Westgate Value and All weeks

[BKViking]

OK. last year I had to use a different week and called up Westgate and was told I had to pay a $139 exchange fee (which I expected) plus a $500 fee because I was trading into a high season week.

I screamed bloody murder that when we bought the resort we were told all weeks were treated the same, etc., etc. and demanded to speak to a supervisor. After several minutes on hold, the woman came back and said a supervisor wasn't available, but they'd waive the season upgrade fee (I still had to pay the developer's exchange fee ... but I expected that).

I then asked her when this change happened, and how I could find out which weeks were value weeks, and she wasn't especially helpful, but now I've found on Westgate's website a list of which weeks are "Value", which are "All" and which are "Fixed Event" weeks.

But to make matters more confusing, I just looked at Westgate's Owner's guide, which also explains the differing week value policy for exchanging. The guide can be found here: https://ssl2.westgateresorts.com/oam/pdfs/westgateOwnersGuide.pdf

Anyway, when you go through the resorts, Westgate Vacation Villas says "Not applicable" to the description of the weeks, and most of the other resorts, say "Westgate Town Center" has the weeks broken up according to Value, All and Fixed Event.

What gives? Are all weeks at Westgate Vacation Villas equal for exchanging purposes? They should be ... it seems like a breach of contract for Westgate to devalue the week I bought ... instituting a new policy for people who buy later is one thing, but otherwise, they should refund money to me.

Anyone know?

 

[gmarine]

OK. last year I had to use a different week and called up Westgate and was told I had to pay a $139 exchange fee (which I expected) plus a $500 fee because I was trading into a high season week.

I screamed bloody murder that when we bought the resort we were told all weeks were treated the same, etc., etc. and demanded to speak to a supervisor. After several minutes on hold, the woman came back and said a supervisor wasn't available, but they'd waive the season upgrade fee (I still had to pay the developer's exchange fee ... but I expected that).

I then asked her when this change happened, and how I could find out which weeks were value weeks, and she wasn't especially helpful, but now I've found on Westgate's website a list of which weeks are "Value", which are "All" and which are "Fixed Event" weeks.

But to make matters more confusing, I just looked at Westgate's Owner's guide, which also explains the differing week value policy for exchanging. The guide can be found here: https://ssl2.westgateresorts.com/oam/pdfs/westgateOwnersGuide.pdf

Anyway, when you go through the resorts, Westgate Vacation Villas says "Not applicable" to the description of the weeks, and most of the other resorts, say "Westgate Town Center" has the weeks broken up according to Value, All and Fixed Event.

What gives? Are all weeks at Westgate Vacation Villas equal for exchanging purposes? They should be ... it seems like a breach of contract for Westgate to devalue the week I bought ... instituting a new policy for people who buy later is one thing, but otherwise, they should refund money to me.

Anyone know?

Westgate changed the internal exchange policy, maybe about two years ago. When exchanging internally from low season to high season you pay an upgrade fee.

As much as I hate WG, it doesnt matter to me as I own a high season week and if I owned a low season week I wouldnt expect to trade into high season. The change in no way devalues your week. You still can use your week or deposit it with II and hope to get a higher season week through II.

 

[JLB]

. . . . . . . . . .

Nickel and diming . . . any way to fee(d) the cash cow.

 

[timeos2]

A giant cesspool of Waste. Wastegate.

Westgate changed the internal exchange policy, maybe about two years ago. When exchanging internally from low season to high season you pay an upgrade fee.

As much as I hate WG, it doesnt matter to me as I own a high season week and if I owned a low season week I wouldnt expect to trade into high season. The change in no way devalues your week. You still can use your week or deposit it with II and hope to get a higher season week through II.

No devaluation? It wasn't SOLD THAT WAY. All 52 weeks were equal in 1993 but suddenly in 2006 they changed? Why? Because the King saw a way toget more money from the suckered owners.

DO NOT ever use "internal exchange" at Wastegate. It's just anpother total ripoff from the company that should have been credited with creating the term. II and Wastegate are in cahoots as well. Best to trade rpivately, sell the week (for a few cents most likely) or use RCI which gets very few Wastegates now days so they value them higher than II who is swamped with the sewage that flows from the King.

In general dumping Wastgate and never buying anything from them is the best bet. If you have one then find a way to maximize the value without involving Wastegate fees as they will screw you at every turn. You've been warned. Do not play their game as you will lose every time.

 

[BKViking]

Westgate changed the internal exchange policy, maybe about two years ago. When exchanging internally from low season to high season you pay an upgrade fee.

As much as I hate WG, it doesnt matter to me as I own a high season week and if I owned a low season week I wouldnt expect to trade into high season. The change in no way devalues your week. You still can use your week or deposit it with II and hope to get a higher season week through II.

