Why aren’t Wastegate owners happy?

[Steamboat Bill]

If Ms. Meyers can have the courage to take on Mr. S and WG, I certainly can have the courage to tell others of her plight.

For me it's as simple as: As long some post here encouraging others to involve themselves in the WG mess, I feel an obligation to warn against it, to direct folks to the facts.

Ms Meyers is a very brave woman and deserves every penny she gets from King David.

I actually bought into Westgate (resale) during my pre-TUG days. Thus, I had no idea the company had so many unhappy members. I went on a sales tour while I was visiting Park City (and paying $5,000 for a rental in a unit that less quality) in 2004 and then did a little research on resales and bought a 2 bedroom floating ski week with cash for 50% of the developer prices.

If I remember correctly, the sales people were very aggressive (but I didn't bite) and I thought all the photos of King David on the walls was tacky (still do), but I was very impressed in the quality of the resort and when I visited the hot tub area (for research) everybody I met was happy with their purchase (all bought directly from Westgate). In fact, in 4 years, I have never MET one single unhappy Westgate Park City owner at the resort and I have talked to dozens of people there. 99% of the people I meet there all bought from Westgate.

You can search for my online review/blog from my February visit there.

That said, I NOT impressed with any of their other properties enough to consider buying there. I actually had fun at River Ranch, but you would be better off renting for a long weekend rather than buying there. I thought the Gatlingberg location was a little tacky and over developed.

 

[wcfr1]

I thought the Gatlingberg location was a little tacky and over developed.

As is everything in Gatlinburg.

 

[AwayWeGo]

Well, Almost Everything.

As is everything in Gatlinburg.

The national park still looked nice & natural when we were there.

We specially liked the leisurely driving tour around Cade's Cove.

The WestGate timeshare indoor water park looked like fun -- but not fun enough to buy (even resale).

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

 

[wcfr1]

The national park still looked nice & natural when we were there.

We specially liked the leisurely driving tour around Cade's Cove.

How right you are. I should have said as are all the tourist traps and man made stuff in Gatlinburg.

The National Park is a true treasure. The town on the other hand is something less, unless you need another tee shirt or some other such bauble.

Have you ever done the bike ride through Cade's Cove. I highly recommend it.

 

[timeos2]

Wastegate will try to hoodwink you. Slam them instead. Remember copy the State

Oddly enough, it's always the same former Westgate owners who start these anti-Westgate threads. What a lot of wasted energy over age old grudges.

Oh, reallY. Lets take a look here
and see what current owners getting screwed over by the worlds most corrupt timeshare organization think. Seems they own as we speak and have, lets say, a few "issues" with bully tactics and much worse.

I wonder why the representatives from Wastegate never showed their faces here as was hinted at at one time? Could it be they have no excuse for their actions? STAY AWAY FROM WASTEGATE IN ALL ITS FORMS OR YOU WILL LIVE TO REGRET IT!

 

[LINAND]

yep, I am a current owner and am not bringing up old grudges. I have been trying for over 5 yrs to sell it or give it away. they won't let me do either and I am pi--ed off in the worst possible way. :annoyed:

maybe happy westgators are worried our complaints may knock this evil corporation out of their 5 star rating which is BOGUS because I talked with a lady who works at Interval International who said they get complaints every day and she seemed to think their 5 star days may be numbered. good. let em fall.

 

[LINAND]

Oh, and BTW, I am glad that Westgate has a few happy owners. they should be happy because they are probably going to be stuck with their timeshare for the rest of their lives.. might as well make the best of it.

as for me. I WANT OUT. sign me an unhappy owner since 1993

 

[westgatebob]

Oh, and BTW, I am glad that Westgate has a few happy owners. they should be happy because they are probably going to be stuck with their timeshare for the rest of their lives.. might as well make the best of it.

as for me. I WANT OUT. sign me an unhappy owner since 1993

Me too since 2000. I had a rep tell me that they are creating a 6 star category. I was like "WHAT"!! Have you lost your mind.

 

[timeos2]

Site with no axe to grind. Yet another clear headed Wastegate owner

Another example of the poor maintenance and management of Wastegate resorts from those who really know - the owners.

