The Attorney General sues American Marketing Group

Bill McCollum the Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against American Marketing group.  Accusing the company of deceptive trade practices involving timeshare resales.
The suit alleges the company claims having a buyer for a customer’s timeshare, and even guaranteeing the owners a sale in 120 days.  The owners were promised that if the property was not sold by them, money would be refunded.
Consumer complaints indicate that the company did not live up to what they said they would do and did not get any refunds.
The lawsuit is seeking a permanent injunction that prohibits the defendants from engaging in the timeshare resale business. In addition to that, the suit requests full restitution on behalf of the victims, civil penalties, and reimbursement of related fees.

RCI offers Vacation Protection

RCI is offering vacation insurance to timeshare members for $69.00.  You will receive full credit on your exchange fee.  Restore 100% Trading Power of your deposited week.  Keep your Deposited week (so you can use it in the future).  According to their information Vacation Protection is available on one-for-one exchanges only.  The full exchange fee of $189 USD/$234 CAD will br credited to the member’s account, to be used toward another exchange fee within 6 months.  Vacation Protection can be purchased within 30 days of confirmation of the exchange.  Vacation Protection cannot be purchased if check-in is within 14 days.  Vacation Protection can be refunded within 14 days of purchase, as long as check-in is at least 14 days away.

If you would like more info on this new program check out RCI.com then click My Account tab and select Vacation Plans.

Tropical Storm Felicia

We are waiting for the storm to hit.  It is about an hour away.  At the moment we just have light winds.  We will see what happens.

Expectations for Tropical Storm Felicia diminished from a threat of devastation to a promise of heavy rainfall for Maui and Oahu today as the former Category 4 hurricane slowed in its westward path past the island chain.

“The real story at this point is not the intensity of wind, but that we are going to get a great deal of rain,” said Jim Weyman, director of the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. “We can expect 2 or 3 inches, with showers locally up to 5 inches. As long as the rain doesn’t come down hard, it could be beneficial.

“Just because it’s downgraded, people shouldn’t relax their preparedness,” he said. A flash flood watch for Oahu and Maui counties remains in effect, as is a high-surf advisory.

“We will see high surf even if Felicia is downgraded; it had a long period of time pushing the surf before it reached the islands,” Weyman said.

City lifeguards reported two rescues at Sandy Beach and three rescues and five assists at Makapuu.

Maui County planned to open nine shelters last night on Maui, Molokai and Lanai as the edge of the swirling weather system was expected to bring the first showers early this morning.

The National Weather Service said the storm will be over Maui by late morning and pass south of Oahu late this afternoon.

Court Bans Timeshare resale Up Front Fees

Resale companies will no longer be able to charge upfront fees to clients wishing to sell their timeshares in Florida. Orlando’s Better Business Bureau has hundreds of complaints against dozens of local timeshare companies that charge advance fees. The court ruling in Tallahassee makes that practice illegal. A circuit court ruling in the state’s favor, which will prohibit collecting fees from Florida residents or anyone who owns a Florida timeshare.
Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation filed that lawsuit against a Texas reseller 11 years ago. That company could still appeal the ruling.
Advantage Vacation has never charged an upfront listing fee of any kind to clients wishing to sell their timeshares.

Disney, Marriott, Hyatt, Starwood and Hilton dominate Timeshare industry

Timeshares may offer good value if you choose one in an area you expect to visit frequently.
Virtually all investments look bad these days, but some pretty big names want you to reconsider one of the most maligned of all: the timeshare.
High pressure tactics and deceptive costs have given timeshares a mixed reputation.
But companies including Disney, Marriott, Hyatt, Starwood and Hilton dominate the industry, offering new perks and better value. “Timeshares are a great alternative to purchasing a vacation home since you are not responsible for the cost of maintenance,” insisted Jim Lewis, president of Disney Vacation Club.
Selling real estate in timeshares can be a profitable way for developers to sell real estate, especially condos in hot vacation spots or hotel rooms at resorts. In such a deal, several people buy one property ans share it.
Prices range from $8,000 for a small place in Florida to more than $30,000 for vacation rights at a top resort with golf courses and other amenities.
Timeshare offers, even within the same area, can vary greatly. The buy in price may be low, but some places have high annual dues.
One drawback to timeshares is that the participant does not earn any equity in the vacation property. Whey the membership period is over; the package has no value to the former member. Also, resale values are almost always lower than the original price. Timeshares are now more closely regulated by state consumer officials and sellers usually know they have to work hard to overcome the old reputation. Introducing a Free Small Business network for New York where you meet other professionals, get qualified leads, earn money and more. Get started Now! Dr. Tina Discepola, a physician from White Plains in Westchester, said she and her family signed up for a Disney timeshare in 2000. “While we were on our first family Disney World vacation in Orlando, we had an experience that was beyond anything we ever expected, :she said. “We met with a representative from Disney Vacation Club, listened to their sales pitch, and signed up that day. “Timeshares there start at about $18,000, plus a sliding monthly fee based on the number of points racked up for using the place. One important benefit, Discepola said, is that her family can stay at several Disney owned resorts.” There is a tremendous flexibility in terms of when and where members can travel.” She said.
This article was written for the Daily News By Jason R. Rich

