Feeling Cheated

[Simba0319]

My husband and I got fast talked into buying at Vistana Villages. The salesman said we could trade into the DVC (which was 1 of the main reasons for buying it) He also told us all about booking excess inventory weeks 3 months in for $200. He also told us about staying all over the world for $22 a night. Apparently none of this is true.

Vistana is part of RCI DVC is not. The excess inventory is never available and $22 a night? WHere?

All I wanted was a DVC timeshare why did I let myself get sucked in?

Thanks for listening

 

[Deb & Bill]

That's why you need to do some investigation before you buy. Sorry you got taken on your timeshare. Can you go back to the sales manager and get it canceled? Or is it too late.

 

[Simba0319]

too late

 

[taylor1293]

I'm sorry you were cheated.

I would report this to the BBB and the Attorney General in Florida. http://myfloridalegal.com/

Maybe this will resolve your problem and it may help others from being deceived the same way you were.

Teresa

 

[Lisa P.]

That's really a shame. It's a lovely resort but you clearly bought for the wrong reasons. So I can understand your disappointment and frustration. Maybe this will help.

First, Sheraton Vistana Villages was dual affiliated until recently. There are still some owners who are able to trade via II. Check your purchase contract for info about exchange company affiliation. Then call II directly and ask if you are able to trade through them.

However, II usually restricts people from trading from one Orlando area resort into another so that probably wouldn't do you much good for trading to DVC anyhow.

Excess rental inventory is indeed available to all timeshare owners who are members of either RCI or II. The prices are usually higher than you were quoted - until a couple weeks prior to travel, if inventory is still vacant. Sometimes, cancellations are seen at excellent locations.

By making the effort to join one or both of these exchange companies and searching online at RCI/II regularly (with patience), you really could get great results!

You really need to consider joining TUG - Timeshare Users Group. Go there and read "Advice" articles on how to make the best use of your timeshare. Learn how to use your ownership to best advantage by reading the forums (like DIS).

TUG membership would enable you to access independent resort reviews & ratings for over 2,000 timeshare resorts. It's $15/first year and money very well spent. We always read reviews prior to accepting an exchange. Please use my name (Lisa Potter) as a referral if you join TUG - it extends my TUG membership.

I don't work in the timeshare industry, just enjoy our family's timeshare vacations. I think it's a terrible shame that you've purchased as you have. Since it's too late to rescind, it's going to be important to chalk this up as an expensive mistake. Then focus on how to get the most out of what you have - and enjoy it!!! Wish you well!

 

[Simba0319]

Lisa, I am in RCI. I will check out the TUG.

Teresa I already spoke to someone at the timeshare complaint bureau of Fla. Basically, there is nothing to be done.

thanks all!

 

[tink2dw]

However to the positive,

1. You have room to stay in for many vacations to come at a reduced rate over a hotel suite!!

2. Although offsite, you are close to the Buena Vista gates to WDW.

3. Vistana is one of the nicer Timeshares.

4. Perhaps you can sell out soon.

Good Luck!!

 

[icydog]

Hi,
I wrote about your plight on the DVC board and got some interesting posts. First of all, you are not alone. It seems that many people have been duped in the same way. Everyone feels very badly for you but no one has a solution to your problem.
I am very sorry this happened to you and your husband. I hope the financial loss wasn't a lot and as someone already stated you still are near Disney.
I was givven that same line at a crummy timeshare in the Poconos. The place was a DUMP and they were showing me pictures of the Boardwalk and telling us "see this, this is where you'll really be vacationing"When we told them we were DVC owners they got pretty huffed up and asked why we came. We said because we wanted a free weekend with food. Believe me "there is no such thing as a free lunch" and this place was awful. So much for a free weekend.
Sorry again.
Marylyn

Link to DVC forum:http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=389555

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) One should always investigate prior to large purchases.
2) You thought about getting DVC for a lesser price.
3) Just enjoy the resort and make the best of it.

 

[Lewisc]

If it was so easy to stay in DVC at a discount wouldn't everyone be doing it?

Originally posted by Simba0319
All I wanted was a DVC timeshare why did I let myself get sucked in?

You're lucky Vistana is a decent property in a good location. You can use it, rent it or sell it. You could have wound up with a piece of s**t if you had wound up going to a different presentation.

 

[Red-Snapper]

We went on the presentation at Vistana Villages last year.

Not with the intention of buying but just because we had never done one before and were curious.

By the end of it we were tempted but managed to resist (just) even after being offered free flights back a few months later and a 5 night stay while we signed up.

However I have to say the salesperson was very professional and also did not mention DVC once. She was far more interested in telling us of the exchanges you can do into Sheraton/Westin properties in Bermuda and Hawaii as well as the RCI exchanges.

 

[Cruelladeville]

It's too bad that you got sucked in to a timeshare that you really did not want, although Vistana is quite nice, and has a lovely pool. You learned a valuable lesson, pass it on to others to buy where you really want to stay. We are timeshare veterans, and have survived high-pressure presentations. One place--several years ago--actually hid our children to try to get us to buy!! Fortuneately, we managed to wait until we got DVC.

