Vacation Internationale

We used the vacation about three or four times. The rooms were nice, they were clean, they were not awesome, their pools were sub par and they were not as nice as our other time shares or a hotel for that matter. It was disappointing to know we paid 6K, $762 every other year for a rental timeshare. Don't let them talk the whole time while you are signing, read the tiny print in the contract. We definitely got bamboozled by a friend introducing us for the sale. We trusted that our friend wouldn't sign us up for an expensive lie on a presentation. We were wrong, I could have stayed at luxury hotels for less than what I spent for this rental ownership. Learn from our mistake. Would you spend more than $15,544 in 12 years on luxury resorts you can use every other year? Probably not.

We get in the main conference area. Loud music playing in the space and everyone is smiling and wearing Tommy Bahama shirts and khakis. Seem very islander and everyone is on vacation. Cool right? So we sit with a gentleman who starts out using profanity, often with us, I later believe was to make us feel comfortable. This 30 minutes was him asking us a lot of personal details about our lives, all pretty much hinging on our relationship. He mentions my make, model and year of my vehicle without me mentioning it or putting that on paper. How her and I would soon be marrying, wanted ages of our kids I had from a previous marriage and our child together. We are both in public service, what a weird coincidence, he's former military. I believe this was either a false story of his military time or they had him choose us for the public service piece and reliability.

There is ZERO talk about what they're selling us or trying to in this time. I call this the ice breaker time. We have our walls up. She's getting irritated. I am keeping my wits about me. The loud music was nauseating and disorienting. Jimmy Buffet cranked sorta thing. We're two feet from this guy and we're all yelling over the music. It's ridiculous. Constantly being interrupted by other salesmen coming up to us with nearly seemingly scripted banter they planned at certain times. Think 80's standup comedy but worse. We all, and by all I mean one other couple, pile into another area separated from where we were by a wall. Now is the presentation. "Presentation", ha.

It's another 30 minutes of listening to the actual sales pitch, sorta. It's a lot of dates and "the Bobs" (being their founders both having the name Bob) by a shorter male. He was nice enough but was cringy 90% of the time. We wrap it up, go back to our original tables with our former military guy. Then he is trying to tell us about the packages. Here is the sales pitch right? Hell no. It's more banter, his "boss" comes over, a lumbering tall Italian guy. They all have a story. His was having married a white girl who wasn't italian and his grandfather being racist and disappointed. Eye roll emote here. He evidently also has a developmentally challenged child which I seriously hope is NOT just a story cuz how messed up would that be?

Anyhow, the former military dude mentions him coming from a broken family... it was like this. All intended to make the potential customer feel pressured into buying. Relatability and making you feel bad is their goal here. I could not speak about how crap this was enough. So the Italian dude, he's cringy, stares at you when he makes lame jokes, just uncomfortable. We now are to follow him into his office. We walk in looking at the time being well over 90 minutes at this point from start to finish. We have kids waiting at home, things to do, better things to do like root canals or castration with a brick. We sit. We wait. He comes in, finally the sales pitch, no joke. It's finally happening.

$6K and change gets us the thing they're trying to sell us. Wait, you can't do that?! Okay, here's a special employee only deal, $3K. Can't do that either eh? Okay, super secret deal, I would get fired if they knew kinda deal. $1600, $170 or so monthly gets you points and this that and the other. We're done at this point. I ask him if he has a business card, can we circle back, his demeanor totally changes. Says "no, you can't. No, I have no business cards. This is right now commitment". I told him nope and we were leaving. He gets all huffy with us, "hold up, can't leave yet, I need to give you your free gift". I said no, that's okay and I wanted to leave now. He blocks my egress and says he has to have me sign off for the gift whether I wanted it or not. I am now looking at their lobby which has no door knobs to exit the front. Ah yes, when we entered they buzzed us in. I am now feeling like I am being illegally detained.

I am eyeballing the fire exit thinking what are they going to do. He comes back, we sign, he's very aggressive telling me he doesn't care if we use the Disney trip or not and to stay, let's talk more. I charge the exit door with my girl behind me ready to fight my way out if I need to. He follows, motions to the clerk up front to buzz the doors open and we walk out with him up my backside the whole way talking in my ear and then snidely says "you folks take real good care now" as he watches us leave the parking lot.

