Westgate Exchanges

[brown2003]

I am looking to buy another timeshare week and a friend recommended Westgate Branson Woods. In researching the resort, I called Westgate to ascertain how exchanges were processed. I was told that you do not own a particular week but a season which is the case with other resorts. However, unlike the Marriott I own, you do not reserve a particular week in your season in order to use as an exchange with Interval International and all deposits with II are handled by Westgate. This is where the confusion starts. If you do not reserve a particular week and Westgate supposedly deposits a “season” with II, how does II value that exchange? As everyone is aware, not all weeks are equal once they enter the II system. What are your chances of getting a difficult exchange if all Westgate does is deposit a season? Any Westgate owner that can provide clarification will be greatly appreciated.

 

[dougp26364]

I am looking to buy another timeshare week and a friend recommended Westgate Branson Woods. In researching the resort, I called Westgate to ascertain how exchanges were processed. I was told that you do not own a particular week but a season which is the case with other resorts. However, unlike the Marriott I own, you do not reserve a particular week in your season in order to use as an exchange with Interval International and all deposits with II are handled by Westgate. This is where the confusion starts. If you do not reserve a particular week and Westgate supposedly deposits a “season” with II, how does II value that exchange? As everyone is aware, not all weeks are equal once they enter the II system. What are your chances of getting a difficult exchange if all Westgate does is deposit a season? Any Westgate owner that can provide clarification will be greatly appreciated.

Exactly how this works with Westgate I'm not certain. If you're given a spefic week, you could get some really bad exchange power. On the other hand it gives owener at each particular resort the best shot for the most popular weeks. So, IMO, buy Westgate ONLY if you intend to use the resort you buy at. Westgate for exchange purposes isn't as good as other sytems.

For that matter it's my opinion that your friend has given you some exceptionally bad advice to buy into Westgate. Westgate is widely regarded as one of the worst of the worst companies to do business with among timeshare owners. They have some nice resorts in some good locaitons but Westgate is not known as a company that is owner friendly.

Westgate Brason Woods is a nice resort and I have pictures from our stay there last July at my Webshots page. The link is in my signature below. However, there is no insultation in the walls or ceilings of the four plexes and neighbor noise was a major issue during our stay. The fourplexes at Branson Woods were not built by Westgate. Branson Woods is a resort that was taken over by Westgate when the original developer, Grandvista, decided to get out of timeshare developement in Branson and concentrate on other projects. The only thing at Branson Woods that Westgate has built is a rather ugly tower that, IMO, doesn't fit with the architecture originally developed by Grandvista.

Westgate is also pretty good about breaking promises. They were suppose to build an indoor waterpark and had been promising this to prospective owners in the sales persentation for a couple of years before the project was changed and then apparently dropped all together. It is not a company I would choose to do business with based on the complaints I've read on these forums over the years.

 

[JLB]

As Wastegate owners for many years, I am guessing the all II and nothing but II crap they fed you is just that.

If the former Grandvista Emerald Point, an RCI-affiliated resort, is like all other resorts that have been sold to a company favoring II, resales can likely be exchanged through RCI. My educated guess is that only new sales are restricted to II only, but even they may be dual-affiliated.

It is still listed as an II resort, as are the other two Wastegate-purchased Grandvista resorts in the Branson area.

Do not believe what Wastegate tells you about anything, because without verification from a credible source, you cannot separate fact from fiction.

But I could be wrong.

Nah.
- - - - - -
On the other hand, Wastegate so disrespects RCI, and vice versa that they are not a favorite of RCI. They are favored by II.

In the Branson area we have a plethora of nice resorts, most of the RCI resorts being Gold Crowns. When the three resorts Wastegate bought were owned by Grandvista, they were Gold Crowns. Now the same resorts with the same amenities, are no longer Gold Crowns.

They are still just as nice as they were before and just as nice as other Branson resorts that are rated Gold Crown--nicer than some of them.

