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Shell Vacations Club review: We feel we were lied to and sucked! 90

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12:00 am EDT
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My wife and I have experienced problems with Shell. We feel we were lied to and sucked into buying a timeshare. We purchased 4500 at the Legacy in AZ. First they sit you down and tell you how the cost of hotels will go up each year. Then they tell you how your timeshare is a "great investment." The cost will save you thousands over the years. They tell you the maintenance fees will never go up. The brochure we have even says the cost of your timeshare will never go up. The sell you on good investment. We are paying $340 for the loan and $76 for the fees each month. We are paying $8.60 a day in interest alone. In the next 10 years we will be paying $50,000 to go on vacation 10 times, and that only covers the condo, not airfare etc. How is that a great investment? Then we were told that a condo is x amount of points based on the season (red, white, blue). When we booked out trip to Hawaii it was somehow "platinum season."

Another issue we have is that we were bribed into buying. "You buy now and we'll give you this, that, and another thing. One thing was a weekend in San Diego in their resort which is supposed to be on Yachts in the harbor. It ended up being a Non weekend stay at the Radisson in a poor neighborhood. The we were supposed to get 4 tickets in the suite for the AZ Diamondbacks. We got to will call to pick up the tickets and they weren't suite tickets. I called and they said that they overbooked the suite and would not compensate me.

I was told that their website would be updated were I could view points online and book things. They have not updated their website since we bought almost 2 years ago.

One last thing. They never return phone calls. I have mad 4 to them this past month and have not gotten a call back.

My wife and I are in a financial bind because of this. As you know you cannot resell these, especially owing what we owe. What can we do about this problem? I know we signed a contract, but no attorney was present. Nobody brings a lawyer to a presentation. We feel we were scammed. Thanks!

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90 comments
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boxerlover
Glendora, US
Apr 30, 2009 5:04 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I feel like I was also completely lied to and scammed. It is not anything they say it is! This is definitly the most asinine thing I have ever done! They made it sound like you can convert your points into money on an american express card and you can you it anywhere as long as the place accepts american express.. LIE! You get a special card that only allows the money to be spent on the hotel. No extra stuff, no dinner, no transportation. no shopping. Basically, nothing they said it was. AND, for every 700 points is only worth $100. I feel so stupid and cheated and like this will never ever pay off. They also told me I had 7 working days to cancel. Well I went to do that thinking I was only on day 5, but they said no, it's 7 calendar days, even though they aren't open 2 days of the week. So I was screwed with a timeshare that is horrible and nothing they say they are. Oh and about the stuff they add on is only during the week and it's nothing they say it is again, what do you know? And it expires! This place is a joke!

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annnnnnonnn
Fairfield, US
Apr 25, 2009 1:10 am EDT

Out of 120k owners, it seems that your all the small percentage of people that are never going to be happy no matter what. You bought this program because you wanted a change. Remember exactly WHY you bought it...

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shellvacscam
Los Angeles, US
Apr 20, 2009 2:59 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

!UPDATE!

Hello everyone!

Just like all of you, I dread the day I have to submit payment (not to ruin my credit) to Shell Vacation for a product I was promised but did not receive. I shared my experience 2 weeks ago and mentioned that I would have my attorney send Shell Vacation a letter. Well he did, requesting the termination of our contract and the refund of all payments already made. I went online to pay today and to my surprise, my account was invalid. I got excited, hoping SVC got smart and made the right decision by canceling my contract and avoiding further legal battles. YES! For once, SVC played it smart. Of course, they were not professional enough to inform me but in any case, it was a pleasant surprise. I checked my credit card statement and they had even already refunded my $185 deposit. They know they are dishonest and are lying to people so when they are exposed, they have to fold. Stay positive people and please let me know if I can be of assistance. Good luck.

