We were visiting downtown Charleston (we had just moved to the area). I went into a building titled "Welcome Center" though I thought I was going into the visitors center. I feel like Festiva misrepresented themselves by putting “Welcome Center” on their sign. Believe me, whenever I have a chance, I will sit outside their door and warn people of their misrepresentation. As well, I will be contacting the Charleston City Council and Better Business Bureau. Once in the Welcome Center, I was told that I could get 3 coupons for free attractions and 2 nights free stay at the Church Street Inn if I gave them $20 cash (refundable) and would just listen to what they had to say about their Inn. I thought it couldn’t hurt. So we did.

Once at the place we were directed to go to, we filled out some paperwork including information regarding our income (WARNING…if they ask your income…BEWARE). We were taken for a walk by a man named Matt Anderson and spent the next 2 hours under high pressure sales pitches. I wasn’t sure I wanted to purchase the timeshare until Matt told us of the website and vacation packages (I now know as Platinum Rewards). Once I saw the benefit of the Platinum Rewards and that I could get vacation packages to my hometown cheaper, I was sold. I mentioned this to Matt multiple times that this is what I was most interested in. In passing, Matt said we would get the first 2 years of the Platinum Rewards membership free with our timeshare purchase. He said a few other things and quietly he later said that there is a $79 a year fee to stay in the Platinum Rewards. When I looked at him about this, he said not to worry, we did not need to pay for it after the 2 years—all we would need to do is contact them and get the benefits of the vacations. AGAIN, WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SKEPTICAL AND WALKED AWAY!

Matt and the old man working with him came and went over pricing. When they determined the overall cost, they played around with numbers and told us that we would get 4000 points on every even year and would get a discounted rate from $13, 000 down to $9, 400. AGAIN, WE SHOULD HAVE WALKED AWAY! And, they would throw in 4000 points for 2009. Once we had agreed upon this, Matt said, there was a maintenance fee of $650 to activate the 4000 points. AGAIN, WE SHOULD HAVE WALKED AWAY!

Finally, Matt said that we can sell our 4000 points and would make about $3, 600. When I asked him how we could do that, he said, “We will help you do that, just call me.” He gave me his phone number. At the completion of the transaction, Matt told me he would call me the next day to answer any questions.

After the purchase was done, I mentioned to Matt and the old man working with him that I was promised 2 free nights at the Inn. They looked at me like I had a 3rd head. I could tell by their non-verbals that they were not happy. I told them that it was written on the piece of paper given to me at the Welcome Center. They told me that they would have to call me about it later. I was uneasy then…I should have cancelled the whole thing then and there. Over the next 24 hours of purchasing the Festiva Timeshare, I continued feeling uneasy about everything.

I did not get a phone call the next day as promised. Two days later, I got a phone call. I SHOULD HAVE CANCELLED IT THEN!

Now that I have researched everything fully, guess what…I feel it was a rip off!!! In addition to paying $9, 400 for the timeshare, I must pay $650 for the 4000 points (every other year). Something they did not tell you is that whenever you make reservations you will be paying an $89 processing fee.

Remember the key to me buying this timeshare was the Platinum Rewards???!!! Well, guess what, you can purchase a lifetime member ship for $1, 499 now that will give you access to this program or you will be subject to paying $300 a year (if not more) for it once the 2 year free membership is over.

I have tried to call Matt (on the number he gave me), and apart from one time where he answered, he never returns my phone calls. The time he did answer, he acted disgusted and shocked that I called. I tried calling other times with no return calls. Today I called his number, the phone was answered, and then I was hung up on. When I tried again, I just got a voicemail and left a message. I tried calling the office at 843-853-5029, and never get an answer.

DO NOT BUY INTO FESTIVA!!! IT IS NOT WORTH IT! In fact, after investigating, I found that I can save as much money (or more) on vacations and hotels by doing online searches by myself.

First let me say that I DO NOT normally give bad reviews. In fact, my positive reviews far outweigh the negative. But, I just had the WORST experience trying to contact Festivia to even make a reservation. I wanted to buy a Groupon for 3 nights, but because their window is so small, the only time we could go is during my kids' spring break. The week "didn't seem" to be blocked out on the fine print, but I wanted to see if they even had any rooms available for that week. Voicemail, voicemail, voicemail and even MORE voicemail and messages and NO response. Even the receptionist had her voicemail on!!! There was a Tara and a Pam and I forgot who else I left a message fore. When I did get the receptionist, she forwards me to MORE voicemail. Do these people NOT want any business? Too bad, I would have loved to go to Tamarack and my family was looking forward to it. I just left ANOTHER message but not optimistic. Completely unprofessional and a time waster for me! Frankly, I am GLAD I am not a member of this timeshare with Festiva. If this is the kind of service I get, trying to make the ecomony better like spending money and NOBODY cares to return my calls, I cannot even fathom the kind of treatment I would get if I became a member. Are you people doing that well that you don't care about people from the outside giving you business? Even took forever to find a place where I can leave my comments! Good luck to those of you who are members.