- Report: #753161
Complaint Review: Coral Resorts - Hilton Head Island South Carolina
Reported By:
James -
Duluth, Georgia, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Coral Resorts
33 Office Park Road Hilton Head Island, 29928 South Carolina, United States of America
Phone:
843-842-3490
Web:
www.the coralresorts.com
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
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Coral Resorts RCI FRAUD. LIES, MISREPRESENTATION OF WHAT THEY SOLD Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
The bait and lure
Back in May of 2011, my family and I took a vacation at the Hilton Head. Coming out of a restaurant one night, I was asked by a very nice lady to sit through a Coral Resorts seminar and that it would take no more than 60 minutes. So I took my family of 6 to go sit at this place. After nearly 2 hours later, I was convinced to purchase one of their timeshares, after seeing the nice 3 bedroom condo and the Westin Hotel that we could use while vacationing at the Island Links.
What I was sold (told by the salesperson and confirmed by his manager)
The details of what was sold to me was misrepresented and I feel that I have been ripped off. At the time, I was told that if I booked 45 days or less in advance at the Island Links, a 1 week stay at a 3 bedroom condo would cost me no more than 9,000 RCI points. I received, 21,333 points, so I figured this gives me 2 good weeks of vacation for my family. For this, I paid quite a lot of money to own the timeshare, and now I also have a very large bill for the 3 year maintenance fee. To use the points elsewhere, I'd have to pay the exchange fee...but was GUARANTEED that a week stay would cost me no more than 9000 points. I even have a piece of paper where they scribbled this down...though not official.
What I now realize I have
After over 1 month of waiting, I finally received the RCI code to be able to get into their system and make reservations. When I tried to reserve some vacation time, I noticed that the points needed to book at various resorts were well over 9,000 points. I then kept getting error messages when I tried to book the reservation. I thought this to be strange, but I assumed that I am under some special plan where I only have to pay 9000 points per week, despite what it says on the web. Note...how convenient that I could not see the points required for reservations until well after the 5 day grace period to get my money back. So I decided to call to book a reservation at the Island Links (the "home" spot for me). The RCI person then proceeded to confirm my worst fears (from what I saw on the internet). I cannot book a 3 bedroom for the points that I have...in fact, he told me that to book a 3 bedroom condo at the Island Links for 3 DAYS in October, I would need over 30,000 POINTS! That is when my heart sank. I have four young children and had really looked forward to vacationing with them...and it looks like the points that I have can't even get me a 3 day stay, at off peak periods. In another words, these points are USELESS.
I have tried to get a hold of Coral Resorts, but all I get are voicemails. I am sure that they screen all the calls, because I have not gotten a call back yet. Based on the other complaints that I have seen, I think we have enough for a class action lawsuit. If you have been scammed like me and are interested to file, please let me know.
Back in May of 2011, my family and I took a vacation at the Hilton Head. Coming out of a restaurant one night, I was asked by a very nice lady to sit through a Coral Resorts seminar and that it would take no more than 60 minutes. So I took my family of 6 to go sit at this place. After nearly 2 hours later, I was convinced to purchase one of their timeshares, after seeing the nice 3 bedroom condo and the Westin Hotel that we could use while vacationing at the Island Links.
What I was sold (told by the salesperson and confirmed by his manager)
The details of what was sold to me was misrepresented and I feel that I have been ripped off. At the time, I was told that if I booked 45 days or less in advance at the Island Links, a 1 week stay at a 3 bedroom condo would cost me no more than 9,000 RCI points. I received, 21,333 points, so I figured this gives me 2 good weeks of vacation for my family. For this, I paid quite a lot of money to own the timeshare, and now I also have a very large bill for the 3 year maintenance fee. To use the points elsewhere, I'd have to pay the exchange fee...but was GUARANTEED that a week stay would cost me no more than 9000 points. I even have a piece of paper where they scribbled this down...though not official.
