Massanutten sales tactics - owner's update.

[Goldi]

In March after we closed on our Woodstone Deluxe - week 27, RCI offered us a welcome bonus week. There wasn’t much to choose from at the time and we ended up booking a week in June 2020 at Woodstone. (We thought Covid would blow over by then…haha on us). So we are here this week. There isn’t much to do at Massanutten since the pools are closed except for lap swimming by appointment only. At check in they offered a $100 Visa for attending an owner’s update. We turned it down because we don’t really enjoy spending our time with timeshare sales people. They called the next day and offered a $125 Visa card. Since there isn’t much to do we decided we may as well go for the free lunch and the Visa card.

First they told us that there was a BIG problem with our Woodstone point’s resale purchase. They said the points would not transfer upon resale beyond the current point’s term. They said our points would end and revert back to TPUs after the term ends in two years. (My estoppel clearly states that I have points). I had already read about this scare tactic on Tugs so it didn’t surprise me when I heard the salesmen tell us this. We didn’t bother to argue with them…it just wasn’t worth it. Here's the link to this thread: https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/woodstone-and-regal-vista-points-resales.294940/

Here’s another deceptive sales tactic they used. They told us that we needed the highest tier points so that we could see better exchange deals in RCI. They told us that owners of lower tier points won’t see the best deals on RCI. They showed us on RCI where we could get a Regal Vista unit for 4700 points. These were July 2020 check in dates. The other check in dates they showed us were later in the year and were much more points. The sales person indicated that we wouldn’t see the Regal Vista for 4700 points if we owned lower tier points. I don’t believe a word he said about the availability in RCi whether I own high tier or low tier points. Also when I got back to my room I got onto RCI and I couldn’t find Regal Vista for 4700 points in July but I did find Woodstone units in July for 4700 points. I think he showed me Woodstone. They flash this in your face so you don’t really have time to get a good look.

As expected they told us we wouldn’t get the gold card or annual certificate with our resale purchase. I informed them that we have already received the 45 day certificate on RCI. We don’t need the gold card since we bought this unit for trading on RCI.

Here’s what they offered us: Any 2 bedroom unit they had available at tier point level 75,500. This included Regal Vista (but they would first have to see if any were available). The starting price was $49,990. The final offer was $9,000 after we gave up our Woodstone Deluxe week 27 and another one of our other time shares. We had to keep telling them we weren’t interested and were satisfied with what we currently owned. (What I didn’t tell them was that we have a Regal Vista 4 bedroom resale purchase that we’re waiting to transfer. What they don’t know won’t hurt them.)

We did get to see the refurbished Woodstone unit during our owner’s update. It is very nice and has all new flooring, new furniture, new appliances, new stone facing on the fireplace wall, a larger TV over the fireplace and fresh paint. They moved the TV that was over the fireplace into the bedroom.

It was a pretty much low stress owner’s update since we were not surprised by their sales tactics. The Visa gift card will go to pay for resort fees for our stay in Santa Fe in a few weeks. We’re using 13 TPUs from our trading power boost to stay in Santa Fe. Thank you Massanutten!

 

[CPNY]

In March after we closed on our Woodstone Deluxe - week 27, RCI offered us a welcome bonus week. There wasn’t much to choose from at the time and we ended up booking a week in June 2020 at Woodstone. (We thought Covid would blow over by then…haha on us). So we are here this week. There isn’t much to do at Massanutten since the pools are closed except for lap swimming by appointment only. At check in they offered a $100 Visa for attending an owner’s update. We turned it down because we don’t really enjoy spending our time with timeshare sales people. They called the next day and offered a $125 Visa card. Since there isn’t much to do we decided we may as well go for the free lunch and the Visa card.

First they told us that there was a BIG problem with our Woodstone point’s resale purchase. They said the points would not transfer upon resale beyond the current point’s term. They said our points would end and revert back to TPUs after the term ends in two years. (My estoppel clearly states that I have points). I had already read about this scare tactic on Tugs so it didn’t surprise me when I heard the salesmen tell us this. We didn’t bother to argue with them…it just wasn’t worth it. Here's the link to this thread: https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/woodstone-and-regal-vista-points-resales.294940/

Here’s another deceptive sales tactic they used. They told us that we needed the highest tier points so that we could see better exchange deals in RCI. They told us that owners of lower tier points won’t see the best deals on RCI. They showed us on RCI where we could get a Regal Vista unit for 4700 points. These were July 2020 check in dates. The other check in dates they showed us were later in the year and were much more points. The sales person indicated that we wouldn’t see the Regal Vista for 4700 points if we owned lower tier points. I don’t believe a word he said about the availability in RCi whether I own high tier or low tier points. Also when I got back to my room I got onto RCI and I couldn’t find Regal Vista for 4700 points in July but I did find Woodstone units in July for 4700 points. I think he showed me Woodstone. They flash this in your face so you don’t really have time to get a good look.