I felt completely violated both emotionally and psychologically. I felt like I needed to shower, no joke. The whole ordeal was intended to swindle people from their money. Relatability, manipulation. They also need you to be a couple. They will not see you if you're alone and they do not allow you to separate to discuss. It's all very intentional, organized manipulation. I studied psychology many lifetimes ago, this was all very well planned out, methodical and precise. Looking back everything was orchestrated to make us feel comfortable, let our guard down and be pressured into making a poor financial decision. It was calculated and intentional. Nothing was unscripted, everything was driving toward bilking innocent people out of their money.

After sending this $647 thru WF Bill Pay, they still kept sending me emails that I haven't paid. I opened a claim with WF BP to investigate where this money went (VI took the money but never credited it to my account). I tried to call them many times, sent emails, and left voice mails to let them know about my findings but to no avail. Nobody responded. I think that I should report them to the District Attorney. I am surprised these people haven't got sued yet. I even called their management company, EQUAINT, but they're the same. I waited over an hour and nobody comes on the line to speak to you. Do yourself and your family a favor, STAY AWAY from these creeps.

We have about 3 weeks worth of points (almost all bought on the resale market and then transferred in when Pacific Shores went belly up) and we have found VI resorts timeshare program to be excellent. Their resorts range in quality from middling to good and the value is always excellent. If you are content to work within their system, and you get up to the platinum level of their prestige program, the value can't be beat.

When we used to be RCI members - it seemed like we were always paying too many extra fees - A typical holiday might cost $300-600 to book (RCI membership, transfer points, extend points, high booking fees etc.) so we quit that entirely. Now at VI we pay $20 for each booking - that's it. If there is a change, they are usually very keen to make things work. If you cancel more than 30 days out, you get your points back (or 24 hours if you choose to pay for last minute cancelation insurance). If you have another timeshare that you don't want to use one year, you can deposit it and get a fair return in points. Been a VI owner for about 10 years and very happy with the product value and service.

There is a legitimate third-party (Anderson, retired gentleman’s hobby) site that is free that sends a newsletter out listing points for sale and usually needs odds and ends that are unused for other people who don’t quite have enough. Think family reunion. In my years of experience, both the resort staff and VI phone staff are wonderful, courteous and respectful. Part of my enjoyment is seeing the same staff at the resorts time after time. Management finally put restrictions in place to keep other other timeshares (Diamond, etc.) from claiming all of our locations were in their system and disallowing block advance reservations. I feel like we have our timeshare back, to some extent.

Virtually all of the negative reviews are from people who thought they could get something for nothing, then when the third party sales people did not provide all that was promised and were rude, they blame VI. The reason they can’t tell you what company they are calling from is that they are calling for so many different ones. We do not have a property in Cabo, or several others that were mentioned. Additionally, the owners own all of the properties in trust. When another company TRIED to take us over and stole lots of Torres Mazatlan property, it cost us quite a bit to get it all back.

We now no longer farm out to another management company and strictly keep it under our control. Part of the reason it is hard to get into some of our original resorts is that we have bailed out so many small failing timeshares to keep them out of bankruptcy. Consequently, we have lots more run down properties, or otherwise not prime, with many more members. Additionally, management has finally put restrictions in place to stop other timeshares (Diamond, etc.) from claiming our properties as part of their inventory.

They also stopped “block” advance reservations from these same companies. So, please do not blame VI for scammers using our name to get you in to these horrible time-wasting presentations. Not that I want more members - I just take it personally to see all these negative reviews from mostly people that have never used the program, whereas you will note that nearly all of us owners give VI 5 stars.

When we arrived, the establishment was hardcore about practicing social distancing precautions (which is good, right?). You had to wear your mask, they were checking temperatures, they wiped the pens down after people touched them etc. However... As soon as our names were called, we were greeted by the infamous Chris who did not have a mask on and was very vocal about his right to "Not be told what to do with his body." Okay... That is already strange but whatever, we kept it pushing.

As soon as we sat down with Chris, he gave us zero information. We were both very vocal about the fact that we were skeptical about the whole operation so he knew that we were already on the fence but nonetheless willing to listen. He proceeded to ask us personal questions and because I told him I was just there to support my fiance, he kept asking us questions about how long we've been together, where we met, if we had kids together. Oddly, the conversation reared in the direction of covid and social distancing. He then proceeded to tell us that he didn't believe in social distancing and that he doesn't feel like anyone can tell him what to do with is body...Which was all fine besides the fact that we spent 10 minutes in the lobby upon arrival being screen, poked, and prodded for social distancing purposes. It made no sense that he was clearly anti-social distancing. Anyhow....Another red flag we noted but ignored.

