Members pay for 20 percent of their trips upfront, and PVC deducts monthly payments from their checking accounts for the balance. To sweeten the offer, PVC says it will even send travelers on their first trip with no finance charges. PVC says it caters to the average American with dreams of exotic vacations, but who can't afford to travel. That's why it takes monthly payments from travelers' bank accounts, rather than accepting credit cards, which it assumes they either don't have or have already maxed out. Consumers from any state can add their PVC complaints to this file in Georgia, but they must do so in writing.
Consumers can download a complaint form and mail it in.
Be cautious of high-pressure sales tactics. Don't give out your bank-account information, unless you're familiar with the company and understand exactly what you're agreeing to pay for. You can get information online from better business bureaus around the country. Check the record of the company both in your area and where it's headquartered. Linda Burbank is a consumer reporter who has worked for Consumer Reports Travel Letter and the Center for Investigative Reporting.