Takeover attempt at Dikhololo

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

For owners at Dikhololo, you need to get proxies in to help stop a takeover attempt at Dikhololo by one of the major thugs in the SA timeshare industry, Stuart ''The Bullfrog'' Lamont. Lamont runs a group of timeshare operations through his Club Leisure Group including Holland Morehouse, Flexi-Club, Star Club, CRI of South Africa, and First Resorts. His organization is the force behind all of the recent problems at The Seapointer.

Here is a proxy form that an US based reseller is providing:

http://www.tradingtime.net/pdf/2009%...oxy%20Vote.pdf

I have talked to the resort and this is on the level. They are working with this reseller to help get in the proxies to stop Lamont. If Lamont gains control, expect rising fees, special assessments, and perhaps, like The Seapointer, suspension of RCI affiliation to stampede members into converting their weeks into their useless points or selling cheap to Lamont's organizations. Members need to pitch in to keep the resort independent and out of Lamont's claws.

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

Johannesburg Star newspaper article on Flexi-club

July 8 2006
SATURDAY STAR - SOUTH AFICA
Travel clubs rocked by claims of deceit
Clients accuse timeshare giants of swindlingmillions from them, writes Sheena Adams
Sheena Adams
Lies and misinformation are among the scandalous claims levelled against timeshare giants Flexi-Club and the Club Leisure Group, accused of swindling tens of millions of rands from clients.
The matter has been investigated by the Department of Trade and Industry, and CLG is currently the subject of a second investigation by the South African Revenue Service.
Unhappy clients from Flexi-Club and Club Resorts International (CRI), both of which are managed by a CLG subsidiary, have also amassed scores of written complaints and signed affidavits placing serious allegations at the feet of Flexi-Club managing director and CLG chairperson Stuart Lamont. Lamont has distanced himself and his companies from the allegations.
At the heart of the matter is the claim that Lamont helped to engineer a deal in 2000 whereby a management company, Club Leisure Management (CLM), was formed together with the Southern African arm of global timeshare leader RCI (Resorts Condominium International).
In the same year, RCI also purchased CRI Operations, the company with the management contract to administer CRI Club, a popular, points-based timeshare concept.
S'bu Mngadi, managing director of RCI's Global Vacation Network for Africa, told the Saturday Star this week that RCI soon afterwards sold CRI Operations to CLM. RCI and Flexi-Club continued to own CLM, with RCI as a minority shareholder, according to Mngadi. CLM then took over the management of the CRI club.
According to information received from several clients, former CRI consultants and a former director of the CRI Management Association (CRIMA), Lamont embarked on an aggressive marketing drive in 2002 aimed at converting CRI clients to Flexi-Club.
Clients allege, many of them in signed affidavits, that "arrogant and aggressive" Flexi-Club consultants began contacting them, spinning a yarn that CRI was in financial difficulty, that it had been bought over by Flexi Club and that clients had no option but to buy into Flexi-Club. In order to do this, clients had to purchase Flexi Club points, at an average cost of about R5 000.
Johannesburg businessman Bruce Phillips said he forfeited R30 000 in levies and many thousands more in legal fees after he was forced to hire an attorney to extricate himself from his timeshare contract.
A CRI client for many years, Phillips said he became disillusioned with constant problems trying to secure availability at his preferred resorts. The last straw came a few years ago when he was phoned "non-stop" by a Flexi-Club consultant, trying to convince him to convert his points.
"They never stopped phoning - at night, during the day and over weekends. They wanted me to convert my points to another scam and made all sorts of overtures about CRI going under and being taken over by Flexi-Club," an angry Phillips said.
According to figures announced at a CRIMA meeting last year, CRI had fewer than 10 000 members, a loss of more than 25 000 members. Members were told that 13 300 CRI members were converted to Flexi-Club during the past three years.
A former CRIMA director, who asked not to be named, said the CRIMA board of directors, along with the directors of CRI Operations, should be held accountable for "this in-house type of incestuous breeding".
"They are supposed to protect and promote the CRI points system and yet they have allowed consultants to actively convert people over to Flexi-Club. They knowingly permitted the conversions �
"You can't have different brand names under the same roof if you've got the one screwing the other," he said.
"It makes commercial sense if you can get R5 000 out of a whole list of people. If you convert 10 000 people, you've got R50-million," he added.
Responding to the allegations, Lamont denied that Flexi-Club consultants were behind the strong-arm tactics and instead blamed independent marketing firms. He said he would be very interested in investigating the claims. He said Flexi-Club was "very, very fussy" about conversions and that they were not entered into unless the person was made "fully aware of all the details".
He also claimed that several CRI members had complained about deteriorating rooms and resorts and had requested changing over to Flexi-Club.
"CRI is still strong and it's still operating. It is not insolvent and there is nothing wrong with it," Lamont said - but CRI clients canvassed by the Saturday Star slammed Lamont's comments.
Dorothy Higgins, of Johannesburg, was offered to convert at the "special price" of R3 300 and was contacted by consultants claiming to represent CRI.
"They tell you they are phoning from CRI, and then when you meet them, they say they are actually from Club Leisure Management and they are representing Flexi-Club.
"They'd say that CRI was definitely going under," Higgins said.
The comments coincide with a warning issued this week by credit information ombudsman Manie van Schalkwyk about "aggressive timeshare salespeople".
Van Schalkwyk said his office had seen an upswing in the number of consumers being blacklisted for timeshare purchases and warned people to "read the fine print" and not be bullied by aggressive sales tactics and "partial truths".
He added that although there was currently no legislative power over the timeshare industry, the Timeshare Institute of SA (TISA) was mandated to deal with complaints.
The acting executive director of TISA, Alex Bosch, who is also a director at CLM, said TISA was aware of the allegations and had referred the complaints to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in 2002. As far as TISA was concerned, there was "no merit in certain of the allegations".
Ebrahim Mohamed, chief director of the office of consumer protection at the department, said the department's investigation had revealed that the manner in which certain Flexi-Club agents were approaching CRI members was "indeed problematic".
"It was then agreed between the DTI and Flexi-Club that changes had to be effected with immediate effect.
"Flexi-Club agents had to explain to converting members that CRI was not in liquidation," Ebrahim said.
Sources have confirmed that an investigation into the Club Leisure Group has also been launched by the SA Revenue Service. The Competition Commission is also keen to look into the matter, according to its enforcement and exemptions manager, Thulani Kunene.
The operations manager at CLM, Peter Snyman, also responding on behalf of Lamont, said permission to market Flexi-Club to CRI members was obtained from the former CRI board because members were struggling to "receive holidays as a result of the exceedingly poor mixture and availability of timeshare properties in their property portfolio".
He said the conversion fees were necessary in order to enable CRI members to become Flexi-Club members.
"We do not condone any bullying behaviour with potential clients. Staff are trained to show potential members the benefits of joining Flexi-Club, and members are � required to make up their own minds."

