Same Old Same Old OL

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

With the mega resort that Orange Lake is, it is almost impossible to keep all the people happy all the times. There are definite things that they need to work on for improvement, they need a leader there that believes in continual improvement. As an owner, maybe even when I exchange there, I get owner treatment, but not sure. But I have been happy with my stays as an owner, exchanger and renter. Granted some things could and should have been better, but I see that at other resorts that I stay at in the USA. I must say that OL gets more press here and at the other site than anyother resort. Is that because they are that big and have that many owers and exchangers or is it because they lack in customer service and attention to detail. I would say some of both.

[NativeCracker Member Find all posts View Profile Close NativeCracker]

I agree that SWSRN goes overboard. The ironic thing is that OLCC would be viewed more positively if she simply stopped posting about it. That's because for each and every post she makes as a positive, she will receive 2 or 3 negative ones in response.

That's VERY true! If she would just tone down her adulation a little, she wouldn't receive so many rebuttals.

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

This is a very true statement.

I agree that SWSRN goes overboard. The ironic thing is that OLCC would be viewed more positively if she simply stopped posting about it. That's because for each and every post she makes as a positive, she will receive 2 or 3 negative ones in response.

I agree whole-heartedly. Talking up a resort is detrimental. The resort is not a "10" by any other person's standards, except those who own and defend. Even their "10's" cannot be all that honest.

Even The Shearwater is not a true "10." We bought a week there because it rates up there, but the place lacks decor, as I stated in my review of the resort. I think I gave it a 10 because of the ocean view that we had, the cool breezes, the gorgeous lanai, the whirlpool tub and the free mai tais. But really it is a 9-9.5, to be more honest. Some people do not like the resort because they stayed in units next to the pool/hot tub area and were kept awake at night by inconsiderate people who chatted til all hours of the night.......... But that is not the resort's fault and is definitely a problem that should be addressed with signage, perhaps? I am going to write a letter, as soon as I get that deed.

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

That's VERY true! If she would just tone down her adulation a little, she wouldn't receive so many rebuttals.

No, it's too late. She can say anything and it will evoke negative posts about OLCC.

If she said the sky is blue, there would be negative posts about OLCC.

If she said 2+2=4, there would be negative posts about OLCC.

This isn't about OLCC anymore. It is completely about 1 or 2 people and how they post and how the moderators react to them.

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

No, it's too late. She can say anything and it will evoke negative posts about OLCC.

If she said the sky is blue, there would be negative posts about OLCC.

If she said 2+2=4, there would be negative posts about OLCC.

This isn't about OLCC anymore. It is completely about 1 or 2 people and how they post and how the moderators react to them.

So far, I have only been chastized once, early on, when I had no clue about reporting others' rude posts. Mine was an answer to SWSRN's rude comment about the "TYPE OF PEOPLE WHO PREFER BARBECUE OVER NICE RESTAURANTS," comment. I asked who were that "type of people"? Dave moderated both of us, as he should have. I walk a tightrope a bit, according to Dave. But you know, I am going to stop with the negative posting and just state facts. I am not going to get into a debate anymore with anyone over a timeshare resort. I have never debated on ANY OTHER and have not ever felt so inclined. It is just HER. She is making me crazy. But no more.

I also posted to that OP not to cancel her exchange. That would be a horrible mistake. Not only would she pay RCI, which is against my principles, but her experience could be absolutely wonderful. I do not hate the resort. I dislike not being able to state my opinion and have it be respected. If you saw my FIRST post on TUG, which happened to be about OLCC, you will note that SWSRN called me FAT if we could not fit into the tub and told me we did have a hair dryer in the unit. She also argued about the tile color, the porch light, the bugs, etc. It was MY experience, not hers. She even emailed me privately, harrassing me about my stay at OLCC. Why do that? What good can come of it? None. That is why being nice for me is the best way. Dave apologized to ME for her rude remarks toward my posts. I posted the thread here somewhere, so if you are curious what my first conversation with SWSRN was like, you can find it. If you cannot find it, I will send the link to you via private messaging. Her comments were over the top, for sure.

I have not been warned that I will lose my posting privileges. I wrote a letter to the moderators that Dave chose not to send on to the others, for whatever reason.

You will never see me post anything rude. I posted one sentence, one time on another board, it was a points issue and Carolinian had made a statement about how points owners should not be "fishing in our pool," I jokingly agreed, something like, "yeah, stay out of our fishin' hole," but did not add the smilies. I should have added something like that, but did not and was reprimanded. When I explained to Dave that it was not intentionally done or said to be nasty, he understood.

