Anonymous
map-marker Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Disappointed

Booked through them OH to FL. Got to FL to find out we never even had a reservation. Was the weekend so had to leave a message and wait on a return call! Scam! Did not refund our money for booking this trip after they got me for $16000 in 2014. Damaging experiences with this company. Financially and personally!
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User's recommendation: Do not waste your time or money

Anonymous

Turned over 6 time shares to have a better one (1) nope stole them all

rip off scam.we were told they would reduce maintenance fees and have better luxury resorts when we traded in our excisting 6 to go towards the one they were offering.Got home did some investigating would not return our calls,this went on for 3 months.Then SARAH from the company stated due to the fact of the time lapse we could not do nothing about the contract... SCAM scams sscam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scamscam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.scam.
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Anonymous

We are just common hard working people-

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My wife and I are one of thousands of people whom telemarketers would PREAY on. Mysmokeymountain resorts took advantage of this anf continually call. At one timr recently some other people Lied to by them sued them and received their money back. Unfortunately my wife and I are just normal people and did not here or notified of the lawsuit. So we are the ones that get screwed. Wish there was someway we can finally get our money back and gey out. I just had cancer surgery recently and had to take 5 weeks off of work with no pay. Sure could have used those thousand dollars now.
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Reason of review:
Return, Exchange or Cancellation Policy
Anonymous

SMG are nothing but crooks

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SMG took me for 6,500 dollars in March 2015 they are reel good at lying. I have called them for the last four months and they say they will do what they say the contract said and they never do anything. I don't know how the state of Tennessee let these people stay in Business. I know there are a lot of more people than myself they are doing the same thing also. They come back to us and wanted use to pay more money. I just wanted them to do what they said they would do now I don't trust them and I want my money back. I don't have any hope of this happening
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Cons:
  • Are crooks
Reason of review:
Poor customer service
1 comment
Meggie Bjp

Honest question: How did they take you for $6,500? You had to have agreed to something. If not, that's theft.

Elyas Gzk

Smoky Mountain Getaways - Smg Membership Review

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We went to a presentation and then signed and were told if we changed our minds it wasn't an issue... we cancelled two hours after leaving and followed through with the stuff they said we needed to do. However we still receive bills from them as if we never canceled...not just from them but from Good Sam camping and interval international. We have had several phone conversations with these folks and each time they act as though it is going to be resolved. A year and a half later... it still hasn't and is effecting our credit and lots of other things. Super unpleased with SMG
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Anonymous

Our Mistakes.

My Husband was given two nights and three days to visit smg meeting. we had told them we were not buying.

they would not stop or let us go they always offered something better. Our mistake was the fact that we had a unite at myrtle beach . Paid for with a deed that we was trying to sell. Mistake two.

they told us that they would sell it for us. that we would not have any more maintanance That they would have it sold before the first of the year. We were told that we could go ahead and use it that year because we already had reservations. We also had to send them our deed to them.

All this we did. mistake no. three. I have many other things I could tell u.

but the letter would be to long. One thing was that we had to pay them with a credit card five thousand dollars. . We then were told it was a scam .

We tried to get our money but the bank would not work with us. So we are now still trying to get that paid off. Oh so many things. Scam it was and is.

We have lost around seventy five dollars counting what we had to pay trying to get our deed back. we really hope that we can get some or all of this back. Please get these people out of business. Evelyn and John Creswell 704 739 **** 1514 N.

Piedmont Ave. Kings Mtn N C 28086.

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Saphire Dij
map-marker Grovetown, Georgia

Always not available!

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I bought into this scam. I paid $4500 for their ***. Since I've been scammed I have not even used their services once. Every time I try to book a vacation, they cannot give me a decent price. I always wind up finding cheaper vacations on my own. Now the website is not even up anymore. What kind of *** is that? I wanted to try to go to there home base and vacation at Pigeon Forge, but since the website is down, I cannot even do that. I was always against buying into something like this, and now I know why. I hope I can find a way to get a refund. I hope someone from this site can help.
View full review
Loss:
$4500
Pros:
  • Pigeon forge
Cons:
  • Pushy sales pitch
Reason of review:
Bad quality

Preferred solution: Full refund

13 comments
Guest

I did the same in 2009 and never found a deal so going to just let it go.

