Jefferson City, Mo. – Attorney General Chris Koster
today announced that Welk Resort Sales, Inc., a California corporation
that sells timeshares in Branson, has entered into an agreement to pay
$18,000 in restitution to Missouri consumers who purchased timeshares
from Welk. This money will be refunded to 15 Missouri consumer victims.
In addition, any agreement between these consumers and Welk has been
terminated.
The Attorney General’s Office had received consumer complaints about
Welk, including being misled about the benefits from their timeshare
ownership and how they could use, cancel or sell their timeshares.
Under the agreement, Welk will be required to ensure that its
employees are complying with the laws of the state of Missouri,
including the assurance that consumers are getting everything that they
pay for, and that there are no material misrepresentations being made.
Failure to meet the terms of this agreement could result in further legal action being taken by the Attorney General’s Office.
“Timeshare purchases are a big investment on the part of consumers,
who trust that they are being treated fairly by the sellers,” Koster
said. “I am pleased that we were able to obtain restitution for
consumers and release them from unwanted contracts.”
Missourians who had a similar experience with Welk, or who suspect
timeshare fraud in general, should contact the Attorney General’s
Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-392-8222 or file a complaint online at ago.mo.gov.
Wyndham Vacation Ownership agrees to $665,000 settlement with consumers
State
officials and Wyndham Vacation Ownership, Inc. have reached a settlement
to resolve complaints related to timeshare sales in Wisconsin.
The settlement includes more than $665,000 in restitution to 29 consumers who purchased timeshare contracts between 2008 and 2013, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection said Thursday.
According to the settlement, Wyndham will provide a total of $665,404.88 in cash refunds and/or debt relief, divided among the 29 consumers. The timeshare purchase contracts that were the subject of the consumers' complaints were rescinded. In addition, Wyndham will notify credit reporting agencies that no monies are due to the company.
Wyndham will also pay a $99,520 civil forfeiture to the State of Wisconsin and $62,702.20 in fees, assessments and investigative costs.
The settlement comes as a result of an investigation of consumer complaints alleging that Wyndham followed unfair trade practices from 2008 through 2013.
By entering into the agreement, Wyndham does not admit that it has violated any laws or regulations.
The settlement includes more than $665,000 in restitution to 29 consumers who purchased timeshare contracts between 2008 and 2013, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection said Thursday.
According to the settlement, Wyndham will provide a total of $665,404.88 in cash refunds and/or debt relief, divided among the 29 consumers. The timeshare purchase contracts that were the subject of the consumers' complaints were rescinded. In addition, Wyndham will notify credit reporting agencies that no monies are due to the company.
Wyndham will also pay a $99,520 civil forfeiture to the State of Wisconsin and $62,702.20 in fees, assessments and investigative costs.
The settlement comes as a result of an investigation of consumer complaints alleging that Wyndham followed unfair trade practices from 2008 through 2013.
By entering into the agreement, Wyndham does not admit that it has violated any laws or regulations.
FESTIVA rip off - stay away!
Below is a post from TripAdvisor posted with permission of the author:
FESTIVA rip off - stay away!
May 11, 2015, 4:15 PM
disastrous experience today with a company called FESTIVA today in Charleston, SC:
A marketing rep near Market Street promised me a $100 Visa Card if I attended a 2 hour presentation. It was 12:05 and though another tour had just started 5 minutes ago and still had open spaces, I was told I had to come back at 3. I rearranged my afternoon of 2 day stay in Charleston, and when I arrived the sales staff tried to turn me away, because I was engaged (and my fiancee wasn't with me) - seriously??!!!! - Are we still in th 19th century, where a woman can't make her decision without "her man" present? - Really offensive and sexist!!
Secondly, I was told the marketing rep should have asked that - which isn't my problem. I rescheduled my afternoon to make the presentation possible, even though I was in Charleston only for 2 days, and then I am not even allowed in - due to a mistake of their staff!!!! - In any honest store, if an item is mislabeled you still only pay the price that is on the label. Even more amazing, given that the $100 Visa Card is tax deductable for the company .....talking about amateurish business practices....
Superbad customer service and despicable (and very arrogant and snotty) treatment by the staff. As a former CEO of my own international music company I know the old business adage of "nothing worse for a business than an unhappy cusomter" - and I will now surely use the power of the internet and social media to spread the word about the fraudulent schemes and disrespectful treatment of customers by FESTIVA (I have several thousand followers on both facebook on Twitter who will be more than happy to pass this info on to their large following. And my fiancee who owns a computer software company will happily make sure all the bad reviews will reach the top of the search engines. Takes us 10 min. to do - what a stupid and offensive business move by this (obviously) fraudulent company.
To CEO Don Clayton who offers his assistance in other forums, what is your direct email address?? - I don't want to deal with some rude, untrained middle man/woman, such as my encounter today. If you want to resolve this, provide a direct, personal email address!
Edited: 4:18 pm, yesterday
Tripadvisor
A marketing rep near Market Street promised me a $100 Visa Card if I attended a 2 hour presentation. It was 12:05 and though another tour had just started 5 minutes ago and still had open spaces, I was told I had to come back at 3. I rearranged my afternoon of 2 day stay in Charleston, and when I arrived the sales staff tried to turn me away, because I was engaged (and my fiancee wasn't with me) - seriously??!!!! - Are we still in th 19th century, where a woman can't make her decision without "her man" present? - Really offensive and sexist!!
Secondly, I was told the marketing rep should have asked that - which isn't my problem. I rescheduled my afternoon to make the presentation possible, even though I was in Charleston only for 2 days, and then I am not even allowed in - due to a mistake of their staff!!!! - In any honest store, if an item is mislabeled you still only pay the price that is on the label. Even more amazing, given that the $100 Visa Card is tax deductable for the company .....talking about amateurish business practices....
Superbad customer service and despicable (and very arrogant and snotty) treatment by the staff. As a former CEO of my own international music company I know the old business adage of "nothing worse for a business than an unhappy cusomter" - and I will now surely use the power of the internet and social media to spread the word about the fraudulent schemes and disrespectful treatment of customers by FESTIVA (I have several thousand followers on both facebook on Twitter who will be more than happy to pass this info on to their large following. And my fiancee who owns a computer software company will happily make sure all the bad reviews will reach the top of the search engines. Takes us 10 min. to do - what a stupid and offensive business move by this (obviously) fraudulent company.
To CEO Don Clayton who offers his assistance in other forums, what is your direct email address?? - I don't want to deal with some rude, untrained middle man/woman, such as my encounter today. If you want to resolve this, provide a direct, personal email address!
Edited: 4:18 pm, yesterday
Tripadvisor
Elderly Claim Timeshare Company Scammed Them
By Jennifer Kraus. CREATED Nov 17, 2014
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- When you think of vacation timeshares, you may think of high pressured sales pitches.
But NewsChannel 5 Investigates found dozens of senior citizens who claim Wyndham Vacation Resorts goes way too far during its sales meetings.
Some of these seniors who are now suing Wyndham say they used to enjoy their Wyndham vacations, but then Wyndham changed its sales tactics.
