By Karla Davis on Sunday, July 8, 2001 - 10:16 pm: |
We recieved a call last week telling us we won a land vacation from them. With all of me I am ecstatic about it, but I am barely reluctant to spend 1,300.00 on air tickets to stay somewhere I am not able to pick. Has anyone been at their establishment? And what was your experience?
|
By Kelly on Sunday, July 8, 2001 - 11:15 pm: |
If it sounds too good to be true, it is... I for one have never heard of them.
|
By Niki Harris on Monday, July 9, 2001 - 1:31 am: |
What establishment are they saying you will visit? (Like Kelly, I don't recognize the name Polaris..)
|
By Barry Gassert on Monday, July 9, 2001 - 2:02 am: |
Jeff and Carla,
|
By Kerri Freeman on Monday, July 9, 2001 - 2:45 am: |
A real Advertising/Marketing rat speaks: Straight up....legitimate companies don't ask you for money. Maybe a proof-of-purchase and 50 cents. That's it. Same thing if your child/wife/husband/dog are cute...if we want you as a model, WE pay. We don't need great pix. We can struggle along with a small colour shot. We often work from a quick and dirty throw-away cam shot. Anybody can call themselves an advertising or marketing company..and a lot of FBN's do. Lots of pseudo-holiday places around right now in a good economy..really notorious! If someone's asking you for money....Hang Up !!
|
By Ann Phelan on Monday, July 9, 2001 - 8:28 am: |
Trust me..anything that appears too good to be true usually is..I am a travel agent and have had many clients scammed. Be very careful. Annie
|
By Sarah on Monday, July 9, 2001 - 2:38 pm: |
Karla, does this help???
|
By Anonymous on Monday, July 9, 2001 - 3:58 pm: |
OOPS! COMMERCIAL!
|
By Ann Phelan on Monday, July 9, 2001 - 4:30 pm: |
I am in the travel industry (An IATAN agent) and am unfamiliar with this agency. Also, I reside in MA. Check them with the local Better Business Bureau and possbible ARC or IATA, the reporting agencies for ALL travel agencies. Your local agent can help you do this. Good luck.
|
By Linnea Wimberly on Monday, July 9, 2001 - 4:46 pm: |
Sarah's profile puts her in the UK, which is why no US travel agent may be familar with the company. Karla's profile does not state her home country. I agree with most of the other postings - look a gift horse in the mouth very carefully. Sarah's posting (commercial) does sound like a time share or property presentation would be part of the package.
|
By Sarah on Monday, July 9, 2001 - 5:34 pm: |
Guys.. was not intended to be a commercial.. I have nothing to do with Marketing or Polaris in any way. People we know on the island will confirm that.. The information is on the front page of the web site www.bonbini.com. My partner and I rent one of their apartments on the island every December... I recognised the name Polaris and thought it would be helpful to Karla..
|
By Linnea Wimberly on Monday, July 9, 2001 - 6:05 pm: |
My apologies about the "commercial" bit. If you had just stated that before and just given the web address, you wouldn't have confused me/us.
|
By Sarah on Monday, July 9, 2001 - 6:37 pm: |
Linnea, apology accepted.... most of the talkers know of me. I'll try to remember that there are talkers out there that don't.... One thing, if I read a thread and come to a conclusion, I never state it on the site, unless I am absoloutly 100% certain that I'm right.. T
|
By Anonymous on Monday, July 9, 2001 - 9:29 pm: |
All I can say is that Polaris is a company in the States associated with Ray Byrd and run by his son Joe. Ray lives in Bonaire and his son in Mass.
|
By Barry Gassert on Monday, July 9, 2001 - 10:06 pm: |
Many of you know my writing and I am normally positive, especially when promoting Bonaire. Jake you may take this down if you so desire, but I have to speak:
|
By Sarah on Tuesday, July 10, 2001 - 4:28 am: |
Barry, we have rented one of Ray Birds' apartments from him over the past 2 years.. we have never had any problems with deposits, and the apartment is really very nice indeed. The fact that my partner is an Attorney might have something to do with that..! You can imagine how shocked I am to see your thread.. We were thinking about staying in the same apartment again this year.. Oh well, enough said..
|
By Barry Gassert on Tuesday, July 10, 2001 - 4:47 am: |
Sarah,
|
By Sarah on Tuesday, July 10, 2001 - 7:30 am: |
Barry, thanks for that.. we have had thoughts about buying on Bonaire sometime in the future... we'll sure be careful about who from, that's for certain...
|
By Anonymous on Tuesday, July 10, 2001 - 9:28 am: |
Ray Bird had a business on the Island called IBS located in the house next(north) of the old ABN bank in town. The business is now gone along with Ray Bird. He was associated with Lighthouse Beach Resort for awhile and cheated a few people out of rental income there along with bogus management fees. I would stay away from him and his business dealings and am sorry to post this as anonymous but am doing so for personal reasons.
|
By Anonymous on Tuesday, July 10, 2001 - 11:11 am: |
I like you hate to post anonymous, but I also do this for personal reasons. Ray Byrd IS not gone. I just met him on the island during this last trip I took. He told me all about the business he and his son run, but it is in his son's name. Why he hasn't left yet I will never know. Thanks.
|
By Anonymous on Tuesday, July 10, 2001 - 12:07 pm: |
He may still be on the island but his business is not. It is my understanding that he is not much wanted on the island.
