Sheraton Vistana Resort Special Assessment[MERGED]

[gumbert 2]

what I meant to type was they COULDN'T bill us until it was finalized , seems like the Fla board is getting the same runaround that the owners are.

 

[marijalas]

Legalities

I received a call from the Florida Bureau of Compliance, a Mr. Kassoo, Investigator. Essentially he told me that Starwood is in compliance with Florida law and timeshare. We are in the same situation as are people who own condo's. He also gave the contact information for Orange County Bar Association re timeshare lawyers--1-800-342-1102 or 1-407-422-4537. Whether anything can be done via this route is questionable since Starwood is in compliance. Of course one needs to know if this would be on a contingency basis. A class action suit can be done at any time, even if we pay (and we must) the assessment fees. Certainly changes need to be made in the structure, but again, at what cost to owners who are already saddled with assessment fees.
I have also checked into other areas that need to be questioned:
1.The year 2020 vote to maintain as a timeshare or as a fixed vacation time (for those others who have not gone into the Starwood points system) . Starwood cannot change our fixed weeks, we own them.
2. If people opt out from paying the assessment fees and walk away or "give it back" how the costs will be absorbed by those owners who remain.
3. I did not realize and had assumed that the Board of Directors were also owners, that may not be the case, since the ine "book" it states that they do not have to be.
4. For those who will be brought into the Starwood system, what are the charges for the conversion?
At my request, Starwood has sent me information on Vistana Condominium Association "Book", refurbishment documaentation, Board Meetings minutes for 06,07,08 and other documentation. I have read through it to the best of my ability and right now see no alternatives to a) paying or b) not paying and losing the timeshare.

 

[timeos2]

If they are within the law and the rules you pay

At my request, Starwood has sent me information on Vistana Condominium Association "Book", refurbishment documaentation, Board Meetings minutes for 06,07,08 and other documentation. I have read through it to the best of my ability and right now see no alternatives to a) paying or b) not paying and losing the timeshare.

No surprise at your conclusion. It was highly unlikely a professional, experienced group like Starwood would not follow the rules to the letter. While owners can always choose to go head to head with a legal challenge anyway the cost/benefit just isn't going to be there especially since the chance of losing any challenge is very high.

 

[Morrisons41]

Vistana [Courts] Starwood Vacations at Lake Buena Florida

The Courts
I would like to ask anyone who owns at The Courts Vistana Resort what their opinion is on being asked for a large refurbishment fee for each week owned. After all we pay maintenance but this year they are trying to get us to pay for a refurbishment also. We thought that the maintenance should cover this.

 

[Captron]

FYI: The courts section is the oldest section of the resort. Those units and the tennis courts/main clubhouse and boring rectangular pool is a tennis camp originally on the property that went bankrupt and was subsequently bought by Vistana to start the whole resort.

Your history lesson for today.

 

[Sauna lover]

We have owned a townhouse week in the Courts since 1982. We paid around $7,000. In all these years we were never late with a maintenance fee. We assumed that the fee took care of all future refurbishment needs. The fee is now almost $900. What a shock it was to receive our notice of a $2,600 refurbishment assessment. When we bought the timeshare, the Vistana developer was up front about the fact that they were making a lot of money, that we should not consider it a real estate investment, and that we were really purchasing a guaranteed affordable vacation week at the Courts or anywhere in the world through RCI. After a few years using our week at the Courts, we began RCI exchanges. RCI was a big disappointment. Nothing we wanted was ever available. Occasionally, something good would become available at the last minute for an extra fee. We have decided not to pay our maintenace fee due in a couple of weeks. We will also not pay any of the refurbishment assessment. The $7,000 we paid originally comes to about $250/year. We'll leave at that. We are now in our late 70s and on a fixed income. They can have our week!

 

[LisaRex]

Sauna lover, I certainly understand your disappointment. And I don't blame you. I'm sure Vistana is in for a big surprise in the near future because I'm sure you're not the only one who plans to simply walk away rather than pay this ridiculously overpriced SA. However, I'm not sure of the repercussions of just walking away. I'd hate for your credit rating to take a hit (though I hope at your age you don't need credit.) or for you to be harrassed by bill collectors.