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HELL VACATIONS CLUB
Santa Clara, US
Apr 06, 2009 11:49 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Thank you brother for you solidarity and support, we most probably will need you to gather strength in numbers in order to get some of our money back.
Please let us know what your lawyer tells you and I will do the same in my quest for justice.
You are right this must stop, not only are they taking our hard earned money, but they can ruin your credit. Just about 2 weeks ago I recieved a threatening bill telling me that if I didn't pay $215 dollars from the first 3 months of my Maint. fees they will send me to collections and that I would be forced to pay the complete years annual fees and what ever cost they incur in the collection before I could use my membership. I can't believe that after paying in full my membership over $13, 500 dollars just a month after I signed up with them and only geting measly 2, 500 points, they are going to send me to collections over missing 3 months of maint. fees. I guess this was the winning strategy their CEO was talking about that turn them around, read the following quote from one of their press release articles:
"As our CEO, Sheldon Ginsburg pointed out at the time, we had “a cow that was eating grass and not producing any milk”.
Isn't that ironic, but is now us who have that cow that eats our green dollars and doesn't give us much in return. further in the article he points out;
"Some of the key “surgical” sales and marketing elements involved standardizing things that were previously far from standardized. This included company-wide pricing strategies, points packages, first-day incentives, sales and marketing collateral, and even a standardized sales process. From Kauai to Canada, everything was the same!" NOW WE KNOW WHY WE ALL HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINTS, ALL OF THE SALESMAN ARE TELLING US THE SAME LIES AND HIDDING THE REAL COSTS. Further in the same articles he reveals the secret to his success:
"it’s all about the people that we have recruited, trained and motivated. The PEOPLE! They are the ones who have taken us from the brink of bankruptcy to our current position of respect and sustained competitive advantage." WOW, I'M SURE WITH THAT CODE OF ETHICS ANY COMPANY WOULD SUCCED.
I think if we will have any chance to get some or most of our money back we should do the same thing that the people of the state of Washington did and complain to the DA. Thank you brother for you solidarity and support, we most probably will need you to gather strenght in numbers in order to get some of our money back.
Please let us know what your lawer tells you and I will do the same in my quest for justice. You are right this must stop, not only are they taking our hard earned money, but they can ruin your credit. Just about 2 weeks ago I received a threatening bill telling me that if I didn't pay $215 dollars from the first 3 months of my Maint. fees they will send me to collections and that I would be forced to pay the complete years annual fees and what ever cost they incurr in the collection before I could use my membership. I can't believe that after paying in full my membership over $13, 500 dollars just a month after I signd up with them and only geting measly 2, 500 points, they are going to send me to collections over missing 3 months of maint. fees. I guess this was the winnig strategy their CEO was talking about that turn them arround, read the following quote from one of their press release articles:
"As our CEO, Sheldon Ginsburg pointed out at the time, we had “a cow that was eating grass and not producing any milk”.
Isn't that ironic, but is now us who have that cow that eats our green dollars and doens't give us much in return. further in the article he points out;
"Some of the key “surgical” sales and marketing elements involved standardizing things that were previously far from standardized. This included company-wide pricing strategies, points packages, first-day incentives, sales and marketing collateral, and even a standardized sales process. From Kauai to Canada, everything was the same!" NOW WE KNOW WHY WE ALL HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINTS, ALL OF THE SALESMAN ARE TELLING US THE SAME LIES AND HIDDING THE REAL COSTS. Further in the same articles he reveals the secret to his success:
"it’s all about the people that we have recruited, trained and motivated. The PEOPLE! They are the ones who have taken us from the brink of bankruptcy to our current position of respect and sustained competitive advantage." WOW, I'M SURE WITH THAT CODE OF ETHICS ANY COMPANY WOULD SUCCED. If you want to read the complete article here's the link: http://www.shellvacationsclub.com/shownews.html?id=190
The more I search the ugglier it gets. I think if we will have any chance to get some, or most of our money back we should do the same thing that the people of the state of Washington did and complain to the DA. For all of you who are wondering I have the web link to Kamaka Harris the DA of San Francisco:
http://www.sfgov.org/site/frame.asp?u=http://www.sfdistrictattorney.org/
who is first? It might not be easy since they were sued in 2003 they have revamped their contract. I was just reading it this morning and there was a page were they had me and my wife initial like 10 to 15 times and there were clauses like: the contract was explained completely and that we understood all of the rights we waived. That any verbal promise from the salesman won't be legal, That they can change things in the contarc or raise fees as they see fit, and many other things that I'm sure covered their butts.
And to make things worse in May of 2007 they merge in to Shell Hospitality where they are now renting the rooms that don't get occupied by the members. which means that it will be even harder for memebers to get availability. So this company is maximizing their profits, they're using our money to buy or develop properties and allow regular people (non members) to rent a room when supposedly they considered will not be occupied by a member. Is that legal, or is it double dipping? read the article:
http://www.resorttrades.com/articles.php?showMag=Management&act=view&id=270

most of this article is in Shell's own web page but they omitted some stuff that wasn't good for them. Here is the link to the same article in Shell's site dated May 17 2007 date read an compare:
http://www.shellvacationsclub.com/shownews.html?id=259
I belive that no matter how strong their conatrct is, I beileve that our strenght in numbers it can be broken and end this HELL VACATIONS ORDEAL

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shellvacscam
Los Angeles, US
Apr 06, 2009 2:04 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Wow! Am I glad I'm not the only who thinks he got screwed, lied to and scammed. I felt so stupid but I already talked to an attorney about it all.

On January 17, 2009, my girlfriend and I went to a vacation home presentation in a hotel at 12021 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove, CA 92840. We were “matched” with a sales person who went through his sales pitch. We had no intention of buying anything. They offered us an $80, 000 package, then $50, 000, then $20, 000 and kept on going down. We said no to everything and then another closer came in. He said he had an introductory package to offer us. The cost was around $2, 000 and we would have 6, 000 points. The last closer, Jonathan Chappell, showed us all the places we could go to. We made it VERY clear that we were looking to go to Asia, Europe and Africa. He assured us it was a great plan for us to start with and showed us the possibilities and numbers with his book. He told us that with 6, 000 points, we would get a minimum of 2 ½ weeks worth in more than 5, 000 hotels around the world. From his calculations, it would amount to about $138/night in a room worth well over $500/night. With everything he had showed us, it sounded reasonable and because my girlfriend and I travel quite a bit, I put down $185 and we bought the package. Here is a short list of the places we wanted to go and Jonathan said we could with what we bought: Madagascar, Japan, London, Australia and China. He made it clear that we could split 2 ½ weeks between any of these places.

