Travel Club
Bluegreen Vacations Unlimited, Inc.Headquarters
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Complaints
This profile includes complaints for Bluegreen Vacations Unlimited, Inc.'s headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Complaints Summary
- 1,885 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 830 complaints closed in the last 12 months.
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Submit a ComplaintThe complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.
Initial Complaint
Date:01/17/2024
Type:Product IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
To whom it may concern,I sent Bluegreen Vacations a formal request to get my wife and I out of our timeshare contract.We have not received a response and was hoping ** reaching out to you would help us get something back from Bluegreen. We have spent loads of money on our timeshare and the fact that they cant even respond to us, is ridiculous. Please help us get a response.Sincerely ****** and *************************Business Response
Date: 01/24/2024
January 24, ****
***************************
BBB Services Specialist
Better Business Bureau Serving Southeast ******* and *************
***************************************************************************************
RE: Consumer File No. 21156844
Dear ********************:
This message is in response to the Better Business Bureaus electronic mail correspondence received by Bluegreen Vacations on January 17, ****, regarding the consumer correspondence of Mr.************************* and Mrs. ************************** Thank you for reaching out to us on their behalf to apprise us of their inquiry.
Bluegreen is committed to providing excellence in customer service and ensuring our owners, members, and guests are satisfied with their overall experience. It is Bluegreens goal to provide a comprehensive and responsive support network so owners, members, and guests can focus on enjoyable and memorable vacations.
Bluegreens records indicate that ***************************** Mrs. ************************** **************************** and ******************************* purchased a timeshare interest with the Bluegreen Vacation Club on October 20, 2007.The Walkers and ********************** increased their Points *********s through six equity trades and five additional contracts on April 22, 2009; August 9, 2011;October 20, 2012; August 9, 2013; June 22, 2014; February 9, 2015; July 14,2015; July 10, 2016; August 6, 2019; April 20, 2021; and September 25, 2023. Mr.and Mrs. ******* timeshare interests confer ********* of ******* Annual Vacation **** Points and Premier Platinum benefits.
Upon receipt of your correspondence advising of Mr. and Mrs. ******* concerns,our ************* ********************** Specialist reached out to Mr.and ***************** by telephone and email on January 18 and January 19, ****,resulting in leaving messages that we wish to speak with them regarding their Better Business Bureau correspondence and providing direct contact information.Our Specialist reached out again by telephone on January 22, ****, resulting in leaving a voice message that we are trying to reach Mr. and ***************** and providing direct contact information. Although we have been unable to speak with Mr.and ***************** directly, Bluegreen wishes to respond to Mr. and Mrs. ******* concerns through the Better Business Bureau.
Mr. and Mrs. ******* primary concern is with Bluegreens communication and responsiveness as they have attempted to cancel their timeshare *********. Bluegreen strives to provide rapid and reliable communication for our owners. Bluegreen first received communication by email that Mr. and ***************** wanted to cancel their ********* on December 11, 2023.In response, our ************* ********************** Specialist spoke with **************** by telephone on December 12, 2023, listening to his concerns, offering assistance with their *********, and providing information regarding resale. Our records do not indicate that we have received additional communication from Mr.and ***************** until receiving their recent Better Business Bureau correspondence. At Bluegreen, we pride ourselves on our professionalism,communication, and support of owners. Regarding Mr. and Mrs. ******* desire to cancel their timeshare *********, Bluegreen would remind Mr. and ***************** that they purchased a timeshare ********* that is intended to be a lifetime *********. Bluegreen would advise that the Owner Beneficiary Agreement Terms and Conditions: Section 1(a) Trust Agreement indicates that Mr. and Mrs.******* ********* is intended to be perpetual creating a lifetime of vacations. Bluegreen would also advise Mr. and ***************** that Bluegreen does not offer a formal buyback program. Bluegreen makes no guarantees of providing any potential options for exiting a timeshare *********.
Bluegreens ************* ********************** team has reviewed Mr. and Mrs. ******* ********* closely, since receiving their Better Business Bureau correspondence.After review, Bluegreen finds that Mr. and ***************** remain bound to the terms of the purchase agreements and promissory notes they executed for their timeshare purchases. Bluegreen will not provide the cancellation and release from further financial obligation requested for Mr. and *****************. At this writing, Mr. and Mrs. ******* mortgage loans in connection with their timeshare interests purchased on August 6, 2019 and April 20, 2021, are currently 19 days and 35 days past due, respectively. Bluegreens ******************* has called, emailed, and sent letters to Mr. and **************** to advise them of the delinquencies and provide an opportunity to bring their loans current. Should Mr.and ***************** elect not to continue mortgage payments, their loans may charge off due to nonpayment of mortgage. Should Mr. and **************** have any further questions or concerns, we invite them to reach out to our Specialist at the direct contact information provided.
********************************************************** **** Services
Bluegreen Vacations CorporationCustomer Answer
Date: 01/26/2024
Due to personal and family obligations, I have not been able to take the calls from bluegreen. Today I reached out to them and could not speak to either the manager or my case associate about me getting out of bluegreen timeshare.I will try to take their next call.
******
Customer Answer
Date: 01/26/2024
Complaint: 21156844
I am rejecting this response because:I have not had the opportunity to speak with you due to family illness and responsibilities. I will try to answer new calls
Sincerely,
*************************Business Response
Date: 02/06/2024
February 6, ****
***************************
BBB Services Specialist
Better Business Bureau Serving Southeast ******* and *************
***************************************************************************************
RE: Consumer File No. 21156844
Dear ********************:
This message is in response to the Better Business Bureaus electronic mail correspondence received by Bluegreen Vacations on January 17, ****, regarding the consumer correspondence of Mr.************************* and Mrs. ************************** and Mr. and Mrs.******* rebuttal correspondence received on January 29, ****. Thank you for reaching out to us on their behalf to apprise us of their continuing inquiry.
Upon receipt of your correspondence advising of Mr. and Mrs.******* rebuttal, our ************* ********************** Specialist spoke with Mr. and ***************** by telephone on January 29, ****, listening to their concerns, providing information regarding potential resolutions, and advising there is no option to cancel their *********. Our Specialist immediately followed up by email thanking Mr. and ***************** for speaking with him about their concerns. Mr. and ***************** replied by email later the same day thanking our Specialist for speaking with them and stating they gained information they had not understood before. In addition to speaking with Mr. and ***************** directly, Bluegreen wishes to respond to Mr. and **************** through the Better Business Bureau as well.
Mr. and ***************** do not identify any new issues in their rebuttal to which Bluegreen has not already responded. Bluegreen reiterates the positions described in our earlier correspondence to the Better Business Bureau dated January 24, ****, on all subjects therein.
Bluegreens ************* ********************** team has again reviewed Mr. and Mrs.******* ********* closely, since receiving their rebuttal correspondence. After review, Bluegreen still finds that Mr. and **************** remain bound to the terms of the purchase agreements and promissory notes they executed for their timeshare purchases. Again, Bluegreen will not provide the cancellation and release from further financial obligation requested for Mr. and *****************. At this writing, Mr. and Mrs. ******* mortgage loans in connection with their timeshare interests purchased on August 6, 2019 and April 20, 2021, are currently 32 days and 48 days past due, respectively. Again, Bluegreens ******************* has called, emailed, and sent letters to Mr. and **************** to advise them of the delinquencies and provide an opportunity to bring their loans current. As previously advised, should Mr. and **************** elect not to continue mortgage payments, their loans may charge off due to nonpayment of mortgage. Should Mr. and ***************** have any further questions or concerns, they have the direct contact information for our Specialist.
********************************************************** **** Services
Bluegreen Vacations CorporationCustomer Answer
Date: 02/06/2024
Complaint: 21156844
I am rejecting this response because:As previously communicated, my wife and I were advised by two senior managers, not sales representatives, of the option to rent points in order to help pay the maintenance fees that we were having difficulty paying. We did as we were advised, and as a result- are now being penalized. This action is caused by advisement from BlueGreen Vacation Club personnel, and my wife and I want released from any obligation to and/or with BlueGreen Vacation Club.
Sincerely,
*************************Initial Complaint
Date:01/17/2024
Type:Order IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I have been trying to get rid of my Bluegreen timeshare by emailing them directly. After receiving our complaints, we spoke to *********************, and he informed us that the only way to eliminate the timeshare was to pay off the mortgage and cover the maintenance fees. Once done, we can resell the timeshare through Pinnacle. We find this unfair because our dissatisfaction with the timeshare is precisely why we want out. While my daughter was in surgery recently, I got a call from ********; she wanted us to make a payment for our maintenance fees. Told her we weren't making any more payments! Our health won't let us use the timeshare vacations anymore. They wanted to know if any family members would take it over and told her they didn't want it. Then she said they would turn it over to collections and terminate it. I can only imagine that it is going to be time-consuming, and we will get credit damage along the way. All for something that isnt our fault. We have upgraded our timeshare six times. During the last upgrade, we were promised that paying the mortgage instead of paying it off right away would exempt us from maintenance fees. They were still asking us to pay maintenance fees to get out of it. This contradicted what they had told us. In the last presentation, we were assured that purchasing the upgrade would eliminate the maintenance fee, and the loan payment would be lower than the maintenance fees. The maintenance fee remained high despite their promises. We have lost interest in using the timeshare because every time we try to book, they insist on subjecting us to presentations to sell us more points and increase maintenance fees. Financially, we are trapped in paying the loan with continually increasing maintenance fees despite being promised otherwise. And we do not want to burden our children with this. Bluegreen is an incredibly untrustworthy company. Im an Army Retired veteran who repaired engines on Blackhawk Helicopters. All I wanted was to take my family on nice trips, and I thought a timeshare would help achieve that, especially considering how the salespeople spoke to us. However, it turned out to be a scam and a money pit. I hope there is something you can do to assist us.Business Response
Date: 01/26/2024
January 26, ****
***************************
BBB Services Specialist
Better Business Bureau Serving Southeast ******* and *************
***************************************************************************************
RE: Consumer File No. 21156837
Dear ********************:
This message is in response to the Better Business Bureaus electronic mail correspondence received by Bluegreen Vacations on January 17, **** regarding the consumer correspondence of ***************************. Thank you for reaching out to us on his behalf to apprise us of his inquiry.
Bluegreen is committed to providing excellence in customer service and to ensuring our owners and guests are satisfied with their overall experience. It is Bluegreens goal to provide a comprehensive and responsive support network, so our owners and guests can focus on enjoyable and memorable vacations.
Bluegreens records indicate that *************************** and **************************** purchased a Bluegreen Vacation Club timeshare interest on May 12, 2015. Mr. and ***************** subsequently increased their ownership interest by purchasing additional Points on July 1, 2015; April 14, 2017; April 10, 2018; May 14,2019; and October 1, 2019. Mr. and Mrs. ******* timeshare interests confer ownership of thirty thousand Annual Vacation **** Points and sixty thousand Biennial Points, totaling sixty thousand Points annually and Premier Platinum membership.