As expected they told us we wouldn’t get the gold card or annual certificate with our resale purchase. I informed them that we have already received the 45 day certificate on RCI. We don’t need the gold card since we bought this unit for trading on RCI.

Here’s what they offered us: Any 2 bedroom unit they had available at tier point level 75,500. This included Regal Vista (but they would first have to see if any were available). The starting price was $49,990. The final offer was $9,000 after we gave up our Woodstone Deluxe week 27 and another one of our other time shares. We had to keep telling them we weren’t interested and were satisfied with what we currently owned. (What I didn’t tell them was that we have a Regal Vista 4 bedroom resale purchase that we’re waiting to transfer. What they don’t know won’t hurt them.)

We did get to see the refurbished Woodstone unit during our owner’s update. It is very nice and has all new flooring, new furniture, new appliances, new stone facing on the fireplace wall, a larger TV over the fireplace and fresh paint. They moved the TV that was over the fireplace into the bedroom.

It was a pretty much low stress owner’s update since we were not surprised by their sales tactics. The Visa gift card will go to pay for resort fees for our stay in Santa Fe in a few weeks. We’re using 13 TPUs from our trading power boost to stay in Santa Fe. Thank you Massanutten!

Sounds like a fun time. I also have a regal vista resale 4 bedroom every other year split into a 2 bedroom annually on points. My estoppel also says points ownership. I asked the contact at massanutten in the owners association and she said it’s points it wouldn’t revert. The ownership was set up as points. 89K points a year is great! Just hope the MF stays low

 

[Goldi]

Sounds like a fun time. I also have a regal vista resale 4 bedroom every other year split into a 2 bedroom annually on points. My estoppel also says points ownership. I asked the contact at massanutten in the owners association and she said it’s points it wouldn’t revert. The ownership was set up as points. 89K points a year is great! Just hope the MF stays low

You should be able to find plenty of good exchanges on RCI with that many points. Right now there are some really good deals at Hilton in Orlando.
The Regal Vista I'm waiting to transfer is 4 bedroom with 151,000 annual points. Pretty good...I didn't want to wait for 178,000 points. Those are hard to find. I may not be able to use all I'll have. Time to stop buying.

 

[escanoe]

There is a degree of understandability when it comes to being aggressive selling. Flat out lying is what I do not have any degree of tolerance for. IF ANYONE HAS actually bought because they lied to them about resale points properties not transferring with points, they should sue them to get out. There would not be a problem to finding witnesses on this board that they either lie about this or don't know what they are selling and misrepresent the truth.

@CPNY and @Goldi did you receive welcome letters from Massanutten/Woodstone and did they say anything about you now owning property enrolled in points? I wish I would have saved my letter.

If I did not value my time, I would listen to their pitch next time I am there and ask for where the wording is in the contracts or anywhere about RCI Points not transferring on resale. If that is something they have changed, they should notify every points owner.

 

[CPNY]

There is a degree of understandability when it comes to being aggressive selling. Flat out lying is what I do not have any degree of tolerance for. IF ANYONE HAS actually bought because they lied to them about resale points properties not transferring with points, they should sue them to get out. There would not be a problem to finding witnesses on this board that they either lie about this or don't know what they are selling and misrepresent the truth.

@CPNY and @Goldi did you receive welcome letters from Massanutten/Woodstone and did they say anything about you now owning property enrolled in points? I wish I would have saved my letter.

If I did not value my time, I would listen to their pitch next time I am there and ask for where the wording is in the contracts or anywhere about RCI Points not transferring on resale. If that is something they have changed, they should notify every points owner.

I received a welcome to RCI points as well as a massanutten letter. I’m not worried about it. If the points end so does my maint fee payments. Since I didn’t pay for the unit I’m not too worried

I’m really not worried becauseI’ve been told not to worry by the owners association at Mass. not to mention when the closing agent set up my RCI account wrong Massanutten worker with RCI to fix it.

 

[Goldi]

There is a degree of understandability when it comes to being aggressive selling. Flat out lying is what I do not have any degree of tolerance for. IF ANYONE HAS actually bought because they lied to them about resale points properties not transferring with points, they should sue them to get out. There would not be a problem to finding witnesses on this board that they either lie about this or don't know what they are selling and misrepresent the truth.

@CPNY and @Goldi did you receive welcome letters from Massanutten/Woodstone and did they say anything about you now owning property enrolled in points? I wish I would have saved my letter.

If I did not value my time, I would listen to their pitch next time I am there and ask for where the wording is in the contracts or anywhere about RCI Points not transferring on resale. If that is something they have changed, they should notify every points owner.

I don't recall what my welcome letter said. I know I kept it. I'll check when we return home.
I find it interesting that CPNY contacted the Massanutten owner's association and they told him the points won't revert.