 

[icydog]

Before DVC we went to a TS presentation about 15 hours from our house and the guy suggested that we better buy or they would not pay for the room as we were promised. We were so exhausted we almost broke down, but instead, we got the manager who finally gave us the card to get the room.

I am curious about the last post. How did they hide your children? I would sue their ---for that!!

 

[SlyHubby]

we visited Vistana about 12 years ago when my wife and I were younger and simply wanted free park passes. we had a morning to kill, and figured it was worth the free park passes.

we arrived at Vistana for the first tour in the morning. we were treated to hearing the sales manager get the sales force worked up cheering and chanting how they were going to close X deals that day. it was interesting to say the least - I am quite sure that we should not have been within ear-shot of that meeting.

we were not interested in purchasing, nor were we financially able at the time (though our sales rep would have gotten us to sign if he could). the rep knew within the first 5 minutes that we were not buying, but he took us around and gave the best sales pitch he could. we got a good laugh when he told us the interest rate for financing was ONLY 17%!

unfortunately, we were so turned off because of Vistana, I would not go near DVC for years because I was under the impression it was just another timeshare. luckily, a couple years ago, I did force myself to go to the presentation/tour and am glad I bought DVC.

I would make another attempt to get Vistana to let you out of your purchase. I would specifically mention the salesperson and specifically outline everything he told you. We all know that the only thing that really matters is what you signed in your contract, however, clearly the sale was based on bad faith and what appears to be outright lies.

Assuming you're going to run into a brick wall again, I would be very clear with them that you will do everything in your power to notify everyone you possibly can about your situation and what they did. You'll post it all over the web, message boards, TUG, simply anywhere you can get bandwidth. I would even go to networksolutions.com and put down $35 to register VistanaSucks.us (apparently they've already taken VistanaSucks.com, VistanaSucks.net, VistanaSucks.org, VistanaSucks.info, VistanaSucks.biz, etc. because they're afraid someone else might) and make them aware that you are not afraid to use it and that it will cost them the price of your timeshare + $35 for them to buy it back from you.

I've seen this type of thing work in the past - maybe it will for you.

Good luck.

 

[Simba0319]

Thanks all for your advice. I really appreciate all the help and support I have gotten here. I am going to call the saled agent on Monday. Meanwhile, I have a call int a DVC rep for info. Maybe I will buy there and sell the other in a few years.

 

[Lyndarella]

I agree that you were taken advantage of, but I hope I can help you feel better.

We bought a resale at Vistana Resort (which we love) and recently attended the presentation so they could try to get us to buy a week at the Village. They said the new owners belong to II now instead of RCI. And the Sheraton point system will allow you to stay at the Swan or Dolphin. The cost at the Swan or Dolphin is 10,000 points per night. Check to see how many points your unit converts to. They probably gave you extra points too for buying. Because we bought a resale, we are not entitled to use their point system. There are a few benefits to Starwood that DVC doesn't have: Banking and borrowing time is longer; you are a REAL member of II and can trade to all their properties (DVC selects only a few you can use); you can use your points for plane tickets, you earn points with money you spend at the resort, your unit is always 2 BR (if that's what you bought) any week of the year.

The drive to the parks is barely longer than from WDW resorts, and we've also stayed without a car, and rode the shuttle easily. It's all new and as beautiful as it gets -- please try to enjoy!

 

[anniet]

Originally posted by Simba0319
I am going to call the saled agent on Monday. Meanwhile, I have a call int a DVC rep for info. Maybe I will buy there and sell the other in a few years.

]

Simba I am so sorry this happened to you. We took a timeshare tour from hell at Ron Jon's or WHATEVER they are calling themselves right now, and thankfully we were strong enough to say NO, but part of that is due to the fact that I'm in Sales myself and I was very offended by their approach.

We then went over and took the DVC tour and WHAT a difference in approach, helpfulness and value. Makes me feel better knowing I'm dealing with a more honest group of people. (Now maybe all DVC guides are different, but my guides (I have an assigned guide and one who did the closing for me, since she was out that day) were good people.

I hope you are able to sell your timeshare and end up with you really want.

Best of luck to you!

 

[JOC]

Sorry to hear about your predicament; hope everything works out for you.

 

[tink2dw]

FLeisure- You are not on the same page!! Now you look foolish...

 

[SlyHubby]

Originally posted by FLeisure
It absolutely bemuses me why folks keep attending timeshare presentations when they have absolutely no intention of buying. I just can't imagine getting up at 6.00 am on vacation so that I can save $10 on a Disney ticket.

Well, if it were only $10, then I'm quite sure it would be a different situation. However, when my wife (not my wife back then) and I went, it was a free ticket for each of us. Today, based on the new fee of $52/day for a ticket, that's $104. For a 90 minute tour/presentation, being out of there by 10:30 - not knowing any better today, I might still have gone.

why then, be surprised when we read it occassionally goes wrong?

Well, it is a real estate transaction. In all states, we have "good faith" estimates on mortgages, most states have iron clad real estate documents and closings where you don't need a lawyer (some states are not there yet) and the buyer is protected, and real estate agents are not allowed to feed you outright lies to get your signature. Yes, the buyer here should have said "show me in writing where everything that you just told me is stated", but didn't - BIG DEAL! This is why the timeshare industry has such a bad reputation with sales agents being lower than used car salesmen.