Complaint Review: Bluegreen Corp. (MountainLoft Resort) - Gatlinburg Tennessee

We were invited to a timeshare freebie that is now a costly
nightmare at Mountain Loft in Gatlinburg,
Tennessee. We were newlyweds
looking for an investment in our future and romantic vacations. We had no clue
at that time what a timeshare was at all. After a 90 minutes presentation
(10:00 -3:30) and 3 sales reps we were brain washed, overwhelmed, and sold
something. Our 1st rep was Helen. She explained so much information so fast
that it became overwhelming to keep up and keep notes. Twice we started to get
up and leave and were asked to hold on. Helen excused herself & stepped
away and came back with an associate named Ed who knew of her husband and about
all of their (exotic) vacations they took every year. She bragged about how
sweet Ed was and asked if he could sit in our session. We didnt see any
problems with it and said yes. We sat down and began listening again. He too
spoke of their (exotic) vacations and how happy she was to get to create
beautiful memories with her late husband. Ed asked her if she by chance had her
photo album. Poof! She pulled out a photo album of her and her late husband and
thank God with tears that she was able to take him to such (exotic) location
and create everlasting memories. She then told us he died 3 weeks after their
last (exotic) vacation and of course tears fell again. I hate to say it but I
cried with her. It broke my heart. I dont recall where their last (exotic)
vacation was but it was a tropical paradise in looking at the photos. She
stated that she has traveled the world and if it werent for their timeshare
program she purchased they would never have had the chance to do what they did
due to the normal cost. She then stated some big number ($). I cant read my
short hand on that one. We were almost sold and I decided we financially
couldnt pull it off. I was just uncomfortable with all the info, no numbers,
and all the uncertainty. My husband was obviously disappointed. He wanted it
for both us. He felt we deserved it after all we had been though. It was at this
time that Ed was beeped, apologized for the interruption, and he told us he had
to step away. He returned with Tom. Ed introduced Tom and Tom started out with
I understand you have questions about budgeting this great opportunity. We
would hate to see you two newlyweds lose out on an opportunity to create such
beautiful memories like Helens so let me see what I can do. You guessed it, we
sat down. While Tom & Ed were gone we asked, What if we cant use our
timeshare that year and how do the points work. We were told that each year we
earn 5000 points to be used however and whenever we wanted. Never were we told
that each year we start all over with points. Helen told us that Bluegreen has
a rental company that will assist us in renting it and we would receive the
monies which could be used toward maintenance fees if we so chose to. She told
us that properties rented all the time. She told us of a year that her husband
was very ill, they werent able to use their points, and she had it rented for
around $1500 for that particular week. She told us all we have to do is call
them. We felt like we were in a win:win situation. They kept reiterating that
this is a great once in a life time investment that they hated to see two
loving newly weds miss out on. This then sparked my husband to ask a question
about our taxes since its an investment in property. We were told that since
we pay maintenance fees etc. it can be written off on our taxes and to get with
our local tax preparer. They will be able to help us with that. She then asked
how we met and what we did for a living. We explained that we were childhood
sweethearts, then married other people, had awful prior marriages, and
divorced. Mine was a controlling verbal abuser and his was a druggie. We told them
we were both retired/disabled veterans who between us served 43 years+ in the
military serving our country. We talked about how we love to camp, hike, hunt,
and fish. They told us about all the beautiful resorts that we can use to do
those activities as well. Helen opened our book and showed us a place in Michigan and Missouri
that we would love. She then asked if we had kids and we told her 5 between our
two marriages. She went on to show us Hershey Park
in PA and spoke of how our kids would love going there. She told us there are
other kid friendly places we could go to as well but everyone loves Hershey Park and also Disney World. I only
remember these particular places because I dog eared the pages and made quick
notes on those pages. Well, you guessed it; we fell for it hook line and
sinker. No pun intended! We got the bells and whistles treatment and then
shoved in a back room with a massive packet of about 30 pages of small printed
paperwork that took no more than 15 minutes to complete. Im still not sure how
that happened! It would take me an hour to properly prep a soldier for
deployment. We werent given the time to read the contract like I felt we
should have. I should know, I took the packet off the desk several times to
read it while he was talking and was asked to keep it on the desk so that I
didnt get the pages out of order. He insure us we got a copy of everything
before we left. I tried my hardest to read as we were initialing as well
because it was going to be our 1st big investment together. I just couldnt
keep up. I started to get cold feet one more time during the rushing of our
signatures/initials. I tried to ask questions about cancellation if not
satisfied, interest rates, refinancing, renting, investment questions for tax
purposes, and we would just get brushed off, interrupted, or pushed with
please sign here, here, and so on. Also, during this time there was this guy
who kept interrupting us and telling our guy behind the desk that he has a
customer thats been waiting for 30 minutes. Then our guy kept getting
interrupted by phones calls from some one in the back office. We were told that
after he was finished with us he would have one of his sales reps sit down with
us and answer any other questions we had. He kept apologizing for rushing us
and stated that he had 3 more customers waiting to be proud owners like us.
Before we knew it we were done and proud owners. I still at this point wasnt
100% comfortable with the deal and expressed it. It was clear to my husband
that I was having 3rd, 4th, & 5th thoughts. Then the guy behind the desk
asked us what we did for fun. My husband proudly told him we do a lot of
fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking and that we had bought Tenn. License with
the plans to fish that day. This guy gave us a yacht program certificate and
said we would be able to take other people with us and do some great fishing.
He also stated that the yacht comes with a personal chef that preps the fish
right there on the boat. That was something I had always wanted to do and
thought it would be a romantic things for us. My husband was also getting
concerned about my health at this point. I am hypoglycemic and hadnt had
anything to eat from 10:00 - 3:00 but crackers (which he got from a vending
machine) since this whole drama filled day had started and I was starting to
get light headed. For me thats not good because then I pass out within 15/20
minutes depending on how fast my sugar drops. This is my warning sign. It was
already 3:30 and wed been there since 10:00.



