ChrisH
newbie
2010 MF's for Sandcastle in the mail
Got mine today. $354 for a studio.
Got mine today. $354 for a studio.
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Sandcastle P'town owners -Festiva
- Thread starter Laurie
- Start date
mweinberg
newbie
Did you get a copy of the budget along with your bill? The letter said that one was enclosed, but whoever stuffed the envelopes must have overlooked mine.
mweinberg
mweinberg
newbie
Privacy? Really??
Didn't Hagberg say that the reason he wasn't releasing the owners' list because of his concerns for privacy? If he's so concerned about privacy, why is he updating resort records by asking owners to provided their names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses by filling out a very public postcard? Maybe he's not really so concerned about privacy after all.
mweinberg
P. S. Are you reading this, Cliff? Are you still not answering my questions? That's why all future correspondence between us will have copies posted here as well as sent to TimeSharing Today and the Attorney General. It's bad business to ignore the owners you supposedly represent, Cliff!
Didn't Hagberg say that the reason he wasn't releasing the owners' list because of his concerns for privacy? If he's so concerned about privacy, why is he updating resort records by asking owners to provided their names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses by filling out a very public postcard? Maybe he's not really so concerned about privacy after all.
mweinberg
P. S. Are you reading this, Cliff? Are you still not answering my questions? That's why all future correspondence between us will have copies posted here as well as sent to TimeSharing Today and the Attorney General. It's bad business to ignore the owners you supposedly represent, Cliff!
Last edited:
ChrisH
newbie
Classylassy523
TUG Member
Nothing in mine
I didn't get any budget. Now is he going to try to tell owners that the deed, trust and God don't allow him to send one? I am NOT paying my maintenance fee until I have a detailed budget in front of me.
Did you read that, Cliff? So you want my $512.00 you had best mail me the budget. And, don't think you are going to charge me any late fees, foreclosure, collection or anything else. You do what you are supposed to do and so will I. And, I will be sending you an email stating this to you personally.
I didn't get any budget. Now is he going to try to tell owners that the deed, trust and God don't allow him to send one? I am NOT paying my maintenance fee until I have a detailed budget in front of me.
Did you read that, Cliff? So you want my $512.00 you had best mail me the budget. And, don't think you are going to charge me any late fees, foreclosure, collection or anything else. You do what you are supposed to do and so will I. And, I will be sending you an email stating this to you personally.
Classylassy523
TUG Member
Cliff can put his postcard where the sun doesn't shine
I will NOT send my personal information to Cliff Hagberg on the back of a public postcard. Did you get that Cliff? You want my personal information you can send me a form with a postage paid envelope.
Two can play your game.
I will NOT send my personal information to Cliff Hagberg on the back of a public postcard. Did you get that Cliff? You want my personal information you can send me a form with a postage paid envelope.
Two can play your game.
mweinberg
newbie
Perhaps this is a good reason to complain again to the CAC and AG. We are being asked for $500+ in fees right on top of a $800+ assessment, and we still have no detailed budget for the resort. That's an awful lot of money to fork over when you have no idea where it is going other than the vague references to digging a well and acid washing some bricks.
Sou13
newbie
Complain everywhere!
I saw Martha Coakley on TV last evening (PBS Channel 2) along with all four contenders for the vacant Kennedy seat. I don't live in MA and don't have a say in who gets to be the Democrat in the special election but the primary is imminent and Capuano is the best choice IMVHO. He's a bit rough around the edges and is characterized as hot-headed but that's because he's "passhionate" and knows what's going on in D.C. The problem for him is that he's not well-enough known throughout the Commonwealth because he represents the Somerville district.
I've even been advised to complain to the
Massachusetts Department of Consumer Affairs and Business regulation
10 Park Plaze, Suite 5170
Boston, Ma 02116
Telephone 617-973-8787
I have yet to do so because I've just checked out or Unit 27 at Southcape Resort and am posting from the Mashpee Public Library. The reason I'm posting this here is that I'd seen a TV ad with a toll-free # and called the Secretary of State. A reply with reference to the above was in the mailbox the very next day! Still no word on whatever bacame of all those Southcape and Sandcastle complaints that were sent from the CAC to Boston!
I saw Martha Coakley on TV last evening (PBS Channel 2) along with all four contenders for the vacant Kennedy seat. I don't live in MA and don't have a say in who gets to be the Democrat in the special election but the primary is imminent and Capuano is the best choice IMVHO. He's a bit rough around the edges and is characterized as hot-headed but that's because he's "passhionate" and knows what's going on in D.C. The problem for him is that he's not well-enough known throughout the Commonwealth because he represents the Somerville district.
