Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  11/13/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am writing to share my experience with the timeshare services provided by your company. During the purchasing process, we were subjected to high-pressure sales tactics involving multiple salespeople. The atmosphere created was one of urgency and we were made to feel like this was a once and a lifetime opportunity. I originally purchased this based on the information that was told to me by this ;s sales staff. I was under the impression that it would cover rental cars and flights, a promise made by this business. However, the reality of the situation has proven quite different. The process of converting our week into points has been particularly challenging, and the flexibility regarding flight arrangements has been far from satisfactory. Furthermore, the additional two getaway weeks that were included in our package have remained unused due to the complexity and rigidity of how this system actually works Over the past six years, we have only utilized the timeshare a handful of times. The process of converting our week stay at the home resort to points is excessively convoluted, requiring multiple calls and interactions with your team. This process needs to be completed by the end of January each year, adding an unnecessary layer of stress and frustration to our experience. The timing of the maintenance fees presents a significant financial burden. These fees fall due at the end of the year, coinciding with property tax payments and the holiday season. The rising maintenance fees and overall cost of this ownership was not presented to us in an accurate light. What&#**;s worse is we haven&#**;t received any real assistance from this company given our experience. We need someone to reach out to us and let us know how we can move forward with separating from this ownership.

  Business response

  11/14/2023

  Refund is not an option. One of our account managers will reach out to you to see how we can resolve your issue.

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  10/23/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I purchased a time share on January 26, 2019. This was a present to myself, celebrating two years of being cancer free. I work for ****** Hospital, and since the pandemic we're over worked, short staffed, it's impossible to get time off after 17 years. Last year I paid for a trip to *********, along with a quest pass for $89.00 for my niece. My dad passed away, I was unable to make this trip, so I loss money, points and they rented the unit at an even better profit. I scheduled another trip to ********* for July 1, 2023 checking out on July 8, 2023. I paid $89.00 for E-Plus retrade which allows me to reschedule for a total of 3 times. This time I scheduled a trip to ****** ****** August 25, 2023 to September 1, 2023, listening to their sales rep to keep from losing out on another trip. My last trip was scheduled for September 21st. I spoked with a gentlemen, asked if they could as a one courtesy, to reschedule at a later date, placed me on hold and said no. September 19th, I spoke with **** @ *************** and advised her to sale the Time Share. **** assured me that it would happen and to call back in three weeks for the results. October 10th, I called back to see if they sold the time share and they are pretending to know nothing. However, all calls are recorded. I stopped payment on the annual maintenance fees of $572.44 check # **** dated 9/15/23. They're taking my money, re-renting unit for a profit. To many departments to deal with, one for points, one for reservations, etc.

  Business response

  10/24/2023

  **********************, i read your complaint and I am not even sure it directed at the appropriate company. we do not collect $89 for trips, nor do we issue guest certificates, nor do we engage in re sales of timeshares. Maybe you have talked with someone else? please clarify.

  Customer response

  10/24/2023

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ******** and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved. Please note that complaint filed against wrong company.
  
  Regards,
  
  *****************************
  
   
  

• Initial Complaint

  10/17/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We are writing to express our dissatisfaction with the timeshare membership service provided by Great Destinations. Our main concern is their unresponsiveness to our email communications seeking clarification and resolution.We were introduced to their service at an LA county fair, where we were enticed by a free trip to ****** for attending a presentation. We were assured that the points earned through our membership would cover hotel stays completely, making it appear as a cost-effective alternative to traditional booking methods.However, our experience has not aligned with these promises. The points merely provide discounts and do not cover the full cost of accommodations as initially conveyed. Furthermore, the quality of the accommodations available through their service has been below par, making their offers less appealing than direct bookings or services provided by third-party travel groups.Our attempts to communicate these issues and seek resolution have been met with silence from Great Destinations. This lack of response has left us feeling misled and frustrated, creating a situation where our credit rating is at potential risk due to the financial implications of this membership.We are open to dialogue and finding a resolution to this situation. However, the lack of response from Great Destinations necessitates intervention from an authoritative body like yours to ensure fair treatment and resolution.Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your assistance in resolving this issue.

