Interval HORRIBLE Fraud tactics

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

But how do you check to get complete and correct information? If the renting / exchange company says it is one thing, how do you verify the information? Where do you go to get it?

I call the resort directly if, after reviewing the confirmation details, anything specific is important to me or I have questions.

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

burn me once...shame on you

I can understand your frustration, but have to side with II. Unfortunately, we all need to do our due diliegence, not only with timeshare rentals, but in other aspects of our lives.

I learned the hard way to check out the amenities when we rented a one bedroom apartment in London a number of years ago. DH and I took his elderly mother to Paris and London and rented a one bedroom apartment in a condo-hotel type setup for the week in each city. Paris was fine...MIL slept in the bedroom while DH and I slept on the pull-out couch in the living room. Imagine our surprise when we got to London and their idea of a one bedroom apartment was a loft! And to make matters worse, to reach the loft was difficult and MIL's health did not allow for this. We complained and complained to be put into a real one bedroom apt, to no avail. MIL had to sleep on the couch for the week with DH and I in the bed in the loft. It was then I learned to always check on the room/apt amenities.

I guess my due diligence is different than yours. I'm doing my due diligence by letting others know that I.I. is CAPABLE and LIKEY to do business in this manner. What other consequence is there for a company that operates this way.
Its the people who let companies get away with these tactics by accepting blame themselves who only add the profit margin I.I. will make as more people get sucked into a 2br sleep sofa arrangement (or loft) when all they want is a 3br getaway to accomodate the people they travel with.
Sure, I also chalk it up to a lesson learned, but I refuse to take the blame or put the blame on my mother who was happy to make the arrangements for our trip. Yes, maybe I might have noticed the misrepresentation if I was booking myself, but it is easy to see how easily anyone could have been fooled by I.I.

Would you have sided with I.I. and blamed your elderly mother for the misleading accomodations?

Buyer beware, but also businesses beware that a deceived customer is worse than a dissatisfied customer.

Social media is the best way to change unfair and deceptive business practices because even with due diligence, they'll still try to get away with fraud. They know there are those who quietly give away their money like suckers.

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

Understand, it's not my intent to further "frustrate" you, but hopefully to help you realize that many owners take additional steps before booking that exchange, or even that internal reservation with a points system. There are vast differences between individual resorts (and sometimes even between units at the same resort), so you may find that a few exploratory calls before booking enable you to find a much higher level of satisfaction from your future vacations!

You aren't alone. The vast majority of timeshare owners don't know what "questions" to ask! The great thing about this site is that it allows timeshare owners to share their own knowledge and experiences and in the end, creates a better vacation You can take this opportunity to educate yourself and be better prepared for your future vacations, or you can simply play the role of a victim.. One choice leads to better future experiences, the other goes nowhere..

[TravelBug Member Find all posts View Profile Close TravelBug]

I just reread the posts and I'm confused, did the 3rd room have a door? If yes, then II considers it a bedroom. If not, I agree with you, it's NOT a 3 bedroom and II should have made you whole. One of my guest bedrooms consists of a sleeper couch; fortunately, I've never had to use it.

Having travelled extensively throughout the world and ending up in some odd sleeping venues here and abroad, I've learned to ask questions. If an amenity or feature is important to me, I'll ask. Just did that with a timeshare I booked for later this year in Vegas. I wanted PH, however, they didn't have what I needed and I booked at GC instead. I research the various properties to ensure they meet my needs, I review the confirmations, and in those cases where I'm lied to (I just remembered another one in Leon...DH, MIL and myself in a studio when we PAID for a one bedroom through an agency...the hotel didn't even have any true 1 bedroom units) try to right it and if I can't, chalk it up to lessons learned and to never deal with company X again and spread the word just like you're doing.

I've learned long ago that especially when it comes to travelling, stuff happens, I deal with the situation the best I can and move on. I don't have anywhere near the stress level that I used to.

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

Star Island refers to this unit as their 3br, although many individuals refer to it as a 2br lockout. It's quite common for the small side of a lockout to be a studio type villa with a pull out.

I'm sorry you feel slighted, but I have to side with Interval on this one. FYI in the future, Westgate Lakes has larger 3br villas that may be more suitable for you.

