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Festiva Development Group

Festiva Development Group review: never able to use 37

M
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11:41 am EST
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We have filed a formal complaint with the South Carolina's Attorney General's office against Festiva Resorts Adventure Club. We have paid for all of our 50, 000 points and maintenance fees to date, but are always told nothing is available. We have even tried booking a year in advance with Interval International the exchange Co, this also to no avail .
We feel this whole thing is a fraud and misrepresentation on the part of both companies.

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

37 comments
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Festiva Rep
Asheville, US
Jan 28, 2010 12:53 pm EST

Mr. Foley;

I'm sorry that you haven't yet had success getting a reservation. I would be happy to have someone from our Owner Services department contact you to help plan your vacation. Please e-mail us directly at comments@festiva.travel and we will do everything that we can to resolve your issues.

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janiehorry
Myrtle Beach, US
Jun 01, 2010 11:27 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

All who buy into festiva adventure club are being duped.what ever state you bought into the festiva adventure club program and feel you were lied to about how it is suppose to work.call or write your attorney generals office.you also might want to check with local and federal authorities since this company is an interstate business with sales offices in several different states and their corp headquarters in asheville n.c.Icertainly wouldnt give them any more of your hard earned money.Dont fall into their trap you have to buy more points.Carnies at a Carnival have a better reputation than this company.

C. Mosses
C. Mosses
1108 Tamarack Trail, US
Jul 12, 2010 12:47 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I Have not been able to use any of my weeks/points (Nothing is ever available) and everything is up to date as far as all monies due these people...I just had to pay out of pocket for an upcoming cruise they supposedly can get you on...No discount given either through the Adventure Club...Stuck and Foolish for falling...

C. Mosses
C. Mosses
1108 Tamarack Trail, US
Jul 12, 2010 3:24 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have just filed a complaint as well, as after $2, 700.00 already paid this year, and still paying... I stil have to pay for a cruise out of pocket, after they told me they have 5 rooms available on...all my dues are paid, and I have weeks, but they point you to a brick wall!

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twinhawk2
Yankton, US
Jul 13, 2010 3:46 pm EDT

Guess what? I just talked to a rep from Festiva and asked her how many units were in each resort. She said she had NO IDEA and THEN she said NO ONE IN THE COMPANY HAS ANY IDEA! Can you believe that? File with the Better Business Bureau, the Attorney General of that state and they will direct you to where else to file.

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Michele Kidd
Durham, US
Sep 29, 2010 10:29 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am agreement with you all; we are from North Carolina, we never could get anything either. The one time we were able to get a room. My husband mother and father stay in one of the resorts. Man, it was awful. It was called pepper tree by the sea. I was so embarrassed; I felt so bad it just plan out raggedy. Then we are always getting some kind of statement in the mail to pay this and that. Assessment fee, maintenance fee, platinum reward, interval international. I think it one big scam. Like I told the rep, we haven’t benefited from this at all. Then I am scared if we stop making payments it’s going to mess up our credit. Then my husband went on a time share with them again, they didn't know we were members, and they were really putting on thick. I just shook my head at all the lies. I hate I feel for this.

I will be filing with the Attorney General.

Mrs. Kidd.

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RGinGA
Buford, US
Dec 08, 2010 10:39 pm EST

I would like to just get rid of what I have. I've only been a member of Festiva for 6 months and sick of the extra fees and no benefits. If someone can tell me who to call to get rid of this thing, please let me know - rgownbey@aol.com Thanks!

C. Mosses
C. Mosses
1108 Tamarack Trail, US
Dec 09, 2010 12:24 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I filed with the NC Attorney Generals office and they did nothing...they told me it was a legitimate contract...then I received a call from a Festiva Representative and she blatantly told me I would have to keep paying and could not get out of my contract...still have not been on a vacation, and just received a notice of additional extra fees for the year for $291.96 "Special Assessment fees"...where did this come out of? Are they having trouble buying Christmas presents for their families? This is above the maintenance fees... Isn't that a great Christmas Present!

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RGinGA
Buford, US
Jan 21, 2011 12:44 am EST

PLEASE people - do NOT buy Festiva Adventure Membership!

