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Bluegreen Vacations

Bluegreen Vacations review: Scam and cheating! 163

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12:00 am EDT
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My husband and I were ALMOST scammed by Bluegreen resorts. We paid 20.00 (refundable) after we listened to their PROMISED 90-minute presentation on the company (SCAM). However, my husband and I ended up there 5 and a half hours. Needless to say we signed up for their sampler plan after not being able to afford the highly priced 25,000 plan they offered first... then, 13,000 plan... that was over our budget the next plan was 5,000 which was still too high... then them FINALLY offering us the sampler plan that was 1,000 more in our price range.

We sat down to sign the paperwork that basically finalized this scam. The woman explained the details that were completely (omitted) from the conversation with the sales rep. We quickly found out when speaking with this woman who was finalizing our plan that this one-year plan (sampler) was ACTUALLY only active for 10 months because you cannot book vacations for the first 40-60 days because it takes that long to get you in the system. Then we find out all holidays and June, July & August are out as well. People on the sampler plan cannot book during these dates. So in all reality there is only a small limited time (if any) that we would be able to use these points. The topping on the cake of this story was while going through these MAJOR details left out by the sales rep. my husband asks to talk to the sales manager. The manager tells him he can help us during those times we want to go in August. He then looks over the divider and makes sure no one else is in the room and says "I'm not suppose to do this but here is my cell phone number. Call me in 3 days and we will work out the details on dates etc. Well... we left signing up for this plan. As soon as we got out of there we instantly called and told Bluegreen we changed our mind. We looked over the paperwork and saw that we had EXACTLY 3 days to write a letter to the headquarters in Florida to CANCEL THE CONTRACT. The interesting thing here is that the manager said to wait 3 days so conveniently so that it would be TOO LATE to cancel. I'm glad we read the fine print and took action. Today, 2 weeks later Bluegreen credited our account the money they took 2 weeks ago. I hope this helps you if you read this in time.

Paul & Heather.

163 comments
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Tammy Moravich
Sep 03, 2007 10:50 am EDT

Thank you so much for letting people know that they can get out of this scam before it's too late!

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Jobeth Mathes
US
May 05, 2019 10:33 pm EDT

It is a scam. We have had ours for about two years now. We paid $22000 for 5000 pets per year. Then you get to pay a minimum of $700 per year EVERY year in maintenance fees no matter if you utilize your time share that year or not. To ice the cake, you are then required to utilize at least 1hr of you’re precious vacation time in an “owner review” where they only try to get more money out of you. I’m so pissed with this whole set up...i wish we had never gotten suckered into it. Please, please do your homework thoroughly prior to signing. NOTHING is every really free.

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Mike Chan
Sep 05, 2007 5:07 pm EDT

Thank you very much Paul & Heather, I had the most fleeting moment of bliss when I signed up for this program, and moments ago I was astounded when I actually was able to take the time to research this company. All in all, thank you.

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Jason and Tricia
Oct 11, 2007 8:13 pm EDT

We just got back from our free resort vacation getaway. What a scam, sham, bait and switch project BlueGreen has going on. First of all they claim you are being offered 3 days and 2 nights, when in actuality you are not even there 48 hours. Then they lie about almost the entire program offered. First of all they lied about the stock prices, the use of the points and would not let me see a contract to review and read the fine print. All they wanted was the down payment and a signature. I told them we would not sign anything that day so then I got the well you wont get the 1st day incentives that save you $1300.00 or more. Well you know what, if a company has to throw in $1300.oo or more for sign up incentives to suck you in, there is usually a problem with the company. Now after coming home and researching online, we are so glad we walked away and were not pressured, bullied and sucked in by these quick talking sales representative. I don't know how they sleep at night.

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Greg Trisha
Oct 16, 2007 8:10 am EDT

Here's one better. We my finance and I each entered a draw raffle style for a free vacation getaway. Trisha "won", they called her informed her, so I started to listen in( it was exciting ) the guy on the phone totally sold us on this extravagant inclusive trip, told us of a time share conference that would be held while we were to be in Orlando, but not mandatory for us to attend, so stupidly we paid the $299 per person for some booking fee or something (should have known). Anyways we get the papers and upon reading the small print I find out that if we don't attend this time share thing we are subject to an additional charge of $70 - $200 per night in the hotel plus had to get to Orlando then all the frigging boarding taxes and many other hidden costs. [censored] SCAM Tried calling the 800 # to cancel no answer for 2wks, 3wk call 800# to book then they pick up 1st ring, still haven't received our monies back, however now approx. one month into the ordeal they say we should get credited within 10 business days. Won't be fooled again!

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Stjamesz
US
Feb 14, 2017 5:37 pm EST

maybe you shoul listen a little better to the calls, they tell you on the phone on a recorded line that you must attend the 120 min presentation.

