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Westgate Resorts pays almost a million dollars for
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The news just broke that Orlando-based Westgate Resorts, one of the largest, oldest and last remaining independent timeshare developers, has just agreed to pay a fine of $900,000 to the Federal Trade Commission for violations of the Do Not Call list.
Westgate, which has already cut about 4,000 employees, mostly in sales and marketing due to the economic crisis has been said to be struggling.
I’m waiting to speak to David Siegel, founder and CEO of the company, and expect a return call from him shortly.
An old time traditional timeshare company, Westgate has beautiful resorts in Florida, most in the Orlando area. In recent years they have expanded to Las Vegas and Park City.
Where the “flags” (the branded resort companies like Hyatt and Hilton), have softened their sales presentation, Seigel at a meeting a few years ago defended the old school hard sell that used to be common in the timeshare industry.
I’m paraphrasing a bit, but Siegel pointed out that the traditional hospitality companies had a business relationship with the sales prospect even if they did not buy timeshare. His company did not. “They’re buying or they’re crying” was his philosophy for the sales table.
I'm just speculatiing, but It's entirely possible that the fine to the FTC is a cost of doing business, like Fedex expects a certain amount of parking tickets on its vans.
My most recent personal visit was a couple of years ago, and I don’t think the philosophy has changed much. It must be said, Westgate has many happy loyal owners, and deservedly so. They have nice resorts with a lot of desirable features.
In my experience, Westgate typifies what I have often said about timeshare, it is a terrific product, sold through a distasteful process.
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