 

[LINAND]

The last time we stayed at Westgate we had to pack up on the 2nd day and move because the hot water went out. had to pack up everything plus a weeks worth of groceries and move to another building. :annoyed:
the time before that the washer flooded and maintenance had to come up and work on it until midnight. :annoyed:
also, looked into the inside of the coffee maker. found green slime coated all inside. YUK!
floors unswept on check in day. I bet there was enough hair on the kitchen floor to make a wig. windows wouldn't lock either. oh, and pulled back the bedding to find a spider under the covers.

the place is a dump! what the heck do all those people riding around on golf carts do all day? just take up all the guests parking spaces I suppose...

 

[westgatebob]

It's definitely a shame. Westgate has the potential to be a great resort, but it seems when you become greedy all you think about is the money. Mr. Seigel should find a way to spend a day or two at the resort without anyone knowing. He would then see the problem!!

 

[Jollyhols]

Just to say that I'm also a current owner and not totally happy.

Actually our unit is not in too bad a state - everything has usually worked properly but the furniture is getting tatty and I hate the leather sofas. My gripes are more about maintenance and the difficulty in selling, etc, the pool bars never being open, and the horrible restaurant. (We've learned to avoid the maintenance meetings, so that's no longer a problem). And the lovely buildings (main one and the sales one) that could be used for some sort of guest amenities but instead are just sales rooms. Finally, another gripe in summary as I've moaned about it before, is that our unit was downgraded to a 'value' unit a few years AFTER we bought it and we were lied to etc etc. Then the one time we wanted to stay in a different month to normal we were told we would have to pay an upgrade fee. That sort of thing leaves a bad taste.

I hope they don't lose their 5 star rating because it will mean that it won't be so good to exchange.

The parking is a pain. We only go in the so-called quiet period (November) but it is often difficult to park and a lot of families seem to have the most enormous vehicles that stick out into the road. What with that and golf carts it can be quite dodgy!

 

[LINAND]

Just to say that I'm also a current owner and not totally happy.

Actually our unit is not in too bad a state - everything has usually worked properly but the furniture is getting tatty and I hate the leather sofas. My gripes are more about maintenance and the difficulty in selling, etc, the pool bars never being open, and the horrible restaurant. (We've learned to avoid the maintenance meetings, so that's no longer a problem). And the lovely buildings (main one and the sales one) that could be used for some sort of guest amenities but instead are just sales rooms. Finally, another gripe in summary as I've moaned about it before, is that our unit was downgraded to a 'value' unit a few years AFTER we bought it and we were lied to etc etc. Then the one time we wanted to stay in a different month to normal we were told we would have to pay an upgrade fee. That sort of thing leaves a bad taste.

I hope they don't lose their 5 star rating because it will mean that it won't be so good to exchange.

The parking is a pain. We only go in the so-called quiet period (November) but it is often difficult to park and a lot of families seem to have the most enormous vehicles that stick out into the road. What with that and golf carts it can be quite dodgy!

How do you manage to avoid the maintenance meetings? they always forced us into going with threats of charging our credit card if we didn't go.

I thank God ours is in the process of having the title changed over. we bought in 1993 for almost 8 grand. Westgate gets it back for $350 after the fee for changing the title back.

what a bloody rip off.

I swear I will bad mouth this thieving bunch of crooks until my last dieing breath or until my fingers fall off from typing my opinion of how rotten they are on every timeshare site I can find.

 

[westgatebob]

How do you manage to avoid the maintenance meetings? they always forced us into going with threats of charging our credit card if we didn't go.

I thank God ours is in the process of having the title changed over. we bought in 1993 for almost 8 grand. Westgate gets it back for $350 after the fee for changing the title back.

what a bloody rip off.

I swear I will bad mouth this thieving bunch of crooks until my last dieing breath or until my fingers fall off from typing my opinion of how rotten they are on every timeshare site I can find.

Its amazing how similar everyones prblems are. Easiest way to beat the maintenance neeting is tell them that you want them to meet you in the lobby 1 hour before your plane leaves. Don't tell them when your leaving though. Its my little ha ha.

 

[Jollyhols]

Well, when they take you to your unit after check in (which they always insist on doing, despite our saying that we've been there often enough and know exactly where it is - they have to apparently check that the unit is satisfactory and all the appliances are working - no we're not daft enough to believe that!) - that's when they want to arrange the maintenance meeting which they say is compulsory. So, to appease them we make a date but don't turn up. They just leave a few answerphone messages during the day which we don't answer. That's it really - they don't bother us too much and have never threatened to charge us. It's a lot easier than wasting a morning with them playing their little tricks and us getting all annoyed with them!

 

[pedro47]

It is so hard to exchange into any Westgate Resort after reading this thread.
The comments are so negative. But consumer's are still purchasing Westgate weeks and points. I am confuse.

