MAA Unethical Business Practices to Rip Me Off
Westgate Timeshare Resort Issues



Date of Incident: 7/8/2003

After returning from the war in Iraq and my too long separation from my family, I wanted to take a vacation to my home state and spend some quality time with my family. We spent our first day in Florida in Daytona Beach (showing my daughters the places of my childhood). We then proceeded to Orlando to do some attractions and enjoy the sights.

COMPLAINT: We decided to take a tour at Westgate Resorts Palace on 18 June 2003. We liked what we saw and decided to buy a membership to the resort 2 BR Standard Week 24 floating, EVERY OTHER YEAR even years for the cost of 7800. After being at the resort for over 3 1/2 hours, we were told they wanted us back the next day. I did not want to come back but was offered a FREE BREAKFAST if I did. So we went back and were given a COLD breakfast of scrambled eggs bacon, some fruit and pastries. we were again made to wait 2.5 hours before we were able to leave wasting another half day of our vacation. While at the breakfast we were offered tickets to attractions at a reduced price around $17.00 X 2 and $10.00 X 2 Each for 2 adults and 2 children. On 23 June I spoke with a Century 21 vacation properties reseller and he said he could offer us a 3 BR Lockout Villa Every Year for 6725 at Westgate Lakes Resort Westgate's Premier resort. So I cancelled my first membership with Westgate Palace. Upon my return to my house Virginia I received a letter from Westgate Resorts stating that they acknowledged my cancellation, and wanted me to send a copy of my cancelled check to prove that my funds were transferred. It also stated that I was being charged
$145.67 for used "Contract Benefits". They are charging me $10.95 X 3
(ADULTS) and 7.95 for one child, for a total of $40.80. Additionally they were charging me again for the Arabian Nights tickets again saying 3 adults and 1 child, when in fact I purchased 2 adults and 2 children. When I Signed the contract it stated that if I cancelled within the authorized 10 day period, I would be refunded all of my money less used "contract benefits", FL statute chapt. 721.06 (i) states that "A seller and Purchaser shall agree in writing on a specific value for each contract benefit received for the purpose of this paragraph." I did not agree to any specific pricing scheme. I would have never knowingly agree to 10.95 for a breakfast, nor would I have paid almost $50.00 for "Arabian Nights" tickets (I don't even think they were worth the 10-17 I paid for them. And If I would have known they would charge me full price for the tickets, I would have gotten them from the military ticket office (one of my military
benefits) or not at all. I asked them to please send me a copy of the contract that I signed showing this agreement and was told by MR. Rubenson
(407) 355-1000 EX 52130 that he would try to find my contract and would send it if he found it. After I again requested the contract stating what the statute reads, he got loud with me and told me to call his law firm REEM SPOON and MARTE in MIAMI (407) 425-6559 and to speak with Marty Stone. I did and he said he would get back to me.

Here are my specific issues:

1) I did not agree to the specific value of the contract benefits in writing. therefore I should not have to pay for them. (they are breaking the law).
2) It was 2 adults and 2 children.
3) They misrepresented the whole FREE BREAKFAST AND DISCOUNT TICKET scheme.
4) They tried to rip me off with the initial sale, and when they saw that I cancelled they are now trying to get any thing they can from me.

I spent over $3500.00 on my 14 day vacation in Florida. I am talking about less than $150.00, but they are breaking the law, and are using unethical business practices to rip me and other people off.

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