We came back home happy with our purchase but didn’t start planning our vacation just yet because we already had one coming a week later. Then upon our return from that one, I had another trip planned and to top it all off, we are in the process of moving. We just recently started thinking about our summer vacation because my girlfriend needs to decide on her vacation time now. For the first time since our purchase, I started flipping through the book I thought was the same we were shown by Mr. Chappell but much to my surprise, I had received a different version with A LOT less choices. It quickly became obvious that we had been duped. I immediately called the number given for Customer Service. As soon as I mentioned the word “Cancelation”, all of a sudden no one was available to help me. I left messages at their center here in Southern California and no one called me back. I was then told by a secretary to try the Northern California office, which I did but in vain. After many tries and pressure on my part, I finally talked to someone who told me they would not refund any money because it was part of the contract. My point to all this is misrepresentation. I would be happy to pay for what they promised me but they obviously lied in order to get a sale and that is wrong and illegal.

Here’s an example. Please keep in mind that Jonathan Chappell showed and told us we would get AT LEAST 2 ½ weeks worth for the 6, 000 points we were buying. One of the destinations we had in mind was London, England. I looked up the book Jonathan gave us and came up on the ONLY hotel offered for London: the Two Hyde Park Square. Let’s just say we decided to go during the LOW season and took a regular 1 Bedroom hotel room. If you look at the chart, it would cost us 1, 150 points PER NIGHT! That’s only 5 days for $2, 000 or 4 days if we go in the high season. You don’t have to be a Finance Major to know that first off; it is VERY far from 2 ½ weeks (or 17 days) and secondly, who would buy a $2, 000 hotel stay NOT including airfare when you can get a 5 STAR accommodation INCLUDING airfare for less than $1, 000/person and I am sure I could find cheaper. When I talked to the customer service representative, she said that with my points, I could go to Anaheim, Napa… Why would I spend $2, 000 to go to Anaheim and Napa when I live in Southern California? These people are laughing in our faces and it is very insulting.

We were lied to in order for them to make a sale. They were dishonest and knowingly fabricated a story to entice us to buy. This is not right and it is illegal. It is a clear case of misrepresentation. The Manager of the Garden Grove office was suppose to call me to discuss the matter but never did.

I know that I only bought a small package compared to some of you who signed up for life and I am sorry you are in such a bind. I will provide any kind of information given by my attorney to help anyone who needs it. I am also willing to be part of a class action suit or even be a witness for anyone wanting to sue.

They cannot go on like this, ruining honest people's lives...

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Sal
Santa Clara, US
Apr 05, 2009 9:31 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Can everyone check some of the figures in their contracts to see if the same thing happened to you.

1. For the ones that kept the sheet of paper were they gave you an overview of your fees called "Purchase Proposal" at your presentation. Is the annual interest rate 17.65% but some how in your contract is written as 18.16% a whole 0.51% higher.

2. On the page listed as "Exhibit B" the amount written dows as your "Amount of Payments" inside the rectangles. Is it different from the one in your payment vouchers, some how about $19.56 dollars more with an additional $4 for "Other Payment Due" amount.

3. Lastly, do you get charged $15 late fee for your annual maintenace but in you payment voucher the late fee is listed as $10

This are just the major mistakes I found in the contract conveniently in their favor, among other strange fees I was never told of, The $4 service fee and the $3 convenience fee.

I'm not and expert in accounting but I took a couple of classes and I noticed that on the Income and Expense Maintenance Fee Budget 2009 there was a profit of $19, 000 dollars last year and they still raised the maint. fees 1.97 % although they say it was under 1%

I feel so stupid, if you think about it, these people have sold us something that doesn't exist, just the illution that we own something or that we were going to save so much money. The fact is that it's more expensive to book a room through them than directly with a hotel.
The sales man told us that we were part owners, but if you look in your contract on the page titled "Purchase Agreement", on the bottom right it says that we don't own any real estate. They are pretty much they are a one man operation. The sell us, finance us, and now collect on us. Is like we have sold our souls, and what's worse is that is "Forever" this amazing timeshare doesn't expire like others.
The reason of getting this amazing membership was to save money and keep costs down, yet since I bought it two and a half years ago the maint. fees have gone up 6.15% as I'm sure the point cost for booking your hotel will.
Please let us unite and fight this scoundrels like they did in Washington. http://www.kirotv.com/consumer/1971396/detail.html

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rbacht
Portland, US
Apr 05, 2009 2:06 pm EDT

We just got back from our Hawaii trip and I have to say the way we were treated at the presentation was almost enough to undo our enjoyment of the rest of the vacation. Our agent was nice enough at first- textbook kindness like so many other complaints have mentioned. Not long after came the high pressure salesforce who wouldn't take "no" for an answer; could not possibly give us 24 hours to consider their offer because it "wouldn't be fair" to other people who had to decide that day, and also wouldn't let us leave when we asked. Actually, they did let us go- 40 minutes after we told them we wanted to. Our sales rep. wanted us to talk to her manager first, then his manager, and finally, the person who signed us out- all of them making yet another sales pitch, ignoring our direct statement "We thank you for your time, but we reeeeallllly want to go. Now." I've never bought something as cheap as a toaster without taking some time to compare it to other products and evaluate if it was right for me, so to have these people tell me they couldn't give a person 24 hours to consider my $30, 000 investement in a "fractional ownership" business deal, (meaning: you don't "own" a damn thing), really didn't fly. Once we escaped, I imagined myself treating each of them that way when they least expect it- like trying to get a cup of coffee or buying some clothes.

