Select Travel Options

Select Travel Options, located at 3751 Maguire Blvd #111 in Orlando, Florida, operates as a travel agency that has garnered significant and overwhelmingly negative attention from its clientele. With a strikingly low online rating of 1.7 stars from over 30 reviews, the company presents a case study in customer dissatisfaction, primarily centered around its timeshare resale and rental marketing services. Prospective clients looking for holiday planning or ways to offload timeshare properties should approach this business with a high degree of caution.

The Core Business: A Focus on Timeshare Services

Unlike traditional tour operators that focus on booking flights and hotels, the vast majority of public feedback indicates that Select Travel Options' primary business model revolves around the timeshare market. The company allegedly contacts timeshare owners with promises to either sell their property or rent out their unused vacation weeks for a substantial profit. This service is offered in exchange for an upfront fee, which, according to numerous customer complaints, can range from approximately $999 to nearly $3,000. The sales pitch often includes guarantees of a quick sale or rental, and in some cases, a money-back guarantee if the company fails to deliver on its promises.

A Pattern of Negative Customer Experiences

An analysis of customer reviews and complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) reveals a consistent and troubling pattern of allegations. The experiences shared by numerous clients paint a picture of a business that fails to meet its contractual obligations after receiving payment.

Allegations of Unresponsiveness and Communication Breakdown

One of the most frequent complaints lodged against Select Travel Options is a complete breakdown in communication immediately following payment. One customer, John Turley, noted that he specifically tested their responsiveness before committing, and found them to be attentive. However, he alleges that as soon as he paid, the company stopped taking his calls and even changed its phone number. This experience is echoed in numerous other accounts. Clients report that their calls go unanswered, voicemails are not returned, and in some instances, the provided phone numbers become disconnected or lead to a perpetually full mailbox. This radio silence leaves customers feeling abandoned and without recourse.

Failure to Deliver Promised Services

The central grievance for most clients is the company's alleged failure to perform the services paid for. Customers like Shirley Billings were told their timeshare would be sold or rented out, but months and even years later, they report seeing no activity, no offers, and no evidence that their property was ever actively marketed. Multiple complaints on the BBB website corroborate this, with individuals stating they paid significant fees for a listing that never materialized or generated a single legitimate offer. This lack of results stands in stark contrast to the initial optimistic promises made by the company's sales representatives, leading many to label the operation a "scam."

Disputes Over Refunds and Guarantees

The promise of a "money-back guarantee" is a key point of contention. Angela Rono's review explicitly calls this guarantee a "lie," stating she paid $999 and was denied a refund despite being unhappy with the lack of service. This is a common theme in BBB complaints as well, where customers who were promised their money back if their timeshare wasn't sold or rented within a specific timeframe (e.g., 90 days or one year) find it impossible to claim their refund. The company allegedly refuses these requests or simply becomes unreachable when the topic of a refund is broached, leaving clients out of pocket by thousands of dollars.

A Contradictory Positive Review

Amidst the sea of negative feedback, there is a single five-star review from a user named Altravice Brooks. This review claims the company is "legit" and that they successfully received their money back as promised after entering the program. This positive account stands as a significant outlier. However, its credibility is openly questioned by other reviewers, like John Turley, who expressed a firm belief that such positive reviews are fake and posted by individuals associated with the business. Given the sheer volume and consistency of the negative reports, this isolated positive experience does little to counterbalance the overwhelming evidence of widespread customer dissatisfaction.

The Verdict from the Better Business Bureau

Select Travel Options is not an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau, and its profile on the BBB website is alarming. The organization has logged numerous complaints against the company, citing a failure to respond to the vast majority of them as a key reason for its poor rating. The complaints detail the same issues found in online reviews: taking upfront fees for timeshare resale services that are never rendered and then ceasing all communication. One complainant even reported that upon investigating the physical address, they were told by another business in the building that Select Travel Options had abandoned the office.

What Potential Customers Must Consider

When evaluating this company for any customer travel services, the balance of pros and cons is heavily skewed.

• Potential Positives:
  • There is one unverified positive review claiming the service is legitimate and that a refund was issued.
• Significant Negatives:
  • An overwhelming number of reviews and BBB complaints allege the business is a scam.
  • Widespread reports of the company becoming completely unresponsive after receiving payment.
  • Consistent claims of failure to deliver on the core promise of selling or renting timeshares.
  • Multiple allegations that the company does not honor its money-back guarantee.
  • A poor rating and a history of unanswered complaints with the Better Business Bureau.

In conclusion, while Select Travel Options presents itself as a travel agency offering booking services for timeshare owners, the public record suggests a high-risk proposition for consumers. The pattern of taking upfront fees followed by a lack of service and communication is a significant red flag characteristic of many timeshare resale scams. Anyone considering engaging with Select Travel Options for their vacation packages or timeshare needs should proceed with extreme caution, conduct thorough independent research, and weigh the numerous detailed complaints against the sole piece of positive feedback.