Ready for my first negative comment on my blog? Well here it is….
May 14, 2008
In March Anthony & I visited a campground/resort called Martin Lake Resort alone, no children. It was very peaceful, quiet and beautiful. It had a great pool, baby pool and Jacuzzi, new putt-putt golf course, and not to mention this beautiful clear lake with paddleboats. So we decided to join after being so welcomed with polite caring considerate employees. Boy did the owner Jerry do a wonderful job of selling us on buying a membership to his “Resort”. He wanted so bad to meet our kids and was just extremely personable. We loved it to say the least. You’re probably thinking right now, how could this be negative, right? Keep reading….
About a month later we took our kids back with high hopes they would love it too. To my surprise (not Anthony’s) no one remembered us, and wasn’t as nice & polite as they had been the first time we visited. It was still rather chili as a cool front had passed thru the weekend of the trip. The kids weren’t happy; they were bored to say the least. There is a small, rundown, and old playground not worthy of using at all. The water was cold and anytime we did something the grounds keeper/maintenance worker was right there watching every move we made and telling us about the rules we apparently had broken. Not to mention the kids couldn’t go by the lake or pool without an adult. (They are 8,8 and 11) I found it terribly uncomfortable to have someone watching over me like I was a child and telling me what I can’t do on a consistent basis. So maybe it was just a fluke? We decided to give it another chance…and considering we had become members…
We planned another trip over Mother’s Day weekend which included Anthony’s mom, my mom, my brother his wife and his young children and of course my family. Hoping this would be wonderful and we would all have a fabulous time. It was warmer what could go wrong. I reserved 3 cottages #3, 4 & 5. On Wednesday, May 7th before we were to arrive, I received a phone call from Martin Lake saying they had over booked the cottages and could we please switch cottage 3 & 4 to cottage 7 which had a loft to accommodate two of the families. I happily agreed and requested my trailer be put on a larger site because we have a Ford F350 (my daughter refers to as a “Monster truck”). She told me they would put the trailer on “Dogwood Street” and it was $1 more. I told her great and that was no problem. Everything was set and the employee who called me was so thankful I was very willing to make the change.
We arrived Friday, May 9th at about 8:00 pm to find our request of where our trailer was supposed to be was not where we were told it would be. Anthony had to get on his bike and drive along each road of the campground in the dark to find our trailer. It was located on a different street not where it was supposed to be. Very distraught, we hooked up our camper and were thankful the truck fit in the spot they put us in.
The next morning, a business decided to have a company picnic in front of the lake, they had a lot of people, and loud music, a far cry from the peaceful, relaxing Martin Lake we had envisioned our family members to enjoy with us. Around 10:00 am the owner Jerry came to cottage #7 (my brother and mother’s cottage) and asked if he could show the cottage to some prospective members and it would only be 3 more times today. My brother told him he wasn’t comfortable with that because he has 2 small children that nap off and on during the day and he didn’t want them woken up. Understandable right? Well Jerry begins to get pushy and says, “it will be only 3 times today and it wouldn’t be a bother. My brother says again politely, “Well, I’m sorry we really aren’t comfortable with that, someone already came at 9:00 am trying to show off the cottage and we were getting dressed for the day and it was very uncomfortable.”This is when Jerry cops an attitude with my brother explaining in an arrogant manner, “that we make $6000 dollars on our memberships and this is what sells it and we’re so proud of it, I need to show this cottage off.” My brother says again, “no, it’s not going to work.” Then jerry says, “Your guests of which members?” at that point I step in and say, me I’m Kate….and my husband is Anthony….and he storms off.
I then go to the office to pay & check in for all of my guests who are staying there. He comes marching into the office saying, “I just told (can’t remember the person’s name he said) there will be no guests staying in cottage 7 ever again, only members who will let us show it off and who are those people anyway?” At that point I really was so irritated (beyond mad might be more appropriate) I couldn’t bite my tongue any longer, as politely as possible, I told him that it was my brother and my mother and the only reason they are in #7 was because your employee’s over booked the cottages and I so graciously switched cottages to obliged your mistake, not to mention that our trailer wasn’t where I was told it would be. When we got here at 8 pm last night, we had to look for our trailer in the dark. Would you like to know his response? Well everything’s ok now isn’t it, in such a manner as he could care less and his “Resort” did nothing wrong….
Now mind you this was Saturday morning and we weren’t checking out until Sunday afternoon, so, I had no choice but to bite my tongue really hard and leave the office immediately. Had nearly my entire family not have been there I would have packed up my camper and left right then and there, and would not have bit my tongue.
Yes, there are more problems, Jerry told us that our membership to Martin Lake Resort included a membership with Coast-to-Coast and that would take four (4) to six (6) weeks to process our application with them. I spoke with Coast-to-Coast on May 12th to see if MLR was still in good standing and to see if my information had been turned in by MLR for me to be set up in the Coast-to-Coast system. I found out that MLR is in good standing and that my information has not been given to them to be set up. It has been seven (7) weeks since I have signed up with MLR. Jerry, Martin Lake failed to make available the use of the reciprocal usage program in a timely manner. He broke section 5 of his contract.
If you notice I put quotation marks on the word Resort throughout this review for a reason. There are many sites occupied by old run down trailers with wooden decks in front of the trailers therefore, unable to move. To my best estimate, at least half of the 140+ camper sites are occupied by full time live in renters. This would mean that Martin Lake Resort should not be considered a resort or even a campground but rather a trailer park is a more fitting term. Had this been disclosed to me at the sales proposal, I would have chosen not to join in the first place. Jerry explained and ultimately deceived us into believing those occupants were “snow birds” that would be leaving in mid April.