Thanks, but I understand the policy basically.

My question was, did you look at the Westgate Owner's manual - link posted in my OP. Does the High/Value season policy apply to all resorts? If so, why does WGV state "Not Applicable" next to the description?

 

[Kola]

No devaluation? It wasn't SOLD THAT WAY. All 52 weeks were equal in 1993 but suddenly in 2006 they changed? Why? Because the King saw a way toget more money from the suckered owners.

DO NOT ever use "internal exchange" at Wastegate. It's just anpother total ripoff from the company that should have been credited with creating the term. ....

Sorry, John, but just because ALL WEEKS were SOLD as equal doesn't mean they WERE equal. That was the sales pitch in many (most) Orlando resorts, not just at Westgate resorts. You know very well, as I do, that some sales people will offer you anything, including a trip to the moon to close a sale. But surely most buyers know that a July week is not equal in value to an October week and this disparity was most likely reflected in the initial pricing. We all know about an overwhelming desire by T/S owners to buy cheaper, low or shoulder season weeks hoping to exchange for a higher value in-season weeks. That's normal, it's human nature. But the results are also well known, - a shortage of in-season high demand weeks and a surplus of off-season weeks. Some portion of that surplus simply goes to waste each and every year, - some low demand weeks cannot be rented even at give-away prices. Why shouldn't a resort developer attempt to stop or at least to minimize a predictable waste of limited life assets ? And isn't the Point system at least in part based on a premise that all weeks ARE NOT EQUAL and you have to pay a premium price (in points) for a premium week ?

I am not defending Westgate policies, particularly their heavy-handed marketing policies. But let's not forget that no one is under an obligation to use Westgate, or any other, internal exchange system as there are all sorts of options including, but not limited to, exchanging via II, SFX, RCI, DAE, etc. It is normal for T/S owners to experiment with several options. And, may I ask, aren't escallating annual membership charges also a form of a rip-off ?
Why should we pay annual membership fees given that RCI & II impose ever higher exchange fees ?
Fortunately, I own high season weeks only and have no need to woory about a seasonal upgrade.
OK, let's keep exchanging, but let's not forget equal value trades !

Kola

 

[timeos2]

Wastegate. The cesspool of timeshares sales and operations

Sorry, John, but just because ALL WEEKS were SOLD as equal doesn't mean they WERE equal. That was the sales pitch in many (most) Orlando resorts, not just at Westgate resorts. You know very well, as I do, that some sales people will offer you anything, including a trip to the moon to close a sale. But surely most buyers know that a July week is not equal in value to an October week and this disparity was most likely reflected in the initial pricing. We all know about an overwhelming desire by T/S owners to buy cheaper, low or shoulder season weeks hoping to exchange for a higher value in-season weeks. That's normal, it's human nature. But the results are also well known, - a shortage of in-season high demand weeks and a surplus of off-season weeks. Some portion of that surplus simply goes to waste each and every year, - some low demand weeks cannot be rented even at give-away prices. Why shouldn't a resort developer attempt to stop or at least to minimize a predictable waste of limited life assets ? And isn't the Point system at least in part based on a premise that all weeks ARE NOT EQUAL and you have to pay a premium price (in points) for a premium week ?

I am not defending Westgate policies, particularly their heavy-handed marketing policies. But let's not forget that no one is under an obligation to use Westgate, or any other, internal exchange system as there are all sorts of options including, but not limited to, exchanging via II, SFX, RCI, DAE, etc. It is normal for T/S owners to experiment with several options. And, may I ask, aren't escallating annual membership charges also a form of a rip-off ?
Why should we pay annual membership fees given that RCI & II impose ever higher exchange fees ?
Fortunately, I own high season weeks only and have no need to woory about a seasonal upgrade.
OK, let's keep exchanging, but let's not forget equal value trades !

Kola

Of course there are differences - thats why most resorts, even those "red" year round, have at least two designated seasons. When that was the case we purchased the best.

So when we were sold a "no season" week at Wastegate - and that is exactly how it was for over a decade - there was nothing in any paperwork or disclosure to designate a season to any of the fixed weeks. But mere laws and regulations never stop the King from imposing unilateral changes. With no warning, the time was "seasonalized". No warning and most certainly a change in the value. For other examples see the undesired maid service they imposed on owners - along with a fee increase - and the unilateral (and illegal) ROFR they claim to hold for weeks sold without that clause among many others.