Upon receipt of your correspondence advising of Mr. ******* concerns, and in accordance with Bluegreens desire to provide each owner with education,resolution, and ongoing service, one of our ************* ********************** Specialists attempted to reach **************** by telephone and email on January 17, ****,leaving messages to notify him that we would like to speak with him further to address his Better Business Bureau correspondence. Our Specialist reached out to **************** by telephone again on January 18 and 22, ****, again leaving messages that we are trying to reach him and providing direct contact information. Although we have been unable to speak with **************** directly,Bluegreen wishes to respond to his concerns through the Better Business Bureau. Bluegreen would also like to thank **************** for his years of military service and his commitment to our country.
Mr. ******* first concern is regarding their attempts to cancel their ownership. Bluegreen would advise that the statutory rescission period for the timeshare purchase contract provides the applicable cancellation policy for a Vacation **** purchase. The rescission period is included in the Owner Beneficiary Agreement for Mr. and Mrs. ******* review. The Owner Beneficiary Agreement states the rescission period on the signature page in bolded text and capital letters immediately above the signature lines where Mr.and ***************** signed to make their timeshare purchase. Mr. and ***************** had a physical copy of the Owner Beneficiary Agreement document in their possession when they left the sales presentation and purchase meeting;therefore, they had an opportunity to read through this document right away after purchasing or later at their leisure. If Mr. and ***************** had doubts about the Bluegreen product or its suitability for their personal vacation needs, they could have promptly reviewed their contract documents during the rescission period and followed the instructions to cancel, if desired. Our Specialist would be happy to discuss this rescission period with **************** and explain that this is the only time the contract provides for Bluegreen to cancel a purchase. Unfortunately, Bluegreen did not receive a request to cancel from Mr. and ***************** during the rescission period.
Bluegreen believes we offer a valuable vacation ownership but understands that some owners may wish or need to come to an end with the Bluegreen product. Owner Confirmation Interview Section 14 provides that no one is authorized to guarantee that Bluegreen will repurchase or resell a timeshare interest. In addition, the Terms and Conditions of the Owner Beneficiary Agreement in Section 5: Purchasers Acknowledgments disclaim the investment potential of the ownership and state there is no guaranteed buyback of the timeshare. While Bluegreen does not repurchase or resell timeshare interests, Bluegreen does allow owners to resell their ownership interests. Bluegreen refers owners interested in resale to our authorized third-party resale agent who can advise owners regarding resale information, but Bluegreen is not party to that conversation.
Mr. ******* second concern is that they are unable to use their ownership due to changes in their health, which has affected their ability to travel. Bluegreen empathizes with the unfortunate circumstances of ******************* health issues that have come about since their timeshare purchase with Bluegreen. We understand that Mr. and ***************** are unable to travel in their current health condition. Generally, illness and health concerns are not a sufficient basis for cancellation of a Bluegreen contract,as Bluegreen is of the opinion that the owners other family members, friends,and personal contacts remain able to utilize the ownership even as the ownerstravel is affected. Still, Bluegreen appreciates **************** for sharing the health challenges affecting him and ***************** and sends wishes for their good health and recovery.
Mr. ******* third concern is with the effects on their credit standing resulting from their stopped payments for their mortgage loan. At Bluegreen, the decision to stop making payments does not mean cancellation or refund will be forthcoming.Bluegreen would advise **************** that in order to remain in compliance with federal law, we are not able to suppress credit reporting. Federal law requires Bluegreen to report credit information fully and accurately for our owners with mortgage loans, including late payments or missed payments. Bluegreen has a legal duty as a data furnisher to report this information to the credit reporting agencies, and we are unable to depart from our credit reporting obligations with respect to Mr. and Mrs. ******* mortgage loan. Regarding stopped payments for maintenance fees, Bluegreen would advise that, per our Assessment, Billing, and Collections Policy,accounts that are past due may be sent to outside collections or may eventually terminate due to nonpayment. However, Bluegreen would advise that there is not a specified timeframe in which this occurs.
Mr. ******* next concern is that they understood from their October 2019 upgrade meeting that having a mortgage loan would exempt them from paying maintenance fees. As with all Vacation **** purchases,maintenance fees for this purchase were discussed at the time of purchase and detailed in the Owner Beneficiary Agreement and the Owner Confirmation Interview. The Terms and Conditions of the Owner Beneficiary Agreement in Section 4: Common Assessment Fees and **** Dues set forth that maintenance fees are billed annually as a base amount plus an added amount per Vacation **** Point. Owner Confirmation Interview Section 8 also advises that maintenance fees and **** Dues are owner obligations calculated based on the number of Vacation **** Points owned and that prorated fees would be billed in conjunction with the upgrade. Mr.and ***************** initialed next to Section 8, indicating their understanding and consent. In addition,the Purchase Proposal for this contract provided a breakdown of maintenance fees associated with the purchase. Mr. and ***************** signed the Purchase Proposal, indicating they had reviewed the finance terms included.
**************** also states a concern regarding attending owner update presentations. **************** states they felt pressure to attend owner update presentations when traveling to Bluegreen resorts and during the presentations,felt pressure to purchase additional Points. Bluegreen would remind Mr. and ***************** that as deeded owners with Bluegreen, they are not under any obligation to attend owner update presentations when they vacation with Bluegreen if they do not wish to participate. However, Mr. and ***************** are always welcome to attend a presentation should they wish to learn more about their ownership, hear Bluegreens current sales offers, or obtain the gifts given for attending a presentation. Our owner update presentations are designed to answer questions, provide information, and present offers for enhancing Vacation **** ownership. Owner update presentations impart a great deal of information about how to use the ownership, including information about how Vacation **** usage may be enhanced by purchasing additional Vacation **** Points. Mr. and ***************** did not need to consider information presented about purchasing additional Points if they were not interested in expanding their ownership at that time. However, their purchase history reveals that they were interested in upgrading.
Additionally,**************** states their maintenance fees have increased. Once again, the Terms and Conditions of the Owner Beneficiary Agreement Section 4: Common Assessment Fees and **** Dues sets forth that maintenance fees are billed annually as a base amount plus an added amount per Vacation **** Point. This billing calculation indicates that maintenance fees will increase as the number of Vacation **** Points owned increases, and Mr. and ***************** have purchased additional Points on five occasions. Moreover,Section 4 provides that Bluegreen has the right to increase or decrease fees from time to time. Bluegreen endeavors to make maintenance fees manageable for owners by offering several payment options for maintenance fees, including installment plans of three months, longer payment plans, and prepayments before the maintenance fee bill is due.
Finally, **************** is concerned that their children will become financially responsible for their timeshare interests should something happen to them. Bluegreen would remind Mr. and ***************** that there is no legal requirement that an owner must pass on a timeshare interest to the owners children, heirs, or designees. Additionally, there is no obligation that an intended recipient must accept a timeshare interest. Mr. and Mrs. ******* children would not be legally required to assume financial responsibility for the ownership if they do not wish to do so.
Bluegreens ************* ********************** team has reviewed Mr. and Mrs. ******* ownership closely. After doing so, Bluegreen finds that Mr. and ***************** remain responsible under the terms of the purchase agreements and promissory note they executed for their timeshare purchases. Bluegreen will not provide the cancellation and refund requested by Mr. and *****************. Currently, ******************* mortgage loan associated with their timeshare purchased on October 1, 2019 is 118 days past due. Bluegreens ******************* has called,emailed, and sent letters to Mr. and ***************** to advise them of the delinquency and provide an opportunity to bring their loan current. Should Mr.and ***************** elect not to continue mortgage payments, their loan may be charged off due to nonpayment of mortgage. Should **************** have any further questions or concerns, he has the direct contact information of our ***************************************************************************** **** Services
Bluegreen Vacations CorporationInitial Complaint
Date:01/17/2024
Type:Product IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
BBB,We recently received a notice of termination letter from Bluegreen Vacations regarding our timeshare. We would like for Bluegreen to respond in writing confirming that our timeshare account has been completely cancelled and that we have no further obligations to their company. We would appreciate it if they could provide us with this information as soon as possible.Summer and *****************Business Response
Date: 01/24/2024
January 24, ****
***************************
BBB Services Specialist
Better Business Bureau Serving Southeast ******* and *************
***************************************************************************************
RE: Consumer File No. 21156689
Dear ********************:
This message is in response to the Better Business Bureaus electronic mail correspondence received by Bluegreen Vacations on January 17, ****, regarding the consumer correspondence of ********************* and Mrs. **************** Thank you for reaching out to us on their behalf to apprise us of their inquiry.
Bluegreen is committed to providing excellence in customer service and to ensuring our owners and guests are satisfied with their overall experience. It is Bluegreens goal to provide a comprehensive and responsive support network,so our owners and guests can focus on enjoyable and memorable vacations.
Bluegreens records indicate that ********************* and Mrs. *************** purchased a Bluegreen Vacation Club timeshare interest on February 20, 2023. Mr. and Mrs. ***** timeshare interest conferred ownership of ***** Annual Vacation **** Points.
Upon receipt of your correspondence advising of Mr. and Mrs. ***** concern,and in accordance with Bluegreens desire to provide each owner with education,resolution, and ongoing service, our ************* ********************** Specialist reached out to Mr. and ************* by telephone on January 18, ****, resulting in being unable to leave a voice message as the voicemail was not set up. Our Specialist sent an email advising that we wish to speak with them regarding their Better Business Bureau correspondence and providing direct contact information. Our Specialist briefly spoke with ************ by telephone on January 22, ****, verifying their contact information, in which ************ then advised it was not a good time to speak. Our Specialist reached out by telephone again on January 23,****, still unable to leave a voice message. Although we have been unable to speak with Mr. and ************* in depth, Bluegreen wishes to respond to their concerns through the Better Business Bureau.
Mr. and Mrs. ***** primary concern is regarding the status of their ownership. Bluegreens ************* ********************** team has reviewed Mr. and Mrs. ***** ownership closely. After reviewing their ownership, Bluegreen would advise that Mr. and Mrs. ***** mortgage loan for their timeshare purchase on February 20, 2023, has been charged off due to nonpayment on November 28, 2023. Mr. and ************* are therefore no longer Bluegreen owners. Our Specialist would be happy to provide further information for Mr. and ************* if they wish to speak by telephone. Should Mr. and ************ have further questions or concerns, they have the direct contact information for our ***************************************************************************** **** Services
Bluegreen Vacations CorporationInitial Complaint
Date:01/16/2024
Type:Product IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Better Business Bureau,We would like to file a complaint against Bluegreen Vacations. ******* and I have given Bluegreen a significant amount of money in just one year, but we have received minimal benefits in return. This is not what we were promised, and it is clear to us that the cost is overwhelming and was not properly explained to us.Initially, when we discussed using this timeshare, our best time to vacation was during the summer when the kids were out of school and the weather was warm. However, we quickly realized that the points required for a two-day trip during those months would exhaust all of our allocated points for the entire year.We are disappointed with our experience so far and do not wish to continue doing business with Bluegreen or timeshare ownership. We have sent letters by mail and submitted them via the website but never get a response to our complaints. Maybe because we have stated in writing we want our contracts canceled and they know they are in the wrong, they are taking the path of avoidance. We feel wronged by Bluegreens practices. We trusted the promises but have ************* repeatedly. It is our sincere hope that this letter will lead to a resolution that is fair to both parties.Thank you for taking the time to read our complaint, and we hope to receive support from your organization and a satisfactory response from Bluegreen as to the cancelation of our contracts. We also believe it is not unreasonable to request a partial refund. Regards, ******************* and ***********************Business Response
Date: 01/24/2024
January 24, ****
***************************
BBB Services Specialist
Better Business Bureau Serving Southeast ******* and *************
***************************************************************************************
RE: Consumer File No. 21151333
Dear ********************:
This message is in response to the Better Business Bureaus electronic mail correspondence received by Bluegreen Vacations on January 16, ****, regarding the consumer correspondence of *************************************** and ***********************. Thank you for reaching out to us on their behalf to apprise us of their inquiry.