Everytime they went on a trip, they were forced to attend what the company calls owners update meetings -- and that's when, these seniors tell us, their dream vacations and their lives turned into nightmares.
Among those victims: Mildred Folds.
"Nobody in my family knows -- nobody," Folds told NewsChannel 5 Investigates.
That secret is that the 76-year-old widow is deep in debt and owes more than $175,000 after she claims she was repeatedly tricked and harrassed into buying ttimeshare points through Wyndham Vacation Resorts.
The company locations around the world, including here in Nashville, Crossville, and the Smokies.
"I won't live long enough to pay it off," Folds said.
Houston and Brenda Garvin said the same thing happened to them.
"If I had it to do over, I'd never do it again," Houston Garvin said.
NewsChannel 5 Investigates asked, "How much do you think you lost?"
"Over $600,000," Brenda Garvin answered.
Both the Garvins and Mildred Folds are now suing Wyndham, the world's largest timeshare company, alleging fraud, theft by conversion, negligent misrepresentation, along with violations of the Tennessee Timeshare Act and Consumer Protection Act.
They claim they were pressured into buying more timeshare points than they could ever possibly use or afford.
"So how many points did you end up buying?" we asked the Garvins.
"Two and a half million," Brenda answered.
And Mildred Folds?
"3 million, 266, I think," she told us.
NewsChannel 5 Investigates asked attorney Ben Gastel, "So why are they buying more points than they need?"
"I think that's really the basis of our lawsuit," he replied.
Gastel now has 70 clients with claims against Wyndham, including the Garvins.
"Certainly, most of our clients are elderly. There's a substantial number of them that are on social security. Certainly, most of them are pensioners," Gastel explained.
And every time his clients took a vacation at a Wyndham resort, he said, they were forced to attend high-pressure sales meetings that lasted hours on end.
Mildred Folds insisted those meetings were nearly impossible to leave.
"I'm sitting there literally like this saying, 'I've got to go.' 'Well, just go ahead and sign this. Go ahead and sign this and then you can go,'" Folds recalled.
Folds also claims in her lawsuit Wyndham sales reps told her things to convince her to buy more points that ended up not being true.
"If I would just sign it, then they could lower the interest rates," she stated.
"Is that in fact what happened?" NewsChannel 5 Investigates asked.
"No, no," Folds replied.
She said Wyndham's salespeople also told her the company would buy back any extra points she didn't use. That too, she later found, wasn't exactly as it had been explained.
"Were you surprised to discover that?" we asked.
"Very surprised!" Folds answered. "Not only surprised, but -- he may need to bleep this out -- I was mad as hell that they would pull this trick!"
And the Garvins described similar meetings.
"Every time you'd go, it was something different. They'd tell you, 'Why did you do this? Why did you do that?' Well, we did it because we trusted 'em and thought they were telling us right," Brenda Garvin said.
Every Wyndham rep, the Garvins said, recommended changing to yet another plan which brought with it, higher costs.
"Would you say these salespeople are saying and doing whatever it takes to close the sale?" we asked the Garvins' attorney.
"Well, it would certainly appear that that's what is going on," Gastel answered.
In fact, a whistleblower lawsuit filed in California by former Wyndham employees claims that that's exactly what Wyndham tells its salespeople to do, though the company denied the allegations in court.
"It done about broke us," Brenda Garvin shared.
She and her husband recently had to simply walk away from their timeshare points, losing their entire investment, after they could no longer afford the $3,500 a month payment.
"It makes you feel bad when you think you've done something this stupid," Houston Garvin said.
And Mildred Folds said, "Yes, I'm embarrassed that I let myself get caught like this and then I get so angry at Wyndham for putting me through this."
Folds gets $2,300 a month from Social Security and her pension, yet her payment to Wyndham is a staggering $3,800 a month.
"How am I going to make it? What am I going to do next?" Folds wondered aloud.
She has resorted to selling her homemade jams and jellies as well as her mother's secret recipe yeast rolls.
But it's becoming clear to her that it's simply not enough.
"Am I going to lose my home? Am I going to lose everything I've got?"
NewsChannel 5 repeatedly reached out to Wyndham to get some comment or statement. We started last week with the corporate office in Florida and even contacted their local attorneys here in Nashville.
So far, there's been no response to any of our calls or emails.
But NewsChannel 5 Investigates found dozens of senior citizens who claim Wyndham Vacation Resorts goes way too far during its sales meetings.
Some of these seniors who are now suing Wyndham say they used to enjoy their Wyndham vacations, but then Wyndham changed its sales tactics.
Everytime they went on a trip, they were forced to attend what the company calls owners update meetings -- and that's when, these seniors tell us, their dream vacations and their lives turned into nightmares.
Among those victims: Mildred Folds.
"Nobody in my family knows -- nobody," Folds told NewsChannel 5 Investigates.
That secret is that the 76-year-old widow is deep in debt and owes more than $175,000 after she claims she was repeatedly tricked and harrassed into buying ttimeshare points through Wyndham Vacation Resorts.
The company locations around the world, including here in Nashville, Crossville, and the Smokies.
"I won't live long enough to pay it off," Folds said.
Houston and Brenda Garvin said the same thing happened to them.
"If I had it to do over, I'd never do it again," Houston Garvin said.
NewsChannel 5 Investigates asked, "How much do you think you lost?"
"Over $600,000," Brenda Garvin answered.
Both the Garvins and Mildred Folds are now suing Wyndham, the world's largest timeshare company, alleging fraud, theft by conversion, negligent misrepresentation, along with violations of the Tennessee Timeshare Act and Consumer Protection Act.
They claim they were pressured into buying more timeshare points than they could ever possibly use or afford.
"So how many points did you end up buying?" we asked the Garvins.
"Two and a half million," Brenda answered.
And Mildred Folds?
"3 million, 266, I think," she told us.
NewsChannel 5 Investigates asked attorney Ben Gastel, "So why are they buying more points than they need?"
"I think that's really the basis of our lawsuit," he replied.
Gastel now has 70 clients with claims against Wyndham, including the Garvins.
"Certainly, most of our clients are elderly. There's a substantial number of them that are on social security. Certainly, most of them are pensioners," Gastel explained.
And every time his clients took a vacation at a Wyndham resort, he said, they were forced to attend high-pressure sales meetings that lasted hours on end.
Mildred Folds insisted those meetings were nearly impossible to leave.
"I'm sitting there literally like this saying, 'I've got to go.' 'Well, just go ahead and sign this. Go ahead and sign this and then you can go,'" Folds recalled.
Folds also claims in her lawsuit Wyndham sales reps told her things to convince her to buy more points that ended up not being true.
"If I would just sign it, then they could lower the interest rates," she stated.
"Is that in fact what happened?" NewsChannel 5 Investigates asked.
"No, no," Folds replied.
She said Wyndham's salespeople also told her the company would buy back any extra points she didn't use. That too, she later found, wasn't exactly as it had been explained.
"Were you surprised to discover that?" we asked.
"Very surprised!" Folds answered. "Not only surprised, but -- he may need to bleep this out -- I was mad as hell that they would pull this trick!"
