Scams: Internets Top Five

Transfer on the Spot reveals the top five web swindles in the world today. In a recent Nielsen survey, almost 60 % of all customers said that they'd rather buy at home then at a mall. With the expansion of the net, shoppers are now ready to purchase almost everything imaginable with a straightforward click. However, what many do not understand is the growing quantity of swindles flowing thru the web today. In this piece, Transfer on the Spot reveals the five most popular cons and the way to avoid them. 


Timeshares 
With timeshares being such an awful investment, many online cons have surfaced during the past few years. Thanks to the business downfall, many timeshare owners are now unable to keep up with the annual maintenance fees. This resulted in many owners making an attempt to sell their timeshare on the web. However, the BBB warns timeshare owners to beware of timeshare resale companies that ask for an front-loaded fee. The BBB even goes as far as to claim never sell a timeshare on the internet. 
One way to avoid being a victim to a timeshare resale scam is to never trust a company who asks for an upfront charge such as processing or title transfer fees. In addition, sellers should never give out any personal information such as their social security or bank info. The BBB advises timeshare owners to use an organization that charges a fee only after the timeshare is sold. 
Be sure to always read the fine print especially when trying to sell a timeshare. Read every contract scrupulously and ensure the company is really selling your timeshare not just charging a charge to publicize the listing. Be sure to never wire cash to a reseller or seller. Credit cards often offer crime protection that wire transfers do not offer.


Designer Goods 
With the economy as it is, many purchasers are looking for a way to save some cash. Many designer purses sold at half price is most likely a knock-off sold by unscrupulous people. What many consumers don't realize is that designer goods will always remain at a hefty price unless the company is having a sale. Counterfeit products have now become a gigantic worldwide industry. Counterfeit products sold and shipped to U.S. Companies have lead them to lose millions of dollars each year. 
The best way to avoid buying a fake or knock-off is to just purchase the item at the official store or from a reputable dealer. 


Financial scholarships and Financial aid 
As college kids graduate many of them have debts that have to be paid off continuously. Since debt must always be avoided at all costs, many scholars and parents are searching for grant opportunities that might be utilized towards higher education. However, the BBB warns parents to never fall for sites that require a charge to access the bursaries or financial aid packages. 
Many conmen have used sites that require a fee for grant possibilities. Students and parents alike have fallen for these grant rip-offs and lose about $100 million annually. All legitimate stipends and financial help information are free and don't need any upfront payment. 


Cruise Deals 
With the great deals presented online though sites like Expedia and Priceline it is hard to say no. But one important thing to avoid is booking a cruise on the internet. Though not all booking sites are scams, it is tough to say no to a good deal. The Better Business Bureau received over 1,000 beefs regarding ship purchases. Many conmen have mailed out postcards stating that you have received a free cruise and in order to claim your prize you need to call them.
 
One important thing to always look for when booking a cruise is the key words such as free, phenomenal offers, or discounted. Any site linked with those key words usually end up being a scam. An alternate way to avoid being scammed is by doing a little research. Read reviews provided by other customers and never give out your Mastercard information until you are guaranteed that the company is One hundred percent legitimate. 


Temp jobs 
Students in highschool or school have a tendency to seek short-term jobs when they have no previous work experience. Many times they're drawn to apply for jobs that offer high wages that need almost no previous work experience. Often times these job offers tend to end up as scams instead of a real job opening. 
To avoid ending up as a victim of this swindle, never send cash to a company in return for a job position. Other examples include costs for info kits, materials, or executive costs. Many times the consumer will pay these charges and end up receiving nothing in turn. One enormous no-no is to give out your private info. Never give out your bank accounts or PayPal info to a company until you are 100% certain they are not a scam. 

Airplane Door Falls on Golf Course

Transfer on the Spot reports on a private jet that lost its door when flying over a Florida golf course this past week.  The jet in question is the Canadair CL600 and it was traveling from Opa-Locka to Pompano Beach when it had to divert and land at the For Launderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

FAA Spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen stated, “An airport vehicle met the aircraft as it exited the runway and escorted it to Bombardier Aviation (a maintenance facility on the airport) where it was discovered that the main cabin door was missing.”

