"Bad sales practices - avoid"

Like other reviewers, we were approached while on holiday with the promise of a "prize" of free accommodation in return for taking part in "an hour presentation". We knew of people who had actually got a decent stay out of this type of thing even if they don't buy, so we thought it was worth a listen. The presentation turned into over 2 hours of them carefully avoiding the cost. When they finally revealed the cost we said no - but the promised voucher has never arrived. Any attempts to raise it with their call centre simply generates a one-line response asking for irrelevant information - we're not even sure we're talking to a human. If approached by these people while on holiday - avoid!

"An hour or two of your time could change everything!"

This is going to be a long one, so settle in guys.
"Timeshare" seems to be a dirty word, but as owners through another company, we were fully aware of what we were in for when the beautiful Sue and Hannah pulled up on their bike with scratch cards. Holiday ownership requires a bit of a gimmick to lure customers in...no one goes looking to spend 10k+ in a day, but if you can sit through an hour or two meeting with the incentive of a free massage or accommodation, you just might see the benefits.
Because we were owners, there was no sales pitch, they explained that when our current ownership is paid off, there's the potential to exchange to Karma ownership.....but that's it. We sat and chatted to the larger than life Pete and Martin for our allocated hour, then they sent us off to get our massage at the beautiful Karma Song. This is how our time in Vietnam changed rapidly. We had unfortunately booked a hotel in a very undesirable part of Da Nang, and upon seeing Karma Song, we instantly decided to forfeit our other accommodation and book Karma.....except that we couldn't. So we headed back to the office to try to get someone to help us book, and there we met the gorgeous Sam, the marketing manager. While Sam was unable to book us in at Karma on such short notice, he gave up half an hour of his own time to help us book accom in another beautiful resort, not affiliated with Karma in any way.
While we didn't buy into the Karma group this time, I can not tell you the gratitude we have for whatever karma sent us their way....it literally turned our holiday from "meh" to "when can we book our next trip" in a few short hours.

"Don't believe the hype! "

The whole thing is a sales stunt. They lure you in with promises of free meals and free holidays you supposedly 'win' . You will never see that holiday .. they just use it to make you sit through their speil.
They want you to buy a membership which supposidedly buys you discounted accommodation. I have heard members can't get accommodation because the company uses the rooms to snag more clients with discounted holidays.
Just another scam.

In response to your response . We have already endured hours of your presentation with the promise of a free holiday which never came. Why on earth would we subject ourselves to that again?

"We received an email inviting us to…"

We received an email inviting us to stay at Karma Song Hoai in Vietnam for $150 (AUD) for 7 nights which we decided to book. The hotel itself is nice, the service is good and breakfast is included. In order to get the deal we were required to attend a 1 hour presentation (sales pitch) for their membership, the presentation was 2 hours, not 1 hour as stated. The breakdown of the costs was $2K (AUD) management fee per year and $38K (AUD) “joining fee” for a 25 year membership. You’re required to pay 10% of the joining fee on the spot or you won’t get the same deal later, the rest of the fee needs to be in the next 12 months. I understand this is how the company makes its money but to pay that amount in a year simply isn’t feasible for most people. We were also told at the end of the presentation all we’d have to do is say yes or no and they’d respect our decision, we’d been very up front that we’re getting married in a few months so there is no way we’re in a financial position to fork out that sort of money, but at the end Jason the manager kept trying to push us to join. Their was also meant to be a promotional included for attending the presentation which we never received.

"Don't trust karma group "

I wish I could have less than one star that gives to karma group. I got voucher for free 1 week stay. When I want to use the voucher they told me that this dates booking full for Vietnam then I told them ok I change destination and told book for another they told me not available for u r dates this happens 5-6 times I change destination n they told me not available u can go for this this dates . We can't go when they say. Then I told them I don't wanna continue u r membership I want refund whatever amount I have paid they told me no this can not happen.

"Karma group marketing scam "

We stayed in Bali , one promoter guy came to us and give us a scratch card , my wife won an IPhone or I watch or 1 week holiday etc. I was thinking it's a scam straight, after the guy make us sure it is free and we are the winners in this month , he took us in a taxi and take to Karma group office , you have fill a form with your details and do a meeting for atleast 1 hour , and after you can have your gift. Its full of poo don't fall for it . Obviously she won 1 week holiday , and it's not free at all you have to pay on side a lot of things. We spent 4 hours until I stand up from the table.... Don't fall for it ! It's a waste of time !

"SCAMMING - business metod NOT OKAY!"

We have been mis-sold and forced into buying the membership a few hours ago after being taken into Taxi in a kidnap style fashion from the street of Kuta where the representative/actor pretended we won a big prize from the scratch card (we later found it was part of scam and every couple there had the same prize). We where in the Office for three ours with 2 small children! Not at any stage we were told that we have been taken to a sales office and going to sales office was not out of our own free will.

Long story short, we were then pushed by hard sales tactic and weren't allowed to sleep through our decision so we can decide on our own free will, even after asking numerous times. After forced into buying the membership, when we returned to our villa, we realized that we have got scammed!

We got vouchers for a Supermarket 45 min from our hotel, we will not be able to use these..

"Voucher Now Received"

Thank you, yes the Karma team provided the voucher last week and also kindly booked our week in Bali at the Karma Royal Sanur at the end of the year. We look forward to our stay and will provide a review on this resort afterwards. Please thank the team for their assistance.

"SCAM BEAWARE"

We have been mis-sold and forced into buying the membership a few hours ago after being taken into Taxi in a kidnap style fashion from the street of Seminyak where the representative/actor pretended we won a big prize from the scratch card (we later found it was part of scam and every couple there had the same prize). It was that bad that I had to shout "STOP" half way through journey! Not at any stage we were told that we have been taken to a sales office and going to sales office was not out of our own free will.

Long story short, we were then pushed by hard sales tactic and weren't allowed to sleep through our decision so we can decide on our own free will, even after asking numerous times. After forced into buying the membership, when we returned to our villa, we realized that we have got scammed as we were only shown Karma Kandara on photos and was told all properties are same but other properties are just ordinary and reviews are below average.

Asking for refund of deposit, I was told the senior manager is not in office (standard response). Don't pay a penny to these people else it will be really hard to get it back from them!

"Where is the E voucher"

We were given a presentation etc in Hoi Ann which took about 3 hours in total. When we decided it wasnt for us we were given a book of vouchers and told we would be sent an email with an e voucher which we has never been sent. Could you please advise. It was the first week in October 2023 but cant pin point the exact day. I have emailed but had no response. We would like to use the voucher in Scotland