While he proceeded to talk about nothing related to why we were there, I was on my phone texting with my son. Chris then proceeds to ask me to put my phone down and "Participate." First of all Chris, I'm not 5 years old and perhaps if your pitch was convincing, I would have been more engaged. Secondly, he had no business telling me to put my phone down. Longer story short...Chris and this entire establishment are a joke. When my fiance asked him if all prizes outlined in the email he received would be honored, Chris' response was "Well I don't know...I don't know what was in the email." So basically, whoever gets you in their door is a completely separate entity and they clearly do not communicate with one another.

I ended up telling Chris that he was way out of line and we got up and left before having to sit through the 90 minute presentation which basically suckers you into purchasing timeshare through them. Chris was so flustered after I told him that he was way out of line that he stood up and said "I'm going to get my manager." Why? For what? Because you have no responses for people who aren't naive and gullible? Save yourself the time and don't waste 90 minutes of your life on this nonsense that you will never get back again. I'd rather watch paint dry for 90 minutes!! Not today VI...Not today or ever, lol.

THIS IS A SCAM. THEY WERE RUDE, DISRESPECTFUL AND DISCRIMINATORY. The tactics of this business are disgusting and if I ever see or speak to anyone in relation to this business I will give them a piece of my mind. I think I will also write a letter to their corporate executives about my treatment. What a SCAM. They are not legit, and who would want to engage in with such disgusting business? THERE IS NO FREE ANYTHING.

Considering that Hawaii should be a destination highly sought, I was frustrated to have traveled so far to find such inadequate accommodations. I had the feeling that the front desk staff was there to check-in clients, then the staff became unavailable. Myself and family have stayed at other VI resorts; found similar issues, not updated, missing lights, or damaged items inside the condo. I recommend a walk through after each client checks -out of the condo.

I am in sales and then Byron the sales guy pretty much said people with no money come here for a free trip. So other words people that can't afford it do and they convince them to buy into into something they shouldn't. Not to mention it was a turn off that the sales guy said we didn't have the money to buy, We could've cashed out without any payments on the most expensive one but bottom line is we weren't SOLD on it because we felt it wasn't worth it. Little disappointed in the attitude we got when we said no. Also at the very end they tried to shoo us out of there without giving us our 40. Deposited that we gave. Bad experience overall. Bottom line we have plenty of money to make any decision and cash out but your people ruined it.

I went with my boyfriend, was chastised for being at a presentation before, by an older man, Jerry, who then told me because I was not married to my boyfriend who attended with me, I needed to pull up my bank account on my phone to prove I could purchase something. I refused and was very angry, several other salespeople apologized and one asked me not to give a bad review with his name, "He is just old and can be inappropriate". I did not purchase anything and left with a certificate for the trip. I filled out the certificate, mailed it in as required, was contacted by Casablanca Resorts by mail: to schedule the trip I had won (at the Embarcadero Resort, Newport Oregon) was told it would be 3-4 months later in Sept before they would have availability to schedule.

I made the reservation for 9/22/2019-9/24/2019. I took time off work, my boyfriend took time off work. Two days ahead I called the Embarcadero about the reservation, they had nothing and told me to call Vacation International at 541-574-7743, they did not have the reservation. The person I talked to, Sherry, stated that the certificate says Casablanca Express so this is not Vacation Internationals problem, would not give me the next person in charge name or number, who she said was the GM, and that they were out for the weekend anyway. When I insisted someone had to be available for members, she then said she would have the GM call me back, she called back instead and said there was nothing she could do, I would have to address this with Corporate, 9/23/19.

One of the best perks of VI is that if one learns how to “work” the system; plan ahead; make reservations well in advance...you can generally get your location when you want. AND you’re not locked into the same location, weeks, property, unit size as most all the other timeshare companies sell. The units are always renovated and kept clean; the grounds impeccably maintained; and onsite staff helpful and friendly. Maintenance costs over the years have increased to be sure; but where else can one stay in resort locations, in comfortable accommodations (not luxurious if that’s what your budget allows), at more that reasonable daily rates?! I’m sold on the program and have been since we first made our purchase. As I’m currently in my mid 70’s; my traveling days are going to be winding down about the time my contract runs out. It’s been a great experience and I have many happy memories that revolve around my VI vacations!

