Wesley Financial

[RX8]

Just saw a Wesley Facebook ad. At TUG, we talk about three options timeshare owners have to be free of a timeshare:

1. Sell/give it away
2. Deedback if an option
3. Default/foreclose

Wesley Financial has their own three ways to cancel a timeshare and they are kindly sharing their huge secret that “the timeshare industry DOES NOT want you to know about”:

1. The rescission period
2. Sell it
3. An exit company

Wesley says this about selling your timeshare:

“The second way you can get rid of your timeshare is to try and sell it to someone else. In fact, the timeshare salespeople practically TOLD YOU it would be an investment and worth money so this should be a great way to get rid of timeshare...right? Well unfortunately, a simple search online reveals timeshares on sale for as little as $1... ...Yikes. Some people are even offering incentives to try and give it away. Because you see, the truth is: most people know that timeshare is a raw deal. After all, a salesman had to bribe and pressure you to attend in the first place...didn’t they?”

Wesley of course offers up the exit company as one of the three options but with a warning about all the other exit companies:

“But if you choose this route, be careful. There are shady timeshare exit companies out there who exist ONLY to dupe timeshare owners out of even more money... I know, it's truly sickening.”

To recap, Wesley doesn’t even mention using a deedback program as an option because they want to keep that cheap alternative to THEMSELVES so they can charge a timeshare owner thousands of dollars to use it. Wesley doesn’t mention default as an option either because they would rather collect thousands of dollars from a timeshare owner and then lead the owner to default. They also scare owners by implying that giving away a timeshare for free, or even adding an incentive to give it away, is a worse option than paying thousands of dollars to them for exit services because "most people know that timeshare is a raw deal".

Wesley is describing themselves when they say, "I know, it's truly sickening".

 

[ScoopKona]

think it's not real people but AI doing it,

Close.


Bots. It's easy to write a bot that monitors (for example) the Big Island travel groups. Any time someone posts, "Where should I eat," a bot responds:

You should definitely eat at Howlin' Howlie's on the Waterfront. They have the most onolicious fish dip. Hubby always orders the massive half-pound burgers. And it just wouldn't be right to leave there without a slice of the Island Guava Cake. Be sure to go on a Thursday and ask for Babs to be your server. She's just THE BEST! Mahalos and alohas.

Examples of the above can be found all over the Big Island travel groups. Not all at the same time. But even "Ask for Babs" (It's actually, Marsha, I think) pops up. And always at a specific tourist trap restaurant.

 

[zentraveler]

Close.


Bots. It's easy to write a bot that monitors (for example) the Big Island travel groups. Any time someone posts, "Where should I eat," a bot responds:

You should definitely eat at Howlin' Howlie's on the Waterfront. They have the most onolicious fish dip. Hubby always orders the massive half-pound burgers. And it just wouldn't be right to leave there without a slice of the Island Guava Cake. Be sure to go on a Thursday and ask for Babs to be your server. She's just THE BEST! Mahalos and alohas.

Examples of the above can be found all over the Big Island travel groups. Not all at the same time. But even "Ask for Babs" (It's actually, Marsha, I think) pops up. And always at a specific tourist trap restaurant.

I would never ask a question like that. Mine would go something like this otherwise you get tourist traps:

I will be staying in the Kona area but am willing to 15 miles north or south. I am interested in local restaurants who buy as much as they can of local produce and meat (not food bought at Costco). Does not need to be fine dining, just good food, and lunch is primarily what we are interested in. Please give suggestions with their website (skip ones using Facebook as their website) or days/hours of operation.

 

[jabberwocky]

I would never ask a question like that. Mine would go something like this otherwise you get tourist traps:

I will be staying in the Kona area but am willing to 15 miles north or south. I am interested in local restaurants who buy as much as they can of local produce and meat (not food bought at Costco). Does not need to be fine dining, just good food, and lunch is primarily what we are interested in. Please give suggestions with their website (skip ones using Facebook as their website) or days/hours of operation.

How’s this answer stack up?

Here are some solid suggestions for restaurants in the Kailua-Kona area (and within about 15 miles north or south) that emphasize local sourcing—using fresh Big Island produce, meats from local ranches (like grass-fed beef), seafood from nearby fishermen, and avoiding mass-market suppliers like Costco. These focus on good, quality food rather than ultra-fine dining, with lunch options where available. I’ve prioritized casual-to-midrange spots that highlight farm-to-table or island-sourced ingredients.

