COMINGANDGOING

SCAM WATCH

Going Clubbing

After responding to a telephone invitation and hearing a presentation at Vacation Station in Vienna, Va., CoGo reader Robert Kleinworth of Alexandria agreed to pay $4,400 to join the vacation club that promised drastically reduced rates at resorts for four weeks every year for three generations, plus discount air tickets and prizes.

"It sounded good until it came time to get something," said Kleinworth, 74.

From late May to mid-July, Kleinworth said, he tried unsuccessfully to redeem the prizes and book a particular resort. Salespeople always promised to check availability, he said, but never called back.

Chris Winston of Vacation Station, a subsidiary of BlueGreen Corp., did return CoGo's call, saying, "We'd like to know if he has the names of the people who dropped the ball so we can stop bad customer service." Hours later, CoGo heard from company executive Mark Hillman in Kansas, who said that given Kleinworth's disappointment, he'd get a full refund.

Other dissatisfied customers have contacted the Better Business Bureau, said BBB spokeswoman Judy Tankersley, adding that Vacation Station has an " unsatisfactory" rating in Kansas City and Florida, where it is headquartered.

Mitch Katz, a spokesman at the Federal Trade Commission, said his office warns that consumers should carefully check out vacation clubs, and added that if someone pressures you to buy now, "consider passing."

Before buying from a company you don't know, check it out. CoGo found numerous comments about BlueGreen at two consumer sites: TheSqueaky Wheel.comand the Complaint Station (www.thecomplaintstation.com). Also check with the Better Business Bureau (www.mybbb.org) or call your local consumer protection agency.

CRUEL BRITANnIA

London: Cool & Unusual

London's a very cool city these days -- so cool that CoGo ended up wearing a sweater, a fleece and a raincoat during a visit last week. That's all at one time. Weather in the British capital has been chillier and wetter than normal this month, with temperatures in the 60s and daily rainstorms, leaving locals griping and walking-tour guides wringing their hands. But British stiff upper lips remain firmly in place. "It's not that cold, it's just wet," guide Noel Curtin of London Walks told CoGo. "Our walks always go ahead anyway. Just bring a brolly."