Has anyone dealt with Americap International Corp.?

lisam500 wrote:

marty8084 wrote:

About all we can do is suspend the membership until these issues have been corrected. I've called Chris Wood several times and have emailed him. Our hope is that the company is very much legitimate and there are many that have had successful transactions with Americap International Corp. but that we are only seeing a few of the complaints which basically happen in any business.

As far as the search feature, I know that's in development but will check on the status.

BTW I'm a she not a he. :-)

Hey Marty - First I'd like to thank you for all the support with Redweek.

Unfortunately, I'm still waiting for my confirmation with them. I got a contract from Americap only after you called them - it arrived the last week of July. I returned it and confirmed with Chris that he had it. He said he would send it on to the seller, who would send me a gift certificate and I should see it in two weeks. I haven't seen anything yet, and I email Chris weekly. Chris had told me once that his typical transactions take 60 days and that most people don't mind because their travel plans were far in advance. I reminded him that he had our money right off the bat and we couldn't confirm that he was legitimate until we had confirmed the gift certificate with the resort.

As an FYI, the Better Business Bureau shows them as being in business since February, which either means they are a brand new company and therefore possibly inefficient, or they were a company prior and just switched over in February (a common thing for bad companies). I called the number on the BBB, which brought me to Jerry's home number (Chris's brother and president). He was surprised I had his home number - something that may come in handy if anyone feels like calling Jerry at home!

Please don't reinstate Americap until I get my gift certificate. I would also suggest that you not reinstate them until Mike and anyone else have their gift certificate, since it doesn't appear Americap has actually done any services without you prompting them to date. Perhaps you could suggest to Americap that they can only come back on Redweek if they agree to use escrow prior to getting the money since it would relieve you of having to chase them for every transaction?

thanks again for your help - LIsa

Thank you for the update, Lisa. Wish it were better news but please keep us posted.

Marty

marty8084 wrote:

terryh64 wrote:

marty8084 wrote:

We don't have any notes of any complaints for this member that has contacted you but if you do have any problems please let us know.

Thanks, Marty

Hi Marty what are my options with Americap or Agent Chris Wood??? The refund for cancel of $720 has not been sent to me as promised it's been several weeks. I call this guy every day and I'll I hear is it was sent on such and such a date. I'll check with our accounting department and get back to you. I've not had so many problems with a refund in my life "Quoted by Chris Wood".

Thanks Terry

Hi Terry,

I really don't know what your options are, Terry. Maybe small claims court?? I have emailed Chris letting him know that his RedWeek.com account has been suspended until you receive your check. That's about all we can do from our end since an escrow company wasn't used in the rental transaction.

I hope it's just a matter of a paperwork problem or the check is actually lost in the mail. But in either case you need to receive your check before he can contact anyone else on our website.

Thanks, Marty

Hi Marty,

Your Awesome going to bat for us that you don't even know. I appreciate you removing Americap from Redweek site. That should save several people that may of booked with this company a lot of money. I feel bad for those that have given this company a lot more then my $800 in hopes of a wonderful vacation. Terry

Re: >> I really don't know what your options are, Terry. Maybe small claims court?? I have emailed Chris letting him know that his RedWeek.com account has been suspended until you receive your check. That's about all we can do from our end since an escrow company wasn't used in the rental transaction.

I hope it's just a matter of a paperwork problem or the check is actually lost in the mail. But in either case you need to receive your check before he can contact anyone else on our website. << =======================================

Personally, I hope that Americap / Chris Wood is **PERMANENTLY** BANNED from RedWeek -- not just suspended. This kind of deceit, delay, unfulfilled promises and incompetence is simply inexcusable. RedWeek doesn't need "businesses" or people like this discrediting the site by mere association. DUMP them!

I really and truly wonder about outfits such as this one (and Mr. Preston Green's as well, although I can't recall the name of Green's enterprise). More specifically, I wonder to myself whether they even HAVE what they are peddling. Or, instead, do they simply get some "earnest money" from a prospective buyer / renter as in-hand incentive ---and then try to FIND that particular timeshare in the distressed market? I don't claim to know, but I AM certainly suspicious, particularly after reading of the "10% retained", even for a cancelled / failed transaction. I smell something rotten there......

