What is up with Holiday Group timeshare resales????

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

I have been a customer of Holiday Group for years and have purchased over six (I have to research the exact number) and they used to really stick by their product and employees. I used to recommend them to everyone. Their 100% satisfaction guarantee was real.

My most recent purchase from them turned out to be a disaster....they did not deliver what they said on the contract and it took forever for them to even figure out what was going on. I have had problems before and they used to always make it right....but now they wont even return my phone calls. I told them how we could resolve it and they could not deliver....now they just ignore me.

Then I saw something on Redweek that they advertised that would have solved the entire situation but I did not get a call. I was also on a call list for that specific resort if anything should come up....no call. I also have other friends who are supposedly on that same list but no phone calls. We used to get calls immediately when any inventory we wanted popped up....it was like a race between the sales people and the customers to snag what we wanted.

I have now had about six different sales representative.....one was absolutely great and the others were OK. I sure miss the 'bulldog' I used to have as a salesperson...she would bend over backward to make sure the customer was happy.

I realize the business has a lot of turnover....but aren't the best customers the one's who buy from you repeatedly? What is going on over there???? They sure seem to have lost their way. It is sad....they really had a great reputation with me and others I know who purchased with them.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

As a former customer, I haven't seen anything at Holiday at a price I would buy in years. Lots of turnover in people and I also don't get the calls I once got on new inventory.

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

I agree that they are not as price competitive these days with all the deals on ebay and I have not found that much either. Every once in awhile they do come up with a gem.

Didn't you also have the 'bulldog' as a representative? She was great but long gone unfortunately.

As a former customer, I haven't seen anything at Holiday at a price I would buy in years. Lots of turnover in people and I also don't get the calls I once got on new inventory.

[rikkis_playpen Diamond Club Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close rikkis_playpen]

A resale office is only as good as the frontline employees themselves.. Staffing is always challenging.. You need a good salesperson, as well as a service oriented individual with a sense of pride in their performance..

Needless to say, the industry doesn't exactly produce that type of individual on a regular basis...

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

There are 3 distinct organizations you need to deal with in Holiday Group. Sales, Transfers, Finance.

If you get a great sales rep, you are in fantastic shape on the sales front. If you need one let me know. I have a very good one.

Once you make the purchase, you need to deal with transfers. They are very short handed in this group due to the volume of transfers these days. This could mean a closing interval of between 6-12 months or more depending on the resort or resort group.

Then, there is finance. Usually not a problem. But, it's the finance department that must cut checks to go to resorts for transfers. This could delay the transfer process.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Maybe, if she is the one she loved my voice-so I got lots of calls.

I agree that they are not as price competitive these days with all the deals on ebay and I have not found that much either. Every once in awhile they do come up with a gem.

Didn't you also have the 'bulldog' as a representative? She was great but long gone unfortunately.

[unacorny Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close unacorny]

I must say that I am new to the whole TS thing myself. I did a TON of reserch before I actually purchased. I did contact Holiday during my shopping. The sales person that I worked with was Fantastic!!! She knew that I was not ready to buy when I first spoke with her. She was very patient and returned every phone call and email with no pressure at all. One of the rare gems popped up one day and she gave me a curtosey call and email just to make me aware of the deal. After 24 hours of reserching that propery, I knew that I needed to jump on it. So I bought it! She moved moutatins to help me get it. I can not thank her enough! The property that I got is selling for 4 times the amount on other resale sites! She admitted that those deals do not come up very often, but she would let me know if and when another one comes. I have been thrilled with the whole experience and would reccomend them, at least her! If you want to contact her I can put you in touch.

[pcgirl54 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pcgirl54]

Take me thru the process with them as I am almost ready to jump on a week I have wanted. Can you negotiate. What proof do you request ahead before you sign?

TIA

[SteveH Member Find all posts View Profile Close SteveH]

I'm waiting to close on 2 mexican weeks that we've paid for. The sales rep disappeared. Voice mail box is always full. Finally got someone to call -use the 'live chat' feature on their web site to get a response. Well it's 2 months and we're still waiting for the transfer agent to send the paperwork.
I agree, it has been a few years, but prior service was MUCH better than today. We did take advantage of a sale price and picked up an older UVC contract with low MFs. Now we have to wait and see if we get what was advertised?
Steve

[pcgirl54 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pcgirl54]

Buying through Holiday did anyone ask for an estoppel letter or something that shows the deed?

