Movie sequels.  They are rarely as good as the original. 
 
Well, maybe we will make an exception for The Godfather Part II – the epic sequel that shows how Don Vito Corleone rose to power as a mob boss.
 
Not so long ago, we wrote about the similarities between how the sales gang at Capital Vacations and movie gangsters like the Corleone’s operate in our newsletter, Predatory Practices at Capital Vacations.
 
Today, consider this the sequel: Predatory Practices Part II.
 
Because in Andrea’s complaint to the Better Business Bureau earlier this year, is an epic description of just how Capital Vacations goes about consolidating control when it takes over a timeshare development – in this case, The Beach House Resort in Myrtle Grove, South Carolina.
 
“We have been owners at The Beach House for 39 years. Capital took over the management about 5 years ago.” 
 
First, they get their foot in the door.
 
Then, they “explain” how things are going to work from now on.
 
“They pressured everyone to buy into their point system for $20,000 and our deed.”
 
Andrea and her fellow owners tried to stand up to the intimidation.
 
“We formed a [online] page of owners so we could buy and sell from each other.”
 
“The point was to prevent Capital from gaining a 51% control because they wanted to force us to go to points.”
 
Then… Capital Vacations “went to the mattresses.”
 
“When they found out, it was only a short time later the building was found to have defects and they closed it down mid-week.”
 
Yet, no matter the circumstances, Capital Vacations expected Andrea to pay – and then, pay again.
 
“We paid almost $2400 for 3 weeks maintenance fee. We could not use even one week.”
 
“Now it’s been closed for over a year with one communication from Capital.”
 
So…what message did Capital Vacations want to send?
 
“Capital demanded we pay this year’s maintenance.”
 
That’s right. 
 
Despite prohibiting owners from using their timeshares for more than a year, Capital Vacations still expects them to pay for “maintenance.”
 
That’s a racket even Vito Corleone would admire.
 
“We feel helpless because we can’t find a legit way to stop them. They will promise the moon but if you say no, they become rude and nasty.”
 
“Capital is a crooked dishonest thieving company.” 
 
Now that’s quite the serious review!
 
Let’s ask Travis Bary, the co-president of Capital Vacations, how many times Capital Vacations owners will have to see this movie. His email is tbary@capitalvacations.com.
 
Jason Gamel is the President and CEO of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), which represents timeshare companies in Washington, DC. You might call him the godfather of the whole industry. We wonder what he thinks of Capital Vacations putting the squeeze on owners. Let’s email him at jgamel@arda.org to find out.
 
And then there’s Kenneth McKelvey, the chairman of ARDA’s Resort Owners Coalition, which claims to represent timeshare owners. He’s also an executive consultant to Capital Vacations, kind of the role Tom Hagen played for the Corleones. Let’s email him at consumer@arda-roc.org to see how he defends Capital Vacations’ way of doing business.
 
How would you review your timeshare company’s operations? Let your company’s leaders know by using the contact information in this list of ARDA VIPs.
 
And definitely let us know if your timeshare company is making offers you’d like to refuse by emailing us at info@timesharefacts.com. 
 
PS:  Follow us on social media.  Twitter   Facebook   Instagram