Bluegreen is committed to providing excellence in customer service and to ensuring our owners and guests are satisfied with their overall experience. It is Bluegreens goal to provide a comprehensive and responsive support network,so our owners and guests can focus on enjoyable and memorable vacations.
Bluegreens records indicate that *************************************** purchased a Bluegreen Vacation Club timeshare interest on June 17, 2022. ************ subsequently upgraded his ownership interest by purchasing additional Points on August 20,2022. Together with ***********************, ************ completed an additional upgrade on November 6, 2022. However, that upgrade contract has since charged off due to nonpayment of the mortgage, so ************ is no longer a Bluegreen owner. ************** remaining timeshare interest confers ownership of twelve thousand Biennial Vacation **** Points.
Upon receipt of your correspondence advising of ************ and Ms. ***** concerns, and in accordance with Bluegreens desire to provide each owner with education, resolution, and ongoing service, one of our ************* ********************** Specialists attempted to reach ************ and ************ by telephone and email on January 17, ****, leaving messages to notify them that we would like to speak with them further to address their Better Business Bureau correspondence. Our Specialist reached out to ************ and ************ by telephone and email again on January 18, ****, and by telephone on January 19, ****, again leaving messages that we are trying to reach them and providing direct contact information. Although we have been unable to speak with ************ and ************ directly, Bluegreen wishes to respond to their concerns through the Better Business Bureau.
************ and Ms. ***** first concern is regarding representations they state were made during the sales presentation. Bluegreen does not have documentation from the sales site that differs from the details in the contract documents. The Owner Confirmation Interview in Section 11 states that salespersons are not authorized to make oral representations, promises, or offers that modify the contract documents.Section 11 provided a space for ************ to write any promises or commitments that were important to his purchase decision that are not otherwise covered in writing. ************ completed this field by writing None, indicating no outside promises or commitments were made by Bluegreen. Furthermore, the Terms and Conditions of the Owner Beneficiary Agreement in Section 24 provide that ************,as a purchaser, should not rely on any oral or written representations that are not set forth in the contract documents.
************ and Ms. ***** second concern is that they feel they were not advised of the costs associated with the ownership. Bluegreen would advise ************ that the financing terms for his remaining timeshare contracts were disclosed at the time of purchase. The second page of ************** Owner Beneficiary Agreements advises the purchase price and financing terms for each contract. Maintenance fees are also discussed at the time of purchase and detailed in the Owner Beneficiary Agreement and the Owner Confirmation Interview. The Terms and Conditions of the Owner Beneficiary Agreement in Section 4: Common Assessment Fees and **** Dues set forth that maintenance fees are billed annually as a base amount plus an added amount per Vacation **** Point. Section 4 provides that Bluegreen has the right to increase or decrease fees from time to time.Owner Confirmation Interview Section 8 also advises that maintenance fees and **** Dues are owner obligations calculated based on the number of Vacation **** Points owned. ************ initialed next to Section 8, indicating his understanding and consent. In addition, the Purchase Proposal and *************** Summary both include a breakdown of annual maintenance fees and Vacation **** Dues, as well as loan financing terms. If he was uncomfortable with the financing terms, ************ could have departed the sales presentation without signing any documentation or completing a purchase. Moreover, ************ initialed the *************** Summary, indicating that he had reviewed all financial terms and that he could afford to make all payments connected with the timeshare purchase.
************ and Ms. ***** third concern is that they do not own enough Points to travel during their preferred times. Bluegreen is firmly of the opinion that all Vacation **** Points are valuable for reserving enjoyable and memorable vacations. As ************ initialed in Section 1 of the Owner Confirmation Interview, each of Bluegreens Vacation **** accommodations is assigned nightly and weekly Points values that vary depending on the day of the week, size of the unit, resort location, and season. The twenty thousand Biennial Points ************ currently receives cover fewer nights at some properties based on these factors, but at other resorts a full weeks stay can be reserved for four thousand Points or fewer. ************ also received for his review a Points Guide advising the number of Points needed for each accommodation. The Points Guide provides helpful information for owners to plan vacations with full knowledge of the times of year and types of accommodations their ownership allows at Bluegreens varied resort properties. For example, during the Blue Season in parts of December, January, and February, a one-bedroom suite vacation villa that sleeps four people at *********** Lights resort in ************, ************** is available for an entire week for just four thousand Points. At Harbour Lights, a hotel-style villa is only three thousand Points weekly for much of January, February, March, November, and December. Our ********************************************* resort in ************, ******** offers one-week vacations for as few as two thousand Points per week during the Blue Season in January and February, or up to four thousand Points in the White and Red Seasons during March, April,October, November, and December. Our Specialist would be pleased to discuss opportunities to reserve vacations with ************ and assist him in confirming reservations at resorts he has not yet been able to visit.
************ and Ms. ***** next concern is with the communication and response they received from Bluegreen as they attempted to cancel their timeshare purchase. Bluegreen strives to provide receptive,reliable, and timely communication to our owners. Bluegreens policy is to return owners calls and emails promptly and follow through on owners issues until a satisfactory resolution is reached. Our records do show that emails were received from ************ and ************ on October 8, 2023 and November 28,2023. However, since the start of COVID-19, all agents are currently available to assist owners in real-time via live chat or telephone. Our customer service inbox is therefore not routinely monitored, and this information is posted on our Contact Us web page to notify owners that emails are not being answered at this time. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this has caused, but Bluegreen is pleased to have this opportunity to assist ************ and ************ via their Better Business Bureau correspondence.
************ and Ms. ***** final concern is regarding their request to cancel their ownership. Bluegreen would advise that the statutory rescission period for the timeshare purchase contract provides the applicable cancellation policy for a Vacation **** purchase. The rescission period is included in the Owner Beneficiary Agreement for ************** review. The Owner Beneficiary Agreement states the rescission period on the signature page in bolded text and capital letters immediately above the signature lines where ************ signed to make his timeshare purchase. ************ had a physical copy of the Owner Beneficiary Agreement document in his possession when he left the sales presentation and purchase meeting; therefore, he had an opportunity to read through this document right away after purchasing or later at his leisure. If ************ had doubts about the Bluegreen product or its suitability for his personal vacation needs, he could have promptly reviewed the contract documents during the rescission period and followed the instructions to cancel, if desired. Our Specialist would be happy to discuss this rescission period and explain that this is the only time the contract provides for Bluegreen to cancel a purchase upon request. Unfortunately, Bluegreen did not receive a request to cancel from ************ and ************ during the rescission period.
Bluegreens ************* ********************** team has reviewed ************** ownership closely. After reviewing the account, ********************** finds that ************ remains responsible under the terms of the purchase agreements and promissory notes he executed for his timeshare purchases. Bluegreen will not provide the cancellation and refund requested by ************ and ************. As referenced above, the mortgage loan associated with ************ and Ms. ***** timeshare purchased on November 6, 2022 was charged off due to nonpayment on January 12,****, so ************ is no longer a Bluegreen owner as of that date. Similarly,************** mortgage loan associated with his timeshare purchased on June 17,2022 was charged off due to nonpayment on January 23, ****. ************** mortgage loan associated with his timeshare purchased on August 20, 2022 is 127 days past due, respectively. Bluegreens ******************* has called, emailed,and sent letters to ************ to advise him of the delinquency and provide an opportunity to bring his loan current. Should ************ elect not to continue mortgage payments, his loan may also be charged off due to nonpayment of mortgage. Should ************ and ************ have any further questions or concerns, they have the direct contact information of our ***************************************************************************** **** Services
Bluegreen Vacations CorporationInitial Complaint
Date:01/16/2024
Type:Product IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Better Business Bureau,I need some sort of assistance in regards to the timeshares I have purchased from Bluegreen Vacations. Despite making several purchases, I no longer wish to be an owner of these timeshares and have been seeking all available options to cancel them. It is important to note that all mortgage loans have already been fully paid off and I am simply looking to exit my ownership.Unfortunately, my experience with Bluegreen has been far from satisfactory. I was misled and told many untruths about these timeshares that have left me feeling like I have invested a significant amount of my hard-earned money into something that has not provided me with an adequate return. After attempting to contact the company about my concerns and requests, I have received no response from them.As a result, I am seeking the assistance of the Better Business Bureau to help me get the cancellation and refund of my timeshare purchases, which I feel I am entitled to. I would appreciate any and all help that can be provided in this regard.Thank you,**********************Business Response
Date: 01/25/2024
January 25, ****
***************************
BBB Services Specialist
Better Business Bureau Serving Southeast ******* and *************
*********************************************************************************************** RE: Consumer File No. 21151046
Dear ********************:
This message is in response to the Better Business Bureaus electronic mail correspondence received by Bluegreen Vacations on January 16, ****, regarding the consumer correspondence of Ms.*********************** Thank you for reaching out to us on her behalf to apprise us of her inquiry.
Bluegreen is committed to providing excellence in customer service and ensuring our owners, members, and guests are satisfied with their overall experience. It is Bluegreens goal to provide a comprehensive and responsive support network so owners, members, and guests can focus on enjoyable and memorable vacations.
Bluegreens records indicate that Ms.********************** purchased a timeshare interest with the Bluegreen Vacation Club on June 30, 2008. Ms.******* increased her Points ownership through an equity trade on December 10,2013. Ms. ******* timeshare interest confers ownership of ****** Annual Vacation **** Points and Premier Silver benefits.
Upon receipt of your correspondence advising of Ms. ******* concerns, our ************* ********************** Specialist reached out to Ms. ******* by telephone and email on January 16, ****, resulting in leaving messages that we wish to speak with her regarding her Better Business Bureau correspondence,requesting her availability to speak by telephone, and providing direct contact information. Our Specialist reached out again by telephone on January 17 and January 18, ****, resulting in leaving voice messages that we are trying to reach Ms. ******* and providing direct contact information. Ms. ******* replied by email on January 19, ****, requesting a telephone appointment. Our Specialist responded later the same day confirming Ms. ******* appointment date and time. Our Specialist spoke with Ms. ******* on January 24, ****,listening to her concerns, clarifying ownership information, and discussing potential resolutions. Ms. ******* stated she would consider the potential resolutions and reach out to our Specialist if she decides to move forward. In addition to speaking with Ms. ******* directly, Bluegreen wishes to respond to Ms.******* concerns through the Better Business Bureau as well.