I've even been advised to complain to the
Massachusetts Department of Consumer Affairs and Business regulation
10 Park Plaze, Suite 5170
Boston, Ma 02116
Telephone 617-973-8787
I have yet to do so because I've just checked out or Unit 27 at Southcape Resort and am posting from the Mashpee Public Library. The reason I'm posting this here is that I'd seen a TV ad with a toll-free # and called the Secretary of State. A reply with reference to the above was in the mailbox the very next day! Still no word on whatever bacame of all those Southcape and Sandcastle complaints that were sent from the CAC to Boston!
ChrisH
newbie
Sandcastle 2010 Budget
The separate 2010 budget came in today's mail. You should get yours soon.
The separate 2010 budget came in today's mail. You should get yours soon.
Last edited:
Classylassy523
TUG Member
If you want to call that a budget.
Cliff Hagberg needs to read up on how to prepare a budget that provides information. This does not do that. Guess I get to send Mr. H another letter, email and follow that up with a copy to the AG. They know me at the post office with all the registered/certified mail I send. Of course, Cliff won't respond because he thinks I am too mean, too out spoken and I don't respect him. SIGH....
Cliff Hagberg needs to read up on how to prepare a budget that provides information. This does not do that. Guess I get to send Mr. H another letter, email and follow that up with a copy to the AG. They know me at the post office with all the registered/certified mail I send. Of course, Cliff won't respond because he thinks I am too mean, too out spoken and I don't respect him. SIGH....
Classylassy523
TUG Member
Open Letter to Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley
With Shep's (Publisher of Timesharing Today magazine) permission I am forwarding the latest IAlert. I had written an Open Letter to Martha Coakley, Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and sent it to numerous Massachusetts newspapers. Shep read the letter and asked if he could publish it in the current IAlert. Hopefully we will get some response and exposure.
The following URL will take you to a website where you can subscribe to Timesharing Today. This magazine is published for timeshare owners like you and me. They are advocates for owners and have helped many, many owners in the past as they are doing for us now.
https://tstoday.com/shop/freebonus.aspx?source=Jglnt
Uphill battles
Over the past several months, TimeSharing Today has held conference calls among various groups of owners trying to fight the loss of control of their owners associations, in-home sales during which owners were pressured to turn back deeded weeks and buy into a points program and other violations of resort bylaws. Some owners have filed complaints with their state's Attorney General, they have pleaded for help from their state representatives and one owner has filed a lawsuit to get the developer to turn over the list of owners as permitted under the resort bylaws. Action by the various agencies has been slow in coming.
Reader, Jean Gallant, sent the following open letter sent to the media that demonstrates the challenges owners are facing:
"An open letter to
Martha Coakley
Attorney General of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Dear Attorney General Coakley,
Due to the inability to get any reaction, movement, help, or interest from your office I am resorting to sending this open letter via the press. You have citizens and other deeded owners of real estate who have sought your help in correcting an ongoing situation where the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are being broken and ignored daily. I don't know why you and your staff have not found our cries for help worthy of attention. I don't know if you think it is just a few people involved. I don't know if you have ‘bigger fish to fry'. Whatever the reason(s), you are wrong. I was raised to believe that the Attorney General upheld and enforced the laws of the Commonwealth. You are NOT doing this. Do you understand that there are in excess of 7000 people who are being viciously set upon every day? Do you understand that these same people are fearful about what the next thing they will have to face will be? Do you understand that these people thought they had bought a small piece of the Cape Cod pie and would be able to enjoy it? Do you understand that this is being taken away from us by greedy individuals who want all that we have worked hard to own? Do you understand these individuals are preying on the fears of thousands of senior citizens who only want to enjoy what is rightfully theirs?
Below I am AGAIN providing my last communication to you that has gone unacknowledged by your office. This letter followed multiple complaints and failed mediation. I implore you and your staff to please help us. The majority of the owners at these resorts are either retired or semi-retired. I can assure you that this is not what we envisioned for our retirement years.
October 19, 2009
Martha Coakley
Attorney General
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
Re: Complaints filed against
New England Vacation Services LLC
New England Vacation Management Services LLC
Outfield Marketing LLC
Festiva Resorts and Festiva Adventure Club
Attorney Coakley:
I am writing in response to a letter (see enclosed) I received from Paul Schrader, Executive Director, Consumer Assistance Council, Inc. (CAC) of Hyannis, MA.