Do you pay for the entire thing upfront or place a deposit until the closing takes place?

For those brands that have ROFR are the funds processed after the letter is received?

Is there a title search?

And in your case Steve what happens when you have paid and two months later nothing takes place?

If I spend 5k and then have to wait 6-12 months to close then I have paid 2009 MF on something I cannot use. What can one do?

[Larry Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Larry]

Take me thru the process with them as I am almost ready to jump on a week I have wanted. Can you negotiate. What proof do you request ahead before you sign?

TIA

Yes you can definitely negotiate. I recently bought another week in Aruba (and probably my 4th or 5th week from Holiday)only because they accepted my offer which was considerably less than their asking price. Everything went well until I started dealing with the transfer agent who appeared to be new and clueless. Whenever I called her regarding the status of the closing and left a voice mail message she never returned my call. I finally got fed up and called my broker and complained, she apologized and told me they were understaffed in the transfer department and had a lot of new people with very little experience.

After I called the broker I received a call from the transfer agent who apologized and from then on fast tracked the closing which was comploeted within 3o days of my complaint.

All together it took about 90 days, but I think I would still be waiting if I didn't make the call to my broker.

[unacorny Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close unacorny]

I can try and answer some of your questions.

Buying through Holiday did anyone ask for an estoppel letter or something that shows the deed?

On my contract, there was a deed and contract number. I was able to call the property and confirm everything on my own. Everything they told me held true. They also guarantee the property so if it is wrong, you get a full refund.

Do you pay for the entire thing upfront or place a deposit until the closing takes place?

I actually only paid my deposit. I applied for their financing to cover the rest of the balance. Once we close I will pay the entire balance to avoid any finance fees.

For those brands that have ROFR are the funds processed after the letter is received?

Mine was not a ROFR, thank goodness. I am not sure on this one, but you could call and check.

Is there a title search?

Yes, they guarantee a free and clear title, if not you get a full refund.

If I spend 5k and then have to wait 6-12 months to close then I have paid 2009 MF on something I cannot use. What can one do?

They will give you a form to fill out to determine what to so with your 2009 week. Mine was purchased after my deeded week, but in the same year and it is a float week. I had the option to float my week for 2009 and use it, bank my week for next year or trade it to RCI for the points. This is done prior to closing and they can even book for you if you need them to. If you wait until after closing, then you can book yourself if you choose to bank it. You should have no problem getting your week use.

I hope this helps

[rikkis_playpen Diamond Club Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close rikkis_playpen]

Quote:
Is there a title search?
Yes, they guarantee a free and clear title, if not you get a full refund.


****
Generally, in my understanding of Holidays closing process- the buyer does not receive a title policy (which means that no title search was performed).. Their guarantee is based solely on Holiday's good faith, and not an independent underwriter.. I would assume that if a buyer wanted a title search and policy, that it could be requested at the buyer's expense (and is something I'd strongly recommend for higher value purchases)..

Be very careful with the "free and clear title" promise that is used by many resellers as part of their marketing and client assurance advertising. This statement should never be confused with an actual title search and title policy performed by an independent title company. Many companies simply give a non-binding promise to provide support and resolution to buyers if there is a problem found- but that depends entirely on the good faith of the selling company and on their ability to stay in business..

Because Holiday's business model in the past required them to take ownership of the inventory (much of it via the developer equity trade programs they had in place), they now have a substancial annual debt in place due to the fees and assessments for the inventory they own (rumored to be in the millions this year).. With the slowdown in sales this past year- that must be a pretty big burden. Add to that the employee turnover and staffing problems facing their transfer department, and it could lead to more problems in the future....

[pcgirl54 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pcgirl54]

Thanks to all I have a pending transaction now.

One of the reasons that it now takes longer to close is because there have been reductions in transfer companies staffing with the economy or more work and less people to process. That makes sense and is true of many jobs.

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

Ok I tried again to resolve my issue with Holiday....I sent an email to all the parties that I had dealt with. I was contacted by phone and come to find out that all of the people I was dealing with no longer work at the company. Amazing.

The 'new' person promised quick resolution and I did get paperwork from the company in a timely manner. We shall see how the refund goes.

Jury still out.....