Guest

I typed something earlier. Now I can't find it.

I'm in the same boat everyone else is. Plus I just paid them 300 dollars to renew. I haven't received anything. I'd love to get my 6000 dollars back.

Their doing the Wolf on wall street routine . Their having fun on our money. It needs to be investigated. Now I'm trying to earn my vacation.

That's what they were supposed to do. I could of had a nice vacation for 6000 dollars.

Guest

Same here! Have never used them since we got scammed! Never could accommodate & prices are a joke'

Shavar Iim

I agree. Need a way out!!!!

Guest

Web site no longer up. Going to SMG in person at the end of July to find some answers.

I joined 2 years ago, been sorry ever since. No one answers phone and when you could get on the site, products where always not available.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1184127

Is the website: smokymtngetaways.net? That website is up right now.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1184131

They are also active on facebook, with their most recent posting being 23 hours ago. Try reaching them that way as well.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1184131

That's not it.

Shavar Iim
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1184127

How can we get out of this mess with SMG???,

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Shavar Iim

Visit www.timesharetricks.blogspot.com

View more comments (12)
Josefine Fmo
map-marker Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Just walk away

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Me and my wife visited smg destinations and they did what they could and talked there way into setting us up for failure. We liked the ideal but didn't think it was possible to get the kind of prices they were showing us and they kinda bullied us into buying the package even came down to $6000. When we got home we started looking at the prices available and they are nothing compared to ones they showed us during the presentation. We are on a tight budget just thought it might be a good ideal to get to the places we could never afford I called Tina back and tried to cancel and she says would if i can reduce the price to $3000 and then got it reduced to $4000 i went along with it just so i am not stuck with the full $6000. It may be legit but it is very hard to find the deals they focused on.
View full review
Cons:
  • Getting pushed around
Reason of review:
Pricing issue
2 comments
Guest

You are absolutely right about these vacation plans. Also, this onetime payment was supposed to be all you pay, but we continue to get annual fees that we cannot cancel without loosing everything.

We have never used the program because the process or nowhere the briefing placed them and we usually get a trip a lot cheaper else ware.

So looks like we paid a lot of money for nothing? Something really needs to be done about this scam.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1190869

I agree. SCAM. I wish i had never got TAKEN by them

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Anonymous
map-marker Chattanooga, Tennessee

Not at all what people gripe about

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I will agree that they can be perceived as "pushy". There's an easy answer to that though . . . "no, thank you". They know that the vast majority of people only came for the free vacation & they are OK with that.

We explained our situation (medical problems, no money, etc.) to Jeff and he was very kind. He believes in the service he is selling so naturally he did all he could to get it for us. He tried multiple programs trying to get the price where we could afford it. He & we finally agreed that we simply could not do it at this point in our lives.

He was OK with that and even offered to keep us in his prayers.

So far as I am concerned, we were done right by the company and mostly by Jeff.

And, of course, we thoroughly enjoyed our vacation. It was great. Thank you SMG!

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Reason of review:
Good customer service
1 comment
Guest

Guess y'all are friends then. Sounds like a scammer posting a review on himself.

Hinton Fsj
map-marker Rome, Georgia

Vacation Accommodation Review

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SCAM. Want a refund. They are thieves
View full review
Reason of review:
Bad quality
Anonymous
map-marker South Haven, Minnesota

SMG club scam !

We bought a get away club membership (Smokey Mountain Getaway) over 10 years ago and have not used it once ! Plus we have be paying a maintenance fee every year to keep our membership !! We would like to use the club know but can not connect to the web site for SMG . I am so Peed Off that not only did I get scammed but we continued to be scammed every year after . I am hoping that there is a class action suit against these people so people like this do not keep trying to use innocent , hard working people who want to have a place to relax and have a little rest .
View full review
Loss:
$3500
Reason of review:
Problem with delivery

Preferred solution: Full refund

5 comments
Guest

This place is a rip off and should be made to give our money back. Cost me 4900.00 plus dues i’ve Paid for 9 years and never used it because the prices were higher than they said. If ShirleyMartin and Luke Starr are still there you both should be ashamed for working for a scam like this.