Wow. Under that rule all my 1 bedroom w/pullout sofa are now 2 br, my 2's are 3's and my 3's 4's! That is GREAT news if I want one time renters (and a new use for that LLC to hide behind when the renter comes gunning for me!)

What a crock. That is a 2 bedroom under any ones realistic definition. II should not bill it as anything but a 2 bedroom.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Wow. Under that rule all my 1 bedroom w/pullout sofa are now 2 br, my 2's are 3's and my 3's 4's! That is GREAT news if I want one time renters (and a new use for that LLC to hide behind when the renter comes gunning for me!)

What a crock. That is a 2 bedroom under any ones realistic definition. II should not bill it as anything but a 2 bedroom.

Wait - if there are two bedrooms and a living room on one side, and then a studio lockout on the other with a door and a pullout, that's a private space and I think that's the issue.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Hello, at first I thought Interval had come through for us by allowing us to change the date of our getaway due to the passing of my wife's mother.

That seemed great until we checked into our 3br unit at Kissimmee Star Island Resort.

There were 2 br and one sitting room with a sleepsofa. I called the desk at 11pm(late arrival) and was told that I.I. considers that to be a legitimate 3br. "your mistake was booking through I.I." was exactly what the night auditor said on March 6th. It turns out this place doesn't have 3br at all. Every unit is the same with the only option being to rent a unit A & B and separate unit A if you really want "3 br".

My mother (retired grandma) booked the getaway and didn't look closely at the confirmation that arrives via email NEXT DAY AFTER you confirm payment. Why would she need to inspect page 3 to see for sure if there is a BED in the 3rd BEDROOM.

We called I.I. and explained that we had 6 people on this weeklong stay and paid for and expected 3 BEDS to sleep on. Not a pull-out couch for a week. Their position was that "technically" we have 3 bedrooms. They said the confirmation "explained" there was a pull-out couch and therefore we were "told" When I asked for a supervisor, he said" all getaways are final and I have Supervisory authority, you were told that there was a couch in the bedroom and technically you got what asked for." he refused to connect me to a Supervisor and stated nobody could do anything. When I asked if there was another resort nearby, he said "we're all sold out everywhere" without even a pause to check. I believe that was a direct lie. He then continued to throw it back in my face that I should have read the confirmation and seen that this wasn't an actual 3 bedroom unit.

This phone conversation took place in the lobby of the Star Island Resort. I continually refused to accept the type of fraud tactic that I.I. used and repeatedly stated that a pull-out couch does not make a room a bedroom. As I raised my voice in protest, other guests heard what our problem was. The Generall manager was called to the front desk and she approached me in the lobby. Her name was Blair. She unapologetically repeated what the I.I. person kept throwing in my face.

"The confirmation said it was a pull-out couch and therefore that makes it a bedroom. doesn't matter what you expected the bedroom to be. Doesn't matter how many people you're traveling with or what your sleeping needs are. This is what you get when you stay here. Your problem is with I.I. for not telling you more clearly what our rooms are like and for not booking you in a resort with 3 actual bedrooms".

I stated that I.I. is committing fraud and she said that since the rooms have a door, a closet and a pull-out couch, "legally" I.I. considers it a bedroom.

She then stated that if I didn't leave the lobby, she would call security and have me removed from the property because she can't "build me a building with 3 bedrooms". I asked if she could at least have a bed put in place of the pull-out couch for the week. Immediately refused.

Star Island and I.I. would rather deceive people and take their money, kick them off their property and force them into uncomfortable stays. It pretty much ruined my vacation and left the rest of my family feeling like we have to make due.

We would never book a 3 bedroom 7night stay knowing that someone will be on a sleep-sofa. We could have saved money and booked 2br instead since most already have sleeper in the living room. We feel we were deceived and then told TOO BAD by I.I. and we never would have gone to Star Island if I.I. didn't sell it as a 3br. There are plenty of 3br resorts that I.I. has to choose from in and around Orlando and they shouldn't be deceiving people the way they did.

Jay

I am sorry for the loss of your family member - and yes, II did do a very nice thing to change the date of your vacation because it is clearly stated that getaways (and exchanges) are final.

Jay, it took me 90 seconds to get this information....