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Steev
, US
Mar 31, 2009 12:12 pm EDT

We experienced the same thing everyone else has. Sucked into it, purchased a timeshare at the "Inn at the Opera" in San Francisco, have tried repeatedly to "exchange" our week for a week at another resort and it has been nothing but a pain. We have owned this lead weight for years and are tired of it. We have contacted shell and the owners "contacts" at "Inn at the Opera" (Brian Project Co-Ordinator-Who will NEVER RETURN YOUR CALL!) to see how we can go about selling it. They pretty much just laugh at us. DO NOT GET SUCKED IN BY THESE PEOPLE! I can PROVE my point. We have decided that we are going to find the first hooker on the corner and sell this to her for 200.00. Maybe THAT will get Shell to treat their customers a little more like humans. And the "team" at Inn at the Opera are the worst customer service people in the country! They are professionals at transferring you into oblivion! This company SUCKS! I suggest that everyone who owns one of these take the loss, sell it to the worst person you know and let Shell deal with them.

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Spartanacus
, US
Feb 26, 2009 9:37 am EST

We bought in HI on our honeymoon in 2000. $10K for 2, 500 points, and then on a vacation to San Fran the next year, we bought another 1, 250 points for another $5K because 2, 500 doesn't get you much.

My feelings are mixed...with the highs being when we're actually on vacation and the lows being when I have to pay $500+ twice a year for the maintenance.

Good Point #1...their points system is the way to go if you're doing a timeshare, as you can go for less than a week if you want, and save up points for a really big vacation the next year. Plus you can go virtually anywhere in the world, instead of being stuck in the same rat infested hotel room the same week in July in Florida every year.

Good Point #2...you know you're going to be staying in a top notch resort/boutique hotel when you go somewhere. Could you save money with a little more legwork each year, and just book your own trips? Perhaps...but it's nice to know what your options are, that's it's easy to book, and that you'll most likely have a full kitchen, and can save money on food that way.

Good Point #3...it forces you to take a vacation every year. Let's face it...it's not cheap, but you know it will be nice, and you know that in order to benefit from it...you actually have to go somewhere. If we didn't buy those timeshares, we'd probably never vacation, as it seems we never have money for that. But now we're forced to have a good time! And isn't that what life is about...having a good time?

Now for the bad points...

Bad Point #1...the maintenance dues are not cheap. We paid off our loans immediately so as to not pay interest on top of everything else, but for 3, 750 points a year, we're still shelling out about $1, 100 a year in fees alone. And of course, they NEVER go down...only up each year. Some years they go up more than others. We're going on 9 years into our 50 year deal, and I worry what we'll be paying in dues in another 41 years!

Bad Point #2...if you buy at two different Shell properties, you still pay full maintenance dues and they're treated as two entirely different accounts. I'd like Shell to combine them into one account and give me a discount.

That's really all I have to complain about. My suggestions for disgruntled owners...

1) Pay off the mortgage ASAP so you're not paying interest.

2) Use the damn thing. Use it at least for a night or two every calendar year. If you don't use it, you lose it.

3) If you still want out of the deal and you have a balance, besides claiming total bankruptcy to get it absolved, you may be stuck. But if you have paid it off and just don't want to pay the dues anymore because you don't use it enough or feel like you're getting your monies worth...give it away to a charity that accepts timeshares if you can't sell it .

Overall...the jury is still out on our purchase. I do recall that he told us that we won't start seeing 'value' until after 10 years, as by then, the hotel/resort prices would be up a greater % than what our dues would go up. Of course...I have a feeling that you can find pretty good deals out there right about now.

I also seem to recall that they said that you shouldn't look at it as a financial investment of course...but as an investment in your vacations and the enjoyment you get out of them.

And like I said, we make sure to use it every year, and each trip has been wonderful...so I can't complain there.

Just know what you're getting into and what you will get out of it, before you buy anything.

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R. Barrientes
Glendale, US
Feb 18, 2009 5:30 pm EST

So far I am very pleased with Shell. My only regret is I cannot afford more points at this time. I currently own 4500.

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Jessica
Maui, US
Feb 02, 2009 1:35 pm EST

Shell Vacations Club is a RIP OFF.