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

So far, I have only been chastized once, early on, when I had no clue about reporting others' rude posts. Mine was an answer to SWSRN's rude comment about the "TYPE OF PEOPLE WHO PREFER BARBECUE OVER NICE RESTAURANTS," comment. I asked who were that "type of people"? Dave moderated both of us, as he should have. I walk a tightrope a bit, according to Dave. But you know, I am going to stop with the negative posting and just state facts. I am not going to get into a debate anymore with anyone over a timeshare resort. I have never debated on ANY OTHER and have not ever felt so inclined. It is just HER. She is making me crazy. But no more.

I also posted to that OP not to cancel her exchange. That would be a horrible mistake. Not only would she pay RCI, which is against my principles, but her experience could be absolutely wonderful. I do not hate the resort. I dislike not being able to state my opinion and have it be respected. If you saw my FIRST post on TUG, which happened to be about OLCC, you will note that SWSRN called me FAT if we could not fit into the tub and told me we did have a hair dryer in the unit. She also argued about the tile color, the porch light, the bugs, etc. It was MY experience, not hers. She even emailed me privately, harrassing me about my stay at OLCC. Why do that? What good can come of it? None. That is why being nice for me is the best way. Dave apologized to ME for her rude remarks toward my posts. I posted the thread here somewhere, so if you are curious what my first conversation with SWSRN was like, you can find it. If you cannot find it, I will send the link to you via private messaging. Her comments were over the top, for sure.

I have not been warned that I will lose my posting privileges. I wrote a letter to the moderators that Dave chose not to send on to the others, for whatever reason.

You will never see me post anything rude. I posted one sentence, one time on another board, it was a points issue and Carolinian had made a statement about how points owners should not be "fishing in our pool," I jokingly agreed, something like, "yeah, stay out of our fishin' hole," but did not add the smilies. I should have added something like that, but did not and was reprimanded. When I explained to Dave that it was not intentionally done or said to be nasty, he understood.

Cindy,

I thought that was a great post you made. Very helpful to the OP.

Also, I can see how her arrogance rubs people the wrong way. It is a bit annoying.

I don't think OLCC rates a 10 because after all, it is a Holiday Inn. Name one Holiday Inn that's a 10?

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

A point already demostrated by the over exuberant Mayan Palace owner who started a post stating that it was the greatest.

I agree that SWSRN goes overboard. The ironic thing is that OLCC would be viewed more positively if she simply stopped posting about it. That's because for each and every post she makes as a positive, she will receive 2 or 3 negative ones in response.

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

BocaBum, I definitely recognized that the OP needed some reassurance that her experience could be extraordinary. I do not candy-coat anything, but honestly, the resort has the amenities that others do not. If you are not into Mickey Mouse, there is so much to do there. If you are into Mickey Mouse, the place has comfortable beds.

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

Dave never said any such thing. All mods/admins have a copy of the email he sent, and we all know as well as you do that Dave never said this.

It's unfair and unwise to distort the truth.

I sent an email to Dave M and addressed it to all the moderators. Did you get that one? I know that John Chase didn't get it, so I sent it to him separately. Is it possible that Dave M has communications with members that he does not share with everyone? Probably. I wanted him to share mine with everyone, but he chose not to. That is up to him I guess. I will know better next time and choose another moderator to send my message on. It was an important message on an important issue that needed to be addressed, but he did not see it that way, obviously, or he would have shared the information.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Four hours ago I said I had a boat to get ready for guests. That's where I've been, getting some quality alone time, rehashing this thread in my mind, muttering to myself like OFs do.

In this thread there is only one really offensive item, only one thing that is important to me. So I am going to address it before it can't be addressed. I have not been on Internet message boards almost every day for the last 8 years, 15000-plus post, without knowing that this is at this moment being hashed out in secret, behind the scenes.

Only one person's character has been called into question in this thread, and that is mine. I have been called a liar. It is not the first time that my character has been called into question on this forum by the same person, a person with a longtime allegiance to the other forum being discussed, and a person that carries a lot of personal baggage toward me, for whatever reason. It has not always been that way.

Granted, I questioned the judgement of others in doing what they have done, but I did not attack their character. I did not accuse them of being a liar. I believe they believe they are doing the best they can with a tough situation. I just believe they are wrong, and I am not alone. (Well, actually I am right now. )

But, it is crossing the line to call someone a liar without justification, and all we have is the say-so of the attacker, whose allegiance is strained at best.

At this point I don't care about websites or OL or history. What I care about is laying to rest this accusation. You can call me a lot of things, persistent, pain-in-the-butt, opinionated, but don't call me a liar. Don't attack the essence of my being and the things that I will take to the grave.

Even as incensed as I am about this, I hold out the possibility that this person has made an mistake. I hold out the possibility that what they and what I got from the person who gave me instructions was not the same message. Or, I hold out the possibility that because of this person's bias and allegiance, they may have interpreted what they read differently than I did.

But let's clear it up before we go any further. Let's do it without baiting me into posting something someone else would prefer I didn't, so that another person can reprimand me.

I have a couple of ideas to help clear my reputation, and I'm open to suggestions from the person who called me a liar for other ways to prove that I am (or not).

