Remove Hypocritical YouTube Diamond CEO Michael Flaskey, WA AG and former AZ AG
Remove Hypocritical YouTube Diamond CEO Michael Flaskey, WA AG and former AZ AG
The Issue
I launched this petition after being told by the Missouri Attorney General's office that I should retain a lawyer after my timeshare company refused to help me. Timeshare lawyers are described as "storefront clowns" on this YouTube featuring Diamond Resorts CEO Michael Flaskey, the voice of Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, and former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1NyMYJjPi4
Mr. Flaskey said on YouTube that timeshare members can just call their timeshare company. When I called my timeshare company they said I signed a contract and that is all that mattered. My husband Fred and I attended three separate meetings seeking release from our timeshare because of Fred's medical hardship. After Fred had a heart attack and then a stroke, we attended a meeting in Las Vegas to learn how to be released from our timeshare. Instead of being told about the company's voluntary exit program, we were told we had to convert from deeded points to non-deeded points. In Hawaii we were told we had been given misinformation and we had to buy Hawaii points. In Branson we were told that was bad advice and we needed to refinance. None of the agents told us about our timeshare company's voluntary surrender program. What was most offensive is that in their denial our timeshare company offered me their voluntary surrender for our original timeshare! For the first time in our life, we face a default.
Timeshare Sales are listed at #7 on the Federal Trade Commission's list of Top Ten Scams. Why aren't more Attorneys General warning about unfair and deceptive timeshare sales practices? Until the Timeshare Developer acknowledges that they are not blameless, timeshare consumers will continue to be harmed.
Supporters are asking Diamond Resorts CEO Michael Flaskey to take down his YouTube describing how exit companies lie to timeshare members, “making them worse off than they were before.” That is exactly what happened to us. Buying a timeshare is not like buying a house or a car. You cannot rely on the ethics of a timeshare salesperson, especially if they tell you not to say anything about what they had promised on a recorded contract signing. Anything promised by a timeshare sales agent will likely be dismissed if the sales session is not recorded. Check each state to determine if it is legal to record without the other person aware.
There have been many complaints about how the buyer is coached on what to say or not say on a recorded signing. When the member complains, their complaint is dismissed because, "You didn't say anything on the recording." The recording covers the contract terms. Mention of the company's voluntary surrender program was not in my contract. Promises of future equity cannot be determined during a contract rescission period.
While there are plenty of timeshare exit scams out there, the amount of money lost to exit companies is usually considerably lower than the amount of money lost to timeshare sales agents. Amounts of $50,000 or more are not uncommon.
The Federal Trade Commission's Top 10 costliest scams list followed by BBB complaints and Attorneys General investigations and settlements:
1. Romance Scams$83.7 million
2. Imposter: Government: $61 million
3. Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries: $51.4 million
4. Impostor: Business $34.3 million
5. Investments: $25.4 million
6. Computer Tech Support Scams: $24.1 million
7. Timeshare Sales: $17.4 million
8. Impostor: Family/Friends: $17.1 million
9. Online Shopping: $14.2 million
10. Timeshare Resales: $12.5 million
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2020/ftc-top-scams.html
The Better Business Bureau reports the following numbers of complaints timeshare buyers have filed with the BBB describing deceptive timeshare sales tactics. A few Attorney General Settlements and lawsuits include.
Wyndham BBB Complaints - 1,804 complaints and a BBB alert:
BBB files indicate that this business has a pattern of complaints concerning misrepresentation in selling practices. Consumer complaints report that the verbal representations are inconsistent with the written agreement. According to complaints, claims include representations that the purchase is an "investment" and the same as "real estate" in that it will increase in value. Owners report mandatory meetings that they are led to believe are to introduce new features and benefits but result in a sales presentation to purchase or upgrade their points. In some instances owners are encouraged to complete a survey or questionnaire which results in another sales presentation to purchase additional points.
A jury awarded a former Wyndham sales agent with over 15 years sales experience, $20 million
During her tenure, Ms. Williams told her superiors about an array of dubious activities: Representatives were preying on older time-share owners to get them to increase their holdings and were falsely telling customers that Wyndham would buy back their ownership stakes if they no longer wanted them. She also said that credit card accounts were opened for buyers without their knowledge and approval.
Bluegreen Vacations Unlimited - 1,304 BBB complaints over the last three years
https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/boca-raton/profile/travel-club/bluegreen-vacations-unlimited-inc-0633-8195
Welk Resorts to Pay up to $5.5 Million to Settle Consumer Protection Lawsuit
http://danewscenter.com/news/welk-resorts-pay-55-million-settle-consumer-protection-lawsuit
A.G. Schneiderman Announces $6.5 Million Settlement With Midtown Manhattan Timeshare That Scammed Purchasers
The settlement is the largest in recent history for the Attorney General’s Real Estate Finance Bureau. Under the terms of the settlement, the operators of the Manhattan Club, at 200 West 56th Street, acknowledge that they repeatedly misled share owners about the club’s reservation process, their ability to sell back their shares, and the details of the club’s state-approved offering plan.
The State (Arizona) has received hundreds of consumer complaints against Diamond Resorts. Consumers complained that Diamond used deceptive sales practices and made numerous oral misrepresentations and false statements during sales presentations. Some of the alleged misrepresentations are related to:
Annual increases in maintenance fees;
Membership resale and buy-back programs;
Timeshare membership resale market;
Ability to rent timeshare vacations; and
Discounts on other travel needs.