(from the Crimeshare database as previously posted on their site)

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Glad I never got involved in DIK Good luck to the owners. shaggy

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

More on Club Leisure Group / Flexi-Club from Crimeshare

May 3 2007
The Bullfrog Stuart Lamont is at it again. This time, the targeted timeshare resort is The Seapointer just outside Cape Town, which has been managed for some time by Froggy's management company, First Resorts. Lamont himself is chairman of the shareblock board, and the other members of that board are also associated with Club Leisure Group. This group has engineered a suspension from RCI, and has just sent out a mailing suggesting a large special levy to members to ''correct the problem''. How many owners will be stampeded into just signing over their weeks to Lamont? How many will fall for an offer to escape the special levy by doing a deal with one of Lamont's clubs to trade in their weeks for worthless points? How much of The Seapointer will Lamont end up owning when the smoke clears, and what will he do with it? Will owners at The Seapointer come together to try to stop him, and to take their resort back from these sharks? Any timeshare owner whose resort has anything to do with Lamont or First Resorts should be concerned. - anon

Mar 2 2007
Is anyone familiar with Leisure Property Trust in South Africa? This entity has recently been purchasing weeks at Dikhololo resort. Are they connected in any way with the dreaded Club Leisure Group? - Dik member

Feb 5 2007
I have noticed that Club Resorts International is on your list in overseas countries. I'm from South Africa and we belong to Club Resorts International in South Africa. Flexi Club has taken over them administration of this club and many members seems to be switching to Flexi Club. he remaining members seems to be burdened with ever increasing levies and a total lack of service. Can you possibly investigate this company as well please - Jakes

Jan 23 2007
What is happening at Seapointer? There is a rumor that their RCI affiliation is in trouble. Does anyone know? Is Stuart Lamont involved in this? - concerned owner

Jan 8 2007
YOU CAN GET OUT OF FLEXI CLUB ON CLAUSE 3.1. JUST RESIGN. CUT YOUR LOSSES. THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. DO IT AND SAVE PAYING LEVIES FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE FOR NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!! - ANON

Nov 6 2006
Hi guys,
We are really glad we found this site with all the complaints about Flexiclub. We would also like to know if anyone has found a way out of this contract.
In February of 2005 we went away for a weekend to Durban. Walking down the street we were cornered by a scratch card yielding "recruiter" I guess you could call him. We were duped into making a trip down town to a presentation for Flexiclub Holiday Club with the story of having won a bottle of sparkling wine.
The presenter made all things seem very rosey, maybe they don't know the real story or they actually believe themselves, but they are very convincing.
These are some of the things that we were or were not told:
1) We were not told about the 5 day cooling off period, I happened to remember that a law had been passed enforcing such a period. When we returned home from our weekend we did our calculations and worked out that it would be rather expensive and we would not be able to afford to pay off the points as expected. We immediately contacted Flexiclub and faxed through a cancellation letter. We were contacted by the sales consultant and offered
the same deal (2000 points +2000 bonus points)for much less, R16000 instead of the original R22 800. With much sweet talking and begging because he needed this deal etc etc we accepted the new offer.
2) If you no longer want the points they will gladly buy the points back from you - no such luck, when we tried they told us we have to sell the points privately with not a hint as to how this may be done.
3) The user charge was charged initially and only topped up each year as required to the original amount. What we were not told is that while a short break away booked within 28 days used very few points it would most certainly wipe out your available user charge, in fact for a midweek break recently, our first Flexiclub holiday, I had to pay in towards the user charge. For that fee I could quite easily have found my own accomodation. Also we were only able to check in on the Wednesday but had pay for an entire midweek break - Monday to Friday, to take a weekend added to that would have cost us another whole years user charge. We were able to get accomodation for the weekend for half that.
4)The club is sold as the ideal way to enjoy "free" FAMILY holidays for the rest of your life - when trying to book one specific holiday we were told no bookings could be made during school holidays. So whats the point?
It is quite obvious that the rely on the holiday feeling to get there product sold. I doubt very much if sales would be successful back home where people are very aware of every cent spent.
Once again, if anyone has knows of any recourse we may have or what, if anything, can be done to be released from this contract. Regards, - Kenneth Constable & Angie Willems

July 5 2006
I attended a presentation in October 04 and all the time during the presentation asked for all the monies FlexiClub would expect me to pay. My presenter, Muzi, did not make mention of the R1000+ every beginning of the year. My monthly payments started in June 05. In Feb 05 I received my first account - the only information I had received from them since signing their contract. I have gone through the formal process of requesting to cancel my contract with them, as I had been misrepresented at the presentation, before actually starting with the payments or using their services. This was done three times and on all three occassions declined for the reasons that my signature was on the contract and all their presenters were well trained and would have told me everything. My fees started to climb and I owed them over R3000. They were charging me a full years fees for 2004 - bearing in mind I signed on 24 October! Why pay a full year's fees for 2 months. When I called them they were very quick to suggest they would drop the amount of R1400 and only start my contract from Jan 05! By June 05 I had their credit department calling me to make payment of the outstanding monies (the fee they neglected to tell me about). I told them that I would pay it off. I sent them correspondence to this effect and said that I would pay them off per month in addition to my monthly fee (please note these monies I have been paying in addition to the monthly fee has not reduced my total outstanding amount). Their credit department called me to say this was totally unacceptable as it would take me too long to pay it off. I asked for them to put this in writing - they refused! According to their latest letter I have been blacklisted.
Reading the other comments on this site, makes me realise I am not the only person to be suckered into signing a contract with FlexiClub. No wonder they are called "FlexiClub" they make things FLEXIble to suit themselves!!
If you have had similar experiences and have come right with cancelling the contract, please let me know (heleneprr@yahoo.com). I have tried to sell the contract, but nobody is interested - I wonder why! I am at the point where I would NOT like to sell this and have sleepless nights worrying about somebody else having to go through this.
I refer to staceykas's comments posted on 11 March 05 and agree with her. More of us need to stand together and to email Carte Blanche and take
further legal action. - FlexED OFF

