| There must be some champion fishermen among the sales folks at Westgate Resorts. Just look at how they have mastered the bait and switch. You’ve seen Westgate’s moves… … the “let’s show you the new unit, even though we will put you in the old one” swap… … the “you can always sell it back, but we’ll never buy it” scam… … and the “it will pay for itself when you rent it out” bamboozles. But today have for you some fresh Westgate bait. Let’s call it… the “we put you on the hook for someone else’s timeshare” sham. It comes from Celestine in Dundee, Illinois, a 68-year old retiree and veteran’s wife, who never wanted to dive into the timeshare pond to begin with. Her story can be found in the 4,256 pages of complaints against Westgate Resorts on display in the Florida Attorney General’s office. “My sister and I went to a resort presentation at Westgate Villas/Towers in Kissimmee, Florida.” “During the presentation the presenter told us that he was a veteran and I told him my husband was a vet too.” “Near the end of the presentation another man was brought into the discussion. The two men presented a very high price for the unit. I was not interested and stated I had no desire to buy.” “They came back with a lesser amount which they said was for having a Vet connection.” Sounds Westgate was trying to lure Celestine in. “It was at that time that I stated again that I was not interested and could not afford it.” Celestine was all too happy to be the one that got away! “However, my sister expressed an interest and they said they would allow her to buy at that price.” “[They] asked me to ok my sister getting the VA discounted price. I was surprised when the second man came with a form he said was to allow her to get the better price.” “They assured me my signature was just for my sister to get the reduced price.” Yeah, right. In reality, Westgate was preparing a switch. A BIG switch! “At my sister’s closing for the purchase, I looked to see if my name appeared on the contract. To our surprise my name was on one line of the contract. My sister and I told the closer to remove my name immediately, that in no way was I a part of this purchase. They removed my name and continued with my sister’s closing.” Phew! Celestine thought she had wriggled out of that one, but… “A few days after returning home I was surprised to get a credit card in the mail with Westgate Resort on it. When I called to cancel the card, the Comenity Bank representative told me I had an amount on the card of $1299.” “I was shocked.” Westgate just scooped up Celestine in their net! “Apparently the card was opened without my knowledge and my personal information had been used without my authorization.” “I never thought that a company like Westgate would do something like this to anyone, and take advantage of a 68-year-old woman.” We wish we could say the same. But after all the complaints we’ve read, it seems like Westgate agents are more like bottom feeders than fishermen. Let’s tell Westgate CEO and president David Siegel it’s time to reel in Westgate’s bait and switch sales. David’s email is david_siegel@wgresorts.com We wonder if Jason Gamel agrees. He’s the President and CEO of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), which represents timeshare companies in Washington, DC. Jason’s email is jgamel@arda.org Don’t like the way your timeshare company landed your business? Use this list of ARDA VIPs to let them know. Were you lured in by a bait and switch sale? Share it with us at info@timsharefacts.com PS: Follow us on social media. Twitter Facebook Instagram |