HIlton Grand Vacations BBB - 827 BBB complaints
https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/orlando/profile/vacation-timeshare/hilton-grand-vacations-inc-0733-1045054
The Issue
I launched this petition after being told by the Missouri Attorney General's office that I should retain a lawyer after my timeshare company refused to help me. Timeshare lawyers are described as "storefront clowns" on this YouTube featuring Diamond Resorts CEO Michael Flaskey, the voice of Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, and former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1NyMYJjPi4
Mr. Flaskey said on YouTube that timeshare members can just call their timeshare company. When I called my timeshare company they said I signed a contract and that is all that mattered. My husband Fred and I attended three separate meetings seeking release from our timeshare because of Fred's medical hardship. After Fred had a heart attack and then a stroke, we attended a meeting in Las Vegas to learn how to be released from our timeshare. Instead of being told about the company's voluntary exit program, we were told we had to convert from deeded points to non-deeded points. In Hawaii we were told we had been given misinformation and we had to buy Hawaii points. In Branson we were told that was bad advice and we needed to refinance. None of the agents told us about our timeshare company's voluntary surrender program. What was most offensive is that in their denial our timeshare company offered me their voluntary surrender for our original timeshare! For the first time in our life, we face a default.
Timeshare Sales are listed at #7 on the Federal Trade Commission's list of Top Ten Scams. Why aren't more Attorneys General warning about unfair and deceptive timeshare sales practices? Until the Timeshare Developer acknowledges that they are not blameless, timeshare consumers will continue to be harmed.
Supporters are asking Diamond Resorts CEO Michael Flaskey to take down his YouTube describing how exit companies lie to timeshare members, “making them worse off than they were before.” That is exactly what happened to us. Buying a timeshare is not like buying a house or a car. You cannot rely on the ethics of a timeshare salesperson, especially if they tell you not to say anything about what they had promised on a recorded contract signing. Anything promised by a timeshare sales agent will likely be dismissed if the sales session is not recorded. Check each state to determine if it is legal to record without the other person aware.
There have been many complaints about how the buyer is coached on what to say or not say on a recorded signing. When the member complains, their complaint is dismissed because, "You didn't say anything on the recording." The recording covers the contract terms. Mention of the company's voluntary surrender program was not in my contract. Promises of future equity cannot be determined during a contract rescission period.
While there are plenty of timeshare exit scams out there, the amount of money lost to exit companies is usually considerably lower than the amount of money lost to timeshare sales agents. Amounts of $50,000 or more are not uncommon.
The Federal Trade Commission's Top 10 costliest scams list followed by BBB complaints and Attorneys General investigations and settlements:
1. Romance Scams$83.7 million
2. Imposter: Government: $61 million
3. Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries: $51.4 million
4. Impostor: Business $34.3 million
5. Investments: $25.4 million
6. Computer Tech Support Scams: $24.1 million
7. Timeshare Sales: $17.4 million
8. Impostor: Family/Friends: $17.1 million
9. Online Shopping: $14.2 million
10. Timeshare Resales: $12.5 million
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2020/ftc-top-scams.html
The Better Business Bureau reports the following numbers of complaints timeshare buyers have filed with the BBB describing deceptive timeshare sales tactics. A few Attorney General Settlements and lawsuits include.
Wyndham BBB Complaints - 1,804 complaints and a BBB alert:
BBB files indicate that this business has a pattern of complaints concerning misrepresentation in selling practices. Consumer complaints report that the verbal representations are inconsistent with the written agreement. According to complaints, claims include representations that the purchase is an "investment" and the same as "real estate" in that it will increase in value. Owners report mandatory meetings that they are led to believe are to introduce new features and benefits but result in a sales presentation to purchase or upgrade their points. In some instances owners are encouraged to complete a survey or questionnaire which results in another sales presentation to purchase additional points.
A jury awarded a former Wyndham sales agent with over 15 years sales experience, $20 million
During her tenure, Ms. Williams told her superiors about an array of dubious activities: Representatives were preying on older time-share owners to get them to increase their holdings and were falsely telling customers that Wyndham would buy back their ownership stakes if they no longer wanted them. She also said that credit card accounts were opened for buyers without their knowledge and approval.
Bluegreen Vacations Unlimited - 1,304 BBB complaints over the last three years
https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/boca-raton/profile/travel-club/bluegreen-vacations-unlimited-inc-0633-8195
Welk Resorts to Pay up to $5.5 Million to Settle Consumer Protection Lawsuit
http://danewscenter.com/news/welk-resorts-pay-55-million-settle-consumer-protection-lawsuit
A.G. Schneiderman Announces $6.5 Million Settlement With Midtown Manhattan Timeshare That Scammed Purchasers
The settlement is the largest in recent history for the Attorney General’s Real Estate Finance Bureau. Under the terms of the settlement, the operators of the Manhattan Club, at 200 West 56th Street, acknowledge that they repeatedly misled share owners about the club’s reservation process, their ability to sell back their shares, and the details of the club’s state-approved offering plan.
The State (Arizona) has received hundreds of consumer complaints against Diamond Resorts. Consumers complained that Diamond used deceptive sales practices and made numerous oral misrepresentations and false statements during sales presentations. Some of the alleged misrepresentations are related to:
Annual increases in maintenance fees;
Membership resale and buy-back programs;
Timeshare membership resale market;
Ability to rent timeshare vacations; and
Discounts on other travel needs.
HIlton Grand Vacations BBB - 827 BBB complaints
https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/orlando/profile/vacation-timeshare/hilton-grand-vacations-inc-0733-1045054
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Petition created on March 6, 2021