RVers: This is a good story to tell. It is about a Timber Lodge RV, Inc which is in good standing in Minnesota and operates a RV campground in New Waverly Texas.
Timber Lodge GAVE me a Free Charter Membership and included a Retail Sales Contract, which I did not read carefully. Timber Lodge claimed the only obligation was dues.
Of course Timber Lodge claims full disclosure and the contract is clearly within industry standards.
Well, not a dollar amount is listed in the contract for the following fees: Initiation Fee, Transfer Fee, Life time membership Fee, Interest, Collection Fee, Annual Percentage Rate, Finance Charges, Advertising Costs, Commissions, or administrative costs. All are undisclosed fees. There are references to "charges and fees" in the contract, but nothing specific. Since these are unpublished, Timber Lodge can raise fees as they see fit.
Some call this the "Reload Scam" and this is how it works:
Member is required to keep the membership for 48 months.
Member is required to sell, will, or dispose of the membership with Timber Lodge getting a transfer fee (5% of initiation fee).
The same membership is RELOADED for the company from one member to the next, but it does expire on the death of the 4th holder. That's minimum of a 16 year contract with Timber Lodge collecting dues and transfer fees.
When trying to negotiate a resolution, in the case of illness or being disabled, Timber Lodge demands a fee.
If your try and negotiate thru Better Business Bureau of Minn., Timber Lodge takes you to the point of arbitration and then declines to arbitrate. BBB closes you case.
Timber Lodge claims the life time contract and reports non payment to credit bureaus and collection agencies.
All you can expect from this company is a strict interpretation of the contract, there way. Be advised they don't care if you can't sell your membership, you become disabled or can't use the membership, they insist you pay your dues for a life time and don't mind ruining your credit.
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