Alan Thicke Can't Save Tahiti Village Timeshare Company From Going Under
Even the hearty television presence of Alan Thicke couldn't help Consolidated Resorts, Inc., a company owned by Goldman Sachs that sold timeshares, from going belly up. An anonymous tipster emailed us yesterday to say that they "just laid off most of their staff, including all collections, customers service, marketing, information technology departments." And according to this insider, this is good news for consumers.
You may know Consolidated Resorts better by the commercial with Alan Thicke trying to sell you on Tahiti Village timeshares.
They gave us a few minutes to collect our personal belongings and asked us to leave with no severance packages for those of us who held professional positions with the company for several years.
The explanation given to us this morning was that GMAC had decided not to work with us. GMAC provided most of the funding to customers wanting to finance a timeshare.
While I was one of the ones laid off, I'm not really sour about that; I expected it and am frankly surprised the company lasted as long as it did being as shady as it was.
I considered submitting the foul practices to Consumerist before, but I didn't want to lose my job over it. They did a lot of stuff that was wrong, but it doesn't really matter now if they are made public because they are filing for bankruptcy.
Of the bad things, at least the ones I knew of, I can say the ones that bothered me the most were:
- Misleading customers to think they had properly invoked their right to rescind by simply calling in within their 5 day period (when really they had to send a certified letter). The customer would think they were relieved of the horrible investment then 30 days later, they're stuck with a big fat bill.
- Using celebrities like Alan Thicke, George Wallace, and others in a game show for timeshare purchasers to win free getaways or a million dollars. The game show was called 2nd Honeymoon. The real purpose behind it was to manipulate buyers from invoking their right to rescind. It worked too.
Here's a clip from a taping of "Second Honeymoon." You can watch it and dream of the Tahiti Village timeshare you'll never own now—or just marvel at this example of the awkward scenarios people will put each other into in an attempt to sell them something.
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Comments:
I drive by this joke once in a while... With so many places to stay in Las Vegas on the cheap how they ever convinced anyone to buy one of these south of the end of the strip amazes me.
Maybe he shoulda had his son singing there so they could have half a chance at breaking even.
Wow, even his R&B falsetto-singing son has more integrity than he does!
All I can hear while reading this article is the annoying voice of the lady on the radio commercials repeating over and over again: "Comeon! You know you wanna!"
ugh.
Yeah the radio ads with Rosanne Barr were pretty annoying.
Is there any way to check the health of other timeshare companies? I'm curious about Royal Resorts, not because I've heard anything bad, just curious since they're the timeshare co. I'm most familiar with...
Consolidated owns more than just Tahiti Village, they own at least one unit on every island in Hawaii, and I think 3 on Maui.
I own one and have to say, they have been great. Straight forward, always helpful and were not deceitful (as far as timeshares go) when we bought in. The biggest difference with them is that they don't sell "points", they sell property to which we have a deed to and pay small,yearly property taxes on in Hawaii.
Never had a problem with them, except that they had that crappy spokesperson.
People are still buying timeshares? Wow.
The Alan Thicke commercials are one of the greatest things of all time. Sometimes I just walk around saying 'LIVING LIFE!!!'
Good riddance to Tahiti Village. I couldn't walk in or out of Treasure Island in Vegas a couple of years ago without be hassled by them. They stood on the corner of Spring Mountain and the Strip outside of the Fashion Mall and also outside by the Sirens show. One time, I said (probably tersely), "I'm not interested." One of them got all snarky and was like, "Hey, I don't deserve that! You don't know what I'm selling."
Oh yes I do know. Now leave me the hell alone!
At least the "Card Flickers" for the hookers don't try to talk to you.
How does the "Second Honeymoon" game show result in losing your right to rescind?
@heybtbm: I had the same thought. I fail to see any logic behind buying a time share. For what your forking out every year you could pay for days in a decent hotel in the same area.
Of the people I know that have bought them I don't know one who didn't lose money on the deal.
People rely on Alan Thicke or George Wallace* for anything? Shocking.
* I'm going out on a limb here and guessing this isn't the "Segregation now, segregation forever" guy. Right?
@cubsd: I agree. For an insider's expose', this article seems to be a bit short on details.
As to the points made and a basic understanding of "Buyer's Remorse" laws; It isn't necessarily required to cancel via certified letter, however this is probably the best way to do so for proving your valid claim in court (or more likely via binding arbitration) I suppose you could record a phone call, but you'd still need reasonable evidence as to the date the call was placed.
The game show in and of itself may not have made it more difficult to rescind, only that it was a part of the attraction to the seller's place of business which weakens or eliminates buyer's remorse provisions.
Consumers' protections under these laws are strongest when the pitch is agreed to at a remote location from the seller's operations (such as at a fair, convention, or via telemarketing, etc.) When you sign a contract at the seller's rightful business location, it gives a strong implication that the buyer knew what goods or services were likely going to be offered, and would have had ample opportunity beforehand to research the company and its product prior to signing on the dotted line.
Generally though, I'd expect most to all timeshare presentations to take place on one of their own properties anyway, as opposed to a meeting room in a hotel not owned by them in the first place, so I'd really like to know more about how specifically the game show hindered consumers from rescinding any more than otherwise.
I hate being bothered by people selling timeshares when I'm on vacation. Last time I went to vegas I had at least 10 people (in 4 days) try to get me to a time share area for a "free show." I was rude to the last two people telling them to f**k off.
@Trai_Dep: That would suggest that if I needed someone to convince others that segregation is fantastic, I'd rely on George Wallace.
Alan Thicke on the other hand? Hmmm... I'm pretty sure, in at least something in this great big wide world, Canadians might be useful at it. :)
Maybe they'd still be in business if they had hired Billy Mays...