Some folks just have a way of rubbing some other folks the wrong way. Some are better at doing that than others. Some have gotten what they have by doing that regularly.

Whether Wastegate Branson weeks deposited with RCI will get a fair shake is another question.

 

[brown2003]

JLB:

It is clear you have some concerns with Westgate. However, as a long time owner, could you explain how exchanges work? I am going to assume the process is the same for both Interval International and RCI. From my understanding, any week purchased would be exchanged thru II. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[JLB]

My caution was to search for information in addition to what Wastegate says, because they will tell you only what they want you to hear.

We owned a CFI resort similarly, purchased when it was affiliated with RCI. We could trade through either II or RCI. We never did an internal Wastegate exchange.

I (still) seriously doubt that a resale purchased at the former Emerald Point, Cedar Ridge or Branson Yacht Club can only be traded through Wastegate. You should ask those who really know, and will tell you the truth, whether they can be traded through RCI.

I know there are owners at all three of those resorts who are here from time to time. I'll go ahead and rephrased your question in a new thread, and see if any of them show up.

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?p=441621#post441621

And, although II and RCI appear similar in the way they operate, there are differences.
- - - - - -
PS: If the only reason your are looking at that one particular resort is because a friend recommended it, I suggest you look further. If you insist on owning in Branson, which is a decision that you also need to look into further, since Branson is one of the most available, easiest to exchange into, and almost always available as a bonus week through RCI, and, probably, II.

JLB:

It is clear you have some concerns with Westgate. However, as a long time owner, could you explain how exchanges work? I am going to assume the process is the same for both Interval International and RCI. From my understanding, any week purchased would be exchanged thru II. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[timeos2]

Not a Wastegate! Run away!

I am looking to buy another timeshare week and a friend recommended Westgate Branson Woods. In researching the resort, I called Westgate to ascertain how exchanges were processed. I was told that you do not own a particular week but a season which is the case with other resorts. However, unlike the Marriott I own, you do not reserve a particular week in your season in order to use as an exchange with Interval International and all deposits with II are handled by Westgate. This is where the confusion starts. If you do not reserve a particular week and Westgate supposedly deposits a “season” with II, how does II value that exchange? As everyone is aware, not all weeks are equal once they enter the II system. What are your chances of getting a difficult exchange if all Westgate does is deposit a season? Any Westgate owner that can provide clarification will be greatly appreciated.

DO NOT, do NOT even think of buying Wastegate for any type of internal trading. They use II even for "internal" trades and they, as usual, do everything they can to maximize their income while giving the owner as little as possible. It is NOT a system you wan to become involved with. Look to a real points based/internal trade system such as Diamond Resorts or Wyndham or the many others out there that have tried and true plans in place that don't change at the developers whim. You want to stay as far away from any type of ownership at any Wastegate as you possibly can.

Fair warning.

 

[timeos2]

Wastegate can ruin a sunny day

In the Branson area we have a plethora of nice resorts, most of the RCI resorts being Gold Crowns. When the three resorts Wastegate bought were owned by Grandvista, they were Gold Crowns. Now the same resorts with the same amenities, are no longer Gold Crowns.

They are still just as nice as they were before and just as nice as other Branson resorts that are rated Gold Crown--nicer than some of them.

Don't count on it. While it is not beyond the realm of possibility that RCI took action to strip them of GC for spite it is far more likely that under the "loving care" (g) of Wastegate they have managed a quality resort into the ground as they do with all their resorts they manage. Raise the fees, damn the owners and cut the quality. Should be the Wastegate motto. Maybe it is.

But don't worry. II will give them whatever top ranking they may offer as Wastegate and II are joined at the hip like two thieves. Let the sales pressure begin!

 

[JLB]

I took a look in an older RCI Wish Book. Cedar Ridge and Emerald Pointe were Gold Crowns, while the portion of the dissected and passed-around Branson Yacht Club that Grandvista laid claim to was a RID.

