Lion Resorts holiday club

[alliebaba]

We were on holiday in Paphos last Oct when we were approached in the street by a scratchcard operator. With not much to do that day and an assurance we didn't need to stay more than 30 minutes we went along as we were interested to see a new complex. We got a hard sell for almost 5 hrs. It was not as easy to leave as one might think. And don't get me wrong the place was great, which it should be, as it was only just completed. We asked lots of questions as we were sceptical, they absolutely assured us they were NOT a timeshare company. We were suspicious they wanted payment there and then (depostit or full amount) but everything seemed plausible. And when you are sitting for an extreme length of time with two people pressuring you, one who was promoting the complex and one who was the financial person, they worked well as a team deflecting the questions with interuptions etc. In hindsight we felt we were talked into it as when we went along we had no intentions of buying anything!! It was our first visit to Cyprus and weren't even that taken with the place. We paid £3400 by credit card for two, two week holidays in a two bedroom apartment sleeping six people. Flights for two people to a specified value, transfers and 7 days car hire were including for the 1st holiday. Within an hour of leaving the complex we wondered what we had done but fortunately were due to go home the following day. We immediately checked them out on the internet on our return and found many people were having problems and they most definately were a timeshare company listed on a website of known problem companies. Our research showed they definately are not known for providing the levels of accomodation or destinations they claimed. We immediately cancelled in writing by recorded delivery. We were advised not to enter any dialogue with Lion Resorts and ignored their many letters and phonecalls. We handed over the little written informatin we had to our credit card company and althought its taken them 3 months they have succeeded in getting a full refund from Lion Resorts.

[elmafud]

Oh dear....This is a long email but please I need some advise what I sould do!
I brought a Lion Resorts "timeshare" (experience) in 2004 while in Corfu, the following year went to Cyprus (Pafos) and I loved the accommodation and the resort so brought the full package for 30 yrs and thought I was the luckiest guy in the world (hindsight is a wonderful thing). I paid a staggering £12k (I was signal at the time and no ties!), for 4/5 star holidays NOT a timeshare as I kept being told lasting for 30yrs and I could go all over the world as they are with Interval International.
I went back the in 07 for 2 weeks with my parent's and my future wife! we had a fantastic time and as I was on the crest of a wave they sold me a week to use every even year 2008 2010 2012 etc. etc. for a bargain £6k! (MAD i know!) as I hadn't had any bad instances with Lion Resorts and they were throwing in a case of champagne too I signed up thinking I could sell it to friends for great holidays to pay for the maintenance.
of course when I got back home and after a week finding my girlfriend was in fact pregnant then realised it wasn't such a good idea I rang to say that I would like to cancel the 1/2 week I had just brought, thinking that they would understand and there would be no problem! WRONG WRONG WRONG
I had signed up in the first week of the holiday and 14 days had past since I signed so I was tied into a contract and nothing could be done!
2 years have pasted and haven't used the time share as I cant afford to use it BUT hit with the £320 maintenance fee and from 2010 will have to pay for the extra half week (£320) so this year I'm looking at having to cough up £640 maintenance fee!
I've tried calling them telling them I'm having trouble trying to make ends meet with the maintenance fees and surprise surprise no answer!! no help! the only number I have is for "Jenny" who's mail box is always full!
I've had about 6 calls in the last 12 months about selling it ETOO and International timeshare helpline telling me that they have a seller who want to buy my timeshare, thankfully I put it into Goggle with the word SCAM after it and found that in deed they are scams!
Now I'm still paying off the loan for £18k and maintenance fees but cant afford to go on the holidays and the way the world is in at the moment I wont be going on one any time soon! the word "MISS-SOLD" is an understatement I'm trapped does anyone out there know of any REAL companies that buy timeshares????
I know that im NEVER going to get £18k back but this is sending me round the bend!! Have I got a case for getting any money back?
Thanks for your ears!
I understand that Lion Resorts are on here looking at what is being said so im not giving My name.
Cheers Elmafud
Elmafu

[wills15]

[quote="elmafud"](hindsight is a wonderful thing)Elmafu[/quote]

As you say Elmaful, hindsight is a wonderful thing, but we do what we think best at the time and must take the consequence. However, recently I've read cases on the various forums on HW that people have used the legal expense section of their home insurance to ask for a free solicitor to represent them and been successful in getting some money back. If you've paid an add-on for legal costs to your normal home insurance may be worth asking your insurance company if you would be covered.

[julimr]

Well having just signed up here, I am feeling quite sick. My husband and I joined Lion a couple of years ago in Eygpt where the 'sell' was very much as decribed by lots of previous posts! We have since been on holiday with them to Cyprus (twice) and found the hotels really good and, if there have been any problems, they cannot do enough for you. BUT, I have to say that all the wonders of holidaying with them (and RCI) have not transpired. I have just tried to ring them to organise a particular service called Conceirge service and they are closed for Easter!!! I can't believe it - a holiday firm closed. What's more, it is the Friday after Easter!
I would love to pull out and sell our 'timeshare' - because, yes, that's what it is - but I cannot find a reputable way to do it. Otherwise we are stuck with them and paying off a massive £13,000 over the next upteen years. I am gutted.
Has anyone got anythign positive to say about Lion???

[kasia]

We have also bought a membership last year in Cyprus -£3400. Wish I never!
We have in fact use our 2 weeks 'free' holiday this year in Feb, went to Thailand Phuket. Must say holiday was great, accommodation was very nice, although would not give it even 4 stars.

However when we were being brain washed during a half-day presentation (a lot of you know that pain), we were told that for 3 years we can travel with Lion Resorts as many times as we wanted (end even get our friends to use it as often as they wanted)as well as use our membership with RCI and I have even got an email form Michelle confirming that.

After calling Lion at the end of March 09 to book my next holiday for summer 09 I was told I MUST book my holiday through RCI as I have already used my free hols with Lion.
I have argued that I was told that we can use Lion as many times as we wanted and I even forwarded Michelle her own email she sent me that I can travel with Lion as often as I wish only to receive an email back from her that there is NO places available anytime at any resorts!!!!!

Well, I give up!
I just hope that someone will write an article in a newspaper or something to warn all those poor souls that are going to be conned this coming summer.
And you know what, I know just a wright reporter for it (Scotsman)!

[mark and family]

Dear All

I feel sick that I too have been drawn into this product that was mis sold to us.

Has anyone got anything good to say about the lion resort holiday club which draws people in with winning scratch cards.

We as many others thought we had a lucky day and had won something special and with the 4 hour hard sell parted with some of our hard earned cash.

Please can someone give us some sound advice on what to do before we have to pay the balance of over 3000 pound.

Is anyone else interested in forming a dispute and support group for victims of this product.

Regards

[HW John]

This thread is now locked as there is more than enough information included in the postings.

If you have any questions regarding this company, PLEASE read through the posts before starting a new thread.

Thanks for your co-operation
HW Team