- Report: #1181433
Complaint Review: Westgate Resorts Town Center - Kissimmee Louisiana
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Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Westgate Resorts Town Center
7700 Westgate Blvd. Kissimmee, Louisiana, USA
Phone:
1-800 925-9999
Web:
www.westgateresorts.com/towncenter
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Westgate Resorts Town Center Westgate Vacation Villas Time Share Sales Pitch/Full Disclosure Not Given in Presentation Kissimmee Florida
While the model units at Westgate Resorts/Towne Center are beautiful, they are the upgraded ones for show only, and the others are going into a state of renovations, which YOU, the Member Owner will be paying for!
The Fish Hook lures you with so-called deals on Disney Ticket discounts and breakfast at a luxurious resort (food below standard in preparation/taste/choices/and cold), along with your agreement to sit through the 'Presentation' and take a Tour on what they call Vacation Villas. It is really a Time Share and that should have been clearly defined. I have never been enticed to want or pursue a Time Share. Had I known what I'm about to share on this Review/Complaint Site, I would not have signed on for it.
It was fraudulently presented and the real deal was not fully disclosed. The salesman talks real fast, gets you qualified even faster, showing you the benefits of the Villa vs. money spent at a hotel, but they don't tell you what you will really get for your dollars with them. After the dizzying sales pitch, you don't know the right questions to ask because you are led to believe that "all these things" come with the deal, and off you go to sign your life away. When I balked that I would not give away my family vacation monies for this kind of purchase, nor would I be prepared to start paying the following month, I was given a Westgate MasterCard to cover the cost of downpayment, taxes, HOA (only $27) etc. I did not even apply for the card - they tossed it into the mix to make it 'easier.'
Next, please know that the Presentation leads you to think you are purchasing a Vacation Villa, and you own it - complete with a mortgage (that means I own/am buying it, right?). Wrong. I find later I am spending monthly mortgage to be an 'All Season Member Owner' and that sounds good, except I only get one week in "My Unit" for my mortgage payments and that is not told in the Presentation. Another 51 people also have one week in that same unit, equalling the 52-weeks year.
To bridge that limitation, I am told that I can use the 'Exchange' for any comparable unit anywhere they have properties in the U.S. and the world at no cost) on top of my own week, but there is an Exchange Fee' if I get a unit that upgrades mine (say, from a 2-bedrm like I have, to a 3-bdrm). Well, there is apparently a fee period if you take an exchange, plus you later learn from e-mail or letter that the Exchange Program People are ready to take your Membership Fee for their services! Otherwise, you don't get the Exchange Program. They catch you with a 'fee' on every end of your deal. So I am strapped with a mortgage for a unit I do NOT own on a 7 years-long mortgage.
The deal I signed - without full disclosure I later learned - showed my ownership (LOL, ownership) begins January 1, 2015, but my payments began one month after signing (so that's September 2014)! Why am I paying NOW and my ownership doesn't start until January 2015?? And, why was I not told that HOA cost is expected at the beginning of my official ownership in January 2015 ($900)?!!
Finally - and this is just to touch the 3 or 4 main lies/omission of telling the truth - YOU are the one paying for these renovations throughout the complex, AND the maid services, AND the grounds upkeep. Their HOA you pay is for the entire community, whereas HOAs under normal home ownership plans is pro-rated for YOUR property only (as in a townhouse or condo or single family home) that have HOA Governance.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Westgate Guest Relations
Ocoee,Florida,
Response to Report # 1181433
#2UPDATE Employee
Mon, October 20, 2014
Thank you for posting your concerns on Ripoff Report.
It is true that the Westgate Town Center Resort is currently undergoing some renovations as well as adding another building and a water park. We have been working, going from building to building painting, making repairs, replacing furniture, and so on. This is something we continue to do in order to keep the resort as new and fresh as possible for our valued owners and guest. The cost of these renovations and upkeep of the grounds is covered by the maintenance fees, which are divided amongst all of the resort owners, along with Westgate Resorts.
Included in your maintenance and tax bill there will be an estimated budget for the Resort. This tells you how much of the maintenance fee is allocated to cover the expenses of operating your Resort as required by the Public Offering Statement.
In response to your mortgage payments starting before your occupancy year; you agreed to pay X-amount of dollars for your timeshare, this amount is broken up into mortgage payments like when owning a home. The sum in which is due is the same regardless of if your payments begin now or at the beginning of your occupancy year. By starting to make your mortgage payments sooner rather than later, you’re your timeshare will be paid in full sooner.
Regarding exchange fees, please note, owners may choose to exchange within Westgate Resorts however fees may apply. Owners also have the option to exchange outside of Westgate Resorts however, this would require membership with a third party exchange company and fees would be required.
Please be advised, our sales team is there to assist you in the decision of buying a timeshare and to ensure your satisfaction over the investment you have made. We invite you to discuss this with your representative and go over the deed information of your contract. We also would like to remind you that our vacation specialist are here to answer any questions and clear any doubts you may have in utilizing your timeshare in an efficient manner. We thank you for bringing these issues to our attention and we sincerely hope to provide you with many wonderful vacations throughout your years as an owner.
Sincerely,
Westgate Resorts
