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A CURIOSITY July 9: Noticed this morning and forwarded
to us was the following notice on a Web site: " This website is temporarily disconnected. If you are the owner
of this site, please contact our Accounting Dept. by clicking here. Thank you." The company whose Web site
used to occupy that spot? http://www.epicresorts.com What could it mean,
what could it mean...?
- UPDATE
July 11: --" In regard to epicresorts.com temporary unavailability, it is important
to note that the site is now accessible. The site access problem was no fault or responsibility of the web development
and hosting firm nor Epic Resorts, and unfortunately, this inconvenience could not be remedied until this morning.
We certainly hope that all of Epic's visitors were not too inconvenienced and can rest assured that both Upmarkit
and Epic are dedicated to providing the best user experience to valued site visitors and Epic members.
Sincerely,
Amyah Parrish
eCEO, Upmarkit, Inc."
Is there or is there not a $20 million sexual harrassment lawsuit that has been/is being
filed against a certain resort and individuals in the southeast USA? Well, this announcement seems to have been
premature-- it's on the burner but not yet filed. We will give you everything when/if the deed is done. Meanwhile,
we are advised that this lawsuit is not the only one on the burner in the southeast. Says one source: --" Sexual
harassment in the timeshare business has always been made a big joke, and one can roll with the flow to a certain
degree, but this situation has went way past its close!!!"
Meanwhile, Kathie Hill has apparently finally gotten herself a real lawyer, and her suit against
Bluegreen is more or less back to square one: depositions, discovery, etc. being handled by her attorney
even as we speak.
More details about all of this as we get them.
E-mail street@streettalkblog.com
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 We are told that on July 3, 2001 veteran timeshare professional Lawton Smith
passed away in Orlando Florida. Lawton was known at almost every resort in town. Said one friend, " He was
a talented man with a big heart and many demons. It is a sad day in Orlando!" We extend our sincere condolences
to his friends and family.
- Memories from you June 6: --" This writing finds me reporting the loss of one fine
looking, gifted, charming, caring, generous (however " creative" ) timesharing veteran.
" On Tuesday, July 3, Lawton Smith (formerly
of Westgate Resorts) and most recently of Orange Lake Country Club, passed away at his home after undergoing a
serious surgical procedure, just a week prior. On Thursday evening, Lawton was remembered by a sales room full
of his peers for his wit, talent and generousity. To see timeshare folks from numerous Orlando resorts, all in
the same room paying their respects, was truly a testimony to the impact that Lawton made on those who had the
pleasure of knowing him.
" He will be flown home today, to his home in Arkansas to be laid to rest on the green, green grass of home.
One of us, taken home so young... leaving us behind with so many questions. God Bless you, Lawton. You will be
greatly missed."
- Regarding last week's memorial to Eddie Gallegos, we have received this thank
you and further information from his family:
To: Friends of Ed
We would like to thank you all for your kind words and remembrances. Ed had requested his final service be private.
Ed's ashes were scattered in the ocean off Makena beach in Maui by his son, Eddie Jr. at sunset on Sunday, July
1st. We said our final good-bye while we waited for the boat on shore. For those of you who knew Ed, you were probably
aware of the fact that he was often late. In the end he fulfilled a prophecy I had often made that he would " be
late for his own funeral" . We tossed leis into the sea as his ashes were scattered.
We all feel a sense of loss at this time. For my sister Vicky and I the loss of a brother, for Debbie and Eddie
Jr. the loss of a father, for Danny, Bambi and Jason the loss of an uncle, and for all of you the loss of a friend.
They say the measure of wealth is in the quality of your friendships. My brother was truly rich in friends. A special
thank you to Keith and Dotsy Sheue from our family. Your friendship and kindness meant a great deal to Ed.
I'm sure our Mother has taken Ed on a tour of heaven by now and he (of course) is looking at the possibility of
time share conversion.
