Branson Vacation Club Ripoff

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

The TV news reported on a Branson vacation club the other night, one they said has hundreds of complaints.

From the footage it appears to be a storefront operation, with peeps going to the company's location for the pitch. Of course, the enticement is the standard free show tickets.

Those who have attempted to rescind during the legal cancellation period are being told they cannot, because in using the show tickets they received benefits of the vacation club.

Of course, logic tells you that everyone uses the show tickets, whether they join the club or not, so the tickets are not a benefit of the vacation club, but the AG that was interviewed said they have no plans of filing suit.

That's very strange for our AG, as vacation ripoffs are their forte'.

Strangely, as the TV reporters were preparing the story, the vacation club disappeared and a new one, with a new name, but same owner, appeared at the same location. (Magic shows are popular in Branson. )

No announcement was made as to who, if anyone, would honor those who joined the old vacation club.

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

I guess it was true, that some were not allowing rescinsion because of the free gift, cuz here's where our local state rep is trying to put a stop to it, and the locals seem to be saying, yes it is a problem:


Travel club loophole would be closed under legislation | News-Leader.com | Springfield News-Leader

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

Without taking the time to read the articles, was this Travel More Now? If so, they were taken over, sold out or whatever to another vacation club that has just as bad of a reputation. Great Getaways or Grand Getaways or something like that.

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

I went to a Roark Vacation Club presentation over the summer while I was at Big Cedar.

I wound up buying, with a credit card, knowing that I could rescind while still there. We received discounted (not free) show tickets. When I got back to the resort I did some research and found that there were several complaints against them.

The next day I went back and rescinded. They were a bit rude, but did not give me a hard time. They credited my credit card and that was the last I heard of them.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

I went to a Roark Vacation Club presentation over the summer while I was at Big Cedar.

I wound up buying, with a credit card, knowing that I could rescind while still there. We received discounted (not free) show tickets. When I got back to the resort I did some research and found that there were several complaints against them.

The next day I went back and rescinded. They were a bit rude, but did not give me a hard time. They credited my credit card and that was the last I heard of them.

Roark is an actual timeshare with buildings. I think what JLB is refering to would be travel clubs that actually own nothing but, allow members to rent unused timeshare inventory that they can access. Generally speaking, they ask you to pay a heavy upfront fee (think thousands) and then pay a membership fee each year. In return, you get to choose a location, pick three different travel dates, pay a reservation fee and then they tell you when your going and where you're staying.

They own nothing and promise much. I suppose would have been a slightly better use for money dropped into the stock market 2 years ago but not by much.

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

Roark allows a travel club to be sold at their resort

Vacation Travel Club memberships are sold at the Roark Timeshare Resort.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

Vacation Travel Club memberships are sold at the Roark Timeshare Resort.

Wow, I didn't know that. I have a co-worker that actually owns at Roark and all I've ever known of it was that it was a deeded week timeshare. All I've ever seen for sale at this resort was deeded weeks. It's a shame if they've slipped into the "vacation club" racket.

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

That's correct.

The presentation for the Travel Club was at the Roark timeshare property.

I was told that Roark was one of the first timeshares in Branson. This is probably true because the property was a bit old and run down. They were all sold out of the timeshare units but are now "affiliated" with the travel club

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

That's correct.

The presentation for the Travel Club was at the Roark timeshare property.

I was told that Roark was one of the first timeshares in Branson. This is probably true because the property was a bit old and run down. They were all sold out of the timeshare units but are now "affiliated" with the travel club

I can see that. Roark is one of the oldest timeshares in Branson and, there are always a good number of units available for sale on E-bay for $1. Many never seem to have a bid and go unsold. I would imagine that this resort has a good number of units that go unused and can be made available for rent.

If I was an owner at Roark, this would be a nice benefit if the resort rented out unused units and used that money to offest MF increases. It also makes sense for them to rent out space to a business to make income off of that space and, again offset MF increases.

While Roark might be renting out space and, might be making units available to this travel club, I wonder if Roark is an actual sponsor or is affiliated with the ownership of this travel club. It could be that they are or, it could be that they're just renting out space and the salesmen are taking a few liberties in saying that they are a part of Roark or that Roark is a part of them.

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

I have never been a fan of Roark, but some of the guests to Branson we have met up with have stayed there and said it is adequate.

The proximity to Branson Landing and access to Lake Taneycomo, with a small dock onsite, should be a plus.

But, yes they are ripping people off with a vacation club:

Rip-off Report: Roark Vacation Travel Club, Jane Roden Today only price Branson Missouri

Rip-off Report: Roark Vacation Travel Club Not sure it is a Rip Off but smells to me of a scam Branson Missouri

Roark Vacation Travel Club Complaints - 3 day right to rescind

Here is the info from the MO Dec of State name search:

Business Name History

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name Name Type
Roark Vacation Travel Club Legal

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Fictitious Registration - Domestic - Information

Charter Number: X00591793
Status: Fictitious Active

Entity Creation Date: 6/7/2004

State of Business.: MO
Expiration Date: 8/28/2009