Star Island Resort & Club in Orlando, Florida

Three Bedroom Suite
This three bedroom, 2 bath can accommodate up to eight people. Suites are designed for rest and relaxation offering a king-size bed in the master bedroom with a whirlpool tub, two double beds in the second bedroom and a queen sleeper sofa in the 3rd bedroom with a mini kitchenette. Also a fully equipped kitchen, dining room and living room with a queen sleeper sofa

3BR at Star Island


This looks like a very spacious unit with 3 private sleeping areas ...instead of warning others about the HORRORS of Interval International and the Star Island Resort, look to yourself and take responsibility for your own actions'

I can not agree with your assessment/bashing as both the resort and II stated exactly what the sleeping arrangements are at the resort.

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

Well said...

This looks like a very spacious unit with 3 private sleeping areas ...instead of warning others about the HORRORS of Interval International and the Star Island Resort, look to yourself and take responsibility for your own actions'

I can not agree with your assessment/bashing as both the resort and II stated exactly what the sleeping arrangements are at the resort.

Well put and correctly stated. Disappointment and displeasure after a lack of effort and / or homework by the OP certainly does not constitute "fraud" by the exchange company or any failure of the facility.

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

Well put and correctly stated. Disappointment and displeasure after a lack of effort and / or homework by the OP certainly does not constitute "fraud" by the exchange company or any failure of the facility.

Exatly Theo; we exchanged in to one of these units several years ago when traveling with friends. At the time my nephew (who lived with me at the time) and our friend's son shared the "third" bedroom. They felt like they had their own apartment and were thrilled to be away from the "old folks."

The OP is crying foul when it is his/her responsibility to be sure they are getting what they need. And if having mother sleep on a pullout was such a problem why not give up the master bedroom to her?

Joy

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

Wow. Under that rule all my 1 bedroom w/pullout sofa are now 2 br, my 2's are 3's and my 3's 4's! That is GREAT news if I want one time renters (and a new use for that LLC to hide behind when the renter comes gunning for me!)

What a crock. That is a 2 bedroom under any ones realistic definition. II should not bill it as anything but a 2 bedroom.

Thank you for understanding. If I wanted 2 rooms with beds and a room with a sleeper, any 2br unit would likely have been fine. I certainly AM a LAST time renter through Interval.

And for those who seem to think its my fault, I didn't know anything about our accomodations until I arrived at our 3 br timeshare. The reservations were made by my mother who thought she was helping us by going through I.I. The Star Island resort should NOT be sold that it IS a 3br unit, rather that it is LIKE a 3br or COULD be used as 3br.

I get it. Most people here are frequent travellers who seem to enjoy playing the exchanging game. Researching each property for interesting and spacious accomodations. reading reviews and comparing floorplans etc. If I was one of those people, clearly I would see it as a mistake on my part. The thing is, though, that while having this debate in the lobby with the GM of the resort, another guest came over and said that the same thing happened to them and they had brought several people on their trip expecting a third bedroom and a BED. They also booked through Interval.

This trip involved simple planning online through I.I. where you check a box indicating #of bedrooms you're seeking. My mother checked 3bedrooms, found Star Island as being available near the Disney parks, confirmed the dates available and booked it. ALL SET RIGHT? NEED 3 BEDROOMS, BOOKED 3 BEDROOMS. Our needs were very simple since the trip was mainly for the kids. We just needed 3 bedrooms for the week.

My point in BASHING the exchange and the resort was because they were so arrogant and unapologetic. You can say all you want about the fine print or carefully reviewing the confirmation. But when its as basic as telling you you'll get 3 BEDROOMS, the REASONABLE expectation is 3 rooms with beds and not "well technically" or "if there's a door..." "legally our confirmation says..." and so on.

Thats fine for those of you who want to play the exchange game and win a few or lose a few.

My post here is for those who feel like good service from an exchange company is to give you what you ask for at a minimum. I.I. should have listed Star Island as a 2br with a den/sleeper. And if they fail on such REASONABLE expectations, which apparently other properties and exchanges are doing frequently, then they deserved to be BASHED.

Just the few replies here with other's experiences has made it clear to me how often so many are misled in the timeshare world. I wish this information was more available and more people "spoke up" in this manner because i'm sure MOST people feel like a vacation resort or exchange company wouldn't dare tell you you're buying 3 br and then give you a pull-out couch instead.