Section 3 of the contract -Use Privileges, it states that Members use Martin Lake Resort for up to fourteen (14) consecutive nights and then must have a seven (7) day waiting period before Member can resume overnight camping. Once again the contract has been broken.
One more thing, in Section 1 – Purpose, the first line states that, “This membership grants a right to use campground facilities and services solely for Member’s recreation and enjoyment.” I have not enjoyed the last 2 experiences at Martin Lake Resort based on the problems I have stated.
Ok, so, at this point the Membership Agreement we signed to join Jerry’s “resort” is now void. We sent a certified letter to Jerry stating our displeasure with his so called “resort” and explanations of how he had broken our contract agreement. We requested we be released from the contract and we sent an Amendment to the agreement, which in turn he had 10 days to respond to us. As of my posting date for this review, we have never heard back from anyone at Martin Lake Resort regarding this manner. We do however have a return receipt signed by a Tara B.
My disgust in this manner is overwhelming, I really don’t understand Jerry’s position in all of this other than to make as much money as possible and he is nothing more than a mere con man. I know that there has to be other people who are unhappy with this campground.
My suggestion is to stay away! Definitely not a place worthy of visiting unless of course you are willing to be treated disrespectfully and feel like dealing with situations like these.
I will be contacting any and all campground review’s available on the Internet of my displeasure, The BBB, and Coast-to-Coast about this situation. As they become available I will have direct links posted on this site.
The BBB has 6 complaints against Martin Lake Resort…
http://ms.app.bbb.org/codbrep.html?wlcl=y&id=5001037
UPDATES:
I notified Cost-to-Coast on 7/3/08 of the situation and I am waiting their response. They were no help at all, said they spoke with Jerry and I was to call him. If nothing else Coast-to-Coast was still notified of problems I have encounered with MLR.
I filed a report with the BBB of Mississippi on 7/8/08 because I still have never heard anything from MLR. I will find out the status of my report in about 30 days. I will update the info when it becomes available. The BBB sent a letter to MLR which their response was to call them. At least there is now a negative report filed against MLR that will not come off their record.
Below are the following links to different websites I have posted review’s regarding my problems MLR.
http://www.complaints.com/directory/2004/may/22/22.htm
http://www.merchantcircle.com/bulletins/Martin.Lake.Resort.228-872-0362
http://www.yellowbot.com/martin-lake-resort-incorporated-biloxi-ms.html?yp_ts=1215448117
http://www.rvcampsitereviews.com/Campgrounds_RVParks/Martin_Lake_Resort_Ocean_Springs_MS/
http://www.americaonwheels.com/Mississippi/Martins_Lake_Resort_Inc
http://www.wheretostayusa.com/accommodation/15258/review.php?zoom=680
http://www.rvhelp.org/camping/martin-lake-resort-inc-biloxi-13305.htm
http://national.citysearch.com/review/6018910
My newest link is Rip-Off Report, and I’m not the only one!
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/374/RipOff0374701.htm
THE LAWYER HANDLING MY CASE & MANY OTHER’S IS LISTED BELOW, PLEASE CONTACT HIM ABOUT YOUR CASE.(I have no connection with the individual below, he is a good Samaritan trying to help all of those who have been screwed by MLR & Jerry!)
Ryan Canon
Sharp Law Firm, PLLC
1635-D Popps Ferry Rd.
Post Office Box 6669
D’Iberville, MS 39540
(228)392-2003 Telephone
(228)392-7618 Facsimile
AND REMEMBER IF MARTIN LAKE SENDS YOU ANYTHING TO SIGN TALK TO RYAN FIRST DON’T SIGN ANYTHING!!!!!
72 responses so far ↓
1 Charles Weaver // Sep 19, 2008 at 11:24 am
I stopped at Martin Lake Resort in my motorhome as it was a Coast to Coast Park. I liked Biloxi area and was talked into buying a membership for $1500 plus $249 annual dues. I only stayed one winter but paid a 2nd annual dues before cancelling my membership in writing and forfeiting my $1500. This was in June 2002. Now I find that Martin Lake turned me over to Bayside Recovery (collection agency) stating I now owe $1371 in back annual dues. It appears they want me to pay annual dues forever even though I forfeited my membership fee and cancelled the membership in writing. Bayside had put this on my credit report and I am unable to get it removed as I refused to pay what they want. Martin Lake is a deceptive company and will scam anyone they can.
2 Rick Poole // Dec 3, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Hi Kate,
I get the idea that you don’t like the people at Martin Lake RV resort too much. I live in Kiln, MS and was thinking of taking a tour there this weekend but not for the reason that most people would. All I want is get acess to the swimming area. I’ll keep my reasons for wanting to do this to myself. It’s nothing harmful or illegal I assure you. What kind of cost would I be looking at to just use the swimming area? I have no intention of using any other ammenities there. Especially after all of the bad reviews I’ve seen. Your’s wasn’t the only one. I couldn’t get a straight answer from the people at Martin Lake on the phone as to how much it would cost for use of the swimming area only but it says on their website that some people use this option. Can you give me any more insight on the cost or how I should handle these people?
Sincerely,
Rick
3 Not a Happy Camper // Dec 4, 2008 at 8:22 am
I am having the same problem with MLR and they say they will be sending me to collections on Dec 5. I want to fight them and need people who will help prove their deceptive practice and forever-binding contract. Please contact me so I can put together a list of character witnesses regarding their practices. Thanks, (Ocean Springs, MS)
4 kate // Dec 4, 2008 at 9:04 am
Rick,
My suggestion to you is to stay away from this place. They have no one in mind and could care less about anything more than making money. I promise you, you will endure way more problems than is worth it just to use their pool. I have no idea how they would work that out with you, my best suggestion is DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING!
