“Off the record.”
Generally, a phrase used when someone doesn’t want to be accountable for what they are saying.
Kinda like when timeshare companies prohibit customers from recording their own contract negotiations.
Usually, timeshare companies don’t want any record of what they did – or did NOT – tell prospective buyers.
So, when we read the complaint about Capital Vacations Brian made to the Better Business Bureau in January, we scratched our heads – because this time it was Capital Vacations who was recording the session!
Well, sort of.
“Our experience with Capital Vacations has been nothing short of a nightmare from start to finish.”
“We were roped into signing a contract, during which we were being audio recorded.”
Great! Finally, a timeshare company that will go on the record.
“EXCEPT, whenever we asked a question regarding the contract we were signing the representative would stop the recording during that question and her answer and then restart the recording after the question was answered.”
“RED FLAG!”
Red flag, indeed!
So, what is it that Capital Vacations didn’t want to have on the record?
“This resulted in us being bound to this company that misrepresented the product; and did not disclose essential facets of the contract or meet legal requirements.”
Such as?
“Such as the legal right of rescission per SC law within the stipulated 5-day period.”
“We were never told that all the fees associated with this timeshare would last forever, or that our maintenance fees would increase over time.”
In other words, the silent parts on the Capital Vacations recording were to cover up what WASN’T said.
But that’s nothing compared to the wall of silence Brian ran into when he was unable to even use his timeshare.
“Despite paying over $4,500 to Capital we have not been able to book or utilize any nights or related benefits.”
“We have made multiple attempts to contact the sales representative as well as the finance office, but my efforts have been in vain.”
“The lack of communications and assistance in setting up our account, combined with the unfulfilled promises, has left us feeling frustrated and disheartened.”
The “off the record” sound of silence from Capital Vacations speaks volumes.
Maybe Travis Bary, the co-president of Capital Vacations, can tell us why no one there wants to go on the record. Let’s find out by emailing him at tbary@capitalvacations.com.
We should contact Jason Gamel, too. He’s the President and CEO of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), which represents timeshare companies in Washington, DC. Let’s email him at jgamel@arda.orgto ask if the silence from one of his most important members keeps him up at night.
We also wonder what Kenneth McKelvey thinks about the silent treatment Capital Vacations has given Brian. Kenneth is the chairman of ARDA’s Resort Owners Coalition, which claims to represent timeshare owners, AND an executive consultant to Capital Vacations, so you’d think he’d be happy to go on the record for timeshare owners like Brian. Email him at consumer@arda-roc.org to find out.
Need to break the silence with your timeshare company? Use the contact information in this list of ARDA VIPs to see if your company’s leaders will listen.
Tired of hearing only the sound of silence from your company? Share it with us at info@timesharefacts.com.
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