Club Salina Wharf

[Dill60]

BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN BUYING A TIMESHARE AT CLUB SALINA WHARF.

In April 2007 we were introduced to Club Salina Wharf by a timeshare tout, well, he gave us 20lm (nearly £40) to go.
We liked the resort, the accommodation is excellent, but had no intention of buying a 15 year timeshare. We kept saying no to the representative. We told her that we already own a one week t/s on Malta and that we don't wish to holiday any where else in the world. She then offered us a 5 year contract, her last shot was a 3 year trial membership in a one bedroom apartment for £750 at the Salina Wharf, no membership with RCI. As we always take a 2 week holiday and up till then have rented somewhere else to run concurrent with our t/s we decided to agree to the 3 year package. We thought we would be staying at Salina Wharf for the next 3 years in the Red Band.

The agreement we signed is headed Club Salina Wharf, states that "Bishops Travel Ltd agrees to allot and the purchaser agress to use three weeks of holiday accommodation subject to terms and conditions stated hereunder and overleaf" which were:
the years of occupancy, apartment size, maintenance for each year and the purchase price.
The conditions overleaf were straightforward as the representative went through them, but she omitted to mention that "For year two and three, please see Dial an Exchange conditions to be adhered to." We were not given any conditions or information about Dial an Exchange.

We were given 3 Accommodation vouchers for use in Red weeks.
Our letters of agreements read:
" We are pleased to enclose Accommodation vouchers for the three years you have purchased, which formally recognises your occupancy at Club Salina Wharf". This letter goes on to discuss upgrading etc.

The second letter started:
"This Holiday Entitlement is designed for you to try a temporary membership with us here at Club Salina Wharf for the 1st year and a choice of hundreds of resorts for your 2nd and 3rd year."..... and then also went on about upgrading.

We arrived for our first stay at Salina Wharf 3 weeks ago. A discussion with our holiday representative (the person who had to try to sell us full membership) revealed that years 2 and 3 HAVE TO BE DEPOSITED WITH DIAL AN EXCHANGE. We can not stay a Salina Wharf unless someone else deposits their red week and even then it would be unlikely we would get that week. Also we would have to pay the yearly maintenance and a £75 fee to Dial exchange.

We were dismayed and angry, the rep was very cocky, told us it says clearly on the agreement and on the vouchers. Both mention Dial exchange but as the first rep didn't mention it let alone explain about it we didn't realise the relavance, especialy as there was no mention on the letters. We were lied to by an omission of the facts.

Then came the sympathy sell. The only way to stay a CSW during red band was to buy the full 10 year package. In fact, for next year they would throw in a free week in red band, and in our dismayed state we fell for it, well we would be getting our £750 taken off the new deal and it was a good price.
We were given a special typed letter to read stating that we were to have 2 weeks in red band in 2009 and then a new contract to sign, and a nice glossy photo of the next phase of apartments, all slipped in to a fancy folder.

When we got a proper look at the contract 5 mins later we saw that from 2010 we had purchased WHITE band.
We went straight back to the rep (the manager) and he said not to worry, that is just for RCI purposes but as we only want to stay at CSW all we have to do is phone him and he will book us in on any date we wish. He was very sympathetic and convincing.

BUT, the next morning we asked to speak to someone else, we were given the "big boss". We asked him if we could stay in a Red week when we had paid for a White week. Simple answer, NO.
Eventually we had a re-fund, but in the mean time we spoke to several other members who also had stories of this kind, sadly they remained ignorant until it was too late. Even those who had bought in the Red band were having trouble booking their holiday for when they wanted it.

Our membership package from Dial an exchange arrived whilst we were still away. No one has yet banked any weeks for anywhere in Malta. We will not be paying any maintenance fees or exchange fees. Our week at Club Salina Wharf has cost us £750 but they won't be getting any more money out of us.

[CyprusWithBabies]

My parents purchased an 18yr TS at Club Salina Wharf in Feb this year.

They go to Malta for a month each February and tend to spend a little less than £380pp for 4wks on HB basis in a 3 star hotel in Bugibba.

They like going to Malta and have been for about 7 or 8yrs running now but the last couple of times they've had to keep choosing a different hotel as a number seem to be closing down for one reason or another.

Last 2 times they've stayed at the Topaz but noticed a difference in the service levels this time.

They purchased a 1 bed apt at CSW and will want to go there every year. As they travel in winter season, it's probably not going to be a problem for them. They will still go for 4wks each year. The 1st week is free and the additional weeks are £50 per apartment per week. We picked up flights for them at a very reasonable cost with Air Malta flying from Manchester.

We live in Cyprus and fly out to Malta to join them each year. We can also stay in an apartment for £50pw. We usually pay around £20 per room per night on HB basis for the 2 of us - think last year we paid £9.70pp per night for Half Board at the Topaz.

The only disappointment so far is the CSW aren't very flexible with their arrival dates. We can fly 5 days a week from Cyprus with Emirates but we have to phone CSW to make sure there's availability for us and the arrival day is okay with them....

It wasn't explained very well to my parents. They were told to inform them of their flight arrival times and the driver would come and collect them... Oh, yes - he would at €50 for a return trip when we can get the same journey for them at €35 with a local taxi firm! They thought it was part of the deal...

Of course, they will have to pay the yearly maintenance fee but because they want to go to the same place each time, they will book directly which means they won't have to join the RCI club and pay extra for the membership.

They really got it for piece of mind knowing they will be able to go to the same place and meet up with the friends they have found as they always go at the same time each year.

Unfortunately, we are still sceptical about it so the jury is still out, so to speak. Will see how the visit goes next year.....

[Dill60]

Hi Cypruswithbabies,

I think it is quite possible that your parents will be ok at CSW if they have signed up for the full membership. Do you happen to know which season they have bought, blue, white or red?

All club members are offered unlimited extra rooms at £50 a week for blue season, it goes up depending on the season, and this seems a very good deal, one of the reasons we joined, but I do not know if it works!

I was under the impression that CSW have 5 arrival days, maybe that depends on season too.

At least you discoverred that they charge over the odds for the taxi service.

We too have found Air Malta offer the best flight deals.

I hope you and your parents enjoy your holidays there. Please do let HW know how you get on.

Good luck,

Dill

[CyprusWithBabies]

Hi

My parents only go to Malta in February but were told they can go anytime from Nov to end of March, so obviously it's winter season but not sure what colour that would be...

We weren't there when they purchased it - they told us about it the day we arrived and we went and had a look around the complex a couple of days later. It does seem very nice and is probably in a better location than the last couple of hotels they stayed in.

They don't really go out very much at night and are content normally to stay in the hotel watching whatever entertainment is on with just a couple of drinks from the bar. The pub seems nice enough and of course, all the rooms have satellite tv systems so they can always go back and watch a movie.

They bought for 18yrs and were told it can be passed onto me (their daughter)...

Will keep you posted.