5 w.e. // Mar 31, 2009 at 11:49 pm
I AGREE JERRY IS A CON MAN EVERY BAD REVIEW I’VE READ IS THE TRUTH I GREW UP IN THAT PARK BECAUSE MY GRANDPARENTS LIVED THEIR OVER HALF OF ANYONE WHO GOES THERE LIVES THERE ITS A FAMILY THING TO GET ALONG YOU HAVE TO BE A PART OF THINGS THERE FOR A VERY LONG TIME ANYONE INVOLVED FOR A WHILE DOES’NT HAVE THOSE PROBLEMS BUT WILL ADDMIT THERE IS ALOT OF CON MEN AND WOMEN
6 Anthony and Felecia // Apr 23, 2009 at 4:21 pm
My husband and I visted MLR because they sent a card in the mail saying if we visted the resort we would receive a new computer. We got scammed my husband gave the sales person $20.00 cash and wrote 2 checks for $154.00 each. The sales person said we will receive a card in the mail saying when to pick up the computer They cashed one of the checks, then a letter came in the mail, we had to pay $2,000 for the computer.I immediately stopped payment on the other check.We went back to MLR and demanded to speak to the owner. He took his own time getting there,but we waited .He came, we told the owner we could not afford a time share at this time, we talked and he reimbursed us the check for $154.00 plus the $20.00. Now after talking with this man he tore the contract up. Now I think he tore the contract up because we are black, and while we were there I did not see no other color there. Now that was over 10 yrs ago,now check this out,this is April of 2009 this month Bayside Recovery put on our credit report we owe MLR $9,328.
7 Gary // May 13, 2009 at 6:44 am
My wife and I also purchased a membership at MLR. We are charter members of the original MLR which was only a campground. Three or four years ago we received a letter to go back and discuss the new arrangements with them. We found out that this was nothing more than a scam to get us to spend more money with them to get into the new resort with full membership. They also informed us of the fact that our maintenance dues are forever and ever amen and that there is no way to get out of them without selling or dying, and I would expect them to come after the estate if that happend. In any event, we too are stuck with a resort that is not what we signed up to and we cannot see a way out of it. I find it hard to believe that they are able to continue in business. But I guess if you look at the government in the rest of the country this is mild.
8 ben // May 22, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Thanks for the heads up, I was actually going to look at this place. This stuff will catch up with the shiester soon enough. He’ll either get busted or con the wrong the guy.
9 Ali // Jun 10, 2009 at 8:45 pm
That place has always been a redneck swimming hole and a dump. Invest your money in a quality resort where you can be proud to bring your family and friends. $2.00 to swim is about all it’s worth to “belong”.
10 Dorothy // Jun 18, 2009 at 4:01 pm
I have worked with Martin Lake generating tours. Needless to say, I do not generate tours for them anymore. Questions? Email me.
11 monte` // Jul 8, 2009 at 10:06 pm
true story, back in the day early 90′s when the park first opened, it was a beautiful place to visit. there were lots of pine tree’s and it actually felt like you were getting away from all of your problems, and having a good time. a place where u can make new friends, and life long memories. Jerry Snow ruined this camp ground i know this for a fact because he was my uncle by marriage. my family “grand parents, aunt, and another uncle” were owners as well. after Jerry ruined the business and family ties, my grand parents quickly sold their shares. not only that but my aunt divorced him shortly after. i grew up on that camp ground every summer for nearly 13 years and wouldnt have traded one day for anything. some of my best memories came from their. so i feel obligated to apologize for all the crap that Jerry snow put yall through…
Jerry Snow is worthless human being that shouldnt be trusted…
kind regards
Monte` Mayeux
12 kate // Jul 9, 2009 at 7:27 am
Monte,
It makes me so sad, because that is what we invisioned for our 3 children. Now all of that is shattered because of Jerry.
I am so sorry he ruined it for you too, thank you for your comments.
Kate
13 Dusty // Jul 12, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Dusty//July12,2009 9;00 pm
We have been members of MLR for eight years,and we are tired of talking to Jerry Snow about improvements.We have had salesmen tell us that even our chrilden would have to pay for our membership if something happened to us.The skinny redhead that works for Jerry called my grandson a F—- lairer what a word for a RESORT EMPLOYEE TO USE FOR A PAYING MEMBER.When comfronted SHE said SOOOO. Jerry refuses to take care of the park or discipline his employee’s.WE ALL NEED TO CALL OUR ATTORNEY GENERALS AND LET THEM INTERVENE.Maybe as a whole group we could get something done. He has made it impossible to either sale or drop our memberships, and we don’t wont to pass this burden on to our children.
14 Michael // Jul 23, 2009 at 10:48 am
We have a long time membership at MLR. It is not worth it. I am trying to terminate the contract. Don’t join, it is a life time membership. I am moving to another country. I don’t need the membership. I still have to pay forever. I’ll be contacting a lawyer. Tie up MLR in court. Only life in prison has a life time membership you can not get out off.
All of the bad things said are true.
The trailer park is full of people who lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina.
Too many rules, too many cons.
The lake water is not clear and the biggest fish we caught was adout 4″.
Do you know a child died there? Yes I believe it was one Mother’s day.
If anyone knows how to get out of a life time contract, speak up.
15 kate // Jul 26, 2009 at 6:54 am
Michael,
As you can see I/we totally agree with you. If you do take MLR to court please keep me informed.
I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE WHO HAS A PROBLEM WITH MLR TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB IN MISSISSIPPI. If the BBB gets enough complaints maybe they will take action against MLR..???…or someone can use it in their defense.
Thank you for speaking up!
