Elliott also peppered in some interesting stats, like how we were in the largest sales center of all 69 Bluegreen properties. A timeshare interest is shared usage that gives you the opportunity to vacation every year. My contract has been altered in a way that the benefits for paying over16,000 dollars every year is just to Bluegreens benefit. Maintenance fees must be paid every year whether you use the property or not. That's what Kathie Asaro did. There is a 3rd option available to those who wish to both save money compared to resale, and still purchase qualified points to retain charter benefits as if they bought new from the developer and that is buying from Bluegreens only authorized reseller Pinnacle Vacations note pinnacle sells both qualified and unqualified points, so be sure to verify before purchase. Reservations We have never been able to use any of our points or so called vacation time. Supposedly, the sales team assured them they could cash in their points for Bluegreen rentals and other units. I just came back from a time share BG seminar in Orlando. Modifications When you become a deeded Bluegreen Vacations Club owner, you receive an annual allotment of Vacation Club Points. 602511860, and a Michigan licensed real estate broker, license #6501315258, 03095 Boyne Mountain Road, Boyne Falls, MI 49713. I can claim this at 13 months up until a few days before the 11 month mark. Each of these factors will determine how many points are needed for any resort stay. Timeshare owners are beginning to put their foot down when it comes to broken promises by sales teams. Instead, 24 of us who were there for the 11am presentation were gathered into a small auditorium for a group sales pitch. If you don't stay current on your maintenance fees or your loan payment, the timeshare company or timeshare association could report you to a collection agency and ding your credit score. I am to the point I dont care. Although the date of making the reservation can be before the start of the use year, the entire stay must be completed before the points expire. Be careful. "I was just dumbfounded.". What happens if I don't pay Bluegreen maintenance fees? The first quote is attributed to Michael Brown, the chief operating officer of Hilton Grand Vacations at the time. Click on the map to enlarge. in addition to maintenance fees escalating at rates which exceed their actual maintenance costs, but instead are being used for expansion, which was not realistic during Covid; So how do you get rid of your timeshare? Search. Club dues are the annual charges assessed by the Bluegreen Vacation Club in connection with the operation of the Club each calendar year. They wonder how the contracts that bind them to a timeshare for life are even legal. While the amount you are likely to get for selling is not likely to differ, pinnacle will charge far more for your timeshare to a buyer since it will retain its charter benefits when sold unlike selling yourself on the resale market, pinnacle just charges a significantly higher commission and closing cost compared to selling yourself. Id give anything to have our over 8000 dollars back. Not only because youre paying these fees to maintain a place you visit just once a year, but also because every year the fees go up! 4 Changes in the Timeshare Industry That Owners Should be Aware of. I am so tired of being lied to. We need to come together and make them pay for our suffering and sleepless nights. They soon found that the tactics Bluegreen used may be in violation of Floridas Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. I would like to be a part of the class action lawsuit . Is it too late? The latest numbers say the increase averages around 2% a year. Can some legal expert help us (everyone) along with military families? No. Add me to the classs action. Pricing and fees vary depending on how many Vacation Club Points you purchase. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Note that the only significant differences in resale vs retail points from an owners perspective is the change in "Bonus Time" which for a resale buyer is ONLY available at your home resort vs all Bluegreen Resorts had you bought directly from the developer as well as regular resale points do not qualify you for Premier Status (bronze/silver/gold/platinum) Our agent introduced himself and started off with small talk before leading us to the sales center to brief us about Bluegreen Vacations. Here are a few legal ways to get rid of your, Some timeshare developers want you to buy more, You may be able to negotiate your way out of a, For some timeshare owners, there may be no way, issued a recent warning against timeshare resellers. This means I have a right to unit # 304 during week 26. Im about to stroke out. When you own a timeshare, you also own the responsibility of paying annual maintenance fees. To ensure youre able to access the site, please enable your JavaScript. I'm a consumer advocate. In the 2017 lawsuit against Bluegreen Corp., a few dozen couples and a handful of individual buyers from across the United States came together to sue the timeshare conglomerate. note that a common tip is to buy a small number of qualified points from Pinnacle to obtain charter benefits, then purchase any additional amount of unqualified points on the resale market to add to their ownership! No. I thought I needed more points to get certain benefits and was going to buy an additional 5000 points. Please let me know, We all need to come together and file a lawsuit against them. On top of the base and club fees, you also pay annually for your points. Access to Ratings & Reviews of more than 5000 Timeshare resorts all over the world! 