Here's the basic run down of what my husband and I were told during our Bluegreen presentation. (If you can believe it, I've shortened this by alot)
We were told how Bluegreen was a great investment. How over time it's value would continue to increase, and we were getting a "special price" so we would have instant equity. (A timeshare cannot be 'legally' advertised as an investment. That it is in fact illegal to do so. It's not just a lie, it's a crime).
We were also told that a their timeshare was a great tax write off, because we were owning actual property and paying taxes on the property. (Timeshares and all expenses can not be used for tax purposes).
The "deal" was only good for that day. That we wouldn't be allowed to come back for a few years using this example, "Imagine you were selling a car, and you paid potential buyers $50 dollars to test drive it. You wouldnt want someonecoming back again and again just test driving your car and you having to pay $50.00 over and over again." (Hey guess what, they can't do this either)
(Anything to make a sale), We were also told that the points never expired. We were told this lie because our dream vacation was to take a cruise but couldn't afford 18k points a year to go on one. We specifically asked "Do points ever expire?", and the 'sales manager' said no worries, we could just save our points till we had enough, even if it took 6 years. (Not only do they expire after 2 years, after the 1st year the points are worth less. You can no longer use them for 'hot' seasons)
They said maintenance fees are based on the number of points we have, so they will never raise. Saying, "If we paid $400.00 in fees, than our children would onlypay $400.00 when we passed it on to them." (Another blatant lie. They are raised yearly.)
They didn't give us any time to review the contracts which they are obligated to do. Lied how much our monthly payments would be, and never, not once informed us about "Club Dues". (Which by omitting the information, puts them in the wrong.)
Bluegreenis a member of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) We have filed a complaint with them, which I encourage everyone else who has been lied to by this company to do as well. Here is a list of codes the Bluegreen broke with us.
Code of Ethics III. C. 1-2-1. Must not convey false, untrue, deceptive, or misleading information through statements, testimonials, photographs, graphics, or other means; and 2. Must not omit material information without which the solicitations or sales information would be deceptive or misleading, or which would affect consumer decision making.
Codeof Ethics V.B. 4 - 4. Limited Time Offers. Representations must not be made that the current terms of an offer will not be available at a future time unless those representations are factual.
Code of Ethics V.B. 5. B-c. - b. Must be consistent with information and disclosures provided in the Sales Information; and c. The consumer must be provided with a reasonable opportunity to review the contract documents in writing at time of salebefore signing.
Code of Ethics V.B. 9.- 9. Sales Presentation. Verbal representations must be consistent with information contained in sales documents, contracts and written disclosures
We are currently in dispute over our contractand are working very hard to get it canceled.
Bluegreen's main line for everything that happened to us is, either "The contract says %" or they "deny any verbal agreements that defer from what the contract says". However, their mortgage departmentcalled us, and wondered why we were unhappy (We are in the process of disputing the contract and are not making payments while we do so). And after telling the ladysome of the lies, she interrupted me to say and this is a direct quote, "That's just the 'Sales Pitch'."
Proving that that the sales tactics used against us are a widespread, acceptable practice among Bluegreen Corp.in the process of trying to get the recording of that conversation, but am being told it's only used for "internal training purposes". Won't be surprised if it happens to "disappear".
If you are happy with them, I'm happy for you. I understand we signed a contract, however when fraud is used to trick a person into signing a contract, we can dispute it, which we are doing wholeheartedly. I will say the resort we stayed at was very nice. Clean, comfortable and large. I have no problems with the resort we stayed at.
However if you were lied to as horribly as I was. If they used any of these sales tactics with you, please contact the Florida BBB and file a complain. Here's the address
BBB of Southeast Floridaand the Caribbean4411 Beacon Circle Suite 4 West
Palm Beach, FL 33407
Also contact your states attorney general, and as I mentioned earlier ARDA. Here is ARDA's website, www.arda.org
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