Months ago I filed multiple complaints with your office about the above referenced entities and their actions at the Sandcastle Resort in Provincetown, MA. I am a deeded owner of a week interval, have been since 1982. At the time I purchased my unit I was a young, widowed mother with three (3) children. This interval represented an inexpensive way to treat my children to a vacation. Twenty-seven years later I am still a widow, am now a senior citizen who has semi-retired, and have three (3) children who have grown, work hard and are honest citizens. I still own my timeshare and it still provides a place for me to spend a vacation on Cape Cod. The only thing different is the new management/developer who has taken over the resort, who has denied me my rights as a deeded owner, who has charged me exorbitant fees and assessments, who has in the past and continues to break the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who has installed a marketing company that uses high pressure, deceitful selling tactics, and the only selling going on at the resort is a point system that requires deeded owners GIVE their deeded property to Festiva Adventure Club (FAC) and, adding insult to injury, require they pay better than $3,000 for FAC to take the deeds. That is the reason for the complaints I have filed with your office and the Federal Trade Commission.
My complaints along with those of numerous other owners and former owners (those people who fell prey to the strong-arm tactics and deceitful marketing ploys of Outfield Marketing) were sent to the CAC to attempt mediation on behalf of the owners. From the letter I received it appears that those efforts have failed. The cases have been returned to your office for further review. All the complaints are still valid as business is continuing as usual for these companies. They still refuse owners their rights, they are still collecting monies illegally assessed, and they demonstrate no regard for the deeded owners who have worked hard to purchase and maintain their individual interval units.
The Sandcastle Resort ownership is made up of everyday, hard working people who have had their share of struggles, problems and heartaches through the years. The resort has provided us a source of peace and solace. Most of us have owned for 25 or more years, have reached the time in our lives where we can retire or semi-retire and enjoy all we have worked hard for through the years. These companies have taken that away from all of us. Now we face bills that frighten us. Here we thought we would have a place to spend quiet times, to bring our children and now our grandchildren to Cape Cod, and now we find we have nothing but fear and stress in regard to our timeshare units.
I am asking that you and your staff please read carefully the complaints, letters and reports pertaining to the Sandcastle Resort and, also, the Southcape Resort. This is another resort of older people that has been taken over by these same companies. Laws have been and continue to be broken every day by these entities. There are better than 5,000 owners (between the Sandcastle and Southcape Resorts) that have had their lives disrupted and negatively impacted by the actions of a few greedy, self-serving individuals. I hope that you and your staff are able to get beyond the words on the papers and understand what is happening to citizens of Massachusetts, New England and other parts of the United States and Canada. It is a sad day we people, who have worked hard, paid our own way and want to enjoy what we have paid for, have to be exposed to and frightened by these people.
In addition I ask that you and your staff take into consideration the fact that Outfield Marketing, Festiva Resorts and Festiva Adventure Club have run afoul of Attorneys General in numerous other states and countries, and the complaints are the same throughout these resorts. There is a similar problem ongoing in Maine involving Festiva Resorts. Another thing to consider is that three (3) of the principals of Outfield Marketing make up 75% of each of the Boards of Trustees of both the Sandcastle and Southcape Resorts. These people were not voted in by owners and have denied the rights of owners to serve on the boards as provided by the deeds and trusts."
TimeSharing Today's advocacy efforts are raising awareness and action is being undertaken, but more work remains to be done to get sorely needed results. Please support our efforts and the courageous owners who trying to make a difference. Email comments to staff@tstoday.com Subject: Advocacy.
With Shep's (Publisher of Timesharing Today magazine) permission I am forwarding the latest IAlert. I had written an Open Letter to Martha Coakley, Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and sent it to numerous Massachusetts newspapers. Shep read the letter and asked if he could publish it in the current IAlert. Hopefully we will get some response and exposure.
The following URL will take you to a website where you can subscribe to Timesharing Today. This magazine is published for timeshare owners like you and me. They are advocates for owners and have helped many, many owners in the past as they are doing for us now.
https://tstoday.com/shop/freebonus.aspx?source=Jglnt
Uphill battles
Over the past several months, TimeSharing Today has held conference calls among various groups of owners trying to fight the loss of control of their owners associations, in-home sales during which owners were pressured to turn back deeded weeks and buy into a points program and other violations of resort bylaws. Some owners have filed complaints with their state's Attorney General, they have pleaded for help from their state representatives and one owner has filed a lawsuit to get the developer to turn over the list of owners as permitted under the resort bylaws. Action by the various agencies has been slow in coming.