Ms. ******* first concern is regarding exit options for her timeshare ownership. Bluegreen would remind Ms. ******* that she purchased a timeshare ownership that is intended to be a lifetime ownership. Bluegreen would advise that the Owner Beneficiary Agreement Terms and Conditions: Section 1(a) Trust Agreement indicates that Ms. **************** is intended to be perpetual creating a lifetime of vacations.Bluegreen would also advise Ms. ******* that Bluegreen does not offer a formal buyback program. Bluegreen makes no guarantees of providing any potential options for exiting a timeshare ownership.
Ms. ******* second concern is regarding representations she states were made at the sales presentation. Bluegreen does not have documentation from the sales site that differs from the details contained in the contract documents. The Owner Confirmation Interview at Section 12 states that salespersons are not authorized to make oral representations, promises, or offers that modify the contract documents.Section 12 provided a space for Ms.******* to write any promises or commitments that were important to her purchase decision that are not otherwise covered in writing. Ms. ******* completed this field by writing None, indicating no outside promises or commitments were made by Bluegreen. Furthermore, the Owner Beneficiary Agreement at Section 24 provides that Ms. ******** as the purchaser, should not rely on any oral or written representations that are not set forth in the contract documents.
Ms. ******* third concern involves Bluegreen as a financial investment.Bluegreen believes we sell a valuable vacation product. Still,the timeshare interest Ms. ******* purchased is for her and her familys personal use. Owner Confirmation Interview Section 13 provides that the ownership purchase is for personal use and enjoyment only. Owner Confirmation Interview Section 13 further states the purchase is made neither as a financial investment nor with an expectation of a financial return on an investment. Section 13 also provides that no one is authorized to guarantee that Bluegreen will repurchase or resell a timeshare interest. Ms. ******* initialed beside Section 13, signifying she agreed the purchase was for personal use and not for investment purposes. In addition, Owner Beneficiary Agreement Section 5: Purchasers Acknowledgments disclaims the investment potential of the ownership, affirms that the purchase is for personal use, and states there is no guaranteed buy-back of the timeshare. Bluegreen refers owners interested in resale to our authorized third-party resale agent. Our Specialist would be happy to provide contact information, if desired.
Ms. ******* final concern is with Bluegreens communication and responsiveness as she has attempted to cancel her timeshare ownership. Bluegreen strives to provide rapid and reliable communication for our owners. Bluegreen first received notification that Ms.****** wanted to cancel her ownership in March 2020. In response, our ************* ********************** Specialist spoke with Ms. ****** by telephone on May 7, 2020,listening to her concerns and providing information regarding resale and title transfer. Our Specialist also followed up immediately by email providing the direct contact information for our third-party resale agent and the web address for initiating a title transfer. Bluegreen also received an email from Ms.******* on February 7, 2021, requesting to cancel her ownership. An automated response was sent the same day advising Ms. ******* to refrain from emailing and to reach out directly to our online chat servicing team or to our telephone customer service contact center regarding her concerns. Our records also indicate that we received an email on November 8, 2023. However, since the start of COVID-19, all agents are currently available to assist owners in real-time via live chat or telephone. Our customer service inbox is therefore not routinely monitored, and this information is posted on our Contact ** web page to notify owners that emails are not being answered at this time. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this has caused, but Bluegreen is pleased to have this opportunity to assist Ms. **************** Bluegreens ************* ********************** team has reviewed Ms. ******* ownership closely, since receiving her Better Business Bureau correspondence. After review, Bluegreen finds that Ms. ******* remains bound to the terms of the purchase agreement she executed for her timeshare purchase.Bluegreen will not provide the cancellation and refund requested for Ms. ******** Bluegreen would advise that Ms. ******* contract purchased on December 10, 2013 is paid in full. Should Ms. ******* have any further questions or concerns, or decide to proceed with a potential resolution, we invite her to reach out to our Specialist at the direct contact information provided.
********************************************************** **** Services
Bluegreen Vacations CorporationInitial Complaint
Date:01/16/2024
Type:Sales and Advertising IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
To Whom It May ********** attended and made a timeshare purchase at one of Bluegreen Vacations sales presentations which was located in *********. Unfortunately, we were misled and taken advantage of by Bluegreen and their sales representatives during this presentation. We attempted to reach out to Bluegreen months ago and received no response, which is why we are now seeking your assistance to resolve this matter.The sales presentation was supposed to last only two hours but ended up lasting six hours. We had a show to attend and were almost made to miss it due to the long and dragged-out presentation. We said no multiple times during the presentation but the sales representatives kept lowering the price offer and tag-teamed us until we felt pressured to cave in and make the purchase.Our sales representatives' names were *******************, *********************************, and ***********************. They completely lied to us during the presentation. They told us that the timeshare was real estate and could be sold at any time. We later found out that this was a huge lie.Furthermore, they promised that our purchased points would gain us access to luxurious locations, but we soon found out that we only had enough points to stay at cheap, motel 6 type locations.The level of dishonesty and deceit displayed by Bluegreen Vacations is unacceptable.Their sales representatives are highly skilled at pressuring and misleading their clients into making purchases that are not in their best interest. We are extremely frustrated and disappointed with the entire experience, especially with the lack of response from Bluegreen Vacations when we reached out to them about these issues.We request that our timeshare be immediately canceled and all fees be refunded. We hope that your organization can help us reach a resolution regarding this matter.Sincerely,**** and *****************************Business Response
Date: 01/24/2024
January 24, ****
***************************
BBB Services Specialist
Better Business Bureau Serving Southeast ******* and *************
***************************************************************************************
RE: Consumer File No. 21150894
Dear ********************:
This message is in response to the Better Business Bureaus electronic mail correspondence received by Bluegreen Vacations on January 16, ****, regarding the consumer correspondence of ***************************** and **********************************. Thank you for reaching out to us on their behalf to apprise us of their inquiry.
Bluegreen is committed to providing excellence in customer service and to ensuring our owners and guests are satisfied with their overall experience. It is Bluegreens goal to provide a comprehensive and responsive support network,so our owners and guests can focus on enjoyable and memorable vacations.
Bluegreens records indicate that ***************************** and ********************************** purchased a Bluegreen Vacation Club timeshare interest on December 28, 2021. *** and ********************** timeshare interest confers ownership of eight thousand Biennial Vacation **** Points.
Upon receipt of your correspondence advising of *** and *********************** concerns, and in accordance with Bluegreens desire to provide each owner with education, resolution, and ongoing service, one of our ************* ********************** Specialists briefly spoke with ******************** by telephone on January 17 and January 19, ****, in which ******************** advised that this is not a good time to speak. Our Specialist sent an email, those same days, offering to schedule a time to speak with them. Our Specialist reached out to *** and ********************* on January 24, ****, leaving a voice message advising that we are trying to reach them and providing direct contact information. Although we have been unable to speak with *** and ********************* in detail, Bluegreen wishes to respond to *** and *********************** concerns through the Better Business Bureau.
*** and *********************** first concern is regarding representations they state were made at the sales presentation. Bluegreen does not have documentation from the sales site that differs from the details contained in the contract documents. The Owner Confirmation Interview at Section 11 states that salespersons are not authorized to make oral representations, promises, or offers that modify the contract documents. Section 11 provides a space for *** and ********************* to write any promises or commitments that were important to their purchase decision that are not otherwise covered in writing. *** and ********************* by writing None, indicating no outside promises or commitments were made by Bluegreen. Furthermore, the Owner Beneficiary Agreement at Section 24 provides that *** and *********************, as purchasers, should not rely on any oral or written representations that are not set forth in the contract documents.
*** and *********************** second concern is regarding the communication and responsiveness in resolving the issue they have experienced. Bluegreen strives to provide rapid and reliable communication for our owners. Bluegreens policy is to return owners communications promptly and follow through on ownersissues until a satisfactory resolution is reached. As soon as we received ***and *********************** correspondence from the Better Business Bureau, our ************* ********************** team contacted *** and ********************* by telephone and email. Bluegreens records also show that we received *** and *********************** email on September 29, 2023. Since the start of COVID-19, Bluegreen would advise that all agents are currently available to assist owners in real-time via live chat or telephone. Bluegreen would advise *** and ********************* to reach out to our contact center through our online chat servicing or by calling the center to receive further assistance to their concerns. Our customer service inbox is not routinely monitored, and this information is posted on our Contact ** web page to notify owners that emails are not being answered at this time. At Bluegreen, we pride ourselves on our professionalism, communication, and support of owners. Once again, Bluegreen is pleased to respond to *** and ********************* through the Better Business Bureau. We hope *** and ********************* respond to our contact attempts and speak with our Specialist by telephone so that Bluegreen can address their concerns.
*** and *********************** third concern is regarding pressure they state they felt to purchase and the length of the sales presentation. Bluegreen would advise that *** and ********************* were not under any obligation to purchase or sign contracts and could have left our welcome center without purchasing if they felt the Bluegreen product did not suit their vacation needs. *** and ********************* also state the presentation lasted a long time.Our sales presentations impart a great deal of information to prospective owners. Due to the volume of information shared during the sales presentation,the time can be lengthy. Moreover, the sales presentation time estimate covers the time for the initial presentation only. This estimate does not include the additional time spent to answer follow-up questions, tour the property, find the Points ownership best suited to a prospective owner, or complete the paperwork for a purchase.
*** and *********************** next concern relates to resale of their ownership. *** and ********************* state they were told they could resell their ownership at any time. Bluegreen believes we offer a valuable vacation ownership but understands that some owners may come to an end with the Bluegreen product. Owner Confirmation Interview Section 10.c states that Bluegreen does not offer a formal buyback program and there is limited secondary market for timeshares. In addition, Owner Beneficiary Agreement Section 5: Purchasers Acknowledgments disclaims the investment potential of the ownership and states there is no guaranteed buy-back of the timeshare.While Bluegreen does not repurchase or resell timeshare interests, Bluegreen does allow owners to resell their ownership interests. Bluegreen refers owners interested in resale to our authorized third-party resale agent, Pinnacle Vacations. This third-party resale agent can advise owners regarding resale information, but Bluegreen is not party to that conversation.
*** and *********************** final concern is that they needed more Vacation **** Points for additional booking and travel opportunities. Bluegreen is firmly of the opinion that all Vacation **** Points are valuable for reserving enjoyable and memorable vacations. As *** and ********************* initialed in Section 1 of the Owner Confirmation Interview, each of Bluegreens Vacation **** accommodations is assigned nightly and weekly Points values. The Points *** and ********************* receive annually cover fewer nights at some properties based on these factors,but at other resorts a full weeks stay can be reserved for ***** Points or fewer. *** and ********************* also received for their review a Points Guide advising the number of Points needed for each accommodation. The Points Guide provides helpful information for owners to plan vacations with full knowledge of the times of year and types of accommodations their ownership allows at Bluegreens varied resort properties. For example, during the Blue Season in parts of December, January, and February, a one-bedroom suite vacation villa that sleeps four people at *********** Lights resort in ************, ************** is available for an entire week for just ***** Points. At Harbour Lights, a hotel-style villa is only ***** Points weekly for much of January,February, March, November, and December. Our ********************************************* resort in ************, ******** offers one-week vacations for as few as ***** Points per week during the Blue Season in January and February, or up to ***** Points in the White and Red Seasons during March, April, October, November, and December.Our Specialist would be pleased to discuss opportunities to reserve vacations with *** and ********************* and assist them in confirming reservations at resorts they have not yet been able to visit.
