Is this good or bad for me???

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

You said you called around and got a copy of the Great Links email. When I tried to get a copy of the Great Links owners email list, the staff would not give it to me. How did you manage to get it and will you share it with us Great Links former owners? Or tell us where to get it?

I called around, got the copy of the Great Links email and sent it to my contact at VI

Sorry, the word 'list' was neither stated nor implied.

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

Your MFs may have been held artificially low by your developer to stimulate sales while VI has been around for ages (in timeshare years) and their MFs must support the actual ongoing costs.

BONUS TIME is one of those things where you have to be extremely flexible, extremely lucky, or willing to go when no one else wants to. In any points system, if there is lots of bonus time or lots of 1/2 price points time, then the system did not do the right job in valuing there points in the first place.

It's also something that is not guaranteed in any system I've seen the docs for.

I'm not a professional in the timeshare industry and I don't pretend to be one. All I know about your situation is in this thread, if you have a contract that spells out golf benefits, then you should have golf benefits; if golf benefits were just an oh by the way, then you may not. If your timeshare group voted this thing in, then it's in, you do not necessarily get to opt out. I don't know what 2000 points used to get you at Great Links resorts but at VI resorts 35 of their points annually gets you a week in a Studio every other year.

I doubt that the fake vote you allude to was fake, GL probably has enough votes of their own to carry anything.

Homestead was one of the largest new home builders in the northwest for the last 10-15 years, and with the total collapse of the New Home Market, they failed like many over extended businesses.
As to how your points were owned, did you receive a deed?
Most don't, simply a right to use x amount of points per year for x amount of money.
I wish there was something you could do, but to be honest, you bought something because it had some bonus golf time, and the company that sold it is defunct so whoever picks up the pieces will be the ones in charge of what you will receive.
fwiw,

Greg

Exactly.

[baumer64 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close baumer64]

I still have not been contacted by VI but I did receive an email from Great Links saying their Lynden number is no longer working. There was another number given and I called it on Thursday. We still had 4000 bonus points I had to spend that were an incentive to buy when we did. The very nice woman I talked with helped me with the transfer of my points to Interval. I then asked when I would be contacted about options for us from VI. She said that things were being finalized and that they would be contacting owners beginning next week. I said that I was feeling very frustrated and taken advantage of with this whole deal. I told her that the only reason be bought the GL points was for an occasional trip through Interval but that most of our planned trips would be to Ocean Shores and using Bonus time at the area resorts. The part I really feel screwed on is the yearly fees. On my 4000 points last year (my first year) we only had to pay around $170 but now with VI I believe it's going to be around $460 a year. I told her I feel very taken advantage of and am very frustrated. She said that she understands and doesn't blame me for feeling that way. The empathy in her voice sounded very sincere and led me to believe that we are being screwed!
So right now, I've got three more payments on a vacation rental that I can't use for the main usage we bought it for or at least what we were told we would be able to use it for. This really sucks!

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

I still have not been contacted by VI but I did receive an email from Great Links saying their Lynden number is no longer working. There was another number given and I called it on Thursday. We still had 4000 bonus points I had to spend that were an incentive to buy when we did. The very nice woman I talked with helped me with the transfer of my points to Interval. I then asked when I would be contacted about options for us from VI. She said that things were being finalized and that they would be contacting owners beginning next week. I said that I was feeling very frustrated and taken advantage of with this whole deal. I told her that the only reason be bought the GL points was for an occasional trip through Interval but that most of our planned trips would be to Ocean Shores and using Bonus time at the area resorts. The part I really feel screwed on is the yearly fees. On my 4000 points last year (my first year) we only had to pay around $170 but now with VI I believe it's going to be around $460 a year. I told her I feel very taken advantage of and am very frustrated. She said that she understands and doesn't blame me for feeling that way. The empathy in her voice sounded very sincere and led me to believe that we are being screwed!
So right now, I've got three more payments on a vacation rental that I can't use for the main usage we bought it for or at least what we were told we would be able to use it for. This really sucks!

Unfortunately, you were sold a bill of goods just like almost every other retail timeshare buyer. Almost all developers in the early stages under charge for maintenance fees by supplementing the budgets, in time your fees would have grown but the time is now because VI is an old organization and does not do that. All the bonuses you're worried about would have eroded over time as none of them were guaranteed, availability of bonus time is never a given.