Reader, Jean Gallant, sent the following open letter sent to the media that demonstrates the challenges owners are facing:
"An open letter to
Martha Coakley
Attorney General of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Dear Attorney General Coakley,
Due to the inability to get any reaction, movement, help, or interest from your office I am resorting to sending this open letter via the press. You have citizens and other deeded owners of real estate who have sought your help in correcting an ongoing situation where the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are being broken and ignored daily. I don't know why you and your staff have not found our cries for help worthy of attention. I don't know if you think it is just a few people involved. I don't know if you have ‘bigger fish to fry'. Whatever the reason(s), you are wrong. I was raised to believe that the Attorney General upheld and enforced the laws of the Commonwealth. You are NOT doing this. Do you understand that there are in excess of 7000 people who are being viciously set upon every day? Do you understand that these same people are fearful about what the next thing they will have to face will be? Do you understand that these people thought they had bought a small piece of the Cape Cod pie and would be able to enjoy it? Do you understand that this is being taken away from us by greedy individuals who want all that we have worked hard to own? Do you understand these individuals are preying on the fears of thousands of senior citizens who only want to enjoy what is rightfully theirs?
Below I am AGAIN providing my last communication to you that has gone unacknowledged by your office. This letter followed multiple complaints and failed mediation. I implore you and your staff to please help us. The majority of the owners at these resorts are either retired or semi-retired. I can assure you that this is not what we envisioned for our retirement years.
October 19, 2009
Martha Coakley
Attorney General
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
Re: Complaints filed against
New England Vacation Services LLC
New England Vacation Management Services LLC
Outfield Marketing LLC
Festiva Resorts and Festiva Adventure Club
Attorney Coakley:
I am writing in response to a letter (see enclosed) I received from Paul Schrader, Executive Director, Consumer Assistance Council, Inc. (CAC) of Hyannis, MA.
Months ago I filed multiple complaints with your office about the above referenced entities and their actions at the Sandcastle Resort in Provincetown, MA. I am a deeded owner of a week interval, have been since 1982. At the time I purchased my unit I was a young, widowed mother with three (3) children. This interval represented an inexpensive way to treat my children to a vacation. Twenty-seven years later I am still a widow, am now a senior citizen who has semi-retired, and have three (3) children who have grown, work hard and are honest citizens. I still own my timeshare and it still provides a place for me to spend a vacation on Cape Cod. The only thing different is the new management/developer who has taken over the resort, who has denied me my rights as a deeded owner, who has charged me exorbitant fees and assessments, who has in the past and continues to break the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who has installed a marketing company that uses high pressure, deceitful selling tactics, and the only selling going on at the resort is a point system that requires deeded owners GIVE their deeded property to Festiva Adventure Club (FAC) and, adding insult to injury, require they pay better than $3,000 for FAC to take the deeds. That is the reason for the complaints I have filed with your office and the Federal Trade Commission.
My complaints along with those of numerous other owners and former owners (those people who fell prey to the strong-arm tactics and deceitful marketing ploys of Outfield Marketing) were sent to the CAC to attempt mediation on behalf of the owners. From the letter I received it appears that those efforts have failed. The cases have been returned to your office for further review. All the complaints are still valid as business is continuing as usual for these companies. They still refuse owners their rights, they are still collecting monies illegally assessed, and they demonstrate no regard for the deeded owners who have worked hard to purchase and maintain their individual interval units.
The Sandcastle Resort ownership is made up of everyday, hard working people who have had their share of struggles, problems and heartaches through the years. The resort has provided us a source of peace and solace. Most of us have owned for 25 or more years, have reached the time in our lives where we can retire or semi-retire and enjoy all we have worked hard for through the years. These companies have taken that away from all of us. Now we face bills that frighten us. Here we thought we would have a place to spend quiet times, to bring our children and now our grandchildren to Cape Cod, and now we find we have nothing but fear and stress in regard to our timeshare units.
I am asking that you and your staff please read carefully the complaints, letters and reports pertaining to the Sandcastle Resort and, also, the Southcape Resort. This is another resort of older people that has been taken over by these same companies. Laws have been and continue to be broken every day by these entities. There are better than 5,000 owners (between the Sandcastle and Southcape Resorts) that have had their lives disrupted and negatively impacted by the actions of a few greedy, self-serving individuals. I hope that you and your staff are able to get beyond the words on the papers and understand what is happening to citizens of Massachusetts, New England and other parts of the United States and Canada. It is a sad day we people, who have worked hard, paid our own way and want to enjoy what we have paid for, have to be exposed to and frightened by these people.