Bluegreens ************* ********************** team has reviewed *** and *********************** ownership closely. After doing so, Bluegreen finds that *** and ********************* remain responsible under the terms of the purchase agreement and promissory note they executed for their timeshare purchase. Bluegreen will not provide the cancellation requested by *** and *********************. Should *** and ********************* have any further questions or concerns, they have the direct contact information of our ***************************************************************************** **** Services
Bluegreen Vacations CorporationCustomer Answer
Date: 02/29/2024
We strongly disagree with Bluegreen Vacations' response to our concerns. Their statement that the salespersons are not authorized to make oral representations that modify the contract documents is simply not true and our experience proves this. We were promised certain benefits during the sales presentation, which were not included in the contract documents. This is a clear indication of deceptive sales practices that need to be addressed.
Bluegreens suggestion that we could have left without purchasing is not helpful. We felt pressured by the lengthy sales presentation and the promises made during it.
Regarding the resale of ownership, we were greatly misled into believing that we could resell our ownership at any time. Bluegreens disclaimer that Bluegreen does not offer a formal buyback program and there is limited secondary market for timeshares is not helpful. It does not address the fact that we were given false information during the sales presentation. We deserved to be informed of our options and not left in the dark about the true value of our ownership.
Bluegreen Vacations needs to take responsibility for the deceptive sales practices used during our sales presentation. Their response lacks empathy, understanding, and actionable solutions. It is time for Bluegreen to step up and address the concerns of its owners.
Initial Complaint
Date:01/15/2024
Type:Service or Repair IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Hello,We wanted to reach out and see if there is anything you can do for us. Our names are **** and *******************. We have been one of the unfortunate owners of Bluegreen Vacations since 2007. We have been made promise after promise with nothing coming to fruition. Every time we would try to inquire about our points they just pressured us to buy more and assured us that this will finally allow us to travel how we want. Now, looking back, we have spent $50,000.00 if not more and continuing to pay maintenance fees where we are not getting what we were promised.We havent had any vacation that was worth that much money. We place that blame on our sales representatives. A few of those names are ******************************** (VIP services,) *********************, *************************, and one with the first name ******. They told us we would always get a presidential suite and a cabin each year and that has never happened. We were even on vacation in ******** and the elevator was broken. You had 100s of people carrying coolers,bags, and luggage up and down stairs. We had just spent ******* on maintenance fees before we went. I could have used that to fix the elevator and then we would have KNOWN our maintenance fees were going to where they were supposed to go. We have not been satisfied since day one. Over 15 years of ownership and we feel we were sold a farce.Please, we are asking for help and we dont know where else to go.Looking forward to speaking with ********************************** Member #: ******Business Response
Date: 01/23/2024
January 23, ****
***************************
BBB Services Specialist
Better Business Bureau Serving Southeast ******* and *************
***************************************************************************************
RE: Consumer File No. 21147384
Dear ********************:
This message is in response to the Better Business Bureaus electronic mail correspondence received by Bluegreen Vacations on January 15, **** regarding the consumer correspondence of Mr. ******************* and Mrs. ******************** Thank you for reaching out to us on their behalf to apprise us of their inquiry.
Bluegreen is committed to providing excellence in customer service and to ensuring our owners and guests are satisfied with their overall experience. It is Bluegreens goal to provide a comprehensive and responsive support network,so our owners and guests can focus on enjoyable and memorable vacations.
Bluegreens records indicate that Mr. ******************* and Mrs. ******************* purchased a Bluegreen Vacation Club timeshare interest on February 9, 2007. ************** and ***************, signing variously as ***** ******************* and ***************************,upgraded their ownership interest by purchasing additional Points on July 26,2013 and October 23, 2015. Mr. and ***************** timeshare interests confer ownership of thirty-five thousand Annual Vacation **** Points and Premier Gold membership.
Upon receipt of your correspondence advising of Mr. and ***************** concerns,and in accordance with Bluegreens desire to provide each owner with education,resolution, and ongoing service, one of our ************* ********************** Specialists attempted to reach Mr. and *************** by telephone and email on January 16,****, leaving messages to notify them that we would like to speak with them further to address their Better Business Bureau correspondence. Our Specialist reached out to Mr. and *************** by telephone again on January 17 and 18, ****,again leaving messages that we are trying to reach them and providing direct contact information. Although we have been unable to speak with Mr. and ************** directly, Bluegreen wishes to respond to their concerns through the Better Business Bureau.
Mr. and ***************** first concern is regarding representations they state were made during the sales presentation. Bluegreen does not have documentation from the sales site that differs from the details in the contract documents. The Owner Confirmation Interview in Section 13 states that salespersons are not authorized to make oral representations,promises, or offers that modify the contract documents. Section 13 provided a space for Mr. and *************** to write any promises or commitments that were important to their purchase decision that are not otherwise covered in writing.Mr. and *************** completed this field by writing None, indicating no outside promises or commitments were made by Bluegreen. Furthermore, the Owner Beneficiary Agreement in Section 24 provides that Mr. and ***************, as purchasers, should not rely on any oral or written representations that are not set forth in the contract documents.
Mr. and ***************** second concern is regarding attending owner update presentations. Mr. and ************************** they felt pressure to purchase additional Points during the presentations they attended. Bluegreen would remind Mr. and *************** that as deeded owners with Bluegreen, they are not under any obligation to attend owner update presentations when they vacation with Bluegreen if they do not wish to participate. However, Mr. and *************** are always welcome to attend a presentation should they wish to learn more about their ownership, hear Bluegreens current sales offers, or obtain the gifts given for attending a presentation. Our owner update presentations are designed to answer questions, provide information, and present offers for enhancing Vacation **** ownership. Owner update presentations impart a great deal of information about how to use the ownership, including information about how Vacation **** usage may be enhanced by purchasing additional Vacation **** Points. Mr. and *************** did not need to consider information presented about purchasing additional Points if they were not interested in expanding their ownership at the time of their upgrades.
Third, Mrs. and *************** are concerned because they were told they need more Vacation **** Points for additional booking and travel opportunities. Bluegreen is firmly of the opinion that all Vacation **** Points are valuable for reserving enjoyable and memorable vacations. As Mr. and *************** initialed in Section 3 of the Owner Confirmation Interview, each of Bluegreens Vacation **** accommodations is assigned nightly and weekly Points values that vary depending on the day of the week, size of the unit, resort location, and season. The twenty-one thousand Annual Points Mr. and *************** originally purchased would have provided a wide array of travel opportunities. Though they would have covered fewer nights at some properties based on these factors, at other resorts a full weeks stay can be reserved for four thousand Points or fewer. Mr. and *************** also received for their review a Points Guide advising the number of Points needed for each accommodation. The Points Guide provides helpful information for owners to plan vacations with full knowledge of the times of year and types of accommodations their ownership allows at Bluegreens varied resort properties. Each owner has varying reasons for purchasing additional Points. Naturally, additional Points afford an expanded ownership with more Points available to reserve vacations and alternatives for travel across Bluegreens resorts and through our partnerships. The most common reasons owners decide to purchase additional Points are to receive additional benefits, travel more often, and enjoy larger accommodations when vacationing.Bluegreen agrees that all of these are great reasons to purchase additional Points.
Mr. and ***************** next concern is that they were advised they would be able to reserve specific unit types every year. Mr. and *************** were advised during the sales presentation that Bluegreens business operates on a reservation booking window. This booking window offers owners the widest selection of vacations when an owner confirms reservations in advance. Owner Confirmation Interview, Section 1 describes the booking lead time. It states that reservations at Vacation **** accommodations can be booked from eleven months to two days in advance of the owners travel dates. Section 1 also states that reservations are based on space availability and are not guaranteed until confirmed. Mr. and *************** initialed beside Section 1, indicating they understood that vacations would be based upon availability at the time of confirming a reservation. Furthermore, as Premier Gold owners, Mr. and *************** have access to our Premier wait list benefit, which allows them to request reservations three months before the reservation booking window opens to the general ownership. While Premier wait list requests are not guaranteed until confirmed, this benefit would help Mr.and *************** to maximize Bluegreens availability by requesting specifically desired unit types in advance. Finally,if Mr. and *************** want additional information about reserving vacations or assistance with reserving a particular unit type, we invite them to call our customer service contact center. Our contact center is open six days a week to assist Mr. and *************** in getting the most out of their Bluegreen ownership. Bluegreen contact center agents do not have restrictions on their talk times, so an agent could stay on the telephone with Mr. and *************** for as long as needed to provide guidance, answer questions,and book reservations.
Mr. and ***************** final concern is regarding a broken elevator when visiting one of our ******** resorts. Bluegreen endeavors to provide a full range of services for owner and guest comfort and convenience. However, it is necessary at times for elevators to be closed, for instance, due to emergency repairs. Bluegreen sincerely regrets any inconvenience this caused during their stay. In addition to working with the resort team on site, we encourage owners and guests to call our customer service contact center about their resort service experiences, as our customer service agents can review their situation and assist with their concerns appropriately.
Bluegreens ************* ********************** team has reviewed Mr. and ***************** ownership closely. After doing so, Bluegreen finds that Mr. and *************** remain responsible under the terms of the purchase agreements they executed for their timeshare purchases. Bluegreen will not provide the cancellation and refund requested by Mr. and ***************. Should Mr. and *************** have any further questions or concerns, they have the direct contact information of our ***************************************************************************** **** Services
Bluegreen Vacations CorporationInitial Complaint
Date:01/15/2024
Type:Product IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Dear Better Business Bureau Our complaint is against the timeshare company, Bluegreen Vacations. We were misled by their sales representatives in several ways at the presentation sales. They were extremely aggressive in their practice and would not give us time to review the contracts before making decisions. We were also told it was such a great investment they would buy back the timeshare at any time. We were also never informed about the rescission period. However, after signing the contract we found out this and many other things we were told at teh presentation were not true and that there were certain restrictions on when and where we could book. This lack of integrity from Bluegreen is unacceptable. We want our timeshare canceled, some sort of refund and this business investigated. Sincerely ******* & ***************************Business Response
Date: 01/23/2024
January 23, ****
***************************
BBB Services Specialist
Better Business Bureau Serving Southeast ******* and *************
***************************************************************************************
RE: Consumer File No. 21146695
Dear ********************:
This message is in response to the Better Business Bureaus electronic mail correspondence received by Bluegreen Vacations on January 15, ****, regarding the consumer correspondence of ****************************** and ************************************. Thank you for reaching out to us on their behalf to apprise us of their inquiry.