Mar 10 2006
To all of you Flexi Club members...Good Luck and may you win your never ending battle..I have been tryiing to resolve my issues with them for since 2003, and, to no avail. I paid them the R 2500,00 deposit, i never even used or booked any timeshare, and now i have been black listed on ITC for non-payment.
Repeated queries resulted in loud telephonic fights with their accounts department..." Oh no sir, you have signed the debit order, so you still owe us R 4 300.00, and until paid in full, your'e name will stay on the blacklist...". So, know i decided to see if i can hassle them to death via email and telephone...Hopefully i'll come right after the next 6 months or so... Please people...don't do ANY business with them From yours truly.. - .Unhappy Harry

Mar 4 2006
Dear Mr.Kelland
I was hoping that you can assist me by giving me a contact no. for Tisa in Cape Town South Africa.
You see I know that Flexi Club are taking me for a ride as I joined them in last year November 2005 in which I had to pay the some of R2400.
With this they also gave me 1500 points as soon as I joined them and told me that I will be paying an annual fee of R1400 starting the begining of March 2006 and that this amount can be paid off in 3 months time.
My problem is that since then I have received continuos bills stating that iam in arrears since last year and that I now owe them R2500 for last year.
Bear in mind I have not made use of this timeshares ever, I have however written them a letter asking what this is all about, their response was very unclear to me but what I could understand was that they will scrap last year fees and that I can start paying them as from this year but all my acquired points will be erased.
So I think its safe to say that iam a victim of timeshare fraud.
I have been on the net searching for info on Tisa or Flexi club, and found that Flexi club is on Tisa's black list, is this true? if so I really need help.
I have being trying to contact their branch in the V & A Waterfront (in Cape Town) now for last 2 months but nobody is ever available to assist me.
So I pray that you can point me in the right direction.
Your response to this mail will truly be appreciated Regards - SB

June 26 2005
Are there any other members of Club Leisure/Leisure Corporation or the previous name of Resorts Ownership around.
We are having severe problems with this organisation and wonder if anyone has any information that could be shared.
Impatientuk@AOL.com - Hopeful

June 23 2005
We unfortunately have an interest in CRI/Club Leisure and wonder if there are any other owners in England who are having severe problems with this organisation. They have changed hands or names several times since we purchased from them under the name of Resorts Ownership. We have been unable to get any sort of exchanges and just would be interested to hear if anyone else is having similar problems. The levy/maintenance fees are now unbelievable. - Brenfrah@AOL.Com

May 25 2005
Flexi Club having been thrown out of the UK where they went bankrupt, and having a tough time down under where they are trying to con the Australian public, have now undertaken to move into Swaziland. Their masters, Club Leisure Group are ostensibly investing some R1.6 billion in Swaziland. That has to be a joke. What assets they have are all fictitious being in points.
Club Leisure Group consists of a motley collection of unlawful clubs that purport to be ?not for profit? organisations but are in fact highly motivated and do make profits directly and indirectly for themselves and the clubs. Perhaps they have paid our Swazi Nation in worthless points. Points are lost if you do not use them or pay the exorbitant annual fees to fuel the luxuries of the ?club managers?.
The Swazi Nation does not need these fraudsters to ?invest? here. They conduct unlawful business in South Africa so why should we have them here knowing that they are crooked and have no ethical business practices. It is like saying let the drug lords and mafia operate in our Kingdom especially if they pay some illusionary token to our King and Nation and also play emotive games by promising jobs, which are just as easily lost.
We do not need the infamous Club Leisure Group/Flexi Club in Swaziland with their immorality and fleecing the public behaviour.
Wake up Swazis and see the reality of their fraud. Just read this site to see what repeated gangsters they are. - Khumalo

Mar 14 2005
Bollocks to RCI for taking a Gold Crown Club - Magic Breakaways with 15000 paying members and 7 fantastic properties and shoving it down the toilet. Now that these members find themselves in a very unpleasant place, as toilets are, there are fewer than 4000 members left who own worthless paper which you cannot finish the job with. This was a club in the upper end of the timeshare resorts , no wonder its members refuse to put up with 40% levy increases from flexi club each year and have instead decided to vote with their feet - wonder who is going to pay the resort levies now? sweep sweep! - under the carpet

Mar 11 2005
Magic Breakaways has just merged with a group called Club Leisure. One of the directors of this group is SJ Lamont. I see that he features quite a lot on your page and is not a popular man. They converted my week to points which means that they will de-value every year. So, now I must still pay levies and top point up to carry on going on holiday at my usual resorts. Frankly it is cheaper to just book into a resort as a private individual. I have told them that I want to cancel my contract(not even sell it) as I refuse to pay the "Special Levy" that has just been billed to me on top of my normal levy! They refused. I have submitted this story to Carte Blanche and really hope that they investigate it. I have also referred your site to them. I would like to know if there are any other people out there in the same boat and if they would like to join me in taking legal action against this group. The more people there are the stronger the case will be. This includes Flexi-club, Premier Vacation club, Magic Breakaways, Star Vacation club, Flexi Vac, Corporate club, Off Beat holiday club and CRI operations. This timeshare scam must be put to a STOP. Anybody interested in joining me may contact me at staceykas@yahoo.com - Stacey