Fortunately the season fiasco only effects internal trades with the Wastegate Cesspool. We would NEVER use that due to the cost and these types of games that Wastegate is so very good at. By simply using our deeded week OR trading with a reliable system such as SFX, RCI Points or privately we don't need to be involved with the newly created and bogus "seasons" from the King. Never use II as they are awash in these units and, as they do with all their favored developers, will go along with anything the management wants to do (like NOT assigning your DEEDED week to the exchange pool! Just give the DEEDED owner any old "equal" week. And II says "so what can we do?). II is nearly as crooked as Wastegate with the stuff they pull.

The only things ownership at Wastegate has gotten us are great vacations (Yeah! - That was the idea!), a lesson in the nightmare ownership can be when the resort(s) are operated by a truly horrendous, unprincipled and megalomaniac owner/management and how to be super creative as well as (hopefully) irritating and a giant waste of time and effort for the sales weasels. All of which I'd get rid of tomorrow if a sucker, er, buyer came along to pay even the small amount we paid for this resale. Now I'll continue to crusade to warn people away from the WORST timeshare organization - and given the reputation of timeshares that is saying something - the Wastegate group.

Never, ever buy from them and think really, really hard before you buy even resale. This is not a company you want any involvement with if it can possibly be avoided. And it's easy to avoid - don't buy in! This isn't coming from some bitter ex-owner but a current owner of over 12 years that once thought Wastegate was a good value especially at a nice, low resale price. Now I know they couldn't pay you enough to put up with this slimy organization. Best to simply stay away. Let those of us who already deal with the King find a way to turn this lemon into lemonade at some point.

 

[Bill4728]

Never, ever buy from them and think really, really hard before you buy even resale. This is not a company you want any involvement with if it can possibly be avoided. And it's easy to avoid - don't buy in! This isn't coming from some bitter ex-owner but a current owner of over 12 years that once thought Wastegate was a good value especially at a nice, low resale price. Now I know they couldn't pay you enough to put up with this slimy organization. Best to simply stay away. Let those of us who already deal with the King find a way to turn this lemon into lemonade at some point.

John,

Come on, tell us how you really feel.

 

[JeffW]

Just chiming in here - I really think the Westgate bashing needs to stop. Yeah, it may be a horrible company, and they may have some bad tactics, but that's only advice for people NOW getting into Westgate. For people that own Westgate for 10-15 years, they just want the find the best way to deal with it. Unless your advice 100% of the time is to sell, to get away from them, then owners are looking for answers to their questions.

If you had a friend that had mortgage problems, you don't need to tell them, "You shouldn't have taken out that ARM mortgage." They probably already know that. However, now that they are stuck with it, they'd still like advice on the best way to deal with it. If you can't offer constructive advice, maybe it's not worth saying anything.

Just my 2c (and BTW, myself and my parents are Westgate owners).

Jeff

 

[timeos2]

Hard to bash when they do it so well all by themselves

Unfortunately we owners have virtually zero say as regards operation of "our" resorts. They are the personal playthings of the developer - owners don't count. And since the only thing important to the King and his Weasels are sales the best place to attempt to get their attention is to warn others not to buy retail - I go even further to say even at resale Wastegate is no bargain.

Even if Wastegate was being run perfectly and as the owners, not sales, would prefer the shear number of units under the Wastegate banner - with no end but only more in sight - means the trade value is near zero. Far too much supply. Add in the obnoxious operation of both the resorts and the never ending sales pressure and you have a resort group that simply doesn't represent a good value at any price.

Thats the sad truth of Wastegate. Bashing? Maybe. But they could stop it in an instant. They choose to continue to be the cesspool of timeshare. It's the way it is with no change in sight.

 

[frenchieinme]

Unfortunately we owners have virtually zero say as regards operation of "our" resorts. They are the personal playthings of the developer - owners don't count. And since the only thing important to the King and his Weasels are sales the best place to attempt to get their attention is to warn others not to buy retail - I go even further to say even at resale Wastegate is no bargain.

Even if Wastegate was being run perfectly and as the owners, not sales, would prefer the shear number of units under the Wastegate banner - with no end but only more in sight - means the trade value is near zero. Far too much supply. Add in the obnoxious operation of both the resorts and the never ending sales pressure and you have a resort group that simply doesn't represent a good value at any price.

Thats the sad truth of Wastegate. Bashing? Maybe. But they could stop it in an instant. They choose to continue to be the cesspool of timeshare. It's the way it is with no change in sight.

There is too much ill feeling and misinformation found in the wastegate perceived bashing or information sharing as some call it. e.g., mandatory maid service which is not so. There is free mid week linen change and replenishing of supplies such as soap, dish washing liquid, linens, etc... If someone wants daily maid service, they ask for it and pay for it. Personnaly, I do not need nor ask for daily maid service and do not get it. Plain and simple with no mcharges. What is worng with this?