Thank you again from,
Maria Sutter (sister) Vicky Menendez (sister) Sausalito, Ca Marbella, Spain
Deborah Snook (daughter) Ed Gallegos Jr. (son) Hayward, Ca Honolulu, Hi
Dan & Angela Belchar & Michael & Bambi Linnane & Family (niece) Family (nephew) Palm Springs, Ca Las Vegas, NV Jason Belchar (nephew) San Francisco, Ca
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Sunterra bankruptcy update (from documents on file in the Bankruptcy Court): WK
Investors LLC, a Sunterra creditor that acquired prepetition claims from other Sunterra creditors, is considering
hiring Chuck Frey, former Sunterra executive, as a consultant. WK denies any ambition to file its own reorganization
plan or any intent to install Frey as CEO but some insiders question WK's motives in light of the moves it has
made to oppose the extension of the exclusivity period during which only Sunterra can propose a reorganization
plan. Are these tactics merely to get a larger piece of the
company when debt is converted to equity in the Sunterra plan, or are they assembling a team that could operate
the company?
Meanwhile, we hear that Sunterra is selling/has sold the remaining 6 units of inventory in the Ft. Lauderdale
Beach property, along with (possibly) the restaurant and sales space. Sunterra is said to have been asking
$1 million for it, but the sales price is said to be closer to $700,000. Also rumored to be on the block is the
Coral Sands in Miami.
(Interestingly enough, we are also hearing that Westgate Resorts is on the verge of opening a new project
in the Miami area, and it is rumored that David Reed will likely be appointed as the PD. So we naturally
wonder if this new project could be one of those Sunterra properties?)
We hear that Sunterra's Embassy Grand Beach is reopening its Sales Center, and that it has been running
a recruitment ad in the local newspaper. This Hilton-managed Orlando resort is 85% owned by Sunterra and 15% by
Hilton. Sunterra will also be re-opening sales at Polynesian Isles.
- COMMENT
from you July 7: --" RE: Chuck Frey. What a joke.... he's a huge key as to why and
where Sunterra is what it is today !!!"
- And:
--" Chuck Frey???? Was Satan already taken??!!"
Spinnaker's Royal Floridian in Ormond Beach (Daytona, FL area) had
a walk-out the other day after the commission was cut to 7% and the spiffs were taken away. We hear that as many
as 10 liners and 2 TOs left for greener pastures. Rick Meadows is the PD there, and George Walker
the DOS.
And we just heard that Spinnaker Myrtle Beach lost one of its top front line reps to a $16,000.00 charge
back on June 29. Said one source: --" I also heard
that Michael Biacone (trusty side-kick of Nigel) is going to be the manager over the Ghost property in North Myrtle
Beach (is that sort of like having a tea party when you are little and letting your invisible friends drink all
the delicious tea you brew). I was wondering if the sales people had enough of the charge backs and finally stood
up to the resorts?"
Well, some are standing up to the resorts/developers, some aren't. It ain't an easy thing to do, or these kinds
of situations would have stopped long ago.
E-mail street@streettalkblog.com
There are apparently continuing strong undercurrents of resentment and unease at
Dolphin's Cove in Anaheim, CA., and it seems that there is one individual in particular (the one
who has allegedly been pitching heavy investment and allegedly is/was unlicensed) who is not very popular with
anyone except top management. We have unconfirmed reports that the the Department of Real Estate is looking
into Dolphin's Cove. If the DRE found serious enough infractions, could Dolphin's Cove be forced to unwind the
over $1 million in timeshare sales this person has made? Would Fairfield be fined?
Last week we mentioned this: are folks who are not licensed still presenting prices? These kinds of practices
can put a company at risk, we can't imagine that Fairfield is really allowing it to go on. Must not be true...
Well, that opened a little can of worms from people who don't appear to have known that in California you have
to have a RE license to quote prices for timeshare. We printed the following question and our answer.
- QUESTION
from you June 29: --" Every unlicensed timeshare sales person presents prices to
the person on tour. Is that not legal?" Unless the
law has recently changed in California, it is not
legal for a timeshare sales person who doesn't have a California real estate license to quote prices. We don't know about the other states. Anyone want to fill us in? And
since we're on the subject, HEY! to all you guys and gals in Europe and elsewhere: what kind of license to YOU
all need in order to sell timeshare? Inquiring minds want to know. Bring us USA folks out of our deep ignorance
about the rest of the world...
