Complaint Review: Westgate Resorts - Central Florida Investments

I know this thread is an older thread but this just goes to show that Westgate has continued to deceive people for over a decade now.  I have to disagree with all those that state Westgate is not a bad company. 

We were pulled in by lies,  however, I feel our contract is proof of deceit.  I have a document that we signed showing that we wanted all documents in paper form and CD-ROM form.  We did not receive the POS in paper form and the CD-ROM form was for Westgate of Park City Ut (we purchased at the Smoky Mountains) and the amendments were from 2006.  To top it off, we have two folios with the secret pockets where the CD-ROMs were placed and we were NOT told.  We made multiple transactions with Westgate but NEVER received the correct POS. Not once did anyone tell us about the POS or the importance of this document or that they were legally required to provide this document.  Just research the complaints and the lawsuits keeping people in the dark about the POS was/is standard practice.

There are enough cases of this that there are class action suits currently going on against Westgate.  Plus there is the video of David Siegel's son instructing Westgate Sales reps to "lie".  How can you say that Westgate is not a bad company? Westgate's only rebuttal "unfortunately verbal communication can not be verified".  Nothing said about strict guidelines for the sales department, nothing about consequences for any false statements, nothing to indicate that Westgate does not condone misconduct of the sales department.  Unfortunately, Westgate can not protect people from their sales department so if they have no control over their sales reps that to me is an indication of a horrible company.

We purchased at the Westgate TownCenter.  We were told it would be a town in itself.  It would have a cinema, bowling alley, restaurant, grocery store, hair salon, etc.  We have been waiting a long time for them to build the "town" in the Town Center.   We have been lied to so many times.  Even if it is true that salespeople are told to lie they are evidently under so much pressure that they do lie.  The salesperson also told us we were going on an "owner update" and that she would not try to sell us anything.  She lied she did try to sell us something.  I believe that Westgate told the salespeople to lie and call it an "Owner Update".

First they only sell to buyers from out of state, knowing full well that the Florida DPRB will not revoke the contract and the victim will not return to Florida (LIVE) and file suite in the 5Th district court! (ORLANDO). In your suite you will need a cause of action. Lets say UNJUST ENRICHMENT by fraud, as the cause of action! (clock is ticking, 4 yrs on fraud) The best you can hope for is that the contract is nullified (finding that  WESTGATE had no contract). Possible failed to meet the statutory requirements of Conspicuous type clause. No LAWYER in their right mind would take your case,( $5-10) upfront because he/she will not  get paid!!!! Waiting for 4 years on appeal after appeal. If you had the balls to move to Florida, and file PRO SE suite against Westgate  what will be your cause of action. Just remember you only have to miss one court appearance (no show) for the case to be dismissed and you wind up paying $5K-10K thousand for their lawyer fees. The FLORIDA DBPR mission statement is to protect Florida citizens and (CORPORATIONS) from people like you and me who have been screwed. Now go take on the day! Know that we don't have a snow ball chance in HELL!
JD  

I have been an owner since 1997 with Westgate and have been mostly satisfied. I have talked to several salespeople over the years, as yes they do ask you to come back and consider upgrading. I have said NO 7 times and yes 1 time. The key thing is you can say NO, and in fact you do not have to attend as the last time I did not. After several presentations this is what I have found: they are basically there to sell you something, so of course you will hear mostly benefits, the negatives are avoided but if pressed will be answered. I have had a few salespeople promote rental and resale opportunities, which I did not beleive and did not upgrade. I have however rented out my own week to a family member, so it is I guess possible. I also have had a salesperson say do not upgrade to make money, but to use the upgrade as a means to vacation more, I agreed and did upgrade and have vacationed more. You have to be realistic and ask the right questions, most impotant you do have an opportunity to speak to someone whom is not directly part of the sales department before the sale is final. It was at that moment I did ask questions to verify things and did get frank honest answers. I was told that it would not be easy to sell or really make money from this, and was clearly advised of all fees associated with the purchase.  I also was giving a copy of all the documents that I signed, so I could review them. This person I believe is called a closing officer as his business card says. I did call him and did receive a return phone call with answers. Bottom line, yes I have been told things that probably were not 100% accurate but they are in sales, I understand they must have pressure to sell, but you have time to ask and read everything before signing. Ignorance or overly trusting a spoken word is just not smart. Oh and I was actually at the resort when a man was standing outside with a sign, he should have read the papers before he signed them, I did, I am happy, I will re visit!

O.k.. I took one of these "90 minute" presentation in Orlando, yesterday. So it is very fresh in my mind.

First. The "90 minute" presentation, turned out to be almost 4 hours. It only ended then because I myself began becoming very aggresive in saying "NO, I am done with this !" In the middle of a room full of other possible clients.