Kate
16 Jesse Gearhart // Aug 15, 2009 at 5:08 pm
DO NOT HAVE MAIL FORWARDED TO MLR. THE OFFICE PERSONNEL DO NOT KEEP THEIR EYE ON THE PEOPLE PICKING UP MAIL IN A COMMON AREA OF THE OFFICE. THE DIRTBAGS FROM KATRINA LIVE IN THE PARK AND WILL STEAL ANY MAIL THAT HAS MEDICATIONS IN THEM. IT HAPPED TO ME AND SEVERAL OTHER RVERS. I LOST A 3 MONTH SUPPLY OF MEDICINE ON 8/01/09.
17 KC // Aug 17, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I received an email about Coast to Coast. Glad to have found this blog before going any further. Needless to say, I am deleting the email and thankful to find out about this place.
18 Tara // Sep 10, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Kate,
I was the old office manager for martin lake. I was there when this happened and was appalled at Jerry Snows behavior. Not that this is anything new. His behavior is always appalling. Anyway, please contact me if you need any legal help against this company. I am considering both a sexual harassment and wrongful termination suit. Would be happy to help you in any way.
19 Preyear // Sep 14, 2009 at 10:53 am
Anyone with any information on legal action taken against Martin Lake Resort please contact me at fpreyear@hotmail.com.
20 Daniel Moree // Sep 16, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I am also a victim of Martin’s lake resort. Me and my wife visited the park around November of 07 and decided it would be great for the family. Our payments were not to start until Feb 08. However, at the beginning of the year we found out we were going to have another child and we decided that the park membership was not a good idea. I called and spoke with Jerry well before our first payment was even due that we didn’t want the membership. He wouldn’t let us out of the contract. We decided to go ahead and pay on the membership until it was paid off and cancel it. The payments were supposed to be direct debited from my wife’s account all this time. But I recently found out that they haven’t been taking the payments and I just got a bill in the mail for over $600 for Membership fees. From what I read on here, this place is definately a rip off. Please email me with any info on how to get rid of these crooks. Maybe if we can organize several families together to go and protest at the BBB at the same exact time, we might get their attention.
21 kate // Sep 17, 2009 at 8:33 am
Daniel,
That is horrible, and as expected Jerry won’t let anyone out of a contract that he coned them into. Unfortunately, the membership dues are “perpetual” which I don’t think anyone realizes until after the problems start. There is absolutely NO getting out of MLR as far as I can tell you. I have yet to find anyone with a solution to the problem. I just pray that anyone who goes over to MLR and interested in a membership finds my website prior to signing the contract and chooses not to join & I/we have saved someone the misery we all have had to endure. I believe in life, what comes around goes around and he will get his in due time. (not as soon as we all would like, but he will get his)
Please keep me posted, and as always I suggest everyone file a complaint with the BBB, the more complaints the better!
22 kate // Sep 17, 2009 at 8:38 am
I am sooooooo glad you found my website and saved yourself agony! You are blessed.
If you still have the email in your delete folder could you please forward it to me, or let me know what it said. I think Jerry has coast to coast coned too into believing he is legit.
Thanks,
Kate
23 Deborah // Sep 20, 2009 at 12:34 pm
How many injuries have been reported here at this lake? I was told several children have died there and there was a report of an alligator which no one at Martin’s Lake will admit to, just avoid. Can you advise?
24 Jane // Sep 21, 2009 at 1:29 pm
My husband and I have been members of MLR for almost 20 years. We moved from the area about 13 years ago and STILL pay annual dues to the “resort”. I wrote once to see how to terminate the contract, and was offer a buy-out for payment of $1,800.00. Reading the above, I don’t think that would end it. I’m afraid I’d still be turned over to a collection agency. Any thoughts!?!?!?
25 Kathy Bowman // Oct 15, 2009 at 8:56 am
I have contacted an attorney. Will keep you posted.
26 Mark E // Oct 16, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Sign me up to join a Class Action suit against MLR. Joined with the promise & understanding that Coast to Coast membership was included with MLR fees & membership. I haven’t received anything from Coast to Coast in years. Tried to cancel membership several years ago, but MLR said it would cost $800-1600 to cancel or retain a “broker” to sell my membership. I couldn’t afford that then. We transferred out of the area on military orders years ago with little prospect of returning. Chances of using MLR are minimal and I apparently don’t have Coast to Coast membership either. I’m done with MLR. I’m contacting a lawyer and the Mississippi Better Business Bureau.
27 Toni // Oct 22, 2009 at 10:54 am
Kate, thanks for taking the time to list all this. I was looking at surprising my husband with this place.
I’m thinking you not only saved me a lot of money, but a lot of headaches!
Again, thanks so much!
28 Eva // Dec 13, 2009 at 3:48 pm
A suit for reimbursement in Small Claims Court may be your best answer. He broke the contract, so it is voidable. Therefore, he needs to reimburse your money to you. (-; If that works, you can all line up and do the same. Then just send your settlement results to the credit bureau and they will remove it from your credit history.
Also, have you all looked at the Federal Trade Commission’s laws? They control contracts for sale of goods and service if I remember right. Check it out.
29 Tushanna // Feb 24, 2010 at 12:36 am
Thank You SOOO Much, Kate! You have probably just saved me untold misery. I was literally only a few mouse clicks away from signing up for the Coast to Coast “free peek inside the gates” for Martin Lake Resort in April. They are offering a “free 3 day, 2 night stay” in exchange for the 90 minute sales pitch on the Coast to Coast website. Saw MLR on the web previously, and thought it looked nice. Something just told me “too nice, do some digging”. That’s when I found your blog. I am so sorry for what you and everyone else here has been through with these shady characters! Has anyone filed complaints with RPI and Coast to Coast? I wouldn’t think C2C would continue to “sponsor” them and be affiliated if they really knew how many unhappy customers there are against MLR. Seems a shame C2C is HELPING them and farthering the PROBLEM with these “free stay” ads they are running. Always thought Coast to coast was more reputable than that! Good luck to you all in your wars against MLR!
