Fairfield Timeshare review: Beware of anything to do with Fairfield! 16

I too have been ripped off by Fairfield. After paying $14, 000+ and 6 years later not one vacation. Only demands for thousands of dollars more when they wont let you have a vacation. This is the worst scam in the country today.

Want to fight back.. finally found the place to go

www.vogroup.net

Fairfield (now Wyndham) will "fee you to death" unless you continue to buy more and more points. We no longer use the few points we purchased at Wyndham Bay Club of Sandestin (we are happy with the VRI Managed Bay Club of Sandestin). When I figure the costs of all the fees, plus the monthly assessments, we can stay at a luxury hotel for less.

Another word of warning -- Wyndham has been purchasing timeshares in older resorts and converting them to Wyndham points contracts, so be careful on your resale timeshare purchases. Do your homework and make sure they have not been converted to Wyndham points.

We were happy with Fairfield (platinum VIPs), not as much anymore with Wyndham. We are currently in a battle with Wyndham Branson because we were sold on a "new program" that would enable us to reserve days/weeks and have them listed on a site for rental. Turns out we already had the ability to do that. All we really got was more points we didn't need. I even asked the salesman specifically if this program is what was giving us access to this ability, and he said Yes. We're asking for a cancellation of the new contract. If not, we're going up the food chain with them as well as contacting an attorney and the MO real estate commission (or whatever it's called there).

Roger,

I have been an owner with Wyndham for over 10 years. I went to several owner's forums and became educated on how to get the most out of my ownership (my favorite forum is http://www.wyndhamowners.org/ ). Before the name change to Wyndham I used to recommend to everyone that this was a great company, even though I usually encouraged people to check out the resale prices on eBay and use due diligence when buying. Now; however, I have watched Wyndham rape and pillage from all the owners. There are very few benefits that they have not taken away -- and their fee increases in the past year are not only unethical, but probably illegal. Check out the following video from another upset owner:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7qELwa0Ius

He does an awesome job of calmly saying all the things about this corrupt company that I would not be able to say without using a few expletives!

I am a pilot. As a pilot I often need one night stays and was told I could use one night at a time with no problems. I was told I could cancel anytime before checking in with no loss of points. Over the past year they have constantly changed the rules. I must now pay $59.00 every time I book a reservation, If I want my son or daughter to check in they must pay $25.00. If I have to cancel within fifteen days guess what, good bye points. I understand no availability if trying to book within a few days or weeks, but three months ahead (and in San Antonio Texas at that) seems wrong to me.I think Wyndham rents the units for top dollar during peak periods and the owners get screwed .I would love to get my money back.One good thing is the units I have used have always been very nice and above what I expected.

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I agree with the complaint. Can someone tell me how i can sell my membership? I am fed up with the way these people have brainwashed, misled and lied.

Just wanted to throw this out there in case anyone was interested or possibly had some advice they could give...I co-signed on a timeshare with someone (soon to be "x") and have never used it in the 3 years I've been helping with the payments. Now i've been getting all kinds of collection calls since he has not made his part of the payments since January..and come to find out, they have me listed as the primary owner, not co-signer so all of this is going on my record as if i'm the idiot that cant pay my bills on time. I contacted a company to try to sell it and of course got tricked AGAIN into paying $500 up front with the promise that my timeshare would sell in 30 days. Its been 3 months and not so much as one phone call at all! I have gotten other calls from people that promise the exact same thing only this time for $1000K+! The timeshare is Fairfield/Wyndham/RCI in Myrtle Beach, Ocean Blvd. with 300K+ points. If anyone is interested please contact me or if anyone has some good advice on companies that will resell without asking for an upfront fee, it would be most appreciated! Thanks..,

My family has never regreted buying our Fairfield Resort in Florida. We have always been able to trade it with II to anywhere that we chose to go. We have traveled all over the U.S. and even spent a week in Aruba through an II exchange. It does usually demand some advance planning. We usually plan at least 8-10 months ahead. I do agree that you have to watch and be cautious of the sales staff. After being an owner of three timeshares, not all Fairfield, we find that we usually know more than the salesperson that just wants to "give you an up-date". For someone just looking into the timeshare system please know that where you buy and how many points you buy play a huge role in where and if you can exchange. Don't let anyone tell you that if you buy a suite in timbucktwo that you can exchange it for a two bedroom in Hawaii. FORGET IT! More points during a peak season in a high demand property mean more opportunities for you! Bottom Line! In defense of the whole experience, we have always liked our accomodations and location and look forward to a week next summer un Hawaii!