We need more people to stand up together and get stronger. shell vacation victim please join my communite forum at http://antishellvacation.com

Why would someone pay $400 a night with Shell Vacations Club points when you can stay at the same Hotel for $150 by booking with Expedia or other website. The economy is in real bad shape and we should let current owner NOT TO PURCHASE MORE POINTS AND MAKE SURE OTHER PEOPLE DO NOT GET SCAMMED ON THIS RIP OFF.
Do not get fooled by FAKE positve comments made by Shell Vacations employees. Read what current pissed owners have to say about.

http://antishellvacation.com

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Nancy
, US
Jan 22, 2009 1:06 pm EST

My husband and I just booked a Royal Caribbean Cruise on 12/12/08 by costing 10, 000 points. But I was found pregenant on 1/7/09 and OB doctor issue a note that I can not go on any travel within next 4 weeks. So I called Shell and talked to Curtis on 1/7/09, and faxed him the doctor's note. He said he will work with his manager. I left my cell phone number to him and also on the faxed paper. Then I never get a call back. I checked them on 1/16/09. Someone answer me said from their computer note shows I can not get any refund points due to I didn't buythe insurance for the cruise. I checked shell website shows at least 50% refund if cancel more than 14 days. Okey, now I miscarriaged on 1/20/09. I don't want to waste the points(I mean the money we are paying $430.00 per month plus $101.00 per month for HOA), so I called shell on 1/21/09 ask if I can continue the curise. They said the Royal Caribbean has been cancelled and was sold out the whole cruise. At this moment, I feel the famous Shell Vacation Club is like a Robber! They cancelled my reservation from Caribbean and eated my points. How can a company treat the member like this. I just can not believe it. But I believe there is a place to give the fair judge. We are so regreting to purchase this membership couple years ago. It is just at liar.

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gavin
Rosemead, US
Dec 22, 2008 2:07 am EST

we need more people to stand up together and get stronger. shell vacation victim please join my communite forum at http://antishellvacation.com

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Steph
Phoenix, US
Dec 06, 2008 9:15 pm EST

We filed a complaint with the IL BBB, we also sent a lengthy letter through email to shell about our complaint. Of course we haven't heard back from them, it's been over a week. Here's a list of email addresses I found on-line, maybe if we bombard them with emails we can get our money back. These are employees from the CEO to Human Resources. Good Luck!
awang@svc-west.com
careers@hospitalityops.com
cbreed@shellvactionsllc.com
hbonta@shellvacationsllc.com
hr@legacygolfresort.com
jgonzales@shellvacationsllc.com
jgregonis@shellvacationsllc.com
joma@shellhi.com
kopaka@msn.com
lallan@shellvacationsllc.com
mazofeifa@shellvacationsllc.com
nvibbard@shellvacationsllc.com
paul.byrne@chrcorp.com
padreani@ shellvacationsllc.com
rcollins@shellvacationsllc.com
sginsburg@shellvacationsllc.com
cgoldstein@shellvacationsllc.com
tsherles@shellvacationsllc.com
jserver@ shellvacationsllc.com
ggorson@ shellvacationsllc.com
dglickstein@ shellvacationsllc.com
sjones@ shellvacationsllc.com

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Kim
,
Nov 30, 2008 10:05 pm EST

Hi everyone. Well we just got talked into setting a dinner date for the information meeting. When I got home I felt really uneasy about it and started doing some research. I'm glad I found this website because I really hate this kind of stuff, where they bully you into buying something. After reading all these comments we have decided not to go but I want to know what I should do. Should I just not show up or should I call and cancel. I'm afraid if I call to cancel they will try and convince me to go on another day. I'm not really good with pressure. Can someone help? Thanks!

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brian
,
Nov 20, 2008 4:53 pm EST

I just sat through a presentation this weekend and cannot beleive that anyone would find this a great deal. I left as soon as i could get my free gifts. You will notice the only happy people are those at the elite level, well here is why. My elite membership would have cost $72, 000 for 15000 points per year at 17.5% interest and $2500 per year for HOA maintenance plus if I wanted to go somewhere that the club did not own it would cost 300 per week booking fee. How do some people not see this as a rip off. As I walked out i heard our sales person tell another couple that we could not afford it. She didn't think I could hear her so I turned around and told her I make 350 grand a year because I don't fall for ripoffs. As for the employee who talks about all the perks above? Maybe you shouldn't tell people that the company is making so much off people that they can give you thousands in free stuff! People Join a free travel club and enjoy yourself.

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Joe
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Oct 25, 2008 11:09 pm EDT

I have been employed at Shell now for about 3 months. The salary is great! It is one of the best I have ever been paid. All I see around the resort is happy people with money and giving lots of great tips! I think the people that are complaining here are just people that don't have money and therefore no class either. I only like to see people of a certain financial level at the resort because they know how to act and treat employees. I am a manager and the perks I get are unbeliveable. I can stay at any Shell property for free anytime! You people signed the contracts, so stop whining and get a second job if you need more money!

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Do not Buy Shell Vacations
,
Sep 20, 2008 3:00 pm EDT

Hello guys Please JOIN my Facebook Group called. ..I bet i find 10, 000 People that hate Shell Vacations Time Share! It is time that People out there find out what a rip off and scam Shell Vacations is! Lets find all the people and join the board so the Internet itself will spread the word across the U.S and let the truth SHINE!

Here is the link to my group.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=35918530819

The Group is called
I BET I FIND 10, 000 People that HATE Shell Vacations Club Time Share!

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Randy
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Sep 16, 2008 10:23 pm EDT

I have been a Shell Vacations owner for several years. I have purchased three times and am at the Elite Level(15, 000 points) . I have not had any problems with Shell. My last trip for a week at Tucson AZ Starr Pass resort was great. Everything was included the car rnetal, airline ticket, $300.00 in a golf card, and a $300.00 dinner card. I still have over 4, 000 points left. Everything that Shell has told me has panned out and I have enjoyed two trips to Hawaii and a trip to Rome Italy for 10 days. all of the accomadations have been excellent and the people great even when I was not an Elite member. Elite membership is is a step above you get more perks but everything that has been promised by Shell from the beginning has been fulfilled.