Guest

I bought in 2015 payed than and their, tried to cancel next morning.I was told it was to late.I live in Australia have tried to contact them over and over.I did not pay my annual fees last year as I wanted to contact them,I received a call from finance about my fees,I told them I wasn't paying my fees until someone contacted me They were arranging it Sill waiting.Would not recommend them to anyone.

Guest

Visit www.timesharetricks.blogspot.com

Guest

Please let meknow what your find out.

Shavar Iim

I agree. SCAM!!!!! I want to sue them Also

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Anonymous
map-marker Tennessee, United States

Smokey Mountain Getaway / Destinations

Smokey Mountain Getaway / Destinations now is a big rip off. They want you to buy into a travel package option and say that their package can get you to a destination almost anywhere. However when you try it is either not available or you can find it cheaper on the internet. Any time you buy into this, so called travel package you are giving your money away. You will pay up front and then they want you to pay every year for them booking you a package that you can get cheaper by you taking the time to call around or searching the internet.
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Reason of review:
Order processing issue

Preferred solution: Full refund

Kaydyn Rla

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

A Complete Scam - Join Us in Fighting Back - File a Complaint

We got scammed in September 2015 by SMG Destinations (aka Smokey Mountain Getaways) at Sunrise Ridge Resort, 2301 Ridge Road, Pigeon Forge, TN. We have put up a website at http://destinations-travel-is-it-a-scam.homestead.com that lays out what we have discovered so far about the people who do this.

Please check it out. It also provides instructions and a complaint form for the TN Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Affairs. If you believe that you have been scammed by this group, please take the time to file a complaint. The Attorney General needs to hear from every person hurt by these people.

We are just 3 individuals trying to push back against this group, so we can only do what time allows.

However, if you have information you think would be helpful on the website or any ideas on how to stop these scams, you can reach us at DestinationsTravelScam@***.com.

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Reason of review:
Fraudulent sales presentation

Preferred solution: Full refund

16 comments
Guest

We got taken for $5,000.00 from Smokey Mountain Getaways. We tried to cancel and get our money back but we were told we only had 3 days to cancel.

How convenient when we were also told we couldn't get on the website for 3 days! We were told we would be staying in top rated condos and only 2 star hotels were on the list IF you could find a place to stay where you were going.

We found cheaper and nicer motels on our own. We never used anything from SMG.

Guest

My husband and I were also scammed by this company. There is NO discount that you can't get thru Expedia.

If there is a way out......I would love to know it. The yearly fees go up every year.

There is absolutely NO advantage to this plan. Totally a RIP OFF!!!!!

Guest

Shawn C., In TN.

Me and my wife wanted this package because they made it sound great for people that are on a budget it. I am retired Army and of course they played me using that.

After getting that package I then got a $1500 bill from a credit card from Bank of America I never wanted and another $3000 dollars bill from another credit card I didn't authorized. So I am not sure now if me and my wife may have to file for BK to get out of this anymore advice would be great.

Guest

Smokey Mountain Getaway is wasting your money. I have bought into the SMG about 3 years ago and have tried to use the web site several times.

Every time we have tried to pick a place it has never been available or the price is more that you can get it for on the internet. The sad part about this is that now they have changed their name and doing the same thing. Their new name is ( Destinations). Please do not be fooled.

This place is still a rip off. I have lost about $12,000 to this group.

Shavar Iim
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1176313

How can we get out???

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1176313

Is there anyway to get our money back??

Guest

We bought into the My Smokey Mountain Getaway. We paid it off in 2015.

We never used them because everything was too expensive. Now we get a call and was informed that we are past due for the yearly maintenance of $286 and a reactivation fee of $250. We are not happy with this scam. We have called costumer service to cancel because billing told us to contact them.

Well, with no surprise they are not available. David Souder and Shirley Callahan at sacpkc@***.com.