 

[Jollyhols]

It is so hard to exchange into any Westgate Resort after reading this thread.
The comments are so negative. But consumer's are still purchasing Westgate weeks and points. I am confuse.

I can only speak with experience of Westgate Lakes, Orlando (but I have heard people say good things about some of their resorts outside Florida).
OK - actually being there : when we are inside our unit we are quite happy. It is lovely and spacious, view of the lake, and usually quiet. Appliances have always worked except once the safe didn't work and the maintenance people came out quickly to fix it. I would change the furniture - it's not a patch on e.g. Disney or Sheraton Vistana, but it's adequate. The security people aren't the brightest - trying to explain to them how to turn off a repeating alarm on the clock in the adjoining unit was hard work (it woke up up at 4am several mornings in a row). The grounds are beginning to be improved inasmuch as they are looking more attractive. Some people may like the restaurant - we just happen not to.

There are good things, e.g. now that I have stayed in the Sheraton Vistana in Orlando, I wouldn't bother to exchange again because Westgate is on a much less busy road and it is easy to drive down Turkey Lake Rd and join the I4, or drive up to Sandlake Rd and Publix is just down the road to the left.

So, from my experience the place isn't absolutely dreadful or anything, it is mostly the company and the reps that are annoying and the difficulty in selling when you wish to sell. I would recommend exchanging into the Lakes and forming your own opinion. If you like quiet, choose 2400 building or thereabouts.

 

[LINAND]

Well, when they take you to your unit after check in (which they always insist on doing, despite our saying that we've been there often enough and know exactly where it is - they have to apparently check that the unit is satisfactory and all the appliances are working - no we're not daft enough to believe that!) - that's when they want to arrange the maintenance meeting which they say is compulsory. So, to appease them we make a date but don't turn up. They just leave a few answerphone messages during the day which we don't answer. That's it really - they don't bother us too much and have never threatened to charge us. It's a lot easier than wasting a morning with them playing their little tricks and us getting all annoyed with them!

Thats what we did for several years, (owners since 1993) but I think they caught up to our promising to attend these meetings and never showing up. the last time we stayed there I just flat out refused to go. I ask them, "Why do you need me to attend a maintenance meeting when you have hundreds of maintenance people riding around on these golf carts? why can't THEY do maintenance reports after I leave??? I know this is just to get me in to make me attend another sales pitch, and I'm not interested."

thats when they got nasty making credit card threats.

they always wanted to hang around after they escorted me to my unit and give me info on where the pools, activities etc.. are. after I told them I was in a hurry, and I don't use the pools. the only thing I do at the resort is sleep. I spend every waking hour in the parks.

they just looked at me like I had bugs coming out of my ears. WHAT! you don't use the pools?

um, no, I have a pool and get enough of swimming at home.

I have never stayed in a place that tried so hard to control their guests as Westgate. Villas, and ALSO the Lakes. I think Westgate Lakes is the WORST as far as being nice to their guests. they are flat out awful.

 

[LINAND]

It is so hard to exchange into any Westgate Resort after reading this thread.
The comments are so negative. But consumer's are still purchasing Westgate weeks and points. I am confuse.

I hope I don't get into trouble for saying this, but I think they are mostly foreigners who come to this country to visit Walt Disney World, fall in love with it, and they think this is a way to insure they will get to come back to Disney every year. they just don't know what they are getting into with this evil organization that preys upon people who love the area and who want to come back. you can't blame them. Westgate promises a lifetime of magical vacations. who, without knowing wouldn't want to get in on that?

Thats why we bought into it. we love Disney and Universal. but back in 1993 you just didn't hear all the bad things going on. the resort was relatively new back then. thats before they started all the bullying and nickel and diming you to death.

 

[Jollyhols]

I hope I don't get into trouble for saying this, but I think they are mostly foreigners who come to this country to visit Walt Disney World, fall in love with it, and they think this is a way to insure they will get to come back to Disney every year. they just don't know what they are getting into with this evil organization that preys upon people who love the area and who want to come back. you can't blame them. Westgate promises a lifetime of magical vacations. who, without knowing wouldn't want to get in on that?

Thats why we bought into it. we love Disney and Universal. but back in 1993 you just didn't hear all the bad things going on. the resort was relatively new back then. thats before they started all the bullying and nickel and diming you to death.