And the Garvins described similar meetings.
"Every time you'd go, it was something different. They'd tell you, 'Why did you do this? Why did you do that?' Well, we did it because we trusted 'em and thought they were telling us right," Brenda Garvin said.
Every Wyndham rep, the Garvins said, recommended changing to yet another plan which brought with it, higher costs.
"Would you say these salespeople are saying and doing whatever it takes to close the sale?" we asked the Garvins' attorney.
"Well, it would certainly appear that that's what is going on," Gastel answered.
In fact, a whistleblower lawsuit filed in California by former Wyndham employees claims that that's exactly what Wyndham tells its salespeople to do, though the company denied the allegations in court.
"It done about broke us," Brenda Garvin shared.
She and her husband recently had to simply walk away from their timeshare points, losing their entire investment, after they could no longer afford the $3,500 a month payment.
"It makes you feel bad when you think you've done something this stupid," Houston Garvin said.
And Mildred Folds said, "Yes, I'm embarrassed that I let myself get caught like this and then I get so angry at Wyndham for putting me through this."
Folds gets $2,300 a month from Social Security and her pension, yet her payment to Wyndham is a staggering $3,800 a month.
"How am I going to make it? What am I going to do next?" Folds wondered aloud.
She has resorted to selling her homemade jams and jellies as well as her mother's secret recipe yeast rolls.
But it's becoming clear to her that it's simply not enough.
"Am I going to lose my home? Am I going to lose everything I've got?"
NewsChannel 5 repeatedly reached out to Wyndham to get some comment or statement. We started last week with the corporate office in Florida and even contacted their local attorneys here in Nashville.
So far, there's been no response to any of our calls or emails.
YOU CAN GET OUT OF THAT TIMESHARE AND GET YOUR MONEY BACK
If you purchased and have figured out that the salesman and sales "closer" lied to you. And then the Verification Officer who helped with your paperwork rushed you through it. You are not alone.
Timeshare Tricks can't help you if you have owned your timeshare for 15 years, used it and suddenly don't want it. But if they lied to you, lets get you out and demand your money back.
Contact me at timesharetricks@gmail.com and lets get you out before summer.
Timeshare Tricks can't help you if you have owned your timeshare for 15 years, used it and suddenly don't want it. But if they lied to you, lets get you out and demand your money back.
Contact me at timesharetricks@gmail.com and lets get you out before summer.
Class-action lawsuit threatens Spinnaker Resorts on Hilton Head
Another Hilton Head Island timeshare company has come under fire.
Two North Carolina residents filed a federal class-action lawsuit Friday against Spinnaker Resorts.
The lawsuit alleges the company broke the law by not registering with the state to sell timeshares at Bluewater by Spinnaker -- its resort on Squire Pope Road -- until September 2014. Before that time, the company "knowingly sold unregistered timeshares to the general public," the suit says.
The company has not responded to the lawsuit. Attempts Tuesday to reach representatives from Spinnaker were unsuccessful.
Legal experts say the case could devastate the company since state law allows timeshare owners who bought from an unregistered company to cancel contracts, according to the lawsuit and the S.C. Timeshare Act.
"If owners can reverse most of the sales before that time, I'm sure this company would be seeking Chapter 11 relief," said Mike Finn, a Largo, Fla., attorney whose firm specializes in timeshare law.
It was not known Tuesday how many owners bought timeshares before Spinnaker registered Bluewater. The company started building the 86-unit complex on the banks of Skull Creek in 2005.
It registered Bluewater on Sept. 2, 2014, according to a copy of the registration included in the lawsuit. Spinnaker also runs Waterside, Southwind, Egret Point and Carolina Club on Hilton Head, as well as resorts in Florida and Missouri.
The lawsuit was filed by Mark and Paula Fullbright, who bought a $26,000 timeshare at Bluewater in June 2014, according to court records.
After buying, the Fullbrights found out the company was not registered to sell Bluewater timeshares.
"My clients filed a federal lawsuit ... To void the timeshare contract and obtain a full refund of all monies paid under the contract," Joseph DuBois, a Hilton Head attorney representing the couple, said in a statement. The lawsuit asks that other owners who bought before September 2014 have the option to receive the same refund.
Read more here: http://www.islandpacket.com/2015/04/07/3686952_class-action-lawsuit-threatens.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy
Two North Carolina residents filed a federal class-action lawsuit Friday against Spinnaker Resorts.
The lawsuit alleges the company broke the law by not registering with the state to sell timeshares at Bluewater by Spinnaker -- its resort on Squire Pope Road -- until September 2014. Before that time, the company "knowingly sold unregistered timeshares to the general public," the suit says.
The company has not responded to the lawsuit. Attempts Tuesday to reach representatives from Spinnaker were unsuccessful.
Legal experts say the case could devastate the company since state law allows timeshare owners who bought from an unregistered company to cancel contracts, according to the lawsuit and the S.C. Timeshare Act.
"If owners can reverse most of the sales before that time, I'm sure this company would be seeking Chapter 11 relief," said Mike Finn, a Largo, Fla., attorney whose firm specializes in timeshare law.
It was not known Tuesday how many owners bought timeshares before Spinnaker registered Bluewater. The company started building the 86-unit complex on the banks of Skull Creek in 2005.
It registered Bluewater on Sept. 2, 2014, according to a copy of the registration included in the lawsuit. Spinnaker also runs Waterside, Southwind, Egret Point and Carolina Club on Hilton Head, as well as resorts in Florida and Missouri.
The lawsuit was filed by Mark and Paula Fullbright, who bought a $26,000 timeshare at Bluewater in June 2014, according to court records.
After buying, the Fullbrights found out the company was not registered to sell Bluewater timeshares.
"My clients filed a federal lawsuit ... To void the timeshare contract and obtain a full refund of all monies paid under the contract," Joseph DuBois, a Hilton Head attorney representing the couple, said in a statement. The lawsuit asks that other owners who bought before September 2014 have the option to receive the same refund.
Read more here: http://www.islandpacket.com/2015/04/07/3686952_class-action-lawsuit-threatens.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy
FESTIVA SALESMAN ARRESTED FOR GHB
This is why Timeshare Tricks does background checks.
HPD arrests 2 in after-hours club raid
Posted: Tuesday, June 13, 2000 12:00 am
By Line:JOE GOULD
|
0 comments
Hammond police
found small amounts of assorted drugs and drug paraphernalia in an
after-hours nightclub raid early Sunday in what club owners termed
"harassment."
The Edge, an
alcohol-free nightclub on West Thomas Street that is frequented by
teen-agers, was closed for an hour while police searched it and its
patrons, Sgt. Chuck Muse said. Two people were arrested.
"We want to make the public aware that we're
aware and let parents know that this is the kind of place they're
sending their kids to go out at night," Muse said.
Muse said the 2:40 a.m. raid was part of an ongoing undercover operation at the nightclub in response to public complaints.
While police had no search warrant, they were able to search the club because it is a public place, said Capt. Kim Barker, adding officers only frisked patrons and did not check pockets.