30 Kathy // Mar 7, 2010 at 9:58 pm
If anyone has successfully taken legal action against MLR please contact me by email.
31 Ryan // Apr 8, 2010 at 8:49 am
Tushanna and all others:
I am an attorney and they have sent me the “free 3 day, 2 night stay” offer. I am going to check it out and look at the contract and see if any legal action can be taken on this.
Best of luck to all others.
32 Ryan // Apr 8, 2010 at 8:54 am
Eva:
The contract is not necessarily void if he breaches portions of it. It depends upon the materiality of the breach. Also, small claims courts are essentially courts of equity with one side arguing against the other because the judge, is many times, not an attorney.
Everyone, please feel free to email me on my personal email at canonballa@gmail.com and I will keep everyone updated on what I find out.
33 Renee // May 12, 2010 at 3:25 pm
We joined back in 95 and had a provision in the contract if we left the area our maintenance fees would never go up as we were members of the military. Well needless to say they raised our fees and then when we tried to sell the membership to them or give it back, they wouldn’t take it. We then disputed our fees as they were charging us more and they sent us to a collection agency. If a class action suit is filed, we would be interested in being active in that.
34 Ryan Canon // Jun 3, 2010 at 9:15 am
I am preparing to file suit against Martin Lake Resort on various contract, fraud, and bad faith claims. I would appreciate any witness statements from those of you who have also have fallen victim to this scam. I am attempting to prove a pattern of this behavior. Please contact me at ryan@thesharplawfirm.com if you have any information that might be helpful.
35 James & Angela // Jul 5, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Wow!….we just visited this place today! We could tell he was a con within minutes of speaking with him. We were took on a tour of the place. He overly mentioned many times of the new $125k playground which was promised years ago when other people we know bought into MLR, which was 15 yrs ago. Also many other things were promised as far as upgrades. He told us all these “big dreams” that this place was going to be. We toured the place. Also I remember someone saying in one of the long list of complaints about him showing off the cottages an so forths while still occupied. Yes he walked right up to the ppl there an told them he was showing us their cottage. I thought that was a lil rude to myself. He stated many times that he didn’t want “trashy or stupid ppl” in his “resort”. He wanted ppl like us. (whom he didn’t know from Adam) When we had first walked in he asked if the car in front was ours. We have a sporty looking nice car so I guess this fueled the con act. Think he must feed off ppl he thinks he can con the most money out of. (upside…lol..boy was he fooled…we just hard working tax payers like the rest) Anyways… he parked the golf cart an walked to his office as we viewed the rec room before heading back to his office. The rec room was so “run down” that you would think they would’ve started on it first. Okay so we are back to his “dump” of an office to sit down to talk price. To start things off he tells his whole story of how he obtained the property an how “good” of a deal he had for us. He stated he had a timeshare that was a result of a bankruptcy that was around $3k a steal! The original price of one was around $8k. He wrote everything he was telling us on a piece of notebook paper. I soon asked for broshures an an information he had that stated info. with prices an things like that. He denied my request to that stating he didn’t have any paperwork. Hello…if you are saying you run a “Resort”…hmm you would think you would have legitimate paperwork for potential buyers to read an look over. That was a red flag for me! Well anyways the meeting went on an he asked us to meet with him after lunch to potentially “buy”! May I remind you he was very pushy to sell. During the little meeting he kept going back an forth on prices saying oh you can just give me $100 now an that would be like a deposit or something towards the price of the membership. I thought that sounded a little unprofessional as well. He insisted that as soon as we paid our membership dues he would give us a week in a cottage to bring friends or family an all we had to pay was one nights stay. Anyways we left had lunch an came back. (wasn’t planning on coming back but I just had to see what he would say next…an see if he ever would come up with some kind of paperwork) Okay we back…walked in office, another lady had just walked in so he was meeting with her in the back an we were asked to wait a moment. He also told us we had “one hour” to make up our minds to buy. We walked around giving him time to meet the the lady. He comes out an tells us this lady just bought the “deal” (bankruptcy price) he had been trying to sell us this whole time. Then this is where more Con sets in. He says that since we came back an was interested that he would still honor that price to us as well. We told him we would have to think this over an get back with him. He told us we just had that day for that deal. Well we went on with our business an waited for another member of MLR to get there so we could spend a little time there an explore a bit more as guests with them. They advised us Not to sign Anything! I’m not sure if this will help in anyway but I thought it couldn’t hurt to share our experience to show how he works his magic to con ppl out of their money. I have been ripped off in the past an yes I learned some bought experiences in the process so I seen this coming. I would compare this experience to buying a car…hope this helps an also so sorry for everyone who is having to go through this…hope justice will get served. I urge all to keep posting to help get something done. There is power in Numbers!!! Good luck All
36 Judy // Jul 11, 2010 at 8:34 pm
I joined Martin Lake resort in 2005. I too joined the smaller membership for 1000.00 with added yearly fees of 259.00 I Was victim of Hurricane Katrina and was there about 1 year or less. I moved , but then called Tara and told her I was by myself and could not afford the membership fees since I would no longer be in the resort. She told me it would be taken care of, she said she would talk with Jerry and have it cancelled. I was under the impression that was done, so went about my daily business. Now 3 years later I get a call from a conyers collection agency, and nothing before this time, telling me I owe over 900.00 She was very rude . When I told her I was not employed she said “Well dont you care about your credit”?I ended hanging up on her.I spoke with her once again and asked for a copy of my contract. I was sent a very blurred copy that was not legible at ALL. I faxed them again and asked for another, no response, I did this two more times, Nothing… Then I called twice and got a voicemail both times, left a message, and no response. I then called Martin’s lake, and asked to speak with Tara who no longer works there I was told. So i Asked the other lady , Think her name Kathy, she is the head lady for daytime in the office. She would not answer any question I asked her, just kept referring me to Conyers Collection agency. I asked to speak with Jerry and every time I get the response He is not here, or not available. Has anyone else had any resolution to this same problem.