Besides, I believe that the HOAs, not Starwood, will have to absorb the cost of non-payers, so it's the remaining Owners who will get hurt. Starwood won't feel any pain.

Perhaps, instead of walking away, you can offer it up for free to anyone who's willing to pay for the transfer and take on the special assessment and MFs. Or, alternately, perhaps you can book somewhere else in the Starwood network (Westin St. John or Hawaii) using your StarOptions and then offering it up for rent for $2600. ($2600 for a week in Hawaii isn't a bad deal.)

In any event, no matter what you do, I just want to say good luck to you. I feel badly for all owners who are put in this predicament.

 

[Sauna lover]

It seems to me that Vistana would be happy to get our week for nothing. They can just turn around and sell it like they first sold it to us, for a big price.
They can use some of their new profit to offset the $2,600 SA they don't get from us.
At this point, we will be willing to risk damage to our credit rating. What more can they do to us and all the others like us?
We certainly don't want to hurt other owners, but it seems to me that they are co-victims with us, with Vistana as the perpetrator.

 

[DeniseM]

It seems to me that Vistana would be happy to get our week for nothing. They can just turn around and sell it like they first sold it to us, for a big price.
They can use some of their new profit to offset the $2,600 SA they don't get from us.
At this point, we will be willing to risk damage to our credit rating. What more can they do to us and all the others like us?
We certainly don't want to hurt other owners, but it seems to me that they are co-victims with us, with Vistana as the perpetrator.

In this market timeshare sales are way down. They would much rather have your maintenance fee, than your unit back. If they get the unit back, 1) They have to resale it, and 2) they have to cover the MF.

I agree with Lisa, instead of putting yourself in a precarious credit situation, consider selling it for $1, and getting rid of it. There is a board right here on TUG where you can do that. If you click on Classified Ads, in the red bar at the top of the page, and follow the directions to post an Ad, you can list it for free. If you list it for $1, it will automatically go on the "Bargain Basement Board." To get rid of it quicker, you might consider offering to pay the closing costs and stipulate that the new owner pays the MF and assessment.

There are other internet boards where you can advertise it for cheap or free, let us know if you need more info.

Good luck!

 

[LisaRex]

Just wanted to say that I saw sauna lover's ad on Tug. Good luck!!!

 

[Sauna lover]

How do you rate GBT Consultants?

We are considering working with GiveBackTimeshare, a division of Strategis, with offices in Orlando, to be rid of our timeshare. I checked with BBB and Strategis has only a C+ rating. What does anyone klnow about GBT Consultants?

 

[trader14]

We are considering working with GiveBackTimeshare, a division of Strategis, with offices in Orlando, to be rid of our timeshare. I checked with BBB and Strategis has only a C+ rating. What does anyone klnow about GBT Consultants?

google is your friend: I can't vouch for the accuracy but did see this http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/396/RipOff0396649.htm

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/396/RipOff0396649.htm

In trying to find a place to sell my timeshare, I came across givebacktimeshare.com - Everywhere on their website says free, but then I get the email below.... Lucky I didnt fall victim!

From: kerry.gutierrez@givebacktimeshare.com [mailto:kerry.gutierrez@givebacktimeshare.com]
Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 8:02 AM
To: Lisa L
Subject: Monarch Grand Vacations and Pueblo Bonito Rose

Good morning Lisa,

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I have good news regarding your Monarch Grand Vacations and Pueblo Bonito Rose timeshares. We are currently accepting your timeshares in our inventory. Here is how we can assist you with their timeshares. We will transfer the timeshares out of your names and into our name.

To do so, we use Timeshare Closing Services, Inc. for the transfer of the title and Escrow services. They are a licensed, bonded, and insured title company who has transferred over 60,000 properties. The title transfer process will take approximately 90-120 days. Here is a link to their site: www.TimeshareClosingServices.com.