I'm glad someone attached the "3br floorplan". If it is considered a 3 bedroom, then why doesn't the floorplan say bedroom #3. Instead it is displayed as a "DEN" and that is deceiving.

Jay

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

Would it be nice to have been given more detailed info? Sure, it would be nice.

But, ultimately, it is your responsibility to make sure you are getting what you need. For example, when we travel with our kids, we generally want a 2BR unit, and we generally want two beds in the second bedroom. As a result, we rarely accept an exchange into a resort unless we know, for sure, that the second bedroom *will* have more than just one bed in it. (We will make an exception from time to time, but it is rare that we do so.) That sometimes means that I have to put a unit on hold and call the resort to confirm sleeping arrangements, but that's what I do.

Furthermore, it is very common in the timeshare universe to have some beds be convertible/pull-out/murphy-style beds, rather than "real" beds. While it can sometimes be surprising to people new to timeshares, it's not unusual at all. For instance, many resorts have one bed and a pull-out sofa in the second bedroom, rather than two beds. That turns out to work for us, but it might not for some others.

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

Would it be nice to have been given more detailed info? Sure, it would be nice.

But, ultimately, it is your responsibility to make sure you are getting what you need. For example, when we travel with our kids, we generally want a 2BR unit, and we generally want two beds in the second bedroom. As a result, we rarely accept an exchange into a resort unless we know, for sure, that the second bedroom *will* have more than just one bed in it. (We will make an exception from time to time, but it is rare that we do so.) That sometimes means that I have to put a unit on hold and call the resort to confirm sleeping arrangements, but that's what I do.

Furthermore, it is very common in the timeshare universe to have some beds be convertible/pull-out/murphy-style beds, rather than "real" beds. While it can sometimes be surprising to people new to timeshares, it's not unusual at all. For instance, many resorts have one bed and a pull-out sofa in the second bedroom, rather than two beds. That turns out to work for us, but it might not for some others.

So then based on your simple needs, if you booked based on a simple description of a 2br "mini suite" you would accept this as such. see the floor plan of mini suite

Kissimmee and Orlando, Florida Accommodations

would you consider this a 1 bedroom or a 2 bedroom? What would anyone consider this because it looks to me as a 1 bedroom with a pull out in the livingroom. But Star Island and I.I. are selling it and would sell it to you as a 2br.

So your opinion is that it is up to me to CATCH them trying to confuse me with technicalities and avoid this property? And those who don't catch them and simply trust their word are at fault and deserve what they get.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Jay, the link you provided is the same one I posted to show you the 3BR unit- it is a mini suite (small 1BR) and a regular 1BR unit - put together they equal a 3BR with 3 private sleeping areas.
II and the resort are NOT selling the 1BRs as 2 BRs - they have a small 1BR and a large 1BR - put together - they equal a 3BR with private sleeping areas.

I would not want to sleep for the week on a sleeper sofa either - but it is your fault not II - I am not blaming your elderly mother - I image she is not as internet savvy as you.

When I book a hotel room, I check what the accommodations are - bed configuration - I would not take 2 doubles for 3 people.
If I booked the room for 3 and there were 2 doubles and I did not know it, then it is MY fault for not checking what I was booking.

I don't believe that it is because we are "sophisticated exchangers/travelers" - even a first time traveler would know to read the description of what u plan to book and if a sofa bed does not meet your expectations, don't book it.

It is unfortunate that you and your elderly relative messed up your reservation situation but it is not II's fault that u did not read the unit description.

So then based on your simple needs, if you booked based on a simple description of a 2br "mini suite" you would accept this as such. see the floor plan of mini suite

Kissimmee and Orlando, Florida Accommodations

would you consider this a 1 bedroom or a 2 bedroom? What would anyone consider this because it looks to me as a 1 bedroom with a pull out in the livingroom. But Star Island and I.I. are selling it and would sell it to you as a 2br.

So your opinion is that it is up to me to CATCH them trying to confuse me with technicalities and avoid this property? And those who don't catch them and simply trust their word are at fault and deserve what they get.

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

Jay, the link you provided is the same one I posted to show you the 3BR unit- it is a mini suite (small 1BR) and a regular 1BR unit - put together they equal a 3BR with 3 private sleeping areas.
II and the resort are NOT selling the 1BRs as 2 BRs - they have a small 1BR and a large 1BR - put together - they equal a 3BR with private sleeping areas.

