It wasn't turning out to be much of a vacation.

After paying $5,294.70 to Family Vacation Centers Ltd. on Dec. 2, 2006, David and Joan Barrleau were anything but happy campers.

"We signed up after attending one of their presentations in Burlington," Joan told Action Line.

"The initial membership was $5,294 and you were required to pay an additional monthly fee of $21.35. At the presentation, they told us how we would save hundreds of dollars on vacations. We explained that we usually travel in a group and do all-inclusive packages. We told them we never do cruises and have never done condominium holidays. We said we would not need their services until September 2007, so they delayed withdrawing our monthly fees until August."

When they started to inquire about trips, the Barrleaus say FVC only offered very modest discounts and its representatives refused to "keep an eye open" for sell-offs at specific resorts.

Clients were supposed to contact the club if interested in a particular vacation.

Dissatisfied, the couple visited FVC's office in November and completed a "resolution request form," which they understood would be submitted to head office.

They asked that their money be refunded, their monthly payments stopped and membership cancelled.

"We waited until Jan. 1, 2008. The only thing that happened was our monthly payments stopped. We called numerous times and they would always say the sales manager we had spoken with was busy or out of the office. Finally, on Jan. 22 we were told we would not get our money back and FVC had been sold to Forum National Investments, based in British Columbia. We asked the sales manager if we could speak to someone with more authority and were told there was 'no one above himself.'"

Action Line wrote Chris Richie at FVC's Burlington office, but received no reply.

In a Feb. 14 e-mail, FVC Ontario operations manager Walter Vrbetic said FVC is a vacation club, not a travel agency.

The club offers members various services including access to a full-service travel agency, which is registered with the Travel Industry Council of Ontario.

"A key element of our services is access to condominium rentals at wholesale prices," Vrbetic said. "Our members can pre-book vacations six months in advance and pay only $50-149 per night, based on a seven-night booking," he said.

"Our agreement clearly states the total benefits of our program are achieved through use of a variety of services and particularly the condo club weeks. FVC is not for consumers wishing to take a cheap all-inclusive vacation once a year, or fly home to Halifax and stay with family."

Each cancellation request is judged according to its own merits, Vrbetic noted.

"However, cancellation because of a change of mind or a change in vacation habits does not warrant a refund."

Upon further review, Vrbetic confirmed there would be no refund and urged the Barrleaus to sit down with his staff and find a way to make their membership work. He said the couple's contract specifically provides for two weeks of condo vacation time each year. They can also book other types of holidays.

Forum National Investments describes itself as a "national leader in the wholesale travel club industry and an innovator in luxury lifestyle adventures."

More information is available on foruminvestments.com.

If you have a consumer problem, call 905-526-4665 or e-mail amacrury@thespec.com. Not all calls and letters can be answered.