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Michelle Ingram
Oct 16, 2007 2:33 pm EDT

Blugreen is a a reputable company. They've been around since 1966. I've had an opportunity of dealing with Bluegreen. When I traveled on my Florida/Bahamas cruise vacation I had a wonderful time. Everything that was promised to me was given. The presentation actually did take only the 120 mins and it was my first time cruising... Loved It! I will definitely travel with this company again.

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Hugewang
US
Oct 15, 2018 1:58 pm EDT

[censored] [censored]

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JohnnyAmy
Wilson, US
Dec 10, 2007 1:39 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Bluegreen promises the world during the presentation. But don't be fooled like we were. The salesmen make it sound so good. But, when it came to the paperwork, we got rushed, and most of the wording is where only a lawyer could understand. We made a big mistake, because the salesmen misrepresented the program, but when we really got to looking over the paperwork, we found that there is a line stating that whatever the sales person verbally says to costumers is not legally binding. The maintainence fees went up over $300.00/yr. We've only been with them for a yr. So, there is no telling if they are to go up every yr. Booking a vacation is a joke. Good luck getting to go when you are able to. This vacation club is not for the average working american. It is impossible to book a vacation when you are off work, because they are "all booked up!" even if you try to schedule 11 months in advance! This vacation club is a scam, and i do not see how someone can sleep at night knowing that they are making millions off of hard working people. Maybe if you're retired, and have nothing else to do with your money, besides pad an already rich man's pocket, then this is the club for you!

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Bluegreen Sales Rep
Jan 22, 2008 10:24 am EST

I have been reading everyone`s complaints about bluegreen and their Dog and Pony show we put on and I understand how you people could be frustrated.I think the problem here is that the people who are writing these complaints are pissed off because they sat down in front of a Great sales person that put them in the picture and made them do exactly what we are trained to do.
I am trained to sell.I didn`t build the resort,I didn`t make the policies.So don`t take it out on the salesperson who Closed you.
I have been selling for 2 years now and I have had 2 people unhappy out of 200 families.So to the 198 happy families across this great country of ours...Thank You for my New Mercedes...Peace Out. BlueGreen911c4s@aol.com

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Luke Jackson
US
Jan 12, 2017 11:57 am EST

"am trained to sell.I didn`t build the resort, I didn`t make the policies"
Oh, I see. So your a spineless, pass the buck, moral relativist kinda guy. Enjoy that Mercedes you s###bag. I have too much self respect and intelligence to do what you do.

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Stjamesz
US
Feb 14, 2017 5:39 pm EST

youre an ###. im a sales rep too and you should listen a little bit better. I have never had any of my customers call back unhappy with their vacations

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Corrie Howard
US
Mar 01, 2017 5:44 pm EST

Bluegreen just ruined our honeymoon cancelled our reservations three days before we leave. Where would you recommend I get a hotel in New Orleans?

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Hugewang
US
Oct 15, 2018 2:01 pm EDT

Shut up pussy

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Debbie jane
US
Oct 29, 2018 11:29 am EDT

I guess you like taking advantage of older people.

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Brian Callender
US
Mar 16, 2019 11:52 am EDT

Your a lying piece of [censored]! Just like the rest of the scam artists you work for! Your company sold me deeds to a property that I can NEVER use unless I buy more points! Total and complete scam! Congratulations on screwing 200 people! Drive your Mercedes off a cliff [censored]!

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Ericto
US
May 06, 2019 10:28 pm EDT

Here’s one you blue green got employee stealing towels from resorts so she can use for her bathroom

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DANIEL
Jan 28, 2008 4:07 pm EST

I think all of your sales people and all the other people in those offices are a bunch of lying Son of a ###! I was ripped off. Also, I was told I could recieve a vacation and I paid almost two thousand dollars at closing and paid $130.00 a month for 11 months.I never spent the first night in a resort and tried to make reservations but they were always booked.After trying several attempts and no progress, I stopped payment on it.After I stopped payment I was going to take the loss on what I had already spent and go on,but no one would help me sell the property. I have now recieved a 1099A in the mail saying they are going to take the remaining balance from my income tax refund in which I will not recieve a title. Furthermore anyone who is thinking about (Bluegreen),should stay away! And for the boasting sales people talking about their new Mercedes,you got it by ripping people off. Take their free meal tickets and their 3 days and 2nights free and tell them to kiss your ###! This is not the end for me,I will fight it till I die and I will do all the advertising that I can for (Bluegreen) I am contacting the BBB!

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melinda
Feb 20, 2008 11:18 am EST

Bluegreen is a waste of time and energy. My mother and i are planning a vacation in gatlinburg tn. A representative from bluegreen called us one evening to set up the promised 3 night chalet deal
I gave her permission to deduct the $50.00 from my account. A week later, i get the confirmation in the mail and it states a 2 night 3 day hotel stay. I have been on the phone all morning trying to get this matter straight. I have sent emails to the main office and everything. I told the representative we deserve something better because its was one of their own employees fault that the correct information was not set up. I will never, i mean never, fool with this company again. They are a rip off and a waste of time.

