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Spinnaker's French Quarter Resport in Branson, MO rip-off fraud
We were given a low-cost package to Branson with the stiuplation we attend a time-share type presentation. When we decided not to opt for the $20,000 + program for a week of time, they sent another salesman to the table.
We are interested in Cruising, not resorts, and told the salesman so. He offered us a "point" system, and said we could just as easily trade our "points" for a cruise any time we wanted to, and save big time. He showed us a "typical" cost of an Alaskan vacation on the Carnival Spirit that one couple got for about $1200 for two, and said we could easily do the same thing.
We were offered the point system for $3700, which he promised we could make up in two-three cruises with no problem. So we signed up. He announced to the group that we had bought a "week" in the program and congatulated us.
when we got home and checked with the ICE and RCI to see what we could do with our points, the answer was "just about nothing" We needed 27000 points for an ICE minimum cruise (we only got 9,000 in our package) and you could only save up for 3 years, which meant we would have to "buy" points in order to get a cheaper cruise, and then only every three years. RCI told us the only thing we could get with our 9,000 points as a 145-day or less "take a chance" call in and see if there was anything available week--nothing else.
So this salesman (not the initial salesman--the high pressure secondary salesman) promised us that we were going to be able to cruise every year by just trading in our points, or take a resort vacation at a number of resorts on their list for nothing, or $69 for the full book of RCI resorts.
When I called back and complained they said that unless we recorded everything the salesman said they couldn't do anything for us. We were supposed to have read the contract (which said only that we had purchased the points), and had only 5 days to renig (we were on the road at the time, with no contact possibilities).
They misrepresented themselves to the max, and we're stuck with a 9000 point package we can't do anything with except pay the annual fee to maintain. Watch your step when you purchase time shares!!!
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Bobby And Lucy
Hector,Arkansas,
U.S.A.
To Nancy who had a comment from Kansas...
#5Consumer Comment
Thu, May 24, 2007
My comment is to Nancy's comment...proofread!! Timeshares are a ripoff!
Tammy
Traskwood,Arkansas,
U.S.A.
French Quarter Rip Off this should be against the law
#5Consumer Comment
Wed, November 05, 2003
I was presured into buying a resort float package the same way as the person that reported it. The only thing is I wrote them an official certified cancellation letter before the five day grace period was up that they fail to mention to there customers that is in the paperwork. I am now waiting for them to credit my down payment back to my credit card. They sent someone over to pressure us and did so to several friends of mine that have gone to there presentation. I feel like this should be against the law in some way. Anyway, please make everyone aware that you have a five day grace period to cancell out.
Janet
Dunkirk,New York,
U.S.A.
We felt we were treated very well, did receive a good deal
#5Consumer Comment
Wed, March 19, 2003
my husband and I visited Branson in May of 02. We were also invited to attend a seminar (by a young man "stationed" in the wax museum) with promises of a "short" 20 minute session just for listening and the reward would be free show tickets and/or cash.
We attended the Spinnaker resort seminar regarding the new Grand Regency which was in the process of being built. Needless to say, the short session turned into a 4hour session.
Now, my husband and I our NOT seasoned travelers and we were caught up in the excitement--we also loved Branson and were staying with another couple at their resort of a different company.
The salesman we dealt with came up with a figure that was waaaay out of our league, so I came up with another idea, thinking "this would be a great way to get out of here".
I asked what if we only wanted a 1 week stay with a smaller unit? Well, he brought in the other manager who was very nice and did work up another option that we found affordable.
To make a long story short, when we got home, we changed our minds and sent a letter to Spinnaker stating this. This was on the 5th day. We had no problem whatsoever.
We felt we were treated very well, did receive a good deal, and had no problem when it came to cancelling. In fact, we are somewhat regretting that we did not keep it. It was a beautiful resort and we loved Branson and hope to return.
Nancy
Fort Riley,Kansas,
Get Real! Bargain Hunters Loose in Branson!!!!!
