Cheryl in Missouri, Daniel in Oklahoma, and Raymond in Kansas are families #16 – 18 who reported that they were promised the ability to rent to offset maintenance fees and loan payments. Such a strategy is unfeasible and constitutes selling a timeshare as an investment.
Branson’s Nantucket is the seventh resort in which buyers say they purchased assured of the ability to rent to offset costs. Other resorts include Westgate Resorts, Club Exploria, The Colonies at Williamsburg (a Vacation Village resort), and two other resorts that did reach out to their members to resolve the dispute.
The reasons for publishing member and owner reports are two-fold. The first is to warn the consumer about the oral representation clause buried in the fine print of most timeshare contracts that states: I did not rely on oral representations to make my purchase. When a dispute arises, the purchaser will likely be referred to this clause, dismissing complaints that begin, “The sales agent said……………” If the developer wanted you to know about the oral representation clause, it would be disclosed at or prior to the presentation, not buried in the fine print.
The second reason for publishing member and owner reports is the hope of finding a regulator or lawmaker who will take note of the harm that has been done to thousands of families promised benefits that they later learn do not exist.
Cheryl is the most recent owner to report being sold on the ability to rent, prompting this article. We recalled two prior Nantucket complaints, owners Daniel in Oklahoma and Raymond in Kansas, who say they were also promised the ability to rent to cover costs. We reached out to Nantucket for comment. They did not respond.
Branson’s Nantucket has a BBB rating of F. They blame complaints on timeshare exit providers preying on their customers. We hope Nantucket will take the time to read the following reports. Maybe they will realize their in-house sales department could use some housecleaning.
One unforeseen issue that is driving an increase of complaints is the increase in the amount of contact that 3rd party liquidation/cancellation companies are having with our owners. Our owner base is being solicited by 3rd parties and they are being coached and coerced into writing letters to BBB and Attorney Generals in an effort to get out of their contract.
Better Business Bureau is advising consumers to use caution when considering doing business with Branson’s Nantucket. BBB has received a pattern of consumer complaints alleging, failure to cancel a contract, failure to issue refunds, misleading sales presentation, and overall poor customer service.
Common sales ploys mentioned in today’s Nantucket report, that are designed to disturb the potential buyer, include:
You should have received an invitation to …………………….
Why did your prior agent ………………………….?
We attended a presentation at Branson’s Nantucket Resort in July of 2021. We purchased 24,566 points for $15,000 from sales agent Chris who told us how easy it would be to rent out our Nantucket and RCI timeshare points to cover our loan payments. Since we purchased, RCI dropped Nantucket.
Chris also told us that we could stay in a 4-bedroom house for a week for 10,000 points. At our next meeting, we were told that we would only be able to stay in one-bedroom units. This won’t work for our family because we have three children.
We attempted to rent out our unit through Nantucket, but they said that we could only rent out a two-bedroom house. It took weeks to fill out the paperwork. Our unit was never rented. We used 50,000 of 100,000 gifted points for this rental attempt
We next attended an orientation at Nantucket on March 25, 2022, having been invited to learn more about how to rent points. We met with sales agent Travis who said that we were supposed to have received an invitation to attend a meeting in Saint Louis to go over changes that had been made by the government. Due to the changes, our contract was either going to change for the good or stay the same, in that our kids would be liable for the timeshare should something happen to us. Since we didn’t get the invitation, they said they would see if we could still switch out of the old contract into a new one. Travis also said that with the old contract, we would be stuck with only being able to rent out 10 per cent of their properties, plus we could only rent or stay in a one-bedroom.
As Travis looked over our paperwork, he said “Oh. this is bad!” He got his manager, Josh. They said that there was paperwork that had been sent to our house that hadn’t been signed. Travis said he hadn’t seen this before.
Our kids were getting tired, hungry and bored. We felt we couldn’t get out without making a purchase. We purchased 64,000 additional points for a net purchase price of $30,000. The down payment was charged to RCI Barclaycards that had been issued to my husband and me. We financed $23,000.
Since we counted on renting to cover costs, we are left with no choice but to default. Like Chris, Travis advised us to get a loan with another lender so that we wouldn’t have to pay Nantucket’s 19.99% interest rate.
It’s logical to pursue a lower interest loan, but timeshare buyers should wait before doing so, to make sure that what they bought was what they were promised. Otherwise, you must attempt to get a refund if sold for reasons that don’t exist. We will be filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. We have already filed a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General’s office.
After booking a stay at Nantucket through American Travel Group in May of 2015, I purchased 10,000 points that could be used at Nantucket or with RCI. I later learned that I didn’t purchase enough points to stay there.
I attended an update meeting and met with sales agent Mike. I purchased an additional 15,000 points. Mike promised the ability to rent to offset maintenance fees and loan payments. Over the next three years, I attempted to rent out the unit. I learned that this is virtually impossible.