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David
Apr 03, 2008 4:42 pm EDT

It is amazing as I read these coments. I could insert my name into the first one. My wife and I listened to the three and a hlaf hour presentation and turned down the $25K, then $13K, and finially bought the sampler package to get the heck out of htere. We, too were given a cell phone number under the table. We had to wait 45-days for it to be activated. It can't be used in June, July or August or around a major holiday (Dec.) That means it is good for only seven-months. We tried three times to book something three weeks in advance and were told it was all full. I even asked what resort of any of the samplers have availability. We went through each one - I had a plane credit and thought I'd use them - the only one available was partially closed and all the amenidiets were shut down for reconstruction after a hurricane.

I just tried one last time to use my $900 worth of points for a weekend and May, but can't becuase it is close to Memorial Day. Mine expire Sept. 3 so I just donated $900 to this scam.

Don't be fooled. Stay away from Blue green or take the free trip and refuse to buy and bail.

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Sara
Apr 14, 2008 5:31 am EDT

My husband and I also ended up purchasing the sampler package last August. We really did not plan to buy anything at all but the salespeople were very persuasive. Really we went for the free weekend at the beach, that was a disaster. We were under the impression that we would be staying at one of Blue Green's resorts but that was not the case. We stayed at some other resort that was just awful. Anyway we thought that it might be nice to split our points and go to the mountains in the fall and the beach in late spring. It turns out that if you are planning to stay for less than 7 days you have to book 5 months in advance. So there went our plans. We will be taking our vacation the first week in May because we did book it in January. I just hope the resort is as nice as they claim, espescially since we are paying $900 for 5 days. I too really wish we would have just continued to say no or just got up and left.

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Eliza
Apr 29, 2008 10:02 am EDT

Totally Disagree! Blue Green is great! Their plan is wonderful for us. We have enjoyed ourselves all over the place.

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Brian Callender
US
Mar 16, 2019 12:15 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Eliza

Wanna buy more points? I will sell them a lot cheaper than you will get from bluegreen.

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Eliza
Apr 29, 2008 10:06 am EDT

Also, I have never had trouble booking a resort.

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Mike
May 11, 2008 6:25 am EDT

You people need to learn what a scam is before you start typing ridiculous messages on the internet. You people that say you were promised a 90 min presentation (1) did you ask to leave after 90 min. They do not and cannot chain you to the inside of the building (2) did you read the paperwork that you signed before the presentation that states the presentation will last at least 90 to 120 minutes or longer depending on your level of interest. You people that say you were offered 20, 000 and then 10, 000, and then 5, 000. I have been a happy bluegreen owner for 8 years. They offer you different packages based on how many days of vacation you use and can afford. If you dont vacation enough for the 20, 000 pts package and you tell the sales rep it costs too much, they will show you something smaller. And to you people that purchased the sampler program. Some of you guys in your comments cant tell the difference in $900 and 9000 points, so how can you expect us to believe you were scammed! With the sampler program, you are not an owner. You have one year to use the points at the listed resorts. It takes 30 to 45 days before you can book a vacation. You cannot use it during june, july, or aug or major holidays. Since it is peak season and this time is reserved for owners. The people who say that they were rushed. Did you tell the contract person that you felt you were rushed? Buy a car... They rush you too... If you ask no questions, then the process moves along. No they will not read ever word on the contract to you. Who does that? When you buy a house or a car, or even get a loan from a bank they don't read the contract to you. Hell, when you buy a cell phone they don't read the contract to you. Before the contract process if over, and while your voice is being recorded, bluegreen asks if you were promised anything that was not covered in writing. I find it odd that none of you complainers that say you were promised the world and not given anything failed to say that your contract process was recorded and that if you were promised anything that you were not given you can call bluegreen and listed you your own voice agreeing to the contract and stating that you were not promised anything else.

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Brian Callender
US
Mar 16, 2019 12:04 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Mike

[censored] you [censored] bag! They scammed me into buying a property that I can NEVER use unless I buy 15, 000 more points! Telling me that if I bought this I would be able to book sooner and have more benefits! Besides more than doubling our maintenance fees in the last few years! They are [censored]ing crooks! Since you love this company so much wanna buy a timeshare?

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Lord Mankinholes
Rossendale, GB
May 11, 2008 8:50 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Mike,
If I have said the same thing once on here I have said dozens of times.

People dont know what they have signed or aggreed to so when its not what they want it to be its "lets all shout scam"

I am glad that someone else has stood up and told them the same.

Good on you.

