What does free mean

[allairenjadea]

This past weekend I visited my parents and as usual they asked me about my house in TV. They have been seeing a lot of ads lately touting TV and free golf for the rest of your life. They want to know how they can say free when they charge you a monthly amenity fee. They think it's false advertising. My answer is that nothing is free.I don't know if this is false advertising or deceptive advertising. Nobody at TV ever hid the fact that there was an amenity fee so I guess I never gave much consideration to golf being free. I guess you could make a case that some people would look at TV as a place to go based on this statement and then after they figure out that it's not really free they are hooked by other things that make TV what it is. Just thinking out loud here

[Army Guy]

Mostly all other communities with golf courses charge amenity fees also. BUT to play golf you also must pay a membership fee and a greens fee when playing each round. You don't do that at TV
So techinically golf is free.

Army Guy

[ijusluvit]

I've always thought it was kinda funny that some people will use a single statement or part of a statement to make a comprehensive judgement about something as complex as a whole mode of living.

"Free Golf For Life"! It's a factual statement. If you play any of TV's 20 some lovely executive golf courses, carry your bag or use a hand cart, it's free.

Saying that it's not true because residents have to pay an amenity fee is the same as saying its not true because you have to buy a house, or pay taxes, or utilities, or own golf clubs, or have transportation to a golf course, etc. More than 70 thousand folks have decided that the overall costs of living here provide an overall benefits package which is really worth it. Those who carefully compared this place to others think they got the best value-for-dollar here. Some actually think that free golf is the clincher.

[OpusX1]

It is free because you do not pay any additional to golf. People living here pay the same fee even if they do not golf.
The non golfers may use more of the facilities than the people that only golf but still pay the same as the golfer that uses no facilities only the golf courses.

[philnpat]

We've got to remember that the amenity fee doesn't just cover golf. There's a multitude of things that it pays for. I believe it's money well spent!
Because I'm new here (an occasional visitor to our home in Duval), the $3.50 trail fee for the executive courses...is that per person in the cart? or only the cart driver?
Thanks,
Phil

[aln]

I've always described it like a 'cover charge' at a nite club.
$5 to get in and drink 'free'. Some people drink beer, some whiskey, some soda.
Some people in TV, golf, some bocce, some tennis, pickleball etc.

[Bogie Shooter]

We've got to remember that the amenity fee doesn't just cover golf. There's a multitude of things that it pays for. I believe it's money well spent!
Because I'm new here (an occasional visitor to our home in Duval), the $3.50 trail fee for the executive courses...is that per person in the cart? or only the cart driver?
Thanks,
Phil
$3.50 each.

[allairenjadea]

When did it go to $3.50. I played in December and it was $3.00

[BogeyBoy]

When did it go to $3.50. I played in December and it was $3.00

Someone must have given you a break, it's been $3.50 for quite a while. (2006 ? or earlier)

[dlhill]

If part of your amenity fee goes toward maintenance of the Executive golf courses, then golf is NOT free. The Morse family has used this ruse to help lure people to the villages so they could accumulate their current worth of $2.5 BILLON dollars. If you think you are getting something for free, then you need to rethink.

[golf2140]

If part of your amenity fee goes toward maintenance of the Executive golf courses, then golf is NOT free. The Morse family has used this ruse to help lure people to the villages so they could accumulate their current worth of $2.5 BILLON dollars. If you think you are getting something for free, then you need to rethink.

The Morse family had a lot of exposure building this great place. Don't like their act, don't stay.

[graciegirl]

If part of your amenity fee goes toward maintenance of the Executive golf courses, then golf is NOT free. The Morse family has used this ruse to help lure people to the villages so they could accumulate their current worth of $2.5 BILLON dollars. If you think you are getting something for free, then you need to rethink.

Blood pressure is rising.

[Bruiser1]

Gracie Girl is right!



Good thing we will have FREE medical care soon!

[Bogie Shooter]

If part of your amenity fee goes toward maintenance of the Executive golf courses, then golf is NOT free. The Morse family has used this ruse to help lure people to the villages so they could accumulate their current worth of $2.5 BILLON dollars. If you think you are getting something for free, then you need to rethink.