Today all three appear to be no worse for the switch, except for the pictures adorning the walls.

There is a new mid-rise monument to Mr. Seagull at Cedar Ridge, architecture not in keeping with the area, and at a visit to a full ownership condo project on the same bank as Emerald Pointe, we found out that he is working on a midrise on the empty space on that bank, a project that will block the lake view of several existing properties in that area. Being adjacent to Corps land, a project of that nature nowadays is quite difficult, something Mr. S is accustomed to conquering.

As part of the agreement with HVC/Grandvista, Wastegate has a presence/Information Center in Branson Landing.

I have posed some of the questions generated by Brown to higher authorities.

 

[Moodyblues]

Westgate Resorts

I am looking to buy another timeshare week and a friend recommended Westgate Branson Woods. In researching the resort, I called Westgate to ascertain how exchanges were processed. I was told that you do not own a particular week but a season which is the case with other resorts. However, unlike the Marriott I own, you do not reserve a particular week in your season in order to use as an exchange with Interval International and all deposits with II are handled by Westgate. This is where the confusion starts. If you do not reserve a particular week and Westgate supposedly deposits a “season” with II, how does II value that exchange? As everyone is aware, not all weeks are equal once they enter the II system. What are your chances of getting a difficult exchange if all Westgate does is deposit a season? Any Westgate owner that can provide clarification will be greatly appreciated.

Please beware of this company. We have been owners since April 2004. This has been the biggest mistake we have ever made. They have continously lied about everything. I know they are people out there who complain about everything BUT whatever negatives you hear about Westgate are true. For example: We traded our Westgate Lakes week for a week at Harbour Beach Resorts in Daytona. My wife and I are in our mid 40s. On the Westgate website you can pull up Harbour Beach and you assume that Westgate owns the place, NO they only own a few hotel rooms in the building. We paid a lot of money to go to a hotel room! On top of that it was an old room and on both sides of the balcony pigeons had controlled and there was feces(sp) everywhere and that is when we found out Westgate did not own the building. We checked in on a sunday afternoon and they did not get the feces cleaned until Friday night. We left on Saturday morning. Again just a few days ago we contacted Westgate to take our grandkids this summer to Westgate Lakes and wanted to say any week in July. We received a call back that we could come in July we just had a pay a $500 exchange fee (In out own resort!). She said we had the week that ruled out Jun - August. We were told by the sales team that we could come anytime during the year based on availability. What they left out was you can come for a $500 fee. Our week was assigned as week 16 and have a unit assigned but that doesn't mean you will get your week and unit.

I am at the point I'm going to stop payment of my $254.81 per month. I have a friend who is a judge and plan on getting out on misrepresentation, so we will see how it goes.

Don't waste your money. I also forgot to mention the referrals we made and how they were mistreated!

 

[timeos2]

No end to the Wastegate nightmare

Please beware of this company. We have been owners since April 2004. This has been the biggest mistake we have ever made. They have continously lied about everything. I know they are people out there who complain about everything BUT whatever negatives you hear about Westgate are true. For example: We traded our Westgate Lakes week for a week at Harbour Beach Resorts in Daytona. My wife and I are in our mid 40s. On the Westgate website you can pull up Harbour Beach and you assume that Westgate owns the place, NO they only own a few hotel rooms in the building. We paid a lot of money to go to a hotel room! On top of that it was an old room and on both sides of the balcony pigeons had controlled and there was feces(sp) everywhere and that is when we found out Westgate did not own the building. We checked in on a sunday afternoon and they did not get the feces cleaned until Friday night. We left on Saturday morning. Again just a few days ago we contacted Westgate to take our grandkids this summer to Westgate Lakes and wanted to say any week in July. We received a call back that we could come in July we just had a pay a $500 exchange fee (In out own resort!). She said we had the week that ruled out Jun - August. We were told by the sales team that we could come anytime during the year based on availability. What they left out was you can come for a $500 fee. Our week was assigned as week 16 and have a unit assigned but that doesn't mean you will get your week and unit.

