My mum got sucked into a timeshare that was poorly translated

[Mongoose]

Granted having lived in Florida I know that it's a bad state, but it wasn't always this bad.

I'm not sure why you think Florida is a "bad" state. It certainly has its issues, but there have been more people moving there from other states for a reason. In FL there is no state income tax, the literacy rate is higher than NY or CA, you have statewide school choice, and the violent crime rate in FL is lower than half the other states.

 

[Lobotomize me Captain]

I'm not sure why you think Florida is a "bad" state. It certainly has its issues, but there have been more people moving there from other states for a reason. In FL there is no state income tax, the literacy rate is higher than NY or CA, you have statewide school choice, and the violent crime rate in FL is lower than half the other states.

Just from personal experience, and those that I know of, when I lived there myself for half of my life.
But that's irrelevant to this post.

 

[TUGBrian]

20 years ago this kind of information wasn't readily available to timeshare owners who were misled and ill informed.

TUG was around 20 years ago with this information....and 30 years ago too! =)

 

[Lobotomize me Captain]

TUG was around 20 years ago with this information....and 30 years ago too! =)

I meant to say it's accessibility. Not many had access to a computer, and smart phones weren't around just yet.

 

[TUGBrian]

plenty of phones, computers and internet in 2004!

1994 notsomuch!

sadly, even today most folks simply dont do any research before buying a timeshare. its not a technology issue at this point!

 

[ScoopKona]

Exactly. It's their "job", but I wish they'd also realize their job includes horrible methods and lying to set vulnerable people up.

Actually, their job is to do whatever their broker tells them to do. I sold timeshares in Florida for years. I worked for one of the good brokers, who is still a friend. We didn't have to tell any lies to sell our timeshares. "Here's what it does. Here's what it costs. You're spending the money anyway."

I doubt they'd even bother going to one of their resorts for some rewards, and I very much doubt they'd agree to a timeshare unless they 100% know it won't hurt them in the long run.

The "free gift" song and dance has always been a (lousy) part of this business model. It's why timeshares cost so much. It's not the sales commission (usually 10-20%). It's not the developer profit. It's getting people off the street and putting them in chairs so they can get their "free" show tickets, luau or whatever. That's where the lion's share of timeshare mark-up goes. The people who grab people off the street typically make as much or more than the salespeople.

20 years ago this kind of information wasn't readily available to timeshare owners who were misled and ill informed. Now there is.

Yes, it was. It was available 50 years ago. It's ALWAYS been available. But people will stand in line for free headaches, let alone free luaus.

Granted having lived in Florida I know that it's a bad state, but it wasn't always this bad.

Yes, it was this bad. In many ways, it was even worse back then. In some ways it's worse now. I got sick of it and left more than 15 years ago. Transplants are too blinded by the pleasant weather to notice the dirty backroom deals and bodies sunk in the swamps.

 

[Mongoose]

plenty of phones, computers and internet in 2004!

1994 notsomuch!

sadly, even today most folks simply dont do any research before buying a timeshare. its not a technology issue at this point!

If I hadn’t Found TUG and had signed up, I more thank likely spent that evening scouring the paperwork and would have rescinded. It’s much better to have not signed at all. Thank you TUG and all the great members.

 

[LannyPC]

sadly, even today most folks simply dont do any research before buying a timeshare.

Yes they do. It's called a 2.5-hr. sales presentation (this said sarcastically, of course) .

 

[RunCat]

If I hadn’t Found TUG and had signed up, I more thank likely spent that evening scouring the paperwork and would have rescinded. It’s much better to have not signed at all. Thank you TUG and all the great members.

We bought from a developer a couple of times. The first time I thought about rescinding. (2002). But I was talked out of it by my mother, who, with my father, owned 3 fixed weeks, talked me out of it. Her comment was that she wished that they had owned timeshares when I was a kid. My two kids were 6 & 4. 20+ years later, my kids are spoiled having spent their lives traveling in timeshares.

 

[Mongoose]

We bought from a developer a couple of times. The first time I thought about rescinding. (2002). But I was talked out of it by my mother, who, with my father, owned 3 fixed weeks, talked me out of it. Her comment was that she wished that they had owned timeshares when I was a kid. My two kids were 6 & 4. 20+ years later, my kids are spoiled having spent their lives traveling in timeshares.

Then it was money we’ll spent.

 

[sfcagent86]

I don't know what Exploria is exactly, but I would bet it's like Sapphire Resorts or Capital Vacations, where they move into older resorts and then make up some point system to book and sell points in that system.

I highly recommend that you file a complaint with the FL Attorney General. I remember when the now retired FL Attorney General contacted me over some complaints I had about one timeshare company that was changing rules on renting.

Most likely, the resorts in the Exploria system are so-so resorts (I think Summer Bay is in that bunch). Some might be nice, but it's nothing I would ever buy or consider buying into for any price (even free). I hope you will take the time to file a complaint with FL's AG. You can actually do it online.

So is Sapphire Resorts a scam and you are not really buying a deed to a timeshare? Please explain what is Sapphire Resorts, thank you

 

[Skyyblueplaya]

Because the notary who was translating reassured her that she was accurate in her verbal translation and seemed like a "good person".
Makes me wanna swan dive off a bridge. This is the thing I wanted to deal with. This is the worst thing she could've done to herself and her family.

This sounds like my parents. Luckily they're kinda old people "rude" (They dont sugar coat and care about feelings) and my dad is a country guy, he's not big but he talks really loud and everything sounds like he's extremely pissed off. One solid NO I DO NOT WANT IT!!!! and I think they'll stop asking lol

plenty of phones, computers and internet in 2004!

1994 notsomuch!

sadly, even today most folks simply dont do any research before buying a timeshare. its not a technology issue at this point!

People didnt USE the internet like that back then. I mean My parents didnt sit and actually start "messing" with computers at least until mid 2010s.

Especially people from rural areas. I know this is slightly off topic but kinds on topic: A lot of people who lived in "slower" areas were the LAST to get on the TECHNOLOGY TRAIN. People in more city, suburban areas were introduced to technology sooner than those who lived in farming towns and such of the south. Your mom, being from Kentucky, same thing: I would imagine most of her life she hasnt been SUPER introduced to technology. Meaning everything doesnt revolve around the "ease" of the push of a button. Im used to having no qualms about doing things "The old fashioned way".... this is one of the rare times I think technology has SAVED us. No more OLD FASHIONED you need to "keep up with the joneses" and fill misleading information and INFORM YOURSELF and im glad that forums like TUG make it easier to get informed.