Westgate Resorts レビュー 677

We were deceived from the start. During the sales presentation, Westgate's staff confiscated our identification, which effectively prevented us from leaving until the presentation concluded. We were held there against our will. Had they not taken our IDs, we would have walked out after satisfying our time commitment.
During that presentation, staff promised we would become "ambassadors" of an incentive program, earning money by referring friends and family to attend a Westgate seminar using a $99 discount for a 3 to 4 day stay. These terms were never transparently explained, and the full contract wasn't even sent to us until weeks after we signed, ultimately eliminating our legal right to cancel within the rescission window. This alone is a violation of our consumer rights.
Despite paying over $10,000, we have never been able to use the timeshare. Availability is virtually nonexistent, likely because Westgate rents those same rooms on Booking.com and similar platforms. We were also never told about blackout dates reserved for the resort's own profit.
When we fell into financial hardship due to hospitalization, Westgate responded with relentless harassing calls day and night. We were later pressured into reinstating our contract under false promises of debt reduction and no negative credit reporting. None of those promises were honored.
As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, I was taught that honesty and integrity are non-negotiable. Westgate's staff embodies neither.

I warn anyone considering Westgate Resorts: be very careful about who you encounter and what they tell you.
What started for me as a short "informational presentation" turned into a grueling, full-day high-pressure sales pitch. For roughly three hours of discussion — followed by a forced resort tour and repeated promotional pushes — I fell victim to relentless tactics designed to exhaust you and mentally wear you down, not inform you.
Sales representatives made misleading statements portraying the timeshare as a smart financial investment. What they didn't tell me was the truth: skyrocketing maintenance fees, nearly impossible cancellation terms, virtually no resale value, and severe restrictions on using the property.
I was made to feel that walking away meant losing everything. I was discouraged from taking breaks, reviewing the contract independently, or seeking outside advice. My right of rescission was either never mentioned or glossed over so quickly it was meaningless.
The result? I have never used this timeshare, not once. Zero trips. Zero nights. Yet I've paid loan payments and fees continuously for a product that does absolutely nothing for me or anyone else who owns a timeshare.
This sales process felt designed to close at all costs, benefiting Westgate's high-interest in-house financing, not the buyer. Be mindful of who approaches you, what promises they make, and know that the moment you sign, getting out is impossible.
Do not let them rush you. Do not trust the "today only" pressure. And do not sign anything without independent legal advice first.

Westgate Resorts (Smokey Mountain, TN) Tale of Deception

We purchased a timeshare at Westgate Smokey Mountain and were misled from the very start. During the high-pressure sales presentation, we were explicitly promised that maintenance fees would stay low and never increase over time, which was false. Fees have risen well beyond what was originally promised, creating a serious and ongoing financial burden on our household that we never anticipated.
We were also assured there would be absolutely no blackout dates and that booking our unit would be a simple, hassle-free process. The sales representative emphasized this point repeatedly. Neither claim has proven true. We have faced repeated booking difficulties and have been informed of blackout dates that were never disclosed during the sales pitch.
A credit card was pushed on us with the promise that reward points earned could be used to pay our maintenance fees as a major benefit of ownership. That too was misrepresented. The points cannot be used in the way we were led to believe. To make matters worse, the account was sold to another company just six months after opening, without our meaningful understanding or consent.
We were also told that if the primary deed holder passed away, the timeshare would be paid off with no remaining debt. We relied on this assurance in good faith when making our decision to purchase.
The consistent pattern of misrepresentation throughout this entire process has destroyed any trust we had in Westgate Resorts. We urge all prospective buyers to proceed with extreme caution and demand every promise be put in writing before signing anything.

There is no option for a ZERO star or it would be 0. We were just off our cruise near Canaveral Fl and I wanted to visit the beach with time to spare before our flight in Orlando. They apparently “own” a beach there and have a guy waiting in the parking lot to hook you in with a $200 GC and “a cruise “ (which no doubt is botttom of the barrel accommodations) for a 90 min presentation. They are are EXTREMELY high pressure and RUDE and condescending when you say NO! The guy we met with- don’t remember his name but from the Dominican Republic- called in his boss in high heels when we said no and wanted to leave! They were stopping us from leaving! They said it doesn’t make sense for us not to sign up since we take vacations and completely disregarded us when we said we had a plane to catch. He lied about how much time it would take to draw up the documents, said it would be 10 min or less. We were there for at least another 45 minutes waiting on them to finish with another customer, literally our Uber sat in their parking lot for 30 min waiting for us. It was unreal with zero regard for our time constraints and the fact we said we weren’t comfortable with that commitment! They become very rude and unprofessional when you say no

