Anonymous
map-marker La Conner, Washington

Terrible value, warn others

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This company uses high pressure sales tactics to sell a worthless membership to two properties that are not even very nice. They make it hard to cancel your membership, claiming they have never received your request and continue to charge quarterly maintenance/management fees, unless you send your request by certidied mail.

If you try to cancel by phone, they will not honor your request. They will wait until your fees are over the amount that can be settled in small claims court, then they will send you to collections, garnish your wages, add additional fees and put a lien against your property. They are not accredited by the better business bureau, and have complaints that have been filed by at least 5 consumers in recent years. If you make a reservation in advance, you could be turned away and told to go pay for a motel, at your own expense, with the promise of being reimbursed later.

The memberships are worthless, and you will not be refunded or be able to sell this membership, which is your only hope of getting anything back, when you realize that you paid good money, for something you wish you hadn't spent anywhere from $4000.00 to over $10,000.00 on. I hope they get what is coming to them. They will screw over the wrong person someday, hopefully. Someone who get even on a personal level, causing physical, emotional, or psychological damage, that no amount of money will fix.

They may have already done this, and have no idea what the future will bring them.

When it happens, they may be able to file criminal charges against the perpetrator, get a conviction, and even send the person to prison for 70 to 90 months, or even more. Some people do not care about being locked up, as long as they get justice on a street level.

View full review
Loss:
$4950
Pros:
  • Run of the mill campground
Cons:
  • Poor customer service
  • No resale value

Preferred solution: allow customers to opt out of these worthless memberships, and stop all collections of past due fees, if they have paid the cost of the initial sales price.

User's recommendation: Do not buy a membership from anyone associated with Advance Resorts of America, Paradise Cove or Willow Bay

Tim E Gih

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer

It's Like Hotel California - Try to checkout/you can never leave!

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Over twenty years ago we signed up with them. Then catastrophic family event made it impossible to use their facilities. They told me that if I paid my membership in full, they would cancel the membership. They never did! I am still dealing with them. Then 18 months ago, they offered to settle the maintenance fees account. I agreed as long as they terminated the membership. Once again, they went back on their word. I am still dealing with them. I know there are others out there. This should be made into a class action lawsuit.
View full review
Loss:
$2500

Preferred solution: TERMINATE MEMBERSHIP

User's recommendation: DO NOT GET INVOLVED WITH THIS OUTFIT.

Anonymous

Run away fast

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This place is a dump open to the public also now resorts are outdated and full of drug addicts. The owner is a POS lies keeps sending notices after you stopped membership such a *** Run away from this place do not spend one dime there
View full review
Loss:
$5000
Reason of review:
Return, Exchange or Cancellation Policy

Preferred solution: Full refund

Margaret B Iuj
map-marker La Conner, Washington

Best Advice we can give is don't get involved--Not people of their word!

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We wanted to cancel membership a number of years ago. We were told to pay dues to date & they would cancel.

We continued to received dues notices so called again & were told to ignore them & they would automatically stop when everything went through. They never stopped. Now we owe & keep getting collections notices. Called once again & was told that if I pay up to date & then send in a cancellation letter it will stop.

We were now told that the reason that it never ended a few years back was because they never received a cancellation letter?? This is something they would have received immediately if we were told it was necessary.

But instead we assumed that they were people of their word & that verbal was good enough. Do we believe it this time or is this the membership that never ends!

View full review
Loss:
$1643
Pros:
  • Close proximity to home
Cons:
  • Refund and cancellation policies
Reason of review:
did not adhere to their word

Preferred solution: Full refund

2 comments
Guest

They are pulling the something with me. The owner Knute Olson is a spineless worthless POS Told me the samething about the letter I said where does it say that in the contract.

"Quote It is my rule not in the contract.

I laughed and said nice try but just to please him I sent certified letter. And still getting notices Class action time

Guest

A very frustrating experience. Regret ever buying into their plan and getting OUT is impossible unless you spend $3,500 dollars more for the advanced plan that allows you to sell.

View more comments (1)
Wealthy Nsc

Maintenance fee? For what?

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Updated by user Nov 01, 2017

Today is the 3rd month that I have sent letters telling you I don't need or want anything to do with you or your so called Resort. Why are you holding a person hostage against their will?

And not responding to any letters I have sent. To me this is very poor business....

Original review Oct 18, 2017
Getting charged for maintenance fee and never been on the place, not once. was sent a bill for $750.00 and had to pay or go to court.

What? I paid the amount and sent a letter with the check and never did hear a thing from them. Sent another letter on the 28th of Sep. and still on answer.

