Festiva Development Group
Reviews and Complaints

My husband and I purchased a timeshare week at Ellington at Wachesaw Plantation East, owned by Festiva Resorts. Immediately upon our first day of our first visit, we were approached by a sales person for Festiva who asked us to attend a 90 minute presentation -- if we did we would get a free round of golf or something like that, I forget exactly. Anway, during the presentation, they scared us into believing that if we didn't convert our week into a points contract, we would lose our week, because "everyone was doing it and if we didn't do it we would lose out on our timeshare opportunities." That conversion to points contract cost us over $6000. When we agreed they said we could recoup much of those funds by renting out our week for 2010 to someone who wanted to use it at one of their high priority resorts. They said they could do that for us, but when I called the agent to request this service I could never get ahold of him. I called Festiva directly and the rep there acted like he didn't know what I was talking about. Clearly they never had any intention of helping us recoup our funds through rental. We ultimately lost our week for 2010, then when the statement came for annual maintenance fee for 2011, we were horrified to find that the fee had increased over 50% above what we had paid for the maintenance fee on our original contract, in 2008.
I think we were conned, duped, and lied to by Festiva, they are providing false advertising, and ripping people off. I'd like to know how to sell my points contract and get out of this timeshare.

Sent a note to the corporate office charging 50% of my maintenance fee to my visa card but they failed to do it. The other 50% which covered by check cleared. Then they sent me a letter telling me that I have a balance of $413.50 of which $54.50 represents a fee & interest, of which I refuse to pay because if they effected the payment with my card 3 months before I will not
incur any balances. They waited more than 60 days to let me know about their mistake and they have the audacity to levy a
late fee and interest on the balance of which I should not have if they charged it to my visa card in Dec/Jan. 2010. Also, their
representatives will give you a hard time in talking to their supervisor, it took me at least 15 minutes to talk to one without resolving the issue. Both the supervisor & the rank in file employee were rude and lied to me covering each other. I will write to the President of the company, hoping that the Supervisor gave the right name of their president.

I grew up in Murrells Inlet S.C., and the one thing I can tell you about the Ellington at Wachasaw Plantation East is the info they have on there web site is wrong. They say it is located in a moss coverd oak plantation on the waterway well it is not, it is located by the Hospital in M.I., not far from a Major highway. US highway 17 runs the total length of the coast from Fl. to Ma. The waterway has an access to it but it is public and you cannot get into the main plantation unless you own there. I would suggest that if you wish to buy in this resort that you look it up first or call to inquire.

When we converted to Festiva ... We were told that the property was still going to generate interest for a tax write off. We have been receiving this information the past three years -- from Festiva -- and as of this year 2010, they say that that will not be happening anymore. All of the sudden, We tare the ones that did wrong for signing-off the deed to them. Their misleading tactics, lies and dishonest sales representatives actually spoke their ways into taking my deeded property (which was almost paid for)for a 10 year deal that doesn't work for me anymore.

They used misleading information and used scare tactics to get over $3000 from each Equivest owner to “convert” to Festiva. Festiva purchased Equivest in 2007, and has since been trying to convert all the Equivest owners over to Festiva. We fell for it. Basically, they charged us $3000 to buy what we already own. The sales rep we dealt with made several claims which we found out were false.

Me and my husband got the opportunity to go to Myrtle Beach with Festiva. Our tour went absolutely horrible! A couple months later we received a phone call from someone at Festiva. We explained what had happened to the young man. He told us that they had went under brand new management and that they promised things would be better. So we booked to go to Charleston. We had a GREAT time! The sales rep at the Charleston location was very nice and knew we was not going to buy a timeshare. So we have traveled every year with Festiva and cant complain! I would say they def made up for what had originally happened! Now as soon as we get finances under control we are going to buy a time share with Festiva!