In addition I ask that you and your staff take into consideration the fact that Outfield Marketing, Festiva Resorts and Festiva Adventure Club have run afoul of Attorneys General in numerous other states and countries, and the complaints are the same throughout these resorts. There is a similar problem ongoing in Maine involving Festiva Resorts. Another thing to consider is that three (3) of the principals of Outfield Marketing make up 75% of each of the Boards of Trustees of both the Sandcastle and Southcape Resorts. These people were not voted in by owners and have denied the rights of owners to serve on the boards as provided by the deeds and trusts."
TimeSharing Today's advocacy efforts are raising awareness and action is being undertaken, but more work remains to be done to get sorely needed results. Please support our efforts and the courageous owners who trying to make a difference. Email comments to staff@tstoday.com Subject: Advocacy.
Massachusetts Attorney General Coakley
I wish you luck with the Ma. AG, but her only interest at this time is to win the U. S. Senate seat vacated by Ted Kennedy. All her efforts and that of her staff are directed toward this effort. Since she is the favorite to win today's primary , and with the actual election in January, your chances of getting any help are between slim and none. She has been a no-show AG, and before that an ineffective DA. She is MASSACHUSETTS POLITICS!!!
As I said, good luck getting anywhere with her.
I wish you luck with the Ma. AG, but her only interest at this time is to win the U. S. Senate seat vacated by Ted Kennedy. All her efforts and that of her staff are directed toward this effort. Since she is the favorite to win today's primary , and with the actual election in January, your chances of getting any help are between slim and none. She has been a no-show AG, and before that an ineffective DA. She is MASSACHUSETTS POLITICS!!!
As I said, good luck getting anywhere with her.
Whosedis
newbie
Sandcastle frustration
Regarding the letter to Martha Coakley.....have we heard anything yet?
I am anxious to learn what other owners are doing about all this. I will gladly join a group if there is one. I am retired and will pay the maintenance as I always do but this assessment has me worried....the whole thing sounds like someone is ripping us off.
I am an owner at Sandcastle and I have 2 weeks to deal with. I have been "processed" by the Outfield people who tried to scare me into converting to points. I declined and threw them out but now I am so confused as to who really owns the resort. I simple can't afford to pay the assessment of 883.94 for each of my 2 weeks (total $1768 plus late fees i'm sure) and maintenance of $512 for my prime week and $354 for my May week...(the maintenance has just gone up and up and its become a burden to pay it every year but I always do....and I do so on time....always. This year I am worried....if i pay the mtce and not the assessment, i cant use my weeks....if i pay the assessment and not the maintenance, i can't use my weeks or trade them. I would like to be rid of both weeks completely...i will just about give them to anyone who want them....any suggestions from other owners? I will be grateful for your advice on this matter....I am very worried.
Thanks,
Joyce from Vero Beach
October 19, 2009
Martha Coakley
Attorney General
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
Re: Complaints filed against
New England Vacation Services LLC
New England Vacation Management Services LLC
Outfield Marketing LLC
Festiva Resorts and Festiva Adventure Club
Attorney Coakley:
I am writing in response to a letter (see enclosed) I received from Paul Schrader, Executive Director, Consumer Assistance Council, Inc. (CAC) of Hyannis, MA.
Months ago I filed multiple complaints with your office about the above referenced entities and their actions at the Sandcastle Resort in Provincetown, MA. I am a deeded owner of a week interval, have been since 1982. At the time I purchased my unit I was a young, widowed mother with three (3) children. This interval represented an inexpensive way to treat my children to a vacation. Twenty-seven years later I am still a widow, am now a senior citizen who has semi-retired, and have three (3) children who have grown, work hard and are honest citizens. I still own my timeshare and it still provides a place for me to spend a vacation on Cape Cod. The only thing different is the new management/developer who has taken over the resort, who has denied me my rights as a deeded owner, who has charged me exorbitant fees and assessments, who has in the past and continues to break the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who has installed a marketing company that uses high pressure, deceitful selling tactics, and the only selling going on at the resort is a point system that requires deeded owners GIVE their deeded property to Festiva Adventure Club (FAC) and, adding insult to injury, require they pay better than $3,000 for FAC to take the deeds. That is the reason for the complaints I have filed with your office and the Federal Trade Commission.
My complaints along with those of numerous other owners and former owners (those people who fell prey to the strong-arm tactics and deceitful marketing ploys of Outfield Marketing) were sent to the CAC to attempt mediation on behalf of the owners. From the letter I received it appears that those efforts have failed. The cases have been returned to your office for further review. All the complaints are still valid as business is continuing as usual for these companies. They still refuse owners their rights, they are still collecting monies illegally assessed, and they demonstrate no regard for the deeded owners who have worked hard to purchase and maintain their individual interval units.