Oct 25 2004
Do any of the readers have connections who may know how to escape from the Flexi-Club, South Africa, mousetrap? This thing is a real nightmare - with the "club" proclaiming that the sale of points may take 18 months - during which time the fees must be maintained by the so-called member. I am no longer interested in funding this bunch of ill-mannered, arrogant autocrats.
I am really interested in surrendering my "points" to some undeserving cause (maybe some terrorist organisation deserves to inherit this crap from me).
Maybe it is time to call in some legal assistance on these issues - anybody interested in taking on THE bullfrog and his cronies? If the points are worth anything to a legal person - you are welcome to them! Just get me out of this crappy contract - I am tired of the abuse that I receive from Flexi Club, South Africa.
Flexi club "CLIENT" e-mail me at: moonacross@yahoo.com

Sept 17 2004
So Cokayne, what is new? What you describe is practised by Flexi Club and others in different guises. The points system is a fraud on the consumer and Government should investigate it. The clubs run TISA and anyone, the likes you mention, who establish new entities will be closed down by 'nickers' Meyer to protect his pay check and butt. He and TISA are a joke. They do not represent the timeshare industry in South Africa but the blood sucking marketing arm of the likes of The Holiday Club (Beekmans and 'Green grocer') Tony Fernandes and the infamous Flexi Club and Froggy Lamont.
'Fight the Crooks' misses the scams and malpractises of the Holiday Club. Recently the Beekmans through their 'Green Grocer' acquired control of the Aloes on Natal South Coast using a front to purchase the major stake from the family Trust only to pass it on to The Holiday Club, an illegal club, at a profit 'for his services', Fernandes refuses to disclose the acquisition and bid to other shareholders, as he is compelled to do, and will not make a similar offer for the acquisition, to the family and friends minority.
Instead, because Flexi Club have done it and got away with so far (TISA will do nothing, naturally) The Holiday Club have written to the minority telling them to pay a special levy of R4000 per week (a familiar figure!) because the place is run down.
In reality, the land is prime land on the beach front. The Holiday Club want the land but only want to pay in their self printing points instead of hard cash for the land. They can then re-develope the land once they control the Company owning The Aloes Share Block. Yet another fraud of theirs. They have already defrauded shareholders in Mpumalanga (Eastern Transvaal for those out of the know) where they again stole the land.
When is Government going to wake up and close the fraudsters and protect the consumer, particularly the emerging black middle class? - Close the Points (Blackman speaking)

Sept 5 2004 A week back I submitted an enquiry to FlexiClub SA asking how they coult raise the annual rate by around 40percent this year. As expected there has been no reply and I will not be holding my breath waiting for one to come from them.
This morning it seems as if there is a problem with their site. It simply won't load. Have they been shut down? Please say YES - oh PLEASE! I dont mind losing my money if it means seeing the bulldog behind bars - a worthwhile investment.- Ever Hopeful

Sept 3 2004
Anon is so correct. RCI are in bed with Froggy Lamont and the malpractices employed by Flexi Club. RCI are apparently buying out Froggy for in excess of R200 million. What are they getting? Hopefully they will do full and proper due diligence. Flexi Club with their mafiosi legal adviser Don Bosch, have defrauded the La Montagne shareholders out of R3 million by writing off the interest they owed La Montagne for late payment of levies while ensuring the other shareholders paid the interest or had their shares repossessed. Dirty tactics Bosch is in the forefront as the front man for Froggy Lamont.
At the recent Flexi Club Annual General Meeting (What a joke, a Froggy get together with his trustees - entrenched for life) no mention was made in the reports or at the meeting of all the court cases Flexi Club are in and the settlements in some case they have had to make to stay out of the eye of Government.
Flexi Club have their Apartheid era Policeman General Brandt ('Hit man') to keep control and they liaise with another Apartheid policeman Mike O'Sullivan who runs Quantum Marketing for them.
Flexi Club is the ugliest side of any business let alone the South African timeshare industry. Close them down folks! - Fight the Crooks

May 17 2004
Bulldog Lamont deservedly gets most of the criticism for the frauds and excesses perpetrated on the innocent of South Africa. But behind Lamont is a shadowy evil character who invented the scams for Lamont to perpetrate, Andrew Davies.
Davies started life at the very bottom of the money grubbing business, as a tallyman, lending a Rand to a poor family and collecting 20c a week from them for the rest of their lives. The Club Leisure Group is just a bigger version of this grotesque practice.
And, just before we Europeans get too cocky it is worth remembering that RCI Points started in South African with strong links to Davies and Lamont. Links that have not entirely been broken! - anon


May 15 2004
As an employee of above I wish to remain anonymous, but want to let the members know some vital information, so please put my mail on your web site.

Magna, CRI, Star, Flexi , Questor and Quantim Marketing all belong to Club Leisure Group and Fattie "no mannered" Steward Lamount runs the show. He sits with millions while he pay his employers peanuts. Some staff members earn a measly R2000-00 per month. I don't think there is another company in South Africa that has a staff turn over as the Club Leisure Group has, and it's not just because he pay's us so shit, it's because some staff members can't sleep at night, as they realize that they are part of a hideous scam, nothing short of stealing from people. We have to hear people ranting and raving all day long in accounts department about the fees they have to pay that keeps escalates every year, and then they can't ever get a booking. Members get listed with ITC if they fail to pay their annual fees (payable in advance) even though in some instances they have thousands of rand user charge available ( Paid fees not yet used). The members don't earn interest on this money that Bulldog is holding, but they get charges interest if their fees are not paid within three month of being raised. Some members(especially the elderly and Africans get coned into purchasing 250 to 500 points. As we know, you can't go anywhere with such little point, even if you accumulate your point for three years it will give you about 600 to 1500 points, which still is not enough. Members with these low point's was mislead from the beginning. I feel that Management should reprimand the sales people for doing such a deal, but instead they get encouraged to do so, for this way the club score all the way, as the member has to pay his fees every year but can't use it. This tactic enables the club to collects hundreds of thousands of rands for absolutely no service to the member and no cost's endured by the club, not to speak about the hundreds of thousands of rands paid by these members to purchase their points/stars initially. What is a point or a star? Nothing. The club makes it up as they go along. They should rather call it "another sucker fee", for that is basically what it is. As a member you don't get cheaper rates at the resorts, you pay the same as Joe Soap would pay not being a member, and Joe Soap's chances of getting a booking directly through the resort is 80% better than a member who is forced to book through Club Leisure group. So members loose all the way against Joe Soap. A member paid an annual subscription, plus annual user charge plus a Special levy , where-as Joe Soap only pay user charge, and most members paid in the region of R11,000-00 for there so called points. So make some sums and see for yourself who scores- A member paid about R15,000-00 for his holiday, and Joe Soap only paid R4000-00. Another interesting fact the members out there would like to know. The threatening letters you have received from GORDON DE BEER for not paying your account - Guess what ? The lady who sent you the letter is an employer of Club Leisure Group, she just has her own direct phone line.
I have heard client sob over the phone, some even threatening to commit suicide, Member offer that we just take all the money they have paid this far and cancel their contract, but once you have singed this complicated contact, there is no way out. Well that is what BULLDOG say's in the contact, it even states that in the event of a members death, the spouse or children of the deceased has to continue paying the annual fees. I pray each night that somewhere, there is somebody that is not going to let them get away with this and expose them all over the media for what they really are and make them close their doors, and instructed by a court of law to pay the members back their money paid for the points they bought.
Steward Lamont- you have caused a lot of people heart ace and caused their financial ruin, but remeber one thing - you are not above the law, your are going down (hopefully twice).
Hopefully in this life somebody will take you down, ruining you financially as you have ruined others but on the Lord's judgement day, I have no doubt that you will go down - DOWN TO HELL. - Pissed Off Staff Member.

