Smoky Mtn Owner Update “The System”

[moore_stan]

Went to a “owner update” today at Great Smokies Lodge and was told my MF are expected to rise 29.88%. Own at the old Smoky Mountain resort. Bought resale about 15 years ago. He said Travel and Leisure bought Club Wyndham and 97% of resale owner swapped to the “new system” and now only 3% remain in the “old system.”

My cost are expected to rise tremendously compared to the “new system.” Same resort. So I am going to be paying a higher MF than an exact same owner at the exact same location/points, based off my system, and only my system.

This is because they still have to maintain both systems, but only 3% are left to maintain the “old system” (website, etc).

Of course, it was no cost to me if I swapped today. Anyone heard this?

Then, he wanted me to sign a paper stamped declined, which I have never done. I did not sign it.

 

[northovr]

Wow you didn't take advantage that was the last and final offer now your probably will pay more that 29.88 percent higher MF it probably will go up 400 percent in the old system compare to the new system. At my next meeting at SML I want that guy I will laugh so hard and then get mad for making something up so unbelievable. Sad part is some people believe it.

Daniel

 

[steve_solo]

I was at Smoky Mountain update today as well.
Manager wanted me to apply to convert my old Gold UDI account to a new "trust" account. aka Access.
He said it would take up to 45 days to see if they would do it and how much it would cost and or save me.
I would need to apply to get the ruling. That is a new scheme I have not seen.
When he said my old grandfather Gold would not follow I told them thanks but no thanks. We are done.
Interesting candid comment today when I told sales person my old UDI is not worth anything and why would wyndham even want it back?
The person said there is no shortage of uniformed buyers coming in every day.
What a business!

 

[JerseyDeb]

I got the same story at an update at a different location a few weeks ago. For the low price of $20K they could fix my account so my maintenance fees would not rise by $250,000 over the next 20 years. Wyndham was offering this one time fix for us legacy owners. I have developer points I stupidly bought before I discovered TUG. So I said why should I have to fix something you folks sold me a few years ago just because you bought Travel and Leisure?

Salesman could not believe I wouldn't spend $20K to save $250K! I guess I am just dumb. Left with a gift after a hard pass.

 

[chapjim]

29.88% Precision prevarication!

Heckuva deal!

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

My cost are expected to rise tremendously compared to the “new system.”

Lies lies lies lies lies. He’s lying lying lying lying lying. The only possible kernel of truth here is if Smokies Lodge fees are expected to rise more than the average fees of all other resorts in the CWA trust, however if you’re really worried about that, then the solution would be to ditch your Great Smokies Lodge contract and buy CWA points (or another cheaper resort) for nearly free on ebay. The solution is certainly NOT to buy retail from the resort something that you can get for nearly free.

 

[carlbarry]

I have a whopping 49,000 points, bought resale in 2007. I pay now about $500 per year MF.
A few years ago I went to an owners update, and the sales weasel told me that unless I bought more points, Wyndham was going to raise my MF to $2000 per year very soon.
My response was, "OK. At my age, I'll just give back the timeshare to Wyndham if they do that."
By the way, I've also been told by a sales weasel that if I buy more points, I won't have to pay MF at all.

 

[VAlegacy]

Checked in to smokies lodge yesterday, was directed to concierge like normal. Was told they don't do updates, just "surveys" - lol.
Said no, they kept talking. I said "have a nice day" and just walked away.
Concierge didn't program bracelets, went to check in desk later and they did.

 

[steve_solo]

At Smokies last week I noticed the check-in desk is completely disconnected from the concierge.
I checked in while wife stayed in car. But I had booked in her name. I told them she was in car and they said no worries and checked us in.
At the concierge desk I told them she didn't come at all so I could go to the presentation and laugh at them.
It worked. The sales person asked several times if wife came along. Answer was nope.
Couple hundred bucks to us and wife got to sleep in.

 

[pedro47]

I have a whopping 49,000 points, bought resale in 2007. I pay now about $500 per year MF.
A few years ago I went to an owners update, and the sales weasel told me that unless I bought more points, Wyndham was going to raise my MF to $2000 per year very soon.
My response was, "OK. At my age, I'll just give back the timeshare to Wyndham if they do that."
By the way, I've also been told by a sales weasel that if I buy more points, I won't have to pay MF at all.

Wow. That was a great way to treat a guest. That just lost one future sale IMHO.