Ha. I stayed at Tahiti Village in Las Vegas once. It was a very nice place, but we weren't interested in the time share pitch so we just paid for our stay.
@cubsd:
With the "Vacations" mentioned, I'd guess that perhaps they're sent on vacations that don't return until after the date has passed?
I'm feeling totally lost now since I was a person who was generally just lovin' life and now I have no place to go.
@Quake 'n' Shake: I finally determined the trick to getting them to leave you alone is being alone. When my wife went with my on my business trips to Vegas, we'd get harassed by the same people 10+ times the same day at our hotel and any others we visited. Ever since I started going alone, I've literally passed them over a hundred times without them speaking a word to me.
Glen Gary, Glen Ross
I would buy a timeshare from Papa Smurf before I'd buy one from Alan Thicke. For an investment of only $25,000 you too can spend 2 weeks a year in the Beautiful Smurf Village! If you become a gold plus member for just $2000 more you get a free brunch with Gargamel or that ogre guy - what was his name??!?!?
@cubsd: If I had to guess, I'd say that the requirements for winning are that you must stay enrolled longer than the rescission time. This would mean that you can't win unless you forfeit your right to cancel your contract.
Would you buy a week each year in castle Grayskull from He-Man? Actually if they are using Alan Thicke they are using the C-teamers - so the question should be would you buy it from that guy with the parascope neck?
How about George Noory from Coast to Coast with his "friend" Tonya Roberts (George goes on and on telling everyone who she is, apparently she had a bit role in some Bond movie) that has a special just for listeners with fifty rooms available in tahiti village FOR FREE!
Timeshares can be a great deal...But not these. They sell these things at retail for $16-20 K and almost every dime goes to the developer and sales comissions. None of the money is invested back in the property for maintenance and upkeep . The promoters get their money and a big profit and RUN .They have no long term interest in their guest/owners.
The better way to buy is second hand on Ebay or through the resort itself. I own 4 timeshares right on the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf O'Mexico that I could never afford to stay at at retail. Far from being expensive , they guarantee an affordable vacation each year and I can trade them for resorts in other parts of the country when the mood hits. I have never paid more than $300 for a week and many of these weeks originally went for over $20 K.
Tips- Do your homework. You can research a resort for free on Yahoo Travel or Tripadvisor.com. A great investment would be Timeshare Users Group which costs like , $20 a year.If everyone writes that the place is a dump and smells bad , stay away.
Many ,many prime timeshares go begging on Ebay without drawing a bid. If you really like a certain beach town or resort spot ,check here first. Odds are , there is someone who is dying to sell. Don't expect any bargains on locales where there are severe building restrictions (like Key West or Telluride),but there should be some nearby areas that will work out fine.
Check the maintenance fee first. If the MF is outrageous , that may be why the owner is selling. Also , try to find out if any special assessments are due or have been approved by the board of the resort. These can kill you .Call the resort and ask. many have a website with bylaws and announcements that will tip you off to potential problems.
Visit first. Pictures lie. Lying liars use pictures to do their lying.
Anyone ever seen the commercial for the Napple that Alan Thicke endorses? It's an apple that helps you sleep.
Watching that clip took 23 seconds off of my life I'll never get back. Thanks.
Yay! This means I won't be harassed by Tahiti Village timeshare shills on my next Vegas trip!
That's shocking with such A-list celebs as Alan Thicke, Tanya Roberts, Roseanne Barr and - Jesus wept - Eddie Munster pitching for them.
@mk3: Just an FYI most point based systems are deeded as well. There are substantial reasons that the companies orient this way, not all of them beneficial to the fractional owner.
I had the same experience at Tresure Island also. One day, we had a few drinks and figured "What the hell, let's piss some people off" So one the bus we go, let them give us the spiel, and whatch their head explode as we say "no" over and over again. We did get free tix to an comedy show, however. Everytime my husband I and see the commerical on TV, we have a good laugh.
@mk3: I actually purchased one of these and currently am making payments (I blame my children: their properties trade right into the Disney timeshares) so what does this mean for me, I wonder? Oh joy, now I get to spend time on the phone with them, if there's even anyone left at the office...
@yasth: Agreed - I uh, own one of the point types too (through Hilton). No snarky comments about owning two timeshares, please; they've been a good buy for us as we actually use 'em.
@sonneillon: The trick to shutting these people up is the following sentence: "I'm on a flight this morning/afternoon/evening." They usually beat feet after that.
@Snarkysnake: Good points, all. We bought a property from Consolidated but we bought it from their "used" stock for a fraction of the price. Works out well for us since we bought it primarily to trade into the Disney timeshare properties but I'd never have paid full retail on it.
@heybtbm:
People have actually bought timeshares? Wow.
Seriously, WTF. Is it not so entirely obvious, like billboard with pyrotechnic displays, dancing llamas, and a 54-foot high picture of a pile of bull manure -level obvious?
These things have been a scam from DAY ONE, when some criminal mastermind thought to himself "hmmm, I need a new way to separate fools and their money... the old ways are just so boring."
I worked for Consolidated Resorts in Hawaii in the sales department for 12 years. I always found the company to be a fair and competitive outfit. It ran pretty good while Michael Kaplan was at the helm. It slipped down hill fast after the purchase by Goldman Sachs. Something to be said for knowing your market...eh? They outlasted some of the bigger players through thick and thin in the past. Is this what happens when you sell a "sales organization" to a "bean counter organization"? I wonder if Artie and Michael had it to do over again...if they would still sell the company in view of what's happened? Tadpol
GMAC + Goldman Sachs + timeshares + washed up actor in ads really sounds like an recipe for evil.