Who should I lodge complaint with, BBB?

[babscarter]

Last month this site helped me make the decision to rescind a contract made at our TS, VV@B. I sent the letter registered, got receipts and they have even told me that they received the letter within the 10 days. Problem is I still haven't seen most of my refund. According to the fine print in the contract: The refund shall be made within twenty days after receipt of notice of cancellation.....

They acknowledge they got the cancellation on 4/19. I didn't except to see my refund until the last possible day so I waited. When I first called about not getting the refund, I was told "they have 20 days... Oh it's over that, I'll have someone call you". Someone did and assured me that he would have it "fast tracked", that was on 5/16. I called today because I still haven't gotten the check yet. They told me that the portion I had paid by credit card had been credited back to my account and the check was apparently still at the attorney's office where it had to be signed. Since we only paid 500.00 by check, I haven't been racing to the mailbox everyday.

It's now been a total of 36 days. I feel the need to file a complaint against them. Or should I even bother?

 

[sfwilshire]

HAS the amount you charged on your credit card been credited back? I'd make sure of that and file an official dispute with the credit card company to make sure you don't miss the 60 day deadline if it hasn't.

As for the other $500, it will probably show up eventually. I've never found filing a complaint with the BBB does much good, but certainly do so if it makes you feel better. If enough people have a problem with the company, at least it should show a pattern of bad behaviour.

Sheila

 

[myip]

BBB is useless.

 

[Dave M]

I'm not familiar with "VV@B". Can you tell me what the resort is and where you were (what state) when you signed the contract?

I'm guessing that there is a state law requiring that the refund be paid within 20 days. That would have more teeth than the contract. With a little more info, I can likely refer you to that law.

My guess is that you can get some quick action with an appropriately worded brief letter faxed (and also sent via certified mail) to them, citing the state law and stating that your next phone call and letter, if you don't have the refund within three days, will be to the XYZ state attorney general's office.

 

[Dave M]

I'm guessing Florida. If so, the last part of this section of Florida law requires that the refund be made within 20 days. Florida takes its timeshare laws very seriously. You can file a complaint on this form.

 

[KenK]

Might be Daily Resorts in Weston, Fl ? Vacation Village at Bonaventure?

 

[babscarter]

Yes, Vacation Village at Bonaventure, Westin, FL. Thank you for your repsonces and thanks for the link Dave.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I believe that the BBB is a good place to start, even though others disagreed. The more people who complain to the BBB, the ratings will go down and that is good for consumers, when the truth is on the BBB. That is my opinion, anyway.

We have a small business and our competition was kicked off of the BBB here in Denver. :whoopie:

 

[Harry]

Oh, come on now!!

BBB is useless.

Depends on how you define useless. As a mediator with BBB in large scale complaints, I have seen many happy people and companies go away satisfied from the process. In the court system, the result rarely is satisfying to either party, especially after receiving invoices for reasonable attorney fees. BBB lists of undesirable business practices is regularly updated and the organization has the power to shut down unethical and ruthless entities and people simply by this little report they generate. Assuming OP files with BBB (by the way it's very strong in Florida) they immediately investigate if the company is a member. If not a member, they simply report complaint filed without any comment. OP could call, make complaint and it would be noted. Then others would stear away. As many of us know, it is not good to have customers noting this information. As a business owner, I would not want this publicity.

There is a timeshare real estate company in Texas I sued and filed a complaint with the BBB (regarding up front fees). The company is regularly referred to here. They fell over themselves to settle with me and make sure I was happy. They then joined BBB.

 

[babscarter]

Just finished both ~

I down loaded complaint form from link Dave sent: Bureau of Compliance and filled it all out, copied everything and finished a two page description of problem. Will mail stat.

Then found correct BBB and filled out complaint online.

Will let you know what happens and I already feel better!
Tired, it's 3:30am :zzz: but I was on a roll with it all.

Barbara

 

[grest]

good luck, Barbara...you have a lot of support here. And please do keep us posted.
Connie

 

[Blondie]

I had reason to use the BBB in florida and they got me a resolution very quickly! They were very helpful. It was with a timeshare (points program) I had bought and the company kept billing me for close to a year, for the loan that the seller had paid off. When they charged my credit card for one of the payments (they had my # from the maint fees I had paid) I want bat_ _ _ _
and let the company have it from every angle I could find. Within a month I had the resolution, apologies, etc. from the timeshare company. And I had been trying to resolve it myself for nearly a year. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Good Luck.

 

[calgarygary]

I down loaded complaint form from link Dave sent: Bureau of Compliance and filled it all out, copied everything and finished a two page description of problem. Will mail stat.

Then found correct BBB and filled out complaint online.

Will let you know what happens and I already feel better!
Tired, it's 3:30am :zzz: but I was on a roll with it all.

Barbara

Barbara, I had an issue with another company and started the process with the Bureau of Compliance by downloading the form, completing it and also had a 2 page description of the problem. However, prior to submitting it, I decided to give the company another opportunity to rectify the problem. I submitted a final email with attachments of my complaint form and letter and within hours they were responding and resolved the issue in a better manner than I could possibly have hoped for. Why not try the same thing and forward copies of your complaint and tell them they have 24 hours to respond. I believe that companies take complaints with Florida's Bureau of Compliance very seriously.

 

[spatenfloot]

If not, you can contact the state attorney general. That would probably get them moving.