The Sandcastle Resort ownership is made up of everyday, hard working people who have had their share of struggles, problems and heartaches through the years. The resort has provided us a source of peace and solace. Most of us have owned for 25 or more years, have reached the time in our lives where we can retire or semi-retire and enjoy all we have worked hard for through the years. These companies have taken that away from all of us. Now we face bills that frighten us. Here we thought we would have a place to spend quiet times, to bring our children and now our grandchildren to Cape Cod, and now we find we have nothing but fear and stress in regard to our timeshare units.
I am asking that you and your staff please read carefully the complaints, letters and reports pertaining to the Sandcastle Resort and, also, the Southcape Resort. This is another resort of older people that has been taken over by these same companies. Laws have been and continue to be broken every day by these entities. There are better than 5,000 owners (between the Sandcastle and Southcape Resorts) that have had their lives disrupted and negatively impacted by the actions of a few greedy, self-serving individuals. I hope that you and your staff are able to get beyond the words on the papers and understand what is happening to citizens of Massachusetts, New England and other parts of the United States and Canada. It is a sad day we people, who have worked hard, paid our own way and want to enjoy what we have paid for, have to be exposed to and frightened by these people.
In addition I ask that you and your staff take into consideration the fact that Outfield Marketing, Festiva Resorts and Festiva Adventure Club have run afoul of Attorneys General in numerous other states and countries, and the complaints are the same throughout these resorts. There is a similar problem ongoing in Maine involving Festiva Resorts. Another thing to consider is that three (3) of the principals of Outfield Marketing make up 75% of each of the Boards of Trustees of both the Sandcastle and Southcape Resorts. These people were not voted in by owners and have denied the rights of owners to serve on the boards as provided by the deeds and trusts."
TimeSharing Today's advocacy efforts are raising awareness and action is being undertaken, but more work remains to be done to get sorely needed results. Please support our efforts and the courageous owners who trying to make a difference. Email comments to staff@tstoday.com Subject: Advocacy.[/QUOTE]
Regarding the letter to Martha Coakley.....have we heard anything yet?
I am anxious to learn what other owners are doing about all this. I will gladly join a group if there is one. I am retired and will pay the maintenance as I always do but this assessment has me worried....the whole thing sounds like someone is ripping us off.
I am an owner at Sandcastle and I have 2 weeks to deal with. I have been "processed" by the Outfield people who tried to scare me into converting to points. I declined and threw them out but now I am so confused as to who really owns the resort. I simple can't afford to pay the assessment of 883.94 for each of my 2 weeks (total $1768 plus late fees i'm sure) and maintenance of $512 for my prime week and $354 for my May week...(the maintenance has just gone up and up and its become a burden to pay it every year but I always do....and I do so on time....always. This year I am worried....if i pay the mtce and not the assessment, i cant use my weeks....if i pay the assessment and not the maintenance, i can't use my weeks or trade them. I would like to be rid of both weeks completely...i will just about give them to anyone who want them....any suggestions from other owners? I will be grateful for your advice on this matter....I am very worried.
Thanks,
Joyce from Vero Beach
October 19, 2009
Martha Coakley
Attorney General
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
Re: Complaints filed against
New England Vacation Services LLC
New England Vacation Management Services LLC
Outfield Marketing LLC
Festiva Resorts and Festiva Adventure Club
Attorney Coakley:
I am writing in response to a letter (see enclosed) I received from Paul Schrader, Executive Director, Consumer Assistance Council, Inc. (CAC) of Hyannis, MA.
Months ago I filed multiple complaints with your office about the above referenced entities and their actions at the Sandcastle Resort in Provincetown, MA. I am a deeded owner of a week interval, have been since 1982. At the time I purchased my unit I was a young, widowed mother with three (3) children. This interval represented an inexpensive way to treat my children to a vacation. Twenty-seven years later I am still a widow, am now a senior citizen who has semi-retired, and have three (3) children who have grown, work hard and are honest citizens. I still own my timeshare and it still provides a place for me to spend a vacation on Cape Cod. The only thing different is the new management/developer who has taken over the resort, who has denied me my rights as a deeded owner, who has charged me exorbitant fees and assessments, who has in the past and continues to break the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who has installed a marketing company that uses high pressure, deceitful selling tactics, and the only selling going on at the resort is a point system that requires deeded owners GIVE their deeded property to Festiva Adventure Club (FAC) and, adding insult to injury, require they pay better than $3,000 for FAC to take the deeds. That is the reason for the complaints I have filed with your office and the Federal Trade Commission.
