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Lenoir City woman receives
unwanted credit card after free vacation offer
LENOIR CITY, Tenn. (WATE) — A Lenoir City woman who believed she would receive a free vacation for attending a seminar ended up signing a membership agreement she didn’t want.
Tiffany Bradford was
enjoying an October weekend with her grandchildren in
Sevierville when she was invited to “attend a two-hour seminar
and, as an incentive, get a free week’s vacation.” She agreed to
attend the session because she wanted that free getaway.
However, she was surprised when a bill arrived for her
membership agreement with Club Wyndham.
She agreed to the offer believing she would be
charged only if she took the vacation. She wanted the membership
canceled and Wyndham has provided a response.
Bradford works part-time, about 15 hours a week, from her home. She is disabled and unable to work full-time because of poor health. She lives on a tight budget of $1,400 a month in Social Security disability. When she took her grandchildren to Sevierville for fall break in October she was given an incentive to attend a seminar by a Wyndham representative. “I was offered a week’s vacation at one of their resorts, a free vacation,” said Bradford.
To receive the
vacation, she was told she must sit through a two-hour
session.
“It wasn’t a group gathering. It was one-on-one. It was very intimidating,” said Bradford. “I thought I was sitting across from a car salesman.” “He assured me it was not a timeshare,” she continued. “And he also assured me that this has nothing to do with a credit score, that was one of the most important things that I stressed.” Bradford said the Wyndham representative then shifted his pitch and touted the company’s discovery program saying it’s a perfect fit for her. “He said, ‘this is what I’m going to do and I don’t do this for everybody. I’m going to sponsor you.’ I didn’t know what he meant. When he said “sponsor” that meant to me this is not going to cost me any money. Apparently, I signed up for this, a Wyndham Rewards Earner card. And by the time I left, I had no idea that they had applied for a credit card for me until it came in the mail and I started getting bills,” said Bradford. Within a week or so a Barclays Visa Credit Card arrived. “There is $4,036.50 that is charged on it,” said Bradford. Not only is there a $4,000 charge, but she’s expected to pay a minimum of $40 a month. Bradford said she doesn’t intend to pay the $40. Here is why. Under the terms of the contract, it says the Club Wyndham is offered to people who are fully employed. She, however, works from home part-time and due to her health can’t work full-time. She sent a letter to the state hoping they could intervene to have the Rewards Card canceled. In response, Wyndham denied her cancellation request saying she “signed the contract stating she understood what she was purchasing.” “I don’t have a lot of money. But I value a good credit score,” said Bradford. She said the card she doesn’t want will hurt her score. “I want it to go away. I want it off my credit. I want it erased,” said Bradford. We sent an inquiry to Wyndham. In their response, the company provided good news for Bradford. “Given the limitations Ms. Bradford says are associated with her disability, Wyndham Vacation Ownership recognizes that she may not be able to fully utilize and enjoy the benefits of her Discovery membership, In consideration of her inability to fully utilize the membership she purchased and as a goodwill gesture, Wyndham Vacation Ownership will agree to rescind her contract with a full refund,” wrote a Wyndham representative. Bradford said, “a huge burden has been lifted from her shoulders.” Wyndham said it will send the necessary documents directly to her so she sign and return them. |
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1/20/25