37 kate // Jul 12, 2010 at 7:31 am
Judy & everyone else,
Ryan Canon (a lawyer in MS) is now taking on MLR. I am praying he can take care of Jerry Snow so no one else gets screwed! Please feel free to continue to post comments or email him at ryan@thesharplawfirm.com
Thanks Ryan!
Kate
38 Michael // Aug 3, 2010 at 3:26 pm
I too have been a victim of this scam with Martin Lake Resort. The people at MLR are rude and over-bearing, making your visit miserable. I have had my membership paid in full for over 7 years now. I was given a yearly maintenance dues of 189.00 that were to never ever go up. Well they put them up to 246.00 per year. I would like to sell the membership or just forfeit it but can’t. Now, if I don’t pay these maintenance dues, I will be turned over to collections. If you have any insight as to what I can do I would really appreciate it. Thank you, Michael
39 Jerry & Shirley Headley // Aug 14, 2010 at 1:22 pm
My wife and I have been trying to get out of this miss since 2005 when I returned from IRAQ. I talked with Tara about stopping our yearly dues she said O.K. she would take care of this for me. We stopped paying, the next year our contact was turned over to a collection agency which put it on our credit report. This really crashed our report. I called MLR and talked with Tara and she said she never said she would take care of our contact for us. She told me that the contact was a perpetual contact and I could not break it. I got an attorney from Mississippi, that turned not to be a joke. He did not do anything. I do not know what to do. Yes, Jerry Snow is a first class CON MAN.
40 amy // Aug 15, 2010 at 8:59 pm
I really wish I would have seen this site before today. My husband and myself went today and gave a guy name Jerry 300.00 to start our membership. We signed all of the paperwork and after reading all of these comments are very upset that we made this decision. Do we have any kind of grace period to change our minds and cancel?
Please someone help. my_aycock@yahoo.com
41 Carrie // Sep 23, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Me and my husband have an appointment with them this Saturday morning. Has anything been fixed in this matter and I was promised a $300 walmart gift card if we come to check out resort. Do you actually get it if you look?
42 Tammie // Oct 3, 2010 at 3:11 pm
I happened up on this site as I was searching for the Martin Lake website to join! Glad I did. I had a business meeting recently with someone who happened to be a member and suggested we meet there. It’s a pretty place. The cottages are cute, the lake is pretty, the playground is huge. The clubhouse we met in we in need of repairs, but I was told it was going to be torn down and rebuilt and that process would start in a few months.
After my brief visit there, my husband and I decided we would schedule a tour and possibly join, hence my search for the website. I’m glad I found this one instead!
Thank you, Kate, for the information. Good luck to you all.
43 Betty // Nov 2, 2010 at 10:03 am
Has anyone been able to get out of their contract? I called today to cancel ours and was told I would either have to sell, tranfer or pay $800.00 + 279.00 maint. fee.
44 Mark E // Nov 11, 2010 at 9:23 am
No, but I’d like to. I’m optimistically waiting to hear what success lawyer Ryan Canon has had with an action against Martin Lake Resorts.
45 Pamela // Dec 5, 2010 at 9:05 pm
My husband and I visited the past Saturday, after receiving a letter for a free computer and a $300.00 Walmart “voucher”. Well, we never took the tour, they were “over booked”, this from Jerry. They told us we could just take the “gifts” since we had an hour wait time. Well, the “vouchers” hadn’t been mailed to them yet, but would be there by next Friday and sent to us. The computer/laptop is actually a netbook that you have to pay a $25.oo “activation” fee and $50.00 shipping. Well after looking on the net, we found the same one for less. It’s actually a piece of ^%&(. Pardon the language. DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING! RUN, DO NOT WALK TO YOUR CAR AND GET THE HECK AWAY. Better yet, tear up any mail you get from them and let all your friends know to do the same. Thanks for the support system, looking forward to seeing what Ryan comes up with. Good luck and remember God don’t like ugly and Jerry will get everything he has coming to him.
46 Debra // Jan 12, 2011 at 11:20 am
I lived there for 2 years and yes, Jerry is a con and many women there should sue him for sexual harrassment. He tended to prey on those who were weak and scared of being evicted if they were late on rent. He propositioned a few with trade offs if they could not pay rent. What a slime ball…
Once you are a member, the staff is rude, unprofessional, curse at you, then talk about others at campground in front of other tenants or guests.
The rules are unreal. They will holler at your children for almost anything. Looks like a fun place until you stay there.
I have lived in many campgrounds, this was the worst. There are some really great long timers there. Wouldnt change meeting them cause they are great people.
Hope RYan posts more on a lawsuit against them. Would love to see Jerry go DOWN…he deserves to.
47 Marian J // Jan 20, 2011 at 8:49 am
Another Victum
My husband and I have fallen into the Martin Lake trap with all the goood things they offered and none was true. Now they are trying to sue us for over $4,000 and its not right i have tried to contact them on several occassion and resolve it before it got this far but i could never get anyone to call me back i tried to set a time to see the owner and i could not even do that so i stopped payment and hoping that they would contact me them no one called no letters sent which they said they did i was not going to send them anything else until they contacted me and now we are served with court papers to be sued we i tried to do the right thing it was might funny when the lawyer call me on my cell phone when he said the client could not reach me so my question how you called my cell and they said they could not reach me by phone. i need anyones help i can get.