Police seized close to 2 liters of GHB, three tablets of Ecstasy, a small envelope of cocaine and almost an ounce of marijuana, Muse said. All were found discarded inside the club.
The GHB, or gamma hydroxybuterate, was found in four water bottles, police said. It is a clear liquid and a central nervous system depressant that has been linked to comas, seizures and death.
Muse said police also found discarded inhalers and decongestants used to enhance the high of Ecstasy, a euphoria-inducing drug.
"In raids like this, you find it on just a few people. They just get it off their person, walk off and leave it," Muse said.
About nine police officers blocked exits and bathroom doors while police sent each patron outside the club to be searched one at a time.
Two 15-year-olds were cited for curfew violation and released to the custody of their parents.
Police determined by a computer
search that more than 15 people without identification were over 16 and
therefore allowed to enter the club, but they wondered how the Edge
knew.
Father and son Terry and Brian Pettigrew opened the club in September. On weekends, it stays open until 6 a.m. and sells water and soda but no alcohol. They said the club has a dance license and is not regulated by the Alcohol Beverage Control Board. An average night features DJs, a light show and a $2 to $4 cover.
Terry Pettigrew said his club is relatively clean, and the amount of drugs found in the Edge is on par with any local bar on any given weekend.
"There will be some people selling drugs, but if you're smoking a marijuana cigarette, they're smuggling it in," he said. "We don't sell drugs. We don't advocate doing drugs. Still, we've had trouble with the police since we've been there."
Pettigrew added that the police search was conducted unprofessionally and illegally.
"They banged our equipment while they were searching. They ransacked my concession stand, stuff they didn't have to do," he said.
Barker countered that even one joint is too much and that the Pettigrews should be aware of any drug use in their clubs.
"We go into barrooms on a regular basis and don't find that much drugs," he said. "They should be aware of what's going on in their place of business. It's unusual for all those people so young to be sniffing on Vicks inhalers."
Brandon Sharpe, 19, of Branson, Mo., was charged with possession of GHB. Jason B. McLain, 22, Covington, was charged with simple possession of marijuana
Muse said the 2:40 a.m. raid was part of an ongoing undercover operation at the nightclub in response to public complaints.
While police had no search warrant, they were able to search the club because it is a public place, said Capt. Kim Barker, adding officers only frisked patrons and did not check pockets.
Police seized close to 2 liters of GHB, three tablets of Ecstasy, a small envelope of cocaine and almost an ounce of marijuana, Muse said. All were found discarded inside the club.
The GHB, or gamma hydroxybuterate, was found in four water bottles, police said. It is a clear liquid and a central nervous system depressant that has been linked to comas, seizures and death.
Muse said police also found discarded inhalers and decongestants used to enhance the high of Ecstasy, a euphoria-inducing drug.
"In raids like this, you find it on just a few people. They just get it off their person, walk off and leave it," Muse said.
About nine police officers blocked exits and bathroom doors while police sent each patron outside the club to be searched one at a time.
Two 15-year-olds were cited for curfew violation and released to the custody of their parents.
Police determined by a computer
search that more than 15 people without identification were over 16 and
therefore allowed to enter the club, but they wondered how the Edge
knew.Father and son Terry and Brian Pettigrew opened the club in September. On weekends, it stays open until 6 a.m. and sells water and soda but no alcohol. They said the club has a dance license and is not regulated by the Alcohol Beverage Control Board. An average night features DJs, a light show and a $2 to $4 cover.
Terry Pettigrew said his club is relatively clean, and the amount of drugs found in the Edge is on par with any local bar on any given weekend.
"There will be some people selling drugs, but if you're smoking a marijuana cigarette, they're smuggling it in," he said. "We don't sell drugs. We don't advocate doing drugs. Still, we've had trouble with the police since we've been there."
Pettigrew added that the police search was conducted unprofessionally and illegally.
"They banged our equipment while they were searching. They ransacked my concession stand, stuff they didn't have to do," he said.
Barker countered that even one joint is too much and that the Pettigrews should be aware of any drug use in their clubs.
"We go into barrooms on a regular basis and don't find that much drugs," he said. "They should be aware of what's going on in their place of business. It's unusual for all those people so young to be sniffing on Vicks inhalers."
Brandon Sharpe, 19, of Branson, Mo., was charged with possession of GHB. Jason B. McLain, 22, Covington, was charged with simple possession of marijuana
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET OUT?
Start now and you could be out by summer vacation. Email timesharetricks@gmail.com
TIMESHARE TRICKS OR AN ATTORNEY
Why should you use Timeshare Tricks over an attorney?
An attorney will charge a couple of thousand dollars to start. If they do the time consuming task of gathering research they will charge by the hour, then they will take a portion of your winnings.
Joining a class action usually gets results, takes a couple of years and the law firm is the only one who makes money.
Timeshare Tricks will charge a small amount to cover the cost of buying records, we will do the research and background checks to make certain when we ask for your release from the contract and your money back, the timeshare will know it is better to pay you off and shut you up. Then once you are out and have your money in hand Timeshare Tricks get a small commission. With Timeshare Tricks you may be out of this mess in as quick as 60 days. Plus we will send them a Dispute Notification alerting them you are disputing the purchase and you no longer authorize them to withdraw from your checking account or credit card account.
As soon as you sign up using the "Buy Now" button on the right I will send you a Dispute Notification and a Questionnaire that will help you to remember the sales presentation and what lies you were told.
Want to DIY the work yourself? Check out www.timesharetricks.blogspot.com You can order DIY Get Out ebook. There are sample letter and where to send them. You can even order the research.
An attorney will charge a couple of thousand dollars to start. If they do the time consuming task of gathering research they will charge by the hour, then they will take a portion of your winnings.
Joining a class action usually gets results, takes a couple of years and the law firm is the only one who makes money.
Timeshare Tricks will charge a small amount to cover the cost of buying records, we will do the research and background checks to make certain when we ask for your release from the contract and your money back, the timeshare will know it is better to pay you off and shut you up. Then once you are out and have your money in hand Timeshare Tricks get a small commission. With Timeshare Tricks you may be out of this mess in as quick as 60 days. Plus we will send them a Dispute Notification alerting them you are disputing the purchase and you no longer authorize them to withdraw from your checking account or credit card account.
As soon as you sign up using the "Buy Now" button on the right I will send you a Dispute Notification and a Questionnaire that will help you to remember the sales presentation and what lies you were told.
Want to DIY the work yourself? Check out www.timesharetricks.blogspot.com You can order DIY Get Out ebook. There are sample letter and where to send them. You can even order the research.
WANT TO BE RID OF THAT TIMESHARE FOR GOOD
Timeshare Tricks will help you get out from that timeshare or travel club contract and get you your money back.
If the salespeople lied to you and misrepresented what you were buying you have every right to demand out.
Timeshare Tricks will help you with the entire process, we are not through until you are out.
Email me at timesharetricks@gmail.com or click on the "Buy Here" button on the right.
If the salespeople lied to you and misrepresented what you were buying you have every right to demand out.
Timeshare Tricks will help you with the entire process, we are not through until you are out.
Email me at timesharetricks@gmail.com or click on the "Buy Here" button on the right.