I don't under stand why no answer. All I want is to get away from this mess, to me its sound like a big scam. I was sent another bill the first of Oct.

for another 109.00 for the same thing, not sending any more money until I get some answers to why this is still going on . Thank you, Francine Rushing gonefishing3000@***.com RSVP
View full review
Cons:
  • Refund and cancellation policies
  • Never been on any property so how can one judge
Reason of review:
Poor customer service
1 comment
Guest

To this date I have not heard a thing from this place. And I'm still mad to think people take money for there own self. I hope to *** I never hear or see any thing from this so called RESORT"

Anonymous
map-marker Wheeler, Oregon

After paying off the contract ARA would not allow us to cancel membership

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I had only used the resort on the Oregon coast once and my children camped out there once. The place was not well kept and what staff were there didn't really help guide and direct campers.

Tried a couple of times to rent affiliated condos in other parts of US without any success, never available. The pool and recreation facility is in poor maintenance and the fees were increased an enormous amount over the several years I was paying. I stopped paying the maintenance fees and asked to cancel my membership and they refused saying I had to keep up the payments. I have written several times and they just keep sending statements with additional late fees and ignoring my original request.

Now they are wanting me to agree to a 75% reduction of late fees if I pay $650 by next month. This outfit is poorly run and obviously do not listen to their membership.

View full review
Loss:
$6000
Pros:
  • Close proximity to home
Cons:
  • Poor maintenance of park
  • Refund and cancellation policies
Reason of review:
Return, Exchange or Cancellation Policy

Preferred solution: allow me to cancel membership in lieu of maintenance fees due

5 comments
Guest

I lost also over $5000

Guest

They have changed the terms of the contract so many times there's no way that can hold you to the original contract that was signed

Guest

Bought at willow bay thought it was a great deal wow was i wrong want to get rid of it but cant divorced now and her and our children dont wsnt it it is an answering machine u talk to.

Guest

I have gone thru the same BS when I bought it the salesman said they would take My membership back I tried to use the La Conner WA one a few times but never could because they said they were full so I stopped paying the maintenance and wrote many letters to them the only response was

I had to keep paying or they would sue I got a letter last week saying they would waive all the back

interest and late fees but I still think it's a ripoff

Guest

Read your contract. It is probably a vacation club membership.

It should not be in perpetuity. If you don't pay - it goes away.

View more comments (4)
Anonymous
map-marker Tacoma, Washington

Willow Bay Resort on Long Lake

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Amazingly 20 years ago we bought into this resort & it has gotten absolutely terrible. Falsely advertising as below:

Guests can swim in the indoor or outdoor pool or play a game of volleyball. This never happened & was promised 20 years ago.

What was private, has now gone public, & there is no resources given to the manager to upkeep the park.

Willow trees are dying, the picnic tables need painted, & the Willow trees that have fallen need to be cut.

I am begging people to write the owners & convince them to sell as this is such a beautiful place they have let go bad.

If we all did it, maybe we could get something done.

View full review
Pros:
  • Property
Cons:
  • False advertising
  • Park is falling apart
Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised
Anonymous
map-marker Wheeler, Oregon

Oregon Member""

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This place is a joke! They say they have a Hot Tub....However its never working, the pool has bugs in it.

They say they have 3 boats for rent...however one is available cause they other two are broke. The trailers that are for rent are TRASHED out. Rusted, holes in ceiling, table falls off the wall. Light fixtures have no covers, half are not working.

Oh the Best part is the Driveway going in. If you have a RV..You will bottom out.

You pay dues and nothing is ever fixed or replaced. If you are thinking of joining this Resort.

DON'T DO IT!!! Better to just throw your money in the River!

View full review
Reason of review:
Bad quality
Anonymous

They will lie to your face

Basically they tell you that you can sell at any time and they will help you but when it comes down to it, they will tell you that you have to upgrade for another $10,000 or so in order go get that service. They also (verbally) told us that the dues would never increase which was a bold face lie.

The dues go up every single year and are ridiculously expensive. This is such a huge scam. There are plenty of people who will ultimately enjoy the resorts so I don't know why the have to lie to people to get them to buy in.

Greedy *** scammers! Do not purchase unless you never ever want to stop paying dues that continue to go up every year and enjoy being lied to.

View full review
Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised
Anonymous
map-marker Spokane, Washington

Overall Impression Review

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Stayed at willow bay over memorial day......grass not cut, place is a dump
View full review
Reason of review:
Bad quality
Anonymous
map-marker Toa Baja, Puerto Rico

Advanced Resorts of America - Don't Do It!!

Attended the sales presentation for Advanced Resorts of America. When I brough up the complaints filed on this and other sites, the person doing the sales pitch could not address them.