[baumer64 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close baumer64]

I know that those fees would have gone up over time but what I failed to mention was that they had in the owners agreement that the fees could not increase by more than 5% from the previous year. This was a very important reason why we did decide to purchase. If it had not been for that 5% maximum on fee increases, we would not have purchased.

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

Great Links vrs VI

Hello everyone, I just found this forum so want to chime in if that's alright..
We bought out Greatlinks timeshare so that we could do interval international exchanges. What I loved about it is that I could offer a low season one bedroom at desert canyon and search to see what I could get offered via interval international in exchange.. often I'd get a 2 bedroom high season.. (lucky I know) but now, I believe VI does it differently?

I think if I find something I want, then they take the # of points out that it costs? so there is no more bargain hunting for me it sounds like... AND I get the priviledge of paying over 1000 in maintenance fees.. our 9000 points (3 weeks) with Great links turns in to 130 with VI and from the looks of things that is not going to be what I'm going to be able to get that.

If we translate our points into VI points, what does that mean in terms of weeks of vacation we can book? At present our 9000 points can equate to 3 weeks per year, which is why we did invest in timeshare. Will we be getting comparable weeks in return? I was getting 2 bedrooms x 3 weeks per year . to get 3 weeks with this outfit I'm going to be stuck in a studio? Does anyone know how VI points work? I don't have my package from them yet, have signed nothing yet, and so am not sure what to do. What can they do to great link owners who choose to just walk away from this?

In an email from Great links staff, I was told:
9000 GL points will translate into 130 VI Points. Here is a condensed VI points chart:



Studio

High Season = 84 Swing Season = 64 Low Season = 41



One Bedroom

High Season = 126 Swing Season = 105 Low Season = 55



Two Bedroom

High Season = 154 Swing Season = 129 Low Season = 70



Three Bedroom

High Season = 238 Swing Season = 193 Low Season = 111

This has left us with a bad taste in our mouths and like other great link owners feeling ripped off, like we were sold one bill of goods, we agreed on it, have been paying on it based on that bill of goods, only to be now given something entirely different. I wish I knew what our options are with this. Thanks for listening.
...Pam...

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

The VI transfer is definitely NOT a good deal for Links Owners.

[unhappy1 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close unhappy1]

Legal Action

Is anyone aware if and what legal remedies are available? I certainly do not intend on siging any new contracts until I know what my options are. Class action lawsuit anyone?

[baumer64 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close baumer64]

I don't know that we would have any standing for a class action suit. If there is, I'm in. As I stated earlier, I was given a statement in writing last year when I bought in that the maintenance fees could not go up more than 5% in any one year. With this agreement, from what I've seen my fees will go up around 300%. Hell, I'm still making payments on my 4000 GL points and planned to have them paid off by May. This whole thing sucks!!!! I paid $2 per point for the 4000 GL points. When these are converted to VI it means that I've paid about $138 per point! Looking at VI point resellers, I've seen VI points sold at $28-$75 per point.
The more I look into this, the more frustrated and upset I become!!!

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

We too are still paying on our GL points, so as of November I have not sent in a payment. They can have their points back for all I care and I for one am not signing a new contract with Interval. From what I did receive from GL about the transfer to interval, I read that you will have to sign a new contract with Interval or book points to use, which will give them your consent to join their timeshare. We did get screwed.

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

So here's news from VI.....

email received

Come Stay with
VI at Homestead Farms -
Lynden, Washington


Your retreat to VI at Homestead Farms offers 7 luxury one bedrooms, 1 - one bedroom deluxe, or 1 - two bedroom condominium. Your unit offers a full kitchen; full bath with steam shower, TV/DVD, fireplace, air conditioning, and the 2 bedroom includes a jetted tub. Don’t miss the opportunity to play golf onsite, swim in the indoor/outdoor pool, work out at an amazing 24-hour onsite gym, or dine at one of the onsite restaurants.

Wondering what to do around the area? Lynden offers a central location to take a quick day trip into Canada, Birch Bay, or drive into beautiful Bellingham 20 minutes south of Lynden. The Dutch atmosphere of Lynden offers up some quaint shopping and dining amongst the windmills and murals of downtown.