I am presently on a 2 week sojourn at Westgate Lakes with my family and invited guests. As my wife and I meander at different pools, I have asked 15 different present owners (both new and the last one today an owner since 1992) about their experiences with Westgate Lakes and the Westgate Resorts THEY HAVE HAD EXPERIENCES WITH and none expressed any bitterness or displeasure with their Westgate onwership and experiences. This WASTEGATE view of things were a complete surprise to them.

Yes some people have had negative experiences with the Westgate Resorts (as has been expressed here) but there are many others who have had complete opposite results. Does that give the right to some to go on a mission to discourage or deny others of the positive experiences that many out there have experienced and continue to experience?

What can you say when you walk in (like I did) to your unit and behold find new rugs, new tiles, new appliances, my needs addressed within 15 to 20 minutes of request, etc...??? Beyond that, my 2008 banked 1 BR (studio lock offs) units all pulling nice 2BR units in 2009. That is poor exchange power???

Come on now, let's get a life here. Move on. Life is to short to hold on to such a grudge. Loosen up folks!!!

As for the seasons being all the same at all Westgate resorts, that is so but an event week at Park City Utah may be different (based on supply and demand) than let's say an Orlando events week. Again as someone in this thread stated, I really do not care that much since (like my coin collection) I only bought event weeks which (again because of supply and demand) provides me with certain accompanying benefits like when I exchanged my 3BR 2008 Daytona 500 week 6 event week (a very high denmand low supply week) for a low demand week 11 in March (my daughter's TN spring break), I was not charged a Westgate internal exchange charge. Had the opposite occured where someone exchanged a low week 11 for an event week 6 Daytona week, an exchange fee would have resulted. Is that unfair? Those with low demand weeks think it is unfair while those with high demand weeks think it is not. That's life!

frenchieinme

 

[timeos2]

The mess is from the top down. Its just a matter of finding out

There is too much ill feeling and misinformation found in the wastegate perceived bashing or information sharing as some call it. e.g., mandatory maid service which is not so. There is free mid week linen change and replenishing of supplies such as soap, dish washing liquid, linens, etc... If someone wants daily maid service, they ask for it and pay for it. Personnaly, I do not need nor ask for daily maid service and do not get it. Plain and simple with no mcharges. What is worng with this?

frenchieinme

Maybe the Maid thing has changed (no surprise there - things seem to change daily at Wastegate as the sales department commands) but that was the primary justification in 2006 for the $100 jump in fees at WWV. A "service" no one but the Weasels desired and certainly didn't want to pay for. Meanwhile the ten year old ripped leather sofas, rusty refrigerator and worn out looking drapes all made it through another season in one of the WWV units we were in that year. How much better that $100 would have been used for renovation/update rather than feeding the Weasels.

If the maid service has been stopped (hopefully) why haven't operational fees gone down $100 since as that was the reason for them? It certainly hasn't been absorbed into the reserves (I looked at the 2008 bill - still less than $100 reserves as the units cry out for work). I'm sure the outrageous fees paid to the Management were raised to be sure that things stayed steady.

Gee, too bad we can't talk to/contact our Board to get these obvious cases of total mismanagement fixed. Nope. No contact information as the so called Board members are merely pawns of the megalomaniac King and he orders them to keep the cash coming (We need another $5.4 million to cover his A** in yet another lawsuit - I guess deferred maintenance will have to wait a few more years!). There is no defense for this operation. If owners are happy it's because they haven't yet realized the ugly underbelly that actually is Wastegate. Give it time they'll learn.

 

[JLB]

Actually, honestly, I understands both sides of this.

Owners get tired of hearing the same old Schtick. You see the name of your resort, followed by a complaint, and it irritates you. When one owner counters, other owners like to pile on, feeling the force is with them.

Likewise, when someone posts a negative experience, one who had the same negative experience tends to chime in also.

Since this is a real-time forum, each new thread is exactly that, new, and it is presumed that the OP has not heard all the same old Schtick before. The unwritten rules of the bbs do not allow the reposting of comments not made in the current thread.

Find a way to preserve the same old Schtick, say, so that it can easily be found by the new person, like complaints filed with the AG or the BBB, and repetition may not be needed.

Of course, I am not a sanctioned referree, but, as this issue has been explained to me over the last ten years, the bbs operates on a balance of posting in the current thread method. Those whose experience differs from another's experience have the right to post as often as they wish. And personal criticism, either way, is not allowed.

This is one of few fights here that I do/did have a dog in, but I feel those sharing their negative experiences, although diligent and steadfast in their mission, pale in comparison to what is out there, what could be said.

