Global Travel Network/Vacation Network, a friend went on a presentation

[rickandcindy23]

I think it would be great if this product is what the salespeople say it is. This is a nice guy asking questions. He is military and also a firefighter for Denver. He and his wife went on a presentation for this product, and I am trying to get answers for him.

Maybe this is legit, but where do they get the inventory? How can this company sell a product for $3,000 and then promise you can vacation 2-3 weeks per year for $179 per week. Is it really timeshare? Who is getting stiffed in this deal? Owners pay through the nose, maintainence fees alone, to own a timeshare. How could some company rent what we own for $179 per week. Makes no sense to me.

Rick and I met a guy in the hot tub a year ago at Hono Koa, our home resort, and he was staying in a 2 bedroom garden view first floor unit. He had gotten it through one of these companies, but I don't think it was Global. It was some kind of campground membership. Anyway, I guess this must be the same inventory? Do companies actually own full units at resorts like Hono Koa and then rent them out for $179/ week?

What got my goat with the visitor to Hono Koa is his attitude was, "Hey, how much do you pay to use your week?" I told him about $1,500 for the week in fees and property taxes. He was shocked that we would be so "gullible" to pay that much. I was incensed, but I told him we own deeded oceanfront weeks. He was still laughing at us for paying so much, when we were sitting in the same hottub, using the same amenities. Annoying. I had forgotten about this confrontation until this friend called and asked about Global. I really have no answers because I don't know where the inventory this company has could possibility come from.

Does anyone have any info on this company, so I can keep this friend from spending $3,000 and $179 for a week? I believe it is a scam, but what if I give bad advice to this very nice guy with a nice family who wants answers?

 

[DeniseM]

My guess: They sign a bunch of people up for $3,000, and then go out of business.

 

[tugnut]

Probably goes something like this.
Management Companies Wyndham, Disney, VRI, VRI, Trading Places et al know exactly what their usage will be far in advance. Usage is very predictable. Not everything is 100% booked so they’re looking to offload thousands of unused weeks. Think of all the stories you’ve heard like “We haven’t used our week in years”, all the delinquent weeks. Now the Global Travel Clubs of the world troll all the resorts managers and sop up any weeks (inventory) available to rent from the management companies. Think TS priceline. These outfits don’t need inventory it’s there for taking. I wouldn’t think Independent TS would be immune. Whoever controls the finances usually controls the front desk and reservations so easily hidden from view.
With a former TS the HOA decided to long term (one year) rent one of eight units. I couldn’t understand why the operations cost did not decrease by 1/8 but the management company insisted there would be very little change. That was my first red flag of what I thought was a reasonably honest management company. Actual usage was an elusive number usually “not available right now”.

 

[moonstone]

Cant offer any information but just wanted to say that I got a call from Global Travel Network on Tuesday. The guy said they are not a timeshare company when I tried to decline his invitation for an "informationl lunch" in Barrie Ontario! He was very persistant & wouldn't take no for an answer. I finally just hung up on him.

~Diane

 

[rickandcindy23]

Well, I think he bought it. A lack of information on my part, probably. I should have said I would advise my kids not to do it. Maybe that would help talk him out of it. He was sitting with the salesperson when he told me he is buying one star, whatever that is.

He is almost young enough to be one of my kids. I know he made a mistake, deep in my heart, but it was his to make. I couldn't talk poorly about the company because I really don't know enough about it.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Management Companies Wyndham, Disney, VRI, VRI, Trading Places et al know exactly what their usage will be far in advance. Usage is very predictable. Not everything is 100% booked so they’re looking to offload thousands of unused weeks. Think of all the stories you’ve heard like “We haven’t used our week in years”, all the delinquent weeks.

This is how it was explained, but is this true? I would love to hear a positive story about this company because I feel sick thinking of this young family.

Looked at Ripoffreport.com and saw 160 complaints, but some are about no-call list violations and other company names similar to this one.

