Still considered Westgate "owner" if exchanging through II?

[BKViking]

We own in Westgate Vacation Villas. This year, we exchanged our unit through II and are occuping Westgate Lakes because our week was expiring.

I know when we have stayed in our own unit there were a lot of "owners perks" - free breakfasts, parties with fee food, etc. at WGV.

I think I used to know the answer to this, but when we stay in Westgate Lakes this year, will we be considered "owners" - again the exchange was done through II.

 

[dakotakid]

It's been awhile since we have done the same thing (we've owned at the Lakes and now at Town Center) but we had no problem. I don't remember if there is a owner's card that Westgate gives you but believe me, they will know you are one when they come talk to you about upgrading!

 

[BKViking]

It's been awhile since we have done the same thing (we've owned at the Lakes and now at Town Center) but we had no problem. I don't remember if there is a owner's card that Westgate gives you but believe me, they will know you are one when they come talk to you about upgrading!

Thanks for your reply!

Yeah, I'm going to tell them no upgrade talk - don't waste our vacation time. The first few years they made us sit through long talks and we said no, and it was ok. Last year when we stayed at our own resort (WGV ... stayed a different week than ours, but transferred through Westgate internally), they didn't even ask to meet with us. Go figure.

I *think* we have a "Westgate" owner card around somewhere ... but I'll have to really look. I'm pretty sure I kept keycards from previous years that say we are owners ... lol.

Anyone else know?

Obviously, I'll call Westgate for a definitive answer, but was hoping to avoid some runaround ... and get "actual" experiences ....

 

[JLB]

I guess you've missed my Wastegate stories.

When we were owners, and stayed through an RCI bonus week, they did not recognize us as owners. We were lowlife, scumsucking, uninformed doofus outsider RCI riff-raff trash, and we were treated as such.

That was the beginning of the end for us, the time we realized how much we disliked those people and the things they were trained to do.

Good luck, it can't be any worse than it was for us.

 

[BKViking]

I guess you've missed my Wastegate stories.

When we were owners, and stayed through an RCI bonus week, they did not recognize us as owners. We were lowlife, scumsucking, uninformed doofus outsider RCI riff-raff trash, and we were treated as such.

That was the beginning of the end for us, the time we realized how much we disliked those people and the things they were trained to do.

Good luck, it can't be any worse than it was for us.

Thanks for your reply! Very informative.

I'm wondering if we'll be any different, since we're not using a "bonus" week, but rather the Westgate week we owned and deposited ... and I have the transfer document from II to show what was transferred.

I remember when we stayed last year hearing a woman speaking to a customer service rep about this issue, and it seemed like he was going to help her .... but I'm not sure what the result was ... or if it required her to go through a "short presentation" about what ownership means, and how hers could be improved.

 

[JLB]

Even if they don't recognize you as one of their own, they will recognize you as II. They hold a special hateful place in their hearts for RCI. They hold a grudge at least as long as I do.

 

[djs]

They tried giving me a guilt trip when I exchanged there but had no interest in buying. I believe the line they gave me was "Hey, we DID you a favor by allowing you to exchange into this beautiful resort." Um, yeah about as much of a favor as they do when they say "sure, we charge 15% on our financing, but when you get home you can go to your bank and refinance it for something like 6%." Fortunately, I wasn't born yesterday....or the day before for that matter.

 

[JLB]

OTOH, II folks are targets, too, uninformed heathens needing to be converted. For that matter, so are owners (targets), needing to be shown the truth, the need for more weeks.

But, since you know, you can deal with it, Nancy Reagan-style. Just say NO.

 

[spiceycat]

you know I think I would rather go with anything else but Westgate.

even when you say not interested - they still bug the heck out of you.

just never answer the phone. bring your cell phone for your family.

I really them - especially since I almost sold my westgate twice and westgate put up enough blocks that the people left.....

 

[Pit]

just never answer the phone. bring your cell phone for your family.

For that matter, simply unplug the phone cord from the wall. No need to be annoyed by the ringing.

 

[BKViking]

For that matter, simply unplug the phone cord from the wall. No need to be annoyed by the ringing.

I always just answer in a fake non-Spanish foreign accent. There's too many Spanish speakers there (not saying there is a problem with Hispanics ... mind you ... just saying too many so I shouldn't fake a Spanish accent and then get caught) so can't go with that, but otherwise, if they can't understand me, they've hung up.

 

[JLB]

Careful what you say folks. Some Wastegate owners get a little ruffled when we tell it like it is.

This talk about not answering the telephone has me laughing, as I give specific instructions to my extended family not to answer it and not call on it (at OLCC), and then, it is usually me who answers it, expecting a call from someone else, and it is marketing.

The last time that happened at OLCC, I answered the phone because I thought it was chicklet calling, so I told them the folks who had the unit were not there, that I hadn't seen them all day, that I thought they went to Disney. I told them they picked me up, and a bunch of other folks, on 192 last night and we have been partying ever since. :whoopie:

The lady didn't miss a beat. She said that was OK, $50 each for whoever comes on the tour! :hysterical:

 

[talkamotta]

Thanks for your reply! Very informative.

I'm wondering if we'll be any different, since we're not using a "bonus" week, but rather the Westgate week we owned and deposited ... and I have the transfer document from II to show what was transferred.

I remember when we stayed last year hearing a woman speaking to a customer service rep about this issue, and it seemed like he was going to help her .... but I'm not sure what the result was ... or if it required her to go through a "short presentation" about what ownership means, and how hers could be improved.