 

[frenchieinme]

Maybe the Maid thing has changed (no surprise there - things seem to change daily at Wastegate as the sales department commands) but that was the primary justification in 2006 for the $100 jump in fees at WWV. A "service" no one but the Weasels desired and certainly didn't want to pay for. Meanwhile the ten year old ripped leather sofas, rusty refrigerator and worn out looking drapes all made it through another season in one of the WWV units we were in that year. How much better that $100 would have been used for renovation/update rather than feeding the Weasels.

If the maid service has been stopped (hopefully) why haven't operational fees gone down $100 since as that was the reason for them? It certainly hasn't been absorbed into the reserves (I looked at the 2008 bill - still less than $100 reserves as the units cry out for work). I'm sure the outrageous fees paid to the Management were raised to be sure that things stayed steady.

.

You keep referencing WWV where you own and state your displeasure at what you are experiencing. You have every right to do that and I support you in this. The point I am trying to make and it appears to be overlooked is your comment are carried to other Westgate resorts which is inherently unfair. You can not paint everything with the same brush. Because WWV has low reserves and can not do proper maintenance and because WWV is experiencing many poor quality in areas you have specifically referenced, it should not be carried out and assumed to be the same in all other Westgate resorts.

Maybe WWV is a Wastegate resort but I can assure you from my experiences at Westgate Lakes and the people (owners) I have come in contact with and interview, they have no clue as to what you are referencing in the Wastegate resort references.

By the way, I spoke to 2 WWV people who came here at WGL to use our pool. They said they were trying to get in as much of Westgate resorts as they could. I asked them if their WWV was up to standard and if they were pleased with it. They said it was and they were pleased with their unit. (I should have asked them which unit was theirs so as we could compare with you yours vs, theirs). Now these people are content and are not nor have they experienced your experiences and yet both own at the same place. Go figure, uh?

I know you are correct in your experiences but you need to realize not every owner has. As soon as I encounter one I will be the 1st to report it here on TUG. Until then I can only report the factual first hand conversations I am having with both WGL (predominantly) and WWV owners.

By the way, when was your last stay at WWV? Also state your unit # so as when I speak with other WWV owners who come here I will be better able to have them compare to make this more factual and specific.

frenchieinme

 

[JLB]

See how easy it is, this balance of posting thing, the negatives balancing the positives.

This is where I would normally post the tripadvisor rankings, showing that it is more than just a couple of fuddy duddies on TUG, showing that virtually all WG resorts are rated very poorly by those who care to do so. Yeah, even compared to other timeshare in the same areas.

Then I would mention how WG has lost their RCI ratings, down from GC at one time to none now, and that, supposedly, those ratings are not because of politics, but based on comment cards, from RCI guests at WG. I would mention that after WG buys highly-rated resorts, the ratings go downhill.

Then, that opens up that can of worms, the why RCI might not like WG, and Mr. Seagull can.

and so on . . .

I suspect that like this type of thing concerning OLCC here on TUG has sorta died down, and the owners have learned how to sorta go along with the little things that some folks don't like about their resort, that the same thing will likely happen with WG.

The thing that makes it a little different is that WG's leader just doesn't seem to be a very likeable person.

 

[frenchieinme]

...Then I would mention how WG has lost their RCI ratings, down from GC at one time to none now, and that, supposedly, those ratings are not because of politics, but based on comment cards, from RCI guests at WG. I would mention that after WG buys highly-rated resorts, the ratings go downhill...

...The thing that makes it a little different is that WG's leader just doesn't seem to be a very likeable person...

JLB, just what I meant in my post to Time02 (???). Your first paragraph is incorrect as Westgate Lakes is affiliated with II. The only one to have a RCI affiliation is Westgate Villas which has (or had) a dual RCI/II affiliation. Hence, when you make a comment Westgate lost its RCI affiliation you need to make sure you are referencing WWV and not the others which have no RCI affiliation. One needs to make sure when talking about WWV that one does not mistake it for Westgate Lakes.

The point I have been making here is the 2 are referenced as if they were the same. I can assure you they are not. Westgate Lakes is still and continues to get me great trading power. WWV & WGL need to be taken as separate entities just like comparing WWV and Gatlinburg are not the same (I stayed in Gatlinburg and the place is exquisite) neither is comparing WWV to Park City Utah doing anyone justice.

Let's get our facts straight and factual (factual = one perceived it thru one's experience)and make sure it is not heresay defined as he said she said it was so and so.

As for your last statement, I would guess Mr. Siegel's mother mother would not appreciate people feeling the way they do about him. I know one woman with $5.2 million that thinks he is OK.

frenchieinme

 

[AwayWeGo]

WestGate Impressions.