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Sharon K. P.
Sparta, US
Feb 11, 2011 11:25 pm EST

Hi, I just saw a link for Festiva Adventures on Food Network. They offer 3 days / 2 nights in at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside with a Natchez Steamboat Day Cruise For Two, 2 Tickets to Aquarium of the Americas and a $50 Dining Certificate good at any of New Orleans' world famous restaurants for $149 OR 4 days / 3 nights for $199. In lieu of attraction tickets or dining, they will provide a free 4 day Carnival Cruise certificate for two. I DO NOT want to buy into a timeshare- I just want the package mentioned here. When you went to the timeshare presentation, did you actually get the hotel stay, tickets and/or cruise for the price quoted? I know C. Mosses mentioned above that they had to pay for the cruise. Did they give you the "free certificate" and you still had to pay?
Thanks for your help,
Sharon

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Kevinmajere
Hampstead, US
Mar 06, 2011 3:16 am EST

people are scammers, went to a 90 mins presentation today... what a joke. The sales Rep Jr. acutally got pissed because I told him I thought it was a scam. Wanted my lawyer to take a look over everything. He tried to make me feel stupid for even thinking of consulting a lawyer. In the end I told him I didn't know of his company, and his attitude went from pissed, to full blown rage. We got our "free" gift... a crappy POS netbook with 128 mb of ram... win 95 interface. What a joke. Don't fall for these scammers. I orginally planned to tape it the entire meeting with a tape recorded, but left it at home.

Kevin

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StopCrime919
Rolesville, US
Mar 23, 2011 2:24 pm EDT

Festiva is indeed a scam artist company. My husband and I were tricked into upgrading our membership with promises of great new benefits to ownership by this snakeoil salesman. Funny thing is that we went into the this meeting very unhappy with what we had experiences and they preyed on this to sucker us in. Since then we have traded over 3000 points to stay in hotels that were pure dumps by any standard. I am going to be contacting the North Carolina Attorney General's office and the South Carolina Attorney General and the BBB of both states and any federal agency I can get to listen to me. Please take a look at the law suit from the Missouri Atty General and what the issues were. They won and I think if enough of us complain about these exact same fraudulent issues we can win as well. We have to all band together and get this done. http://www.rentvri.com/festiva-timeshare-resorts-fined-by-missouri-attorney-general/

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Festiva Rep
Asheville, US
Mar 23, 2011 3:21 pm EDT

Mrs. Ford,
We have received your complaint and are researching your account and will be in contact very shortly. We are sorry you have had issues with the third party hotels which you visited and are waiting on a reply from Wyndham. We will be in contact with you very shortly and thank you for your patience.

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Amanda c
Simpsonville, US
Apr 14, 2011 10:03 pm EDT

I totally agree with all the complaints. We have paid and are unable to find any where to stay because nothing is available. But interval international will allow me to pay 159 to be on a cancellation list or I can purchase a week. Why the heck would I want to fork out more money. And how do they have something for me to purchase but yet no where for me to trade my weeks. I feel completely ripped off and stupid for ever allowing festiva into my family's life. Lesson learned but yes I do want out! If anyone knows how let me know. This is a complete waste of money might as well have flushed all that money down the toilet. Let me know if anyone has any ideas on how to get out of this mess. Thank you rnheart19@hotmail.com

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adsap
nowhere, US
Apr 19, 2011 7:08 am EDT

How much money did you flush down the toilet?

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emschick76
New Orleans, US
May 16, 2011 2:24 am EDT

Today we attended the 90- min presention here in New Orleans...Bill was a great salemans, we really wanted to buy in...but my gut said if it looks too good...so i fired up the smart phone and found your complaints here...so Mr. Smart the manager came over to ease my concerns...he had me...told me that the extra fee of 200 yall got in december was a one time thing...and that there was no additional booking fees if i didnt book all my points at once...and I belived all that crap...until it came time to buy...that is when i knew it was a fraud...by now or never ...i choose never...thank goodness i didnt wast my hard earned money...and my free cruise we just called about is so far from free...Very disappointed will be contacting AG office in the morning...they hide behind a a+ BBB rating...those are bought...this company is very fishing looking to me.

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RGinGA
Buford, US
May 20, 2011 1:28 am EDT

Let me know if you find a way out or if you wish to file a class action lawsuit. rgownbey@aol.com

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markanthony
Laplace, US
May 28, 2011 4:48 am EDT

THIS IS A BIG SCAM!

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Terry Peterson
Clinton, US
Jun 13, 2011 9:36 pm EDT

Wow! You guys really hit home with your horror stories. My wife and I also fell prey to all the lies. It has been one bill after another. Where does it end? I was promised a cruise by Mr Smart to seal the deal on our purchase. Ha Ha! Jokes on me again. Not only have I not gotten it, but with every call there's another lie. Now it's " we'll call you when it's ready.! I feel like the biggest dope of all because this was suppose to be a way for my wife to relax while she struggles with Cancer. Joining the adventure club was the biggest mistake of my life. I don't plan on continuing this fools role. I'll do what I have to get my money back!

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Festiva Rep
Asheville, US
Jun 14, 2011 5:50 pm EDT

Mr. Peterson,
We are looking into the status of your cruise certificate to ensure that you do receive this. We will be in contact with you soon as we hope to expedite this process.

