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My Email to BlueGreen Customer Services

Derrick229

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Apologies if this in the incorrect forum, please move if required

I sent this to BlueGreen Customer services, after my holiday at The Fountains at Oasis Lakes, Florida

The person I sent it to was called Candace (she was the person who replied to all my concerns and comments for Bluegreen)

Hello Candace
Thank you for your reply, sorry for the delay in replying
I recently stayed at the Fountains at Oasis Lakes, Orlando (10/03/2008 - 10/18/2008)
I tried to fill out the online comment card, but it wouldn't accept my room or reservation number
I used to own an apartment there
I couldn't use my apartment due to the strange way my points were allocated, so I used the RCI website and saved my points and then booked my vacation
I was quite surprised how things had changed there and how some things haven't changed

When we tried to check in, they couldn't find our reservation and we were sent away until 4pm and for them to find our reservation (this was very unusual, the last time we used our apartment, the staff were very helpful and let us store our luggage, and check in as soon as an apartment was available)

When we did arrive back at 4pm, there was none of the cheerful staff from my last visit, it was a rather surly greeting (but this maybe due to the fact we had an exchange)

We got to our apartment and it smelt extremely musty, but that wasn't a big problem, we just aired out the room, opening the balcony doors, we showed our friends around, and while they were very pleased with it, I noticed the furniture and fittings hadn't been upgraded and was worn in places (the furniture was exactly the same as when I first bought it in 1995, What have you spent the maintenance money on ? Certainly not on upgrading or purchasing new furniture or carpets

Anyway, as the day passed and we made our self at home, I saw that you had an in room connection for my laptop, that was very good, but as I found out, the service wasn't very good, I had to phone every day to get a connection, but that wasn't a problem, I could save my work until the reconnection was made, but it was very irksome and annoying to call every day (I am a maintenance manager at Heathrow and needed to keep in touch with on going projects)

We had to ask for a repair in the master bedroom for a ceiling fan, it took 4 days and several phone calls to get it repaired, even though we were told on the first day it was repaired and every day, The electrician eventually turned up at 10pm, one night and repaired it then (I asked for it to be done then as nothing seemed to happen in the daytime while we were out

During the second week a problem developed with the fridge, but wasn't a major problem, we asked if someone could look at it, but no one ever turned up and I never got any message left on the telephone

We had some new balcony furniture left for us, we never got any message that it would be done (but it was a lot better than the cheap plastic stuff we had) and my friends were rather perturbed that someone could just walk in at nearly anytime (the towels and bedding were changed, but nothing like the service I had previously enjoyed when I was an owner there

I went to a 'presentation' while I was there, I didn't want any tickets, or money from it, I just wanted to voice my concerns, and let the sales staff know how my feelings were when I bought (what I thought was an extra week) these points, my week that I had enjoyed for many years was now converted to points, and the so called bonus weeks I was given was useless, as I couldn't use them or book anything for 30 days before travel (very nice if I wanted an out of the way place that no one else wanted )

The sales staff weren't interested in my concerns or what I had to say to them and how things had changed (my week to points and how I couldn't use my apartment) and after 30-40 minutes I was asked to leave, and was told if I said anything to other people staying there or other purchasers, I would be asked to leave the resort, I agreed not to speak to other resort owners, I didn't want to be thrown out with no other hotel booked and I didn't want to embarrass my friends


I didn't find any of the staff helpful and the amenities hadn't changed since my last visit (2 years previously) I found the staff would only do just enough to get by with

I had several packages delivered to The Fountains during my 2 week stay, I never got an phone calls saying they had arrived, I only got that information from the sender

When we were leaving the resort, I spoke to the front desk and told them that I was expecting 2 more packages, that hadn't arrived, and would they forward them on to me in the UK, I gave them my email address, my home address, my contact telephone number

The man on the front desk went away to confirm that this would be okay and record my details, he came back and assured me that it would be fine, and they would forward them on to me, and if any further charges were due I would pay them, if they would let me know what they were via email

I have contacted the senders of the packages, they have arrived, but for some reason they have lost one, (I have had emails to that effect from Philip Russell) I'm still waiting for them to arrive (these have now arrived, it took a month to arrive though, I actually received them today)

It was certainly a different place from when I was an owner, I'm glad I have sold my points, I know I lost money by doing so, BUT I have purchased another weeks vacation from another seller and another resort