For more information on your newest addition to Vacation Internationale visit Vacation Internationale or call Owner Services at 1.800.444.6633 and reserve your stay today.
Bonus Time

Don’t forget, as a VI Owner you can rent last minute space within 15 days or less for our low, per night Bonus Time rate.
Studio - $45.00 1 bedroom - $55.00
2 bedroom - $65.00 3 bedroom - $75.00

All bonus time reservations are subject to availability and valid for new reservations only. Taxes are not included. Rates shown are on a per night basis. Confirmed reservations are non-refundable.

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

VI Welcomes the Members of Great Links Resorts

We are pleased to announce the merger of Great Links
Resorts with Vacation Internationale. This merger
was approved in late November by the members of
Great Links Resorts with a majority of more than two-
thirds and by the VIOA Board. Under the merger, VI
will add the Great Links Resorts members to the VI
Owner roster and will add a new resort location too –
described below. The new VIOA membership will help
VI financially and we are very pleased to have the new
resort too!

Our Newest Resort: VI at Homestead Farms

VI’s newest resort, Homestead Farms
Golf Resort, is conveniently located
two hours from Seattle and five
minutes from the Canadian border.
VI at Homestead Farms offers
condominium stays in luxurious one
and two bedroom units. Guest can
play golf on a championship course
complete with a par five hole with an
island green. In addition to golf, VI
at Homestead Farms has an onsite
restaurant, tennis courts, an indoor/
outdoor pool, wading pool, indoor
and outdoor hot tubs, tanning booths
and top of the line cardiovascular and
strength training equipment, with a
newly remodeled free weight room
available to you at no extra
charge. Childcare, fitness
classes and personal training
services are also available.
The nearby town of Lynden
is located in the broad, fertile
Nooksack Valley and shows its
Dutch heritage with windmills,
beautiful gardens and murals
gracing downtown. Come enjoy
your retreat while taking in a
variety of year round celebrations,
including the Lynden Heritage
Celebration, the Raspberry Festival
in July, and in August the Northwest
Washington Fair and PRCA Rodeo.
Don’t miss visiting Sinterklaas and his
helpers before the lighted Christmas
parade in December.

Your options for dining include a
variety of cuisine from casual in the
Barnyard Bistro and CJ Leghorns
Restaurant or formal in the Six Horse
Pub. Take a day trip into Canada
then return to relax in the hot tub,
enjoy an excellent meal and rest up
for your next outing. Convenient
location and abundant activities
make VI at Homestead Farms a
resort location you will return to
often for relaxation, rejuvenation and
exploration. This resort will draw
you back time and again and we’ll be
there to welcome you home.

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

Homestead Farms whoohoo

I've been there and it sure isn't wonderful enough to entice me to pay lots of extra money for a membership, yearly dues, and bonus night fees for something that I already paid for.
Where are the resorts I actually like, such as Desert Canyon, Dungeness and Ocean Shores (I know, that one went back to the bank). Aren't there laws against bait and switch?
The golf course at Homestead is well maintained and fun if you like looking at the back decks of houses. For a large fee. Shuksan, a nearby public course, is cheaper and far more picturesque.
Sorry, I'm not buying in.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

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

I've been there and it sure isn't wonderful enough to entice me to pay lots of extra money for a membership, yearly dues, and bonus night fees for something that I already paid for.
Where are the resorts I actually like, such as Desert Canyon, Dungeness and Ocean Shores (I know, that one went back to the bank). Aren't there laws against bait and switch?
The golf course at Homestead is well maintained and fun if you like looking at the back decks of houses. For a large fee. Shuksan, a nearby public course, is cheaper and far more picturesque.
Sorry, I'm not buying in.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

This is not bait and switch. It's very easy to see that the Great Links business model and marketing plan were not viable. From what I can see, they promised too much for too little and could not sell to enough people. They went under and VI capitalized on their demise mainly gaining a list of members in the Northwest to try to upsell to. You invested in a dream that was not realistic. Go against the Great Links developer, but he's bankrupt. VI has nothing to do with your immediate problem, they are an owner controlled company and aren't shysters like the developer of Great Links is/was.

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

I feel competely mislead and taken advantage of. I too have 4000 GL points. I've only used the bonus time and have never needed my points. When I bought into it I was lead to believe that if I wasn't happy with it I could sell it and since the point value continues to go up I could sell at a profit. Not only could I not sell it, I can't even give it away! Now VI may be different and willing to take their stinkin points back but now with the increase in fees I am willing to consider it a lesson learned and just walk away. I'm definately interested in legal action so count me in!!!