the problems customers are facing, and you have a process for dealing with them.
More importantly, your willingness to take personal action is commendable.
Maybe you can post some anecdotes on how Freedom Escapes have gone out of the way to provide customer satisfaction.
As an additional note - maybe it is worth setting up a proper email address using your freedomescapes.com.au domain. Using gmail or hotmail as a business email address does not engender trust.
Yeah, feels like these guys are as dodgy as hell. I got stung a couple of years back with the $209 deal. At the time thought it was a good deal given how much travel I do in my job. When actually tried to find a hotel that would accept the deal, didn’t have much success. When I complained to Ian and requested my money back I was promised free upgrades to Freedom Escapes World package - at no extra cost! How lucky was I. Now I could have access to an even more useless package. Felt scammed at the time, fumed about it for a while and eventually wrote it off until tonight…..when a consultant rang me again at home with the same package deal I got ripped off with two years ago. Stay away folks and perhaps send a link to consumer affairs to this blog and maybe they’ll start asking questions.
Guess what, they have another name.
Eat and Stay free. That was the company that called me.
They both have the same web site but under different name.
It sound too good to be true.
Good luck to people who were sold by them.
Good tip: Tell them you only deal in cash and they will leave you alone.
Hi this is sam
i was a Customer of Freedomescapes and i really saved 1000 of Dollers on my accomodation when i was on Holidays in Victoria (Travelodge South Bank Hotel)
Ahh can I just say to the people who are giving freedom escapes and their site and mob the thumbs up, I find it very hard to believe you when you are typing in broken english. It reminds me of offshore mobs and accounts; delays on the phone, and really something that isn’t even Australian.
I only purchase my holidays with reputable companies online and yours just isn’t one of them it would seen. So perhaps eat and stay free or freedom escapes you could actually save your money on all these long distance phone calls that you are making to the Australian public and actually spend the money on promoting your company the correct and legitimate way and THEN, maybe THEN, we might all start responding a little better.
MY father received one of these phone calls yesterday and told the person to call back today after he had discussed it with me and got me to do the research. That person has called back INCESSSENTLY today to try to speak with my father and con him into purchasing this 14 night stay deal for $200 or something. My first thoughts, why in the heck is someone continually haggling for a measley $200?????? Didn’t this person have anyone else to call all day besides my father?? Why are they so willing to hand out and ABN to check on the ABN REGISTER site. Just because they are a listed company, doesn’t mean that they are any good… we know that!!!
I finally got a hold of the phone and told this guy that we are not interested and he tried to start selling the package to me. I don’t know about you guys, but in AUSTRALIA when someone says they’re not interested - THEY’RE NOT INTERESTED!! Take a hint telemarketers for this company… we certainly are not interested!!!!
regarding a number to ring in sydney and the name of a director of Freedom escapes, you may try the following number found at this website: http://www.callcentersindia.com/showall-orig.php?value1=15110_Freedom_Escapes_Pty_Ltd
people say what they want to.Hear good for good deal.they don’t listen properly and they shout on others.listening skills what i can say…………..NO MORE SCAMS HERE IN AUSTRALIA…….. THANKS GOD….
BE A GOOD BUYER NOT A BAD TELLER
I got sucked into buying these vouchers before I found these comments - silly me! When the vouchers came I checked their website for hotels & found one I’d just stayed in. I paid $175 per night & got breaky too, their voucher was $340 for 2 nights & no breaky! With the vouchers where you have to eat at the hotel & stay free, their meal prices are excessive & they don’t tell you that you have to buy dinner & breakfast on the phone! Your stay actually costs more this way, but hey, you eat well! I sent my vouchers back & asked for a refund. 3 weeks later I was refunded, less their service fee of $39 (a bit excessive) on the original $179.
Steer clear of Freedom Escapes I say!
Lance. I have just been scammed by your company (FreedomEscapes) and have emailed to say that I want my money back. SOme woman who could barely speak English sold me a package and when I asked questions about the package she lied to me. I am very angry. I received less than half of the vouchers and after being told (only when I asked) that you definately do not have to purchase food to get free accommodation on receiving the vouchers have discovered that you do.
AKA Freedom Escapes, please everyone contact NSW FAir Trading as I did. More complaintd more might get done.