May 13 2004
All you Holland Moorehouse, Star Club, CRI and Flexi Club members wake up - You were had or going to be had. All the above clubs "ARE" Club Leisure group and owned and run by the same Lamont" clang. You are in a vicious circle, for they started one club until they can't sell anymore useless point, then they quickly start another club and force you to convert to this ne clubby buying more Stars or points or loose all your money you have invested so far. The same patern will continue, and then you will get a call agian saying that your existing club is closing down, and you must convert to Flexi Club and that you have to buy Flexi points. Not long from now you will have to convert again, for they will tell you Flexi Club is closing and they will start a new club. And so on and so on. You loose all the way. I know, I work there. Have you ever tried to sell your points/stars? Did they refer you to Quantim?
Guest what? They are Quantim. You paid about R11.40 per point and Quantim offers you R1 to R2-00 a point, then they resell it again at R11.40. Why does Tisa do nothing? Lamont is on the board of Trustees. - Pay Back


May 13 2004
Club Leisure Group members, have you ever inquired the prices as an individual at the resort that you are booking through Club Leisure? Well I have, and discovered that as a non member of any holiday club I pay the same and at some resorts less, than the user charge Club Leisure charges. What are we paying our yearly fees for if we don't save a cent. It actually costs us more considering the subscription fees and special levies not to mention the initial point bought. This is just a big rip off. We can must rather keep our money in "OUR" banks rather that pay Club leisure group who earns interest on our money. For all you folks out there that was considering joing Club Leisure Group "DON'T" for you will just become as bitter and angry as thousand of member are. I counted my losses and forfeited 16743 points just to get rid of this lying, cheating scam and to ensure that I don't give these deceiving people one more cent.
One bitten, twice shy. - Learned the hard way

Oct 29 2003
At the Bushman's Nek annual general fleecing.Flexiclub who controls the board voted unanimously to write off over two million rands worth of unpaid levies .OWED BY FLEXICLUB TO THE SHAREBLOCK.As usual there was all kinds of quasi legal explanations and blame heaped on The Holiday Club and the Beekmans for not paying there levies with the same end result ,the owners get shafted.Bullfrog managed to waddle in but soon got going when he realised that he was not going to get a standing ovation but more likely a public stoning.Now that he owns Questor he can get other people to do his dirty work.Shame on you all - Noah Bitt

Oct 2 2003
It has taken a lot longer than anyone expected for Flexiclub to get out of the UK.
Bullfrog Lamont persisted two or three years before eventually recognising that the Brits don�t like crooked South Africans on their doorstep. Even Zoe Harman was quicker on the uptake than the Bullfrog. - Cyn

Sept 17 2003
I have been reading some of your comments especially those relating to Flexiclub South Africa. I am in the unenviable position of having traded my fixed timeshare for points. I have used those once only and the resort was anal at best. The staff at MOUNT AMANZI were rude and incompetent, and most of them would fit better at the front desk of a brothel. Friends of mine booked into the resort at the same time and paid for their accommodation in cash. The user charge was about the same as the standard rental being offered to the public so there is no advantage to membership of Flexiclub - and THAT IS THE PROOF.

I have written to Flexiclub, requesting an explanation, but it would appear that awkward questions go straight into file 13.

There is no doubt in my mind about the integrity of Flexiclub South Africa. I have joined the opposition and will spread the word based on my experiences with this bunch.

The sooner these people are behind bars the better!-- Porcupine

Aug 21 2003
we withholds levies in order for members to make payments. Levies only went up 18% and some resorts had special levies to make up this losses. we transfer weeks out of one building into another so we can sell the building otherwise the owners will have to keep paying special levies for ever and ever which cant be fair. You will notice also that Flexi Club when it does pay levies is through a loan to the management agent so if owners dont pay why should we and we at least can get the money back plus interest. We have removed the penthouse in the Palace resort and penthouses of La montagnue from the register because of this reasons above and management use this accomodation for meetings etc. - accounts manager

July 31 2003
Flexi club have swindled again. At the La Montagne annual general meeting or is it "annual general fleecing" Shawn Lamont was rude and uncouth. He is such a "baby" and thinks he can emulate his father and past master of swindle. Stuart Lamont's trouble maker mouth piece "rug man" Tony Fernandes (because of his ridiculous hair piece if you are so wealthy R90m! why buy rubbish from the garbage truck?)is so arrogant and rude that it is amazing he does not get sued. "Rugman" does not read anything (perhaps he cannot) comes ill prepared and is so concerned with his self importance it is surprising he has time for anyone else. Up go the levies to cover the Flexi club shocking management record and a special levy according to baby Lamont " pay up or else we will sue you".

What happens is that the shareholders part with their title for worthless and meaningless points and Flexi club becomes richer. Stuat Lamont's lap dog ("nickers")John Meyer of TISA of course does nothing. "Nickers" Meyer is too busy chasing RCI skirts to have any other interest in timeshare. He is point orientated and good reason, they pay him. The whole bunch are untrustworhty and inherently dishonest.