Forget about small claims court, unless both parties are within the same state AND geographically close enough within that same state to accomplish "service of process" (such as delivery of a summons) AND you know exactly where they are physically located (a P.O. Box just ain't gonna cut it). If out of state, the defendant can simply ignore the "invitation", virtually without any consequence. The entity might even be a cute and elusive business setup (e.g., incorporated in Delaware, 800 phone number (with the "rep" located virtually anywhere), a P.O. Box set up somewhere for "payment processing", etc. You could exert a lot of time, effort and money chasing ghosts. Hit them HERE (and everywhere else they appear on the Internet) and just put them right out of business, to the benefit of other consumers --- AFTER they square up with those whose money they have taken and produced nothing in return. Just my opinion........

lisam500 wrote:

I returned it and confirmed with Chris that he had it. He said he would send it on to the seller, who would send me a gift certificate and I should see it in two weeks. I haven't seen anything yet, and I email Chris weekly. Chris had told me once that his typical transactions take 60 days and that most people don't mind because their travel plans were far in advance. I reminded him that he had our money right off the bat and we couldn't confirm that he was legitimate until we had confirmed the gift certificate with the resort.

What is a GIFT CERTIFICATE in this situation? I hope that this organization is not renting out exchanges and purchasing GUEST CERTIFICATES from the exchange companies using the words GIFT CERTIFICATE in doing so. Rentals of exchanges is illegal with RCI, II and the independent exchange companies.

Acording to Chris Wood, he has taken care of the problem with Terry and he said he talked to Marty and he also said that he was re-instated on redweek. We also booked 2 weeks with him and I am getting a very bad feeling about this.

Jane

janeh3 wrote:

Acording to Chris Wood, he has taken care of the problem with Terry and he said he talked to Marty and he also said that he was re-instated on redweek. We also booked 2 weeks with him and I am getting a very bad feeling about this.

Jane

Hi Jane,

His membership has not been reinstated on RedWeek.com. My last email to him was that we have received numerous complaints and that his membership would not be reinstated unless things improved on his end. I haven't heard back from him.

He may have opened and paid for a new account under a different name without my knowledge but the previous account is as it was yesterday.

When did he tell you all of this Jane?

Thanks, Marty

marty8084 wrote:

janeh3 wrote:

Acording to Chris Wood, he has taken care of the problem with Terry and he said he talked to Marty and he also said that he was re-instated on redweek. We also booked 2 weeks with him and I am getting a very bad feeling about this.

Jane

Hi Jane,

His membership has not been reinstated on RedWeek.com. My last email to him was that we have received numerous complaints and that his membership would not be reinstated unless things improved on his end. I haven't heard back from him.

He may have opened and paid for a new account under a different name without my knowledge but the previous account is as it was yesterday.

When did he tell you all of this Jane?

Thanks, Marty

I can only speak for myself Chris has stopped answering my calls. I have left several meassages in last 2 day's to let me know what is going on with my refund?? I am in Wisconsin and Americapint is in Florida. I am about ready to admit I was a SUCKER to this scam. I am a very positive/honest individual and do not need this stress in my life. I almost feel invaded like someone broke into my house and stole from me. I hope Chris can sleep @ night. To all those that have wrote here, please DO NOT let this in anyway reflect Redweek.com they are for real. I am glad I placed this posting a few weeks back, I was thinking I was the only person having problems with Americap. It was my own fault placing a REDWISH and actually having a call from Chris Wood and my week and Resort was to fall in my lap a few hours after posting. Hello what was I thinking? Who knows of Websites to warn hard working people such as ourselves about this Company??? Terry Halverson thalverson2@hotmail.com Saturday 8/25/07

terryh64 asks, quoted in]pertinent part:

>> Who knows of websites to warn hard working people such as ourselves about this Company???< =======================================

For starters, I'd suggest http://www.ripoffreport.com.