Matt told us we could get a 2 BDR which slept 6 People on Oahu for 4 nights with our 52 points a year. The nights are 20 points a night, that’s only 2 nights a year. There’s no 2 BDR on Oahu. And on the other islands if you get a 2 BDR you have to book 7 nights according to the booklet they gave us. Matt told us if we couldn’t use our timeshare they would sell it for us. My wife called a year later and was told no one wanted to buy our timeshare. So you sold us something no one wants. We can’t use it. We don’t own anything. It’s worthless.

According to the booklet VI has no places in Alaska, San Francisco. and other places we were told they have. If we go to Sedona, AZ would cost 18 points a night. Which is only 3 nights year. We tried to get a place at Whitefish, MT for a year and no rooms available, had to rent a motel 17 miles away on Expedia. When my wife called to complain they told her they could get us a room at White Fish in the winter? I'm not water skiing in the winter. WOW. We tried Leavenworth, WA. Must book over a year in advance. According to the lady at the Blackbird Inn. In Leavenworth. We had to rent a motel there. Last year we took 3 vacations. Had to use Expedia. No places available or VI had no place we wanted to go. Matt also told us we could get airfare for ½ price through VI Resorts. Don't think so. VI has no place by Disneyland nor on the strip in Vegas.

We talk to an Attorney who gets people out of timeshares. He explained that this is fraud. VI don’t own all the buildings and the ones you do own They rent out. This way there’s no openings for the owners. This was not explained to us. Nor is it written in our contract. Also he said the renters don't pay Maintenance fees. But the shareholders do. Even if we can't use our points. So we are paying for their maintenance fees. He said this is fraud. He told us much more. But that’s for later. Except they want thousands of dollars to get us out of our timeshare. Which he said they would do.

OUR Contract is for 105 EOY or for 52 points a year. For 12yrs, at $ 7,734.00 with 1,160 down. Financing $6573.90 at 16% = $12,413.25 for the timeshare package plus Mnt fees of $850.00 EOY for 6 years = $5,100.00 for a total of $17,513.25. In Hawaii. We would only get 2 days in other places, 3 in some areas, 4 days a years. With an average of 20 points per night. 3 days per yr on average. For 12 yrs = 36 nights... 36 nights divided by $17,513.00 = $486.00 per night. VI has no place in Oahu for 6 people. Expedia is $375.00 for 6 people per night. At 2 nights yr, $729.00 per night. Matt showed us it was only a couple of hundred dollars. A night for 6 people. San Fran $190.00 per night Expedia. VI has nothing in San Francisco. If they did it would cost us $486.00 per night. VI has no place in Alaska. Expedia would be $90.00 to $200.00... If VIP had any it would cost about $400.00… Nothing we were told is real.

VI resorts has no places anywhere we want to go at all. Matt told us they did. We told Matt I traveled for work and didn't always know where I would be or when I could take a vacation. Matt told us that was no problem because they owned these big resorts... Apparently not... This is the worst investment of our lives. MY opinion it's a SHAM... Don't do it. There is nothing in my contract that says they can take away my points, but they are going to... How is this right. Some who is not a shareholder is in my room and I'm paying for it too. That's double billing.

We attended the presentation. At first this were ok. The young lady who was with us was pleasant and not pushy. We were told that everyone who attends their presentation is always treated with respect regardless to if we sign up or not. We saw a demo room in the Carriage House and we were very unimpressed. The room put us in the mind of a motel and not a luxury vacation home. With that we were very turned off. My cousin said she had to decline and that she had checked out. An account person came over and didn't take her saying she was out. He continued to push and once he saw she wasn't changing her mind, he became very rude and dismissive. After this we were both very turned off and knew the was no way either of us would ever purchase with VI Resorts.