Second. These salepeople are very well trained. They know this product and they know how to tell you what they think you want to hear. The main problem they had with me is that I grew up around these type of peolpe and had been in sales myself. So I could see this pretty much as the dog & pony show that it was. But when I started asking questions he was not sure of, he would just keep repeating himself like, hey, you're a moron if you don't understand this.

Third. Salesman was adamant that this was just the best deal in the world. And when I said I would like to research it, kept telling me to go out to the pool and ask any of their clients what their opinions were. But did not like it when I ask if he could bring me a computer so I could go online right there and check the facts. Or better yet, if I could just walk out front and question the gentleman that was holding up the sign, "Westgate ripped me off !!!". Was not so agreeable to those propositions.

Fourth. When the bottom line came and he flipped over this paper showing there pricing; $427.00 per month for 7 years + taxes + maintenance ( and that was for an every other year, 1 week usage ), he was actually amazed that I laughed. And for all his trying to rationalize the wisdom of their plan, utterly refused to answer the question of how would I be better off paying for this and taking 1, 8 day vacation every other year when I am used to taking 6+ mini vacations ( 2-4 days) EVERY year. And please do not give me the "getaway" option. I can look online and easily find a dozen cases where they say it is next to useless.

But I guess the bottom line in this would be, after reading many, many, negative reviews. Where are all the positive ones. I see a few positive rebutals. They are all from EMPLOYEES. It really seems to me if you had such a good product that you would be able to find some positive feedback a bit easier. By the way, I simply Googled, "Westgate Timeshare Reviews". The first 15 minutes, did not find 1 positive comment. Other than from an employee. Come on now. Oft times situations are exactly as they appear.

Oh, by the way. Did not do the presentation just for "freebies". Was actually very curious about the whole timeshare thing. Learned my lesson and know to do my research before I go to anything like this again.

I had to laugh when employee come on here and say they do not lie! If you were a liar wouldnt you lie on here also????? And who knows maybe they all dont lie but I know we did a tour last month in Orlando and caught the rep in so many lies he got pissed off. In the beginning he told us about how property values were getting higher and higher but later told us about the depressed real estate market in Florida. He also never mentioned to us about maintence and taxes but we questioned him and he told us he had owned property there for 7 years and never paid taxes, that Westgate paid them.
Some employees tell everyone to READ the contract and then berate them for missing a provision, but to read and elvaluate every line would take a week and the sales rep surely isnt going to let you leave the office with it. They pressure you to sign now knowing that you dont know the details and it will be used against you.
Basically, the employees who come on here making these comments think they are defending themselves and the company but in reality it just proves everyones point.

I posted this elsewhere after staying at a Westgate in Orlando but since employees claim they never lie it is worth repeating.

After 3 stays at Westgate Lakes I have yet to stay there when at least 3 lies weren't told.

Lie #1: We went on the timeshare tour in 2007 and they said a waterpark would be built by the end of the year and ready when we returned in 2008. 2008 comes - no sign of a waterpark and they claim it will be ready next year (2009).

Lie #2: My cousin and his wife went on the tour and they told them that if they became owners they would be allowed to check in any time during the day if they arrived early. We arrived at 11am and were not able to check in until 4:15, after giving us specific times to come back 3 times, and it was not ready either time, including at the official check-in time.

Lie #3: They told us they wanted to meet with us to take a survey about our stay and make sure everything was ok. When I came down for the "meeting" and "survey" they tried to take me on another time share tour. I told them I had already been and they left me there without a survey or anything and got major attitude. They introduce themselves as our "vip representative" and say they are just there to make sure we have a great stay and to call them if we need anything during our stay, yet if you do not go on the tour or do not buy/upgrade, then they say they will not help you and not to call them for the rest of the stay. I could go on and on but they just lie and lie and lie constantly.

If you go on the tour don't give them a penny. They try to get you to pay like $600 a month for 1 week a year. Maintenance fees are like $800 for the year alone. Why would you pay that when you can book online to stay there a week for less than $700??? They try to get you to pay $1295 to stay there one week. Give me a break! Don't fall for all their circle talk. It's a bunch of lies and they won't put any of the promises in writing. So let's think about this - at $600 a month, you are paying $7200 for 1 week in something no better than a hilton. Would you pay $7200 for 1 week in a hilton? I certainly hope not. And that's not even including the cost of the condo. That's JUST the maintenance!

