New Owner Questions and Concerns

[cooperk76 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close cooperk76]

Hello,

First off I want to say thanks to all who contribute to this forum. I have found alot of helpful information. Here's my (all too common I'm sure) story.

We purchased a sampler package in Big Cedar two days ago (Friday). We received 12,000 points a year for the next 2 years with 70% of the points transferred if we sign up for the full deal.

We found the sales presentation to be low stress and low pressure. We weren't planning on buying anything. After being shown the resort and briefly hearing how Bluegreen/RCI, etc. works we thought that this is something that might work for us.

Upon returning home, I wanted to look deeper into the program and it's benefits. It was then I found so much negative information and feedback about this company that it now has us scared to death.

Basically it is the lack of availability of units, which leads to owners not being able to use their points that has us nervous. I understand that is must be planned in advance but I have 24,000 points to use in two years and I don't know if it will be possible.

We plan on taking 3-5 trips to Big Cedar during November -May. These trips will fall mostly on weekends in their studio units. We also hope to use the Aruba resort in the December or March and even Orlando in December or March. These trips will be on weekdays using the smallest unit possible.

I know this is asked very often, but is it possible for newbies like us to reserve these when our 30-45 days wait is over in mid August?

I was reading that any saved points can't be used on anything over red days. This was not disclosed to us.

I've read alot of information about nervous owners cancelling within their rescinding period but there was NO information in the contract about this at all.

If we choose to cancel, do I simply send a certified letter with return/signature receipt along with my sampler package to Boca Raton?

We have the ability to plan ahead, but I'm afraid that if we try to book anything for Big Cedar for this Nov-May it will all be booked and we won't be able to utilize our points like we hoped.

Love the concept and the resorts, just a little disappointed in the lack of some important details from the sales staff. We are on the fence about keeping or canceling. Thanks for your help and advice.

Kyle

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

Basically it is the lack of availability of units, which leads to owners not being able to use their points that has us nervous. I understand that is must be planned in advance but I have 24,000 points to use in two years and I don't know if it will be possible.

Wow. I've never heard of a Sampler that big. For what it's worth, we have not had any real problems with availability and didn't have any while using our Sampler, either. One advantage of the Sampler is that it limits you to the resorts with the most availability. There are a few categories on the Sampler that can be tough to get (cabins at BC, chalets at Mountain Loft), but not resorts assuming you reserve early.

Bluegreen has two different kinds of resorts -- those owned by Bluegreen and "Associate resorts," which are owned and managed by someone else but Bluegreen has some units and dates. The Associate resorts tend to be much more difficult to get into because there are far fewer units to start with. Holiday weekends go fast, particularly at the more popular resorts, which can also lead to some unhappy owners who don't get in right at the 11 month mark or are going for one of the more limited categories. I've seen people complain they can't get into Big Cedar when there's still availability there left, for instance -- they mean they can't get into a cabin at Big Cedar.

People who want prime time in one of the rarer resorts or categories have problems with availability. People who want a particular holiday week at a particular resort can have problems with availability (Florida for spring break is probably going to be harder to get than Pennsylvania for the same dates). People who don't reserve early can have problems with availability. The rest of us, not so much.

If you can plan in advance and have some flexibility on when and where you go, you should be good.

We plan on taking 3-5 trips to Big Cedar during November -May. These trips will fall mostly on weekends in their studio units. We also hope to use the Aruba resort in the December or March and even Orlando in December or March. These trips will be on weekdays using the smallest unit possible.

I know this is asked very often, but is it possible for newbies like us to reserve these when our 30-45 days wait is over in mid August?

If you're flexible you should be able to get into Big Cedar. Seems to me that the minute bonus time hits (48 days out, IIRC), BC weekends are G-O-N-E, but if you're going off season and reserve before bonus time is possible your odds are pretty good.

Aruba in December 2011 looks bad; March 2012 looks good. Orlando has openings in both March and December, but only in 2 BRs the dates I checked. There are very few 1 BRs in Orlando (just a few in the two older buildings at the Fountains).

I've read alot of information about nervous owners cancelling within their rescinding period but there was NO information in the contract about this at all.

If we choose to cancel, do I simply send a certified letter with return/signature receipt along with my sampler package to Boca Raton?

A Sampler is not considered a Timeshare contract and you do not have the option of cancelling. Our Sampler the contract was only a page or two long and very simple; it's more of a rental contract than a TS purchase.

[smithiekid Member Find all posts View Profile Close smithiekid]

Just a small point there are NO 1BED at The fountains (or sunshine) the original bulidings ie Oasis Lakes (buildings 3 and 4) are all 2 bed with the exception of 2 x3 bed units in building 3. Apart from the very new ones all the units at The fountains have the same points value the 2 bed deluxe (and the 2x3 bed) are much larger than the others but if you want one of those you must ask for a unit that sleeps 8

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

Just a small point there are NO 1BED at The fountains (or sunshine)

Yah, you're right, and I should have remembered right. I dunno how the smaller 2 BR got transformed in my brain to 1 BRs.