The timeshare tour complimentary gourmet breakfast was outstanding over at WestGate Town Center, going in via the blue-awning VIP side entrance, I mean, not through the main entrance leading to the chow line where the peons get pop-tarts. Froot Loops & Tang for the rank & file. Canadian bacon & omelets cooked to order for the VIPs.

The WestGate timeshare sellers we've encountered have been consistently on message -- I-I is great, RCI is the pits, Mr. Siegel Is A Great American, WestGate timeshare units will exchange into anywhere we want to go any time we want to go there, WestGate's internal exchange system is perfect, WestGate maintenance fees are more reasonable than the fees at other timeshares, & so forth & so on right on down the line.

We have never stayed at a WestGate timeshare -- & I'd say it's unlikely we ever will because the WestGate timeshares are mostly I-I & we are strictly RCI.

Mainly via TUG-BBS, I also get the impression that the WestGate timeshare sellers typically are the most unrelenting & aggressive of just about any timeshare company, also that the WestGate "system" is designed to reinforce the sell-sell-sell ambiance at virtually every turn. Even so, the most obnoxious timeshare seller we've ever sat across those little tables from was not with WestGate, but with Consolidated Resorts Tahiti Village or some such out in Las Vegas.

With the exception of 2 WestGate timeshares where we were impressively wowed -- WestGate Lakes & WestGate Smoky Mountain Resort -- the rest of the WestGate timeshares we've seen left no memorable impression other than just plain-vanilla generic standard B-flat timeshare resorts, which needless to say beat the sox off Motel 6 & Super 8 even though if you've seen 1 you've pretty much seen'm all.

Although I have no strong pro or con WestGate feelings of my own, I think I can understand why some of the folks right here on TUG-BBS find WestGate to be the timeshare company they love to hate. The TUG-BBS counterweight to that seems to boil down to saying (in effect), "Well, WestGate isn't always that bad & besides some of the actual WestGate timeshares are very nice."

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

 

[timeos2]

Ham handed incompetents starts to describe the Wastegate way

You keep referencing WWV where you own and state your displeasure at what you are experiencing. You have every right to do that and I support you in this. The point I am trying to make and it appears to be overlooked is your comment are carried to other Westgate resorts which is inherently unfair. You can not paint everything with the same brush. Because WWV has low reserves and can not do proper maintenance and because WWV is experiencing many poor quality in areas you have specifically referenced, it should not be carried out and assumed to be the same in all other Westgate resorts.

Maybe WWV is a Wastegate resort but I can assure you from my experiences at Westgate Lakes and the people (owners) I have come in contact with and interview, they have no clue as to what you are referencing in the Wastegate resort references.

By the way, when was your last stay at WWV? Also state your unit # so as when I speak with other WWV owners who come here I will be better able to have them compare to make this more factual and specific.

frenchieinme

Our last stay at WWV was 2006 (the year after the $100 maid increase). We own in Building WWW - about 12 years old now.

We have stayed at WGL as recently as 2005. We found it even less desirable than the older WWV. There are a number of reasons. First the mid-rise buildings are not as "Florida" as the 2/3 story, spread out buildings that WWV and others were originally built with. The parking is horrendous, the buildings crammed in like future tenements, the units dark (although very large). The furnishings in the last unit we were in (more on that in a moment) was showing serious signs of wear and the whole unit had a very sparse feel - mostly empty space and little as far as design touches. What there is appears to be garish faux Italian rather than any type of Florida feel. Of course now they are building the same ugly mid-rises at WWV so no area is safe.

Second was the all-too-typical Wastegate experience. We arrive around 7PM - still get the rush to have a cart ride to the unit - we decline (for once a mistake as it turns out) and simply get the key and the directions. We arrive in the general area (you can seemingly never park close at WGL) and take a 1st load of stuff to the door. We insert the key - open the door and WHOA! There are people (a LOT of people seemed like a dozen or more) in OUR unit! I don't know who is more surprised, us or the family we walked in on. It looked like they had been there for weeks (the place was a mess). Back to the car. Back to the checkin. No one - not for the whole week of asking - can explain why we/they were given the wrong unit. Another 20 minute wait while we get reassigned. We park for the hike to the elevator - and this room is the great view of I-4. No thanks! The other was a pool side first floor. Last change. 5th floor - pool view - the so-so condition room above.

The whole resort is like that. Broken ping pong table - kids climbing it like a gym and hitting the balls into the pool. The old, 2 story buildings that Wastegate bought to build the ugly mid-rises are completely unkempt with Wastegate employees going in and out of them every day all day. (Note - in 2007 those where half torn down & half still being tortured as employee playgrounds). Back to the unit the washer/dryer doesn't work - 4 repair calls and it still doesn't drain after the rinse cycle. Why don't they just switch it out ("We don't have any spares"). We have to go to another room to use a washer/dryer! There was plenty more but you get the idea.