The jet’s door had separated from the plane and proceeded to crash through trees and bounce onto a golf course at Hallandale Beach. The damage to the golf course has not been revealed but the course is closed at this time. 

Traveling With Mom: 5 Tips For Your Sanity

We all know our mothers can be a handful. They have the best intentions for us most of the time, and want to make sure we are doing things right. As much as we love our dear Mothers; traveling with them can seem more like a chore than a vacation.

Here are 5 tips on how to make the best of and enjoy your travels with Mom.

1. So of course you're an adult now (legally), but when it comes to your Mother; you will always be her baby. She will always want to teach you things, and give you her input. When you're under the big bright sun on the beach, don't be surprised when she busts out the only tube of SPF 150+ ever manufactured in  North America and start rubbing in all over you every 5 seconds. It'll be a much better trip if you don't put up a fight about it. Let her be a Mom.

2. When your Mother refers to the resort staff as "the help" just take a deep breath and let it go. Understand that she is from a different era, and this is what was an accepted term at the time. You won't be able to change her way of thinking.

3. So you're on vacation, you'll want to sleep eh, maybe like 12-14 hours?? Well, your mother more than likely won't find this acceptable.  She'll want to spend every single moment bonding with you. Make sure you give her at least a little if not most of your time. The best time is between the hours of 3 and 8 p.m.

4. Once dinner time rolls around, keep in mind you're mother will view this as the prime time to ask you about your personal life in hopes you will be willing to divulge in all the details surrounding college life, or any other situations you have going on. It'll probably seem more like an interrogation from "Law & Order", and she might even try to tell you highly disturbing stories from her freshman years to make you feel comfortable telling her about yours. Best thing to do in this case? Just smile sweetly, and eat your meal.

5. All in all: Don't forget that your mother has generously allowed you to come along on this exquisite trip along with her. Keep this in mind when she asks you "don't you think you're going to be cold in that?" when she sees you walking in your revealing two-piece bathing suit. Even if you are in Miami, momma always means well.

We won't have our mothers in our lives forever, so when it comes to traveling with them; let her be herself and care for you the way she does. It may get annoying from time to time, but she has your best interest at heart.

Don't waste anymore time or vacations stuck in a timeshare contract. Get out now with Transfer on the Spot.

How to Remain Sane While Traveling With The Kids On the Road

Now traveling on a long road trip with your children might sound a bit hectic, but families should view trips like this as rare opportunities to make memories with the little ones without the interruption of television, homework, internet, phone calls and texts, and their friends.  

Here are a few helpful tips to ensure a fun-filled road trip for you and your brood.

 Babies and Toddlers-

•  ·         Prepare yourself. Make sure to keep a lot of wet wipes handy, diapers of course, paper towels, and trash bags. Make sure extra clothes are within reach. We all know babies can make quite the mess of themselves.
• ·         Know your family’s road trip patterns. Each family differs from the way they react on road trips. Many families decide to dress their little ones in pajamas and begin their journeys after dinner once traffic dies down and when it’s bed time for the kiddos to sleep on the way. Other families prefer an early morning departure to enable they arrive to their destination prior to their children’s cranky afternoon hours.
• ·         Dress appropriately for the drive.  It would be wise to dress you baby in clothing that is comfortable, and easy to undo. Save the frilly little dress from grandma until you arrive to your destination.
• ·         Water is best for road trips. Fill those sippy cups or bottles with plain ol’ h2o. Some children can down a bottle of juice of milk on the road, and then throw it up not even half way through the trip. It’d be best to give the thirsty babes only water at least until you hit a rest stop.
• ·          Don’t work against a tot’s schedule, work with it.  Drive during nap time, and stop for meals when they’re hungry. Try to avoid going to see sites during the nap time period it’ll be no surprise that your three-year-old is tired while you’re trying to tour the children’s museum during his/her usual napping hours. 