Just recieved a call, literally moments ago. Im a little scared as to what this is all about?? Glad i found this site while i was on the phone with them for that whole hour!!! Not sure i want this whole deal now!
Note: Usually i answer the phone pretending to be a company..ie. Hello sans, barker, downs, this is…. and rattle off some name, my fam and friends know its me..why oh why did i forget to do that today? They hang up when they think its a business!!
wish I had checked out this site before…handed over $299 for so called package..that I cant use at the hotel I wanted..was told several times that i could!! rung them and spoke to a very rude person called Ian Cambell(The owner)..who refused to give me my money back..I cannot believe this person runs a business..A VERY DODGY ONE!!!! He needs to be closed down and spends some time in jail for ripping off us Australians…this is criminal lets rally together to stop this sleasy scammer
I have lodged a complaint with NSW Fair Trading and will be looking into anything else that I can do to stop Ian Cambell from ripping off anyone else..
Blaming them won’t make the parent company responsible for everything. There employs won’t take time to call you people. Its the Call Centers in Asian Countries who took the contract , making telemarketing calls. Since freedom escapes are not providing the leads for telemarketing, its difficult for those telemarketing companies to guess whether this a particular prospect has been contacted or not. An regarding the stability of a company “Nothing is stable”. The ever said most stable US Economy is falling and reputed Banks are closing, then how can you expect some company like this to be such stable. Also who ever calls you or do business with you are HUMANS like.. people doing business are not 24/7 working machines. They call you, you are not interested than hangup the call, thats over. Still being disturbed, file suit against it. If you are cheated then why the hell is this Consumer Protection Acts here. Its you inability as well.
Am travelling to NZ in a few weeks and had foolishly (I now know) purchased a Freedom Escape package. I told the body on the phone that I was only interested in NZ and she assured me there were hundreds of hotels/motels in NZ as part of their scheme.
On checking xxxxxxxInn in Auckland, found it is on the FE website and has fabulous deals with breaky being $16.50 and dinner $53.50. (each for two) This sounds OK - holidays after all….
However, move over to wotif.com and the same hotel is just $89 a night. A lot of fish and chips in $51.
I’ll be pushing for a refund and dobbing to the Consumer Affairs.
my step dad accepted the offer just yesterday…had no idea..it seemed such a good deal!!!……after reading these comments… im quite convinced that this perhaps is a scamm after all..not sure..we are waiting ont the tickets…ill be sure to update and tell u guys how that goes…if i do find out its a scam then dude! this “freedom escapes” is F*****kd…*sorri for my french*…but besides :)cheers to u all for the advice…
wats done is done already..no turning back..we jus waiting now T_T
lyn you can also lodged a dispute with your credit card company and they will try on your behalf to get a credit ..if you did not get what you paid for ..in our case we were mislead..so my bank is on to it..good luck trying for a refund..we have use wotif.com.au (very good)and NZ is the best place to holiday..
Folks, Zern especially,
Thanks for a good thread. I had this mob ring me last night (yep, still at it) and it sounded pretty good but I habitually do use cash, which naturally stalled things some. I asked for details in order to do research. Well, research done. You’ve saved me $99 and a headache or four. Gracias!
Just had these guys call me to sell me a $199.00 10 voucher holiday deal. Maybe treacherous but I did play with them for awhile whilst googling details as I was speaking to ‘Nancy’…I found the colourful ‘Freedom Escapes’ website, got the ABN details from Nancy and found the registered page under abn lookup. A very persistent sales woman, not many pauses for breath, but polite enough. I gave her my credit card number just as I got this site up and quickly scanned these last entries, thankyou all, and in a moment of fear, asked her to not process my payment, which was met with some lengthy pleading for trust, and an option to purchase the 7 day $99.00 deal. I refused, although it does sound like an incredible deal…She assured me the payment wouldn’t go through. I immediately called my credit card company to confirm this, explained my folly, and got a temporary block placed on the card…The girl at my credit card company informed me that part of the scam is in the terms and conditions under additional costs, and that they can basically take any amount above the agreed price if you have given consent for a payment to be processed. Some people have been caught out up to $800.00 on this holiday deal.
I was informed by my credit provider that if the payment is attempted to be processed now the block is in place it is a fraudulent act that can be reported..Watch this space.