MA They Lied about Extra Charges
Westgate Timeshare Resort Issues
Date of Incident: 8/29/2004
I found your website very interesting! I have been through a Westgate timeshare as well about 7 years ago. And, yes, you are correct, we had three different people approach us at the table. Each time the price would continue to go down.
However, I am emailing you about something a little different. I was just there on June 2nd of this year, 2004. We stayed at the Westgate Town Center for a special rate of which I don't recall right now. I dropped off my daughter and her boyfriend at DisneyWorld and I came back prepared to go through the 90 minute presentation at 10:00. However, since the time I made the reservations, my husband and I had seperated and he was not attending the presentation nor did he go to Orlando with us. When I got to the sales pitch they quickly let me know that I did not qualify because I was married yet my husband was not with me and "in the state of Florida, you cannot purchase a timeshare unless both spouses are present." Immediately I was told I could go. I asked them if I would still be able to get the Disney tickets (2 free) and they said "yes, don't worry, you aren't in any trouble." I asked if I needed to sign something that stat ed I attended the presentation so I wouldn't have to pay the extra $100 a night penalty and again the salesperson told me they would not be charging me any extra money. I then decided I should go to the front check out desk and try to get something in writing to that effect, or, at the very least, that I had attended the presentation. The front desk said "don't worry about it, you won't be charged any additional penalty money for not having your spouse, don't worry about it." Can I have something in writing, I asked? "You don't need anything, don't worry about it, you won't be charged any additional money."
I left their on June 2nd, and, on June 26th my visa charge card was charged $300 in penalty charges from the Westgate Resorts. I called and told them the situation and they just said you signed a paper that said you would pay a penalty of an extra $100 a night if you or your spouse did not attend. I explained that my husband was only 90 minutes away in Sarasota, Florida and he could have come up and we could have taken the tour together in order to save $300, but that they all lied to me and said there would be no additional charges and don't worry about it!!! I am considering discussing this issue with Visa.
I would love to know if you have heard this before, or if you have advice for me.
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