In October of 2016, I purchased 9,000 more points from Mike again, hoping for better availability. He told us about an exclusive offer for owners that would wash out the cost of the upgrade. A man came in with a set of blueprints and claimed that the upgrade package was zoned rental. They said this meant I could receive $3,000 to $6,000 in rental income every year. For the first two years, the income would be applied to my mortgage.
Mike showed me several places that would rent my points, like RCI, and Buy my Timeshare Now. He explained that the timeshare was an investment and that I could create several income streams by renting or selling to make a profit. I learned this is nonsense. There is virtually no resale market. It would be impossible to rent to “wash out” the cost of upgrading. I tried. I received no inquiries.
I received a phone call from Michelle who said I would be getting a rental check by the end of 2018. December came and no check. Customer Service told me the reason I didn’t get a check was because my account was in collections. I was current on loan payments and maintenance fees.
According to another Branson sales agent, Mike was fired from Capital Resorts, Spinnaker, and fired before from Nantucket.
I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and the MO Attorney General.
We purchased three Nantucket contracts. Our first contract was for 15,000 points for $11,196.80 in September of 2017.
Our second purchase was for 42,223 points for $16,082. Our sales agent, Eric, told us that with this upgrade we’d pay no maintenance fees because they would pay us for leasing our property out. He said we would receive a check for $3,000 to $6,000 after January 1, 2019. We received nothing.
Our third purchase for 64,665 points for $23,500 occurred on July 26, 2019. This purchase was charged to three credit cards, with $14,500 financed through Barclays Bank. Our advisor was Tony L. When I asked why we didn’t get what was promised on the second contract, Tony explained, “We’re not running this like the Wild West anymore. We have $300,000 in a pool we’re waiting to distribute properly.” He showed us on his phone five people who texted him willing to give $1,200 for a weekend to wine and dine clients. He said once we made two or three $200 payments, he could rent points over a two-year period to pay off our loans. I had told Tony that our annual income was going to be cut in half after I retired.
Tony told us not to ask the closing officer any questions because he could answer any questions we might have. We had questions after signing, but Tony said he had another appointment so didn’t have time to meet with us.
We were promised a rental check in early January 2019. We didn’t receive a check until October 27, two weeks after I filed a complaint with the Attorney General. The check was for $3,175.
Tony told us Nantucket has a BBB rating of A+.
December 7, 2019: Nantucket’s response to the Attorney General from Casey Barnes:
Nantucket honored the rental promise on the second contract dated 12/20/17.
Ms Barnes mentioned that we said this would not cause financial hardship. That was because the promised rental income would offset the loan.
Don’t believe timeshare sales agents
The message is Buyer Beware. Don’t believe what a timeshare sales agent says. This is not fair to honest agents, but the dishonest are too good.
Where are the lawmakers and the regulators?
According to two sales agents, Tony had been fired from Diamond Resorts, Wyndham, and Spinnaker, then rehired at Diamond.
After the (Covid) shutdown, the directive came down the pipeline to sell at all costs. This is why Sr leaders rehired agents and managers that were once banned for life. This includes Trevor W, W. K and family, Catherine S, Eursula, Jeremy, Loy, Ryan, Todd, Joe M, Greg M, Anthony L, Craig C, and Jason M.
A complaint was received from a Navy veteran shortly after the above report (contract rescinded)
I am in N C at a Diamond’s Fairway Forest resort. I went to a presentation with Tony L and got pitched something I didn’t expect: transfer to an equity position so when Apollo sells DRI I get some money for the value I put in. Are you familiar with this? I would buy 30,000 Hawaii Collection points for $3.49/point and have the extra points to add to an equity position instead of being a 0-equity member. At the time the trust is dissolved I am out with a large check.
Tony’s Criminal Background, DOD February 22, 2021 Car accident, age 27
December 29, 2018 – Age 23 The arrest report indicates that Highway Patrol requested charges/citations be issued against him before he was released for treatment. Highway Patrol reportedly requested a misdemeanour DWI charge and a citation for failure to drive on the right half of the road. The 214 BMW 353 was totalled in the crash.
MO DWI 01/17/2019
03/25/19. Placed on SATOP Substance Awareness Traffic offender program.
Completed 04/06/19 2 yrs probation
Tony was also wanted in Oklahoma suspected of peddling counterfeit gold coins.
Nantucket also employed Dan Chudy, a former Diamond sales manager who also has a criminal history. he was named in a lawsuit Wyndham filed against the exit company Principal Transfer Group.
