We were in Charleston, South Carolina site seeing in mid-March of 2009 when we walked into the Visitors Center where we were approached by what we later were told was a "body snatcher" (for Festiva Resorts). This young lady went on to talk to us about Festiva Resorts and its 90 minute presentation. She was able to offer us 4 free gifts at the small cost of $20.00 which you later get back. So off to the hotel we went with our free vouchers to 4 attractions offered in Charleston all we had to do was attend a 90 minute presentation and visit one room at one of the resorts. Upon arriving in Charleston for our 90 minute presentation we are yet AGAIN grabbed by another "body snatcher". NOW this body snatcher can offer me 2 free gifts and a 3 day stay at a resort in Charleston $150/night room for just $69.99. What a deal we thought so she writes us up for MORE free vouchers and we give her another $20 which we get back later? Should have been our sign then right? So we attend the 90 minute presentation first thing we notice is all these top 25 places by Forbes etc. on the walls. The next day in the local paper was a list of the TOP 25 Resorts in Charleston, South Carolina guess what? Festiva was not listed. FRAUD.

Three hours later we walk out via being escorted by our festiva resort representative who was SO MAD that we turned them down after wasting 3 hours of their time and our time decided to not walk us back to the reception area instead she just stopped and handed us our folder and said have a nice day and walked off. So we found that very rude and odd.

TO the consumers do not do business with this resort or company. I am hoping someone from South Carolina will get this to the Attorney General and have him sue for fraud. This needs to be investigated and stopped. Search the internet before purchasing with Festiva is all we can say.

The Beasleys
Between, Georgia

Like Lisa, we purchased a Festiva property based on the actions of a sales rep who made calls and assured us another property could readily be sold if we bought Stormy Point in Branson, MO. You could substitute names and places in Lisa's report and it would be identical--ours goes back several years; hers is recent.

We have had other problems with Festiva. The latest beginning in the fall of 2008 related to an offer to visit Church Street Inn in Charleston and to purchase the Adventure Club.

In both cases, I sent numerous emails, a letter, and had conversations with customer service and supervisors, followed by a confirmation email requesting to get out of the contract. Have heard nothing in response.

Festiva is a company to AVOID or at least be sure you do thorough research and record/document everything they say and do. And do not be as gullible as we apparently have been.

I purchased timeshare points in November 2007 at the Peppertree Ocean Club and unsuccessfully tried to reserve a week at any of the Peppertree beach facilities. there were rooms available to rent but not available to the timeshare owners.

When I called to move my unused points from 2008 to 2009 the owner's representative confirmed that they are room reserved to sell and not available to timeshare owners.

The maintenance fee went up for 2009 and for what reason? the owners can't get a room so they have to pay maintenance so Festiva can rent the rooms?