CWK I Bought then Ran Into Problems
Westgate Timeshare Resort Issues
Date of Incident: 5/8/2005
My experience with Westgate was similar to yours. (March 2004). Although I did not hear any raised voices, the pressure did get greater and greater. My girlfriend and I committed on a one-time offer, not an actual tome share. We must take advantage of it by March 2006. As you say, only certain weeks are available.
I recently got a letter from a collection agency for non payment of the monthly fee. The reason, my charge card expired and I had not provided them with an updated expiration date. A $50 late fee, I have paid it all off in full now as per contract obligations but will not set foot on their property because they will pester me all week when I would be there to take a full time share. They claim they sent me a letter in Oct. 2004 about the charge card expiration. I doubt it, unless they can provide me with AOD or registered letter information, I am calling this claim Bogus. Besides, they could have sent me an Email like my internet provider did to get this info. I felt entrapped by their set up, I would have liked to have slipped out while the rep went over to get a higher pressure rep, but did not know where to go, many times the exits are alarmed.
You are not going to get far with Florida authorities, the lobbyists will see to that. You would do better with federal legislation and action. The booths they set up at the motels should have strict rules placed on them. A credit collection agency must tell you up front that this is an effort to collect debt. These booth attendants should be required to tell you that this is an offer to sell a time share, cruise, or vacation package, not just tell you it is a presentation. The same should be true of any sales approach whether it be for Lawn service, sale of vacuum cleaners, or other products or services.
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