Lie #4: When it is time to sign on the bottom line, they make verbal promises and say they will be honored, but don't let you write them in the contract. Fortunately I am an attorney and know better. It's sad that people actually fall for that. It was so crazy. They said, "You can do this and that" and I said, "Ok I will just write it in here so that it is in the contract" and they actually had the nerve to say, "'We have to honor what we tell you. It doesn't have to be in writing. Just because you are an attorney you think that everything has to be in writing." Of course they would not let me write it in. So basically they play on people being complete morons, which apparently some are.

I also have yet to meet someone who could exchange as easily as they say. I met at least 5 people down there who said they tried to exchange at other locations but were told 'We're all booked' even though expedia and other sites show that the resorts have availability. If you bought a timeshare within the past week, read the cancellation clause - I believe mine said that you have 10 days to cancel IN WRITING. You will regret it if you don't cancel! You can buy these things dirt cheap online. A guy down there offered to sell me his week for $3000, even though westage tried for $16,000 telling me that was a 'special deal' and worked there way down to $8000 which they claimed was a 'steal'. Spare me!

Fortunately I was not stupid enough to buy, knowing that they lie so often.

Anyone who purchases timeshare should listen carefully to their salesperson,as we are not taught to lie in any capacity.As an employee of westgate i can assure you we are told NOT to lie,or pitch heat ,as it is called.I can also tell you that 8 in 10 timeshare owners are completely satisfied with their ownership.The very best vacations of my life have been through my timeshare.There are 2 key things to consider when purchasing,take these 2 aspects into consideration and you wont be disappointed.Make sure you purchase peak time at your home resort,beach locations means june,july,august.Skiing locations,december,january,february,etc.
Make sure you own at a very desirable location so those trades are desirable to other owners,if you own at a second rate resort or location,trades ARE hard to get.
Lastly,the getaways that are mentioned so casually as another expense,are by far the greatest value attached to ownership,for those that really want to travel.A weeks vacation in a 4 or 5 star resort,the average price for a 1 bedroom condo is 299.00 for the entire week,there are up to 50 locations available at all times and some are under 100.00 for the entire week! Its very common for those that are unhappy with something to scream out,ive been ripped off,its a shame that more people who are extremely happy dont shout out,man, im so happy i bought.

Everything you just complained about was covered in the presentation. I guess you just don't listen or you are just "slow".

I work for this company and I can tell you that you have this all wrong.

First of all, when the salesman told you that you would pay approximately $300 a year, he was correct in 2001. You bought odd year usage which means every 2 years you pay the annual fees. If your annual fees are coming out to about $700-$750 and you divide that by 2 then you are paying approximately $350-$375 a year. Therefore, he didn't totally lie to you. You need to take into account the fact that prices do rise. Inflation does happen in the country. You pay a fee to maintain the property every other year which means that if they renovate your unit every 2-3 years, the prices of the materials used will go up. Therefore, making your maintenance fees go up. The same thing happens with the home you live in. You are not going to pay the exact same amount to maintain your home every year. It goes up. Contractors prices go up. Gas to cut your lawn goes up. Cost of appliances goes up. It's a part of life.

As far as the prices that go with exchanging your unit, you have all the prices mixed up and are giving a false story. First of all, you are combining your exchange companies fees with Westgates fees. In real life, you only pay one or the other. Not both.
With Westgate: You bought in the low season (September) so if you want to go into the high season you are going to pay more money. People who purchase the high season off bat, pay a lot more money so they can travel in that season. If you want to travel in high season, you will pay $500 or a holiday will cost you $750. This is also disclosed to you in your public offering statement. It says Westgate has the right to charge a fee if you travel out of your season. It also vaguely tells you this on the acknowledgment of representations.
With your exchange company: First of all, this company is not part of Westgate so they have their own rules and regulations which Westgate can do NOTHING about. They charge you a yearly membership fee to utilize their product (other timeshare weeks). This company does NOT charge you any kind of upgrade fee. They charge you a membership fee ($159) and an exchange fee ($139). That's it.

So as you can see, you would not be charged over $1500. All of this is disclosed in your contract. You just have to take the time out to actually read it.

The only way to resolve your issue is to buy a week that corresponds to when you want to travel. It will cost more money because it is a higher demanded week, but as we have all learned in the past, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. You bought low, you get a low season week.

Sorry for all of your confusion. I do understand how frustrating it can be when you dont completely understand every aspect of a company and how it operates. Fortunately enough for myself, growing up, i was taught to read the fine print. And actually, the print in the contract is actually bold. It's unfortunate that you feel that you were 'ripped off', but in that 4-5 hour long presentation you sat through, and the entire contract signing, thats the part when you should have PAYED ATTENTION. Not trying to rush through something like a legally binding contract. And when the word "deeded" came about, that should have sounded off some bells. Westgate Resorts is not a bad company by any means. And blaming someone else for your misunderstanding just shows your high level of thought processing.