There always was a problem with BlueGreen when I tried to book anything, and when I did manage to book anything I always found myself disappointed with my accommodation and the staff (we stayed at the BlueGreen resort in Las Vegas, this was out of the way and was nothing more than a bunch of tower blocks, with no staff in attendance at the pool and there were several drunks and broken bottles around, but I didn't say anything as the drunks were English, and I certainly didn't want to be associated with them

All in all, I found my last stay at the Fountains a very disappointing experience, and I'm glad I wont be staying there or using it in the future

I know now I am no longer a owner or member of BlueGreen, that my email or views wont make any difference to the way the resort is run or the state of the furniture or decoration of the rooms or the attitude of the staff, BlueGreen are only there to make money, and care very little about ex members/owners, after all there will be other people going to the 'presentations' and making purchases, I just felt I had to make my views known

IF I had bought an extra week and not been persuaded by the sales staff to convert to points, I would still be an owner, but I wouldn't go back to The Fountains again (even when it is completed)

.......................................................................................................

I recieved this in my mail box tonight (I have copied and pasted it)

Your message was deleted without being read on Thursday, November 20, 2008 7:51:43 AM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

So much for Bluegreen Customer services,

I had my timeshare there since 1995, when Airtours owned it, the staff were great, my kids loved it there, it was a really great place to have a holiday, the rooms were always clean and smelt fresh, there was always someone in attendance at the pool (not necessarily a lifeguard, but someone from the resort) my fees were resonable, and they always said where it had been spent,

EVERYTHING changed when Bluegreen bought it

I got so fed up with BlueGreen and their points system and unable to use them or get in my timeshare, I ended up selling it, I lost a lot of money doing it, but I am now free from telephone calls, high maintainence bills and those dam points (I did expect something in a reply from them though, I didnt expect my comments to be deleted without being read, though, just shows the complete lack of respect they have for owners, now an ex-owner)

There is nothing good I could say about BlueGreen or their lack of so called Customer Services,
 
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dukebigtom

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Sounds like you had a rough visit. I am totally surprised. We have had nothing but great times at The Fountains and have read rave reviews from most people.

I am not sure what your reason for posting here was other than to vent your frustration. Sorry you were disappointed.

BigTom
 

Derrick229

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Sounds like you had a rough visit. I am totally surprised. We have had nothing but great times at The Fountains and have read rave reviews from most people.

I am not sure what your reason for posting here was other than to vent your frustration. Sorry you were disappointed.

BigTom

My reason for posting was in the hope that someone from BlueGreen would read it, I couldnt find any other forums, aplogies if this is the wrong place

If your readers have found the Fountains to be good, they never knew it when it was owned by Airtours, THAT's when it was not just good, it was EXCELLENT in every respect, and I sent several emails to Airtours praising the staff and the resort, (unfortunately there are none of the original staff left at The Fountains)
I never had any problems getting my apartment each year and at different times, with no extra payments, but everything changed when it was bought by Bluegreen

I would still like to own a timeshare, but not points and certainly not with anything associated with bluegreen

Any recomendations ?
 
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geekette

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Not sure if you'll find a BG rep here that would respond to your post. You did the best thing you could have already - sent it directly to Bluegreen.

I have no other recommendations for you because I am very happy with Bluegreen. I've had none of the problems you mention, and I'm sorry you had such a crappo visit this last time. I've not been to The Fountains but had not previously seen negative reviews.

Since you mention Airtours, now i'm curious about who/what they were? I had not heard of this company in relation to the properties now owned by Bluegreen.
 

Derrick229

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Airtours

Not sure if you'll find a BG rep here that would respond to your post. You did the best thing you could have already - sent it directly to Bluegreen.

I have no other recommendations for you because I am very happy with Bluegreen. I've had none of the problems you mention, and I'm sorry you had such a crappo visit this last time. I've not been to The Fountains but had not previously seen negative reviews.

Since you mention Airtours, now i'm curious about who/what they were? I had not heard of this company in relation to the properties now owned by Bluegreen.