Went to our 90 minute presentation in Branson MO fully thinking we knew what to expect as we had done 2 previously . . This experience was a nightmare . . Ryan (sales) used all of the normal tactics we were prepared for but when those didn't work he turned to bullying, insults, tried to trick us into signing a contract that he said was just what we sign to get out of there faster, he used threats, the list goes on and on . . When I told him that he was being rude and offensive there was no apology, in fact, he just kept going . . I let 2 of the managers know what was going on . . The first one told him to calm down and then went on his way and the second seemed genuinely concerned . . Also filed a formal complaint at the save on branson place that we booked our stay through . . Those guys were extremely helpful, kind, and appalled by our experience . . Definitely will never do one of these again

The resort is nice but it was the biggest mistake of my life purchasing this timeshare.

If I could I would give this 0 stars.No one fall for a time share.Westgate always is so rude and it’s annoying because they don’t let you cancel it until it’s fully paid.Worst decision ever.

In August 2023, my husband and I were approached in our hotel lobby by a Westgate representative who claimed we had been selected as a "lucky couple" and won a free breakfast. What followed was a deceptive, high-pressure sales presentation lasting 3–4 hours, despite our repeated statements that we had no interest in purchasing.
Salesperson Mr. Kolawole refused to let us leave. When my husband walked out, supervisor Erica Maldonado and multiple others redirected their pressure entirely to me. I was rushed through paperwork with no time to review it and was never properly provided with required Truth in Lending Act (TILA) disclosures, a violation of federal law.
During the presentation, they made numerous promises that turned out to be completely false. They told me maintenance fees would never increase. They promised Westgate would assist with rentals through a dedicated program. I was later told I am entirely on my own. They pitched the Las Vegas Super Bowl as a prime opportunity to rent my 2-bedroom unit for substantial profit yet provided no support whatsoever. They assured me I would save significantly on future vacations compared to hotel rates, but availability through the Westgate network is nearly impossible to secure. They also told me my children could inherit and use the property at no additional cost, while never disclosing that the financial obligations are perpetual.
My mortgage has since increased from $395.79 to $503.58, HOA fees continue to rise, and I am the sole payer. This has become a severe financial hardship.

Do not sign anything under pressure from Westgate representatives.

Don't bully the people you are trying tonsillitis a timeshare too, hold them hostage for 3 hours under the threat of a $500 charge for "not attending" the tine share sales, and constant admonishment from the sales rep to "not pass on this deal".

The "deal" was a monthly payment a little more than our mortage. Only after agreeing to buy a second reduce price stay in full were we allowed to leave without the non attendance fee.

Then, I was threatened with a collections fee for a charge that was noted as "subject to change" in the contract.

This place is a scam in every way shape and form.

It's a scam they totally lie to you and rip you off, they don't lie and lie about everything! If someone is finding way out, please let everyone know about because is frustrating! The customer services are horrible

It was good up to about 3 hrs into it, then when we decided not to do it we were both berated by the sales person that we were dealing with, up to the time we said no, very unprofessional language, and putting us down as well as wasted his time. Would love to talk to management about this totally uncalled for derating of us.

I only went with the intentions of getting a couple of free passes for the events in Pigeon Forge. Shame on me right? 😜

Was told it would be a 90 mins presentation, which turned into 4 hours! I went into the presentation knowing it was a scam. What I didn’t know is these clowns are truly highly trained scam professionals! The price for a 2 bedroom went from $800 a month ($100k) to $200 a month ($11,500) 🤣. I told them I needed to think about it and do my research and I would need at least a day. Of course I was lying.. I knew this was not allowed. They gave me pure h*ll about it. Attempted to make me feel as if something was wrong with me.

These clowns are predators. Please I beg if you are considering their “deal of a lifetime” say NOOOOO!

Did I get the free passes? Yes! But it was pure torture 😭 You say no, they let you set for a few and here comes somebody else with some darn new “ numbers” At this point I feel like a “Survivor ” Surviving the Westgate. Timeshare Scam!