I am at the point I'm going to stop payment of my $254.81 per month. I have a friend who is a judge and plan on getting out on misrepresentation, so we will see how it goes.

Don't waste your money. I also forgot to mention the referrals we made and how they were mistreated!

OP - LISTEN to the voice of the (mistreated) owners. These are not isolated or odd cases - this is how Wastegate operates. STAY AWAY from anything Wastgate except a trade or rental into the property - NEVER buy from them and go into any resale with eyes open. This is a terrible operation.

 

[talkamotta]

I bought Westgate Vacation Villas 11 years ago. Ive used my unit at least half the time. Last year I used 2006 and 2007 years for two units beside each other for a Thanksgiving reunion, that is the only internal trading I did and it was at the same resort just different week. Even though I made 2 trades I was only charged 1 internal trading fee. So Im ok with that.

I bought this unit originally from Westgate, so right up front I will tell you I paid too much. $6K for a 2 bedroom with a loft, Halloween week, but that was 11 years ago. The unit is VVA11, so it is in the newer of the Vacation Villas. They are large units and I really like the loft. The units are starting to show thier age but everything was in working order and last year the resort was very helpful in our extra needs such as high chairs, play pen and larger turkey pans. I was impressed with thier attitude last year where some years I was a little irritated.

In the years that I did not use my unit, I have traded it only thru II for Westgate Park City Canyons (which is one of my favorites) Marriott Mountainside, Marriott Grand Ocean at Hilton Head and the Royal Mayan all were during good seasons but not prime.

After going through a few timeshare presentations, I choose not to trust any of the sales weasles (that would include Westgate). They treat me like I am ignorant. If I were to ever buy another timeshare from a developer I would make sure every promise was in writing or it wouldnt be a promise.

 

[JLB]

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61359

So, Brown2003, do you want any help in selecting a Branson resort, or are you obligated to your friend's opinion?

 

[JLB]

More new stuff here:

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?p=442731#post442731

 

[dougp26364]

....I am at the point I'm going to stop payment of my $254.81 per month. I have a friend who is a judge and plan on getting out on misrepresentation, so we will see how it goes.......

I'm afraid all you'll do is ruin your credit. Proving that what the salesman said is going to be very difficult. Westgate proving what's written in your contract should be very easy.

Now, if they've changed the terms of your contract without your permission of the required vote to change any such terms then you could be in business. No one on this site would put it past Westgate to arbitrarily change any terms to fit it's own needs. It's one of the reasons everyone says to stay away from Westgate.

But, my bet is you're stuck with what you own. It's best you learn how to use your week to your best advantage. That might be staying on your time or exchanging through I.I. or even one of the independant exchange companies like SFX or DAE/Redweek. Damaging your credit would only throw salt into the wound.

DON'T go for a salesmans upgrade-your-unit sales line at this resort. You'll only be tossing good money after bad. Keep in mind that almost every TS salesman is going to stretch the truth or leave out important details ($500 exchange fee for trading outside you season, some/most resorts are affiliates et...) This is not just a Westgate thing. Nailing them on misrepresentation is a difficult thing. Since there is a recsind period for all states you have a period of time to read the details of the contract to be certain you've been given what you were promised. This will make any misrepresentation case pretty darn weak.

 

[JLB]

Listen to Doug.

The only thing that means anything, legally, is those several pages of fine print that you signed without reading or understanding.

Nothing the sales weasel said has any bearing on your obligation.

 

[brown2003]

Thanks for everyone's input. I have decided not to buy at Westgate Branson Woods based on the feedback posted. I am now looking at another Marriott not located in the Branson area. Thus far I have been pleased with the current Marriott that I own.