Personally, I don't think it would be too productive to post a complaint on either TUG or Timeshare Forums since (and I mean no disrespect here) those sites TEND to be populated by more experienced and better informed timeshare owners (and other users) who would be less likely to consider doing business with an obscure and unknown entity as "Americap" anyhow. It would just be "preaching to the choir" on those particular sites (in my personal opinion) but it's still your prerogative to post there anyhow, if you choose.

If you are CERTAIN that "Americap" is physically located in Florida, you should also consider contacting the Attorney General's Office there. Do so in writing, specifically citing facts, names, addresses, phone numbers, dates, photocopies ---all presented clearly and in chronological order. Don't waste their time or yours with phone calls; phone calls just don't cut it. Specific addresses for the Florida AG and/or real estate board HAVE been posted in RedWeeek forums in recent months, but with no search function here on RedWeek it might take you some digging to locate that info --- unless someone else here reading this post knows that address info and can step up to post it once again.

Reporting Americap to the Better Business Bureau in THEIR OWN (i.e., not your) geographic area might help you to vent, but keep in mind that the BBB actually has absolutely NO power or legal authority whatsoever. BBB is nothing more than a public "report card" mechanism, ultimately accomplishing little more than just "compiling complaint statistics". "Compiling statistics" does NOT translate into "problem resolution".

It's a bit early in your process to talk about the future, but I will offer my own view and personal opinion that dealing with individual (non-business) people in timeshare matters (rentals and / or resales) might well be both wiser and safer than dealing with unknown, questionable, obscure "Internet businesses".

As one final recommendation, in any rental or purchase, ALWAYS contact the resort yourself directly to CONFIRM that the person offering to rent or sell you a specific week and unit is indeed THE SAME PERSON WHO ACTUALLY OWNS THAT WEEK AND UNIT. If not, something is very wrong and alarm bells should ring, immediately and loudly, inside your head. This does not apply to realtor listings (where you won't know who the seller is at all until your offer is actually accepted) but buying timeshare through a realtor is usually more expensive anyhow (a commission is always involved, unlike in a private transaction).

As always..... CAVEAT EMPTOR (Buyer Beware).

It appears what we have so far is: 1) Terry - received contract but no refund, with questionable rental agreement 2) Lisa - contract but no gift certificate 3) Mike - deposit - not sure if he has contract yet 4) Jane - deposit - do you have the contract yet? 5) Adrianna - haven't heard from her for awhile so we don't know if she is set or not.

We know Jerry's home phone (954) 786-0521) so we should be able to get his home address.

Ideally, I'd like to give Chris an ultimatum - he tells me the date I can either have a confirmed gift certificate or a full refund - in my hands, not a promise of check in the mail. If I don't receive either by the date he picks, then I report him to the attorney general.

It seems to me that taking money and not providing the goods is not just a scam, but it is illegal, right? I got this definition of larceny from the web: (http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/293/293lect11.htm)

larceny (theft) by trick -- con games, schemes, and swindles

larceny (theft) by deception -- stings, scams, price altering

larceny (theft) by fraud -- inside trading, telemarketing, credit card

The same site says: Grand larceny, a felony, involves property generally worth more than $400 on average, but the dividing line differs in each state. Petty larceny, a misdemeanor, generally involves anything worth less than $400 on average.

Would the rest of those listed be willing to go along with this? I wonder if it makes any difference if we all report to the attorney general or if this would just be a drop in the bucket for them. It might help with Chris as well to let him know that there isn't just one of us who is going to report him but all of them.

Marty - is there anyway to find out if Adrianna is all set - she hasn't posted on here since July. The rest of you, please let me know if you'd like to join me. We may have all been suckers, but maybe since there are 5 of us we can see if we can exert some pressure. thanks, Lisa gmartin79@comcast.net

lisam500 wrote:

It appears what we have so far is: 1) Terry - received contract but no refund, with questionable rental agreement 2) Lisa - contract but no gift certificate 3) Mike - deposit - not sure if he has contract yet 4) Jane - deposit - do you have the contract yet? 5) Adrianna - haven't heard from her for awhile so we don't know if she is set or not.