Services handled by the title agency are as follows:

- Estoppel Verification with the Resort – (Confirms ownership and verifies all fees are current)
- Preparation of all documents to transfer ownership out of your name and into our name
- Prepaid Delivery of documents
- County Deed Recording fees (if applicable)
- Delivery of Documents to the resort for acknowledgement of transfer
- A Copy of all Documents delivered to you for your records
- Escrow Services until Resort acknowledgement of transfer

Keep in mind, we are not a listing company and do not charge an upfront fee. Listing companies are at most times a scam where they promise to sell your timeshare at an unrealistic price and charge you an upfront fee to do so. After you pay the listing company the upfront fee, they take your money and you never hear from them again.

Our services are 100% guaranteed.

The only cost to would be $1995 per week, which includes the title agency's closing costs, resort transfer fees, deed recording fees and holding costs. All funds will be held in an escrow account with Timeshare Closing Services, Inc. until the resort has confirmed that you are no longer the owners. You will never have to pay another maintenance fee again. We will take over your liabilities forever.

We can get started on the transfer of title right away. I can email an agreement to you, which spells out everything explained here and shows that your funds are 100% guaranteed. We offer a guaranteed transfer of ownership. Feel free to contact me anytime with questions or concerns at 407-956-3638 or toll free at 877-333-6504 ext. 3638. Thank you and I look forward to working with you.

Best regards,
Kerry Gutierrez
Senior Consultant
Givebacktimeshare.com
_________________________________________________________
Here is my response:
What sounds like a scam is this. $1995 per week! I feel sorry for the people who fall for it, because that is a lot of money! There are no “deed recordings", etc necessary – believe me – I have done my research! My cost is $100 to transfer through my timeshare company to a new owner. I read about you on Rip off Report, and now I know what that person said is true.

Please do not contact me again.
_______________________________________________________

If you just want out of your timeshare and it is paid for, you can write your timeshare company a letter telling them that you would like to reliquish ownership b/c you cant afford to pay the maintenence dues. OR, you can 'gift' it to someone so they can have the timeshare and take over the maintenance dues by contacting your timeshare directly -- for only $100.

If it is not paid for, you still have options! Contact your timeshare and just talk to them.

Scams are everywhere - dont become a victim.
Best Wishes,
Lisa L --- just a caring individual

Lisa l
Corona, California
U.S.A.

 

[Sauna lover]

Timeshare Relief, Inc.?

GBT Consultants referred us to Timeshare Relief, Inc, who have offered to take our Vistana week off our hands forever for what seems a very large fee. Who knows anything about this company? Is it true that a deeded timeshare's obligations never end, and that our children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren will forever be stuck with it?

 

[AwayWeGo]

Stuck Is In The Eye Of The Beholder.

GBT Consultants referred us to Timeshare Relief, Inc, who have offered to take our Vistana week off our hands forever for what seems a very large fee. Who knows anything about this company? Is it true that a deeded timeshare's obligations never end, and that our children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren will forever be stuck with it?

See if any parts of this hypothetical Nightmare Scenario apply to your situation.

Children & grandchildren & great-grandchildren may be "stuck" with an inherited timeshare if it's no good -- because whoever owns it is responsible for paying the ongoing mandatory fees year after year.

But if the heirs know how to use their timeshare(s) advantageously for outstanding vacations, then they're getting value for money & aren't exactly "stuck."

Even though buying timeshares is lots easier than selling'm, people who are finished with their timeshares can find ways to transfer ownership to others (via sale or gift) without falling prey to the various "solution" & "relief" companies lying in wait out there in Scam City.

Hang in there.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[CeeWoo]

Since I don't want to burden any family/friends, I might will it to someone I don't like (like maybe a board member )

 

[James1975NY]

Does anyone have the specifics of the Springs section rehab?

I understand the cost per week is $1626 but what is the payment schedule?

 

[nodge]

Hi James,

Check out page 6 of this brochure for the answers you seek.

If you still have questions, check out this list of FAQ's provided by SVO.

If you have the time, maybe you can ask your former co-workers at SVO how "paint" for a 1200 square foot remodel can cost $4,018/villa. (Is SVO paying its lawyers $400/hour to paint its villas? . . . which still wouldn't explain that quote because even a lawyer could paint 1200 square feet in under 10 hours . . .. Maybe SVO has commissioned an artist to create original works of art in each unit -- and the artist/painter just happens to be the wife of an SVO executive? I would think there would be a little more detail on how these numbers were achieved, and what bidding process was followed, etc., but that's just me.)