Related articles:
Reigning in repeat offenders: CFPB Director Rohit Chopra
https://afterinsidetimeshare.com/?p=723
Timeshare members/owners’ social media support groups:
https://afterinsidetimeshare.com/?p=752
Westgate Resorts buyer Benn Dover (1), April 25, 2022 (Admin of Westgate Resorts Timeshare Hostages Facebook Group)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/westgatehostages
https://afterinsidetimeshare.com/?p=394
Westgate Families (2 – 10), March 4, 2022
https://afterinsidetimeshare.com/?p=440
A Westgate Report by Abdur Rashid (11), April 22, 2022
https://afterinsidetimeshare.com/?p=723
Club Exploria, March 11, 2022
https://afterinsidetimeshare.com/?p=475
Sheri, The Colonies at Williamsburg (Vacation Village), March 18, 2022
https://afterinsidetimeshare.com/?p=517
Thank you Irene, Cheryl, Daniel and Raymond for your contributions, these real-life and verified stories go a long way to bring “Consumer Awareness” to the long-standing pitfalls of timeshare sales. The title banner “Caveat Emptor” or “Buyer Beware” is a very important message, this definition of the saying must have had “timeshare sales” in mind:
Caveat Emptor is a Latin term that means “let the buyer beware.” Similar to the phrase “sold as is,” this term means that the buyer assumes the risk that a product may fail to meet expectations or have defects.
That is all for this week, we hope you have gained some important information from our articles and that it helps to prevent you from being conned. Have a great weekend and we leave you with Baby Dog, I think the fact everything was switched off gave it away.
Debbie Mesman
Great information, “Let the Buyer be Aware” take this to heart y’all. Don’t sign anything until you do your research.
Thanks for your dedication to all of us Irene.
Irene Parker
Thank you for reading and staying informed!
Pamela Stilwell
This is an example of another reason there needs to be a minimum time for the consumer to have access to the true contract before signing; in a paper format in order to highlight and make notes, not the e-sign which fills in the blanks for who knows what. Frankly, I have relied on the sales presentation and found out the expensive way that many untruths have been told with many different resorts. My bad. I believed them…
Irene Parker
It’s not your fault Pamela. One week three members of Diamond Resorts reached out to report how they were deceived. All three were attorneys. One was an enforcement attorney for a state, one a consumer protection attorney, the third a JAG officer. Doug Shadel, an AARP staff writer wrote a book called, “Outsmarting the Scam Artists” explaining why no one is smart enough to outsmart a scam artist.
Chris B.
This is obvious to any logical human being that such timeshare folk know exactly what they’re doing to separate you from your hard-earned money by nefarious means. This clause is also known as the “license to lie clause”: “I DID NOT RELY ON ORAL REPRESENTATIONS TO MAKE MY PURCHASE” buried in the excessively worded contract. This is not an accident. It is wholly deliberate. Thus when victims realize they’ve been lied to, the victim can then be referred to this clause, dismissing complaints that begin, “The sales agent told me……”
Joan Miller
I continue to be appalled and upset that it is legal for timeshares to deceive and lie to consumers in order to obtain money and much money, at that. Some agency needs to oversee their contracts and make sure that consumers are told truths before purchasing and that there is a logical way to get back out of the contract without just stopping payments. I was interested in the Nantucket article because a friend did buy into it. Of course, the promise to get rental money did not happen. He tried to get out of it, but, of course, that was not possible. He hired a timeshare exit company, who in turn ripped him off by a few more thousand dollars. I messed up and told him to just stop paying. Nantucket took him to court and won. He had to borrow money to pay them off, THEN they let him out of the contract. I do not agree with our laws that says it’s our fault if we believe sales and that we have to pay for something we do not want. If these companies had reputable people, IF, timeshares could be great. I would say that I don’t comprehend why these den of thieves are allowed to continue as is but it appears that it’s a very dark area of business and apparently HOA’ and only God knows who all is involved to make it continue. When a lady had the legislature to comprehend what is going on and were prepared to change it, in walked a special interest group and the legislature changed their minds. Yes, it’s deeper and darker than we can imagine. If only people would learn to just stay away and not be talked into buying, the timeshares would be forced to be more fair. Otherwise, it’s not going to happen. It seems that nobody in America is brave enough to cross them. I’ve been very upset for years. It’s so wrong to purposefully do people dirty and then, it be condoned by our laws.
My current, ongoing problem with Bluegreen for years is the knowledge of the constant lies. Get on the Facebook page of Bluegreen lies and see for yourself how it goes. I tried to be cautious but they got me good by lying and will not reverse it. They offered to take it all back for free but that’s the only offer. I’m not handing over 3 years worth of work. PLUS, they shut down many accounts for suspected renting. The purpose of all this is so people will give up and give back their accounts. There is very little logic. It used to be in the contract that we could rent some to help pay annual fees. And, sales is still pushing the rental, setting people up. Money for them, huge loss to the people who bought them. WHY is there not some agency that will stop these things??? America is now so corrupt. All many people want is power and BIG MONEY. Sales get 3 figure salaries for their convincing slick talk. People are ripped off daily. They have no sense of what’s right. Surely there are a few who can get together and do something.