Duplication of HGVC fees

[BigOx]

I just bought from my dad a time share he and my late mom had for over 20 years. He paid all of the fees quoted for the transaction, including a $460 transfer fee. I just got my first dues invoice, which includes a $655 "club inventory activation fee." I'm an attorney and they sound like different terms for the same thing...my dad was the former owner and I'm the new owner, so there should be one fee for the transfer.

I called the billing department, which was no help. When I asked to be transferred to someone with the authority to waive or reduce the fee, I landed in a "dead-end" phone loop.

Has anyone been successful in getting HGVC to waive or reduce the $655?

Thank you.

 

[dsmrp]

Since you're family your dad should be able to transfer to you by different process. Maybe you could use that as justification for avoiding the activation fee. But you said you "bought" it from your father so HGVC could counter that it was a resale transaction like any other, regardless of familial relationship.
Good luck!

 

[TUGBrian]

has the transfer already completed?

as mentioned above, id bet HGVC would allow a child to be added to an ownership for less than a traditional resale transaction etc.

 

[HuskerATL]

Unfortunately, you could have approached that differently but since you bought it from him and transferring it, it is like any new owner and they have that activation fee. He could have just added you to the deed and then later you remove him so then you would have avoided this. The other option would be to gift it to you.

Too late for that now, so for them, this is a resale process and that fee goes to the new owner.

 

[Talent312]

I concur with all the above, but would add:
They don't see it as a "duplication" of fees. It may feel like it, but...
One is for the title transfer; the other for setting up a new account.

 

[letsgobobby]

technically the activation is optional right? if you just use your deeded home week every year do you even need to activate in hgvc?

 

[HuskerATL]

technically the activation is optional right? if you just use your deeded home week every year do you even need to activate in hgvc?

I don't know how you would book it unless it is an affiliate property. Some affiliate owners don't have to join HGV.

 

[dayooper]

technically the activation is optional right? if you just use your deeded home week every year do you even need to activate in hgvc?

Depends on the resort. There are a few that are voluntary (Bay Club, SW Florida Affiliates, etc), but the rest are required to be be in the club and have to pay the enrollment fee.

 

[Talent312]

By and large, HGVC resorts are mandatory for club membership.
Your TS is a part of the club., and your only access is thru the club.
Hence, the activation fee is not optional.

However, there are affiliates where membership is voluntary.
When I bought an affiliate TS (PBC at Indian River), HGVC had
no hand in the transfer (no fee), and the activation fee was less.
.