In October, I received a phone call from one Bluegreen's telemarketers. This telemarketer told me that I had registered for a prize at a mall here in Indianapolis, IN, and that I was a finalist for a Grand Prize. Being a finalist, I was told that I was also going to receive two round-trip airline tickets and two night accommodations to either Orlando, FL or Las Vegas, NV. All I was told that I had to do was attend a presentation at the Bluegreen office regarding their vacation packages. I asked how long this presentation would last, because I have a 21-month-old son. The telemarketer told me that the presentation would be about 90 minutes, but also informed me that they provide child care in a separate room, but that the children had to be at least 3 years old. I then told the telemarketer that my son was not old enough, so I would not be able to use their child care. Next, I decided that a Saturday afternoon time may work, because my husband would be able to stay at home with our son while I went the presentation. The telemarketer said that would work, but then told me that if I was married, my husband and I would both have to attend the presentation in order to receive the gift. I informed the telemarketer that I had nobody else to watch our son if we both went to the presentation, and that my husband was the only to stay with him. The telemarketer then said that she really wanted us to get this vacation, so she would just mark me as 'single' so that I could attend the presentation alone, and that I would then be able to get the free vacation to Florida or Las Vegas. The telemarketer verified that I was over the age of 25, and then asked about our income. She asked if our annual income was below or above $40,000. I said that our annual income was above $40,000, which is true. Everything sounded great and the appointment was set for 2:30pm on Saturday.
I arrived at the Bluegreen office 15 minutes early, as I was told, presented my driver's license and a major credit card as identification. I also filled out a small form that asked some basic information. The form asked for marital status, and since the Bluegreen telemarketing representative had told me to say 'single', I marked this on the form. For annual income, I put $55,000.
I was then graciously greeted by a sales rep who began to ask several questions about my vacation time and spending. Then, I was asked about my occupation. I was being honest and told him that I was a full-time mother, part-time student, and also worked part-time at the YMCA. The sales representative then asked how much I made hourly at the YMCA. He looked at the annual income amount and didn't understand how it could all add up to $55,000. Feeling I was caught in a LIE THAT BLUEGREEN'S TELEMARKETER HAD TOLD ME TO DO, I was not sure what to say next. I knew that she had to be 'single', so I said I was counting my husband's income. The sales rep then called over a manager. The manager said child support and/or ex-spouse's salary could not be counted towards the income. I said that my husband is still supporting me and our son, and the manager said 'Well he [your husband] isn't here, is he?!?!', in a very mean tone. All of the sudden, the sales rep and the manager changed their tone and became very impatient and unfriendly, and acted as though they could not wait to rush me out of there. The manager pointed out in the email that I had received that in order to qualify, the individual needed to make at least $40,000, and that if you wanted to combine incomes, both individuals needed to attend the presentation. He stated that this was a company policy, and there was nothing they could do, and that I would not be receiving the trip to Florida or Las Vegas.
I have several complaints about this company. First of all, the telemarketer should have never given me the idea to say she was single. I am an honest person, and I hate to lie. For the telemarketer to say it so bluntly, I assumed it was fine to attend the presentation alone and simply mark the 'single' box. The telemarketer obviously was just willing to say and do anything to get me into the presentation, so she could say she got a lead. Second, I cannot believe how they would treat potential customers at your presentation office. When Bluegreen believed I made more than $40,000 and was required to sit through the presentation, I was offered cookies, coffee, and treated great. However, as soon as they found out that I was a stay-at-home-mom with no income; they wanted me out of the office as soon as possible. I actually wanted to see the presentation because it was something we may have been interested in. Now that we know how they treat people, we don't want to see any presentation. Third, the manager was extremely rude to me from the very beginning. He was arrogant and condescending, and refused to accept blame for any misunderstanding with the telemarketer. He told me I had to call them [the telemarketers] back to deal with that, and that he had nothing to do with them. The last complaint was with my husband trying to resolve this over the phone. I came home VERY upset because I was so angry over the way I was treated, so my husband immediately called Bluegreen. He talked to a receptionist and asked to speak with the manager who talked to me. The receptionist refused to put the manager on the phone, and eventually hung up on him. This company is worthless, and I wish I hadn't even wasted the short time I did with them!!
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