By the way, supposedly this is the company that bought Skier's Edge in Breckenridge. So are they really going to let people in this club "rent" ski weeks for $189/wk at Skier's Edge? That's the deal they are selling. For $3,000, you can rent up to 3 weeks a year for $189/ week. There is a fee of about $400 to stay with the company. Makes me wonder.

Anyone with any information I can give to this guy, so he can (or will) rescind?

 

[tugnut]

This is how it was explained, but is this true? I would love to hear a positive story about this company because I feel sick thinking of this young family.

Looked at Ripoffreport.com and saw 160 complaints, but some are about no-call list violations and other company names similar to this one.

By the way, supposedly this is the company that bought Skier's Edge in Breckenridge. So are they really going to let people in this club "rent" ski weeks for $189/wk at Skier's Edge? That's the deal they are selling. For $3,000, you can rent up to 3 weeks a year for $189/ week. There is a fee of about $400 to stay with the company. Makes me wonder.

Anyone with any information I can give to this guy, so he can (or will) rescind?

Why do you think they require reservations far in advance? Then they know which are available rent cheap. May as well get $179 vs zero.

Skiers edge is now known as Lodge by The Blue. At least previous owners had a chance to escape.
Edit:Global Travel Network may not be the same as Global Connections Travel which now owns Skiers Edge (Lodge by The Blue)
Did you read your friends contract?

 

[rickandcindy23]

Why do you think they require reservations far in advance? Then they know which are available rent cheap. May as well get $179 vs zero.

Skiers edge is now known as Lodge by The Blue. At least previous owners had a chance to escape.
Edit:Global Travel Network may not be the same as Global Connections Travel which now owns Skiers Edge (Lodge by The Blue)
Did you read your friends contract?

Supposedly the same company, but a slightly differently name, which apparently acquires properties.

How do you know so much about the sales pitch? Have you been on the sales presentation?

 

[tugnut]

Supposedly the same company, but a slightly differently name, which apparently acquires properties.

How do you know so much about the sales pitch? Have you been on the sales presentation?

I should be offended but will let it pass and yes I was guessing but educated guess without hearing the pitch. Timesharing as originally modeled has failed and various models come forward to replace it. This business model could be simulated in Excel with someone with some knowledge of TS usage (or hotel usage for that matter). Implementation of this scheme would be the hard part.
Offloading excess inventory of resorts could be income source with high (or even low) delinquency rates or HOA owned weeks.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Why would you be offended? I have gone to worse sounding deals than this one. I went to one where a company told us they would relieve us of our timeshare for $12-15K, and they would give us RCI points at another resort in the process. Ridiculous sales pitch, and it was less than a year ago in our own hometown. They called me over and over again to get me to go and offered free dinner, so I told Rick why not go and see what it is they are selling. It was a mistake, of course, but I made it, and I own up to it.

 

[icydog]

Why would you be offended? I have gone to worse sounding deals than this one. I went to one where a company told us they would relieve us of our timeshare for $12-15K, and they would give us RCI points at another resort in the process. Ridiculous sales pitch, and it was less than a year ago in our own hometown. They called me over and over again to get me to go and offered free dinner, so I told Rick why not go and see what it is they are selling. It was a mistake, of course, but I made it, and I own up to it.

I hope it's NOT Global Connections but I'm afraid it is. Many years ago I got hooked up with the company in a deal to sell their new customers' unwanted timeshares. It was part and parcel of their process to sell their network. I quit right away when they told me to hold up talking to their customers until after the rescission period.
They really have nothing to sell. All the do is find unreserved space and rent it to their customers. Their members don't really own anything. Anyone could do this themselves. I hope the kids had time to rescind. I'm sure you did your best to help them. Don't kick yourself. Since they own it try to show them how to best use it for vacations or rentals.