What I now realize I have
After over 1 month of waiting, I finally received the RCI code to be able to get into their system and make reservations. When I tried to reserve some vacation time, I noticed that the points needed to book at various resorts were well over 9,000 points. I then kept getting error messages when I tried to book the reservation. I thought this to be strange, but I assumed that I am under some special plan where I only have to pay 9000 points per week, despite what it says on the web. Note...how convenient that I could not see the points required for reservations until well after the 5 day grace period to get my money back. So I decided to call to book a reservation at the Island Links (the "home" spot for me). The RCI person then proceeded to confirm my worst fears (from what I saw on the internet). I cannot book a 3 bedroom for the points that I have...in fact, he told me that to book a 3 bedroom condo at the Island Links for 3 DAYS in October, I would need over 30,000 POINTS! That is when my heart sank. I have four young children and had really looked forward to vacationing with them...and it looks like the points that I have can't even get me a 3 day stay, at off peak periods. In another words, these points are USELESS.
I have tried to get a hold of Coral Resorts, but all I get are voicemails. I am sure that they screen all the calls, because I have not gotten a call back yet. Based on the other complaints that I have seen, I think we have enough for a class action lawsuit. If you have been scammed like me and are interested to file, please let me know.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
coolgunz
Hickory,North Carolina,
USA
SCLLR "Investigation" is a Farce!
#2Consumer Comment
Thu, March 01, 2012
You will be VERY disappointed by the SCLLR "Investigation". It is a farce by any other name! They know the outcome of the "investigation" BEFORE it evens begins. It goes something like this: 1) they call Coral; 2) Coral denies any fraud; 3) SCLLR does NOT consider any other evidence; 4) case is closed; 5) you are notified that you must file a law suit to recover your losses.
This "regulatory authority" has no need to hire an independent attorney. They have staff attorneys perfectly able to enforce the law. But they choose to say that they are not allowed to do anything about complaints occuring AFTER the five day rescission period. (They INCORRECTLY refer to it as a "recession" period.)
It's pretty apparent that they have absolutely NO INTENTION of performing the type of investigation that one might normally associate with law enforcement or a true regulatory authority. Although they have the ability to suspend or revoke Coral's real estate license... they will do nothing of the kind.
We need current and/or former employees to come forward with critical information necessary for a class action lawsuit.
Please use TUGBBS (or other message boards) to contact those who have been similarly ripped off.
Meanwhile... I think consumers should BOYCOTT the entire state of South Carolina. Do not travel through SC, let alone spend your vacations there. Do not buy their products, nor sell goods to their residents.
I have complained to almost every significant law enforcement authority in South Carolina, and they have done absolutely nothing about Coral.
But it's not over yet!
mrjlturner
United States of AmericaYou are not alone
#3Consumer Comment
Thu, March 01, 2012
I have a similar story, but was taken while on vacation in Hilton Head. I can tell you that the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (Office of Investigation and Enforcement) has secured a lawyer and is currently investigating these sales practices and customer complaints thoroughly. I spoke with their office today and am currently building my formal complaint to submit. I would encourage you to visit their website and do the same! They can be reached at (803)896-4470
Thanks!
-mrjlturner
coolgunz
Hickory,North Carolina,
USA
Absolutely Rock Solid Warning to Other Consumers
#4Consumer Comment
Fri, July 15, 2011
Absolutely Rock Solid Warning to Other Consumers
The "ripoff report" written by this consumer is almost EXACTLY what happened to me in November of 2010!
They (Coral) committed fraud against me and my wife... right there in front of our two young daughters!!
Do NOT do business with Coral Resorts UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!!
[see similar complaints at sites such as TUGBBS & Timeshare Forums]
coolgunz
Hickory,North Carolina,
USA
Absolutely Rock Solid Warning to Other Consumers
#5Consumer Comment
Fri, July 15, 2011
Absolutely Rock Solid Warning to Other Consumers
The "ripoff report" written by this consumer is almost EXACTLY what happened to me in November of 2010!
They (Coral) committed fraud against me and my wife... right there in front of our two young daughters!!
Do NOT do business with Coral Resorts UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!!
[see similar complaints at sites such as TUGBBS & Timeshare Forums]
