Cookies on BBB.org

We use cookies to give users the best content and online experience. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to allow us to use all cookies. Visit our Privacy Policy to learn more.

Cookie Preferences

Many websites use cookies or similar tools to store information on your browser or device. We use cookies on BBB websites to remember your preferences, improve website performance and enhance user experience, and to recommend content we believe will be most relevant to you. Most cookies collect anonymous information such as how users arrive at and use the website. Some cookies are necessary to allow the website to function properly, but you may choose to not allow other types of cookies below.

Necessary Cookies

What are necessary cookies?
These cookies are necessary for the site to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you that amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.

Necessary cookies must always be enabled.

Functional Cookies

What are functional cookies?
These cookies enable the site to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, some or all of these services may not function properly.

Performance Cookies

What are performance cookies?
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.

Marketing Cookies

What are marketing cookies?
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant content on other sites. They do not store personal information directly, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser or device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.

Additional Information

Not BBB accredited

Additional Information for Universal Concepts

View full profile

This is a multi-location business.

Find a Location

Universal Concepts has 3 locations, listed below.

*This company may be headquartered in or have additional locations in another country. Please click on the country abbreviation in the search box below to change to a different country location.

    Country
    Please enter a valid location.
    • Universal Concepts

      1000 N West St Ste 1200 Wilmington, DE 19801-1058

    • Universal Concepts

      1915 NW Amber Glen 4th Floor Beaverton, OR 97006

    • Universal Concepts

      6241 NE 15th Ave Portland, OR 97211-4805

    Location of This Business
    1000 N West St Ste 1200, Wilmington, DE 19801-1058
    BBB File Opened:
    4/2/2013
    Business Management
    • Mr. Jack Bently
    Contact Information

    Principal

    • Mr. Jack Bently

    Customer Contact

    • Mr. Jack Bently
    Additional Contact Information

    Phone Numbers

    Website Addresses

    Business Categories
    Vacation Timeshare

    Government Action

    Attorney General DeWine Seeks Consumer Restitution from Travel Club Companies

     

    (TOLEDO, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a lawsuit against a group of interrelated companies accused of violating Ohio’s consumer protection laws by failing to honor consumers’ rights to cancel travel club memberships sold at hotel sales presentations in Toledo, Cleveland, and Columbus.

    In the lawsuit, the Attorney General seeks an end to unfair and deceptive practices by the companies, restitution for consumers, and civil penalties.

    The lawsuit names the following companies as defendants: 
    A2Z Vacations LLC (a Wyoming corporation also known as Member Choice)
    Great Quest Travel Inc., doing business as One and Only Travel (an Alabama corporation)
    World Wide Travel Resources Inc. (a Louisiana corporation) 
    Travel Supplier of America Inc. (a Delaware corporation)
    Universal Concepts Inc. (a Delaware corporation)

    According to the lawsuit, the companies (directly or indirectly) offered A2Z travel club memberships to Ohio consumers through postcards in the mail claiming that consumers were eligible to receive gifts or prizes, such as “2 round-trip airline tickets” plus a “3-day/2-night weekend getaway.” The ads did not disclose the retail value of the prizes or that consumers were required to listen to a sales presentation in order to take advantage of the offer.
    The sales presentations were held at local hotels in Toledo, Cleveland, and Columbus, and often lasted one to two hours. Consumers who signed up for the travel club memberships paid enrollment fees ranging from $1,000 to $8,000 and annual dues of $200 to $300, according to the lawsuit.

    Although the cancellation policy stated that consumers could cancel the contract within three business days, it also stated that a $399 member processing fee was non-refundable and that members would be charged a cancellation fee of 15 percent of the membership price. 

    In Ohio, consumers must be allowed to cancel this type of contract within three business days without any penalty or obligation, and the three-day right to cancel does not begin to run until the business has given the consumer proper notice of the consumer’s cancellation rights.

    Some consumers allegedly tried to cancel their memberships and received only partial refunds or no refund at all, even though the law says consumers are entitled to receive full refunds after canceling this type of contract.
    In other cases, consumers who tried to take advantage of the travel club discounts found that they could receive similar rates on their own through Internet travel sites. 

    The Ohio Attorney General’s Office is aware of approximately 20 complaints filed against the companies, though additional consumers may be affected. 

    In the lawsuit, filed in the Lucas County Common Pleas Court, the Attorney General accuses the companies of violating Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act, violating the Prize Rule, and violating Ohio’s Home Solicitation Sales Act. 
    Consumers who suspect an unfair or deceptive business practice should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at 800-282-0515 or www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov.

    A copy of the lawsuit is available on the Ohio Attorney General's website.

    http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Files/Briefing-Room/News-Releases/Consumer-Protection/2015-04-24-File-stamped-Complaint-A2Z-Vacations-et 

    BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.

    BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles.

    When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.

    BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.

    As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.