In 2007 we went on the vacation to Myrtle Beach, on the street we were stopped and offered to go lo listen 90 minutes presentation about time share for 100.00. 100.00 dollars check for more fun sounded good and we agreed. Presentation was not even close to 90 minutes, try more like 5-6 hours. After we were told about the whole point system, we can go anywhere we want, of course within hotels they owe, even Europe - sales price was over 20, 000.00 It was way out of our price range, plus it was nothing we were interested in, we didn't want to get stuck with long term contract. We refused, sales person got the manager William, who made it sound like he was making us a very good deal - sales price about 16, 000.00 of course for less points, and they will buy it back when we don't want it anymore. The sales person (do not remember gentleman's name) was telling us about the resort in Key West, where he was taking his mom and dad in a couple of weeks, that he is very happy with his points, (apparently he can buy them for the discount as an employee). We told them we are not interested, it's still out of our price range, we were interfered in investments. The last thing we had to do to get that 100.00 check was to take a tour to check the hotel out, we were brought to one of the rooms, which was nice. We told to sales person and sales manager that we are not interested in taking our vacation that way. Once again sales manager William Barnes (we still have his card) came to us and was telling what a great investment it is, that they would actually rent our points. Besides, right cross the street from Harbour Lights, there was amusement park being built, so according sales people, after amusement park built our time share would double in value. He said that lots of people buy it as an investment, because Bluegreen would rent our points during important events for 30% commission and we would keep 70%. We got interested, investment, making money - renting our points, rent money would cover maintenance fees (they "forgot" to mention that they reserve the right to increase every year) and monthly loan payments, and within couple of years we would be able to make some profit. But it was way too expensive. They reduced the price couple more time, till we got offered 8, 000 points every other year for 9, 350.00 dollars, but we had to give them I believe it was 800.00 check the same day, unfortunately it was affordable and we gave in, when instead we should have ran away. We gave them 800.00 check, the closing process took about 10 minutes, we were rushed through everything, the lady asked us and gave something to sign that buying it doesn't put financial burden on us, at the time it didn't. Anyway we were told they will buy it back, when we don't want it anymore. We signed for automatic monthly payment debit, because sending payment by mail would cost us more. Couple of month later we decided to sell our time share. I emailed them asking to take time share back. Respond was that they don't offer resale program and we should contact Pinnacle Vacation, they will sell it for us. We did contact Pinnacle vacation and we have our time share for sale almost 2 years. Besides Pinnacle Vacation is the only company that Bluegreen authorize to sell through are able to transfer certain benefits are personal to each owner, namely membership in the Bluegreen VIP Program, including Basic membership (Bonus Time and Day Use at Club Component Sites). I paid over six hundred dollars to a company called Resalebyowner.com to sell our time share while we are arguing with Bluegreen. They don't even call us back. They took our money but we get nothing in return. I filed a report with the Better Business Bureau, but due to the contract where the promise of buying back our time share obviously is not included they refuse to do anything for us. I started doing some research. There are lots of complaints in www.rippoff report.com about the way Bluegreen Corporation's sales people trick unknowing customers into buying their time shares. I read numerous complaints online about Bluegreen, turns out lots of people are going trough the same thing. One gentlemen mentioned that disappointed customers should file complain with the Federal Trade Commission, I called them and reported the unfair sales tactics and lies they say to customers. FTC told me I should file a complain with Consumer Protection Agency, I did do that too. I don't care we have sign the contract, but we signed it under duress. What we were told we are buying and what we got is not the same thing. We bought because sales people told us Bluegreen will buy it back. They used unfair tactics and misled us. I even emailed to the president of ARDA (American Real Estate Development Association) that Bluegreen belongs to. I even emailed to Mr. Maloney, CEO of Bluegreen. Next step is to get more attention from government, to go more public. Please look at the link below on youtube website, under name timesharenightmares.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMUhVGCfgBs
If you feel you got misled and uninformed about Bluegreen time share, when you were purchasing it, please join us in fight against Bluegreen and their deceptive sales practises. Please post your story on you tube, and if you need more information or have any questions, please email me at: [email protected]
We have couple of lawyers looking into having mass lawsuit against Bluegreen, if you want to join, please let me know. And there is a website for unfortunate time share owners on the way.
Thank you