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Amanda
May 13, 2008 3:55 pm EDT

I also disagree with this complaint. Nothing is life is free! We also went to our initial Bluegreen tour for the free gifts and came out with a sampler program. Growing up in a family that used a fixed week timeshare, where we went the same place, the same week, every summer, I liked the flexibility of the points system for Bluegreen. We bought the sampler with 9000 points and had planned to go to ARUBA for a week and that would only cost us 5000 points. Of course, WE waited till the last minute to try to book something (3 months out maybe), and they were booked -- it was right around Christmastime, but within the time we could book for the sampler package. So we changed our plans and spent a week at the Fountains resort in Orlando, FL -- no problems getting a reservation, had a GREAT time and still had leftover points.

Then we got some time in TN for Valentine's day. What a wonderful way to spend the holiday with the one you love, in a cabin in the mountains. No problems with the reservation, we made it in January for a February stay. And STILL we had points leftover.

We ended up buying a full ownership with the company (and got even more free gifts at the presentation). Yes, the sales people are meant to SELL you something, that's what you're there for. As someone said earlier, car salesmen do the exact thing. If you were unclear on something, you should have asked a question. Don't you remember the saying "the only stupid question is the one you don't ask." Well, if you don't ask, you are bound to be unhappy.

We read through every single line of our documents when signing the mortgage -- that's what a responsible person should do. Don't just ASSUME that what someone told you is correct, it needs to be in writing. That's how the world works today.

Bluegreen is a great company and we are nothing but satisfied with them. And yes, they showed us high priced packages that we couldn't afford, but they found us the perfect package for our price range and time we have to vacation. In the future, we plan to buy even more points so that we can travel when we have more vacation time from work. For now, we LOVE Bluegreen.

If you don't feel the same way, try to re-evaluate your situation -- are you angry at Bluegreen or yourself? Don't misdirect your emotions.

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Brian Callender
US
Mar 16, 2019 12:18 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Amanda

If you want more points I will sell you mine? I don’t want to deal with bluegreen anymore!

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Scaminator
May 13, 2008 5:11 pm EDT

Amanda (and the several others of her ilk in this thread) are obvious
Bluegreen Plants (pun intended). If you have bought from Bluegreen within the
past three business days, you should IMMEDIATELY cancel your contract following
the instructions (required by law) on your contract. If you are thinking of looking
into Bluegreen Resorts as an option for fun times...you would be better off getting
all your teeth pulled, while awake, without an anesthetic. If you have already been
scammed by Bluegreen, you should report them to the BBB and your State Attorney
General's office. If you have the money, you might want to help your fellow
suckers by approaching a good tort attorney about starting a class action against
Bluegreen.

If you are a Bluegreen Sales Rep liar like BlueGreen911c4s@aol.com and Amanda,
may the God of all, whom you obviously don't believe in, have mercy on your
pitiful soul...sometime *before* you have your gruesome accident in you new
Mercedes. If not, you will unfortunately but likely burn forevermore, since
God is just.

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Amanda
May 13, 2008 7:57 pm EDT

A. I'm not a Bluegreen sales rep.
B. I'm a grad student making less than most of these people that were "scammed" on this board, so I definitely don't drive a Mercedes.
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C. I will not "burn forevermore". I merely posted in the first place so that people who look on this complaint board might see that there are two sides to every story. I was simply trying to give the underrepresented one. I'm sorry for those of you who have had a bad experience, but not everyone has been in those shoes.

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Brian Callender
US
Mar 16, 2019 12:12 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Amanda

Wanna buy more points? They sold me a property that I can never use unless I buy 15, 000 more points. I will sell them cheap just so I don’t have to deal with them anymore!

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Lord Mankinholes
Rossendale, GB
May 14, 2008 4:12 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Scaminator,

What a bitter and sad person you must be.
Bluegreen is not a scam it is one of the best points systems going.
We have had many a fun holiday and will be back having a good time the week after next and( the week after that as well)

Amanda I like your post, I have said the same thing time and time again on here they have no idea what they are missing out on.

Scamintor how many times in a day do you throw your dolly out of the pram you seem one sad person and before you throw it out again and also spit out you dummy.
NO I do not work for BG and no I am not a plant BUT I do drive a MERC. it may only be a SMART car but mfg by them lol

so get a life and dont knock the owners who know what to do and how to use what they bought.

Must be off now have to pack my bag for my next BG holiday

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Brian Callender
US
Mar 16, 2019 12:20 pm EDT

Wanna buy mine? Will sell cheap just so I can get away from bluegreen.

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Clif M
May 19, 2008 8:25 pm EDT

I had a similar experience, but I actually signed the purchase contract for a plan for $30, 000. Being the internet nerd I am, I immediately researched them online and found a ton of horror stories - all revolving around unethical sales tactics. I, too, had a sales rep who told me to call after 3 days for a special accommodation, and I noticed the sales guy and the guy processing the contract would never be in the room at the same time. I later learned this was because the sales guy was saying things that were flat untrue - including his assertion that I could rent points online for double or triple what I paid for them. The good news - I followed the cancelation instructions to the letter, and had zero problems getting out of the contract. I called their corporate office to confirm they had received my cancelation and were processing it, and they were very helpful and polite. I also monitored my credit report, and no loan or mortgage was ever established in my name.