Airtours got into the timeshare business in the 90's (I think)
They open The Fountains in 96, we bought ours off plan in 95
They were a tour company, had long haul aircraft and short haul

They saw the money to be made in the timeshare market and started building the Fountains

Their idea was to build apartments around the lake, but after a few years, it never happpened, the company got into difficulties and couldnt afford to build any more, but the maintainence money kept the resort afloat, but they did employ a lot more staff, then

Not really sure why Bluegreen bought them up, I can only assume when Airtours sold out, they sold their timeshare business and they concentrated on their 'core business' and Bluegreen moved in and bought it up, I dont think Airtours as I knew it exists any more, they dont do timeshare any more

When Bluegreen took it over, there was a lot of changes, with managers, staff and support staff leaving,( I got emails from the Airtours manager telling me of the changes) but it took a few years after they bought it to start the present building works

The biggest change was the maintainence fees, they went up over $100 for the first year and have increased ever since, but nothing in the rooms changed or got updated

The Fountains isnt the only Bluegreen resort I have used, I used their timeshare in Las Vegas as well, the staff werent very helpful there, either, but again I couldnt get Bluegreen to get me anything I had to go through RCI, the customer service at Bluegreen werent very helpful even then

Maybe I was expecting the level of service that was there when it was owned by Airtours (they were a lot smaller than Bluegreen, and the service with a smaller company is a lot more personal than with a huge comglomerate like BlueGreen)
 

geekette

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Thank you, Derrick, for the Airtours history. Interesting business model. Guess I'm not surprised they got out of timeshares. Not easy to make a buck, and construction is expensive (and loud and dirty).

The Vegas resort is new, so I'm not too surprised the staff there isn't yet up to an acceptable service level. I think I heard someone else say roughly the same thing about that new resort.

Wish I had some helpful words for you, but all I can offer is a suggestion to keep trying to contact BG. There should be a way to take it up the chain. On their website Contact Us, there used to be a "complaint about a resort" selection - you might see if that is still there as it could maybe jump start the conversation that you need to have with Corporate.

I am sorry for your experiences - it should not be that way. I'm hoping you can give it another shot at a different resort and have a SPECTACULAR time.
 

smithiekid

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Derrick has not really got everything correct, we were also original owners at Oasis Lakes now The Fountains.

It was a joint venture between Emmerson (a UK building firm) and Airtours (the holiday company). Around 2000/1 they parted company and Airtours kept the Timeshare. Shortly after this time Airtours bought into the the US tavel business but ended up over streching themselves and had to put Oasis Lakes up for sale the events of 9/11 played a big part in this shortfall in cash.

Airtours changed its name to My Travel (taken from a travel agents they had bought in the US) in 2006/7 My Travel merged with Thomas Cook a 49% to 51% split. The name Airtours is still in use and is still a package tour company (being part of Thomas Cook Travel now) the planes changed from Airtours International to MY Travel and now Thomas Cook

Oasis Lakes was to be sold to Fairfield but they pulled out and then it was sold to Bluegreen in Sept 2003 because of the money trouble Airtours had they had not spent any money on the upkeep of the resort (which was a pity since in its heyday it was the top resort in Orlando).
Airtours did replace the carpets in the units the year before they sold it and Bluegreen replaced the sofas dinning chairs stools along with the curtains and soft furnidhings in the living area in 2005 (in building 4 at least.)
Bluegreen started to up grade the resort at the beginning of 2004. They replanted the flower beds etc and repainted the outside of the 2 original buildings in the summer of 2004. That year they also gutted the clubhouse at the same time and found that it cost more to refurb than expected due to Black mould.
I have to admit the clubhouse is not a patch on the old one but it is now more in line with the US market and not the UK.

Bluegreen started to build in 2004 with building 2 (infront of the clubhouse first followed by building 5 (next to the original building 4) these were opened in nov 2004 and feb 2005.
Since then The Fountains has grown and grown.
There are still 2 more buildings to be put up one at the side of the new pool and the other on the site of the original office /housekeeping block at the side of Building 3
Where the Airtours hotel was to be built is now the new pool area and the new check in (building 10 ) that face onto I Drive.
We bought into Bluegreen in July 2004 and sold back our Oasis Lakes unit in 2005 by doing this we paid less MF than keeping them seperate.
We have been back to The fountains a few times since and although we do not now own in Building 3 or 4 we have stayed in those buildings and are available. Derricks week is now part of the BGVC so he could have requested that unit assuming he made his reservation at the 11 month point and did not need to go through RCI.

The main drive at The fountains is called Crossland Drive -- named after the man who started Airtours by buying a small travel agent in East Lancashire.

Derrick,

If you google Bluegreen and click on the corperate site you will find a list of all the directors of the company
Mail your comments to each and everyone of them, I have done this in the past and did get the response I was looking for.
 

Derrick229

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Derrick has not really got everything correct, we were also original owners at Oasis Lakes now The Fountains.