I suggest that the person who called me a liar post what they received. That way I can see if it is the same as what I received, and I won't have to put my head on the chopping block.

It should go without saying, but this is an example of the point I'm trying to make, of people with titles saying things and the title itself lends it credibility that it may not be entitled to.

It should also go without saying that if I really was a liar, that would have been found out somewhere during those 15000 posts. Mostly I get attacked for being too honest.

But, let's get this one cleared up before we go on.

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

I sent an email to Dave M and addressed it to all the moderators. Did you get that one? I know that John Chase didn't get it, so I sent it to him separately. Is it possible that Dave M has communications with members that he does not share with everyone? Probably. I wanted him to share mine with everyone, but he chose not to. That is up to him I guess. I will know better next time and choose another moderator to send my message on. It was an important message on an important issue that needed to be addressed, but he did not see it that way, obviously, or he would have shared the information.

I have to step in here and say that I really can't think of anyone more honest than Dave. If you asked him to share something with other mods, I expect he would either do so or explain to you why he thought it wasn't necessary. He is just that type of person.

As far as the other person goes, I'm convinced that she is an employee of Orange Lake. She claims to own a second resort, but has never once posted about it. All of her posts are either about Orange Lake (or the surrounding area) or in the Lounge. I guess that is what bothers me the most, that she isn't being forthright with the information. But...she never rebutted my own experience at Orange Lake in any way, really because there was no way to justify it give the circumstances. So, I have never had any personal interaction with her, and if I am wrong about her employment status, then I guess I would have to support her right to her fervent opinions, no matter how much they turn others off (short of personal attacks, of course). And that is true for many others who get so worked up on the message boards that they start spitting nails. I support their right to act like that, because they are only hurting themselves....

Sharon

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

I sent an email to Dave M and addressed it to all the moderators. Did you get that one? I know that John Chase didn't get it, so I sent it to him separately. Is it possible that Dave M has communications with members that he does not share with everyone? Probably. I wanted him to share mine with everyone, but he chose not to. That is up to him I guess. I will know better next time and choose another moderator to send my message on. It was an important message on an important issue that needed to be addressed, but he did not see it that way, obviously, or he would have shared the information.

No, shopgirl, Dave didn't pass yours on. He generally doesn't do that. If there's a matter that has been ongoing for some time and has involved others, or where others have strong expressed opinions, he will share the resolution, which is the case here. However, if it's a matter that has been between himself and a poster, he keeps it right there, between himself and that individual. Dave is quite discreet.

We try to emulate him and not divulge or discuss such matters publicly. Suffice it to say that I have personal knowledge of Dave's communication, and it was offensive to see an untruthful post about Dave and what he wrote. This is the only fact regarding this matter that I will state. Such statements are not only disingenuous, they intend, quite simply, to inflame and evoke sympathy. Falsehoods must not knowingly be allowed to stand uncorrected.

As Sharon mentioned, it is also fact that Dave has great integrity. He tries always to be even-handed, and bends over backwards to give the benefit of the doubt. I will personally vouch that he has definitely done so in this instance.

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

Having had a lot of interaction with the "person in question" who is a "lover of Orange Lake", I think I can be quite certain in stating that she is not an employee of Orange Lake. She does not even live in the state of Florida but rather in the midwest. I don't know why she is so fervent in love for...and defense of...Orange Lake. But she doesn't work there.

To those who feel that she gets special treatment from the moderators...or that she has never been warned about her posts...both of these ideas are simply false. As the longtime Florida moderator "over yonder", I am well aware of the history of this person as well as those who have been offended by her. She has received warnings and had her posts edited as needed. The biggest difference is that she doesn't feel the need to come over here to this forum and complain and publicize it when she has had her wings clipped.

So let's not get carried away. I realize that a lot of people have been offended by the person in question...but let's not lose all sense of perspective.

Steve

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Is this thread about OL? If it is , it sure has gone off topic. Since this is a Florida travel forum Lets try to keep other matters off this forum unless it pertains to Florida travel. OK.


OH and BTW Dave M has IMO always been helpful and truthful to me and others. Same goes with Steve. I have never encountered any problems, OK Just once both myself and Steve had a few emails that was handled like adults

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

Cat, my letter was addressed to all moderators. My intention was for all to see it. That was why I addressed it as such.

I really like Dave M, I think he is very nice, decent and fair. He is the one person that I know will always stand on my side when I am right and slap my hand when I go over the line. I just wish he would have told me that he didn't want to send that communication on to all of the others. I didn't even know you were a moderator on TUG, Cat. I have not checked out many of the forums on TUG. I have my favorites that I love to read and post, including Buying, Exchanging, Points, Newbies, Florida, Western and Hawaii. I rarely post or even read elsewhere.

Frank, my letter to Dave was about this very issue, OLCC.