15 Cheap Vacation Ideas for the Whole Family, Landscapingmowing grass, trimming hedges, raking leaves, and even sprinkler systems, Amenities upkeeppool cleaning and chemicals, gym equipment servicing, golf course maintenance, Business costsinsurance on the property, record keeping, scheduling, and administration. I have acquired so much debt trying to maintain my bluegreen timeshare and survived. While some lawsuits involve detailed acts of misconduct, this action was pretty straightforward. Im a single mom and not working fulltime right now. The legal firms and the exit companies are being pursued by many of the large timeshare companies. Due to Covid was not able to use. They made it seem like once you paid for your points that it would be smooth sailing but that is not the case and has never been. Mine were $600 a year and no being a single I paid 2020 Maintenance fees over $1800 and carried my points. At the time of the call, my grandmother was in hospice. Whether or not the guest has declared bankruptcy or insolvency in the last seven years. For owners looking to sell their existing Bluegreen points, the same options above are available to them in that they can offer to sell or give away their points on the open resale market, or choose to sell thru Pinnacle Vacations. A month later, her timeshare company relented, agreeing to release her from the contract. So how do you get out of a timeshare now? (Gamel says the research isn't relevant because it is not specifically about timeshares.). If you still dont pay, the situation sinks even further into foreclosure and possible legal action against you. Debt always catches up with you, and it needs to be paid at some point. Mother and Nurse, I still cant afford the fees. Timeshare owners are beginning to put their foot down when it comes to broken promises by sales teams. As we prepared to leave, the salesperson added a seven-night cruise for two if we purchased the package. Your monthly fees would be dependent on how many points you purchase and how much you finance and your interest rate you agreed to. Annual Points have a use period of 12 months beginning on their anniversary date. (Or, at least, they won't admit to it if they did). I would love to get out of this. This advertising material is being used for the purpose of soliciting the sale of timeshare interests. Base fee: $373 This value is the amount of points needed for a 2BR unit in high red season (prime time) at The Fountains Resort in Orlando. After filling out the form, the agent seemed surprised by my request for a copy of the forms I'd just filled out, but obliged. !9(( IG|Xa3by!|P>.BW |!=9rX4y I\A ^&VMgg Our presenter for the 1:45 hour session was Chad Elliott, a licensed realtor who's been selling for Bluegreen for more than 15 years. Premier Silver, Gold and Platinum owners may elect to use Points toward the payment of their Maintenance Fee and Club Dues instead of money (cash, check, credit card). With these points reservations can be made in the future use year. 2083124-50 (Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California). There are three costs associated with ownership in the Bluegreen Vacation Club Program: (i) the purchase for the interest, (ii) annual maintenance fees and (iii) annual club dues. Club dues: $158 Im so glad I didnt sign up for anything. Has anyone heard that one before? TUG Members receive $75 worth of free ads, enough to sell or rent your timeshare all year for free! At the same time, its important that owners are able to move forward with an informed state of mind. The timeshare exit company did not make any statements to Ms. Peterson concerning the maintenance fees or mortgage payments associated with her Bluegreen timeshare. Same! Also How many years is it mortgaged for? All rights reserved. In the end, owners stated they were not able to cancel and refund requests were denied causing them to seek out other buyers that could relate. Although many class action lawsuits form when victims experience similar outcomes in close proximity, timeshare legal battles often involve people from across the country. None of my close friends or extended family members have bought or owned a timeshare. I want to be involved