What I've heard from others is - BG is a great resort program, but don't buy directly from them. You can buy resale online (make sure it's an "authorized dealer") for about 1/3 the cost, with the exact same benefits. For example, the plan I signed a contract for, is available from an authorized dealer for $10, 000.

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hopethishelps1
US
Feb 17, 2017 12:24 pm EST
Replying to comment of Clif M

What I've heard from others is - BG is a great resort program, but don't buy directly from them. You can buy resale online (make sure it's an "authorized dealer") for about 1/3 the cost, with the exact same benefits. For example, the plan I signed a contract for, is available from an authorized dealer for $10, 000.
---Not 100% true... for instance, I am a BG owner with Gold status (35, 000 points). Being Gold means that among the regular things like booking vacations, I am also given a free week-long stay at the resort of my choice, so long as it's in the off-season. Although most will say that they can't travel in the off-season making that perk useless, I have found a way around that. I have booked a stay at a resort, then "deposited" the week into RCI (included for every BG owner), then used the week during peak season when I could travel. For instance, I deposited a 3bedroom cabin in Christmas Mountain in April and flipped that into a 2bedroom villa in mid-July in Orlando. Meaning that my family and I are going to be staying in Orlando at a 4-star 2bedroom villa for FREE!
This is just one of the perks that Gold members have. I also will be staying in a 2, 600 square-foot presidential suite in Vegas in October for minimal points (because Gold members can upgrade to a presidential suite once a year). My high school buddies are coming with me and will be paying me $200/night for the room, meaning I am actually making money.
Another trick I have picked up is extending a vacation. For instance, I have reserved a room for two nights, but have called BG and added extra nights for free. This is a cool trick if you want to check out late, or if you want to stay longer. I have used this a number of times when I had a late flight and didn't want to be at the airport all day. Of course if you have the time and you can anticipate that the resort won't be packed, you can stay up to a week and only use points equal to a 4-night stay.
This is just a few of the perks my family and I enjoy as BG Gold status owners. Its important to know that UNLESS YOU BUY DIRECTLY FROM BLUEGREEN OR FROM PINNACLE (WHICH IS THEIR AUTHORIZED RESALE DEALER) YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THESE ADDED BENEFITS). Again, owning a timeshare isn't for everyone, but for my family and I, we wanted to invest in our time together.

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joe
May 19, 2008 8:57 pm EDT

Why is everyone trying to get something for free? You dance with these folks you deserve the situation you arrive at. Pay for the hotels that you need, and try to get the best price. Greed, and that's what this relies on, describes you. You sit and listen to bull---- like a bunch of cattle ready for slaughter. Unbelievable.

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mike kennedy
May 24, 2008 5:40 am EDT

I got into BG using the sampler. It was one of the best things I have ever done, as I got to book several vacations and see several of their resorts. 5 yrs later, we have been to about 10 of their resorts, and I use, or someone in my family uses, my reservations about 40 nights/year. It works out to an average cost of about $30-40/might

If you stay at a nice resort somewhere else, many times you would get charged about $200/night and the tax would be 20-30

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lucy
Jun 02, 2008 11:54 am EDT

I wonder why these people who are so pleased with BG resorts are looking at complaints boards? If I were happy with my membership it would never occur to me to look at complaints. I think they are plants.

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Brittany
Jun 12, 2008 12:00 pm EDT

Wow...I just happened to search for this BlueGreen place online...since I just got off the phone with the girl, and I found all of these scam articles! I also just threw all my notes I took from the converstaion IN THE TRASH! I am so glad that I read this before making our trip over for our "90 minute presentation". I'm sorry for those of you who actually went through it. The girls on the phone are nice and make it seem like such a deal! It's amazing what people do and how they treat you just to make a buck.

Thanks again for the heads up!

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Lord Mankinholes
Rossendale, GB
Jun 16, 2008 9:04 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

first of all Lucy people look at these complaints boards to see what plonkers you realy are of course there are two sides to every story but come on some of theses complaints have just been lifted from comic cuts, we also look to see if we can make an unhappy owner into a happy one by just giving them a nudge in the right direction and then hopefully the penny drops and they know how the system works, and before you pour cold water over this it does work and yes many complaining owners have become happy owners once all they fears have been explained

To Brittany, I only have one thing to say, you will never know what a good deal you have missed out on

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Pete
Jul 07, 2008 10:30 am EDT

I also had a presentation at Bluegreen sales site in Fl. Everything was presented so wonderful and so easy to use. So, in one of my lapses in judgement I signed contract and put down payment of over 2 grand. After returning home and checking on feedback on sites such as this. I sat down and did the math. After ten years term on their self financed loan and adding up the yearly maint. fees estimating a 5% increase each year, I came up with over 40 thousand spent in ten years on a 17 thousand timeshare. That just covers part. I still wouyld have membership dues with RCI and oyther fees associated with timeshare ownership. Now if you look on VRBO in say Myrtle Beach for same type of accomodations you will see $1100 - $1200 per week average. It just didn't add up. UI then talked with my wife and we cancelled our contract within the ten day window provided in contract with no penalty. I have yet to see my down payment, but they sent me letter saying it was in process.