Bluegreen is committed to providing excellence in customer service and ensuring our owners, members, and guests are satisfied with their overall experience. It is Bluegreens goal to provide a comprehensive and responsive support network so owners, members, and guests can focus on enjoyable and memorable vacations.
Bluegreens records indicate that ****************************** and ************************************ purchased a timeshare interest with the Bluegreen Vacation Club on February 4, 2014. Mr. and *********************** timeshare interest confers ownership of ***** Annual Vacation **** Points.
Upon receipt of your correspondence advising of Mr. and *********************** concerns,our ************* ********************** Specialist spoke with ******************** by telephone on January 16, ****, with ******************** advising that he wishes to cancel his ownership, but will not pay anything further. ******************** stated he did not want to discuss his concerns and disconnected the call. In addition to speaking briefly with ********************, Bluegreen wishes to respond to Mr. and ********************** concerns through the Better Business Bureau as well.
Mr. and *********************** first concern is regarding representations they state were made at the sales presentation. Bluegreen does not have documentation from the sales site that differs from the details contained in the contract documents. The Owner Confirmation Interview at Section 12 states that salespersons are not authorized to make oral representations, promises, or offers that modify the contract documents.Section 12 provided a space for Mr.and ********************* to write any promises or commitments that were important to their purchase decision that are not otherwise covered in writing.Mr. and ********************* completed this field by writing None, indicating no outside promises or commitments were made by Bluegreen. Furthermore, the Owner Beneficiary Agreement at Section 24 provides that Mr. and *********************, as purchasers, should not rely on any oral or written representations that are not set forth in the contract documents.
Mr. and *********************** second concern is regarding pressure they state they felt to purchase at the sales presentation. Bluegreen would advise that Mr.and ********************* were not under any obligation to purchase or sign contracts.Our sales teams share a wealth of information about our product. However, Mr.and ********************* could have left our welcome center without purchasing if they felt the Bluegreen product did not suit their vacation needs.
Mr. and *********************** third concern arises from the sales presentation they attended.They state they were not given time to review the contracts before purchasing. Our sales presentations impart a great deal of information to prospective owners. Due to the volume of information shared during the presentation, the time can be lengthy.Bluegreen attempts to abbreviate the lengthy process by summarizing the most pertinent details of the ownership during closing. If Mr.and ********************* wanted additional time to review the purchase information and documentation before signing, they were free to request additional time with the documents from a Bluegreen representative before executing the purchase paperwork.
Mr.and *********************** next concern involves Bluegreen as a financial investment and the buyback of their ownership. Bluegreen believes we sell a valuable vacation product. Still, the timeshare interest Mr. and ******************** purchased is for their and their familys personal use. Owner Confirmation Interview Section 13 provides that the ownership purchase is for personal use and enjoyment only. Owner Confirmation Interview Section 13 further states the purchase is made neither as a financial investment nor with an expectation of a financial return on an investment. Section 13 also provides that no one is authorized to guarantee that Bluegreen will repurchase or resell a timeshare interest. Again, Mr. and ********************* initialed beside Section 13, signifying they agreed the purchase was for personal use and not for investment purposes. In addition, Owner Beneficiary Agreement Section 5:Purchasers Acknowledgments disclaims the investment potential of the ownership, affirms that the purchase is for personal use, and states there is no guaranteed buy-back of the timeshare. Bluegreen refers owners interested in resale to our authorized third-party resale agent. Our Specialist would be happy to provide contact information, if desired.
Mr. and ********************* also state they were not informed of the rescission period by sales staff during the time spent purchasing their timeshare. Mr. and ********************* had physical copies of their Owner Beneficiary Agreement and Owner Confirmation Interview in their possession when they left the sales presentation and purchase meeting. Mr. and ********************* had an opportunity to read through these materials right away after purchasing or later at their leisure. If Mr.and ********************* had any doubts about the Bluegreen product or its fit for their personal vacation needs, they could have promptly reviewed the contract documents provided. Furthermore, the Owner Beneficiary Agreement clearly states the rescission period to cancel the contract in bold text and capital letters immediately above the signature line where Mr. and ********************* signed to make their timeshare purchase. This prominent text shows that Bluegreen was not attempting to conceal Mr. and *********************** right to cancel their contract.
Mr. and *********************** final concern is regarding availability to book vacations with their ownership. Mr. and ********************* were advised during the sales presentation that Bluegreens business operates on a reservation booking window. This booking window offers owners the widest selection of vacations when an owner confirms reservations in advance. Owner Confirmation Interview Section 1 describes the booking lead time. It states that reservations at Vacation **** accommodations can be booked from 11 months to two days in advance of the owners travel dates. Section 1 also states that reservations are based on space availability and are not guaranteed until confirmed. Mr. and ********************* initialed beside Section 1, indicating they understood that vacations would be based upon availability at the time of confirming a reservation. Moreover, if Mr. and ******************** want additional information about reserving vacations, we invite them to call our customer service contact center. Our contact center is open six days a week to assist Mr. and ********************* in getting the most out of their Bluegreen ownership.Bluegreen contact center agents do not have restrictions on their talk times,so an agent could stay on the telephone with Mr. and ********************* for as long as needed to provide guidance, answer questions, and book reservations.Bluegreen regrets if Mr. and ********************* have had any difficulty in booking reservations. Our records indicate that Mr. and ******************** have booked six Points reservations and booked one Resort ************************** (RCI) stay during their nine years of ownership.
Bluegreens ************* ********************** team has reviewed Mr. and *********************** ownership closely, since receiving their Better Business Bureau correspondence.After review, Bluegreen finds that Mr. and ********************* remain bound to the terms of the purchase agreement they executed for their timeshare purchase. Bluegreen will not provide the cancellation and refund requested for Mr. and *********************. Bluegreen would advise that Mr. and *********************** contract purchased on February 4, 2014 was paid in full at the time of purchase. Should Mr. and ********************* have any further questions or concerns, we invite them to reach out to our Specialist at the direct contact information provided.
********************************************************** **** Services
Bluegreen Vacations CorporationInitial Complaint
Date:01/15/2024
Type:Order IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Better Business Bureau Our complaint is with the timeshare, Bluegreen Vacations. We have repeatedly sent letter and called to discuss our issues and expressed we want our contract canceled. They refuse to speak to us.They will not even listen. They do not want to try and help, they just want our money. This same company allows their sales people to lie and manipulate to make more sales. We are tired of wasting our time attending sales presentations and being constantly harassed to purchase more. What we were told is not what we have received. The sales people do not listen when we so no. The staff do not care to help. Anywhere we might want to go, there is a reason we cannot get that booked. Enough is enough. As consumers we believe we are owed a full refund and the contract cancelled, as tehy are not providing us the services we haVe been paying for. We want nothing more to do with Bluegreen or timeshares.Respectfully, ***** & *********************************Business Response
Date: 01/23/2024
January 23, ****
***************************
BBB Services Specialist
Better Business Bureau Serving Southeast ******* and *************
***************************************************************************************
RE: Consumer File No. 21146662
Dear ********************:
This message is in response to the Better Business Bureaus electronic mail correspondence received by Bluegreen Vacations on January 15, ****, regarding the consumer correspondence of *********************************** and **************************************. Thank you for reaching out to us on their behalf to apprise us of their inquiry.
Bluegreen is committed to providing excellence in customer service and to ensuring our owners and guests are satisfied with their overall experience. It is Bluegreens goal to provide a comprehensive and responsive support network so that owners and guests can focus on enjoyable and memorable vacations.
Bluegreens records indicate that *********************************** and ************************************** purchased a timeshare interest with the Bluegreen Vacation Club on June 11,2007. Mr. and ************************* subsequently increased their Points interest through an equity trade on April 11, 2014. Mr. and Mrs. *********** timeshare interest confers ownership of ****** Annual Vacation **** Points and Premier Bronze membership.
Upon receipt of your correspondence advising of Mr. and Mrs. *********** concerns, and in accordance with Bluegreens desire to provide each owner with education, resolution, and ongoing service, our ************* ********************** Specialist reached out to Mr. and ************************* by telephone and email on January 15, ****, resulting in leaving messages that we wish to speak with them regarding their Better Business Bureau correspondence and providing direct contact information. Our Specialist spoke with ************************ by telephone on January 17, ****, listening to his concerns and offering to assist with their ownership,in which ************************ declined. Our Specialist advised that there is no provision for cancellation and advised their options for a potential resolution are through resale or a title transfer. Our Specialist also sent an email regarding this information to ************************. In addition to speaking with ************************,Bluegreen wishes to respond to Mr. and Mrs. *********** concerns through the Better Business Bureau as well.
Mr. and Mrs. *********** first concern is with Bluegreens communication and responsiveness in resolving the issues they have experienced. Our records show that we first received Mr. and Mrs. *********** letter received on November 27, 2023. Accordingly, our ************* ********************** Specialist reached out to Mr. and ************************* by telephone and email on November 28 and November 29, 2023, leaving messages that we are trying to reach them. Our Specialist spoke with ************************ on December 6, 2023, endeavoring to provide helpful assistance for ************************ during their conversation and provided all resolutions available for Mr. and Mrs. *********** ownership.Bluegreen desires to be responsive to Mr. and Mrs. *********** concerns and resolve this matter. However, Bluegreen believes that our sales documents adequately described the product and services Mr. and ************************* were purchasing and gave them the opportunity to cancel in a timely fashion if they so desired. Our Specialist remains devoted to assisting Mr. and ************************* with their ownership.
Mr. and Mrs.*********** second concern is regarding representations they state were made at the sales presentation. Bluegreen does not have documentation from the sales site that differs from the details contained in the contract documents. The Owner Confirmation Interview at Section 12 states that salespersons are not authorized to make oral representations, promises, or offers that modify the contract documents. Section 12 provides a space for Mr. and ************************* to write any promises or commitments that were important to their purchase decision that are not otherwise covered in writing. Mr. and ************************* by writing None, indicated no outside promises or commitments were made by Bluegreen. Furthermore, the Owner Beneficiary Agreement at Section 24 provides that Mr. and *************************, as purchasers, should not rely on any oral or written representations that are not set forth in the contract documents.
Mr. and ************************* also state that during each of their vacations with Bluegreen they are required to attend a presentation and felt pressure to purchase additional Points. Bluegreen would advise Mr. and ************************* that they are free to decide when they wish to attend an owner update presentation for their ownership. As deeded owners with Bluegreen, Mr. and ************************* are not under any obligation to attend owner update presentations when they vacation at Bluegreen resorts. However, Mr. and ************************* are always welcome to attend a presentation should they wish to learn more about their ownership,hear Bluegreens current sales offers, or obtain the gifts given for attending a presentation. As to gifts provided at upgrade presentations, these incentives are promotional offers given as a bonus for owners to enrich their vacation experience but are not intended to create pressure.