in the BlueGreen Vacations lawsuit as well. The unit is deeded to Bluegreen. Jim Brown October 15, 2020 Helpful tips. This website will not function properly unless you update to a recent version of a modern browser, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge. I am new to this. ", The presentation also referenced a Consumer Reports feature about timeshares claiming Consumer Reports said, "Your bucket of points will buy as much in 20 years as it does today," and that, "Eight in 10 timeshare owners said they would happily buy their timeshare again. No. Maintenance fees are the annual fees every owner pays for the anticipated operating expenses of the program, including, but not limited to, all expenses for the operation, maintenance, repair or replacement of the Trust Property, costs of carrying out the powers and duties of the Trust Association, applicable insurance premiums and related expenses, real estate taxes and reserves for capital expenditures and deferred maintenance. Points are generated from five trust funds, which are designated "A" through "E". Friday and Saturday nights (Week-end values) are always a higher number of points than other days. may be booked 13 months in advance of check-in day before the general 11-month reservations window. "If owners are having financial troubles paying their timeshare mortgage, they should reach out to their developer for help," says Jason Gamel, CEO of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), a trade association representing the timeshare and vacation ownership industry. Saved, Bonus, or AIM Points are not eligible for this benefit. As with any Timeshare we always urge owners to do as much research as possible prior to any purchase, as well as reading up on the TUG Bluegreen Owners forum to get help from thousands of other Bluegreen Owners who can give great help and advice 24 hours a day! This business has a bond issued by Travelers Casualty and Surety Insurance Company in the amount of $100,000.00. Bluegreen Vacations Corporation today reported its second quarter 2020 financial results. Check here before booking an award fare. If any attorney out there knows anything about this, please respond with a post. Told them we wanted out. Whether these timeshare owners proved Bluegreen sold timeshares under false pretenses or not, the trend of similar complaints continues in the industry today. Once you register you can take full advantage of your Bluegreen Vacations ownership, online: Book Points and Bonus Time reservations Earn rewards with Bluegreen Rewards referrals Enjoy exclusive owner offers and promotions Register Today They told us that the FFS affiliated us with the Associated Resorts which Bluegreen manages and assists with and does not own. The second statement references a study commissioned by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA). With the unemployment rate over 13% and large parts of the U.S. economy reeling from a shutdown and now the prospect of another shutdown that promises to be one of the summer's most frequently asked questions. Confirmation that either the guest or the spouse or significant other has a credit score of at least 575. After a 15-minute hold, the manager towed the same line, insisting I was made aware of -- and agreed to -- the fees. Many of these companies have no experience in the timeshare exit business and there is no regulation to stop anyone from opening a timeshare exit company.". Yep, you read that right. If you stop paying it, the timeshare company will do whatever it takes to collect. they offered to release us, take back the timeshare and get rid of our back fees, but we get nothing for our timeshare purchase. (Many weeks are designated high red or ultra red.) A points reservation can be made for any season up to 11 months in advance of the desired check-in date. Also want to add: on an owner review/update I misinterpreted some things that were said. My only knowledge about timeshares, however, comes from what I've read and listened to about the topic. Admin . Well answer all of your questions and guide you through vacation options based on your preferences and needs. This advertising material is being used for the purpose of soliciting the sale of time-share property or interests in time-share property. Void where prohibited or restricted by law and/or where state registration and/or licensing requirements have not been met. 4960 Conference Way North, Suite 100, Boca Raton, FL 33431 United States. They also have me in collections for maintenance fees. Club Association Maintenance Fee Assessment Billing and Collections Policy. Yes, its considered a deeded real estate interest, which can be passed from generation to generation during the term of the trust. Bluegreen offers the option to stay at resorts for less than the usual 7 day/week long traditional Timeshare period and shorter stays are available at most resorts within the Bluegreen system. Every month, a new