This week we received this interesting note about licensing:
- --" In Pennsylvania, to sell any property, timeshare included, requires
a real estate license issued by the state. However, if the property sold is ONLY timeshare, then what is required
is a " limited" real estate license, issued by the state. In both instances a written test is given and,
if passed, the license is issued. Some tracks who practice churn and burn ... often times just put the salesperson
on the line without the prerequisite license. The corporate office issues an IRS Form 1099 at the end of the year,
for any commissions paid. In the final analysis, if you are NOT a licensed real estate agent, you ARE an employee,
no ifs, ands or buts!
- Once again, any one who wishes to clarify whether
they are employees and/or independent contractors (1099) should file IRS Form SS-8. The IRS will then issue a determination."
E-mail street@streettalkblog.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Consolidated Resorts' Club de Soleil was advertising in the Sunday July 1 Las Vegas
Review-Journal for OPC/Greeter positions for the Aladdin Desert Passage Grand Opening. Is this a different
location that those owned by Kevin Sheehan's Excalibur Marketing (with Peter Braglia on board)? Enlighten
us, anyone?
- COMMENT
from you July 7: --" Totally
separate entities (locations). The Desert Passage is physically attached to the Aladdin."
E-mail street@streettalkblog.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 What's
going on with the Blue Whale in Oceanside, California? This little project has been a perennial favorite
because of its location but it is now in need of refurbishing or rebuilding. The HOA, after months of talks
with owners, has come up with rebuild plans that have some of the current TS owners hopping mad. For many of them,
the extra assessment being charged is more than what they paid for their unit in the first place, and after a cursory
look at the paper work sent to owners it doesn't seem to have been prepared by professionals, nor does it seem
to favor owners in any way. For one thing, the legalese on the paperwork current owners are asked to sign is very
loosely written, and gives very little in the way of guarantees to the owners. If you read the materials carefully,
you'll see that owners are NOT voting on the plans for 'the rebuild', just 'a rebuild' (they can
build anything that they want once they have your approval, and then you have no say in what is built). Also, they
do not have to return your money if they cancel the rebuild (which can be done for 'any reason').
In response to questions from some of you about what appears to be excessive costs for the rebuild, the per
unit cost includes the unit and its share of the common elements plus the cost to level the existing property.
You who live in the area and are familiar with such costs will be able to ascertain whether it is still an excessive
amount.
We are gathering more information from the HOA's point of view, and The Beat will be publishing a full article
on the subject as soon as we have enough available information to do it justice. By the way, TRICOM Management
says they are not involved in any way with this Rebuild Project at the Blue Whale, and they want to make sure everyone
knows that.
This is turning out to be a complicated subject. Stay tuned.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Of interest to consumers, Carmel Financing is now offering consumer financing
for Timeshare, Vacation and Membership Programs, up to $6,000. You can find out more about them at www.carmelfinancial.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lots of people have brought to our attention that Hawaii Marriott's Michael
Kosmin apparently has a new girlfriend. He was seen " prancing around smirking and condescending"
(according to some) at a 4th of July party in Hawaii with local TV co-anchor Barbara Wallace (KHNL News
8). Apparently they are quite the couple-about-town, and everyone is talking about it though we're not sure why
it's important. Maybe it's just been slow out in La-la Land and you take your entertainment wherever you can find
it. You can find a picture of her on the KHNL Web site, if you're curious enough to make the effort. http://www.khnl.com/
--Click on " About News 8"
- COMMENT from you July 6: --" It
isn't important it's just amusing. If
he spent as much time and effort attending to business as he does sucking up to power brokers like Jeff Stone and
showing off his new trophy girlfriend he might know something about Marriott's system, and Marriott's sales people
might actually get occasional tours. We hear they're getting ready to open a second sales room at Ko Olina, they
can't even get tours to the Waikiki office where will the tours come from for a second office? Of course, this
could be sour grapes on my part since I work for the competition, but that makes it even more fun to watch."