So the problems are lurking close to the surface at WGL just as they are at WVV. The units are 5-6 years newer so they just aren't quite as run down yet. Give them a couple more years. Having been at WGL I can say it is every bit the resort operation WVV is. That is not a complement.

Another example? Wastegate Bluetree. They have run that formerly nice resort into the ground - even throwing the Association out of the checkout area and making them build their own building. The heavy hand of Wastegate management is in full bloom at that resort. Now I wouldn't even stay there again unless I could get the non-Wastegate side being run by SPM.

Wastegate is a terrible operation - at least throughout Orlando. Maybe if you get away from there and out from under the Kings eye there are better resorts but I sure wouldn't risk it as they still are under the Wastegate banner. The weasel stripes don't change.

I am always happy to hear someone does enjoy a Wastegate and is a satisfied owner. I sure hope they stay that way but the odds are heavily stacked against them long term.

 

[JLB]

JFTR, I know which ones are RCI and which ones are II and which ones got degraded after WG bought them.

Not going through the list each time does not make what I say

Then I would mention how WG has lost their RCI ratings, down from GC at one time to none now, and that, supposedly, those ratings are not because of politics, but based on comment cards, from RCI guests at WG. I would mention that after WG buys highly-rated resorts, the ratings go downhill.

incorrect.

 

[timeos2]

Wastegate - Let us make your ranking something it never was before. Gone!

JFTR, I know which ones are RCI and which ones are II and which ones got degraded after WG bought them.

Not going through the list each time does not make what I say

Then I would mention how WG has lost their RCI ratings, down from GC at one time to none now, and that, supposedly, those ratings are not because of politics, but based on comment cards, from RCI guests at WG. I would mention that after WG buys highly-rated resorts, the ratings go downhill.

incorrect.

Bluetree - prior to Wastegate 5*. 4 years after Wastegate - unranked.

WVV - Gold Crown 90's. RID 2002-2004. Unranked past 4 years.

Yup. They know how to manage a resort alright. Right into no ranking (except the highly subjective and manipulated former 5* - they couldn't even keep THAT bogus award at Bluetree).

 

[frenchieinme]

JFTR,
Then I would mention how WG has lost their RCI ratings, down from GC at one time to none now, and that, supposedly, those ratings are not because of politics, but based on comment cards, from RCI guests at WG. I would mention that after WG buys highly-rated resorts, the ratings go downhill.

incorrect.

If your WG reference is to WWV & Blue Tree (I wish you would stop using WG to mean WWV, Blue Tree, Westgate Lakes, et.al., and start using their names like Wesgate Villas/WWV as this would be less confusing) I would tend to agree. However, based on my own personal experience here at WGL with new furniture, new carpeting, 5 minute check in, less than 10 minute addressing of maintenance issues when they arise, clean/well kept environment, new water park going in, a multitude of kid activites for elementary & Jr High student aged kids, etc... Heck, what more can one ask for?

Again, what I am experiencing, my family experienced, my friends have experienced, the owners I have talked to experienced, etc... it is completely the opposite of what you guys are reporting about Westgate Lakes. However, WWV, Blue Tree, etc..., that appears to be another story.

frenchieinme,

 

[BKViking]

If your WG reference is to WWV & Blue Tree (I wish you would stop using WG to mean WWV, Blue Tree, Westgate Lakes, et.al., and start using their names like Wesgate Villas/WWV as this would be less confusing) I would tend to agree. However, based on my own personal experience here at WGL with new furniture, new carpeting, 5 minute check in, less than 10 minute addressing of maintenance issues when they arise, clean/well kept environment, new water park going in, a multitude of kid activites for elementary & Jr High student aged kids, etc... Heck, what more can one ask for?

Again, what I am experiencing, my family experienced, my friends have experienced, the owners I have talked to experienced, etc... it is completely the opposite of what you guys are reporting about Westgate Lakes. However, WWV, Blue Tree, etc..., that appears to be another story.

frenchieinme,

We'll be staying at Westgate Lakes this year, and looking forward to it. With that said, we own in Westgate Vacation Villas (QQQ building), and have actually had very good experience. We've not seen any issues with furniture (ever), and while we did have a couple of maintenance issues (screen door was stuck/hinge busted, and some minor electric problem), maintenance took care of both within an hour of calling. And it's just a 5 foot walk to a pool ... so as to the resort no complaints.