WORST EXPERIENCE EVER-don’t go there unless you are an owner or ready to buy something. They treat you LIKE crap if you are none of the above. You pay for everything under the sun. They took me in this thing to buy a timeshare, promised me a $150 gift card and food and told me 90 minutes. They kept me for 3 hours didn’t give me the gift card or the food. Kept holding me trying to make deals. I KEPT telling these criminals that I was leaving early in the morning and I wanted my son to get the full experience before we left. They kept trying to give me deals. I told we did not eat and I wanted to take my son to the waterpark before leaving. They wouldn’t compensate me for holding me all that time and I had to pay $50 for the water park for 1 hour. One of the sellers told me he had 4 kids so he understands but told me unless I buy, I couldn’t get anything compensated. Stressful, my stay was ok until that!

I would leave no stars if I could they put you in this 90 minute meeting which is the last over six hours pressuring you to buy buy buy but you tell them no and it continues. You just need to get up and walk out and don’t sign anything. I made the mistake and decide to blank piece of paper. They forged my name to a contract which I fought and won. Just don’t sign anything because they will forge your name to a contract. Westgate, you should be ashamed of yourself.!

In September 2023, I was approached on the Las Vegas Strip by a Westgate representative who promised free lunch, gift cards, and show tickets for attending a "no-pressure" 90-minute presentation. What followed was over 7 hours of relentless, high-pressure sales tactics on the last day of my vacation.

The representative began contacting me on my personal cell phone and social media before the presentation, sending pictures of himself and inappropriate messages. During the sales pitch, I declined at least 10 times. I was then told not to disclose that my husband wasn't present, as it would "ruin the deal”. I later learned this made the sale illegal. A manager went so far as to accuse me of not valuing myself when I tried to decline.

We were promised Disney resort exchanges, VIP park tickets, and cruise access, none of which have materialized. We were told there was no cancellation period, which directly contradicts our contract. Had anyone been honest about the 5-day rescission window, we would have used it immediately.

After spending over $12,500, we have never been able to use this timeshare. Availability is nonexistent, fees were misrepresented, and customer service is completely inept. We've made every payment on time and received nothing in return.

We are formally requesting full termination of contract and a complete refund. This company engages in deceptive, predatory, and potentially illegal sales practices. Buyer beware.

Beware of booking through West Gate.. they are charging me $336 dollars for a one night visit, when someone else I know booked the same room through a different website and only paid $180 for the SAME room. I tried to call and cancel within the same hour of booking and they told me it was too late to do so, and that the cancellation fee would be over $200. How does that even make sense? Asked for a price match or discount and they couldn't even do that either. Absolutely ridiculous, but clearly they don't care about their reviews or customers anyways.

My husband and I were flat-out lied to from the start. We were asked to attend a meeting in exchange for a vacation discount. That "one hour" became a nearly 3-hour psychological beatdown designed to break us. They threw prices at us — $79,000, then $70,000, then $15,000 — refusing to take no for an answer. We said no over and over until we were so mentally exhausted. That's not sales. That's manipulation.

Then we find out the $15,000 we agreed to costs $31,390.80 to pay off. MORE THAN DOUBLE. Hidden in the fine print they rushed us through. We tried to confront our sales agent about this — couldn't reach her. Shocking.

And it didn't stop there. Months later they dragged us into another meeting — another 5 to 6 hours of the same predatory tactics. This time they had the nerve to tell us that the unit we already paid for no longer existed and our contract was invalid. Then they tried forcing a three-bedroom unit on us, repeating "you have no choice" like a broken record. We said no for hours infuriated that what we paid into all along doesn’t exist. And again, manipulated to sign.

Oh, and that unit? Only accessible every other year — but you pay every single year. An absolute disgrace. Westgate doesn't sell vacations. They exploit people until they break. We will be pursuing every legal avenue available to us. DO NOT give these people a single dollar. These people are scam artists and hide behind their contracts.

Worst customer service. DON"T BUY anything from this place. 12 to 15 hours to get checked in after paying thousands to be an owner. Screw this place

I was hired to promote them on my blog and they never paid me for my work. Do not trust them.

We have been owners for well over 15 years and we have paid ALOT of money over the years. Every time we book rooms, or check in, there is always some issue. We either do not get the building we own in, or they've split us up and we aren't together. Their website was misleading about specials available this month, and when I called about their lack of attention to a Terms of Service, the "Manager" told me to lower my voice after I had tried to resolve it through CS chat online. I spent two hours trying to get it resolved only to be told "too bad". I wish I had NEVER bought in to this place.
Vacations are meant to be relaxing, but I find myself tense and upset EVERY SINGLE TIME we use it.