And he couldn't say why we could not find any positive reviews about ARA. The only thing he had to say was "you cannot make everyone happy." And he was rude on top of that. When I was attempting to get answers from him, he shut me down without further discussion to my questions. IF I had been a potential customer, which I was not, he would have lost me in that moment.

Some of the other ARA people sitting in the back did come and apologize on his behalf, but there was never an apology from him.

Funny enough, they gave us our gift and got us out of there office as fast as they could. I would advise anyone considering purchasing there memebership to think twice.

View full review
1 comment
Guest

My husband and I have had a membership for over 12 year, we have only used it 3 times we were was not impressed with the Portland place. We were told at our sales meeting that they would be building more waterfront places and so far after all this time none have been.

I tried to sell my membership and they made it so hard to do so that I gave up and kept paying the dues, then today I just was told.

all I had to do is have my dues up to date Wright a cancellation letter for my membership and it would be done. I have no idea why they never told me that before, well they got another 4 years of dues out of me ugggg.

MissBehavin
map-marker Calgary, Alberta

Advanced resorts of America. Walk away folks, This place is a dump and all they want is your money.

My parents got ripped off buying a membership in this dump. The place is small, Dirty and not a pleasant place to stay. I think my parents only stayed there twice and both times left early thoroughly disgusted.

The only thing these people are interested in is getting your money. Once signed up they harass you with a vengeance to get so called maintenance dues from you even though you never go there.

My parents are now deceased but somehow these pariahs have got my address and phone number and keep sending bills in my deceased fathers name demanding money for maintenance dues.

I advise every one to stay away from this dump and save your money.

View full review
Loss:
$2500
6 comments
Guest

It gets worse. They hire big time scam artist like Steve Thomas to sell at off site sales centers.

He is one of the biggest crooks to ever be in that industry. He is a liar and a thief. ARA knows this and turns a blind eye. He also has his sidekick office girl Robbie that will cover up for him and take his calls.

She is just as bad. We were coned into taking a presentation with a "free gift" that we never got. We bought (sorry to say) and regret that.

Steve Thomas told us there was 8 ARA resorts and a new one was going to be at Ocean Shores. What a liar!!!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-739956

PLEASE contact me at Sarahsheely@***.com. My elderly granfather has been scammed and continues to be taken advantage of by ARA.

So frustrated! I want to help him, and you, too, if I can.

Thanks!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-778506

I am a charter member of ARA that feels the company has defrauded me and breached the contract we entered over 20 years ago. This private, members only facility has been allowed to deteriorate and has been opened to the public for some time now.

It is nothing like it was represented.

I am filing suit in small claims in an attempt to recover the investment.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1394188

Greg, have you gotten where with your suit. I need to find a way to get out from under this company.Rogerrogermoeder@***.com

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1394188

Hi Greg, I am trying to get out of my parents membership with ARA. Were you able to break your contract and if so how?

Thanks! mrtankaroo@***.com

Guest

Thank you for the review. my parents are currently being ducked onto this scam. I'm going to call them right now and let them know not to bother

View more comments (5)
Anonymous
map-marker Portland, Oregon

Lied about resort upgrade upon renewal of membership

We've been conned. We were told that the Advanced Resorts of America was under new management and had been upgraded; new trailers, etc.

However, when we drove 300 miles to stay in one of the trailers at the LaConner, WA site we walked into a filthy trailer. The mattress on the bed was sagging, the stove was gross, the sink drain carroded. I pulled open a drawer near the sink and found a potholder that was burned and dirty. Mold on the windows with curtains that were torn and unclean.

What a joke.

I'm ashamed that we allowed ourselves to get into this situation.

View full review
1 comment
Guest

We too were disappointed. We were planning on using their condo exchange.

We called and were booked into a condo on Maui. Arriving at a filthy, dirty condo that was "on the water" (just rocks, no beach) and three young kids. No a/c, we turned on the fan and someones dirty socks flew off!! We wouldn't use the kitchen so ate out all week--so much for saving a little money!

The bugs carried off our cereal anyway. DON'T BUY WITH THIS COMPANY...

September J
map-marker Woodinville, Washington

Advanced Resorts of America Scammed members into buying an, "Upgrade."

ARA sent letters to members stating they must have a resort issued picture ID to use resorts. Pictures would be taken by representatives of the resort by appointment.

When I went to get my member ID the hardsell began. I said no repeatedly, called my husband to listen to their spiel to make sure I was hearing the deal.

After agreeing to "Upgrade," my husband and I went to Paradise Cove on one of our 5 free stays. The trailer we were assigned to was literally held together with Duct Tape.