Were convinced to purchase a small timeshare with the understanding that we could use it at anytime throughout the year by paying an exchange fee. Our designated season in which we were advised to buy was at times that we could in no way use it because of jobs. We did not want to spend alot of money on a timeshare and we were told to buy a cheaper package and at any time you could trade up to be able to use it at different times at different locations. The only truth is they keep taking my money from my account. Also, they were to purchase a one year membership from Interval International Resorts to give world wide destinations. In speaking with Interval, we were made aware that Festiva never purchased the membership as we were told, which was part of our contract (we are not found anywhere in their data base). Conclusion is that Festiva are nothing more than common con artists.

BEWARE!

These people are sending out highly discounted room rates at expensive hotels as a lead in to selling timeshares. They never say anything about timeshares or other property purchases during the phone conversation. My wife was mislead thinking that the Astor Crowne Plaza in New Orleans was giving her this nice birthday present. We have stayed there before so she gave no thought to someone trying to deceive her. It took me four phone calls and talking to six people and threats to bring the Atttorney General in the matter to be given credit on my credit card.

We purchased timeshare points in 1999 with Peppertree Resorts in Asheville NC and didn’t have any trouble booking in Myrtle Beach while we were paying for it. Since we have paid it off every time we book in Myrtle Beach (Peppertree Ocean Club) we cannot get the type of room we booked. They have put us on the side facing the parking lot and they do have the rooms available to rent but not to the timeshare owners.
The maintenance fee went up for 2009 and for what reason? the owners can't get a room so they have to pay maintenance so Festiva can rent the rooms?

My husband has emailed the person that deals with concern and of course we haven't heard anything.

If you are unhappy with a timeshare membership that you own, you are not alone!

I am ready to dump this timeshare. Any suggestions how?

Upon reading all about the Festiva scams on your website, we decided to add our input..
We also have been burned by this company last year and we feel while
complaining is a nice way to vent what about everyone teaming together to stop others from being taken.Regulations should apply to these practices and all the people we can
together to do so will help.We have stopped any monthly payments and we have told our credit card company to change our card numbers.We plan a trip within the next month
to this area and you can believe we will visit each and every establishment that promoted or supported this process right down to the Restraurants, Welcoming Centers and Tour agents who sell this crap.Letting this go on only allows them to legally steal from people so please consider emailing us at [protected]@aol.com Making their lives miserable
like they have ours will be a start.Also call the Attroney Generals Office of the State you
purchased the timeshare and Better Buisness Bureau's too.We are currently working with our credit card company to reverse some payment charges back to us.We do have more information please feel free to email. Thanks Dan & Ann

Names Associated with our Scam, perhaps they would sound familar to you.
Gayle Nickeeson
Mac Mc Carthy
Steve Tucker
Carolos Ribeiro
Tex from Texas.( flew in from Texas that day because of the Timeshare promotional sale
We were told we could to buy the old contract terms and all the points that go with it.
Never happened.

On November 17 I paid my maintenance fees online. I then called customer services to deposit my week with Interval International. The person I spoke to was unable to deposit my week. He said my switch from the Adventure Club, to a deeded week, had not been made with II, despite this change having been done 15 months earlier. He assured me he would take care of it and it would only take a day or two. Three days later, I called again, and it was not completed. Today, a week later, I called and spoke to someone else. I was told the issue was with Interval International, not Festiva. I called II, and the problem was Festiva. Another call to customer services at Festiva, and this time the person was able to deposit my week with II. However, when I checked online, the deposit was there, but it was a yellow week, rather than a red week for which I have a copy of my paid-off deed. Once again I called Festiva, and was told it will take 24-48 hours to correct the problem. We'll see.

In April of 2007, we purchased a bi-annual week at Stormy Point in Branson, MO. As part of the purchase, we traded in a Red week in Miami, which we had owned for several years. At the time, we were assured, despite asking the right questions, there was no such thing with Festiva as Red vs Yellow weeks. In January of 2008, when I paid the maintenance fees and deposited my week with II, I discovered I was sold a Yellow week rather than a Red week. It took nearly 9 months of haggling, including being tricked into paying MORE money for an Adventure Club membership, rather than owning a designated week, and contacting Attorney Generals in both MO, and NC, to finally settle with Festiva in August of 2008. I now own a Red week, I originally believed I had purchased. Today I paid my 2010 maintenace fees. I then called to deposit my week with II. Would you believe they were unable to deposit my week? Apparently some type of paper work which converts me back to Stormy Point from the Adventure Club has never been completed. Despite this being 15 months later. The person I spoke to is supposed to be looking into it and will call me with my II deposit confirmation within a few days. We'll see. I do not hold out much hope, based on past experience. I have been a member of II for over 20 years, so it is not a matter of no membership. Just another example of poor service.