|
By Jason on Tuesday, July 10, 2001 - 3:42 pm: |
Jake,
|
By Liz Ginocchio on Tuesday, July 10, 2001 - 4:56 pm: |
Sarah, If you are talking about is apartment next to Bel Mar...it is my understanding that the government has seized it due to the money he owes others and the government...don't think you will be able to stay there...Also your right anon...Ray's business is not on Bonaire...he actually owns nothing anymore -- heard he had to file bankruptcy due to owing everybody and their brothers. His son runs everything for him out of his MASS office. Also he does part own one unit at Lighthouse Beach Resort (end oceanfront). Owns no others, but still manages a few properties there (NOT MINE THOUGH).
|
By michael gaynor on Tuesday, July 10, 2001 - 7:19 pm: |
Ray is now bankrupt and still has a beautiful house on the seaside worth lots of money, but not a part of the corporation, so he has stuck a number of folks for beaucoup bucks. I will not stick my neck out as far as Barry did since I still live here, but Barry does speak the truth. I know that for everyone who has been in a positive dealing with him, two have had "their clocks rewound" by his devious practices. Joe, his son, is a nice guy but you know the expression about the acorn falling not far from the tree.
|
By Barry Gassert on Tuesday, July 10, 2001 - 8:56 pm: |
I have received many emails on this because people want to remain anonymous, but all the stories are basically the same. Ray sold them property, mangaged it as a rental and kept the money.
|
By Ray Bird on Wednesday, July 11, 2001 - 1:00 pm: |
Thanks for the propaganda, Ray Bird
|
By Anonymous on Wednesday, July 11, 2001 - 1:14 pm: |
However...the truth is the truth..
|
By Gary Wirth on Wednesday, July 11, 2001 - 3:48 pm: |
We feel we must correct one posting in this discussion. The apartment next to Bel Mar is not part of the IBS bankrucptcy as it was never part of the business. My wife and I purchased 50% ownership in this apartment when it was still unfinished and designed the interior plan. We also purchased and shipped the furnishings. We have a lot of love for Bonaire and this property and hate to see it suffer because of other problems by IBS or Ray Bird who only has 1/4 ownership in it.
|
By Barry Gassert on Wednesday, July 11, 2001 - 9:58 pm: |
Hi Ray, You're welcome. Glad I could be of help.
|
By Kate Hickson on Saturday, July 14, 2001 - 12:12 pm: |
Barry et al.:
|
By Barry Gassert on Sunday, July 15, 2001 - 11:05 pm: |
Kate,
|
By michael gaynor on Monday, July 16, 2001 - 11:57 am: |
The most recent really was not a mugging, truth be told, but a jealous boyfriend. No, not that Ray was hitting on the girl, but his grandson was. It kind of got messy with all the stories and was the "talk of the town" for a while!
|
By Kelly on Monday, July 16, 2001 - 3:44 pm: |
You gotta love the "Bamboo Telegraph"
|
By cheryl ferguson on Monday, August 20, 2001 - 5:31 pm: |
I too received info from this person / company. Thanks for the 'heads up'!!
|
By Robert Deal on Monday, August 20, 2001 - 6:34 pm: |
Just got an e-mail today out of the blue from "Polaris"...fill out a survey and get entered in a free drawing, that sort of thing. Help us help you to the most wonderful island, etc., etc...
|
By Glen Reem on Monday, August 20, 2001 - 6:34 pm: |
I got one today (don't bother to answer the email, Jake, unless there is something worth it). This thread and the 'Delete' button are wonderful.
|
By Barry Gassert on Monday, August 20, 2001 - 8:15 pm: |
I got one, too. Glen is right. BUT...this just shows what kind of SCUM this father and son act are....
|
By Susan Feldman on Monday, August 20, 2001 - 8:53 pm: |
Me too.
|
By Barry Gassert on Monday, August 20, 2001 - 9:12 pm: |
I just sent my complaint that Jake recommended. Man, did it feel good.
|
By Anonymous on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 1:05 am: |
It's more devious than just taking addresses from profiles. They sent it to my work e-mail, an address I have never included in my profile or anywhere for that matter.
|
By Jake Richter - NetTech on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 11:54 am: |
I just got a note back from the ISP that they are taking care of the matter. Hopefully it does some good...
|
By Anonymous on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 12:24 pm: |
Just got the same message from a Joy and Tom Clough...Is that were everyone is getting their's from? I will be sending my complaint!
|
By Linda Richter - NetTech on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 12:53 pm: |
They are the culprits.
|
By Gail Currie on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 1:45 pm: |
I too got an e-mail and went to the site to see what it was all about. When I realized they were just trying to build their database by getting names entered for a supposed contest and selling condos I left the site and deleted the message. After reading all of this thread I'm glad I didn't enter it!
|
By Barry Baker on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 2:53 pm: |
Sherry actually got the message before I did and forwarded it to me but I remembered this thread about Polaris and told her to look it up.
|
By DARLENE ELLIS on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 4:10 pm: |
Ray,I can guarentee that this board isn't part of that 70%!!!!!!
|
By Josie on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 5:35 pm: |
Just deleted the email I got from Joy & Tom Clough. Where do we send a complaint to?
|
By Susan Feldman on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 9:12 pm: |
Josie,
|
By Steve Bender on Monday, August 27, 2001 - 8:48 pm: |
I too received the Polaris entry form, but submitted before reading this thread. Just like Darlene, I let my strong desire to return to Bonaire cloud my better judgement. Oh well!
|
Visit: The Bonaire WebCams - Current Bonaire images and weather!
The Bonaire Insider - the latest tourism news about Bonaire
The Bonaire Information Site, InfoBonaire
Search Bonaire - Search top Bonaire Web sites