#5Consumer Comment
Tue, September 17, 2002
I can't believe the audacity of the "poor" couple who are now unhappy with their "Economy Time- Share Package"
If this couple was not interested in the first place, why did they take a timeshare tour? If Mr and Mrs Ripped-off had specifically told their representative what they were interested in the first place, this representative could have tailored their presentation to their needs and desires.
No, what they did instead was let this individual present an avenue of Vacation Ownership that Mr and Mrs Ripped-off knew they would be asked to purchase and would turn down.
What this underhanded attempt "to get something for nothing" reminds me of is what my Daddy always told us kids, "You get what you pay for"
As a consumer, I have a fair idea of the going rate of fare for 2 adults on an Alaskan cruise. If I were shown an example of a couple who managed to Cruise the Alaska for just $1200.00, I would sure as heck want to know exaclty how it was done. How many days did thay get for that price? Did my "economy package" cover that cost, what type of package did they own, was it $1200.00 total or added on to their "points"? I mean let's get real people! Was the package I was being offered even comparable to the package belonging to this other "lucky" couple? You were bargain hunting right? I know I would have asked those questions, wouldn't anyone?
Think about any purchase a consumer makes. Take for instance, a car. What questions do ask the Dealer when considering the car purchase? What about the life span you expect to get out of a new car purchase, and what details do you research before you buy it? Do you just kick the tires and make sure the radio works or do dig down to the specifics of it's warranty, value, mechanical durability, stability, depreciation, upkeep and maintanance, trade-value,recision period interest rates and financing. Heck I even want to know how fast it'll go and what kind of gas is best!
Point in fact, the time it takes to sign a contract depends soley on the consumer making the purchase. Never in my life have I ever signed a contract or purchased a car without knowing how to drive the darn thing!
Before we allow bargain hunter consumers to stand on their soap box and scream fraud, let's look at the true picture people.
My husband is now in the military. The first thing our soldiers are instructed in their first year of service is how to handle their finances, how to avoid being ripped off, how to prepare for separation from their families in times of disaster and war and most importanly how to spend their precious time with their families! If RCI and timeshare along with a multitude of vacationing avenues are offered to military personell of all our U.S. Armed Forces than how can we let such a good and precious thing such as a lifetime of vacations with the ones we love and need the most be defamated by a couple of bargain hunters who wanted more than what they obviously paid for! Larger and more establishe corporarations including Disney(check their web site somtime)have gone vacation ownership!
We can't let a couple with Buyers Remorse, injure another business in Branson. Please think of it this way folks, are we gonna let'em close down old Mickey D's because someone didn't get cheese on their .69 "hamburger"!! You get what you pay for!
My advice to you two is t actually read your RCI and ICE package! If your taste in vacations doesn't fit with the budget package you purchased, upgrade it to somthing you can actually use. Or,could it be possible that were already offered a better bargain somewhere else? Hmmmm. Just a little note, for the representatives' time you misused,those individuals have families and lives just like you. They have 90 minutes to figure out what your needs for vacationing actually are. They are not paid an hourly wage or even a salary. Nothing. Of course they are paid a commission. Now hold on, how does it benefit a Sales Representative to sell you a product that your are unhappy with? Tell me how many riches do you think he/she can earn if you cancell your contract? Whatever commission he/she earned is then taken back. $0 dollars earned right? Then you publish "fradulant" accusations in the paper, net, etc. Then not only can the Representative not earn a living, but the organization suffers as well. Fraud! Big word out of small minded people! Ruins lives, business and economy when so easily misused! Why don't you just be specific in what you want to purchase in the first place and figure what you can afford before you go shopping!
Folks I hope that your are the type of consumers out there who won't let a couple of mercenary bargain hunters ruin the excitement of vacationing for y'all. Any way I hope y'all enoy your next trip to Branson! About 22,000 people per day per season do every year!
Thanks for your time and I miss you Branson!