Festiva Resorts is a scam. I pity anyone who invests w/ them.
Their company is incompetant and so are the majority of their employees.

I have been working for festiva for a good lenghth of time and looked at the many complaints on the web and so far it seems as though there is a great deal of confusion not mislead people for instance your II book is only for one year. your adventure club is for two years with the option to continue. if you own with festiva you don't have to upgrade if you do not want to although the benefits out way the risks it your choice. you what you contract says it will do today it will always do tomorrow. At any time during our trying to explain how the program works you dont like it you can leave you just loose your gifts. also you get 27 resorts no extra cost just the lowest mnt. fees in the business look up the Mariot, Wyndham or Westgate their average mnt. fee is 700 dollars

ps all the sales reps are just people
you may work in a med. office, a factory we just sell vacation
please enjoy the program and you quality time with your family

We booked a week "festiva getaway" for the Peppertree Atlantic Beach. It was a promotion in which you had to take the time share tour by the second day of your arrival. We own a time share at a gold crown RCI resort in Hilton Head, so this was not a big hassle for us. However, Festiva contacted me 4 days before my planned vactaion(on tuesday afternoon), and stated that they had "accidentally overbooked". They wanted to have me to change weeks. I am unable to do that, as I have to preapare well in advance to arrange time off from my medical office. The next thing they wanted me to do is change resorts. However, they did not have anything to offer in the outer banks area. They could offer me orlando or a resort 3 miles from the beach in Myrtle Beach. This was not feasible for us, as we were traveling thru Raleigh to stop for family, and you cannot do that to go to either locations. Plus - I shouldnt have to go somewhere I have no desire to go just because they messed up!

I asked for a refund, and the man stated he would have to ask his supervisor. WHY do you need to ask supervisor to give me a refund on something their company is unable to provide? Anyway, he eventually said that this had been ok'ed, and he obtained by card info to apply the refund.

That was June 16th- 2 and a half weeks ago. I STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN MY MONEY! Someone from the Asheville office - Jessie somebody - called me the following 2 days to say " they were trying to work something out and needed to discuss my refund" I have called him and left messages 6 times. Last week, I finally got to speak with someone else, and she said that I would have to speak with Jessie. I told her I had left him repeated messages and he would not call me back. She then said he would, and I asked when? She said I do not know. I then said, "will it be by the end of business day today?" and SHE HUNG UP ON ME!

I have called again today, and left more messages - this time for a Julia Shirley in the finance department.

This is absolutely ridiculous! I have contacted a lawyer, my local state representative, and the local news station of Asheville to run a story on this fradulent company. I have a long time friend that happens to work for this station, and he will put me in contact with the reporter that handles their "scam revealed"stories.

If I do not get my money back in the next few days, it is going to get VERY ugly.

We own festiva usage every other year (Eoy) and after being pushed to change over to point system, we wanted to upgrade to "every year" (Ey) but we requested to not upgrade if we couldn't get financing which they were going to arrange. They agreed we could stay eoy and the sales guy wrote our old contract number on a form. Long story short, when we could not be finaced, they upgraded us to ey anyway. We had been disapproved the same day we were in the sales office. Now we have complained to bbb (We recommend this as well complaining to the state attorney general of nc). They knew about the non-financing but didn't mention it. They told us other things which turned out to be lies — like you can "walk away"from this contract which actually meant you will be defaulted and ruin your credit!). After stonewalling us for months (Ignoring our "letter of dispute"), now they want to revert to us to ey, the old contract. They cannot be trusted. Watch those sales guys at banner elk! Do not do business with these people. Mo attorney general took them to court and they were found guilty. Go missouri; hope nc attorney general follows suit! Do not buy timeshares unless you check the internet first! What a hassle!