I have used my Westgate Vacation Villas to trade into other Westgates and used other resorts to trade into Westgate. Never had any problem.

 

[BKViking]

...
The lady didn't miss a beat. She said that was OK, $50 each for whoever comes on the tour! :hysterical:

Somehow, you kind of have to respect that.

 

[BKViking]

I have used my Westgate Vacation Villas to trade into other Westgates and used other resorts to trade into Westgate. Never had any problem.

talkamotta - do you mean when you've used a Westgate Vacation Villa to trade with II into another Westgate resort, they've still treated you like an "owner" during your stay?

 

[JLB]

Here's the deal.

Que sera, sera! (Or, in Ozark-American, Kay Sarah Sarah. )

You will be treated however you will be treated.

The fact that some of us report that we were treated poorly, repeatedly, with a holier-than-thou attitude, from Wastegate staff, and a few owners contradict that, will not change how you will be treated. A few owners almost always show up to report how much they like their resort, any resort.

Nothing we say here will change how others have been treated or how you will be treated.

The point is, you are forewarned, and will know what is going on (whatever it is) when you arrive.

 

[geneticblend]

We stayed at the Westgate Lakes and attended two (I think it was two) breakfasts at poolside. We are not owners there, and we were treated fine.

 

[BKViking]

Maybe "treated" is the wrong word.

I've almost always been treated by management during our Westgate stays ok; but I have had some issues with sales and reservations ...

Anyway, of course I'll be treated as I will be treated, and thats that. But I don't want to know how will I be "treated".

My real question is will I be "considered" an "owner" - that is, not will the staff be rude, but can I play minigolf with my family for free since I am a Westgate owner, even if I don't own at that particular resort. Can I attend the "owners" breakfasts, bbq, parties, etc. .... I think a couple of people have answered this question to the positive. I'll post something after my stay.

Thanks everyone!

 

[JLB]

How about tell them you are and you want to do those things?

The bottom line is that, yes, they do understand motivation, primarily fear of loss. They do like outsiders to see the VIP treatment that owners get, so that the outsiders will want to sit over there on the other side of the planters.

TUG friends stayed at Branson Yacht Club awhile back, they were invited to the preview dinner/show at WG Branson Woods, not stuff at Stonebridge. I heard from them last week and they said something about that, but I see I did not save it.

My real question is will I be "considered" an "owner" - that is, not will the staff be rude, but can I play minigolf with my family for free since I am a Westgate owner, even if I don't own at that particular resort. Can I attend the "owners" breakfasts, bbq, parties, etc. .... I think a couple of people have answered this question to the positive. I'll post something after my stay.

Thanks everyone!

 

[talkamotta]

talkamotta - do you mean when you've used a Westgate Vacation Villa to trade with II into another Westgate resort, they've still treated you like an "owner" during your stay?

Sorry this is so late, but yes even if I stayed at Westgate Park City or Westgate Vegas I was treated like an owner. One time at Westgate Park City they put me into a nicer unit....Dont know if they would have done that even if I hadnt been a Westgate owner but I got the unit with the loft and the hot tub off my unit. It was the nicest unit I have ever stayed in, had everything. I think if something nicer is available they would do it for an owner?????? Im giving them the benefit of doubt.

There are some real nice things about Westgate. This is my personal experience. The customer service was exceptionally good the last time I was there. They catered to me and my family's need for extra pans, high chairs and a problem with the dryer exceptionally fast. The units have always been clean and above average maintaince for my unit. The disadvantages is the sales staff is very aggressive and the new rule of exchanging and giving you a lesser value in thier rules that wasnt part of the original agreement downright sucks. So if you know these things you dont trade your unit into II and you dont talk to the sales staff unless you want to bring a list of resale listing from ebay. Personally, I dont talk to the sales staff and I am in the process of messing with them on thier trading value procedures.

 

[wcfr1]

We own in Westgate Vacation Villas. This year, we exchanged our unit through II and are occuping Westgate Lakes because our week was expiring.

I know when we have stayed in our own unit there were a lot of "owners perks" - free breakfasts, parties with fee food, etc. at WGV.

I think I used to know the answer to this, but when we stay in Westgate Lakes this year, will we be considered "owners" - again the exchange was done through II.

I too have done this a few times. You are an owner even if you just stopped by for the day. Be sure to mention that to your rep who takes you to your room. If you can't find your blue owners card call for a new one. You should have it in a few days. Enjoy!

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Westgate Town Center

.


I stayed at the Westgate Town Center a few years ago via an Interval International trade.

I am not an owner there, and I can remember thinking at the time that someone would contact me at some point and harass me to attend a sales pitch.

Well, the whole week passed and I never did hear from anyone, so I guess I lucked out! And I was treated well all week.

It wasn't until very recently that I realized that the guy who took me to the unit on the day of arrival was really a sales rep. (in disguise as the guy to just to help me with my bags).

No complaints about the place or the unit itself.


.

 

[frenchieinme]

The answer to the original question is...

YES!!! No matter where you go in the Westgate resort holdings, you are an owner and all applicable discounts apply. When we (Westgate lakes owners) went to Gatlinburg, we were well received as Westgate resort owners. My wife wanted a disposable camera so we went to the gift shop, showed my owner's card and we were given a 20% discount.

As an owner you are welcomed to use the facilities of any Westgate resort. Even though the CEO is not Mr. Clean when it comes to a recent court appearance, it does not affect your standing as a westgate owner with its accompanying perks. An owner in one = an owner in all with its perks.

frenchieinme