What is it with Hilton Grand Vacations and seniors?
 
Comb through the hundreds of complaints against Hilton on file with the Better Business Bureau and it’s shocking just how many come from seniors and retirees.
 
Why, do you think, does Hilton so obviously target elderly customers?
 
Is it because they think seniors are more trusting? Won’t notice if things aren’t quite up to snuff? Can’t remember what was promised?
 
Whatever the reason, Hilton has met its match in one retiree couple who filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau on July 24, 2014.
 
“Since our initial purchase on August 2, 2023, during a timeshare presentation, we have consistently requested the cancellation of our contract and a refund of our money.”
 
Well, that didn’t take long. After less than one year as owners, they were on to Hilton’s game.
 
“The discrepancies between what was promised and the reality of our timeshare experience are significant.”
 
Such as?
 
“We have faced difficulties booking vacations and found the quality of the units to be far below what was showcased.”
 
So, availability.
 
“Additionally, the financial aspects of the purchase, including the initial cost quoted versus the discounted offer presented, were misleading.”
 
Purchase price.
 
“Furthermore, we have discovered that traveling without a timeshare would be more economical, as we can find better deals online.”
 
Affordability.
 
 
“As retirees, the financial strain and impracticality of the timeshare have become burdensome, especially given our age and health concerns.”
 
“We are both retired, aged 69 and 70, and have had to take part-time jobs to manage the payments. Our health and age limit our ability to fully utilize the timeshare, making it an impractical and financially straining commitment.”
 
“We believe that the representations made during the sale did not accurately reflect the information in the paperwork we signed.”
 
Availability. Purchase price. Cost.
 
Did Hilton really think they wouldn’t notice?
 
Maybe. Then again, maybe Hilton just didn’t care. 
 
Because you’d think such a huge discrepancy between what Hilton promised and what it failed to deliver would be a big deal, since Hilton is a member of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the timeshare industry trade association. 
 
ARDA members are supposed to comply with the ARDA Code of Ethics, which states: “Verbal representations should be consistent with information contained in sales documents, contracts and written disclosures.”
 
But it turns out that the Chair of ARDA’s Ethics Committee is Gordon Gurnik, the Chief Operating Officer of Hilton Grand Vacations, so it seems more likely that Hilton figures it just doesn’t matter if seniors catch them violating ARDA’s ethics code
 
Do you think Mark Wang, the CEO of Hilton Grand Vacations, sees any discrepancy between Hilton’s treatment of seniors and ARDA’s ethics? Let’s email him at mark.wang@hgv.com and ask.
 
And how about Jason Gamel, ARDA’s CEO and President? Let’s email him at jason.gamel@arda.org to find out if he sees a discrepancy between having an ethics code and leaving the enforcement of the code up to the people accused of violating it.
 
Spotted some discrepancies between what your timeshare company promised and what it delivered?  Use this list of ARDA VIPs to let your company’s leaders know.
  
Are you a senior citizen who’s been targeted by Hilton? Let us know at info@timesharefacts.com 
  
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