Pete in NC

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Sue Thomas
Jul 16, 2008 5:44 pm EDT

My wife and I just got back from Bluegreens presentation. I do not know how this comapny can legally get by with some of the Bull****. We were promised this and that, but when we went to sign the paperwork, there was a few things we were not told. We decided right then that Bluegreen was not for us (during the recorded part of the presentation) we got up and left. I am a police officer and know what is illegal and not (at least in my state) this would be illegal. It is theft by deception. The "Free Cruise" they offer you is NOT FREE we paid $1150.00 and it is on an "Out dated Tug Boat" (the Imperial Majesty) Hell, my john boat I fish in is better equipped to cross the Atlantic and make it to the Bahamas. If you want a real vacation and cruise go through Carnival Cruise Lines (they are great by the way). They also gave us a free hotel "on the beach in Fort Lauderdale" yeah right, it was 30 minutes away from the beach. My wife and I left and went to Daytona Beach were we paid for three nights on our own. "I wouldn't want BlueGreen Resorts going broke on a motel for us in Fort Lauderdale since it was "so high class". I wouldn't give blue green resorts the toilet paper I wipe my A** with!

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Lord Mankinholes
Rossendale, GB
Jul 16, 2008 7:06 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Being a "cop" I would have thought you would know from the outset that nothing in this life is free.
All I can say is that it is you that is the loser, strip away all the "freebies" and ask yourself what did you go to the presentation for?
If it was the "freebies" you got what you deserve if it was because you wanted to buy into timeshare then the "freebies" would not even enter into it.
What you have lost out on are some very good and very enjoyable vacations for you and your family.
And to be honest the only ### in this is you cop or no cop
But come on I find it very hard to belive that you would fall for the "freebies" a timeshare presentation is just what it says atimeshare presentaion, if you had no intention of buying into it why on earth did you go in the first place. Next you will be telling us you send most weekend going round car lots to see what "freebies" you can get with no intention of buying a car ----- same set up different product

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sherry
Aug 01, 2008 12:07 pm EDT

I have to disagree also with the complaints, Yes it seems like you sit in that place forever, And to be honest I have sit through a few for the free weekend, But I have also been on the other end where I go on vacation and the motel room it's self is 100 or more a NIGHT to stay, plus food and the gas, and when you have three children going with you, that adds up quickly, And that's all we could afford was a weekend "two nights." I think the fact alone that I can go when I choose, and not worry about a place to stay and have enough room is great in itself. I have went many a times on the spur of the moment, and end up having the only vacancy's on the beach be a run down roach motel! and still paying 100 bucks a night, so to know we are sleeping comfy, and kids are having a great time is reward enough, I feel the way the other person above said.. did you ask them to slow down and explain it again so you could understand and not feel rushed? I am Happy thus far with bluegreem resorts they have nice clean rooms, And have not been mislead, So all I can say is Happy Vacationing!

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Mike
Aug 02, 2008 3:28 pm EDT

Bluegreen, if it's too good to be true it probably is.I worked for Global Prospects which is Bluegreens "promotional department" not really Bluegreen at all! They are all scam artists, Global even ripped me off on my last check!They promise you everything, you get nothing.If you can't trust their "Promotional Department" You sure can't trust Bluegreen.

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Greg
Aug 16, 2008 10:37 am EDT

I have been a bluegreen owner for the past 4 years. In fact, I just bought more points last month. I have sat through numerous owner updates and high pressure sales pitches. When the 90 minutes are up, my wife and I simple and firmly state that we are grateful for the update, but we were not interested purchasing anything at this time. Ask for the promised gifts and leave. We are allowed to take a short vacation (2 nites) every 6 months "on them". Its quite easily..Just say "NO!". If you allowed yourself to get talked into signing something, its your fault, not theirs!

As for the actual program, we love it. The resorts are top notch and well staffed. A product like this is not for those that cannot "plan ahead". You need to book your vacation early, and have some flexibility. Bonus time is excellent, and we live near a resort that allows us to visit during the day and use the facilities. I plan on buying even more points (probably in the secondary market) in a few more years.

Bluegreen is not a ripoff. Its a timeshare. If your ignorant on how they work, don't buy until you know what they are and how they work. Its not for everyone.