 

[pacodemountainside]

Probably goes something like this.
Management Companies Wyndham, Disney, VRI, VRI, Trading Places et al know exactly what their usage will be far in advance. Usage is very predictable. Not everything is 100% booked so they’re looking to offload thousands of unused weeks. Think of all the stories you’ve heard like “We haven’t used our week in years”, all the delinquent weeks. Now the Global Travel Clubs of the world troll all the resorts managers and sop up any weeks (inventory) available to rent from the management companies. Think TS priceline. These outfits don’t need inventory it’s there for taking. I wouldn’t think Independent TS would be immune. Whoever controls the finances usually controls the front desk and reservations so easily hidden from view.
With a former TS the HOA decided to long term (one year) rent one of eight units. I couldn’t understand why the operations cost did not decrease by 1/8 but the management company insisted there would be very little change. That was my first red flag of what I thought was a reasonably honest management company. Actual usage was an elusive number usually “not available right now”.

Do you really think Wyndham with EH, 60 day out deals, stay two night free sales pitch offers, VIP free for two years, etc. and resources of RCI deals with outfits like this?

 

[pacodemountainside]

This sounds like vacation club pitches I have been to here in Denver, Branson, Vegas, Mexico and Orlando. Start at $9,995 and come down to around $3K if one blinks or farts. Or, will give $5K+ credit if you trade in TS and pay $9,995.

Presentor claims get inventory as developers only sell 49% so they retain control. Or, they have secret agreements. Used to post deals on chalk board but think now use visuals.

Salesperson refused to log in to his account and show inventory and Presentor refused my $1,000 bet to name one developer that would refuse my money as it would put over 50%.

Said $179-$199 fee went to fund reservation operation.

All I checked had D or F BBB rating for non-performance.

Steer clear.

 

[tugnut]

Do you really think Wyndham with EH, 60 day out deals, stay two night free sales pitch offers, VIP free for two years, etc. and resources of RCI deals with outfits like this?

Oh, so sorry! Wyndham is way above dealing with the likes of these kinds of outfits. LOL

 

[comicbookman]

Oh, so sorry! Wyndham is way above dealing with the likes of these kinds of outfits. LOL

Not above, ahead. Wyndham already is expert at milking money from otherwise unused units. They have no need to share the revenue.

 

[tugnut]

Not above, ahead. Wyndham already is expert at milking money from otherwise unused units. They have no need to share the revenue.

Offloading to others and your own in house scheme is the same thing. Wyndham et al will charge delinquent MF's to other owners then rent out the unused units for themselves. Remember they control financials and bookings and check in. Smaller resorts are probably more vulnerable.

 

[pacodemountainside]

Offloading to others and your own in house scheme is the same thing. Wyndham et al will charge delinquent MF's to other owners then rent out the unused units for themselves. Remember they control financials and bookings and check in. Smaller resorts are probably more vulnerable.

You are very confused. Resorts levy HOA fees and run resort including checkin. VOI Trust levies POA fee and runs reservations. WVO makes its money hard selling TimeShares, $299 transfer fee, ball park $2,500 upgrade fixed week fee, sweetheart virtually lifetime management fees, WAMMING, etc.

Suggest you read the governing documents for these separate legal entities to get an understanding of their "chartered" endeavors.

 

[tschwa2]

Not above, ahead. Wyndham already is expert at milking money from otherwise unused units. They have no need to share the revenue.

I am pretty sure that wyndham/Extra Vacations/RCI whatever name they are going by, sells Last Call availability to vacation clubs along with, skyauction/resort certs, and various authorized agents. If they can make $50-100 off inventory after trying to sell it for more they will do so.

It doesn't explain all of the inventory that vacation clubs procure but it certainly contributes to it.

 

[tugnut]

You are very confused. Resorts levy HOA fees and run resort including checkin. VOI Trust levies POA fee and runs reservations. WVO makes its money hard selling TimeShares, $299 transfer fee, ball park $2,500 upgrade fixed week fee, sweetheart virtually lifetime management fees, WAMMING, etc.

Suggest you read the governing documents for these separate legal entities to get an understanding of their "chartered" endeavors.

Since when did "governing documents" prevent scheming. LOL