I do disagree about your statements about the downgrading of weeks, however. While it's true that some weeks naturally trade better than others, we weren't sold it with that understanding, and that was not figured into our price (at least not officially). We own week 16, which often ends up being a highly desired week b/c of spring breaks, but according to the calendar it's a value week (although I still don't understand if this applies to WGV based on the owner's manual - see the link posted above - but that it is what a reservation woman said to me last year). This, for me, just doesn't seem right. Going forward, differentiate the weeks, but for those of us who got suckered early on, we should be grandfathered in with more flexibility on trading power based on what we were told when we purchased, imho.

 

[JLB]

In referring to the downgrading of ratings after WG takeovers, I include resorts in other areas, such as here in the Branson: Grandvista Cedar Ridge, Grandvista Emerald Point, and Grandvista Branson Yacht Club.

CR has gone from GC to unrated.
EP has gone from GC to SC.
BYC has gone from GC to SC.

I may be mistaken, but I believe WG has 6 resorts in RCI, at least with their name now on the front of them, and also some others. None of them are GCs.

Since we owned with CFI and went through the Seagull/DeHahn debacle of the early 90's, I am familiar with that, and, as an owner, I do not see how we benefitted from that turf battle, mostly the result of one man's ego.

It (likely) lead to lower ratings, reduced trading power, ill treatment of RCI-affiliated guests (including us), and the eventual demise of our home resort in RCI's eyes. Although we were happy to get out, we, essentially, lost just about everything.

And someone thinks I should not have the right to tell others!

(Then what is this forum for?)

 

[JLB]

http://www.timeshareforums.com/foru...gate-tc-orlando-my-timeshare-advice-plse.html

 

[talkamotta]

OK. last year I had to use a different week and called up Westgate and was told I had to pay a $139 exchange fee (which I expected) plus a $500 fee because I was trading into a high season week.

I screamed bloody murder that when we bought the resort we were told all weeks were treated the same, etc., etc. and demanded to speak to a supervisor. After several minutes on hold, the woman came back and said a supervisor wasn't available, but they'd waive the season upgrade fee (I still had to pay the developer's exchange fee ... but I expected that).

I then asked her when this change happened, and how I could find out which weeks were value weeks, and she wasn't especially helpful, but now I've found on Westgate's website a list of which weeks are "Value", which are "All" and which are "Fixed Event" weeks.

But to make matters more confusing, I just looked at Westgate's Owner's guide, which also explains the differing week value policy for exchanging. The guide can be found here: https://ssl2.westgateresorts.com/oam/pdfs/westgateOwnersGuide.pdf

Anyway, when you go through the resorts, Westgate Vacation Villas says "Not applicable" to the description of the weeks, and most of the other resorts, say "Westgate Town Center" has the weeks broken up according to Value, All and Fixed Event.

What gives? Are all weeks at Westgate Vacation Villas equal for exchanging purposes? They should be ... it seems like a breach of contract for Westgate to devalue the week I bought ... instituting a new policy for people who buy later is one thing, but otherwise, they should refund money to me.

Anyone know?

I dont know if thier policy has changed over the last year or 2 but they did ok by me.

This was an internal trade through Westgate: I own week 43? anyway its the last week in October. Its a great week for me but may not be a high demand time. I used my week for 2006 and 2007 and traded them both for Thanksgiving week 2006. They only charged me one trading fee and they gave me my unit 2 bedroom/loft and the unit next to it. It was perfect. I had lots of people and they gave us high chairs extra pans for Thanksgiving dinner. I was a Westgate happy camper.

This year we are going to Cancun the first week of November, so I deposited my Westgate into II. I had to get Westgate's reservation # which I did. I then did a stupid thing. In the reservation space I deposited it into II with II account #, Westgate accepted it. A couple of days later, I noticed the error. II said Westgate complains that II makes too many errors so now they require thier reservations number. If Westgate accepts it then they are required to give an exchanger a week into thier resort. I called Westgate and said that is the week they are giving II. I was more concerned about my error causing someone to have a terrible vacation without a room. Westgate and II said that would not happen.
Westgate said all weeks exchange the same Not true: For my week 43 I have received Marriott Grande Ocean at Hilton Head, Royal Mayan, etc. The week that came up on my II account was in September. No good exchanges come up. Dont know if its the time Im searching for (doubt it) if its the difference of weeks deposited, or if II is just having a lovers quarrell with Westgate.

Ive been pretty happy over the course of 12 years being a Westgate owner. I think the thing to remember is that things change, rules change. Westgate isnt the only one that likes to change rules. II, RCI, airlines, ff miles, Wyndam. Companies will change the rules and game plan of any part they are able, we just need to know what battles we are willing to fight.