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Christina
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Sep 01, 2008 3:34 am EDT

Well, this is just a side note to anyone who finds this site. If you want to go with timeshares buy RESALE.

And if you have a Shell Timeshare that you wish you didn't...I'm sorry. We have 2750 points that we want to sell, and looking at the market will get maybe $500 for them. When we still OWE $12, 000.

Overall, the dispute with Shell, and now the depressing realization about resale has got me down. I'm guessing by next year we will be practically giving away our timeshare just to avoid paying membership fees.

If anyone has successfully sold there timeshare, will you let me know how you did it?

Oh...and to the person above me. Good luck! I hope you get your money back, and Shell gets what they deserve!

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SHELL SUCKS
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Aug 29, 2008 12:02 pm EDT

Hi everybody,

I bought shell vacations club membership on 09-03-2006. But it is complete swindle. The total price for the membership is $30239.00 and $1150.10 annual maintenance fee (they call it assessment). What I got is 7000 points/year which equal 4 weeks vacation time including everything (airfare, food, car rental…) that’s the sales told me.

I tried to book my first vacation on 09/15/2006. Their customer service told me the points can be only used for club properties, but it can be converted to purchase airfare something and the 7 points equal 1 dollar. That totally different than the sales representative told me. It’s a absolutely a trick. I pay $30239.00 plus $1015.10 every year and then I got $1000(7000points) back per year.

After figure out the whole store, I contacted shell vacation club to cancel this purchase at the same day (09/15/2006). But they don’t allow me to cancel it.

I wanna hire an attorney to fight with this company. If you have any information please share with us.

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Christina
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Aug 19, 2008 3:55 pm EDT

I posted 140 days ago...We finally got a response. And that response was "sorry theres nothing we can do unless its written in your contract"... They offered us a 2 night stay in a hotel for the inconvenience though, like that is going to make up for this whole mess. We still haven't decided what to do, but if your wanting to dispute...better check your contract!

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Christina
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Aug 18, 2008 8:06 pm EDT

I just found this interesting article. I'm already having problems with this company...but it looks like even the news is getting a hold of it.

http://www.kirotv.com/consumer/1971396/detail.html

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Michelle
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Aug 06, 2008 9:14 am EDT

This has become one big nightmare! We haven't even taken walked out the door for our trip and have already had issue after issue with this company. Besides being constantly hounded by telephone calls to attend membership meetings, we were severely mislead by this company. Don't pay attention to the points listed on the website, they are off by about 3 times the amount for cruises! Once we called to book our wonderful trip we were advised that it would cost us another $1100 to book a room in one of the bottom decks! That would be close to $2500 for a room without a view? Every time we call they want more money! $5.00 charged every month for what? You can't use your vacation package until it is compelely paid off, but have to use it within the 2 years, yet its set up to be a 2 year payment plan? Finally we pay it off and then - they want $25.00 to book the vacation! And don't ask customer service, I've heard I'm sorry more then from my kids! Complaint department - they don't know who that is - and a return phone call from a superisor, well thats never happened yet. SAVE YOUR MONEY FOR A VACATION WITHOUT THE HASSLE!

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joHN SMITH
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Aug 01, 2008 1:32 pm EDT

I AGREE with all the Negative comments about Shell Vacations! Why someone would such an ignorant and stupid to purchase a time share when you can just walk in and pay $200 a night for the same room that you are paying with your stupid points $500! No counting the anual fees and all the crap that you have to deal with it.
These people are making a lot of money in fact, i read on the Internet that they are paying over $25, 000 a month just for their Chicago office in downtown! Do we really need to pay for their $300k Salaries and an office that cost $25, 000 a month?
DO NOT PURCHASE FROM SHELL VACATIONS ANY MORE! GO AND ENJOY YOUR OWN VACATION AT YOUR FAVORITE HOTEL WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY AND ARM AND A LEG FOR THEIR SCAM!
SHELL VACATIONS UPPER MANAGEMENT IS HAVING THE GOOD LIFE NOW WITH THEIR GREAT SALARIES AND VACATIONS EXPENSES THAT MEMBERS ARE PAYING FOR!

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Magda
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Jul 30, 2008 4:38 pm EDT

My husband and I just bought from Shell a couple of months ago and are already regreting our purchase. It's just been one upleasant surprise after another, one unpleasant experience after another. Many lies and conveniently concealed information. Definitely not what was so enthusiastically sold to us.

After doing a little research and realizing how many people are having the same experience, I wonder if something can be done... Is there an attorney out there that can help? Anyone with information? Does a large (and growing) group of people having that same experience have any power? Can anything be done to stop this company?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Christina
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Jul 20, 2008 4:24 am EDT

I wrote a complaint on here almost 3 months ago about getting suckered into a 5.48 life time deal. It still hasn't been resolved. I've sent 3 certified letters, but the people I talk to say the letters haven't been received. (even though I have the receipts with signatures to prove they have). I've probably spoken with 10 different managers, who keep forwarding my situation to someone else. I'm still waiting on a return phone call, but nothing yet. I plan on calling back next week. I think the only honest answer I got was from an associate who basically flat out told me there was nothing they would be able to do but give us another "free" vacation for the inconvenience...but she "wasn't sure". If they prove to be a honest company and fix there mistake I'll update again on here. But so far I'm not seeing any effort on their half.