Chuckle. Yep, we are foreigners, but the reason we bought is because (1) we were staying at the 'Worst Western' in I-Drive and hated it (2) I wasn't sure I would like Disney and was dithering over buying tickets, then the guy at the Best Western said 'hey, you can get discounted tickets...' (3) We had a very good rep working on us and I was sucked in (note, that my partner didnt' want to buy, but I was fed up with him moaning about our accommodatin and with the promise of always staying in 5 star accomms wherever we vacationed ... well, you know how it is!).

Timeshare in general is OK, but as I've said before, it is a mistake (1) to buy something that is so far away from home and (2) to buy large units when you just travel as a couple. T/s is great for large families I think, but we don't have a large family.

That's my twopenneth, for what it's worth!

 

[AwayWeGo]

Traveling As A Couple & Preferring Timeshare Accommodations.

Timeshare in general is OK, but as I've said before, it is a mistake (1) to buy something that is so far away from home and (2) to buy large units when you just travel as a couple. T/s is great for large families I think, but we don't have a large family.

Shux, it's just the 2 of us -- The Chief Of Staff & I -- but we still much prefer spacious & luxurious timeshare accommodations over the 4 Bs of hotels & motels (bed, bathroom, Bible, bill).

What we really like are luxury timeshare accommodations for Motel 6 & Super 8 rates.

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

 

[Jollyhols]

Shux, it's just the 2 of us -- The Chief Of Staff & I -- but we still much prefer spacious & luxurious timeshare accommodations over the 4 Bs of hotels & motels (bed, bathroom, Bible, bill).

What we really like are luxury timeshare accommodations for Motel 6 & Super 8 rates.

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

Well, yes, I do like to spread out and quite enjoy having a bathroom each and using the second bedroom as my dressing room! But from an economical point of view I guess it doesn't make a lot of sense. We have a 2 bed & a studio lock-off - 2 x 1 beds would have been a better choice (but W/Lakes don't have those)

 

[LINAND]

Chuckle. Yep, we are foreigners, but the reason we bought is because (1) we were staying at the 'Worst Western' in I-Drive and hated it (2) I wasn't sure I would like Disney and was dithering over buying tickets, then the guy at the Best Western said 'hey, you can get discounted tickets...' (3) We had a very good rep working on us and I was sucked in (note, that my partner didnt' want to buy, but I was fed up with him moaning about our accommodatin and with the promise of always staying in 5 star accomms wherever we vacationed ... well, you know how it is!).

Timeshare in general is OK, but as I've said before, it is a mistake (1) to buy something that is so far away from home and (2) to buy large units when you just travel as a couple. T/s is great for large families I think, but we don't have a large family.

That's my twopenneth, for what it's worth!

I hear ya. been there and done that. except ours use to be the Gateway Inn or something like that.

The way I see it, now instead of paying all those hundreds of dollars for maint. fees, taxes and exchange fees etc.. we'll just stay on Disney property where we are treated like we are special guests and are welcomed. yes, a small space, but for a family of 3 who owned a 1 brm unit at Westgate to begin with, it is all fine. plus we get the perks of extra magic hours for Disney Resort guests only.

and I also wanted to say, thanks for coming to the US to spend your vacation dollars.

 

[Steamboat Bill]

I bring a different perspective to this thread.

I own at the Westgate Park City and LOVE it...absolutly ZERO complaints.

I also have never visited the Orlando Westgate locations so I can't comment on them as I am a Huge DVC fan.

I did stay at the Westgate River Ranch for a weekend and it was nice, but not worth buying (IMHO) and everyone was very nice at that location.

I also drove around the Gatlingberg location and thought it was overbuilt, but still pretty nice.

Perhaps I have a "Don't bother that dude look" but I never get hassled by any timeshare sales reps or get tricked into attending any maintenance meetings.

In fact, they usually present me with fresh baked cookies every time I check in at the Westgate Park City location.

So, since my first visit in 2004, I have been extremely happy with the Park City Westgate property. In fact, I will be there for two weeks in Feb 2009 if anyone wants to stop by.

 

[Jollyhols]

Linand:

Yes, I'm very envious of the extra magic hours! And, last year a kind guest was leaving early and gave us a DVC club card to use up - you put it in the fast pass machines and go in straight away - phantasmic!!

We do enjoy Florida and I have also enjoyed travelling in other aparts of the US (except Atlanta - just couldn't take to it). However, with rising fuel costs, cost of living generally in UK, sadly we might have to start exchanging our t/s closer to home in future, sob sob.