"Nickers" Meyer gave legal advice at a recent seminar in Johannesburg and I believe around the Country. Since when did a ladies underwear salesman become a lawyer? Perhaps the Law Society should sue him to add to his personal tally of legal action!

The timeshare industry in South Africa is a disgrace and RCI joins in. RCI Clucas is such a wet he sides with Stuart Lamont and others because of the pathetic marketing failure of RCI. They allowed the clubs to beat them at their own game and now the man in the street has to pay.

Get rid of this vermin. They have made their millions from us all and their red ferraris! - Anti crime points - Keep em out

[M. Henley Class President Find all posts View Profile Close M. Henley]

Proxy

I e-mailed my signed and notarized proxy in last weekedn.

[jackio Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close jackio]

The resort e-mailed me a proxy the other day. Since I no longer own there, I disregarded it. Good luck to all of you on thwarting this.

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

More from Crimeshare on Flexi-Club / Club Leisure group

July 8 2003
Flexi Club now are ripping off La Montagne shareholders. The latest is that they have increased levies by over 17% and imposed a further R800 special levy because of defaulting levy payers. Of course, they are the biggest defaulters as they hold back their payments apparently to encourage others to pay promptly. What a novel excuse for poor cash flow management. Flexi Club could not manage themselves out a paper packet! Are they going bankrupt? Is that why Lamont and Ridl are busy travelling UK and Australia for the next 4 months. Are thet planning their escape route and avoiding creditors. Never mind RCI will bail them out of their sordid business.

It is about time these scammers were locked up for their down right crooked dealings. Wake up Oz and deport the bast.... and for heavens sake UK get a wake up call!

The rest of the World does not need business swindlers like these. Rise up all you flunky holiday-makers and cut off their water. TISA, of course will do nothing about as they are paid by the likes of Flexi Club and other points clubs who control the Board of TISA or is it PISSA?

June 18 2003
RCI South Africa and Flexiclub have joined forces to create yet another Club Leisure Group con basket. YThe new club is called Premier Vacation Club based at Flexiclub in Pinetown with the same "Trustees" as all the rest namely Ridl and Lamont. RCI have made a huge blunder in siding with the points clubs who operate illegally with their blessing and the blessing of the infamous TISA (Timeshare Institute of South Africa). TISA "executive director", John Meyer, who tries to pretend he is lawyer is the pay of the points clubs and is their servant.

Meyer is in fact a failed points salesman who was and is still involved in a shady club. Prior to that he was a salesman (or even so-called sales director) of "Its a pleasure", tea party distributors of womens lingerie. He tries the playboy approach to those females surrounding his pathetic activities.

As for Tony Forbes trying to distance himself from Flexiclub and Stuart Lamont, what a joke, they are in the smae scams together and operate illegally using information passed on to them by insider managers and directors whom they pay.

Mr Lamomnts attempt to whitewash his "mafia" organisation is laughable as his various clubs have a constant history of not paying levies in an attempt to pick the main property cheaply. This is theft Mr Lamont.

Tax rat is correct. Lamont, Forbes and others use these so-called clubs as means of TAX EVASION (not avoidance) on the pretense that they are non profit clubs. I have yet to meet other types of genuine "club managers" who are millionaires. Give us a break. You are all scam artists. RCI through Ivan Clucas the Southern African Managing Director is in cohoots with these scam clubs.

RCI SA has now acquired the rights to manage Australia and New Zealand RCI, why? Because Flexiclub are desperately trying to break into those markets and to bale out of the debt to RCI they have conned young and inexperienced Clucas ibnot their way of operating.

If RCI international are serious about their "good reputation", as was the goal of the founder, they would disenfrachise RCI SA and find new business operators who are "non mafia".

How does anyone have a "lifetime managment" contract such as Lamont has negotiaited for the scurroulous Magna Resort Management? Flexiclub stole the property by adopting the tactic mentiopned elsewhere, of letting the resort run down and then imposing hefty levies. Owners cannot afford the massive increase so Club Leisure Group and its various "fly by night clubs" offer to buy tyhem out with worthless points which they freely create. Humbugs all of you!

You also cheat your staff leaving them unpaid with fabricated stories of non performance or targets etc.

If RCI had the guts they would ditch the SA points clubs completely. It is only because of the poor management of RCI SA that they cannot counter the dubious marketing tactics of Flexiclub. So "The Whisperer" your hop[e that RCI had finally done this is not real. RCI and the points clubs aided and abetted by PISA (TISA's real name), Points Institute of South Africa, get closer because of RCI'sw very poor marketing and bad image in SA. They would regain some respect if they turfed the points clubs and those scams.

Dennis Nicholson comments on February 20, 2003, probably written by Stuart Lamont, clearly sets out how the clubs have to survive. It is in essence a pyramid scheme and has to create new "clubs", not run by members but by the millionaires from members funds, to keep self alive. Hopefullt RCI will never award Oscas of any type to these undemocratic and dishonest clubs.

The Beekmans have said that they are definitely associated with Flexiclub, indirectly anyway. Read their stupid denial of October 18, 2003, "neither the Beekman Brothers nor Holiday Club is NOT associated with Flexiclub in any way whatsoever". This says they are associated. Too many negatives in their sentence construction! In any event they are connected through TISA so that is not "in any way whatsoever".

The whole points system in South Africa is dishonest and could not bear scrutiny from honest Governement authorities including the Tax man, if he paid attention. Points clubs in SA are a rip off.

Disgruntled points


May 12 2003
In South Africa there has been a lot of concern over maintenance levies at various resorts particularly at resorts managed by Magna Resort management and Questor Resort Management. These companies are part of the Club Leisure Group and I am in fact a director of Magna. There has been an ongoing problem with levy collection at La Montagne in Ballitto and this was addressed in the resort magazine "Liaison" and at the most recent TISA meeting.
In order to alleviate some of the misconceptions I would like to point out that Magna Resort Management has only managed to collect 55% of the outstanding levies, leaving a deficit of R3.456 million . The reasons for this are a high level of owner dissatisfaction with the resort and the unpaid levies from Flexiclub, Star Club and The Holiday Club. Disciplinary steps have been instituted against several staff members of Magna Resort Management and there have been a number of hearings and dismissals effected.
As the owner of the commercial areas at the resort as well as the Trustee of both Flexiclub and Star Club there is absolutely no way I am going to allow this situation to persist. I have undertaken to pay these levies as well as the portion due for the commercial areas as soon as The Holiday Club pay their portion of the Special Levy and in any event before the next AGM in 2004

In this context it is only reasonable that Magna Resort Management be allowed to complete its lifetime mangement contract with La Montagne.