DIAMOND RESORT WEEK OWNERS
Do you own a week instead of points at a Diamond Resort and find they keep making you attending the "owners updates", which turns out to be a sales pitch to sell you more points. They will even sabotage your Interval International weeks you try to bank. All in order to sell you their points. They're salespeople are notorious for this trick.
State sues second Branson travel club
FORSYTH — Less than a week after filing suit against a
Branson-area travel club, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster is
suing another one.
On Dec. 15, Koster filed court documents in Taney County Associate Circuit Court against JD&T Enterprises, Inc. of San Diego, California, and against Forever Grand Vacations, of Branson. Forever Grand Vacations sells travel club memberships in Branson for its partner, JD&T Enterprises, which is doing business as Travel to Go, according to the suit.
On Dec. 11, Koster filed a similar suit against VSA, LLC; VSA
Holdings; Vacation Services of America, LLC; and International Travel
Solutions, LLC; and the individuals Thomas Wood, of Orlando, Florida and
Denver Wood, of Branson.
In this most recent suit, Koster is seeking a permanent injunction that would prevent the defendants from doing business in Missouri and would prevent the defendants’ representatives and employees from selling vacation benefits. Koster is also asking the court to require the defendants to provide full restitution to customers, and to pay refunds to all Missouri customers who provided notice to have their memberships rescinded. He is also asking the court for the defendants to pay the state an unspecified civil penalty, to pay the state 10 percent of the total restitution paid, and to pay all court costs.
According to the suit, Forever Grand Vacations and and Travel to Go were selling travel club memberships to customers in Branson.
The companies told the customers that the membership would give them access to large discounts. However, according to the suit, customers found that they were not able to get the discounts advertised and customers had difficulty getting out of their memberships.
According to Koster, the defendants have accepted at least $100,000 from at least 37 consumers for goods or services that were not provided.
Examples
The suit gives two examples:
On Jan. 26, 2013, a customer from Waynesville attended a presentation and purchased a membership for $3,288. He was told he would have six months to cancel and receive a full refund. After making payments for four months, the man decided to cancel; however, he was told it would cost him an additional $500 to cancel and he still had to pay the $3,000 balance on his membership fee.
He was also offered, for $500, an opportunity to sell his membership. The customer paid the balance on his membership, as well as the $500 listing fee. His membership was listed on a site with hundreds of others and he never received a refund. He is also still being contacted by the defendants with other offers.
Another customer, from Virginia Beach, Virginia, attended a travel club presentation in Branson in March and was told by his presenter that the presenter had gone to Hawaii on a 50-70 percent discount and that airfare can generally be purchased for 50 percent less than the normal rate.
The customer paid the membership fee of $5,544 up front. The customer then tried to book a cruise but found this his membership could not get him a lower price. He eventually got a $2,500 refund after attempting to cancel his membership, but he is still owed $2,044.
Counts
The suit accuses Forever Grand Vacations and Travel to Go of three counts of misrepresentation and one count of deception. It also accuses Travel to Go, specifically, of operating as a travel club in Missouri without being registered as a travel club in the state.
On Dec. 15, Koster filed court documents in Taney County Associate Circuit Court against JD&T Enterprises, Inc. of San Diego, California, and against Forever Grand Vacations, of Branson. Forever Grand Vacations sells travel club memberships in Branson for its partner, JD&T Enterprises, which is doing business as Travel to Go, according to the suit.
In this most recent suit, Koster is seeking a permanent injunction that would prevent the defendants from doing business in Missouri and would prevent the defendants’ representatives and employees from selling vacation benefits. Koster is also asking the court to require the defendants to provide full restitution to customers, and to pay refunds to all Missouri customers who provided notice to have their memberships rescinded. He is also asking the court for the defendants to pay the state an unspecified civil penalty, to pay the state 10 percent of the total restitution paid, and to pay all court costs.
According to the suit, Forever Grand Vacations and and Travel to Go were selling travel club memberships to customers in Branson.
The companies told the customers that the membership would give them access to large discounts. However, according to the suit, customers found that they were not able to get the discounts advertised and customers had difficulty getting out of their memberships.
According to Koster, the defendants have accepted at least $100,000 from at least 37 consumers for goods or services that were not provided.
Examples
The suit gives two examples:
On Jan. 26, 2013, a customer from Waynesville attended a presentation and purchased a membership for $3,288. He was told he would have six months to cancel and receive a full refund. After making payments for four months, the man decided to cancel; however, he was told it would cost him an additional $500 to cancel and he still had to pay the $3,000 balance on his membership fee.
He was also offered, for $500, an opportunity to sell his membership. The customer paid the balance on his membership, as well as the $500 listing fee. His membership was listed on a site with hundreds of others and he never received a refund. He is also still being contacted by the defendants with other offers.
Another customer, from Virginia Beach, Virginia, attended a travel club presentation in Branson in March and was told by his presenter that the presenter had gone to Hawaii on a 50-70 percent discount and that airfare can generally be purchased for 50 percent less than the normal rate.
The customer paid the membership fee of $5,544 up front. The customer then tried to book a cruise but found this his membership could not get him a lower price. He eventually got a $2,500 refund after attempting to cancel his membership, but he is still owed $2,044.
Counts
The suit accuses Forever Grand Vacations and Travel to Go of three counts of misrepresentation and one count of deception. It also accuses Travel to Go, specifically, of operating as a travel club in Missouri without being registered as a travel club in the state.
BLUEGREENS TRUE COLORS
The partial article below pretty much cuts to the chase. Bluegreen's main focus is sales. Not providing owners with happy vacations but selling more VOIs or Vacation Ownership Intervals, so they can pay dividends to their stockholders who in turn can take you money and go on vacation themselves. I'm betting they do not own Bluegreen points. To read the entire article visit: http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/11G025179-001.htm
The following provides financial and other information regarding our assets, including our investment in Bluegreen and acquired operating businesses, our real estate joint ventures, and our BankAtlantic legacy portfolio of loans and foreclosed real estate.
Bluegreen Overview for the Third Quarter, 2014 Compared to Third Quarter 2013
Bluegreen Corporation: On April 2, 2013, BBX Capital acquired a 46% interest in Woodbridge Holdings, LLC ("Woodbridge"). BFC Financial Corporation ("BFC"), BBX Capital's parent company, owns the remaining 54% of Woodbridge. Woodbridge's principal asset is its 100% ownership of Bluegreen Corporation ("Bluegreen").
For the quarter ended September 30, 2014, net income attributable to Woodbridge was $16.6 million, of which $17.2 million related to the operations of Bluegreen. BBX Capital recognized 46% of the net income attributable to Woodbridge, or $7.6 million, for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2014, net income attributable to Woodbridge was $47.8 million, of which $49.7 million related to the operations of Bluegreen. BBX Capital recognized 46% of the net income attributable to Woodbridge, or $22.0 million, for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014.