48 To MArion J // Jan 21, 2011 at 7:41 pm
If you havent already, scroll up and contact Ryan. He is an atty, and has taken on our cases against Martin Lake and Jerry.
49 Sheila // Jan 27, 2011 at 7:02 pm
I have been wanting to visit Martin Lake Resort because I am a member of Coast to Coast. I read all the comments and am sorta confused. Is this a different contract than Coast to Coast from TLC Wolf River Resort? MLR is suppose to be one of the resorts to visit for a cheaper rate if you a member of Coast to Coast. I would appreciate any info anyone can give. Thanks…
50 kate // Feb 8, 2011 at 11:13 am
Yes, different contract. I would stay as far away from MLR as possible.
51 Dru // Feb 10, 2011 at 1:12 pm
Thankyou all for posting your comments. Just recieved their mailer today. Called and listened to the spill, just sounded to fishy. Glad I took a moment to check computer. THANKS FOR TELLING YOUR STORIES. You don’t treat people this way,they’ll pay for what they’re doing it will! catch up to them.
52 kate // Feb 10, 2011 at 1:31 pm
I am so HAPPY you found out the truth & didn’t become a victum like the rest of us. I believe Ryan will put an end to this, it is just taking time and that’s ok.
53 Katie // Feb 14, 2011 at 12:07 am
My in-laws just became members @ MLR, and put my and my husbands’ name as their guests.We were not there when they did this.They wanted to give us a gift I suppose.They are extremly gullible people, and I’m afraid after reading this that we are going to end up with some problems. We havn’t stayed there yet, but if someone yells at either of my kids, they will have to deal with me!I am not the kind of person who keeps her mouth shut;I just make my kids plug their ears!(lol)But really, this stuff sounds unreal! I am a pre-law student in AL, so I am not completly contract illiterate.Has no one read the contracts before signing them?It’s always the small print that gets you!I got scammed a few years ago, and that is something I swore would not happen again! Now it seems I may inherit an “unbreakable” contract!I am very worried. Are there any other people (guests of members) who have had issues with this place?
54 Kacey // Feb 25, 2011 at 12:15 pm
I too was scammed into this when I was like 18 years old and a newly wed. Of course I didnt understand the legal lingo and have been stuck with the ennual maintenance fee of $300 a year for 13 years now! I have tried to contact them to relinquish my contract, but to no avail. I just now emailed the MS atty, Ryan, and am waiting for a response.
55 Janet Netherland // Feb 28, 2011 at 12:31 pm
I hope I can find some answers here. My husband and I were scammed by this man two years ago. We tried to get out of the contract also and were told that we could not. Does anyone have any answers? We thought that once we paid the original amount off we would stop paying the membership dues and give it back. From the responses here, we will have to pay for the rest of our life!
56 kate // Feb 28, 2011 at 12:59 pm
Yes, you will have to pay membership dues the rest of not only your life but whomever your estate goes to. If you don’t pay it every year they will send you to their collection agency & no matter what you tell this agency they will mark your credit. Contact Ryan, he is our lawyer and representing many of the people who commented on this website.
57 mac reeder // Mar 10, 2011 at 9:18 pm
please let me know how to get in touch with ryan.i have big problems with martin lake. thank you very much..
58 Mark // Apr 17, 2011 at 8:38 am
Kate
Thank you my wife and I almost went out to MLR to look at the place but we aren’t going now thanks to your blog. Have you thought about contacting the FBI about this worthless con man? Give it a try they might be able to help you and make sure this clown doesn’t hurt anybody else. Thanks again
59 rhonda // Apr 21, 2011 at 8:47 pm
Wow! I thought we were the only ones going through all this. Have been turned over to collections, bad credit report, and affecting husband’s employment with a federal contractor. I will be contacting Ryan. Hope all of us together can get something done.
60 Brenda // May 3, 2011 at 9:59 am
WoW! I should have known, an individual listed his membership on Craigs List , membership free ….just take over contract to pay maintenance fee. Seller said fee was 249. yearly, but MLR says 329., thought it was a blessing to find such a deal. Sad to tell the Seller “sorry, and good luck finding a taker”. And though the Seller has paid this years maintenance fees, they are non-transfurable plus there is a $200. transfer fee …so the price has gone from $0. out of pocket to $529. if I sign. This was going to be a surprize for my husband coming home frm Afganistan in a few weeks.
61 Camille Dempsey // May 15, 2011 at 11:08 am
Wish I had seen all this earlier! I have just written the Attorney General, State of Mississippi, because of the language Perpetuity, in other words, you are signing up to pay for your lifetime and beyond! I did not see or understand this term! I was told by Martin Lakes, to try Craig s List which I have neither the time or knowledge to
62 Robert McGrew // May 19, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Can you tell me is Ryan Canon handling all lawsuits against mlr? I had an attorney contact me already concering lawsuit.228_223_1101 we have a membership as well
63 kate // May 20, 2011 at 8:17 am
Yes! Ryan Canon is handling all lawsuits against Martin Lake Resort. Don’t hesitate to contact him immediately.
Ryan Canon, Esq.
ryan@thesharplawfirm.com
Sharp Law Firm, PLLC
1635-D Popps Ferry Rd.
Post Office Box 6669
D’Iberville, MS 39540
(228) 392-2003 Telephone
(228) 392-7618 Facsimile
ALSO,
When leaving comments, please tell us what has happened to you because of Martin Lake Resort. It is important that we fully explain that there are serious issues with this place and we aren’t all just making this up. Thanks so much!
Your moderator,
Kate
64 Camille Dempsey // May 21, 2011 at 2:01 pm
Waiting to hear from Mississippi Attorney General til I take further action!The form can be printed from your computer!