bundle of legal claimssurface across the industry regarding the experience of vacation ownership. Your email address will not be published. This advertising material is being used for the purpose of soliciting the sale of timeshare interests. And, he noted, one in three couples sitting through his presentation would become owners. They are non-negotiable. Is it still a possibility with this? While all timeshare point systems use their own value for points, this chart is a great way to compare Bluegreen Points to other Timeshare point values for resort stays. I want to be involved with a class action against them. Each Resort Villa is allocated a points value based on factors including location, seasonal demands, room size, and days of the week that stay is booked. While Bluegreen Vacations owners can search for openings and reserve online, this package required us to call to find and book dates. With Timeshare experts and owners alike, you will learn more from just reading and participating in these forums than you could ever imagine! However, a frequently-cited University of Central Florida study concludes the opposite. In Elliott's presentation, he'd listed a variety of point purchase levels starting at 10,000 points per year. Ratings and Reviews of all Bluegreen Timeshare Resorts He returned with an offer for 7,000 points every other year for $9,910 -- equating to 2.83 dollars per point per year -- with $714 in annual maintenance. He says the best way to get out is to do so as soon as you have doubts about your purchase. I am a Silver member and have been with Blue Green since 2007. No court action, not prior notice , just got a notice in mail one day the it had been foreclosed on and my membership suspended.This company is corrupt, disgusting , and are ripping people off still yet today just as they have been for years. For example, when Dan Bailey tried to get rid of his timeshare in Orlando, the company let him off the hook for a price. Written by the top Real Estate Litigators in the Timeshare Industry. I have family members who financed theirs, and I am looking at more points but they are unable to provide a good representation of what a monthly cost would be. Lisa Ann Schreier, a timeshare expert who publishes the site The Timeshare Crusader, says you're better off avoiding timeshare exit companies entirely. A lot of resales indicate a biennial allotment of points. Like weve covered a number of times in past articles, nearly every form of regret stems from the initial sale. When I claim it, it uses all the pts associated with that Certificate. A cancellation fee is assessed. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, some of these tried-and-true strategies don't work the way they used to. The question no one seems to be asking is: How did it come to this? Realized your timeshare is really a financial prison with palm trees? Formed in 1994 from a reorganization of Patten Realty, Bluegreen has grown to include more than 220,000 Timeshare owners and includes more than 60 Timeshare resorts in the US and Caribbean! The victims attorneys initially sought more than $5 million in damages so the federal judge over the case would deem it a class action lawsuit. ", While those are exact quotes from the article, Consumer Reports didn't conclude that a "timeshare has a distinct advantage over hotel stays" or that "most timeshare owners would do it again.". I want to be involved in this class action lawsuit as well. Unable to make their payments after losing their jobs during the pandemic, they can either try to sell their unit, hire a lawyer, or pay a sketchy timeshare reseller. We have timeshare and our fees have accused to $4,000. I purchased a vacation getaway on 02.25.2020, for $249.00 and was given a $50.00 gift card to Bass Pro at that time. JavaScript is disabled. Does anyone know if there is an attorney out there that can define how they can continue to collect with no proof they were fully operational and had locations that were not affected. Now I have to take time out of work to call and get this figured out. Net originated timeshare sales have since begun to rebound, increasing 67% from the fourth quarter of 2020. Note: Exiting may cost you money, though. Buying Directly From Bluegreen And dont get us started about the nasty extra assessment fees, which are just another way to get money out of you to cover things like natural disasters (that your regular maintenance fee doesnt cover). their timeshare in a pandemic. Whether it be scams in the relief realm or simple buyers remorse, the trips starting to hit the fan. The agent wouldn't say whether my grandmother's passing would be enough for me to avoid a late change or no show fee, merely telling me I'd need to call them at the time to see. She attended an owner update at her timeshare in Northern California last week to plead her case. Many owners stretch their points by making only mid-week reservations. The sales guy who shows