- COMMENTS from you July 7: --" What
a shame. Marriott certainly has the
capability to attract the best management in the industry yet they selected a person to take care of their business
interest on Oahu, in Waikiki, who never sold a week in his life is to busy running around Oahu sharing his greatness
with any ears that will listen instead of taking care of Marriott business, and three, has an appalling sales rescission
ratio of about half of all contracts written. Worse yet, most of the sales people only get a pittance of tours
each week, less than 5, in an area that has virtually no timeshare companies competition operating, yet on any
given day, 365 days a year, there are 13,000 tours walking the streets of Waikiki. Of course, when you think about
where Kosmin selected to place the sale center in the first place, its no wonder everything else is not performing
to maximum efficiency."
- COMMENT
from you July 9: --" When I was hired as a Marriott associate, I was told many times
that the only person to make Ko Olina not just a success but a resounding success was Michael Kosmin. So when Ko
Olina officially opens, let's take a look at those numbers again."
- AND: --" Interesting why this even makes press, shame on Timeshare Beat.
Stuff like this really helps your credibility. It looks like Marriott's 'competition' is ready to take shots at
a gallery that hasn't been open for even 8 weeks. Let the Marriott marketing machine get cranking and Ko Olina
will be a resounding success. While Starwood flounders to open in Maui, Marriott will be opening it's 6th sales
center in Hawaii and continuing to break records. We don't mind the cheap shots and ridiculous rumors, just look
at the sales and see who is number one, year after year after year..."
- July 10: --" What a ridiculous personal attack. I am a Marriott associate
and was at the July 4th barbeque, Michael might have been smirking because he was cooking for 70 plus associates
and their families. Those who know Michael will follow him to the pot of gold that is within the reach of the most
powerful timeshare organization on Oahu!" NOTE from The Street: This particular email was especially interesting
because we have very good reason to suspect that the person who sent it is not a Marriott associate at all, but
rather someone, er, um, more intimately connected to the, um, situtation. We asked for verification of this person's
identity but have received no further communication. Oops.
E-mail street@streettalkblog.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
" To control a situation through confrontation or emotion does not
indicate superior ability. After all, it takes no great skill to embarrass others into retreat." -Donald G. Krause, The Art of War for Executives
Amerisuite's first branded timeshare product, Timescape's Calypso Cay Resort
in the Orlando area, is already running into personnel problems. According to several reports we have received,
one of the (former) sales reps is a very nice 71-year old man who is recovering from bladder cancer. During the
movie, when no one is allowed to leave the tables, he had to excuse himself to visit the restroom-- a situation
that should have been recognized as legitimate and handled with finesse. Instead, T.O. Joe Cacho is said
to have followed him into the restroom screaming at him for leaving his tour, followed by Mark Watson. Watson
reportedly had a physical confrontation with the 71-year old man, complete with pushing and shoving, and then fired
him. With checks due on Friday, the man asked for his check to be given him on Saturday, whereupon Watson allegedly
advised him that they would put his entire check in his reserve fund and not pay him.
Note that there were several reps (plus some tours) who observed this sequence of events, and they were so hot
under the collar about it that they stormed out. Some of the reps who stayed have since been told that those who
left were fired. We know that some are asking around for a good lawyer.
We are also told that there are people on the line who have ailments such as diabetes who have had to work for
8 hours
straight without a moment for food and have suffered because of it, almost passing out. (Ever heard of the Americans
With Disabilities Act? Better look it up...)
Said one source, " ...there is no lunch because they have to take tour after tour.
Mr Watson is very insulting to them. The days are long the money very little. Pay checks are every two weeks so
that means sometimes it's a month before you see that deal come good."
Said another, " We write leases and we see no paper work. My customers have called
me because their checks are not deposited. That is in violation of FREC. Checks for deposit of sales are also not
deposited on time. We are paid 3-4 weeks after a sale. No half checks are issued. Bonus is held for weeks. We are
also not advised of kicks, so that we cannot save our deals. Kenny Campbell is the PD and has no respect or regard for any person there. We believe that there is a great
deal of wrongdoing at this resort and many of us are going to attorneys."