 

[Jollyhols]

Hello

I haven't been looking at the forums for a while but as I used my week at Westgate a couple of months ago I thought I'd add my pennyworth (I have moaned about this company before).

We checked into the larger portion of our own unit during our fixed week.
No real problems and I do like the location of the unit though I would say that the general feel of the place is getting a little tatty. The bed is as comfortable as ever - it is the one thing I cannot complain about!
The really annoying thing was the alarm that kept going off at 4am in the unit next door from the occupants of the previous week who obviously had a long journey or a early flight when they checked out. We asked our rep to deal with it and nothing happened. Then I had three nights of trying to explain to some very dopey Security Office people what the problem was. Two nights running (two different members of staff) did not seem to be able to grasp how to turn the alarm off - they just re-set it, despite my saying 'you have turned it off propertly and not just re-set it, haven't you?'.

The second week of our vacation was due to be spent in Palm Beach but we got fed up with the wind and rain so we checked back into to Westgate on an 'owner's rate' into a studio. I was disappointed to find we were placed on the ground floor in 1100 building where the units were pretty old and shabby.
In the main part of the unit there was a family staying who had visitors at 7am every morning for major ethnic (i.e. strong smelling) cooking. They kept propping their door open and as anyone who has stayed at Westgate Lakes will know, there are big gaps under all the doors. Therefore our studio filled up with strong cooking smells and the noise of the very large family very early in the morning and also late in the evening. We did ask them to shut the door, which they did, but did the very same thing next day. Not really Westgate's fault as such, but hmmm.

Anyway, slightly off the point of the thread, sorry. The maintenance has gone up to over $800 this year. I don't think we get that much for our money actually.

 

[twinmommy19]

I have a general question for a friend and realize this is a very old thread. I understand that Westgate's internal trading system is lousy. My question has to do with external trading. A unit that floats weeks 10-52 in Branson - does anyone know how that gets deposited into II? My friend's want to buy a 4 BR EOY unit that trades II. The selection is slim. They don't want to buy in Williamsburg because they like to stay at the Marriott Manor Club (doesn't need to be summer so it's a relatively easy trade). Is the Branson Westgate property okay for trading purposes? This friend likes golf so II is most appealing with all the Marriott golf properties (and they are not restricted to prime season).

Thanks!

 

[sstug]

I have a general question for a friend and realize this is a very old thread. I understand that Westgate's internal trading system is lousy. My question has to do with external trading. A unit that floats weeks 10-52 in Branson - does anyone know how that gets deposited into II? My friend's want to buy a 4 BR EOY unit that trades II. The selection is slim. They don't want to buy in Williamsburg because they like to stay at the Marriott Manor Club (doesn't need to be summer so it's a relatively easy trade). Is the Branson Westgate property okay for trading purposes? This friend likes golf so II is most appealing with all the Marriott golf properties (and they are not restricted to prime season).

Thanks!

I have a 4 BR floating unit in Kissimmee, FL.

As to how the exchange gets into II (assuming the timeshare is already in the II account) you call Westgate and they will reserve a week and then deposit it into II for you. They will randomly assign the week they are reserving. As with everything else, you need to really do your homework and verify what they do. If you are splitting the 4 bedrooms and depositing as 3 separate units to exchange in II (1 BR + 1 BR + 2 BR) it's really important the WG rep knows what they are doing and selects the correct code for the unit size. My 4 bedroom unit has 3 livingrooms so the code for a 1 BR is not actually a studio. It's been too long to remember the details but I've had one rep who had to cancel it 3 times, and others that did it correctly in minutes. I will say I have always gotten very good customer service when I've called to reserve or bank in II (it's only the sales staff that are horrible).

I can't speak to trading value, but I would suspect that Marriotts are hard to get using any other timeshare that doesn't have a Marriott preference. The WG owners' guide is online somewhere and I would suggest reading all the available info before buying. Most tuggers are vehemently opposed to buying WG properties.