This blog post will not name a specific resort, developer, salesperson or any identifying details for a reason-I want to look at the industry as a whole as well as consumer behavior as a whole.
Why do otherwise smart consumers routinely plop down thousands of dollars without doing a modicum of research, yet easily find online sites that clearly show that other consumers were lied to only after the fact? The internet has made information available to us as no time in the past. Why don’t we take advantage of this information?
Here’s part of a consumer’s original complaint, again, with all identifying details redacted:
I tried calling XXX hospitality today and guess what? Nobody ever answers the phone there - particularly our salesperson.
Has anyone else been scammed by this new 10 year Intro points product?
This is a 10 year product, so not perpetual, 7500 points we were told were the same as US Collection, but our contract states we can only stay at three resorts unless we pay more money to join XXX which was not disclosed to us by the sales agent. The maintenance fees are billed separately.
#1 The sales agent said Intro points were just like US Collection points. We could stay anywhere the same. There are 56 US Collections properties, but our Intro contract only says we can stay at three, and the one highlighted as our primary, NAME OF RESORT, is closed! NAME OF DEVELOPER had to know this resort is closed. But they sold us the contract anyways.
#2 We said we were primarily interested in being able to stay specifically at NAME OF RESORT. We understand booking is based on availability.
#3 NAME OF SALESPERSON from NAME OF DEVELOPER said we can stay in Vegas but our contract still states only three resorts unless we pay more to join NAME OF INTERNAL EXCHANGE SYSTEM. How much are these fees?
I have read so many complaints from so many existing NAME OF DEVELOPER members on so many complaint sites, there are far fewer complaints for the branded timeshare names like Hilton or Marriott, Disney, compared to NAME OF DEVELOPERS who seem to be the masters of deception .
Based on the knowledge that this company is so despised by their own customers, I have no intention of honoring this contract based on how we have been treated, the disparity between what the sales agents promised and what the contract stated, knowing NAME OF DEVELOPER allows sales agents to say anything to sell points, makes us uncomfortable with this contract.
We will be filing a follow up complaint with the Canadian Vacation Owners Association and with the appropriated US regulatory agencies.
The public needs to be made aware that NAME OF DEVELOPER sales agents can make up anything to sell points. The fact that the agent told us we could stay anywhere, knowing there were only three locations stated in the contract is unfair and deceptive.
I addressed this woman’s issues/complaint as follows:
Please don’t take this the wrong way. Your post clearly indicates that you have the mental acuity to do all sorts of research AFTER the fact.
My question to you-and to just about every other person who purchases a timeshare to find out the truth after the rescission period is over-is why didn’t you do any research prior to purchasing?
I just do not understand why consumers do not do even a cursory internet search into a company to see if there are a history of complaints against them.
I appreciate your response and again, I mean nothing disparaging. The psychology of the entire industry continues to baffle me.
Her answer is quite illuminating:
Lisa Ann Schreier hi thank you for your comment. We had no plans to purchase a timeshare and was on vacation. NAME OF RESORT is a very aggressive timeshare organization from the hotel clerks to their welcome desk. We booked the hotel through Expedia. Not being from Nevada I was not aware of the recession period and was not told about this either. There were no warning signs during the sales presentation that we were being scammed until we read the contract after the rescission period.
I had no idea that NAME OF DEVELOPER was this crooked!! people normally do not research timeshare companies before they go on vacation!! If NAME OF DEVELOPER stands behind what they are selling there would not be a need for the fraudulent practices that they employ to get a sales. People that are interested in timeshares as a vacation style would invest their money. But when greed gets in the way and sales agents are allowed to use whatever lies they want to get commission on a sale - you have to wonder about the integrity of the company.
You are right - I have the mental acuity to understand what was happening and yet I still got scammed! And that's the psychology part of timeshare sales. But that is why this site exists and the work done by advocates is so important for educating people about timeshares and what to watch out for.
Interesting answer. Now, I don’t condone any salesperson from any developer withholding information or flat out lying. Having said that, there’s absolutely no reason for a consumer to walk into a timeshare presentation “unarmed.” Do some research. Read some books. Talk to some owners. Ask the right questions. Demand to see answers to those questions in the written contract. Don’t sign anything electronically. Remember you, not the salesperson is in charge.
Timeshare knowledge is timeshare power. Use it.
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