As the reps are busy talking to attorneys, The Timeshare Beat is busy with Amerisuites. As we look deeper into
this situation, we will keep you apprised of what is going on.
- NOTE from The Street:
So now people are being threatened for talking to The Street. You morons, with all the people who witnessed this
event, and then talked to other people about it, how can you possibly assume that you know who did the talking?
Our FAX, email and phones runneth over.
- COMMENTS from you:
- July 6: --After watching Kenny Campbell and Mark Watson's antics for
the last 10 years I can truthfully say that being physically abusive to an ailing 71 year old salesperson could
only be termed a misdemeanor. ... I only hope that whoever witnessed this incident will bring actions against these
two and stop this kind of abuse, and a long list of other things, which has been going on for years."
- July 7: --" Ken Campbell did this at Island One - for too long - and
cost them plenty -"
- July 7: --" That movie would make me run to the bathroom it's a joke,
I can understand why Mark/Joe reacted the way they did it's subliminal reaction from the pirates tying up the women
in the movie. It's sad when you have a corporation that has very little knowledge of the timeshare industry. Mr.
Bradley ( Calypso Cay/ Amerisuites President) made his decision to get rid of the professional management and replace
them with low lifes in the industry with the likes of Mark & Kenny. ... It's sad because it had a great beginning.
The management team/ reps. that started Amerisuite had worked with brand name company's likes of Hyatt, Hilton's,
Marriott's, Etc. so they knew what it would take to operate a name brand product. Mark & Kenny do not have
nor will they ever have the quality that it takes to run & operate a brand name product. ... I hope Epoch has
big pockets and good attorneys because when the consumers open their eyes they will realize the lies that were
told on the table. ... Epoch better hold on to there checkbooks. I'm surprised FREC hasn't stepped in yet. ...
Calypso Cay Resort/ Epoch properties deserves whatever they get for hiring two of the biggest pirates in the TIMESHARE
industry. Good Luck on your possible suits!"
- July 11: --" Kenny is one of the best leaders in the industry and would
do nothing to hurt his employees or the people with the pockets. I have personally seen him go into his own pocket
to help out a struggling sales person and take the time to give the extra training needed for sales reps to make
a living. As far as getting paid every two weeks there alot of resorts that do that example.... Vistana, Westgate,
Summer Bay and more. Please in this buisness learn to budget. I have never seen Kenny ever get physical with anyone
and there has been times he should have. Also, whining about lunch breaks, please take breaks in September, October,
when it is busy make your money."
- IN RESPONSE July 11: --" When
you are diabetic there are certain dietary rules you have to follow if you don't want to drop dead or go into a
coma. It doesn't have anything to do with whining you idiot, it has to do with health."
(P.S. -If we had a nickel for every time someone refers to management in this business as " a little Hitler" ,
well, we'd be taking a looooong vacation to somewhere really fancy with that money...)
E-mail street@streettalkblog.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
QUESTION from you: --" I am a holder of Bluegreen points at Christmas Mountain. I was on vacation in TN this past week and one of the
reps at the resort I was staying in said that Bluegreen was going to switch from deeds to 25-year leases. The rep
went on to say that it was a matter legislation being passed before they switch and the legislation could be passed
today, tomorrow or 6 months from now. I don't know if this was a sales pitch or if they are going to leases. I
called the corporate office and no one knew anything about Bluegreen switching to leases. I also called my congressman
when I got home and other agencies to see if could find any other information. I had no luck.
" Is there anyway you could find out if Bluegreen is switching to leases."
Well, Bluegreen, ARE you switching to leases?
- IN RESPONSE July 6: --" Glad
a customer finally asked!!!! This is
the oldest, or newest, depending on how you look at it, pitch in in-house. We have all been trained to pitch the
lease as a way to build urgency. Bluegreen has never said a word about switching to leases!!!! Yet almost all of
the in-house depts, and some of the regular lines in Bluegreen are pitching it. In fact, here at [X resort], it
is a common joke...'didn't you get the letter? You know, the one that the company sent out explaining the lease
program?' BALONEY!!!!!