Guest

If you're so happy why not post your name. Oh I know you work for SMG!!

Guest

Yes I have also been scammed. We bought with SMG in July 2015.

Still being billed for our maintenance fees I called 17 times. No one cares. Please help.

Tina goss. Gossangels@***.com

Guest

We've been SMG members since 2011 & we love it! Obviously, you must not know what you have.

We've saved thousands of dollars on our travel so far. SMG made it possible for us to finally take our kids to Disney & to take our very first cruise.

My husband & I just booked our dream vacation to Hawaii for later this year & SMG saved us almost $2000! We weren't scammed at all!

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Apr 2, 2021

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Anonymous
map-marker Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

I wounld not be scamed by SMG!

On March 18, 2016, I and my 20 year old daughter decided to take a weekend trip to Pigeon Forge I booked a Hotel room with the Quality Inn @ 2162 Parkway. After checking in the clerk directed me to a lady sitting in the dinning area. He stated she was assigning parking passing for the hotel. While she was filling out the parking pass, she asked if we were going to see ant attractions, we said yes!

She stated that she could save us money with discounted tickets, all we have to due to listen to a 90 minute presentation about a new travel web site. That there was no obligation and that there will be a great breakfast there as well. We agreed, and paid her $81.50 for tickets to two attractions and a $20.00 deposit. She said when I get there I would have to show two forms of Id to the get my tickets and my deposit back.

The next morning we arrived at the location, it was a condo community. We went in to the visitors center where there was two young ladies checking in people. The room was filled with people, I stepped up to the table the young lady gave me a form and asked me to fill it out and return it to her. I sat down and started to read the form, it asked for my personnel financial information Deeds, Income, Saves, ETC.... I told my daughter I'm not filling this out.

I waited till all the sales people came out and took the others out of the room. I went to the young ladies and gave the form to them and said I'm not giving you my personal information, I will listen to your speech to get what I paid for that's it.

This is when a male subject in a loud voice said you have to fill out the form or you can't come back, I said give me my money or my tickets. I been lied to this is a time share, he said no it is not and you can leave. I said I listen to your speech, but I'm not giving you my personal ***! This is when he got up in my face, and said "Do you cuss in here!" I said I did not cuss, he said "Yes you did you said ***!" I said that not a cuss work it's a noun!

I then told him I'm not leaving until 1 I get the tickets I paid for or 2 I get my money back! Or are you scamming me? He said I getting Mike to handle you. So Mike came out was an older fella like me, I look Mike in the eye and said, Mike I listen to you but I want you to know as I pulled out my Retirement Badge I am a 30 year Veteran of Law Enforcement and I am not buying in to this scam. I left with my so called discount tickets!!

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1 comment
Guest

I was out of 6000 dollars from this scam.smoky mountain get aways scam scam scam.I want my money back.

Helaina Ltj
map-marker Richmond, Kentucky

Smoky Mountain Getaways Membership Review

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I got scamed into this two years ago. I paid $6,000 for nothing. Supposedly i was to get a rental unit in several diference locations for a special reduced price. Along with a yearly fee of $199.00. I followed their instructions several times and their notification on each time was they had nothing available. I am not the only one scamed by SMG.
View full review
Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised
Anonymous
map-marker Kansas City, Missouri

SMG Getaways

WE were scammed for 10,000.00. never used their services more expensive than discounted web sites. Is there a way to get our money back Can you cancel credit card? We tried to use their services but always got the run around. Their so called discount prices cost more than trivago, expedia or any other website . Is there a class action suit any where we can join in on. Their presentation was nothing but lies. How can they get by with all their dishonesty.
View full review
Loss:
$7500
Cons:
  • Service
Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: Full refund

2 comments
Guest

Please let me know if you find out how we can get our money back.

Guest

I listened to their lies two years ago and got sucked in for $6000.00. I called to make reservations several times and to no avail they always never had any thing aviable.

I want to warn everyone THIS IS THE biggest SCAM I HAVE HEARD OF. THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST THEM.

it is a disgrace for Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg, TN.

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