65 B. Smith // May 28, 2011 at 3:39 pm
I paid mine off in 1993 and have used it once. Jerry said I could not sell it. I would just like to not pay maintenance fees forever.
66 Sympathetic // Jul 9, 2011 at 2:33 pm
My wife visited there yesterday. An elderly couple attempted to sell her their membership for an astounding $500.00. What a deal !!! lol. After being presented with this offer, my wife went to one of the main buildings and talked to a man by the name of Jerry. She explained to him that some owners were attempting to sell her their membership for $500.00. He, without missing a beat, said “Shhh. Don’t mention that price out loud. Memberships here can go for upwards of $10,000.00″. I feel horribly for all of those who have been deceived by this company.
I found this site after searching for Martin Lake Resort, to decide whether or not the elderly couple’s deal was monetarily beneficial.
Thank you all for the information. What did people do prior to the internet?
67 Camille Dempsey // Jul 17, 2011 at 6:52 am
Word PERPETUITY appears to be legal in state of Mississippi according to Attorney General, so We can sue on our own, say, See you in court or contact the Credit Bureau with a notation of the reason for credit blot due to being turned over for collections. Good Luck!
68 Camille Dempsey // Jul 18, 2011 at 11:51 am
Thanks for your prompting Kate! I am bad to assume All have read previous Post. I wrote to the Attorney General State of Mississippi on advice of cousin who lives in Jackson, Ms. I told her I did not see the small sentence in the Member agreement, sayig in rule # 6 that the duration is extended to PERPETUITY. Not realizing this phrase was in the agreement, I wrote telling them I planned not to renew, My husband was in the Hospital, turning 80, and we would not be traveling in our Motor Home anymore. Thought I was doing them a favor, by notifying them, but to the contrary, they said I could not stop. . Being shocked I looked up the word, not being familiar with it and found it was illegal, to say the least, I was told I could sell it, if no family member wanted it. I could not in good conscience sell it, without telling a person, that it was forever! I looked the word up, and found it to be illegal in 28 States. That is the reason for the letter to the Attorney General. He finally told me that the word PERPETUITY is legal in Mississippi, so I could personally sue, say “See you in Court, or Notify the Credit Bureau, as to why we were turned over for collection. Good Luck every-one.
69 Pamela // Aug 7, 2011 at 7:36 pm
Thank heaven I decided to look for info on this place after I called and talked to someone in the office. I was just about to ‘buy’ a contract for $600 from someone and called to verify the maintenance was all to have to pay and that there was no hidden fees but now to know it is forever…..I will inform the people selling that I am not interested! Good luck to you all!
70 Susan // Sep 28, 2011 at 3:54 am
I worked at mlr for 7 years. In the beginnig my job was to do collections for them. I can tell you the man and his son Jay have no heart or soul for that matter. during that time an older man died and he was the only one on the contract but they wanted me to go after his exwife who was NOT any where or no idea about this contract. I refused to do this. I was told to give it a try and see if she could be bluffed into paying the fees. This was in the ninty’s and I see he is still up to the same tricks. I was there when Tara got out of school and came to work there. She failed to tell you she was one of the owner daughter. Her pra ents were partners in the lake but even they got tied for all the bs and he bought them out as well as his exwife. I had to get out of all of this because I could not look people in the eyes any more. I did not work on weekends but I did fill in for people in the front office once in a while on the weekend but I would try in a sneaky was to let the one going on the tour not to sign anything but could not say to much because Jerry has big ears I was later move the front office ,oh by the way Monti was telling the truth in one of the earlier post. As far as the (club house) goes I was told when I went to work there in 1996 that it was going to be torn down how long can it take. The putt putt golf course took about 10 years to be built. They only built the cottages because they could make money from them. Anyway I had to quit because I was not going to put up the the abuse that went on in the office. I don’t think Jerry or Jay knew to many other words other than the (f word) and all the sex talk. Jerry thinks women are useless except for you know what. I am 60 now but even then I was very ofended by that kind of talk let alone all the lies they told so I felt I had to leave. I am so sorry for all the trouble everyone of you are going thur I tried to warn as many people as I could.
71 Shawn // Dec 2, 2011 at 4:43 pm
I am an active duty Marine who unfortunately was suckered in to the MLR membership back in 1995 with my first wife. It was an appealing situation so that my family could have a nice place to get away and relax on the weekends when we resided in Ocean Springs. I divorced in 1998 and later remarried. During my 13 years as a resident in Ocean Springs, I can tell you that I used MLR four times. FOUR TIMES! Every visit to “my resort” left me feeling like an idiot for believing the scam I agreed to be a part of. The never ending – forever increasing membership fees, poor maintenance, rude employees, and redneck atmosphere remphasized that I had made a poor investment. I am ashamed to say that I paid $5,000 for the MLR membership. At one point, I refused to pay two years of maintenance fees after I left the state and was turned over to a collection agency in Alabma. To resolve my credit issues I reluctantly paid what I owed. I left the Gulf Coast in 2007 to back to return to active duty and see no end to my misery of having this membership to MLR. I have been living in Eastern NC since 2007 and have no intent on returning to the state of MS. I have orders to Okinawa, Japan for three years and depart in two weeks. Is there any end or way out of this membership so that I can stop throwing my money away to an absolute SCAM? I see the numerous complaints logged since 2008, were are obviously not alone in our feelings…what can be done to put a stop to this?
72 Shawn // Dec 2, 2011 at 4:49 pm
I also forgot to mention in my previous post that selling my membership was an option at first but I do not have the conscience to place this burden on anyone else. I would have gladly sold this membership for $1.00 if I didn’t value my integrity…
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