I would appreciate comments and suggestions and invite anybody who wishes to , to contact me directly on 083757694 or at margaretf@flexclub.co.za instead of using this website.

Stuart J. Lamont
Chairman
Club Leisure Group

Mar 15 2003
The FlexiClub representative in the UK is too scared to tell Lamont that his operation is going pear shaped.
The Scottish sales team turned out to be fraudsters; the southern England team decamped because they couldn�t earn a living and the Graig Park team are close to packing it in � probably leaving Graig Park in the lurch, yet again.
So, where is the European arm of FlexiClub heading?
The database is modest with less than 2,000 owners, so would only be of interest to CLC or RMI to pitch their club memberships. The inventory is a very mixed bag, including some real rubbish, which would be of interest to no-one.
A merger might be on the cards but the only other small points club is UVC (new version) who could be wooed.
Otherwise it�s a repeat of the mid 90�s crisis for the FlexiClub operation in Europe with the prospect of death being ever present.
Stevie

Mar 4 2003
At a recent TISA (Timeshare Institute of South Africa), meeting, held in Jo'Burg, there was a stunned silence when it was announced that Flexiclub would raise ANOTHER SPECIAL LEVY. That is on top of the R9 million levied 3 years ago. Obviously Lamont's money laundering night club, has to be funded and who better to fund it than the Timeshre Owners. All was smooth sailing until John Beekman from Holiday Club realised that he also had to cough up to support Lamont's lavish lifestyle. At last the sleeping giant has awoken and realised that all is NOT well at the Club Never Group. He was insisting on a forensic audit until Lamont got hold of him and smoothed things over. He probably told him that he could do the same trick as Flexiclub, which is; don't pay the levies, wait for your own management company to repossess the weeks, and then buy them back for a token amount once the levies have been written off
The Whisperer

Feb 26 2003
Flexi Club South Africa
Flexi Clubs no brainer of an answer to The whisperer, comments on "innovation" the only conclusion one can reach from the Flexi Club practise of taking timesharers weeks which they own and converting them to points they dont own and which they cannot use without coughing up huge user levies can only be discribed as that of a parasite. The only clean sweep they are used to and boastfully proud of is the one under the carpet which are now full of unpaid levy statements owed by Flexi Club to various resorts they are currently ruining. As for their spokesperson, Dennis, read liar, and his comments on the Flexi Club business, read theft, well he needs to be wrapped up tighter than an airport pretsel and locked away from the intelligent world. As a consolation at least he as the companys spokesperson has the guts to publicly tell the truth about his companies business of timeshare theft from innocent members of the public. Perhaps now that they have admitted to it the authorities ca n act?
The govenor

Feb 20 2003
In Response to the Whisperer's cowardly attack on the Club Leisure Group, I must say that he or she must be truly spineless to hide behind a pseudonym while attacking Flexiclub. The fact of the matter is that RCI DID invite Flexiclub to the awards. Flexiclub did not attend because RCI did not agree that the formula for sales awards should include the value of weeks or points traded in. As you should be aware, Flexiclub does very few new sales, but focuses rather on upgrades and conversions.Therefore if these values were excluded, then Flexiclub would receive very little recognition. This was EXACTLY what occurred at the Oscas. RCI has subsequently agreed to create a special category for Flexiclub.This award will be for the highest number of consecutive conversions between products in the CLG stable.As the chairman of CLG, S.J Lamont, received the first award in the new category for Product Innovation and he is intent on retaining the competitive edge for the group. We have several innovative products, such as Corporate Club and Premier Vacation Club. The process of converting our members into these dynamic new clubs will commence as soon as we have completed all conversions from Star Vacation Club into Flexiclub. I am positive that, at the next Oscas, the Flexiclub group will make a clean sweep in this category
Dennis Nicholson, National sales Manager

Feb 12 2003
Stuart Larmont and his Flexiclub gang were absent from the RCI Oscas. Rumour has it the RCI made it plain that they, Stuart and co., were not welcome. Is RCI taking a stand , at long last, against hisskullduggery? If so, WELL DONE!!!! RCI
The Whisperer

Oct 26 2002
I am sick and tired of all you people running down FlexiClub.
I am a businessman of many years standing and ALL the accusations leveled at Flexi Club and myself are without merit.
he situation with outstanding levies is very complex and Club Leisure nGroup only holds back on levy payments when the timeshare owners do not pay theirs. This is done to encourage the owners to pay up when they see the resort standard dropping.
For the record, I have authorised payments to be made to The Oceanic and Quanza Marine for any outstanding levies. So lets get our facts straight.
Stuart. J.Lamont
Chairman; Club Leisure Group

Oct 18 2002
Neither the Beekman Brothers nor Holiday Club is NOT associated with Flexiclub in any way whatsoever.
The Beekmans


Sept 7 2002
The industry in SA seems to be going down the tubes. RCI seems to have relinquished its monopoly to The Club Leisure Group and are content to sit helplessly and wath SL, RC and TR destroy what used to be a thriving industry. The G.O.T as thay have been refered to seem intent on controlling the industry at the expense of all other players and ultimatly the industry itself. After recently reading the enties on this sight it is no wonder there is no new talent entering the business. No one developing, no new dynamic sales companies, no growth just bad resort management and terrible customer service. I think that someone should expose the culprits and kill the industry quickly because at the moment it it just dying a slow death. Is'nt that disappointing?
DISSAPOINTED