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Suzie
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Jul 08, 2008 1:49 pm EDT

I have had the worst possible experience with Shell Vacations. We bought 2, 500 points a year for #230/ month and a $700 yearly monthly maintenance fee. My thought now is "what the hell were we thinking?" My problem lies in the maintenance fees. They supposedly sent me a bill for the fee in January, never got it, so now i am stuck paying a $1200 collection charge. This place just sucks period. Whatever you do, DO NOT BUY INTO THIS GARBAGE! Let me do the math for you. I used points 1 time this year in Phoenix about 2000 points which pretty much uses all my points for 2 nights at a hotel i paid $3, 876.00 for 2 nights at a hotel that i can book online with out a vacation club for $210. What a waste. Don't get suckered people...

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McKenzie
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Jul 06, 2008 12:43 am EDT

Just got nailed by SVC in San Francisco.
Everything sounds too good at their retails corner which looks like a city run Tourist Information Center.
They started with giving me some local information about the trolley schedules and some places to go, but then started in with I'll give your whole family a day pass for the trolley, if your willing to sit through a sales presentation, They then added on a Day of parking validation, then a boat tour under the bay bridge for the family, and a full day on the local bus system. "Man this is the most I've ever offered a family before" just to sit through a 90 minute sales presentation and answer a few questions afterwards. Just leave a 20 dollar deposit to reserve your food which will also be included.
Lucky for me I took my laptop on vacation and found this page.
Too bad I lost $20 bucks.

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Pat & Mike
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Jul 05, 2008 1:13 pm EDT

We have owned with Shell for over 6 years. We have purchased in both the Hawaii and California clubs and are not Elite members, but own quite a few points. We have traveled to Hawaii, Arizona, California and used our points to pay for our stays, airfare, meals, credit cards for Christmas gifts to family members, golf and spa treatments. We are very pleased with the resorts and Shell. We own at another timeshare and it is nowhere near as flexible as Shell Vacations.

We have had excellent customer service on numerous calls, and only once had a bad experience with one particular customer service rep. We complained to Shell and it never happened again.

I think you really have to spend time to get to know the ins and outs of timeshares to learn what to do get the most out of your purchase.

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angela
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Jul 03, 2008 1:09 pm EDT

They never return my calls, and when they do I have to re-explain my situation because its never the same person. I thought it was a good investment for myself and my children.
We do travel alot and have yet to experience the damn thing because we have not received our "deed".

I'm regreting my purchase.

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Tim D
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May 29, 2008 12:17 pm EDT

I have also been an owner for 5 year with Shell vacations. I love the program I have stay in places like Florida and NYC abroad I had a villa in Italy and a cottage in France. I love opportunity it provides for my family and I to get out and see the world. I think most people are unhappy because no matter what they do they would be. Do pass up this opportunity when u get it and if u can be flexible and understanding that it may not be a perfect system it better then staying at some of the horrible place I stay without

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Stan Riley
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May 25, 2008 1:12 am EDT

I Have owned with Shell Vacation CLub for 12 years and have purchase a total of three times. I have had nothing but excellent service, I have used my points to have awesome vacations with my family. It's alarming to see these comments because they are so contrary to my experiences with Shell. I am happy with SHell and my timeshare.

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dindia zitek
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May 23, 2008 2:47 pm EDT

their paperwork is VERY misleading, and after you ahve been screwed, they are "very sorry but there is nothing they can do about it

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Stuart E Hartigan
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May 04, 2008 1:25 pm EDT

We have been members since since 2007, Oct. So far are esperiences with shell have been postive.all calls have been returned in a timely manner. They have been very helpful with any assistance needed.

It appears that many of the people didn't read what they had signed because most of the complaints I have read are addressed in the paperwork.

Regarding the contract I refused to pau the High interest and found the money to pay it off.

I am An Elite owner .

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Christina Berryman
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Apr 13, 2008 7:03 am EDT

I too had the same thing happen to me that happened to Christina. To know that this is a COMPANY wide scam should be illegal! The first 1250 points were our fault. We were in Hawaii and wanted it basically for the RCI access (which hasn't proved to been much help or done much good). I truly believe that we should be given the opportunity to return and get out of the last transaction knowing that it was a SCAM! Truly truly straight out lied to us. LIED! That is the only reason we purchased...and it was supposed to be written into the contract. UGH!

Well...atleast we are not alone. Such a waste of 20K!