" I wish just for once someone in this industry
would pitch the product for what it is, and stop setting the industry back 20 years with all of this BS. ... Of
course they will all deny it, but believe me, this pitch is expected and trained on, at least here at the in-house
at [X resort]."
- COMMENT
from you July 6: --" Here at Fairfield Myrtle Beach and at all of the Fairfield in
house departments throughout the company we have used the lease versus deed pitch for 8 plus years and it originated
in Williamsburg many years ago. Bluegreen did not invent this pitch. We don't tell the customer that we're going
to a lease. We simply ask them that if they were the developer which type of ownership makes more sense to you
as a developer a lease or a deeded sale. In a lease sale the client would have to buy more after the lease expired.
Take your choice Mr. Customer. This is an urgency pitch. By the way, Disney does sell a lease and a couple of Fairfield
sites are registered to sell them also."
NOTE from The Street: This is a whole different animal,
and this pitch (which is a legitimate pitch) has been in existence practically since the beginning of timeshare.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Branson, Missouri & Park City, Utah:
Quote --" To the Marriott salesperson in Park City who strutted into the Westgate sales room carrying the owner's
kit of the Westgate owners he had just burned:
" I believe your comment to the girl who gave you a receipt for the kit was 'You should
have hired me when I applied for a job here'. If we would have had a momentary lapse in judgement and hired you
when you had applied then today would have been your last day anyway, because the Westgate Park City sales team
does not need to burn others' deals to make a living and that practice is not tolerated at all (although with the
commissions that you get paid I can see where the temptation came from). You see, if you were really a salesperson
you would have been taught to sell them another week because when these owners see the final product that Westgate
is building they will truly be sorry that they ever listened to you.
" Oh by the way, we kicked your ass again this month in sales, and we didn't burn
a single deal of anyones."
In Branson, we are hearing that Spinnaker sales reps and OPCs are claiming
to be the " sister resort" to Marriott's Horizons. That is, when they aren't claiming that Horizons will
never be finished, that Marriott is famous for not completing resorts, and that the Horizons is a piece of junk.
We have received that news from several different sources, all of whom claim to have been OPCed and/or toured by
Spinnaker. What's up with that?
Horizons by Marriott: Construction proceeding nicely, with a HUGE reception/activities building, along
with 44 units, scheduled to open mid-October, with an additional 44 units by next spring. Marriott always finishes
what it starts.
Timeshare wars. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.
- COMMENT
from you July 6: --" Ever watch a soap opera? " All my children" or " As
the World Turns" .... that is about the size of activity in Branson... if it's not Spinnaker vs Marriott it's
Fairfield vs Surrey or some trash resale company that advertizes on the local channel in Branson insulting Surrey
and Spinnaker.
" It is true that Spinnaker has been telling their customers they are the sister resort of Horizons by Marriott
seems their OPC booths which are plentiful around Branson and is one major cause the City Government is drafting
a bill to limit OPC marketing in Branson keeps telling lies about who they are affilitated with. Let's set the
record straight. I am an owner with Marriott Vacation Club International in Florida... have been for years. I know
Marriott will finish the Horizons, Marriott will finish all they plan and they are the Largest Vacation Ownership
in the business. I have always gotten a two bedroom when and where I wanted with Marriott because of the way they
have set up their program for their owners. Can Spinnaker Owners claim the same? I think when Marriott officially
opens the doors on the Horizons in Branson Spinnaker and all those OTHER TIMESHAREs better hold on to their socks."
- COMMENT
from you July 8: --" First of all 'hold on to their socks' doesn't apply here. This is
the Ozarks, we don't wear shoes, or socks. We call all of the resorts our 'sister' and our 'wife' too. The only
reason the government here is drafting a bill to limit OPC marketing is because they misspelled DUI which is one
of the requirements to tour people in your car in Branson. The only thing Marriott could shake up the Branson folk
with is a lock on the good fishing spots."
E-mail street@streettalkblog.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Regarding last week's kudos for Shell San Francisco, which was said to be close
to $2 million for the month: the $2 million number was a little exaggerated - they did $1.59 million net with a
VPT in excess of $1570, which was the best month in San Francisco that Shell has had for a long, long time.