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airtrick
US
Jun 18, 2011 6:37 pm EDT

For those of you that attended the 90 minute pitch and said no, Did they try to charge you additional fees for your stay?

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Terry Peterson
Clinton, US
Sep 21, 2011 4:15 pm EDT

My wife recently had issues with our experience with Festiva Adventure Club, however, through conversations with their customer service team and management, we have successfully reached an agreement that was satisfactory to both parties. We sincerely thank you and wish you continued success.

Terry and Rozenia Peterson

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Tina Wilson
Lenoir, US
Oct 26, 2011 7:35 pm EDT

I went to Festiva Adventure Club and actually signed the contracts and bought in. I was told I would have a 2.99% interest rate and it would be renewed every 7 months. After verifying with my bank, they told me that was an outright lie! It was a promotional interest rate that would increase to 19.99% after 7 months. Thank goodness you have a 5 day window to cancel your contract. I did so immediately! Please be cautious with this company...

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janda1
Sedgwick, US
May 28, 2012 11:12 am EDT

I joined this "adventure club" about a year ago and I am so horribly disappointed. All I get is bills and can't seem to use these useless points. We have spent almost $5000.00 and still haven't been able to take a week vacation yet. I, also was promised three different trips when signing up, Puerta Viarta, Las Vegas and Orlando and never heard back after sending the post card out to activate it.I was told they just want to sell you memberships at those resorts anyway, so I think its all just a waste of time anyhow. I really have learned that if it's too good to be true... or nothing is ever really free! I was told I could sell the membership, but I feel like I could never lie or screw people over like they have done to me. When I sell something, I feel my good name is attached to the deal. Hopefully I will get this paid off soon and chock it up as a lesson learned and go back to the good-old fashioned time share or hotel! I really wish I was smart enough to google this crap before I bought into it!

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janda1
Sedgwick, US
May 28, 2012 11:21 am EDT

I can totally sympathize with all of you! I also was suckered into the lies and more lies of the salesman... and bought this "adventure club" membership about a year ago. To date I have spent around $5000.00 and still haven't been able to take one vacation. I didn't get the 3 "free" trips I was suppose to get upon signing up, Puerta Vallarta, Orlando and Las Vegas, though I think I am relieved because someone informed me these free trips are just another chance for them to try to get you to "buy" at these shares also, because they tell you your points are worthless if you want to go anywhere half decent like these places. I was told I could sell my membership, (so please let me know if theres any sucker out there that has all kinds of money they wanna piss away on nothing) but I fell as though I could never do that as I feel my good name would be tied to the deal, and I just don't dislike anyone that much...If anyone has any way of getting out of this, please let me know, but until then I just continue paying to keep my credit score in good standing, and actually still paying to stay at hotels when I vacation. Wish I had thought of googling it before I signed the contract!

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anthony86
Corona, US
Jun 04, 2012 1:08 pm EDT

My name is Anthony and I am so sorry to hear about the way this so called adventure club has deceived and taken advantage of you all. Its unfortunate that their is so little recourse available to victims of fraud. I have recently began working with a non-profit organization called the Community Economic Council that strives to help victims of fraud regain their monetary losses. I know we cannot so easily heal the emotional and psychological damage done by those that coldly and maliciously capitalize on our trust; but we do believe that any compensation is a step toward rebuilding the trust that is the foundations for a healthy community. We are completely funded by the donations of those we assist in regaining their money and only ask for donations after we regain your lost money. Please investigate our organization, all of our contact information is online and, If you like, you can mention that

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nikki28227
Charlotte, US
Oct 19, 2013 12:23 pm EDT

I am a new member of Festiva they are a rip off everything they promised us was a lie now that we are member we are stuck. I am going to file a compliant with the South Carolina Attorney General, , so please be careful before you get involved with these people

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Charleston Festiva meeting cancelled
Charleston, US
Feb 18, 2014 11:50 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hello fellow Americans. I too was offered to attend a Charleston meeting last weekend and after reading all these issues, when Festiva called me to confirm my appointment, I SAID NO! I told the rep that called that Festiva doesn't take care of their customers and I don't need that problem. I told them that Android tablet, claimed to be worth $400, wasn't worth the potential problems, it seems, `-
... I could expect. I contacted the SC attorney Generals office for guidance before attending, and no one in over a week has contacted me back. It appears our State Consumer activist isn't there when South Carolina citizens need them most. That's sad.