We know Jerry's home phone (954) 786-0521) so we should be able to get his home address.

Ideally, I'd like to give Chris an ultimatum - he tells me the date I can either have a confirmed gift certificate or a full refund - in my hands, not a promise of check in the mail. If I don't receive either by the date he picks, then I report him to the attorney general.

It seems to me that taking money and not providing the goods is not just a scam, but it is illegal, right? I got this definition of larceny from the web: (http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/293/293lect11.htm)

larceny (theft) by trick -- con games, schemes, and swindles

larceny (theft) by deception -- stings, scams, price altering

larceny (theft) by fraud -- inside trading, telemarketing, credit card

The same site says: Grand larceny, a felony, involves property generally worth more than $400 on average, but the dividing line differs in each state. Petty larceny, a misdemeanor, generally involves anything worth less than $400 on average.

Would the rest of those listed be willing to go along with this? I wonder if it makes any difference if we all report to the attorney general or if this would just be a drop in the bucket for them. It might help with Chris as well to let him know that there isn't just one of us who is going to report him but all of them.

Marty - is there anyway to find out if Adrianna is all set - she hasn't posted on here since July. The rest of you, please let me know if you'd like to join me. We may have all been suckers, but maybe since there are 5 of us we can see if we can exert some pressure. thanks, Lisa gmartin79@comcast.net

Hi Lisa,

The addresses on the BBB website are:

Americap International Corp. 1050 Hillsboro Mile #201 Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Other Addresses:

1050 Hillsboro Mile #201 Pompano Beach, FL 33062

1061 N.E. 25th Ave #3 Pompano Beach, FL 33061

5079 N. Dixie Hwy #166 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

To contact Adriana you can use this link http://www.redweek.com/member/contact/username/adriana3

We are so very sorry this has happened to any of you. The emails from Chris Wood began in May of 2007 and we didn't hear any complaints until August. We wish we could have gotten him shut down much sooner.

His RedWeek.com account is still suspended. That way he can't register with a new account using the same email address.

Marty

marty8084 wrote:

janeh3 wrote:

Acording to Chris Wood, he has taken care of the problem with Terry and he said he talked to Marty and he also said that he was re-instated on redweek. We also booked 2 weeks with him and I am getting a very bad feeling about this.

Jane

Hi Jane,

His membership has not been reinstated on RedWeek.com. My last email to him was that we have received numerous complaints and that his membership would not be reinstated unless things improved on his end. I haven't heard back from him.

He may have opened and paid for a new account under a different name without my knowledge but the previous account is as it was yesterday.

When did he tell you all of this Jane?

Thanks, Marty

I talked to him Friday (Aug. 24) and he said everything is taken care of for Terry and he is giving all the money back to Terry and he is reinstated on redweek. He said he talked to you. Is that another one of his lies just so he can skip the country? Jane

Jane, in my email from Chris that I received on Friday he admited that there were some problems with Terry's refund but that he was working it. Nothing was said that it was taken care of and he definitely was not given back his RedWeek.com membership.

Marty

lisam500 wrote:

It appears what we have so far is: 1) Terry - received contract but no refund, with questionable rental agreement 2) Lisa - contract but no gift certificate 3) Mike - deposit - not sure if he has contract yet 4) Jane - deposit - do you have the contract yet? 5) Adrianna - haven't heard from her for awhile so we don't know if she is set or not.

We know Jerry's home phone (954) 786-0521) so we should be able to get his home address.

Ideally, I'd like to give Chris an ultimatum - he tells me the date I can either have a confirmed gift certificate or a full refund - in my hands, not a promise of check in the mail. If I don't receive either by the date he picks, then I report him to the attorney general.

It seems to me that taking money and not providing the goods is not just a scam, but it is illegal, right? I got this definition of larceny from the web: (http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/293/293lect11.htm)

larceny (theft) by trick -- con games, schemes, and swindles

larceny (theft) by deception -- stings, scams, price altering

larceny (theft) by fraud -- inside trading, telemarketing, credit card

The same site says: Grand larceny, a felony, involves property generally worth more than $400 on average, but the dividing line differs in each state. Petty larceny, a misdemeanor, generally involves anything worth less than $400 on average.