Now: For the last 2 years we have tried to plan a summer vacation. We work hard
but dont play hard enough. Each time I tried to lock something in with our
points (which we understood were suppose to accumulate, not expire year after
year) I could never get anything. We either had to pay out of pocket because it
doesnt directly belong to them (which we found in their spectacular book they
give you at the 90 minute seminar) or its not available for that time.





Why am I writing and telling you all this? Well, I monitored our payments and I
knew about when we would be paid in full. I requested a payout sheet. It said
we still owed $8, 000+. We started with $9, 900 3 years ago. I called the 1-800
number on their website and asked why we still owed so much. Well, much to my
surprise only $10 of our $165 monthly payment is put toward the true debt. The
rest goes to interest. They then told me our interest rate was 15%.
Irresponsibility on my part I never knew that. That was ignorance on my part
but again I wasnt given the time to read the whole contact and ask questions
at that time. I never cried so hard on the phone. I asked about refinancing to
get the interest rate down and the lady said they dont do that and that we
would have to go elsewhere. I asked if they had any recommendations and she
said no, they dont recommend anyone. Thats not their job. Then I asked about
them just taking it back and just keeping the money we have already paid out.
She became annoyed, laughed, very disrespectful, and said we signed a contract
and by law we have to abide by it. I was getting very upset at this point and
asked what if I quit paying all together. She said you will be reported to the
collections agency and it will ruin our credit. She then said with sarcasm, you
wouldnt want to do that because itll follow you until you finally pay the
debt. Then all the fees accumulate and you will never get out of debt. Youll
never be able to buy anything on credit until the debt is paid in full. I then
told her I was going to contact a lawyer for assistance. She told me she does
legal work on the side for this company and not to waste any more money than
what we can afford to lose because we will not win, no one ever does against
them, and on top of it we will have to pay all of the court cost as well
including theirs. I hung up and cried some more. This all happened Mar 09. I
had given up and continued paying in order to maintain our good credit. I felt
beaten down and cornered and continued paying the bill and the $500 maintenance
fee in Dec. Then there was new fee that now appears in Jul (which I can never
get a clear answer as to why Im being charged for it) but like a desperate
idiot I pay it. I gave up calling because they were always rude, disrespectful,
overbearing, degrading, and I got no where with them but stressed out. Comments
such as, if you are so poor why did you invest in this in the 1st place are
you going to be like all the other scammers and quite paying for something you
volunteered for and blame someone else for your stupidity. I was appalled. I
always tried to be patient until they got rude and then I got rude back and
they would hang up. When I would ask for their name or their supervisors name
they would tell me that arent aloud to give their names; its company policy.
One day my husband overheard a conversation. This was during the time when my
husband was also pending a layoff (May 09). I was trying to find ways to get
rid of this timeshare and bring $2600 back into our home. I was contact by a
company called TimesharesOnly out of desperation from a search that I had done.
Andyes I got suckered again $600 later because they have a spectacular
program and were going to sell my timeshare for me. I called them one day and
complained about their lack of service. The lady on the other end told me that
if I listened to the radio and what their TV channels they listed I would see
my timeshare. They are doing their job and they dont know why Im complaining.
Stop calling and let them do their job! Through a blog I found I have been
communicating with other angry Bluegreen victims. Monday I received an email
from a person who directed me to a news broadcast on youtube by the PA AG. Here
lies my question. Can anyone help me get rid of this timeshare and get at least
what we paid out back? We have been lied to, bullied, disrespected, and I just
want to get rid of it. This past month my husband and I have gotten into some
arguments about this. He thinks we should pay it off and then sell it for
whatever we can get and take the lose. We cant even count it as a lose on our
taxes and I havent even told him that yet. I have done the extensive research
this past year and know for a fact it will never happen. He doesnt understand
and I dont fault him for it. Note*My husband recently has been diagnosed with
PTSD along with lots of injuries due to being assigned in the airborne infantry
with the 82nd, 101st, as well as other undisclosed missions not discussed or
recorded. He currently attends therapy/counseling to assist with his quality of
life, memory issues, and paranoia. I do all that I can to keep his life pretty
normal. He doesn't need this stress added