Mr. and Mrs. *********** final concern is regarding availability to book vacations with their ownership. Mr. and ************************* were advised during the sales presentation that Bluegreens business operates on a reservation booking window. This booking window offers owners the widest selection of vacations when an owner confirms reservations in advance. Owner Confirmation Interview Section 1 describes the booking lead time. It states that reservations at Vacation **** accommodations can be booked from 11 months to two days in advance of the owners travel dates. Section 1 also states that reservations are based on space availability and are not guaranteed until confirmed. Mr. and ************************* initialed beside Section 1, indicating they understood that vacations would be based upon availability at the time of confirming a reservation. Furthermore, if Mr. and ************************* want additional information about reserving vacations, we invite them to call our customer service contact center. Our contact center is open six days a week to assist Mr. and ************************* in getting the most out of their Bluegreen ownership.Bluegreen contact center agents do not have restrictions on their talk times,so an agent could stay on the telephone with Mr. and ************************* for as long as needed to provide guidance, answer questions, and book reservations.
Bluegreens ************* ********************** team has reviewed Mr. and Mrs. *********** ownership closely. After reviewing their ownership, Bluegreen finds that we will not provide the cancellation and refund requested for Mr. and *************************. Mr. and Mrs. *********** contract for their April 11, 2014, timeshare purchase has been paid in full. Should Mr. and ************************* have any further questions or wish to discuss potential resolutions,we invite them to contact our Specialist directly at the contact information provided.
Sincerely,
***************************
******** **** Services
Bluegreen Vacations CorporationCustomer Answer
Date: 02/28/2024
Again,we. Writing to expres our wish to cancel our timeshare. How can you run a business when you dont resonator your customers about their concerns and complaints.How can you allow your your your sales people to lie and manipulate to make more sales. Enough ia enough.Please bring the process to proivide us a full refund and lose our contract. We want nothing more to do with Bluegreen or timeshares.Initial Complaint
Date:01/15/2024
Type:Order IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Dear Better Business Bureau, I am writing this letter to formally complain about our timeshare contract with Bluegreen, which was purchased on November 13, 2019, in *******, ********. We regretfully seek your assistance in terminating the contract due to several issues we have encountered since its purchase. Despite repeatedly expressing our disinterest, we were coerced into buying the contract by relentless representatives who disregarded our refusal. The attractive feature of affordable luxury vacations initially persuaded us, but shortly after the purchase, we experienced immediate buyer's remorse. Numerous problems have arisen since then: 1. Limited Usage: Despite owning the contract for a significant period, we have only managed to take one vacation. 2. Overcharging: We have been consistently overcharged on fees, and despite our attempts, your company still needs to rectify the situation. 3. Reservation Difficulties: We need more availability and points to make reservations. 4. Covid-19 Impact: Due to the ongoing pandemic, we have been unable to utilize the timeshare, yet we are still obligated to pay the exorbitant fees. I spoke with ********************************* from their ************* **********************. She was very adamant that my only option to get out was to resell, and then she gave me some information. I dont think its fair that we should be responsible for reselling in order to get rid of our timeshare. Bluegreen is at fault, and they should not make us do their work for them by finding a buyer. We were pressured into this by Bluegreen, and they have failed to follow through on the services they claimed they could provide by their sales team. They should find the buyer, not us. They should repurchase it from us. We firmly believe that our contract was obtained under duress and without adequate and accurate information. We kindly request the termination of our contract and the release from all associated obligations. Anything you can do on your end is greatly appreciated, and if you need any additional information from us, please let me know. and I will try to provide as much information as I can. Sincerely, ******* & ***********************************Business Response
Date: 01/19/2024
January 19, ****
***************************
BBB Services Specialist
Better Business Bureau Serving Southeast ******* and *************
***************************************************************************************
RE: Consumer File No. 21146511
Dear ********************:
This message is in response to the Better Business Bureaus electronic mail correspondence received by Bluegreen Vacations on January 15, **** regarding the consumer correspondence of *************************************** and **************************************. Thank you for reaching out to us on their behalf to apprise us of their inquiry.
Bluegreen is committed to providing excellence in customer service and to ensuring our owners and guests are satisfied with their overall experience. It is Bluegreens goal to provide a comprehensive and responsive support network,so our owners and guests can focus on enjoyable and memorable vacations.
Bluegreens records indicate that *************************************** and ************************************** purchased a Bluegreen Vacation Club timeshare interest on November 13, 2019. Mr. and Mrs. ********** timeshare interest confers ownership of nine thousand Biennial Vacation **** Points.
Upon receipt of your correspondence advising of Mr. and Mrs. ********** concerns, and in accordance with Bluegreens desire to provide each owner with education, resolution, and ongoing service, one of our ************* ********************** Specialists spoke with *********************** by telephone on January 16, ****,listening to her concerns, reviewing the guidelines of their ownership, and reviewing all available options for the ********** account. These options were previously discussed with *********************** on December 15, 2023. In addition to speaking with *********************** directly, Bluegreen wishes to respond to Mr. and Mrs.********** concerns through the Better Business Bureau as well.
Mr. and Mrs. ********** first concern is regarding their request to cancel their ownership. Bluegreen would advise that the statutory rescission period for the timeshare purchase contract provides the applicable cancellation policy for a Vacation **** purchase. The rescission period is included in the Owner Beneficiary Agreement for Mr. and Mrs. ********** review. The Owner Beneficiary Agreement states the rescission period on the signature page in bolded text and capital letters immediately above the signature lines where Mr.and *********************** signed to make their timeshare purchase. Mr. and ********************** had a physical copy of the Owner Beneficiary Agreement document in their possession when they left the sales presentation and purchase meeting;therefore, they had an opportunity to read through this document right away after purchasing or later at their leisure. If Mr. and *********************** had doubts about the Bluegreen product or its suitability for their personal vacation needs, they could have promptly reviewed their contract documents during the rescission period and followed the instructions to cancel, if desired. Our Specialist has discussed this rescission period with ********************** to explain that this is the only time the contract provides for Bluegreen to cancel a purchase. Unfortunately, Bluegreen did not receive a request to cancel from Mr. and *********************** during the rescission period.
Mr. and Mrs. ********** second concern is regarding pressure they state they felt to purchase during the sales presentation. Bluegreen would advise that Mr.and *********************** were not under any obligation to purchase or sign contracts.Our sales teams share a wealth of information about our product. However, Mr.and *********************** could have left our welcome center without purchasing if they felt the Bluegreen product did not suit their vacation needs.
Mr. and Mrs. ********** third concern is that they have not used their ownership, with the exception of one vacation. Bluegreen firmly believes that traveling on their next vacation with Bluegreen is exactly the experience Mr.and *********************** need to remind them why they purchased a vacation ownership.We would advise Mr. and *********************** that our customer service contact center is available and eager to assist. Our contact center is open six days a week to help Mr. and *********************** get the most from their Bluegreen ownership.Bluegreen contact center agents do not have restrictions on their talk times,so an agent could stay on the phone with Mr. and *********************** for as long as needed to answer their questions and reserve vacations. Additionally, Bluegreen also offers Mr. and *********************** an opportunity to schedule an Understanding New Ownership call. An Understanding New Ownership call is scheduled at their convenience for a highly trained Bluegreen agent to call Mr. and *********************** and describe the countless benefits of their ownership. This educational call is an opportunity for Mr. and *********************** to receive personalized assistance and individualized care from a Bluegreen agent who can offer professional insights, experienced suggestions, and helpful service. This call is an excellent resource for new owners, as well as for longstanding owners who have not made frequent use of their timeshare and would like additional support in maximizing their vacation package.Mr. and Mrs. ********** next concern is that they feel they have been overcharged for maintenance fees. Bluegreen regrets any confusion or frustration that has occurred. However, a review of Mr. and Mrs. ********** maintenance fee billing history shows that they were correctly billed for their nine thousand Biennial Points for all billing cycles since their purchase. This includes their six-month billing as new owners, which was billed to their account in May 2020, as well as all annual billing cycles beginning in November 2020 and going forward. However, Bluegreen would advise that Mr. and *********************** last paid maintenance fees in December of 2020. Therefore,their current account balance includes late fees, finance charges, and lockout fees. Additionally, because their account is currently with outside collections, additional fees may have been added by the collection agency. Should Mr. and *********************** have any questions or wish to review their billing statements in detail, they may do so via their online account.
Mr. and *********************** also state a concern regarding availability to book vacations with their ownership. Mr. and *********************** were advised during the sales presentation that Bluegreens business operates on a reservation booking window. This booking window offers owners the widest selection of vacations when an owner confirms reservations in advance. Owner Confirmation Interview, Section 1 describes the booking lead time. It states that reservations at Vacation **** accommodations can be booked from eleven months to two days in advance of the owners travel dates. Section 1 also states that reservations are based on space availability and are not guaranteed until confirmed. Mr. and *********************** initialed beside Section 1,indicating they understood that vacations would be based upon availability at the time of confirming a reservation. Furthermore, if Mr. and *********************** want additional information about reserving vacations, we invite them to call our customer service contact center for assistance.
Mr. and *********************** next state a concern that they do not have enough Points to travel. Bluegreen is firmly of the opinion that all Vacation **** Points are valuable for reserving enjoyable and memorable vacations. As Mr. and *********************** initialed in Section 3 of the Owner Confirmation Interview, each of Bluegreens Vacation **** accommodations is assigned nightly and weekly Points values that vary depending on the day of the week, size of the unit, resort location, and season. The nine thousand Biennial Points Mr. and *********************** receive cover fewer nights at some properties based on these factors, but at other resorts a full weeks stay can be reserved for four thousand Points or fewer. Mr. and *********************** also received for their review a Points Guide advising the number of Points needed for each accommodation. The Points Guide provides helpful information for owners to plan vacations with full knowledge of the times of year and types of accommodations their ownership allows at Bluegreens varied resort properties. For example, during the Blue Season in parts of December, January, and February, a one-bedroom suite vacation villa that sleeps four people at *********** Lights resort in ************, ************** is available for an entire week for just four thousand Points. At Harbour Lights, a hotel-style villa is only three thousand Points weekly for much of January, February, March, November, and December. Our ********************************************* resort in ************, ******** offers one-week vacations for as few as two thousand Points per week during the Blue Season in January and February, or up to four thousand Points in the White and Red Seasons during March, April, October, November, and December. Our Specialist would be pleased to discuss opportunities to reserve vacations with Mr. and *********************** and assist them in confirming reservations at resorts they have not yet been able to visit.
Mr. and Mrs. ********** next concern is that they continued to be billed for maintenance fees and Vacation **** Dues, even though resorts were closed due to the ******19 pandemic. Bluegreen would advise that while many locations were closed for varying amounts of time between March 2020 and June 2020, several resorts remained open and available for owner use during that period. In addition, the Terms and Conditions of the Owner Beneficiary Agreement in Section 4: Common Assessment Fees and **** Dues set forth that maintenance fees are billed annually as a base amount plus an added amount per Vacation **** Point. The base rate and the per Vacation **** Point rate are set each calendar year by the owners association of the Bluegreen Vacation Club properties based on the actual expenses for maintaining the properties. During the closures,Bluegreen continued to maintain our high standards of sanitation and safety at all resorts, in addition to regular upkeep, maintenance, and scheduled renovations, some of which went forward during the closures. Therefore,Bluegreen continued to collect maintenance fees as budgeted during the pandemic to cover these costs, as well as to cover the unforeseen increase in sanitation costs related to the pandemic.