up is usually carrying a copy of some history of your transactions when he/she comes to sit down. After reading pages worth of terms and conditions, confirming we met the qualifications -- minimum income of $40,000, at least 25 years of age, minimum credit score of 575, no bankruptcy in seven years -- and agreeing to the restrictions, I purchased the package. Future points are the points that will be awarded in the next use year. Once you register you can take full advantage of your Bluegreen Vacations ownership, online: Not an owner? But in reality, their points expired at the end of every year. Get a FREE customized plan for your money in 3 minutes! We was told that we would have to pay Maintenance fees But we was never told the Maintenance fees was going up. You can only book your PUP for the year you own. Siegel insisted that she wanted to get out of the timeshare, not buy more timeshare points. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Your email address will not be published. Elliott surprised us by addressing the elephants in the room, such as joking about how many people "came in to buy" and referencing how couples had surely psyched each other up to say no. "They have one job and that job is not to help you figure out your finances.". The attached file contains the Bluegreen Vacation Club Point Guide. Is the firm going to fight for you, or just have paralegals send form letters on your behalf? Went to a sales promotion in St Augustine Florida Lost points, fees, fees & more fees and dont forget Maintenances! That's effectively 0.8 cents per point, versus TPG's 0.6 cents per point value of Choice points. My now ex-husband and I were the ones who bought in but now Im supposed to retain it after the divorce. Close Menu, 2023 Bluegreen Vacations Unlimited, Inc. All rights reserved. That doesn't guarantee that they will assist you, but they SAY they will. Annual Points can be saved for an additional year. View Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice. Thank you for visiting Bluegreen Vacations. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Is someone trying to convince you that a timeshare is a wonderful investment? In other words, the reservation checks-in day is on or after the date on which the points would be earned. But if you've owned the timeshare for longer, you still have options. 2023 Lampo Licensing, LLC. The thinking at Bg is that the "HA" means handicap accessible. This website uses cookies and JavaScript to give you the best experience. Wow! After a 9-minute-long video full of kids having fun, Elliott launched into the specific benefits for signing up today. They only want more money from us to buy more points which are totally worthless. Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. We are on board if there is a class action lawsuit. Despite all previous correspondence indicating that we needed to arrive for the preview at least 15 minutes early, we were required upon arrival to agree to checking in at least 20 minutes before our 11am presentation. Well walk you through all you need to know. Fees for the 2018-2019 use year are: Base fee: $360 Per point fee: $0.0613 Club dues: $139 They would not want to loose all of that money. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Unable to pay their monthly maintenance fees or mortgage, they're wondering: How do I get rid of my timeshare in a pandemic? Just when I thought I had heard all the lies and fabrications possible at the sales lying sessions, a new one was presented to my wife and I at the St. Augustine sales dept. View all other Copyright Notices/Disclaimers. There are three ways to get out of timeshare in normal times: Sell it or give it back. We discovered that one thing we would never stop doing at Bluegreen is paying. "Never hire someone without checking out their background first and never pay an up-front payment before any services are provided," says FTC spokesman Mitch Katz. When I purchased it the contract states that I can use a wide number of hotels, now I can only go to Choice Hotel brands. First bell in my head went off. 3. Priority Reservations Vacation Owners Claim Bluegreen Sold Timeshares Under False Pretenses Timeshare owners are beginning to put their foot down when it comes to broken promises by sales teams. Let a fun-filled family getaway serve as your introduction to the Bluegreen Vacation Club. . For those interested in buying Bluegreen Points they have multiple options: Learn more about the benefits of ownershipand what sets Bluegreen Vacations apartfrom other timeshare companies. When you break it all down, these fees make up a real debt that you owe . "I would also explain very slowly that I had no intention of ever paying the maintenance fee," she says. << /Length 5 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> Maintenance fees for Trust Fund E are composed of two parts: a fixed base fee and a variable per point fee. We just went and booked up 9,000 in vacations since they expire in September. This ridiculous that a company that was not running fa full year can ask for more money. Timeshare contracts offer anywhere between 3 to 15 days to cancel a contract. Was told that the bottom line is that if you dont pay your maintenance fees, they will legally come after you. When you purchase a timeshare, you typically have a week to enjoy a vacation resort included within the program. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. The Latest News on Student Loan Forgiveness. I want nothing to do with this company. We are in the same situation its the same misleading sales tactics and false promises I would like to be a part of a class action law suit. I dont even want any money back, just take it off my hands! Upon arrival, we were reminded yet again about the terms of the package and had to sign a Guest Registration Form that noted the increased $150 MasterCard gift and 10,000 Choice points. 602511860, and a Michigan licensed real estate broker, license #6501315258, 03095 Boyne Mountain Road, Boyne Falls, MI 49713. Please click here to learn more. When we did, the calendar was far from wide-open. Overview We originally purchased 4,000 points and then purchased a Sampler of 9,000 points. "The salesman said that there were a lot of wealthy people who are still buying timeshares even during the pandemic," she says. I recently went to a presentation and declined their offers. Visit a sales center at one of our resortsto get a clear, simple overview of our program. The pre-Black Friday offer was for seven nights at a Bluegreen Vacations property for $499. But we left the presentation interested in some of the ways we could benefit from the system, whether by staying at properties from Monday through Friday for the cheap points rates or by utilizing the Bonus Time benefit. By borrowing and combining points from two years, members can make reservations needing additional points. While we waited, upbeat music played overhead an d a "refresh" bar offered caffeine and sugar fixes. Adding or removing days from a reservation requires cancelling and re-booking. I would also like to be involved in class action suit. 12. Biennial points are charged the same fees, annually, but the per point charge is assessed on only half the allocation. Hi Brenda, Not wanting to risk violating the terms, we were sure to show up right at 10:40am. How do we get involved in the class action lawsuit? It did take several hours of my time, but they didnt sell me more points under false pretenses, even though it was my misunderstanding. These representations were false and (Bluegreen) would not permit the plaintiffs to cancel or. For example, while Chad often pointed to Bluegreen's partnership with Bass Pro Shops, the outdoor recreation retailer was just 12 days away from ending its partnership with Bluegreen, "unless the Company cures certain alleged breaches to Bass Pros satisfaction. No one wants to stay in an open air property that really just has a hole in the roof! I had my time share paid off and didnt owe them a dime. On March 20th of 2018, 38 plaintiffs withdrew from the case after two days of settlement negotiations. Ms. Peterson retained the Lawyer Defendants in June or July of 2019 to assist her with securing a release from her Bluegreen timeshare agreement. All reviews are submitted by Timeshare owners who have traveled to these resorts and provide an accurate account of the property, room, local attractions and more! Consulter le plan (PDF 1.09 Mo) Discover the Paris metro map. So what are timeshare maintenance fees, and just how bad are they? I am living the same experience and am so disappointed. You can find them on ebay for $1.00 for 20,000 Annual Usage Points to just take over and transfer deed. The salesman returned with a more-detailed offer for 10,000 points every other year for $14,520 -- equating to 2.9 dollars per point, per year. Find the right card for you. You deserve to work with a company that knows how to get out of a timeshare this time. A class action lawsuit that was filed back in September of 2017, claiming Bluegreen sold timeshares under false pretenses, is only adding to the stigma of the timeshare industry. Some Priority Use Periods are as short as a one day day. We were told at our initial purchase that they would buy back our points if we ever needed to sell. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Search Close. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Weve detected that your Cookies are currently disabled. Who allowed these contracts that keep timeshare owners tied to a property they don't want or can't afford? The biggest burden of membership is paying maintenance fees, which were roughly $600/year for us. That said, the sales presentation wasn't as bad as we expected. The net money to you is likely no different (ie 99% to 100% less than what you paid for it originally), Bluegreen Owner Online Discussion Forum