During the third quarter of 2013 and the first, second and third quarters of 2014, Bluegreen paid cash dividends of $18.0 million, $14.5 million, $19.0 million, and $19.0 million, respectively, to Woodbridge. Woodbridge paid cash dividends to BBX Capital of $ 3.7 million, $6.4 million, $8.4 million, and $8.5 million, respectively, during September 2013, April 2014, June 2014, and August 2014, based on BBX Capital's pro rata 46% interest in Woodbridge.
Bluegreen Highlights for the Third Quarter, 2014 Compared to Third Quarter, 2013
(1) Bluegreen's sales of VOIs under its capital-light business strategy include sales of VOIs under fee-based sales and marketing arrangements, just-in-time inventory acquisition arrangements. Bluegreen enters into agreements with third party developers that allow Bluegreen to buy VOI inventory from time to time in close proximity to the timing of when Bluegreen intends to sell such VOIs and refers to this as "Just in Time" arrangements. Bluegreen also acquires VOI inventory from resorts' property owner associations ("POAs") and other third parties close to the time Bluegreen intends to sell such VOIs. Such VOIs are typically obtained by the POAs through foreclosure in connection with maintenance fee defaults, and are generally acquired by Bluegreen at a significant discount. Bluegreen refers to sales of inventory acquired through these arrangements as "Secondary Market Sales."
System-wide sales of VOIs, net include all sales of VOIs, regardless of whether Bluegreen or a third-party owned the VOI immediately prior to the sale. The sales of third-party owned VOIs are transacted as sales of timeshare interests in the Bluegreen Vacation Club through the same selling and marketing process Bluegreen uses to sell its VOI inventory. The growth in system-wide sales of VOIs, net during 2014 as compared to 2013 reflects an increase in the number of tours and an increase in the sale-to-tour conversion ratio. During the three months ended September 30, 2014, the number of tours increased by 9% compared to the same period in 2013. The increase in the number of tours reflects efforts to expand marketing to sales prospects through new marketing initiatives. Additionally, during the three months ended September 30, 2014, Bluegreen's sale-to-tour conversion ratio increased 1% compared to the same period in 2013.
During the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, cost of VOIs sold as a percentage of sales of VOIs was 12% and 14%, respectively. The decrease in cost of sales generally and as a percentage of sales during 2014 is a result of a higher proportion of Secondary Market sales, which typically carry a relatively lower acquisition cost. Cost of VOIs sold as a percentage of sales of VOIs varies between periods based on the relative costs of the specific VOIs sold in each period and the size of the point packages of the VOIs sold (due to offered volume discounts, including consideration of cumulative sales to existing owners). Additionally, the effect of changes in estimates under the relative sales value method, including estimates of project sales, future defaults, upgrades and incremental revenue from the resale of repossessed VOI inventory, are reflected on a retrospective basis in the period the change occurs. Therefore, cost of sales will typically be favorably impacted in periods where a significant amount of Secondary Market VOI inventory is acquired and the resulting change in estimate is recognized.
As a percentage of system-wide sales, net, selling and marketing expenses increased from 45% during the third quarter of 2013 to 48% during the third quarter of 2014. Generally, the increase in selling and marketing expenses and the increase in selling and marketing expenses as a percentage of sales during the 2014 periods compared to the 2013 periods was a result of Bluegreen's continued focus on increasing its marketing efforts to new customers as opposed to existing owners. Sales to existing owners generally involve lower marketing expenses than sales to new customers. Bluegreen expects to continue to increase its focus on sales to new owners and, as a result, sales and marketing expenses generally and as a percentage of sales may continue to increase.
The following provides financial and other information regarding our assets, including our investment in Bluegreen and acquired operating businesses, our real estate joint ventures, and our BankAtlantic legacy portfolio of loans and foreclosed real estate.
Bluegreen Overview for the Third Quarter, 2014 Compared to Third Quarter 2013
Bluegreen Corporation: On April 2, 2013, BBX Capital acquired a 46% interest in Woodbridge Holdings, LLC ("Woodbridge"). BFC Financial Corporation ("BFC"), BBX Capital's parent company, owns the remaining 54% of Woodbridge. Woodbridge's principal asset is its 100% ownership of Bluegreen Corporation ("Bluegreen").
For the quarter ended September 30, 2014, net income attributable to Woodbridge was $16.6 million, of which $17.2 million related to the operations of Bluegreen. BBX Capital recognized 46% of the net income attributable to Woodbridge, or $7.6 million, for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2014, net income attributable to Woodbridge was $47.8 million, of which $49.7 million related to the operations of Bluegreen. BBX Capital recognized 46% of the net income attributable to Woodbridge, or $22.0 million, for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014.
During the third quarter of 2013 and the first, second and third quarters of 2014, Bluegreen paid cash dividends of $18.0 million, $14.5 million, $19.0 million, and $19.0 million, respectively, to Woodbridge. Woodbridge paid cash dividends to BBX Capital of $ 3.7 million, $6.4 million, $8.4 million, and $8.5 million, respectively, during September 2013, April 2014, June 2014, and August 2014, based on BBX Capital's pro rata 46% interest in Woodbridge.
Bluegreen Highlights for the Third Quarter, 2014 Compared to Third Quarter, 2013
(1) Bluegreen's sales of VOIs under its capital-light business strategy include sales of VOIs under fee-based sales and marketing arrangements, just-in-time inventory acquisition arrangements. Bluegreen enters into agreements with third party developers that allow Bluegreen to buy VOI inventory from time to time in close proximity to the timing of when Bluegreen intends to sell such VOIs and refers to this as "Just in Time" arrangements. Bluegreen also acquires VOI inventory from resorts' property owner associations ("POAs") and other third parties close to the time Bluegreen intends to sell such VOIs. Such VOIs are typically obtained by the POAs through foreclosure in connection with maintenance fee defaults, and are generally acquired by Bluegreen at a significant discount. Bluegreen refers to sales of inventory acquired through these arrangements as "Secondary Market Sales."
System-wide sales of VOIs, net include all sales of VOIs, regardless of whether Bluegreen or a third-party owned the VOI immediately prior to the sale. The sales of third-party owned VOIs are transacted as sales of timeshare interests in the Bluegreen Vacation Club through the same selling and marketing process Bluegreen uses to sell its VOI inventory. The growth in system-wide sales of VOIs, net during 2014 as compared to 2013 reflects an increase in the number of tours and an increase in the sale-to-tour conversion ratio. During the three months ended September 30, 2014, the number of tours increased by 9% compared to the same period in 2013. The increase in the number of tours reflects efforts to expand marketing to sales prospects through new marketing initiatives. Additionally, during the three months ended September 30, 2014, Bluegreen's sale-to-tour conversion ratio increased 1% compared to the same period in 2013.
During the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, cost of VOIs sold as a percentage of sales of VOIs was 12% and 14%, respectively. The decrease in cost of sales generally and as a percentage of sales during 2014 is a result of a higher proportion of Secondary Market sales, which typically carry a relatively lower acquisition cost. Cost of VOIs sold as a percentage of sales of VOIs varies between periods based on the relative costs of the specific VOIs sold in each period and the size of the point packages of the VOIs sold (due to offered volume discounts, including consideration of cumulative sales to existing owners). Additionally, the effect of changes in estimates under the relative sales value method, including estimates of project sales, future defaults, upgrades and incremental revenue from the resale of repossessed VOI inventory, are reflected on a retrospective basis in the period the change occurs. Therefore, cost of sales will typically be favorably impacted in periods where a significant amount of Secondary Market VOI inventory is acquired and the resulting change in estimate is recognized.