Perry Bergelt was indeed brought in to run sales. Perry is now responsible for sales in Arizona, New
Mexico and San Francisco. He has installed Andy Wunder as Director of Sales in San Francisco, who has
been with Shell for a few years.
Alan Banks is still the Project Director for San Francisco. Bob Witte is still the Marketing Director
for San Francisco. John Murphy is the Regional Director for the Southwest (Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico).
Says Shell: --" We have finally turned the corner as a company. Year-to-date we have doubled what we
did last year this time in net sales. June was our best month year-to-date with net sales in excess of $9.6 million.
As usual - it is all due to the quality and determination of the folks on the front line."
E-mail street@streettalkblog.com
 KUDOS: Congratulations are in order for the in-house team
at Hilton Sea World who
had their first million dollar month! Hot Stuff!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~
Congratulations to Carmen Lawson at the Big Cedar Wilderness
Club in Branson, Missouri. Carmen got a be-back who decided they did not want an exit program but rather a
71,000 point package to come back for four weeks at the Big Cedar Lodge in Branson... total sale: $84,000. Rumor
is, it was the biggest sale in Bluegreen History.
- COMMENT
from you July 8: --" What's even more impressive about the sale at Big Cedar Lodge is
that it was done without a TO!!!! No TOs are allowed at Big Cedar Lodge!! They are closing as well or better than
anyone in the Branson area! Hey folks pressure is out, building a solid rapport and pitching it straight is the
key to success!! Let's all keep weeding out the liars and high pressure sales people!"
And speaking of Bluegreen, quote: --" Bluegreen
takes a lot of heat and some of it is much deserved. However, I think it's time for some kudos. Although it's true
that the Cleveland offsite center was closed due to low profitability, all eleven other Bluegreen resorts and sales
sites are well over plan for volume and profitability year to date.
" I'd like to say congratulations to all the salespeople at all the sites for a job well done! You all know
that Bluegreen just finished their best quarter ever. Now let's tell the world.....! Great job - keep up the good
work! And remember - keep it clean and keep the customer happy because that will determine your fortune."
E-mail street@streettalkblog.com
Just Wondering:
- Who has the contract for those box programs in Denny's Restaurants we hear
about throughout California? What company is this, and who are the main people involved? We hear it is wildly
successful and must be making a ton of money for someone-- but who? And who is getting those tours? Is this whole
thing a big secret for some reason? Is it even true?
- This just keeps getting more and more intriguing.
We are told that the person(s) who own this successful program just want to go their quiet way without any publicity,
do their own thing. Sorry, not a chance, we're hot on the trail now. A couple of weeks ago we might have said OK,
but now there are too many people who want to know why it's all so secretive-- with The Street at the top of the
list. We got one name that we're looking into: Michael ------ (Care to fill in the blanks?) This is more
fun than a human being should be allowed to have.
- What's happening with Robert L. Drake's Granite View Resort in beautiful
Prescott, Arizona?
- Is there anything to the rumor of Peppertree at Tamarack/Equivest Mirror Lake Resort
in Wisconsin going back to selling fixed weeks instead of vacation club points?
- Does anyone know if Fairfield still owns the land next to Harbortown Point
and Marina Resort in Ventura, California that was once permitted for additional timeshare accommodations?
E-mail street@streettalkblog.com
Here is where you'll find the list
of women in positions of authority within the industry: Women in the Biz. Having finally gotten around to
alphabetizing this list by Company name, we realized that Fairfield is totally unrepresented. Are there
no women in positions of authority working for FFD? No PDs, DOSs, Sales Managers, VPs of Something, and so on?
And where is Consolidated Resorts, and Diamond International? How about Sunterra Europe (Grand
Vacations Company)? Escapes! (Cooper Share)? Pahio Resorts? Tempus Resorts?
E-mail street@streettalkblog.com
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" The quality of the ruthlessness in an
industry is relative to the amount of money that is at stake." --unknown
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 For convenience (and to shorten the length of this page) we have opened
a Legal Issues page here. It contains information, resources, discussions and personal experiences
with the legal system for your edification, as well as notices and updates of lawsuits, court decisions, questions,
etc., as we receive them.