Enjoy!
-nodge

 

[tlpnet]

Does anyone have the specifics of the Springs section rehab?

I understand the cost per week is $1626 but what is the payment schedule?

I think you're getting the $1,626 from another section. My notes are that the Springs SA is $1,317, the first installment of $658.53 paid April last year and $658.53 due April this year. You just made me realize that I haven't yet received the April-09 billing, and it's not showing as due yet at MSC. I wonder if they will adjust it based on actuals as the work is currently progressing.

-tim

 

[James1975NY]

Hi James,

Check out page 6 of this brochure for the answers you seek.

If you still have questions, check out this list of FAQ's provided by SVO.

If you have the time, maybe you can ask your former co-workers at SVO how "paint" for a 1200 square foot remodel can cost $4,018/villa. (Is SVO paying its lawyers $400/hour to paint its villas? . . . which still wouldn't explain that quote because even a lawyer could paint 1200 square feet in under 10 hours . . .. Maybe SVO has commissioned an artist to create original works of art in each unit -- and the artist/painter just happens to be the wife of an SVO executive? I would think there would be a little more detail on how these numbers were achieved, and what bidding process was followed, etc., but that's just me.)

Enjoy!
-nodge

I have to say - an extremely resourceful group here!!

Thank you much Nodge!

I am not going to touch the question on the paint

 

[nodge]

I am not going to touch the question on the paint

Wise man.

Do you think the high "paint" expense is for those two pineapple paintings in the bedroom (on page 7 of the brochure)? Who knows, maybe after painting several thousand of them, the SVO exec wives could develop enough skill to work their way up to painting pictures of grapefruits and . . . dare I say it . . . oranges.

I digress, and maybe I’m just crankier than normal lately, but has anyone else been getting invitations to “jewelry parties?" From my experience, they tend to work like this. Basically, someone you hardly know, that you caught turning on their heel in order to avoid talking to you once a couple of years ago and who usually has a kid in one of your kid’s classes and you're fairly sure that kid had a birthday party a few weeks ago that your kid didn’t get invited to, so you want to improve that situation if you can, buys a bunch of cheap beads and fishing line and strings them all together into a giant mess (aka “jewelry”) and then “invites” you to their “party” where you are supposed to be happy to buy one or two of their “works” from them to the tune of $250 to $500 a pop.

Maybe those pineapple paintings are somebody’s “work” from the Orlando equivalent of a “jewelry party,” and a SVO exec was lucky enough to get VR owners to pay his tab.

-nodge

Oh yeah. On a completely unrelated note, I have some lovely beaded jewelry available for sale if anyone is interested. No wait! Maybe I'll thow a "party!" Bring your checkbooks!

 

[LisaRex]

From Nodge's link:

What is the breakdown of the cost per villa?
The refurbishment cost for each villa will be approximately $67,170.

Kitchen $289*
Cabinets/countertops - $13,575
Master bedroom/bathroom* – $8,004
Guest bedroom/bathroom* – $4,155
Dining room – $4,134
Living room – $12,040
Patio/balcony – $784
Tile flooring – $5,245
Paint – $4,018
Demolition/renovation - $7,859
Stairwell improvements – $2,500
Other/contingency – $9,023

* This estimate is for furniture, fixtures and equipment only. Reserves will be used to offset the refurbishment cost by $4,456 per villa.

***

Wow.

Nearly $8,000 to demolish a 1200 square foot villa. Ha ha ha ha!
$5000 to tile approximately 800 square feet?
$4000 for a dining room table, chairs, and lighting (because the tile and paint are itemized separately).
$4000 for PAINT????
$9000 or 14% of the budget for "other/contingency" Is that a fancy way of saying "Lining our pockets"?

It is very evident that the Owners are getting their eyeballs ripped out. With as many units as they are refurbishing, Owners should be getting a very nice contractor's discount on materials and paying competitive rates for labor. Instead, it appears that *someone* is making a killer profit from this project.

Take note, Starwood: When people are backed into a corner, they fight.

 

[Robert D]

My guess is that Starwood is getting some kind of administrative fee that is a % of the cost of the refurb, so the more they spend, the more they make!