My complaints along with those of numerous other owners and former owners (those people who fell prey to the strong-arm tactics and deceitful marketing ploys of Outfield Marketing) were sent to the CAC to attempt mediation on behalf of the owners. From the letter I received it appears that those efforts have failed. The cases have been returned to your office for further review. All the complaints are still valid as business is continuing as usual for these companies. They still refuse owners their rights, they are still collecting monies illegally assessed, and they demonstrate no regard for the deeded owners who have worked hard to purchase and maintain their individual interval units.
The Sandcastle Resort ownership is made up of everyday, hard working people who have had their share of struggles, problems and heartaches through the years. The resort has provided us a source of peace and solace. Most of us have owned for 25 or more years, have reached the time in our lives where we can retire or semi-retire and enjoy all we have worked hard for through the years. These companies have taken that away from all of us. Now we face bills that frighten us. Here we thought we would have a place to spend quiet times, to bring our children and now our grandchildren to Cape Cod, and now we find we have nothing but fear and stress in regard to our timeshare units.
I am asking that you and your staff please read carefully the complaints, letters and reports pertaining to the Sandcastle Resort and, also, the Southcape Resort. This is another resort of older people that has been taken over by these same companies. Laws have been and continue to be broken every day by these entities. There are better than 5,000 owners (between the Sandcastle and Southcape Resorts) that have had their lives disrupted and negatively impacted by the actions of a few greedy, self-serving individuals. I hope that you and your staff are able to get beyond the words on the papers and understand what is happening to citizens of Massachusetts, New England and other parts of the United States and Canada. It is a sad day we people, who have worked hard, paid our own way and want to enjoy what we have paid for, have to be exposed to and frightened by these people.
In addition I ask that you and your staff take into consideration the fact that Outfield Marketing, Festiva Resorts and Festiva Adventure Club have run afoul of Attorneys General in numerous other states and countries, and the complaints are the same throughout these resorts. There is a similar problem ongoing in Maine involving Festiva Resorts. Another thing to consider is that three (3) of the principals of Outfield Marketing make up 75% of each of the Boards of Trustees of both the Sandcastle and Southcape Resorts. These people were not voted in by owners and have denied the rights of owners to serve on the boards as provided by the deeds and trusts."
TimeSharing Today's advocacy efforts are raising awareness and action is being undertaken, but more work remains to be done to get sorely needed results. Please support our efforts and the courageous owners who trying to make a difference. Email comments to staff@tstoday.com Subject: Advocacy.[/QUOTE]
Well, all may not be that bad. Secretary of State Galvin may replace her. This is the same office that Cliff filed his reports with "under penalty of perjury" that included facts that mysteriously are being rewritten in subsequent filings. Maybe you want to send a copy of all the letters to his office as well? Here is the story about an ad he is running where
"A senior citizen speaks solemnly about being the victim of financial fraud before smiling brightly about how the state helped him get his money back. “I like to bring good news,” Secretary of State William F. Galvin chimes in, before identifying himself by name during his latest television commercial. “
http://www.news-spider.com/comments/1260860021
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Citizen Information Service
One Ashburton Place, Room 1611
Boston, MA 02108-1512
Tel: (617) 727-7030
Toll Free: 1-800-392-6090
TTY: (617) 878-3889
Fax: (617) 742-4528
E-mail: cis@sec.state.ma.us
Why not write his office as well, as it oversees non-profit filings in MA including NEVS and it's something he could hit the ground running with if he did become AG?
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ChrisH
newbie
Galvin Ads
You're right, we'll probably be better off with Martha running her campaign and being out of the office.
Maybe one of her underlings with some ambition can now move ahead with our complaints to make a name for him/herself in the hopes of gaining her office in the future.
And Galvin has had more ads, running nightly in the last few weeks, usually with the evening news, than I've seen from the SOS in years - so he's obviously going for the identity thing. Probably also in the hopes of running for the AG position too.
Hopefully this will be a benefit to US.
Chris
You're right, we'll probably be better off with Martha running her campaign and being out of the office.
Maybe one of her underlings with some ambition can now move ahead with our complaints to make a name for him/herself in the hopes of gaining her office in the future.
And Galvin has had more ads, running nightly in the last few weeks, usually with the evening news, than I've seen from the SOS in years - so he's obviously going for the identity thing. Probably also in the hopes of running for the AG position too.
Hopefully this will be a benefit to US.
Chris
a reporter from the Boston Globe contacted me today about this issue, it seemed she was going to do a story on it.