Advantage Vacation Office located in The Lahaina Cannery Mall, Maui

If you are on Maui and would like information on Timeshare Resales stop by our office located at The Lahaina Cannery Mall in Lahaina Maui. The Cannery Mall is located next to Safeway. There are a number of shops there and a food court. Also there are free Hula shows. The talent is local and very good. Stop by The Cannery and get a bit to eat enjoy a free hula show and talk to Syed Sarmad about what is available in the Timeshare Resale market here on Maui or other islands. Syed has over 30 years in the industry and has a wealth of knowledge to share with you. No high pressure sales.

http:www.advantagevacation.com
http:www.hoteltimeshares.com
800-775-4493

ARDA runs contest for Timeshare Owner

Win $1000.00 by entering your vacation photo, story, or short video (up to 3 min.) depicting a special timeshare vacation memory and you could win a $1000.00 American Express gift card. Now who couldn’t use that! Your entry should represent a special timeshare vacation memory that had a meaningful effect on your family, your health, or your overall enjoyment of life. To submit your entry go to VacationBetter.org. Contest runs May 15, 2009 unitl Aug. 31, 2009.
Even with the travel industry being hit during these challenging economic times vacation ownership properties are experiencing more than 80 percent occupancy rates as of March 31, 2009. Another reason to own your vacation (timeshare) rather than rent your vacation!
VacationBetter.org will award 3 first place winners, one of photography, one for their written story, and one for video. In each of those categories, there will also be a second place winner, who will receive a $250.00 American Express gift card.

Interval International offers new short term vacation stays

II recently announced that its travel subsidiary, Worldwide Vacation & Travel, Inc., has developed a short-term vacation program that will offer resort developer clients a more affordable product for consumers in today’s changing marketplace.
Developers are finding themselves in need of a less expensive product and Interval’s short-term vacation program will augment their traditional sales opportunities, “said Craig M. Nash, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Interval Leisure Group, the parent company of Interval International.
This new product can be utilized as an enhanced multi-year form of trial ownership that may include accommodations at the home resort and other properties and the ability to exchange through Interval’s worldwide network. In addition, the program will feature access to specially priced resort rentals and comprehensive year-round travel, leisure, and lifestyle benefits.
Developers’ have been doing what they call exit programs for many years. They are offered to clients after they have taken a tour and have not purchased a timeshare. It enables the developers a way to sell the client a smaller ticket item and part or the entire price goes towards that purchase of a timeshare. Win win for the developer.

Travel Advisory

Refer to the details below to determine if an advisory may affect your vacation plans.

US and Canada – Passport Requirement Update
As of Monday, October 1, U.S. airline passengers once again need to carry a valid passport when traveling to the above destinations in addition to all other international destinations.

Secure documents acceptable for international travel include only the following:

• Passport
• U.S. resident card
• Refugee / Stateless travel document
• Re-Entry permit
• Military ID with movement orders
• NEXUS card
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Card
• Emergency travel document issued by a Consulate
• Deportation letter (Single Journey Letter)

Any traveler who does not hold a secure document will not be boarded for travel, regardless of their citizenship, age, or destination, even if the customer is traveling on a one-way ticket.

Birth certificates, citizenship certificates/cards, driver’s licenses, naturalization certificates, national ID cards, “matrícula consulares”, and “cedulas” are not secure documents and therefore never valid for travel to or from the United States.

For more information on obtaining passports and visas for international travel, visit the U.S. Department of State Web site at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Swine Flu and Mexico Timeshares

May 1, 2009

Dear Cheryl Becker

At Universal Vacation Club, we are aware of current issues regarding the swine flu. We take situations such as these very seriously. It is our responsibility to provide the safest and most comfortable stay possible for all of our guests. That’s why you can rest assured that we have taken every precaution to make sure you can relax and enjoy your upcoming UVC vacation.

Please note that while this situation is of great concern to us all, the UVC is taking every measure to ensure your health and safety. Also note these reasons to resume your intended stay with UVC:
• There are currently no cases of H1N1 swine flu near any of the UVC Resorts. This outbreak is believed to have started in Mexico, but is mainly populated in Mexico City and surrounding cities. No UVC Resorts are near the affected area.
• Why are there reported deaths of the swine flu in Mexico, but in no other country? This is because of Mexico’s weakened infrastructure and lack of medical capabilities in densely populated Mexico City. However, in UVC destinations such as Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta / Riviera Nayarit, and Cabo San Lucas, the medical capabilities are much greater in preparation for tourists and frequent visitors.
• The swine flu is very treatable once caught and diagnosed. There are several general influenza treatments that combat the swine flu with similar effectiveness.
• Every UVC Resort has an on-site doctor on-call, 24 hours a day. Again, the swine flu is very treatable when caught and diagnosed.
• We are working very closely with local authorities to take all the necessary precautions to minimize any potential spread of the virus.
For the most up to date information regarding swine flu, please consult any of the following sources:

• State Department (www.travel.state.gov )
• Center For Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov/ )
• World Health Organization (www.who.int/ )
• Villa Group Resorts http://villagroupresorts.com/media-center/travel-alerts

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