As a percentage of system-wide sales, net, selling and marketing expenses increased from 45% during the third quarter of 2013 to 48% during the third quarter of 2014. Generally, the increase in selling and marketing expenses and the increase in selling and marketing expenses as a percentage of sales during the 2014 periods compared to the 2013 periods was a result of Bluegreen's continued focus on increasing its marketing efforts to new customers as opposed to existing owners. Sales to existing owners generally involve lower marketing expenses than sales to new customers. Bluegreen expects to continue to increase its focus on sales to new owners and, as a result, sales and marketing expenses generally and as a percentage of sales may continue to increase.
KIMBERLING INN AND RESORT - Kimberlng City, MO
Just returned from Missouri and drove through Kimberling Inn, it appears only two or the motel type units were damaged in the tornado. I looked at all the other condos and they seemed fine. Stay tuned for pictures. I just wondering if they are intending to rebuild the motel type or assess the owners to build nice new townhomes. I wil be forwarding information to my Kimberling Inn clients.
2013 Banner Year for U.S. Vacation Timeshare Industry Industry Shows Significant Growth
The U.S. timeshare industry enjoyed significant growth in 2013, according to the
State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry: United States Study 2014
Editionconducted by Ernst & Young. Compared to 2012, sales volume increased
nearly 11 percent, average sales price rose nine percent, and there are 29 percent more
resorts planned for the upcoming year.
"With 8.5 million intervals owned and a substantial increase in our key metrics, it's clear that timeshare growth is back," said Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA). "The results of this study are further proof that the incremental growth that we have been witnessing over the last 18 months is sustainable."
There were 1,540 timeshare resorts in the United States in 2013, representing about 192,420 units for an average resort size of 125 units. The sales volume rose from $6.9 billion in 2012 to $7.6 billion in 2013, an 11 percent increase. The average sales price increased/climbed nine percent to $20,460. Occupancy remained steady at around 76 percent, compared to a 621percent hotel occupancy rate.
Other interesting findings from the study include:beach resorts are the most common
type of resort, with urban resorts claiming the highest occupancy. Island resorts have
the highest average sales price and Florida has the most resorts (23% of the national
total) and highest total sales volume ($2.3 billion). Nevada has the largest average
resort size (283 units on average), and Hawaii has the highest average sales price
($27,712) and occupancy rate (85.2%).
The report was conducted by Ernst & Young and commissioned by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) International Foundation. For more details, see ARDA's State of the Industry infographic and for a copy of the full State of the Industry Study, visitwww.arda.org/foundation.
"With 8.5 million intervals owned and a substantial increase in our key metrics, it's clear that timeshare growth is back," said Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA). "The results of this study are further proof that the incremental growth that we have been witnessing over the last 18 months is sustainable."
There were 1,540 timeshare resorts in the United States in 2013, representing about 192,420 units for an average resort size of 125 units. The sales volume rose from $6.9 billion in 2012 to $7.6 billion in 2013, an 11 percent increase. The average sales price increased/climbed nine percent to $20,460. Occupancy remained steady at around 76 percent, compared to a 621percent hotel occupancy rate.
Other interesting findings from the study include:
The report was conducted by Ernst & Young and commissioned by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) International Foundation. For more details, see ARDA's State of the Industry infographic and for a copy of the full State of the Industry Study, visitwww.arda.org/foundation.
BRANSON'S ANYTIME VACATIONS AND ST LOUIS AREA RED ROCK TRAVEL SUED BY ATTORNEY GENERAL
FORSYTH, Mo. -
Attorney General Chris Koster is suing a Taney County travel-club company for allegedly deceiving consumers about the benefits of memberships.
The suit in Taney County Circuit Court alleges that Anytime Vacations promised consumers discounts on airfare, hotel accommodations, cruises, and other travel
benefits for joining its travel club and paying fees of hundreds and
even thousands of dollars. After joining, however, consumers found the
“discounts” were nonexistent, and that they could get better deals going
through standard, free services such as Travelocity and Orbitz.
Koster said his office received 50 complaints against Anytime Vacations
,
alleging that consumers paid fees to the companies totaling more than
$140,000. In one case, a consumer paid $6,995 to join the club. Anytime
Vacations refused to cancel the consumer’s contract and refund his money
after he discovered it cost more to book a flight through Anytime
Vacations than through routine travel websites.
The lawsuit also alleges that the company violated Missouri law by failing to register with the state or provide proof of sufficient reserve funds
to provide the services it promised. In addition, the travel-club
company told consumers they had just three days to cancel contracts,
when consumers legally had three years to cancel because the club was
unregistered.
Koster is seeking restitution for consumers, as well as civil penalties and the costs of the investigation and prosecution. "Some travel clubs use high-pressure tactics to make it difficult for consumers to say ‘no’, and then put up roadblocks for consumers to cancel,” Koster said. “My office will pursue travel-club businesses that cheat Missouri consumers and violate our state’s laws.”
Koster said that before signing a contract, consumers can check with his Consumer Protection Hotline at
800-392-8222
to determine whether there are complaints filed against the travel
club, if the travel club is registered in Missouri, and if it has
demonstrated the financial ability to provide the discounted benefits
they are offering.
The second suit, involves Red Rock Travel, LLC, doing business in Missouri as Endless Travel Vacations, and its owners, Jack Keefe and Sherri Wolff, in St. Louis County Circuit Court for the same type of fraudulent business practices.
The Attorney General's office received five complaints about Endless Travel Vacations, totaling $19,000 in fees paid.
Attorney General Chris Koster is suing a Taney County travel-club company for allegedly deceiving consumers about the benefits of memberships.
The suit in Taney County Circuit Court alleges that Anytime Vacations promised consumers discounts on airfare, hotel accommodations, cruises, and other travel
Koster said his office received 50 complaints against Anytime Vacations
The lawsuit also alleges that the company violated Missouri law by failing to register with the state or provide proof of sufficient reserve funds
Koster is seeking restitution for consumers, as well as civil penalties and the costs of the investigation and prosecution. "Some travel clubs use high-pressure tactics to make it difficult for consumers to say ‘no’, and then put up roadblocks for consumers to cancel,” Koster said. “My office will pursue travel-club businesses that cheat Missouri consumers and violate our state’s laws.”
Koster said that before signing a contract, consumers can check with his Consumer Protection Hotline at
800-392-8222
to determine whether there are complaints filed against the travel
club, if the travel club is registered in Missouri, and if it has
demonstrated the financial ability to provide the discounted benefits
they are offering.The second suit, involves Red Rock Travel, LLC, doing business in Missouri as Endless Travel Vacations, and its owners, Jack Keefe and Sherri Wolff, in St. Louis County Circuit Court for the same type of fraudulent business practices.
The Attorney General's office received five complaints about Endless Travel Vacations, totaling $19,000 in fees paid.