Grade-Schoolers-

•  ·         Keep them entertained. Bring along some of their favorite toys and games. Their favorite movies. Make sure that you bring the hi-tech toys as well as some of the low-tech ones. You can never go wrong with coloring books and crayons! Make it extra special by surprising them with a few brand new toys.
• ·         Avoid squabbles at all costs. If you’re driving with multiple children in the car, try to manage a meltdown by keeping them separate for most of the trip. If you have a child who is old enough to sit in the front, make him/her trade places with the adult passenger (if there is one). Have the adult ride in the rear with the other child. This will give each child important one-on-one time with each parent or relative.
• ·         Make a border, use the baby. If you’re a parent of three, place the littlest child in between the older ones. This will create sort of a buffer between the older ones to curb any fighting, and gives them both a chance to play with the youngest one.
• ·          Have a picnic. Instead of passing through a drive-thru on the way, opt to pack lunches and stop at a local or state park. Bring a Frisbee, and pause for a game or two.
• ·         A late afternoon arrival is optimal. Try your best to make it to your destination before dinner. Everyone will be looking forward to an out-of-car experience after a long day on the road. Arriving before dinner will allow you and the kids to take advantage of the swimming pool or play area. 

Tweens and Teens-

• ·         Share music. Music soothes the soul. Hook up your teen’s personal iPods or MP3 player to get in tune with the songs you may have in common. Music surely soothes the soul.
• ·         Let your teenager pick sites to see during your trip. Knowing how much teens can procrastinate, they probably didn’t put much thought into your trip; even though they will more than likely express strong opinions about it. When you make your way to the highway, let your teens take over the guidebook and travel apps so they can choose the sites to see and places to eat.
• ·         Listen and talk to them. Let your teens know about the stories you have about when you were their age. Kids love to hear about what you were up to when you were at point in time that you were their age. The car is an ideal place to let loose and allow your teens to express themselves as you look ahead. This allows them to feel judged less than an eye-to-eye conversation. You’ll learn a lot about your son/daughter on the open road. 

While you are stuck stressed out and worried about your timeshare expenses, you could be out enjoying the scenery with your children and making better memories with them. Don’t waste another minute of your time being stuck in an unruly and unfair timeshare contract. Get out now with Transfer on the Spot.

iPhone App ‘Tripomatic’ The Pocket Sized Travel Guide

Finally travelers are able to carry the world in their pocket. The iPhone app Tripomatic is a free service that offers travelers a way to see what there is to do and places to go in over 400 destinations all over the world. Tourists will now be able to build their own itinerary on the go, prior or even during their trip. Custom activities may also be added. 

There are many fun and helpful attributes to this app which was created by husband-and-wife team Lukas and Barbora Nevosad after much frustration on their own vacations where their trip-planning turned into nightmares. One of the notable functions of Tripomatic is the Shake-to-locate task which enables travelers to find nearby attractions simply by shaking their iPhone device.  Tripomatic is quickly approaching the top spot for best trip-planning app all over the world. 

For iPhone users who love to travel this would be a phenomenal tool for them to use. iPhone users who are stuck in a timeshare contract may not be as lucky. Timeshares hold families back from taking real vacations all over the world. If you are looking for a way out of your timeshare for good, Transfer on the Spot is here to help.

Spring and Summers Most Famous, Interesting and Diverse Wine Festivals

Calling all wine connoisseurs, it’s time to shake of the winter chills and enjoy spring and summertime with a glass or three of wine accompanied by artisanal foods and cheeses. 

Here is a list of all the diverse, interesting and famous wine festivals across the country. 

Kapaula Wine and Food Festival- For the past 31 years in Maui, this three-day event occurs in early June. Over 200 wines are celebrated from every region in the world. The wines are paired with fresh seafood from the pacific and traditional Hawaiian cuisine. Festival-goers will not only enjoy the wine tastings and delicious food, but also the scenic oceanic views of The Kapalua Resort.