We
are told by an attorney that one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself in any situation regarding
employment is to KEEP VERY GOOD RECORDS!!!!! Otherwise, you will be at the mercy of the record keeping of the company
you may be going up against. Not a good scenario. Can you successfully sue for owed commissions and other matters?
Yes, but it depends...
" Personal
experiences of people regarding
E-mail street@streettalkblog.com
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- Lee Farthing, VP of The Esperanza Residence Club (an Auberge Resort
located in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico) has announced the opening of the Los Angeles, California Hotel
& Residence Club Reservation and Sales Office. Caroline Jones has been appointed as DOS for the
L.A. office. She previously worked with the glamorous Palmilla Resorts, also located in Cabo. Esperanza is one
of 4 Auberge Resorts. It consists of 80 hotel suites ranging from $800 to $6,000 per night. The Residence Club
has 80 2- and 3-bedroom villas with prices starting at $175,000 per 1/12 ownership.
- Westgate Resorts is apparently looking to expand into the underserved Puerto
Rico market, with an investment of as much as $70 million. This could be very good news for Westgate owners.
Puerto Rico is beautiful, in the Caribbean, and a Commonwealth of the USA.
- In the Palm Springs, CA area there looks to be a boom in the timeshare industry.
Who will all the timeshare companies be behind these developments:
- The Shari Levitin Group has announced that it will begin conducting timeshare
sales training in Spanish, a big step forward since there is so much timeshare throughout Spanish-speaking countries.
You can read about it here.
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- Sunterra Resorts: The sales process continues for Tahoe Seasons, Carambola
and Harbour Lights resorts, and other non-core assets. Keep your eye on the Coral Sands in south Florida,
too.
E-mail street@streettalkblog.com
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| Eye on
the " other" Street... |
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On Thursday, July 5th, 2001, at close of market:
- ILX, Inc. (AMEX-ILX) is still moving upwards closing +6.11 % at $5.04 and exceeding their average daily
trading volume of 6,409 shares to 33,000. ILX has more than doubleed in value in the past 90 trading days.
Trendwest Resorts, (NasdaqNM--TWRI) was holding strong at $24.50 up 1.66% but volume was notably down for
the day at 3,500 shares compared to their average trading day of 12,409 shares. Trendwest, since December 2000,
has made steady gains and has also doubled in value during the past 6 months.
Heller Financial (NYSE:HF) trading volume was down substantially at half their normal trading day but only
lost $0.12 for the day closing at $40.30. HF, in the past 10 months has also doubled in value from a low of $20.25.
Cendant Corp (NYSE:CD) activity today increased rather noticeably and traded 11,020,200 shares, ending the
day in another 52-week high closing at $20.95-- up 3.31% over Tuesday's close. Cendant stock has also very quietly
doubled in value from a low of about $10.00 this past January.
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E-mail street@streettalkblog.com
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- After six years of being with Gold Key Resorts, David Adkins, marketing
guru of the east, is moving on. Where to? A position with Intrawest, where he feels he can better satisfy
certain personal career goals. We hope this means that Club Intrawest is getting bigger, and that there will be
more information released about them in the future.
- Is it true that Rebecca Buchanan transferred from Epic's Daytona Beach Regency
to an Epic resort in Arizona?
- Bluegreen Resorts finally confirmed that John Maloney has joined
the company in the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Resort Division, Operations and Business
Development. Maloney's initial responsibilities include senior management direction of Big Cedar Wilderness
Club, in Ridgedale, MO, and the marketing alliance between Bass Pro and Big Cedar. Additionally, Maloney will assume
responsibility for corporate marketing together with call centers, as well as assist in the development of new
product lines, including the introduction of a high-end fractional sales division.
Did you notice the high-end fractional part of that statement? Maloney was most recently Senior VP, Sales and
Marketing, for The Owners Club by ClubCorp-- high-end fractional. So Bluegreen is spreading out in a new direction.
Interesting... You can read the whole press release here.
E-mail street@streettalkblog.com
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