Westgate Resorts and interval International
Complaint 88586 Details

We purchased a 4 unit at the Westgate Town Center in Kissimmee, Florida. The contract included the use of our unit every other year beggining in 2005. We were told the unit could be broken up,using a 2unit every year. Since we were travelling through Florida and had no idea when we would return, we were also informed that we could trade for other time shares through Interval International any where in the world. What we have experience since purchasing the Unit is that Westgate and Interval International uses deceptive practices. Many places listed in Interval International's resort directory can hardly or never be exchange for due to Owner's use or some other unavailabilty use excuse. For example, We have tried to exchange for the Harborside Villas at the Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas every year since we've had the timeshare. Every year there is no availabilty for the entire year. The one time we did exchange for another resort in 2006, we could only get a 2star location in Hawaii. Compared to what we payed for which is equivalent to a 4 or 5 star it was hardly a fair exchange. Every year we have applied for various locations in the US and abroad at least a year in advance and we can never get a placement. We have had only a little luck with exchanging for the Westgate Painted Mountain in Mesa Arizona. However, even to exhange within Westgate there is an additional fee of $149. Since our timeshare purchase we have several unused weeks (which cannot be exchanged through Interval International) and we are told we can only use those unused weeks at a westgate property. But it seems we are given the run-a-around when trying to use those weeks. We have paid our maintainance and taxes but we do not get to use our time share. From what I know now about time shares it is a worthless investmment and Westgate needs to be shut down.