  Business response

  10/17/2023

  The last communication we have on file is May 2023 at which time you were offered a settlement. You chose not to accept it. we stand ready to continue the conversation to come to an acceptable resolution. **** will be contacting you to try and resolve. 

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  09/27/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Great Destinations has placed us in a precarious situation. They have consistently hounded us regarding our dues, but when we attempt to come to an agreement to sever our ties with them, they become unresponsive. Truthfully, we should have reported this matter sooner. When we met with Great Destination in 2017, we were led to believe that becoming a member would be advantageous and allow us to save money on vacations. The sales experience felt coercive and wasn't informative. We ere left with a lot of questions regarding the services and cost. As time has progressed, we've seen that this membership has been of no benefit. The only time we've used their services was to book a stay at another hotel using our points. We felt we had no other choice but to maintain the membership, but we cannot continue investing money into something that yields no return. Especially since we have had a child since becoming members. We not have the income to spare. We are sure it is well within the means of Great Destinations to dissolve our contract and membership. We believe this is an attempt to prolong this process and "wait us out". To be clear, we have no intention of using your services in any capacity. It would be in both parties best interest if we came to a mutual release agreement. Great Destinations would be able to resell, and their efforts would no longer be wasted on attempting to collect funds from me and retaining my membership.Please note, the pursuit of this matter will continue until an agreeable option to dissolve our contract and membership is met, and will take whatever channels necessary to ensure that it occurs.

  Business response

  09/28/2023

  Your file was sent to collection for non-payment. Our records indicate we haven't spoken to you since 2021. I will have one of our customer service agents contact you to try to resolve your situation. 

• Initial Complaint

  07/18/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We are incredibly unhappy with the timeshare the sales representatives of Great Destinations sold us. We can never use it, even during less-than-desirable times, and neither of us can drop seven days on vacation. The stress from paying for something we cannot use is overwhelming, and we want to walk away. We tried going through Great Destinations ourselves but dealing with **** from the ********************* has been tedious. We got him on the phone, and he was rude and dismissive. We sent him an email to discuss some of the points he made (because we couldnt get a word in edgewise), and he sent us an extended passive-aggressive copied-and-pasted version of our email with highlighted answers and bullet points of how offended he was that we perceived him as rude. That entire exchange only proved our point! He should not have created such a hostile environment if he wanted to have an open dialogue. We decided to reach out to ******************************* the management company over our timeshare, but that did us no good. VRI offered us an exit settlement offer of two years of maintenance fees plus $120.00 for processing. I was fired from my job and cant afford this. If Im giving back the membership and all thats associated with it for VRI to resell and PROFIT off of, why am I paying years of maintenance fees in advance? VRI is going to make out like bandits while we have to scrape money we dont have to ensure theyre satisfied. We asked for a reduced fee or a payment plan, but they refused to compromise! The entire reason we want out is that we cant afford it. Why isnt that being taken into consideration? Ive seen other people making complaints who got their memberships taken back with no fees or lower fees than ours, so why cant this be done for us? We refuse to fall victim to another scam by this company by giving them more money we dont have for something we cant use.

  Business response

  07/19/2023

  ************, i am sorry you feel as you do. I have reviewed the correspondence between you and **** and i don't agree with your characterization of him being rude. I also take issue that we have released others without cost or fees. there are contractual obligations that we must abide by. Our responsible Exit Program is clear. My suggestion is to work with VRI on a release based on their requirements and we will work with them to assist.

   

• Initial Complaint

  06/27/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  Got a notice that my lien was taken care of and they also filed out paperwork to show that. I have copies. Noticed money taken out, called the financial institution and I still have a balance. Got another email from the company and said it was there error and i they are not going to file any paperwork to change this. I've never used this timeshare and have made payments for almost 10 yrs..I feel they should honor their mistake and write off the difference.