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jeff
Aug 24, 2008 7:10 pm EDT

I went to myrtle beach and was intruduced to a guy that worked and advertised for bluegreen resorts. he offered 125 dollar gift card if i went to a 2 hour meeting. I had 2 kids and my wife I dragged and told my wife we wont do nothing because its a scam and i want just the money. well after we sat in this boring meeting and was shown the resort we realized it was a good deal after all, , , if it suited your needs. we always take the family to myrtle and spend 2000 dollars every year on a 1 week vaction anywyays so why not sign up. well we paid 12000 dollars in cash for 6000 that come to you every year for ever for 1 low price. we have already booked 3 nice weeks next year. yes you have to book in great advace but most popular places is that way anyways. and i always book in jan. for june, that way you get cheaper rates. if you know how to use there system then it works. but if you are uneducated like most these poor idiots on here with a complaint then stay away from me and bluegreen.. ill be laughing at yall when you cant afford to go on vaction and im at the beach with the fun and sun and more to come.

Valerie
Valerie
US
Sep 15, 2008 6:49 am EDT

Thank you for voicing your opinions, my wife and I truly appreciate it! We had originally purchased a Blue Green membership about a week or two ago and immediately went online to look at consumer reviews, we found this website and all of the "pissed off consumers" here and immediately wrote our cancellation letter and sent it to their corporate office in Florida. The next business day that they were open we contacted the office and told them that we sent the letter in the corporate office and that we wish to cancel, they asked for us to stop into the office, which we did because we wanted to drop off the books that they gave us. When we were there the head salesman told me and I quote "sure you are going to find some complaints, we have 185, 000 owners of course you are not going to make everyone happy, we have a 87% satisfaction rating". I said if that is the case you have about 20, 000 people that are not happy, that is a lot of people. He really tried to make it seem like 20, 000 unhappy owners was not a big deal. He proceeded to try to sell me with a "special deal", at that point I was not interested, gave them their books back and signed a paper saying that I canceled on the specified date. Thanks- fellow consumers for letting us know, not to deal with this company, we really appreciate it, it is a sign that free speech is not dead!

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madisonwi
US
Nov 13, 2008 9:54 am EST

I had no idea what I was in for when someone rounded me up in a mall store with what sounded like a good deal. I was OK with hearing out a 2 hour presentation and was told 'there would be no pressure to buy'. I work pretty hard and don't play as hard, so the rare vacation is a big deal to me. I went happily along my short vacation, and before check-out, attended the presentation with my girlfriend. The salesperson was aggressive as hell, and didn't let us leave till well over 5 hours of listening. I said 'NO' as clearly as possible, each time trying to get the message across as nice as possible and clearer than before, but she and her boss kept coming back with different arguments and numbers and just wouldn't give us the time to leave without being entirely rude. Since my girlfriend and I walked into a situation we weren't aware of, I explained that I'd need to do some indepedent online research on the timeshare industry in general, BlueGreen in particular, and also some research on the resale value (it was a hunch - according to them though, it would be a cinch to resell it for the same price at any time, which I now know is blatantly false.) The salesperson, a 'certified realtor' or something - she showed me her certificate and said it was illegal for her to lie / give false information - proceeded to lie anyway, and bracketed buying a car, house, and timeshare in the same category when I asked about resale value after I buy. Her argument was that a timeshare is a better investment than buying a house (I am a renter looking to buy a house and explained that to her), because a house generally 'depreciates' given the prevalent trend in the housing market! (The last person I am going to take long term financial advice from is a BlueGreen Resorts salesperson!) What struck me was the dishonesty - it was mind-boggling to me that she lie to my face about something so obvious. Selling is fine. Lying / misleading is not. Getting into people's personal lives is not. Because my girlfriend was a little more naive than I was, she gave a friend's number to the salesperson. Her friend later called me saying that she received a strange call and didn't even know it was from a timeshare salesperson till she told me who it was (the name) that called. The salesperson was asking her personal information like who my girlfriend was living with, saying how she felt sorry for my girlfriend for being with me, and was trying to get a hold of my girlfriends' parents' numbers. (Which she was refused, and I promptly got the news.)

Even while at the 'presentation' (psychological arm twisting and bullying is more like it), after a couple times turning down the offer, the salesperson then strayed upon territory that should be off-limits to any professional person, my girlfriend and my personal life, tried to assume problems and give us condescending 'relationship advice', and the 'presentation' quickly got ugly. For the BlueGreen people who read this forum and reply as 'genuine BlueGreen owners', it's pretty obvious to an independent researcher that you are plants. So save your breath, and teach yourself some basic manners and civility.