Aug 21 2002
Club Leisure Group is at it again through their FlexiClub robbery unit.
Is there no end to the underhand and thieving ways of these same old Timeshare crooks?
Who can I be referring to? Yes, You guessed right! Stuart Lamont, Rioma Commenelli and Tony Ridyl, That same old, same old Gang of Three; or G.O.T.
The latest scam is in keeping with most of the others perpetrated by G.O.T. and you can bet your life that as Lamont and Commenelli are on the TISA executive committee, the industry watchdog is guaranteed to just watch (and whimper. No barking or growling).
This is the scoop from my CLG mole.
The ex Timeshare resort Hawaii in Durban fell back into the hands of G.O.T. as a result of levies not being paid and the resort falling behind in its standards. This in itself doesn;t sound unreasonable until you realise that the majority of the unpaid levies were on unsold or repossessed stock owned by G.O.T.s company.
Poor tired old Hawaii lost its RCI affiliation and G.O.T. snatched it away from the owners of the Timeshare on the pretext that levies were not being paid.
They then sold it to the government for low cost housing, without a cent going back to any of the owners. What a lot they G.O.T.
Similar plans are afoot for the Oceanic in Durban, where it is planned that The Don Apartments will take it over and redecorate in the style of the new Durban Casino.
The penthouse in the Oceanic is kept permanently open by G.O.T. in case their crony from the SAP ever wants to use it, or indeed any of the G.O.T. for their dubious private liaisons. The upkeep of which is shared by all the other owners. CLG run the AGM.
FACT: FlexiClub owes more than FIVE MILLION RANDS in unpaid levies to the Oceanic and standards are falling, exit RCI, enter G.O.T. Enter Don Apartments.
RESULT = Owners shafted and Don Apartments has a trendy new complex on the doorstep of the casino. (Do you think the owners of the points or timeshare weeks will get anything?)
Watch out T/S owners of the Quanza Marine. Not only does FlexiClub owe 1,.5 Million RANDS in unpaid levies, but Lamont has just bought Questor, the resort management company, which should ensure that many more resorts will follow shortly. G.O.T run the Clubs, they control the shareblocks, they control the managing agents and HAVE TO COLLECT LEVIES FROM THEMSELVES. Now if you wish to rid yourself of your GOTforsaken points you have to do it through QUANTUM registration company ,another GOT enterprise . One would think that the monopolys commision would take a dim view of this.
It is expected that the Timeshare industry will do nothing to curtail these hijackers.
Why?
1. Lamont is the loudest barker in the watchdog TISA, the others just meow their agreement.
2. RCI can;t say much as Lamont owes them millions too!
G.O.T just keeps on getting.
Why should we, break our backs
Stupidly, paying tax
Happy to find some untaxed income
Better pick a pocket or two
icely put fagin
G.O.T. it?
Well it looks like poor Stuart Lamont is besieged on all fronts.
He is involved it litigation. His Oz venture is a failure. His "coup" with Holland Morehouse blew up and his sales are plummeting.
Rumour also has it that his finances are stretched.
No wonder the unfortunate fellow has a pasty grey look about him.
Scoundrel though he is, one cannot help but feel sorry for him as it seems his empire is due to collapse, and there is someone in the wings about to shake the empirical foundations quite considerably.
Enter Dennis Nicholson, apprentice rogue, who is now flexing his muscles.
Having recruited Mike " Bullshit Bertie " O' Sullivan as his sidekick they are about to give Stuart the "carrot"
Although Peter Nicholson ( appie rogue's son ) and Rioma get on rather well, too well for Stuart's liking, hence Peter's banishment to the Beach Hotel, Dennis and Rioma hate each other with a passion and although Stuart has helped Dennis " Appie Rogue" Nicholson quite considerably, Dennis hates Stuart, and as a result has decided to shaft him.
The master plan involves R50 million worth of second hand points that the brilliant and cunning duo intend to sell.
Mike " Bullshit Bertie " O' Sullivan runs Stuart's beachfront operation and Dennis already controls all Stuart's sales. They have already started building up their debtor's book and soon everything will be theirs.
The Whisperer

[Sou13 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sou13]

Libel suit?

I seem to recall coming across something about the Crimeshare editor being sued for libel?

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

Crimeshare posted some material on some of the leaders of the OTE, which was apparently true but they did not like it being exposed. OTE then hired lawyers to threaten anyone who hosted the site or in some cases even allowed links to it. Timesharetalk in the UK, for example, was threatened and refused to allow anyone to even post the name Crimeshare there. In the US, with different libel laws, there was no problem, and OTE didn't even try to intimidate anyone in the timeshare community in the states. Some stateside timeshare sites like Streettalk openly supported Crimeshare in their battle with the OTE thugs. Crimeshare kept changing addresses and OTE kept pursuing them around the web. Eventually they wore them down. One lawsuit was actually filed but only got as far as establishing that Crimeshare was managed by an officer of the Timeshare Consumers Association in the UK before the lawsuit was dismissed.

[hollander Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hollander]

For owners at Dikhololo, you need to get proxies in to help stop a takeover attempt at Dikhololo by one of the major thugs in the SA timeshare industry, Stuart ''The Bullfrog'' Lamont. Lamont runs a group of timeshare operations through his Club Leisure Group including Holland Morehouse, Flexi-Club, Star Club, CRI of South Africa, and First Resorts. His organization is the force behind all of the recent problems at The Seapointer.

Here is a proxy form that an US based reseller is providing:

http://www.tradingtime.net/pdf/2009%...oxy%20Vote.pdf

I have talked to the resort and this is on the level. They are working with this reseller to help get in the proxies to stop Lamont. If Lamont gains control, expect rising fees, special assessments, and perhaps, like The Seapointer, suspension of RCI affiliation to stampede members into converting their weeks into their useless points or selling cheap to Lamont's organizations. Members need to pitch in to keep the resort independent and out of Lamont's claws.

I am new to this forum, but need some advice: I am living in the Netherlands, own a week in the Strand pavilion in South Africa and had been a memeber of RCI and CRI since the 90's. The levies ( paid to CRI) increased stepwise over the years. I recieved a note on a CRI letterhead that asked me to transfer to Flexi Holiday club- a whole envolope full of forms to be signed. Does that mean that CRI is bancrupt/closing down? I also want to know if CRI stops to exists- can I continue with my RCI memebership and to who do I pay my levies?
I do not want to get involved with Flexi holiday club and do not want to continue with CRI, even if they are not closing down.