It was a joint venture between Emmerson (a UK building firm) and Airtours (the holiday company). Around 2000/1 they parted company and Airtours kept the Timeshare. Shortly after this time Airtours bought into the the US tavel business but ended up over streching themselves and had to put Oasis Lakes up for sale the events of 9/11 played a big part in this shortfall in cash.

Airtours changed its name to My Travel (taken from a travel agents they had bought in the US) in 2006/7 My Travel merged with Thomas Cook a 49% to 51% split. The name Airtours is still in use and is still a package tour company (being part of Thomas Cook Travel now) the planes changed from Airtours International to MY Travel and now Thomas Cook

Oasis Lakes was to be sold to Fairfield but they pulled out and then it was sold to Bluegreen in Sept 2003 because of the money trouble Airtours had they had not spent any money on the upkeep of the resort (which was a pity since in its heyday it was the top resort in Orlando).
Airtours did replace the carpets in the units the year before they sold it and Bluegreen replaced the sofas dinning chairs stools along with the curtains and soft furnidhings in the living area in 2005 (in building 4 at least.)
Bluegreen started to up grade the resort at the beginning of 2004. They replanted the flower beds etc and repainted the outside of the 2 original buildings in the summer of 2004. That year they also gutted the clubhouse at the same time and found that it cost more to refurb than expected due to Black mould.
I have to admit the clubhouse is not a patch on the old one but it is now more in line with the US market and not the UK.

Bluegreen started to build in 2004 with building 2 (infront of the clubhouse first followed by building 5 (next to the original building 4) these were opened in nov 2004 and feb 2005.
Since then The Fountains has grown and grown.
There are still 2 more buildings to be put up one at the side of the new pool and the other on the site of the original office /housekeeping block at the side of Building 3
Where the Airtours hotel was to be built is now the new pool area and the new check in (building 10 ) that face onto I Drive.
We bought into Bluegreen in July 2004 and sold back our Oasis Lakes unit in 2005 by doing this we paid less MF than keeping them seperate.
We have been back to The fountains a few times since and although we do not now own in Building 3 or 4 we have stayed in those buildings and are available. Derricks week is now part of the BGVC so he could have requested that unit assuming he made his reservation at the 11 month point and did not need to go through RCI.

The main drive at The fountains is called Crossland Drive -- named after the man who started Airtours by buying a small travel agent in East Lancashire.

Derrick,

If you google Bluegreen and click on the corperate site you will find a list of all the directors of the company
Mail your comments to each and everyone of them, I have done this in the past and did get the response I was looking for.

My apologies for my reply, I didnt know all about Bluegreen and how they got involved with Oasis Lakes, I do know that I wont be on their Christmas card list:) But the above reply is VERY informative, and its appreciated, I still rated Airtours when they ran The Fountains

I'l give that google a try and forward my email on to them, but I doubt it will make any difference, I'm not an owner any more and they arent going to think or worry about me:hysterical:
 

Derrick229

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If you google Bluegreen and click on the corperate site you will find a list of all the directors of the company
Mail your comments to each and everyone of them, I have done this in the past and did get the response I was looking for.

I couldnt find their email address on the site, I think maybe they got fed up with people emailing them, oh, well no problem, its all done and dusted now:) :hysterical:
 

Derrick229

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getting interesting now

I have just got another reply from Bluegreen, and it mentioned Club 36 (which I think is the Bluegreen at Las Vegas,) now as this is the ONLY website I have mention Vegas on, I think someone at Bluegreen has been browsing here, but here is the email and my reply (just copied and pasted, only email addresses have been omited)

Hello Jimmy,
I don't remember mentioning Club 36, what and where is that ?

Could you please send this email to a higher level, I'm afraid the apology isn't good enough

I expected a much higher level of service than you at Bluegreen have offered, especially by the sales staff

Thank you

Derrick


From: Bluegreen Customer Service
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 6:40 PM
To: ******************
Subject: RE: Explore Contact Us: Other


Dear Mr. Brown,

Thank you for contacting Bluegreen Corporation.


Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience or disappointment you may have experienced during your stays at The Fountains and Club 36. It is our goal to provide all of our valued owners and guests with world class service, resort accommodations and amenities of the highest quality.

Your letter was forwarded to the Resort Managers at The Fountains and Club 36. We value your feedback and assure you that your comments are being used to improve our resorts and service for future visits.
Sincerely,
Jimmy Ho
Owner Communications
 
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