I would not want to sleep for the week on a sleeper sofa either - but it is your fault not II - I am not blaming your elderly mother - I image she is not as internet savvy as you.

When I book a hotel room, I check what the accommodations are - bed configuration - I would not take 2 doubles for 3 people.
If I booked the room for 3 and there were 2 doubles and I did not know it, then it is MY fault for not checking what I was booking.

I don't believe that it is because we are "sophisticated exchangers/travelers" - even a first time traveler would know to read the description of what u plan to book and if a sofa bed does not meet your expectations, don't book it.

It is unfortunate that you and your elderly relative messed up your reservation situation but it is not II's fault that u did not read the unit description.

On the Star island website, it does describe what the units are like. I still don't understand the new math how 1br+1br=3br like you state. Most people who are not owners would probably look at the layout and tell you that it is a 2br(in powder blue area) with 2 living rooms with sleeper sofas(in beige areas). But since owners benefit from these exchanges being sold, whatever the guests expectations' are secondary.

The problem is that when you book through I.I. website, the description simply states 3 br because you asked to be shown only 3br. The reason that the consumer now needs to examine what their "interpretation" of 3br is is because these I.I. TIMESHARE SALESMEN are only interested in making the sale, not necessarily delivering what you ask for.

It would never have happened if I.I. didn't sell it as 3br. We didn't accidentally mess up and reserve 2br with 2 pull-out sofas. Thats what they gave us because we didn't know better and make them swear that each bedroom would have a bed.

As far as my older mother making the reservation through I.I. website. She is savvy enough to simply ask for 3 bedrooms and expect to get 3 bedrooms. It is the equivalent to her speaking to an agent over the phone and having them say, yes, come to Star Island and we'll provide 3 br accomodations for your family. And getting there to find she was lied to when there are 2br and a pull-out couch.

So it is I.I.'s fault that we were led to the 2br units at Star Island.

You wouldn't be an owner by chance hmmm?

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

On the Star island website, it does describe what the units are like. I still don't understand the new math how 1br+1br=3br like you state. Most people who are not owners would probably look at the layout and tell you that it is a 2br(in powder blue area) with 2 living rooms with sleeper sofas(in beige areas). But since owners benefit from these exchanges being sold, whatever the guests expectations' are secondary.

The problem is that when you book through I.I. website, the description simply states 3 br because you asked to be shown only 3br. The reason that the consumer now needs to examine what their "interpretation" of 3br is is because these I.I. TIMESHARE SALESMEN are only interested in making the sale, not necessarily delivering what you ask for.

It would never have happened if I.I. didn't sell it as 3br. We didn't accidentally mess up and reserve 2br with 2 pull-out sofas. Thats what they gave us because we didn't know better and make them swear that each bedroom would have a bed.

As far as my older mother making the reservation through I.I. website. She is savvy enough to simply ask for 3 bedrooms and expect to get 3 bedrooms. It is the equivalent to her speaking to an agent over the phone and having them say, yes, come to Star Island and we'll provide 3 br accomodations for your family. And getting there to find she was lied to when there are 2br and a pull-out couch.

So it is I.I.'s fault that we were led to the 2br units at Star Island.

You wouldn't be an owner by chance hmmm?

So, I go to the Interval website and check to see what's available at Star Island and this is the detail sheet I get to look at *BEFORE* I hit that confirm button:

Star Island Resort
VBR
Kissimmee , FL , USA
April 11 2010 - April 18 2010


3 8 8 388


Sleeping Accommodations
LIVING AREAPull Out Sofa(s)(Queen) BEDROOM 1King Size Bed BEDROOM 2Full Size Bed BEDROOM 3Pull Out Sofa(s)(Queen)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maybe I am missing something, but I think you protest too much. Had anyone (mother, you, next door neighbor) been looking at the description of the facilities it would have been noticed that bedroom 3 had a queen pull out sofa. Interval has not hidden this somewhere in the fine print on page three; it is right there on the page where you confirm. Had the unit not suited your needs then don't confirm it. I am also, from reading your narratives, presuming that your mother did this on line as she is computer savvy enouygh to do this as you wrote earlier.

If anyone is at fault, it is she for not reading the description that was presented to her prior to her accepting the unit.

Joy