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Grace
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Apr 08, 2008 4:08 pm EDT

I was at their presentation last night and got the free (Oh I paid with my hide) two nights hotel stay in Palm Springs and air and lodging in Hawaii. I told the original rep that I would not and do not ever buy something same day, not a car, not a house, not a dress, not shoes nothing. He said no problem. When I was at the presentation the offer did seem reasonable and all the reps there said they owned property in Shell Vacations (I highly doubt it, shame on them for lying), anyway I was pretty much sold thinking I could come back in a week but they said it was a one day sale which equals "NO SALE" to me. I told them I had heard bad experiences with other timesshares and I needed to research and that I couldn't trust them just as they couldn't trust me if I said I would bring them the money later instead of writing them a check or charging. They got nasty. One of the reps said "I'm not even going to offer you this package becuase I can tell that you're not serious about this". I didn't argue, what's the point.
I'm sorry for your losses and I wish you much luck and peace in trying to resolve this situation but I'm relieved that I made the right decision in not buying the Shell Vacations. Please have some comfort in knowing that you brough me some comfort and tell everyone you know to save them your grief.

Grace

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Christina
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Apr 01, 2008 12:17 am EDT

When my boyfriend and I first bought with Shell we felt like we were getting a good deal, and the ORIGINAL sales person set us up with something comfortable. It was all going fine till we went to our owners update meeting a year later. We were just fine with the amount of points we had (1, 500 not much but enough for us), but the sales person told us if we bought NOW we would be locked in forever to buy more points at $5.48. The way he explained it was in 20 years when NEW members are paying $15 a point, we would still only have to pay $5.48. So to get in on this great deal we bought the lowest amount of points (that we didn't even want/need) 1, 200 points. So later we go to another "wonderful" update meeting (can you feel the sarcasm) to find out that we were lied to, and in fact were not locked in at all. But they reassured us the associate would be fired, but there was nothing they could do about our situation except offer us an upgrade THAT DAY only for the same price. None of this made us feel any better about the situation, so after 2 hours of back and forth non sense we left very ticked off. As of right now I'm writing a letter of complaint to the customer service department requesting a full refund (which I doubt I will receive). I am determined to be pain in their back side until I get my money back or they honor the deal we sold. So my advice, don't buy from Shell, or if you really feel the need to READ your paperwork carefully!

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Helene Burgos
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Mar 30, 2008 9:30 am EDT

You should never purchase these programs unless you can afford to throw money away and tolerate the inconvenience of the program. All of these sales people are taught the same tricks to assuage you into their grips. They try to find something that you have in common and pander to it. "Oh, you're a nurse! My sister is going into nursing school. Where did you go to school. Fresno State? Wow, my cousin goes to Fresno State." Bull ###! Let these former used car sales people attempt to sell you a Yugo, but please do not buy it!

My best advice to you before considering these programs is to acquire a credit card with a rewards system, charge your monthly recurring bills to the card, payoff the card like clock work, and use the points to book your vacation. If you have to stayy in a Hampton Inn because you could not get the Hilton with your points, then consider how much money you did not waste by paying for the Hampton through the vacation club idea. $50, 000 for a week in a Radisson because they couldn't get you the yacht in San Diego harbor!

Remember, you got it free through your credit card and did not pay a dime! Heck, you may even rack up enough points to acquire the airfare too! So, why by a timeshare? Do you fell lucky?

If you feel the need for one of these goons to bamboozle you into buying their product, then go to the presentation, get drunk first, and slobber all over them while they are talking with you. Take their free nights at the hotel and their gift too.

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Fernando
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Mar 26, 2008 7:53 pm EDT

I went to San Fran a few days ago aggreed to go to a 90 minute presentation with Shell so that they can pay my 75 dollar valet bill at my hotel. My wife and I knew in advance that we were not going to sign up that day because we always like to research the company, complaints and other deals. We agreed to go and sure enough, everybody was really nice (remember this part) and the salesman seemed very friendly. We started out a 1 on 1 with how much we travel a year and an average on how much we spend. Like the other comment, he made an astimation on how much we would spend in 30 years or so, came out to about $90, 000 a crazy amount. That part made sense.

After asking us where we want to travel to she showed us the many hotels they have around the world. I was thinking if the hotels were nice and if we would be able to go when ever we wanted to. Also, I was thinking to myself how many POINTS were needed to go to these locations. Ofcourse the price comes at the end, something we kept on asking him which he would not tell us.

After a 15 minute movie with stale free popcorn, we went back to the sales man who was originally from Russia, very energetic and attentive on what we had on to see how much money we probably had. I felt like I was at a car dealership, having the other salesmen looking at us wondering if our guy was going to convince us or not. He left us along with the prices and I started calculating the amount calculating it at 10 years and spending more than 2 grand each year for the lowest 2500 point plan. I was thinking back to the trip our salesman said he took with 13, 000 points he saved up for two years, having 7000 points per year. I was thinking that for our measly 2500 to go up to 7000 we would have to pay close to three times that amount and I was like what the heck!

After that, the finance guy comes over and tries to work somehting out with free gifts, saying out sales guy was going to take a pay cut out of his commission to give us a disney cruise. One last guy tried to give us a two year plan of 99 bucks a month and still no go. After we got our $20 deposit back and our parking voucher, I tried to say goodbye to our guy, right in front of him two times and he never turned back, busy with other prospects. Remembering how they were real nice at the beginning. A lady at the front counter was really nice, taking care of our daughter after all the children left.

Do your homework, don't ruin your credit and look into buying a resale timeshare, a lot of people cant afford them and are selling cheap. Anther thing that got me about Shell that our guy tried to spin as a good thing was that you can't buy Shell at a resale, I though of it as a bad thing because you can't resell if you can't pay.

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