• Initial Complaint

  06/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My name is ********************* and I have been a member of Great Destinations since 2017. I have been trying to sever ties with Great Destinations since 2018. That is four years too long! I do not understand why Great Destinations seems to hold me hostage as a member. I have NEVER used this timeshare and I never will. This is absolutely bizarre. Great destinations have affected my credit severely. I went from excellent to fair in the matter of months. I cant even purchase a home! When I addressed this and my hardships with Great Destinations, they completely ignored my request for release and were no help once so ever. They do not care for their owners, only if you are bringing them money. The only offer I have ever received was to pay them $3000 to settle. Is this the treatment a longstanding member deserves? It is disheartening, and their lack of cooperation deepens my desire to sever ties. Even if I had the funds, why would I want to maintain a membership with a company who has poor customer service?I am only looking to be released from this burden mutually. I do not have anything to give, which is why they havent received a dime. Please review my case and help me with the resolution I am seeking. I know it is well within the power of Great Destinations to ***** my desire for termination and I will continue to pursue the termination of my membership through whatever channels necessary. Thank you.

  Business response

  06/07/2023

  One of our customer service managers will contact you to attempt to come to a fair resolution. 

  Customer response

  06/08/2023

  Please respond through the BBB regarding my complaint against you. Thank you. 

• Initial Complaint

  05/31/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am writing to file a complaint against VRI / Great Destinations for their lack of assistance and dishonest practices regarding my timeshare account. I have never been able to use my timeshare to book a vacation and I was greatly misled by the companys salespeople to sign up. I received a bill for assessment fees that had dramatically increased, and I am unable to afford these fees any longer. Despite my attempts to cancel the account, I have not received any help. Every time I send a letter disputing the fees or asking for assistance, they only call me to dispute the letter instead of providing any actual help. I request that VRI or Great Destinations cancel my account given their dishonest practices and lack of assistance. I appreciate any help the Better Business Bureau can provide in this matter.

  Business response

  06/02/2023

  We have had a number of conversations with ************** both telephonically and in person. He attended 2-3 personal tutorials to assist in utilizing his ownership. He talks about spending another $8000 to rent out his time which is not part of our program so he must have been contacted by another company.  WE have tried to assist ************** and will continue to assist anyway we can. He has been an owner for 5 years and would like to see him enjoy his ownership.

• Initial Complaint

  03/05/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My wife and I were roped into this timeshare program and we saw that we were stuck after trying to get out of it but to no avail. We were told our credit would not be ran and it was, we have not been able to use the timeshare package at all.. but we continued to pay on it so it would not be reported negatively on our credit we have been told that there is basically nothing we can do how can they do this to people and continue to be in business?? Is there anything that the BBB can do to step in on behalf of the many people being duped by this company?? Please advise

  Business response

  03/06/2023

  ************** i am sorry you feel dupped, we take our sales business seriously. As I read your file it is clear we spent time reviewing the product and loan obligation. during the sales process the documents you signed indicate your authority to check credit and report as such. That all said i will have our owner care specialist contact you to see how we can best help you.

   

  Thank you

• Initial Complaint

  11/18/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  For nearly two years we have been reaching out to this company regarding the timeshare we were forced to purchase after being held for several hours until we acquiesced and purchased the timeshare in order to leave. The company has never responded to our complaints. The only response we have ever received are the bills that are sent regularly. We believe that the sales representatives counted on our desire to avoid being rude in order to wear us down over time and get us to agree to purchase the timeshare that we repeatedly told them we did not want.

  Business response

  11/18/2022

  I am researching your file but at this point it seems that you are over 400 days delinquent in your loan payments and have been turned over to a collection agency. You purchased October 2015 and have paid on your account for almost 6 years. Not sure what i can do at this point.

   

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