Note:*We got scammed by the (my husband died and I'm glad we had our program)
story. We purchased this mess in 7/07. We pay $165 a month of which only $10
goes toward the loan & the rest interest. At this rate it will be paid off
by 2017. You do the math please.



Note:*Every time we turn around we can't use it because it's either not theirs
or not available. When we purchased it Helen told us that when it wasnt in use
they would assist us in renting it (News Flash-this service is no longer offer
and we werent told). Then we were told that we would be able to re-finance at
a better interest rate (news flash-they dont offer that service nor do they
recommend any one). Hmmm thats because no one will refinance it because (we
dont own it yet!). When I call Bluegreen to talk about dumping it or just not
paying it anymore, they get extremely rude. I told the customer service rep
that I was going to hire a lawyer and she told me not to waste my time or money
because they have more money and contacts than us and we couldnt afford to
lose and then have to pay out all the legal fees. I was also directed to the actual
finance company that manages this timeshare. Its not the one on our contract
from that wonderful 90 minute seminar. Furthermore, it wasnt a seminar as we
were told; it was a one on one. I thought a seminar is a group of people
collectively spoken too.



Note:* I contacted Timeshares Only and I believe their wonderful story out of
desperation that they have such a great selling reputation that for only $600
they will sell it for us. Right! I have filed a complaint with the Florida
State Attorney Generals Office and nothing.



Note:* We want to just be done with this. We work hard, pay our taxes, and do
the right things. We have paid since 07 on 9, 900 and only have 8, 282.73 to
go! We have been very gullible and ignorant. Now Im educated somewhat, desperate,
and just want to stop paying for something we never get to use. This will be
paid off in 2017 actually and we would have paid about $21+ by time its all
said and done: NOT COUNTING ALL THE EARLY FEES ALONG THE WAY. This has been an
expensive college course. This is just a quick summary of all the nightmares.
Everyone says dont pay it, well we have great credit, just bought our first
house 2 years ago and we want to refinance it and get a better rate. With bad
credit the interest rate will be sky high. I dont want to ruin our great
credit but paying out $2200+ plus doesnt make much since either. They also
tell us we can gift this to our kids. New flash: That would be a nightmare too
as I have learned. None of our kids could afford this. We ourselves had to do
without to make sure we made good on this debt with them to maintain our credit
rating. We want to pay it off to save interest and everyone on the blog tells
us not to.

 

We
cant refinance it as they told us we couldbecause WE dont own it.We
cant rent it through them because they failed to tell us they no longer
offer that service.  However the
con-artist told us we could as well as the other 3 liars.We
were never told of the 3 day cancelation terms.  We got shoved through the sucker line,
the guys closing being pressured with phone calls on waiting customers
etc.  It wassign heresign
heresign here..  Im sorry but my
boss is pressuring me because Im behind.

Bottom line:  I want
most of our money back..I wont be greedy. Ive paid over $6000 or a $9000
product.  I understand interestBUT..I
dont understand why we have to pay for something that is never available,
filled with lies/deceipt.

 

************Finallyif they are such a great/honest
business.

                       
why arent they a member of the BBB & why do

                       
they have so many a.k.a.s



Please help! Can ANYONE help us or direct us to someone who can. I wrote our
Attorney Generals office in Ohio as well as Floridas AG office.