Mr. and *********************** also state a concern related to resale of their ownership, as they feel that Bluegreen should buy back their ownership or locate a buyer on their behalf. Bluegreen believes we offer a valuable vacation ownership but understands that some owners may wish or need to come to an end with the Bluegreen product. Owner Confirmation Interview Section 14 provides that no one is authorized to guarantee that Bluegreen will repurchase or resell a timeshare interest. In addition, the Terms and Conditions of the Owner Beneficiary Agreement in Section 5:Purchasers Acknowledgments disclaim the investment potential of the ownership and state there is no guaranteed buyback of the timeshare. While Bluegreen does not repurchase or resell timeshare interests, Bluegreen does allow owners to resell their ownership interests. Bluegreen refers owners interested in resale to our authorized third-party resale agent who can advise owners regarding resale information, but Bluegreen is not party to that conversation.
Mr. and Mrs. ********** final concern is regarding representations they state were made during the sales presentation. Bluegreen does not have documentation from the sales site that differs from the details in the contract documents. The Owner Confirmation Interview in Section 13 states that salespersons are not authorized to make oral representations,promises, or offers that modify the contract documents. Section 13 provided a space for Mr. and *********************** to write any promises or commitments that were important to their purchase decision that are not otherwise covered in writing.Mr. and *********************** completed this field by writing None, indicating no outside promises or commitments were made by Bluegreen. Furthermore, the Terms and Conditions of the Owner Beneficiary Agreement in Section 24 provide that Mr. and ***********************, as purchasers, should not rely on any oral or written representations that are not set forth in the contract documents.
Bluegreens ************* ********************** team has reviewed Mr. and Mrs. ********** ownership closely. After doing so, Bluegreen finds that Mr. and *********************** remain responsible under the terms of the purchase agreement and promissory note they executed for their timeshare purchase. Bluegreen will not provide the cancellation requested by Mr. and ***********************. Should Mr. and *********************** have any further questions or concerns, they have the direct contact information of our ***************************************************************************** **** Services
Bluegreen Vacations CorporationCustomer Answer
Date: 01/29/2024
Complaint: 21146511
I am rejecting this response because:We disagree with the businesss response.
1. How are you supposed to know the timeshare was a scam and cancel before the rescission period if we werent able to use it yet? Its only ten days. Doesnt that seem a little convenient for them?
2. Under section 13, were we but none, we werent very clear about what was going on at that point. A lot was going on in that room, and the people we spoke to were so pushy.
3. Why do you pay maintenance fees if youre not able to use the timeshare? It just seems like a scam.
My first regret about the timeshare started immediately after signing the paperwork. We werepromised gifts but only received the cash gift card initially. We had to explain and show the date we signed up for the tour to receive the cruise voucher. Another issue arose a month later when we unexpectedly received a $450 maintenance fee bill. When I questioned the fees and taxes, they said we were responsible for the amount since we bought the timeshare in 2019. The fees and taxes doubled the following year, and we faced challenges booking vacations through Bluegreen due to point limitations and mandatory owner meetings. Our cruise plans were disrupted by COVID-19, leading to further complications. We've definitely lost our desire to own the timeshare for many reasons. Not having it would bring many benefits, like being able to plan vacations when and where we want without searching for point sales or worrying about point affordability. We could diversify our vacation options and pay cash, freeing up money for other uses. The accumulating maintenance fees, taxes, and loan payments are draining our resources. Without the timeshare, we could pay off our house or my student loans much faster. We know now that traveling with a timeshare is inconvenient and more expensive. The agreement was that for all of the gifts, Bluegreen would get 90 minutes of our time. They went beyond that allotted time. They put us in a situation where we felt immense pressure. We were lied to. And now we have lost thousands of dollars because of it. No, we do not accept the businesss response.
Sincerely,
*********************************Business Response
Date: 02/06/2024
February 6, ****
***************************
BBB Services Specialist
Better Business Bureau Serving Southeast ******* and *************
***************************************************************************************
RE: Consumer File No. 21146511
Dear ********************:
This message is in response to the Better Business Bureaus electronic mail correspondence received by Bluegreen Vacations on January 15, ****, regarding the consumer correspondence of *************************************** and **************************************, and Mrs. ********** rebuttal correspondence received on January 29, ****. Thank you for reaching out to us on her behalf to apprise us of her continuing inquiry.
Upon receipt of your correspondence advising of Mrs. ********** rebuttal, our ************* ********************** Specialist spoke with *********************** on January 30, ****, revisiting her concerns and clarifying the details of her ownership and purchase documents. In addition to speaking with *********************** directly, Bluegreen wishes to respond to her rebuttal through the Better Business Bureau as well.
Mrs.********** rebuttal correspondence expands on the same concerns stated in her original correspondence to the Better Business Bureau. Bluegreen reiterates the positions described in our earlier reply correspondence dated January 19, ****, on all subjects therein. Bluegreen would also like to respond to the additional concerns in Mrs. ********** rebuttal correspondence.
Mrs. ********** first new concern is regarding the rescission period for cancelling her and Mr. ********** timeshare purchase. *********************** expresses frustration that the rescission period expired soon after purchasing their timeshare and before their account was fully activated. Bluegreen would advise ********************** that she and ********************** were provided the state of ********* statutorily required rescission period of five days. Although Mr. and Mrs. ********** account *** not have been active online, they did have the opportunity to call our customer service contact center during the five days to research availability and get more information about their timeshare purchase. Our contact center is open six days a week to assist Mr. and ********************** in getting the most out of their Bluegreen ownership. Bluegreen contact center agents do not have restrictions on their talk times, so an agent could have stayed on the phone with Mr. and *********************** for as long as needed to provide expert guidance and answer all their questions.
Mrs. ********** second concern is regarding their understanding of the contract when they signed their paperwork and completed their Owner Confirmation Interview. Bluegreen attempts to abbreviate the lengthy sales process by summarizing the most pertinent details of the ownership during closing and in the Owner Confirmation Interview. If Mr. and *********************** wanted additional time to review the full purchase documentation before signing, they were free to request more time with the documents from a Bluegreen representative before executing the purchase paperwork. In addition, if they needed any further explanation of any terms, they were free to ask questions and request additional information before executing the contract. As Mr. and *********************** *** have experienced with other contractual purchases like houses or automobiles, these contracts routinely include legal description and terminology that consumers can review to their personal comfort level. However, as with any contractual purchase they might make, it is Mr. and Mrs. ********** responsibility to review their contract documents for understanding and request clarification as needed.
Mrs. ********** third concern is regarding the promotional trips that they received as a bonus for their purchase. At the time of a purchase, promotional gifts *** be provided to new and upgrading owners,including certificates from our exchange partner RCI, cruise vacation certificates, or certificates for other resort or hotel stays. These vacation certificates are given as incentives for new owners to use without needing to utilize their Vacation **** Points to take a vacation. Bluegreen sincerely regrets to hear of the difficulties the ********** originally experienced in redeeming their cruise voucher. However,Bluegreen is pleased to hear that our team was unltimately able to assist with this.
*********************** is also concerned regarding their maintenance fees increasing. Once again, maintenance fees are discussed at the time of purchase and detailed in the Owner Beneficiary Agreement and the Owner Confirmation Interview. The Terms and Conditions of the Owner Beneficiary Agreement in Section 4: Common Assessment Fees and **** Dues set forth that maintenance fees are billed annually as a base amount plus an added amount per Vacation **** Point. Owner Confirmation Interview Section 8 also advises that maintenance fees and **** Dues are owner obligations calculated based on the number of Vacation **** Points owned. Mr. and *********************** initialed next to Section 8, indicating their understanding and consent. Regarding Mrs. ********** concern about being billed one month after purchase and that their maintenance fees have since doubled,Bluegreen would advise Mr. and *********************** that their first billing for maintenance fees was only for the last six months of their first year of ownership. Bluegreen often includes incentives with new contract purchases. Accordingly, Mr. and *********************** received a certificate to waive maintenance fees for the initial six months of their ownership, as long as qualifying criteria were met. The certificate provided at the time of purchase states that the maintenance fee waiver is for six months. Mr. and ********************** met the qualifying criteria, so their first billing statement, billed to them in May 2020, reflects the six-month waiver of maintenance fees and **** Dues. Bluegreen offers this waiver to our new owners as a reprieve from the fees associated with the ownership so new owners can use their Points for vacations prior to paying fees. This information was addressed at the time of purchase so that Mr. and *********************** would not be surprised when their first bill for maintenance fees and Vacation **** Dues came due six months after their purchase. The next billing statement that Mr. and *********************** received in November 2020 was for their first annual billing for a full year of maintenance fees and **** Dues. Therefore, the difference between the ******** is that the first is for a time period of six months and the second is for a full year. Bluegreen endeavors to make maintenance fees manageable for owners by offering several payment options for maintenance fees, including installment plans of three months, longer payment plans, and prepayments before the maintenance fee bill is due.
Mrs. ********** next concern is regarding attending owner update presentations, as she feels it is mandatory to do so. Bluegreen would remind Mr. and *********************** that as deeded owners with Bluegreen, they are not under any obligation to attend owner update presentations when they vacation with Bluegreen if they do not wish to participate. However, Mr. and *********************** are always welcome to attend a presentation should they wish to learn more about their ownership, hear Bluegreens current sales offers, or obtain the gifts given for attending a presentation. Our owner update presentations are designed to answer questions, provide information, and present offers for enhancing Vacation **** ownership. Owner update presentations impart a great deal of information about how to use the ownership, including information about how Vacation **** usage *** be enhanced by purchasing additional Vacation **** Points. Mr. and *********************** do not need to consider information presented about purchasing additional Points if they are not interested in expanding their ownership.
Additionally, *********************** states she feels it would be less expensive to vacation outside of Bluegreen. While Bluegreen offers discounted rates to travel around the globe through our resorts, Traveler Plus,and RCI, it is possible that our rates *** not be the least expensive way to visit a specific location. However, Bluegreen believes our rates remain very affordable for the caliber of accommodations and amenities we provide.
Finally, *********************** states their sales presentation went longer than the ninety minutes expected. Our sales presentations impart a great deal of information to prospective owners. Due to the volume of information shared during the sales presentation, the time can be lengthy. Moreover, the sales presentation time estimate covers the time for the initial presentation. This estimate does not include the additional time spent to answer a prospective owners follow-up questions, tour the property, find the Points ownership best suited to a prospective owner, or complete the purchase paperwork.
Bluegreen desires to be responsive to Mrs. ********** concerns and resolve this matter. However, Bluegreen remains firm that we will not cancel and release Mr. and *********************** from further financial obligation. Should Mr. or *********************** have any further questions or concerns, they have the direct contact information for our Specialist.
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Bluegreen Vacations Corporation
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