Nantucket Wine Festival- In Massachusetts you find the beautiful island of Nantucket. Every year top winemakers, chefs, and celebrities gather together to celebrate a couple of life’s amazing pleasures:  superb wines and delectable cuisine. This festival takes place May 16-20, and has been going on for over 15 years. It is the nation’s most celebrated wine and food events. 

Finger Lakes Wine Festival- New York is the home to the annual Finger Lakes Wine Festival. This three-day event showcases 600 wines from the state’s best 80 wineries, in addition to many ales and lagers from local and regional microbreweries. The festival is held in the historic Watkins Glen International race track which is home to the United States Gran Prix. You will see many guest wearing togas as they eat regional dishes paired with Champagne and mimosas, guests will be able to learn how to cook from top culinary artists, enjoy blues and jazz music from over 25 bands on several stages, wander through a beer garden, or ride in a pace car. 

Kohler Festival of Beer- The Kohler Festival of Beer in Wisconsin is held June 1-3. Although it’s not wine, none of the over 1,000 guests really mind. There will be tastings from over 30 brewers, a home brew competition, and lively entertainment. 

Food and Wine Classic in Aspen- Food and Wine magazine hosts an annual fundraiser in the majestic Aspen Mountains that features cooking demonstrations, featuring twelve culinary superstars along with 45 tasting seminars with noted wine authorities. The festival takes places annually in the month of June.  

While unhappy timeshare owners are stuck in their contracts; travelers from all over the world are enjoying festivals such as these aside from many other adventures the world has in store. Get out of you timeshare now with Transfer on the Spot.

Travel Tips For Healthy Skin

When we plan to take a trip, we pack what we feel are the essentials; clothing, passport, etc. What many people often forget and shouldn’t is the importance of proper skin care during a long vacation.  Travelers must always remember that your skin reacts differently in different climates, but also that sunscreen should be used no matter where you go rain or shine. The same damaging UV rays will shine through even on the cloudiest days wherever you may be. Here are a few suggestions your skin will really benefit from on your next long flight and throughout your trip.

1)      Try to avoid drinking alcohol on flights. Since alcohol is dehydrating, instead opt for water.

2)      Avoid wearing makeup on long flights. There’s a chance you might end up sleeping, and we all know sleeping with makeup on is a big no-no.  If anything a moisturizing lipstick is acceptable, but I would opt for lip balm instead. Make sure to bring facial moisturizer (less than three ounces of course.) in addition, you should also bring a small mister. Misting your face prior to applying moisturizer will help lock it in.

3)      Lubricating eye drops will help with those sleepy bloodshot eyes when you arrive to your destination. Make sure they’re the kind that replicate actual tears and not just take away redness.

4)      Whenever you have the chance to get up and walk through the aisle, do it. Although it doesn’t have much to do with skin care, it will help with circulation throughout your body to get your blood flowing.  On long flights, your body is more susceptible to blood clots.

5)      You’ll want to make sure you pack a bottle of your favorite facial cleanser in your luggage, as well as a small container of it (3oz or less) in your carry-on. This way if you get separated from your luggage, you won’t have to worry much about using those hotel soaps and creams. You can never be too careful especially if you are someone with sensitive skin like me! Also include a tube of over the counter cortisone cream, just in case you end up with any skin irritations like hives or bug bites.

6)      Once you arrive to your destination and begin your adventure, you’ll want to make sure you keep a few things in your handbag with you once you begin exploring. Healing Ointment: this will be beneficial to keep your hands and lips protected. It will also lessen scaring on any minor cuts or scrapes you might get along your way. Moleskin patches: this will help ease the pain and irritation from blisters that may form as you walk from site to site. Sunscreen: It’s essential that you protect your skin from the harmful UV rays no matter where you are in the world. Even on the cloudiest day they will shine through whether you can see them or not.

Traveling can be such a liberating and eye-opening experience. Taking care of you skin and body is an important part of your travels. Not to say you shouldn’t enjoy yourself, and have fun; just taking the initiative to protect yourself from daily wear and tear should suffice during your trip.

Transfer on the Spot brings you these travel tips as well as the fastest and most effective way out of your timeshare.