As you can see, this is about BlueGreen's sales practices, not their timeshares themselves - for people who can afford it, go ahead and knock yourselves out. The Penn state attorney general has filed lawsuits against four timeshare companies, three of them BlueGreen, including BlueGreen Resorts, for aggressive and misleading sales practices. See http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/press.aspx?id=3999

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scammed by bluegreen
Nov 16, 2008 12:36 pm EST

I think blue green is criminal in their behavior. I was at a very low time in my life. I had just gotten out of the hospital and been a severe car accident when I went to one of blue greens sales show. The night I signed up I tried to call and cancel it that night but no one answered. They said I had so much time to get out of the contract but when I tried I couldn't. I also have been paying these huge maintenance fees every year eventhough I only have a contract that allows me to go on a vacation every other year. I have been having money problems and could not afford to go on a vacation. I was told I could roll my points over to RCI but when I tried to do that, they said I couldn't because they did not have a comparable week to exchange with RCI. I lost all my points. God help us all. This organization has caused me so much stress regarding money and they are so rude when you try to talk to anyone about it. I put it up for sale within a year and had to pay $500 to do that. I have never once heard from that company. They were called Rii Stroman. Now I have been constantly getting calls from GMAC real estate wanting me to list it with them for another $500. Now I just found out that bluegreen owns them. What a terrible scam. Isn't there something anyone can do about this. This seems like criminal behavior to me. I don't know how they get away with this. When I called and complained about losing my points, I was told it was only fair to the other Blue green owners. What about fairness to me? I had to take out a home equity loan for thousands of dollars to pay for this otherwise the interest to make payments to Bluegreen was outrageous... I have been horified by this mistake and it appears that there is absolutely no way out of this without going into default and ruining my credit rating. Bluegreen must have so much money by now that no one can touch them or do anything about this. There is no doubt in my mind that Bluegreen itself puts these "positive" remarks about Bluegreen on this site.

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Tom
US
Dec 17, 2008 10:43 am EST

When going to the bluegreen resort sales pitch the sales people do not tell the truth about the produce they are selling, that is the only way someone would buy into the system. They tell you that you can sell your points, in my case 11, 000 for about $5, 000 per year. They also tell you that they do this for you. They tell you people buy more points just to sell them to make money. All of this is not true. They nolonger sell points but you have to now go through another agency to sell the points and 11, 000 points will not sell for $5, 000 but maybe 1, 500.

After reading all of the complaints against them it seems that this company is truly crooked. Don't waist your time or money on this scheme. Also you may want to stop shopping at BASS PRO since they are somehow affiliated with this company.

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ushmank
Cayce, US
Jan 20, 2009 4:36 pm EST

I bought in to the Bluegreen dream vacation too. Rules keep changing . I bought it for around 11000 and paid almost 20000 and it may be worth 3000 today. I cant book more than 11 months ahead unless I am a Preimeir member now, maint fees keep increasing a 100 a year, and some other 125 fee is added to that! Locations are great if you can fit in their schedule only! I was sold that it would fit my schedule! Bonus time has been the only advantage to this. I consider it to be a definite mistake when I was suck into this. Sure not even close so far, to my Dream Vacation!

Derrick
Derrick
Big Bottom, GB
Feb 01, 2009 4:15 am EST

How are the bills for maintainence this year ?
I sold my points in Bluegreen,
I have no regrets
I comeback here to see how things are progressing, seems nothing has changed
Well, just thought I'd add this
I have been getting a few emails from people here asking how I sold my timeshare points, I cant reply to them as I dont have your email address, IF you send me an email, please send your address
I wont send you spam, but I will send you the emails I received and the address of the people who bought them
Thanks
Derrick

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Enjolife
US
May 17, 2018 1:09 am EDT
Replying to comment of Derrick

Enjolife1962@outlook.com
I am very interested in selling mine.

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Lord Mankinholes
Rossendale, GB
Feb 25, 2009 4:47 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Lets face it 11000 BG points will not give you a a full week in Orlando

So if you wanted to go for 5 or 6 days to Orlando would you pay $5000 for your Accom.

I think not so why would you expect someone else to .

And lets face it if you could get $5000 year in year out for just 11000 points we would all be at it and all be very rich.

Yes some people to buy extra points to rent out, these people then use that money to pay the whole of their MF, if you have the time and want to go to all that trouble then yes you are $$$$ up.

These salespeople are just that and like most sales out to make money to feed their families.
but lets face it we all know that if it sounds to good to be true then it always is.

A bluegreen purchase is for invetsment in fun and holidays not a $$$ investment and as with all timeshare should never be bought to make money out of it.

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Adam
2189 erik lane, US
Apr 03, 2009 11:19 pm EDT

I just purchased a trip to orlando for 6 days 7 nights for 399. The resort and room in the pictures looks amazing. The room we'll be in looks like a suite. I thought this was a great deal even w/the hassle of sitting thru a 90 minute sales presentation. Is there any reason someone can give me besides bad sales tactics not to take the trip and enjoy the resort and everything else that Orlando has to offer? Thanks, CMB

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