 

[DannyTS]

I bought Regal Vista at the same time with CPNY. I received the welcome letter that specifies that I own a property enrolled in RCI points, the same was mentioned on the estoppel and on every other document I received from the resort or from RCI. Few days ago I called RCI and asked them why my Membership Term Expiration Date was 2023. They mentioned that it is a standard 3 year contract like all other RCI terms. He extended until 2026. I am not worried, it just confirmed what I thought, it is just a sales tactics to lie about the points reverting to weeks.

 

[pedro47]

How long was the so called owner's update in time (hours) and did you receive your $125 Visa card? Mass is a very nice resort but their sales team. That is a another story. The pits.

 

[Goldi]

I don't recall what my welcome letter said. I know I kept it. I'll check when we return home.
I find it interesting that CPNY contacted the Massanutten owner's association and they told him the points won't revert.

Danny posted the welcome letter. Here's the link. I received the same letter.

Woodstone and Regal Vista Points resales

@escanoe, " "The three year "term" on my account appears to be uniform transfer procedure for all transferred RCI points accounts .... and nothing Vacation Village has driven." RCI Points are RCI property, not Massanutten. As long as you do not let your membership lapse, the points are there...

tugbbs.com

 

[Polly Metallic]

When we stayed there last week they tried to rope me into a sales pitch. They asked if my husband was with me, and I knew what was coming next, so I cut the woman off in mid sentence, saying, “We don’t do tours.” She said, “Can I just tell you what we’re offering? It’s my job to explain.” It may be her job to tell me, but it’s not MY job to listen. I told her, “No, don’t waste your time,” and she wished me a nice day and gave up. Never heard from anyone the rest of the week.

 

[Goldi]

How long was the so called owner's update in time (hours) and did you receive your $125 Visa card? Mass is a very nice resort but their sales team. That is a another story. The pits.

Lunch, driving around and talking to the sales people was about 3 hours total. We had to drive over to the conference center to meet the sales people for the update. Once we got there we were introduced to the sales person. Everyone was wearing masks. They had us order our lunch from a menu. The sales person called in our lunch order. Then we had to drive over to one of the remodeled Woodstone units. He told us to look around at the unit while he went to pickup our lunch. He was gone for probably 30-40 minutes. The sales person was walking with a cane and had a bad knee. He wasn't getting around very well and had difficulty navigating the steps. I could see that he was in pain. I felt sorry for him. Once he got back with our lunches we ate lunch. The sales person sat on the couch and we sat at the table (social distancing). We did small talk during lunch. After lunch we talked about Massanutten timeshares. Then the sales manager came in and tried to convince us to trade our Woodstone Deluxe week 27 for another interval with "real points". We held firm and kept saying no. They offered to take us over to see a Regal Vista unit. We said no because we didn't want to prolong the meeting. (I really would have liked to see the inside of a Regal Vista unit, but I can look at them online. And we did get to see them from the outside while we were there.) The sales portion lasted about 45 minutes. Of course we had to keep telling them no and we are happy with what we currently own and don't need anything more. After that we had to drive back over to the conference center to get our gift card. The sales presentation wasn't so bad. I think the Vidanta timeshares sales presentations are the worst. They just don't want to take no for an answer and they try to wear you down. We have no problem saying no.

 

[pedro47]

Lunch, driving around and talking to the sales people was about 3 hours total. We had to drive over to the conference center to meet the sales people for the update. Once we got there we were introduced to the sales person. Everyone was wearing masks. They had us order our lunch from a menu. The sales person called in our lunch order. Then we had to drive over to one of the remodeled Woodstone units. He told us to look around at the unit while he went to pickup our lunch. He was gone for probably 30-40 minutes. The sales person was walking with a cane and had a bad knee. He wasn't getting around very well and had difficulty navigating the steps. I could see that he was in pain. I felt sorry for him. Once he got back with our lunches we ate lunch. The sales person sat on the couch and we sat at the table (social distancing). We did small talk during lunch. After lunch we talked about Massanutten timeshares. Then the sales manager came in and tried to convince us to trade our Woodstone Deluxe week 27 for another interval with "real points". We held firm and kept saying no. They offered to take us over to see a Regal Vista unit. We said no because we didn't want to prolong the meeting. (I really would have liked to see the inside of a Regal Vista unit, but I can look at them online. And we did get to see them from the outside while we were there.) The sales portion lasted about 45 minutes. Of course we had to keep telling them no and we are happy with what we currently own and don't need anything more. After that we had to drive back over to the conference center to get our gift card. The sales presentation wasn't so bad. I think the Vidanta timeshares sales presentations are the worst. They just don't want to take no for an answer and they try to wear you down. We have no problem saying no.

Thanks for the detailed update. I am very happy you can said NO. LOL. Plus, you save some big dollars. IMHO.

 

[Talent312]

When we stayed there last week they tried to rope me into a sales pitch.... It may be her job to tell me, but it’s not MY job to listen. I told her, “No, don’t waste your time"...

I like your approach.
At one of my resorts, they always send us to the sales desk to get a "welcome" kit.
I always say, "No way in hell. No matter how much you put on my nightstand."
They say: "Here you go..."