They gave us our "gifts" and it was not what was promised AT ALL! We received various free show tickets but there was not 5 of the same show ticket in anything they have us. We only received $100 in the slot credit and it was for a casino that none of us had ever heard of or seen. We also did not receive the food voucher. Instead, we received a discount card for a limited amount of restaurants. We did get a card for a 2 night stay at the Plaza Hotel and Casino. However, it was not free. We would have to travel Someday through Thursday or have to pay a surcharge and we would also have to pay a $25 reservation fee. The was no airfare included at all in the "gifts". The only thing we did get as expected was the $50 gift card. This was a complete waste of our time! Just based on my presentation experience, I would not recommend VI Resorts-Vacation Internationale to anyone.

My first usage was The Oasis in Palm Springs, as my dream was to someday own a condo there. We drove thru the guard gate & checked into our lovely unit with its private garage, 2 bicycles, full kitchen & washer dryer. It was so exciting to settle in for that first long weekend (just 3-4 nites) and feel like we owned a vacation condo. So exciting! The trick about owning a timeshare (and I now own multiple ones) is you must plan ahead. As long as I plan properly, we have traveled the world with the most amazing accommodations at such a low prices.

Our other favorite spot is South Lake Tahoe... tho that resort is quite humble, it SO beats a normal hotel room. It can’t be beat. And V.I. is a pleasure to deal with. Their online booking system is smooth & efficient, & whenever I call the main office, each person is nicer than the last. My husband and I now own over 800 points, so that should be all you need to hear. Most of them we’ve purchased on the secondary (resale) market — at a nice discount— from either elderly owners who can no longer travel, or sometimes from their children (heirs) who have no interest in using it. Their loss is our gain. We save a FORTUNE on travel accommodations.

But, I believe, VI organization as a whole operates within Owner Board Members; this becomes a lucrative and cohort 'side business' for those who's been with VI for a very long long time! As you move up the point tier, you receive cheaper discounts, up to 50% when making reservations at different propriety sites within 60 day period. So, now being in the 'in crowd' VI family with over 350 points and above. It's extremely cost-effective and tax deductible as a '2nd property' annual dues/maintenance (HOA group expense).

As a Sunterra Pacific owner, I owned Interval International, yet, VI did not grandfather that additional Vacation option in during the forced takeover. 5 years prior VI tried to sell me Interval International again, which got me more upset with my timeshare takeover experience. I told them, "but I'm an owner of Interval International back before the VI takeover in 2003-2004." And was hung up on! No possible arbitration to regain Interval International ownership. See, the very governing bodies of Sunterra Pacific makes up VI members and individuals may very well transferred my I.I. ownership to their personal inventory in hopes that I no longer have any hard copies of my original contract with Sunterra Pacific, which is now one of the same!

Most recently, points were disappearing from my banked points and there is no way of understanding why they have disappeared! A Total of 103 Points in a span of 5 years vanished! I finally spent 3 full days to figure out their complexed point removal system, an error of 103 pts as an up-to-date fully paid VI timeshare owner. Which, by-the-way is more expensive than my annual property taxes on my condo... annually!

I'm just surprised that VI hasn't started bankruptcy papers as more Property Share on-line Vacation is the new wave for tech savvy individuals with FBI and local government agency background checks made available as for public view! Point share has become downgraded and I'm surprised VI is still floating. They also overvalue the point stays at their property! You still pay at check-out time of more taxes when it should be built in on the annual dues. Yes, buyer beware! I have so many VI points saved and give them away as Christmas presents as I DO NOT like to stay at their inventory resorts! Out of principle! I think they operate as a not for profit organization as their lifetime members run the show! I'm just not in the 'in crowd'. One strong advice! BUYER BEWARE!!! Week stays are starting to bring back more of an appeal, rather than overnight stays! At least for myself!

VI places are not luxury, so if you are looking for large swanky vacation spots, then VI is not for you. If you are looking for clean, well maintained condos, in some of the of the best vacation spots in North America at reasonable prices, then I would definitely recommend VI. We bought 91 points from VI, which roughly speaking means we can rent a one bedroom condo for 7 days in high season demand. It cost us under $700 a year. Try and find a one bedroom condo on the beach in Maui for $700 a week. My wife and I decided two years ago to buy another 91 points, and will likely add more as we just retired.

I see some people have had issues with the sales process. I cannot vouch for the sales tactics, as I bought 20 years ago. I can vouch for the product. If you are looking for quality vacation options, a flexible system, and people interested in maintaining properties at a reasonable cost then VI should be on your short list. If you are looking for a free vacation for spending 1 1/2 hours in a sales presentation, well... what do you expect.