Would the rest of those listed be willing to go along with this? I wonder if it makes any difference if we all report to the attorney general or if this would just be a drop in the bucket for them. It might help with Chris as well to let him know that there isn't just one of us who is going to report him but all of them.

Marty - is there anyway to find out if Adrianna is all set - she hasn't posted on here since July. The rest of you, please let me know if you'd like to join me. We may have all been suckers, but maybe since there are 5 of us we can see if we can exert some pressure. thanks, Lisa gmartin79@comcast.net

Supposedly all contracts are mailed out on Wednesday which would be for me Aug. 29. If that's true, I should get my contract around the first part of Sept. I will keep you posted. As soon as I get my contract I will contact you and let you know. Jane

Would someone please explain what a gift certificate is with this company?

Janeh,

Nice to know there's good company on this one. At first it was estimated that only two people have opted to work with Americap but it looks like the list is growing.

I received my "contract" 2 weeks later. It's only an informal looking piece of paper with a signature between Americap and I. I sent it in but it really doesn't mean anything until I get paperwork from Marriot.

voluntary deleted and replaced

voluntarily deleted in the spirit of helping without harming.......

janeh3 wrote:

lisam500 wrote:

It appears what we have so far is: 1) Terry - received contract but no refund, with questionable rental agreement 2) Lisa - contract but no gift certificate 3) Mike - deposit - not sure if he has contract yet 4) Jane - deposit - do you have the contract yet? 5) Adrianna - haven't heard from her for awhile so we don't know if she is set or not.

We know Jerry's home phone (954) 786-0521) so we should be able to get his home address.

Ideally, I'd like to give Chris an ultimatum - he tells me the date I can either have a confirmed gift certificate or a full refund - in my hands, not a promise of check in the mail. If I don't receive either by the date he picks, then I report him to the attorney general.

It seems to me that taking money and not providing the goods is not just a scam, but it is illegal, right? I got this definition of larceny from the web: (http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/293/293lect11.htm)

larceny (theft) by trick -- con games, schemes, and swindles

larceny (theft) by deception -- stings, scams, price altering

larceny (theft) by fraud -- inside trading, telemarketing, credit card

The same site says: Grand larceny, a felony, involves property generally worth more than $400 on average, but the dividing line differs in each state. Petty larceny, a misdemeanor, generally involves anything worth less than $400 on average.

Would the rest of those listed be willing to go along with this? I wonder if it makes any difference if we all report to the attorney general or if this would just be a drop in the bucket for them. It might help with Chris as well to let him know that there isn't just one of us who is going to report him but all of them.

Marty - is there anyway to find out if Adrianna is all set - she hasn't posted on here since July. The rest of you, please let me know if you'd like to join me. We may have all been suckers, but maybe since there are 5 of us we can see if we can exert some pressure. thanks, Lisa gmartin79@comcast.net

Supposedly all contracts are mailed out on Wednesday which would be for me Aug. 29. If that's true, I should get my contract around the first part of Sept. I will keep you posted. As soon as I get my contract I will contact you and let you know. Jane

Withdrawn by author

mikef72 (....and those others to whom this might apply):

I just noticed that in one of your initial posts on this unfortunate topic that you stated having paid this obscure "Americap" entity, whoever / whatever they might be, by credit card.

I trust that you have by now initiated a formal dispute of that charge with your credit card company? If not, I strongly recommend that you promptly do so.

Different credit card issuers have slightly different procedures, but in any case you should be fully prepared to submit the facts of your dispute IN WRITING in a clear, coherent manner, identifying any and all names, phone numbers, dates, conversations, documents involved. Presentation of all such references in chronological order helps too. Don't delay.

Just a reminder and suggestion if you have not done all this already.

I'm still waiting for an explanation of what a GIFT CERTIFICATE is with this company?