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so pissed 14
Spring Hill, US
Jul 19, 2014 11:05 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

My husband and I got roped into a 120...that's right, a 120min presentation. After sitting and listening to the endless presentation, we were very turned off by the whole "if you don't buy today, you don't get this, this, this, this, this" followed up with "now in 6months if you change your mind, we will definitely be happy to take youyour money, you just won't get this list of benefits" the sentence about them "being happy to take our money" was actually said several times! Ewwww. So when we finally got around to the discussion of prices and money began, we knew being newly married, having two mortgages, and two new car payments, that it was clearly not a financially sound decision. Needless to say this did NOT sit well with our salesman or his salesman buddy. We explained our situation, and that we were not comfortable signing anything or giving an insane amount of money to a company we knew nothing about. They didn't care. The child that did most of our one on one basically threw a temper tantrum about us not signing up and how much money it cost them to have us there (their company sought us out, we didn't seek them out) overall his nice personality was gone, and he became an instant jerk! (To put it nicely) He told us if we had two mortgages and stuff that we shouldn't be on vacation! (It was our HONEYMOON!) I told him that was none of his business, and tried to backtrack. I told him he was rude and me and my husband walked off. Much to our surprise (NOT) they have awful, terrible, horrible reviews. Whoever checks this for the company...I need you to make sure I never...and I mean NEVER receive so much as a piece of mail from your company.

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Duped in SC
US
Feb 24, 2015 8:48 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I bought in 2011 in Charleston SC.I was not able to get places I wanted, finally booked, but cancelled because it wasnt what I wanted.I have since pd it off but want out, because those biennial maintenance fees are high.I have never used it once.I want out.Please help.

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Gjb Thompson
US
Oct 29, 2015 10:12 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

We inherited the Festiva from our mother. If we had known then what we know now we never would have put it in our name. We tried to just give it back to them but they told us we could not do that and that if we didn't pay the fees it would go against our credit. We also have the problem of never being able to find anything available.When we do they want more fees upfront to book. We just want to get it off our plate. We are dealing with sickness in the family and can not afford it. Please help

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Mary Eshelman Barkley
US
Jan 06, 2016 3:30 pm EST

We bought in Charleston, SC about 2 years ago. We were told that we could buy points ahead of time and that they never expire! But then we find out, they have a 2 year window. What? The only reason we bought with them was because we were told we could accumulate points and use them whenever. I asked repeatedly, even when doing to financial part, which was recorded. We were also given a free weeks stay in Orlando. I asked if we could use it in the summer, they said yes! When it came time to book, they told me it expired and we were unable to use it. I also asked about that during the recorded part. I am now trying to book a room for a 3 nights, and it says I would have to go a day earlier, but I am unable to, yet if I go to other sites, the day I want is available. I'm not happy with Festiva for all of their lies. I have contacted the AG, too.

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Nancy Lorman
Jul 13, 2016 1:49 pm EDT

I HATE these people and their deceptive sales people! I'm filing with multiple states Atty Generals, and hope to get our money back! They will fax or mail the report form. Everything that salesperson told us was a lie! There were never supposed to be any "seasons" where it took more points. They said they could rent out our condo at any location, and we would make money, and it would pay for itself. NOT! So many other lies! I will get out of this one way or another!

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Nancy Lorman
Jul 13, 2016 1:51 pm EDT

They also do not have an a rating with the BBB! But there are plenty of complaints!

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MarBev
Hagerhill, Kentucky, US
Aug 13, 2017 3:11 pm EDT

I agree completely. We got took for this scam as well in SC. Paying thousands of dollars for the package and maintenance fees and not being able to get a vacation. Tried to call in advance, not allowed to schedule that far in the future per their rep. Call in the time range they told me try and everything is already taken.
I WANT OUT!
- Jerry & Marion Beverly

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Lori Danklefsen
US
Apr 16, 2018 9:03 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I bought in 6 years ago, it sounded too good to be true. It was! And the rules are always changing. We have only used it twice, nothing available, or you have to schedule it around their time. We have only been able to stay in Hot spring, AR. I am all paid up, I have asked to just sign my contract back over to them, and they said no. I have hired an attorney and I am waiting at this moment for resolution. I am ready to start a rally in Charleston, SC. against them, I want these scams to be illegal. If I don't see any results soon, I plan on suing for the full amount back to me plus attorney fees. Pass the word, tell everyone to always research any time share before they buy. I wish I had. The negative reports and forums out there have been posted for years. And I don't need any more attorneys contacting me because they read this comment, or someone from Festiva call me so they can sell me something else also. The Attorney General in South Carolina needs to wake up, or maybe they are being paid off. ?

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Emulove
US
Nov 12, 2019 11:11 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I'm with you! Did you file a lawsuit yet? We have spent over $20000

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    4700 Millenia Blvd, Suite 405, Orlando, Florida, 32839, United States
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