I had the same problem. I had only tried the two year and extra points and all. After two years I had the option to buy the complete program at the same price that I was offered two years earlier. My wife and I decided to take a trip to Hawaii, Wakiki Beach. We called about 7 months in advance and could not get anything. We had them to keep looking and finally found a room. Now mind you, I had only bought into the two year program, so I thought when we got there they would wine and dine us to get us to buy the full program. Guess what? We where put in a room that had two windows, one looked into the parking deck and the other one was facing a wall. Under us was an open area that had a doorway that opened to a stairway that opened and closed all day and all night. Everytime the door closed, we heard it and felt it. I think the house keeping room must have been above us because everymorning it sounded as if a bowling ball was being pushed across the floor. We did not enjoy the stay with them at all. Also dont let them forget to tell you all about the hidden charges they have waiting for you. This might be a great program for people who have lots of money, but it is not for the working people.

As a happy Fairfield owner, I find your comments outrageous. I have NEVER experienced any issues with Fairfield... especially to the extent you convey. Seems to me you simply do not undersatnd how the program works... maybe a call to the customer service department, requesting help, would be the first place to start.

I'm a new member and was excited to plan my first stay with the resort. That lasted five seconds after I got on the phone and found out that there was NOTHING ! available when and where I'm going. Not a problem right. WRONG! So in comes RCI, sounding all optimistic, guess what they come up with a big fat NOTHING! too. But not before having to give up $164.00 and 150, 000 points that I just found out are not transferable. So now Im left with 150, 000 useless pionts with the resort and 150, 000 useless points with RCI. None of which is enough to stay at a nearby hotel unless I pay out of pocket. What happened to my guareteed stay the promised me? I think I've been suckered. I would like some input from you so called HAPPY resort people.

We have been Fairfield owners since 1982 and without exception... I have always been treated with fairness and respect. As with any Timeshare company sales people are there to sell. Like any other sales person they often do not fully understand the product themselves... and yes I am sure that there are liars out there, but overall our experience has been very good and when mistakes were made or our unit had a problem they fixed it immediately.

I have been a fairfield owner for 13 years now and for the most part have been happy with the service and vacations i have gotten from my points. You must be able to plan ahead somewhat. How many points do you have. I have been able to exchange with rci to maine florida tennesse wyoming plus numerous other weeks to florida north carolina south carolina georgia. Your complaints are not justified. For the right price and the right number of points i might be willing to take you timeshare off your hands. Scott

I have 10-15 ex-employees that have all left because they were recruited by (Fairfield Resorts in Branson, Mo) the opportunity to make $40,000-$50,000 per month while only working 30 hours per week. I have been told that during training that they can say whatever they want if that is what it takes to get the sale. No legitimate business pays employees that type of money to work part-time. The profits are huge, the resale value almost non-existent and availability never when you want it. If the consumer is not-mislead and they choose to buy a time share then so be it. The fact is that there are way too many salespeople involved in this business looking to make a fast buck while working as little as possible. Needless to say they will tell a consumer anything to close the deal.

Do you own a particular week or points. If you own points, you have to plan ahead to make your reservation, so that the resort will not be full. The points however give you flexibility. Also you can deposit your points with RCI or II and do an exchange with your points you do not have to lose them. I am a Fairfield owner and thus far am happy. I do have problems with RCI and Fairfield with my accounts occasionally. On the whole I do not support your complaint. Stan.