Complaint Review: Westgate Resort Orlando

Westgate Resorts in Orlando is designed to indebt people for life. We paid an up front fee of $10,000.00 for the use of a timeshare every other year. We were asked if we had a timeshare before and were asked what anything was it that we did not like about it. We had one before and were locked into a particular week which we did'nt like. We were only offered a floating week at Westgate and told anytime we wanted to use it all we had to do was call. The Sales person stated Westgate always has plenty of places open all over Orlando. All we would have to do is pay our maintenance fees and we would be good to go. 

We were told that the timeshare is an investment, that it will never depreicate in value. We were told that we could use it as a deduction on our income taxes. We were told that we were buying real property that we were owners. The truth is that we own nothing other than a debt, the timeshare has a zero resale value and maintenance fees that will continue to rise indefinitedly.

We were told we could pass this timeshare down to our children. We sure could, and then they would be on the hook for the escalating maintenance fees for the rest of their lives. 

We were also told by the Salesperson that we were not locked into the year. We could reserve a unit during off years at a reduced fee. When we called in our off year we were told, no that we couldn't have a unit unless we wanted to pay $195.00 per night. We went to The Clairion for a whole lot less. 

The first time we tried to use the timeshare during our year we were told nothing was available to call back next month. After the call back the next month and told nothing was available we just went to a hotel in Orlando. We had paid our maintenance fees but was always told to call back.

The maintenance fees started out around $255.00 every other year. Since 2005 they have risen to $960.00 per week. My husband financed the maintenance fees two years ago because we didn't have the $800.00 maintenance fees up front. When I found out how much the fees had risen in less than ten years I told him don't pay them another penny. This is absurd that maintenance fees would triple in less than ten years. Nothing else has risen like this. 

Westgate is threatening us with turning this debt over to a third party collection agency. I spoke with an attorney about this company and he told me that as a non-member he can rent a unit wiht them for $65.00 per night and space is always available with no maintenance fees.

Don't fall for this scam you will be sorry and out a lot of money!