• Foster’s Kitchen (Kailua-Kona)
  A scratch kitchen that heavily features locally sourced ingredients, including fresh produce and island-raised items, in a casual setting with ocean views. Great for lunch with sandwiches, salads, and plates.
  Website: fosterskitchen.com
  Lunch typically available daily (hours often around 11am onward; check site for current).
• Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill (Kailua-Kona)
  Known for using fresh local fish, produce, and meats in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Menu includes burgers, salads, and seafood with island flair—solid lunch spot.
  Website: jackiereys.com
  Open for lunch daily.
• Huggo’s on the Rocks (Kailua-Kona, adjacent to Huggo’s)
  Casual beachside spot (toes-in-the-sand) with lighter fare like sandwiches, salads, and fresh local seafood/produce. They practice farm-to-table sourcing from local farmers and fishermen. Perfect for a relaxed lunch with ocean views.
  Website: huggos.com (covers the family of spots, including On the Rocks)
  Lunch served daily from around 11:30am.
• Journey Cafe Big Island (Kailua-Kona area)
  Casual, welcoming spot with a focus on fresh, organic, local farm ingredients (often plant-based/vegetarian options, but includes local produce-heavy dishes). Cozy vibe for lunch.
  Website: Check recent listings (often journeycafebigisland.com or similar; confirm via search).
  Lunch available.
• Ultimate Burger (Kailua-Kona)
  Casual spot using local grass-fed beef for excellent burgers and sandwiches—straightforward good food emphasizing island-raised meat. Quick and satisfying for lunch.
  Website: ultimateburger.net
  Open for lunch daily.

For more upscale but still approachable lunch (if you’re open to it), ‘ULU Ocean Grill at Four Seasons Hualalai (about 15-20 miles north, near the edge of your range) sources ~75% from Big Island farms/ranches/fishermen, but it’s more dinner-focused—lunch may be limited.

These spots support local producers and deliver tasty, fresh meals without being overly fancy. Check websites or call ahead for exact lunch hours, as they can vary seasonally. Enjoy your time in Kona!

 

[zentraveler]

How’s this answer stack up?

Here are some solid suggestions for restaurants in the Kailua-Kona area (and within about 15 miles north or south) that emphasize local sourcing—using fresh Big Island produce, meats from local ranches (like grass-fed beef), seafood from nearby fishermen, and avoiding mass-market suppliers like Costco. These focus on good, quality food rather than ultra-fine dining, with lunch options where available. I’ve prioritized casual-to-midrange spots that highlight farm-to-table or island-sourced ingredients.

• Foster’s Kitchen (Kailua-Kona)
  A scratch kitchen that heavily features locally sourced ingredients, including fresh produce and island-raised items, in a casual setting with ocean views. Great for lunch with sandwiches, salads, and plates.
  Website: fosterskitchen.com
  Lunch typically available daily (hours often around 11am onward; check site for current).
• Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill (Kailua-Kona)
  Known for using fresh local fish, produce, and meats in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Menu includes burgers, salads, and seafood with island flair—solid lunch spot.
  Website: jackiereys.com
  Open for lunch daily.
• Huggo’s on the Rocks (Kailua-Kona, adjacent to Huggo’s)
  Casual beachside spot (toes-in-the-sand) with lighter fare like sandwiches, salads, and fresh local seafood/produce. They practice farm-to-table sourcing from local farmers and fishermen. Perfect for a relaxed lunch with ocean views.
  Website: huggos.com (covers the family of spots, including On the Rocks)
  Lunch served daily from around 11:30am.
• Journey Cafe Big Island (Kailua-Kona area)
  Casual, welcoming spot with a focus on fresh, organic, local farm ingredients (often plant-based/vegetarian options, but includes local produce-heavy dishes). Cozy vibe for lunch.
  Website: Check recent listings (often journeycafebigisland.com or similar; confirm via search).
  Lunch available.
• Ultimate Burger (Kailua-Kona)
  Casual spot using local grass-fed beef for excellent burgers and sandwiches—straightforward good food emphasizing island-raised meat. Quick and satisfying for lunch.
  Website: ultimateburger.net
  Open for lunch daily.

For more upscale but still approachable lunch (if you’re open to it), ‘ULU Ocean Grill at Four Seasons Hualalai (about 15-20 miles north, near the edge of your range) sources ~75% from Big Island farms/ranches/fishermen, but it’s more dinner-focused—lunch may be limited.

These spots support local producers and deliver tasty, fresh meals without being overly fancy. Check websites or call ahead for exact lunch hours, as they can vary seasonally. Enjoy your time in Kona!

Very nicely. I forgot to add in that post that TUG is always my first stop for queries like that. Tuggers will always be better than AI