Desperately wanting my blissful marriage back!

 

Government Actions -   http://www.bbb.org/south-east-florida/business-reviews/resort-accommodations/bluegreen-corporation-in-boca-raton-fl-8195#govtaction

On June 2, 2010 the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Bureau
of Consumer Protection reached a settlement with BlueGreen Corporation that
addresses complaints about the company's alleged use of deceptive 'contests,'
misleading sales presentations and improper contracts in the marketing and sale
of timeshare vacation packages in Pennsylvania.
The agreement, known as a Consent Decree, resolves a consumer protection
lawsuit filed in October 2008 against BlueGreen Corporation, BlueGreen Resorts,
BlueGreen Vacations Unlimited, Inc. and Great Vacations Destinations, Inc., all
of Boca Raton, Florida. BlueGreen contacted consumers by
phone and through kiosks at shopping malls, fairs, and festivals throughout Pennsylvania, along with the use of sales facilities in
Hershey and King of Prussia. BlueGreen agreed
to cancel contracts and pay refunds to consumers who filed valid complaints
about their timeshare purchases. The complaints include consumers who were
unable to use their timeshare, false promises about when or where consumers
could travel and situations where timeshare purchasers did not receive extra
services or discounts that were promised during the sales presentation. The
settlement applies to complaints by Pennsylvania
timeshare purchasers that have already been filed with the Pennsylvania Office
of Attorney General, along with any new complaints filed within the next 30
days. Some complaints filed with the Attorney General's Office involve
consumers who spent between $20,000 and $40,000 on vacation packages they were
unable to use. Part of the settlement could result in more than $1 million in
refunds to consumers, depending on the total number of additional complaints we
receive over the next 30 days.' The settlement also includes payments for
consumers who were promised various 'free gifts,' including airline tickets,
hotel accommodations, gas cards and other valuable prizes. BlueGreen will pay
$125,000, which will be used to compensate people who were deceived about
'free' prizes. Consumers who filed valid complaints will get a check for the
value of the item they were promised. The settlement includes a l reward for
each consumer who filed a complaint about BlueGreen's use of telemarketing
sales calls that violated Pennsylvania's
'Do Not Call' law. Under the provisions of the state's Do Not Call law,
consumers can receive up to $100 when they file a complaint that results in a
lawsuit or fines against a company charged with telemarketing violations. A
total of 29 people filed Do Not Call complaints about improper BlueGreen calls
and each of those consumers will be receiving a check for $100. BlueGreen has
agreed to change its businesses practices to eliminate future confusion about
consumer rights involving timeshare purchases, to stop using misleading
advertisements about free gifts or prizes and to make certain that any future
telemarketing calls fully comply with our Do Not Call law.' Consumers who have
not yet filed complaints about being unable to use their BlueGreen timeshare or
customers who were deceived about 'free gifts' and prizes have until June 24,
2010 to contact the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection. Consumers
who have already filed complaints with the Attorney General's Office, either
before or after the initial lawsuit was filed in October 2008, do not need to
take any further action to have their claims considered as part of this
settlement. PENNSYLVANIA
consumers with complaints can call the Attorney General's Consumer Protection
Hotline, at 1-800-441-2555, or www.attorneygeneral.gov/complaints.aspx?id=451
The Consent Decree was filed in Commonwealth
Court by Senior Deputy Attorney General David
Sumner. BBB has determined this action is considered moderate as the action may
cause reasonable consumers to question the ethics of business management or
question their reliability in providing products or services.
1. Cancellation/void contract & "ALL"
obligations.  Retroactive to 7/23/2007

2. 100% full refund due to lies, deception, Restitution for
pain & suffering due

   to financial &
emotional stress caused by this debt to my personal life and marriage.

Guaranteed
that our credit "WILL" never be negatively marked or blemished
by this company or any company associated with it- ie timeshares only
which also scammed me for $600 to sell my timeshare..which by the way I
don't own & can't sell. I have a complaint against them too..

4. That we "NEVER" be contracted by them again via
mail as we were the 1st

   time. 

5. Accountability of this company to all people they have
scammed.

6.  That a "do
not contact list be place via internet for all consumers who do

    not want to be
contacted by facilities such as these.

 

I realized their freedom of speech etc, however. I dont
believe there is a line that gives them the right to lie or deceive.  It they are such an upstanding company, then
why do they have a.k.a. names and why are they not a part of the BBB
accreditation office.