The condition of the area was trashy and the trailers were set so close together there was no hope of privacy on our get away. We left immediately and went to find a hotel. I asked to be released from the new contract and there is an option to do so at a huge loss of funds to the consumer. They refused my reqwuest for release and I ended up contacting the Attorney General.

I did get released from the new contract, however; I'm stuck in the old one I bought in 1987.

I don't know where the thousands of dollars I've paid in management and maintenance fees have gone, but they haven't gone to the upkeep of the resorts. I believe this was a scam to get members to buy again memberships they'd already bought and paid for.

View full review
3 comments
Guest

We all need to get together and sue these guys. This is not right. I know there is not an attorney involved in this mess (they wouldn't be caught dead buying into their lies) Could we start a Facebook page?

MissBehavin

These people even hound the deceased for maintenance funds, That's how crooked and desperate they are.

MissBehavin

:( These people are total crooks. Tony Soprano would be proud of them.

View more comments (2)
Anonymous
map-marker Seattle, Washington

Rude service staff campers leaving early

I stayed at Advance Resorts Potlatch Resort Laconner. The park is a joke.

There is little to no room for maneuvering a twelve foot trailer let alone the large busses and 5th wheels. OMG the dinning area and other amenities are really bad. The gutters on the building are decayed and leak right over the enternce doorway. Once inside be ready for a stomach queezy feeling.

The place is loaded with dirt and never gets clean. Inside has a sick smell of mold, rotten wood and the floors are disgusting. I'm out of here never to return.

Lazy staff are useless.

View full review
Loss:
$6000
2 comments
MissBehavin

Very true report.

Guest

employees are crack heads

View more comments (1)
buggarbuttjim
map-marker Seattle, Washington

Potlatch Resorts LaConner Advance Resorts Filthy

Advance resorts of america potlatch resort laconner washingtom, At first look everything seemed good. Outdoor park tidy although seemed to have many puddles of water around campsites.

The recreation room and showers are terrible. There is no handicap access to the weight room that I could find, the swim pool downstairs was nice, there are two hot tubs. The showers and the entry to the pool are horrible. The vinyl matt on the floor is filthy.

I stayed one week and never saw a janitor team. Each morning a front desk personal quickly attempted to clean the place but it was just not getting done. The employees seemed more concerned with their own personal tasks then with customer service. I mostly saw them sitting in front of a computer screen or reading a book.

The maintance personal spent most of the time tinkering with small gas powered engines then with maintaining the spa. During our stay the hot tubs lost heat twice. The pool and spa closed down unexpectingly and then two nights later the place opened up at midnight for a loud private party that campers could not attend. Who ever is in charge of this place should travel up there and clean house.

By the way they are generally way over priced for the few services they provide.

Not a happy camper, this place needs help.

View full review
Loss:
$595
11 comments
Guest

Hi I worked for these people.. Many of you have my cell give me a call.

I have the out for you. :grin

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-739244

Hey! Can you email me your phone number?

My email address is Sarahsheely@***.com. I've gotten nowhere with this company and they've sent my super elderly grandfather to a collection agency FOR NO REASON.

He attempted to cancel his comtract/membership years ago and now he's confused and frustrated. Thank you!

Glorianne Rts
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-778486

Could you send me the rest of the number. Looking to get out, with or without any other help. Thanks Dale 509 969 ****

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-739244

Please please help me we are out retirement money cause of these guys you can email me at popcoffee@***.net

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-739244

Please help me. I have cancer now and been really down.

But laconner was my home park they have closed down and not replying to anyone.

I would appreciate any help. Thanks

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-958629

My parents drove there today (Potlatch, LaConner) and found out they're closed. The private owner no longer lets them lease, so ARA's customers can't use it.

Not even a notice from Potlatch to their customers, and yet my parents just made another dues payment last week to them! To a P.O.

BOX in LaConner. I do believe that this would mean that the Potlatch consumer's contract must be void since they can't hold their end of the bargain.

Glorianne Rts
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-958629

It has been a while any luck on info. Trying to stop them. Dale dlmincel@***.com 509 969 ****

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-739244

I realize this thread is 7 years old but need help getting my elderly mother out of back maintenance fees. I would really like a physical address of the owner so i can deal with him face to face.

you can call me at 928 328 ****. thanks

Glorianne Rts
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1929364

I am looking forward to.stop the collection of this company. Dale 509 969**** or dlmincel@***.com

Glorianne Rts
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-739244

looking for the out. Do not want to pay them a dime. dlmincel@***.com 509 969 ****

View more comments (10)

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