I hope this will end up with more exposure for the issue and helps the owners come to a satisfactory solution with the mgmt company.
I hope this will end up with more exposure for the issue and helps the owners come to a satisfactory solution with the mgmt company.
e.bram
Guest
This would be a major breakthrough. See if you can push it. Maybe broadcast media will pick it up.
Classylassy523
TUG Member
No help from the SOS
Contacted Secretary of State Galvin with an email and copy of letters previously sent to Cliff Hagberg and the Attorney General. The CIS responded within the day.
Quote:
"Unfortunately the Secretary doesn't have legal authority to interfere in another offices jurisdiction which unfortunately is the office you already have contacted.
You can call our office we'd be glad to explain why we are unable to assist your matter."
Can't win them all!
Contacted Secretary of State Galvin with an email and copy of letters previously sent to Cliff Hagberg and the Attorney General. The CIS responded within the day.
Quote:
"Unfortunately the Secretary doesn't have legal authority to interfere in another offices jurisdiction which unfortunately is the office you already have contacted.
You can call our office we'd be glad to explain why we are unable to assist your matter."
Can't win them all!
Sou13
newbie
Whosedis
newbie
Count me in!
Hi Everyone,
I got a voicemail message from someone who filled me in on what you are all doing...I think she said her name was Jean...in any event, she said there are about 200 or so members in your group and you have something on Google?
Can you tell me how to hook up with you so you can count me in the number of owners at Sandcastle who are angry. I feel like we are being "taken" by a shrewd group of associated companies who claim to be doing us a favor by taking our money. I am glad to see I am not alone. I don't know what information is okay to share on this site and I don't know how to find you on Google. I also do not know how to use this site or what thread I am responding to so please bear with me if I am in the wrong place.
Thanks,
Joyce from Vero Beach Florida
p.s. will you please call me again and let me know how to reach you (jean?)
Hi Everyone,
I got a voicemail message from someone who filled me in on what you are all doing...I think she said her name was Jean...in any event, she said there are about 200 or so members in your group and you have something on Google?
Can you tell me how to hook up with you so you can count me in the number of owners at Sandcastle who are angry. I feel like we are being "taken" by a shrewd group of associated companies who claim to be doing us a favor by taking our money. I am glad to see I am not alone. I don't know what information is okay to share on this site and I don't know how to find you on Google. I also do not know how to use this site or what thread I am responding to so please bear with me if I am in the wrong place.
Thanks,
Joyce from Vero Beach Florida
p.s. will you please call me again and let me know how to reach you (jean?)
rg16242
newbie
add me to the list!
I would like to submit my information to the list as well. Who can I contact?
Thanks,
Rich
I would like to submit my information to the list as well. Who can I contact?
Thanks,
Rich
ChrisH
newbie
Hi Rich
All taken care of. Welcome aboard.
Chris H
All taken care of. Welcome aboard.
Chris H
ChrisH
newbie
Boston Globe Article - about Sandcastle/NEVS
Hello
For those of you whom haven't seen it yet, yesterdays Boston Globe, business section has an article written by Jenifer McKim on some of the happenings at Sandcastle. She interviewed several owners as well as Cliff Hagberg.
Chris
Hello
For those of you whom haven't seen it yet, yesterdays Boston Globe, business section has an article written by Jenifer McKim on some of the happenings at Sandcastle. She interviewed several owners as well as Cliff Hagberg.
Chris
Sou13
newbie
More harm than good?
New owners, big changes has a slideshow and 38 comments, features not found in the print edition. It's free and recent archived articles are also free.
If nothing else, it might attract Sandcastle and Southcape owners to find us on TUG. But from the reader comments it may be doing more harm than good.
One comment was so bad it had to be removed by a moderator, but it was captured by a user who replied to it. The Globe may have netted a few new forums members by publishing this article. Let's hope for the best and be grateful that someone got the attention of a Gloge reporter at last.
New owners, big changes has a slideshow and 38 comments, features not found in the print edition. It's free and recent archived articles are also free.
If nothing else, it might attract Sandcastle and Southcape owners to find us on TUG. But from the reader comments it may be doing more harm than good.
One comment was so bad it had to be removed by a moderator, but it was captured by a user who replied to it. The Globe may have netted a few new forums members by publishing this article. Let's hope for the best and be grateful that someone got the attention of a Gloge reporter at last.
Carolinian
TUG Member
It's not about privacy at all. That dog doesn't hunt. It is about thumbing his nose at the clear provisions of state corporate law and stonewalling the owners so that they cannot organize and take back their resort from these pirates.