Tenn. AG sues timeshare club Festiva
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) – Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper announced a lawsuit on Tuesday against multiple entities operating a timeshare and membership vacation club that allegedly used deceptive techniques to market the operation’s products.
The lawsuit against the entities operating Festiva alleges the operators used fraudulent and deceptive telemarketing and direct mail tactics to lure Tennesseans into attending high-pressure sales presentations to buy vacation memberships. Festiva allegedly misled consumers into believing they won or were selected for a valuable prize, but the company failed to disclose multiple requirements, including the lengthy sales presentation.
In December, the states of Louisiana and Maine also filed suit against Festiva.
“If you are tempted by a travel or vacation company that uses high pressure sales, it’s probably best to take your time and do your homework before you pay thousands of dollars and commit to paying maintenance fees and special assessments,” Cooper said.
Festiva also allegedly used confusing terms and conditions to make membership to the vacation club difficult to use and to sell more products, made it almost impossible to book a vacation at Festiva resorts and surprised consumers with bills for increasing maintenance fees and special assessments.
The lawsuit, which was filed under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act and the Federal Telemarketing Act, named multiple associated businesses, affiliates and principal operators as defendants in the lawsuit.
The defendants include Escapes! Inc., Escapes Travel Choices LLC, Etourandtravel Inc., Festiva Development Group LLC, d/b/a Festiva Adventure Club, Festiva Real Estate Holdings LLC, formerly known as Festiva Resorts LLC, Festiva Resorts Adventure Club Members Association Inc., Human Capital Solutions LLC, formerly known as Festiva Resort Services LLC, Resort Travel & Xchange LLC, also known as RTX, formerly known as Festiva Travel & Xchange LLC, also known as FTX, Patton Hospitality Management LLC, formerly known as Festiva Management Group LLC, Zealandia Capital Inc., formerly known as SETI Marketing Inc., Zealandia Holding Company Inc., formerly known as Festiva Hospitality Group. Inc., Donald Clayton, Herbert Patrick and Richard Hartnett.
Diamond Resorts acquires two rival firms
LAS VEGAS -- Las Vegas-based vacation ownership firm Diamond Resorts
acquired two rival firms following the company’s initial public stock
offering, which closed a week ago.
Diamond Resorts said in a statement late Wednesday it bought seven properties in Florida operated by Island One and acquired seven properties in Las Vegas, California and Mexico owned by Pacific Monarch Resorts.
Last year, Diamond Resorts acquired most of Pacific Monarch management agreements.
The company did not disclose financial details for the transactions.
“These types of acquisitions represent an excellent strategic growth platform for our business,” Diamond Resorts Chief Executive Officer David Palmer said in a statement. “Coinciding with our initial public offering, these transactions will benefit our business by adding significant cash flow to our hospitality management segment.”
Diamond Resorts has a network of more than 300 vacation destinations in 33 countries.
Shares of Diamond Resorts closed at $15.40 on the New York Stock Exchange, up 7 cents or 0.46 percent.
Diamond Resorts said in a statement late Wednesday it bought seven properties in Florida operated by Island One and acquired seven properties in Las Vegas, California and Mexico owned by Pacific Monarch Resorts.
Last year, Diamond Resorts acquired most of Pacific Monarch management agreements.
The company did not disclose financial details for the transactions.
“These types of acquisitions represent an excellent strategic growth platform for our business,” Diamond Resorts Chief Executive Officer David Palmer said in a statement. “Coinciding with our initial public offering, these transactions will benefit our business by adding significant cash flow to our hospitality management segment.”
Diamond Resorts has a network of more than 300 vacation destinations in 33 countries.
Shares of Diamond Resorts closed at $15.40 on the New York Stock Exchange, up 7 cents or 0.46 percent.
Wyndham time shares pitch more, sell more
By Sara K. Clarke and Jason Garcia, Orlando Sentinel
July 29, 2013
The world's largest time-share developer reported an increase in sales for the second quarter, driven by a higher volume of guests going on tours to hear sales pitches.
Wyndham Worldwide Corp., the parent company of Orlando-based Wyndham Vacation Ownership, said its time-share operation had revenue of $630 million for the three months that ended June 30. That figure was up 11 percent compared with the same period a year earlier.
Partly driving the increase was Wyndham's acquisition of Shell Vacations Club, an early pioneer in the time-share business.
Wyndham said its time-share sales were up 5 percent from a year ago, driven by a 10.8 percent increase in "tour flow," or the number of people sitting through its sales pitches. But the company's marketing efforts were less effective, as the "volume per guest" — or the amount of revenue generated per tour —- decreased by 4.4 percent.
HOW DOES IT WORK
HOW IT WORKS: No Timeshare provides you with hundreds of pages of research on your resort. This will include consumer complaints, past lawsuits against the resort, State Attorney Generals complaints and news articles. All showing where hundreds of other people have been scammed. I then provide a demand letter stating you are disputing the purchase and giving them 30 days to respond or this information will go public. It works, contact me today.
This program works if you were misled and lied to during your presentation. Resorts can no longer place the blame on the salesperson, they allow it and the salesman is a representative of the resort. Hold them accountable.
San Luis files suit against Wyndham Worldwide
And we wonder how these resale company's get a timeshare owners name.
GALVESTON, Texas — The San Luis
Resort, Spa & Conference Center is
suing two former managers and
Wyndham Worldwide Corp., accusing
them of conspiring to poach
employees and of stealing proprietary guest lists.
Island-born billionaire Tilman Fertitta owns the The San Luis, 5222
Seawall Blvd.
The lawsuit never specifies which Wyndham-managed property is at issue
in the lawsuit. Court papers describe a beach-front hotel and spa on the
seawall managed by Wyndham. Wyndham Corp. manages Hotel Galvez &
Spa, 2024 Seawall Blvd.
GALVESTON, Texas — The San Luis
Resort, Spa & Conference Center is
suing two former managers and
Wyndham Worldwide Corp., accusing
them of conspiring to poach
employees and of stealing proprietary guest lists.
Island-born billionaire Tilman Fertitta owns the The San Luis, 5222
Seawall Blvd.
The lawsuit never specifies which Wyndham-managed property is at issue
in the lawsuit. Court papers describe a beach-front hotel and spa on the
seawall managed by Wyndham. Wyndham Corp. manages Hotel Galvez &
Spa, 2024 Seawall Blvd.
TRAVEL CLUB RECISSIONS
Cancelling your travel club membership varies from state to state.
Missouri has a three day rescission period, but there is a clause "as
long as your membership benefits have not been accessed." Which is why
the travel club will try and sell you a motel stay or show tickets. This
is a trick used by them to keep you in the deal. Be very careful, they
may even give you a restaurant gift card or "free tickets".
When you do cancel, mail everything back to the club registered mail along with a letter stating you are cancelling. You do not have to give a reason.
Visit www.timeshareschool.blogspot.com for more information.
When you do cancel, mail everything back to the club registered mail along with a letter stating you are cancelling. You do not have to give a reason.
Visit www.timeshareschool.blogspot.com for more information.
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