Its nice that you answered a question that was raised in Feb 2010.
Are you a resident of The Villages, it would seem from the tone of you post that you are an outsider.............right?
I see from one of your posts that you moved here in june of 2010...........your statement that the advertising is a ruse is incorrect.

[mgjim]

If part of your amenity fee goes toward maintenance of the Executive golf courses, then golf is NOT free. The Morse family has used this ruse to help lure people to the villages so they could accumulate their current worth of $2.5 BILLON dollars. If you think you are getting something for free, then you need to rethink.

I believe you've just insulted everyone associated with The Villages; the Morse family for getting and executing a great idea that also made them a lot of money and anyone who decided to purchase a home in TV for being duped into giving their money away.

Frankly, I think most senior citizens are bright enough to do their due diligence before purchasing their homes and have figured out that the amenity fee and other fees cover the cost of maintaining the golf courses along with other community assets.

[jmm2760jmm]

The money that the Morse family has accumulated is called "capitalism" and it is what makes this country great! They have done an outstanding job with TV otherwise you wouldn't be here - you'd be somewhere else, right? They have worked hard, put their money on the line to build TV and because it's a success they have been financially rewarded. Sounds like America to me. Try finding a place like this in China...

[jgbama]

If part of your amenity fee goes toward maintenance of the Executive golf courses, then golf is NOT free. The Morse family has used this ruse to help lure people to the villages so they could accumulate their current worth of $2.5 BILLON dollars. If you think you are getting something for free, then you need to rethink.

Come on DL, doesn't some of our property taxes go to schools? Our son is out of school. Why should I still pay them? Schools aren't free as far as I'm concerned. Same silly logic. This whole topic started out simply to get everyone's BP elevated.

[RichieLion]

I don't get the blood pressure thing. Every homeowner pay the "amenity fee". That covers everything that is common area in TV. All those hardworking landscapers you see everywhere, the community patrols cruising and watching, the care and upkeep of all the multi-modal trails, etc.

Like stated previously, you're paying whether you are a golfer or not. If you do play golf there are no greens fees to do so. It ostensibly free. Your golf cart? Well, you must pay for that privilege, but you may walk the course and not pay. It's your choice.

[socrafty]

Someone must have given you a break, it's been $3.50 for quite a while. (2006 ? or earlier)

The trail fee went up at the beginning of July to $4 per person.
Golf The Villages (http://www.golfthevillages.com/executive-golf/faq.asp#q2)

[socrafty]

Sorry I don't think the link worked. Here is what TV website says:

What costs are related to playing on the Executive Golf Trail?
Green fees on the executive courses are free for residents. A trail fee is required for use of a golf car on the courses and may be paid per round, semi-annually or annually. The fee is required for each person in a golf car. The trail fee is $4.00 per person for each round played. Members of a household may purchase a six-month trail fee for $105.93 with tax and a yearly trail fee is available for $141.24 with tax. There is no charge to resident or seasonal golfers for walking

[Joaniesmom]

None of us are Spring Chickens any more. We have all had some experience in the ways of the world by now. So I would guess that we all know that nothing is free. There is a price to be paid for everything, in one way or another.

[mulligan]

You sound bitter.

[PennBF]

I really love the Villages and don't have a problem with the Morse's gaining
a reward for their work and risk. Everone had a opportunity to take a risk.
Your reward is in line with the risk you are willing to take.
Having said that it should be understood that "nothing is ever free". If you see a buy one get one free, a free candy bar if you buy a soda, a free
high end music system if you buy the car, these costs have already been
built into what you are going to purchase. The recovery may be from a different product, or the free one has been built into the cost of the first one,
etc. This is a very basic requirement when compaines price prodiucts and services. THey have profit objectives they must meet to satisfy the share holders.
Given the above of course golf is not free. The recovery of their expenses
may be from the Amenity Fees, from some of the profits from sales of products, etc.etc. But rest assured golf is not free.
I really don't care..I moved here because we love the life style and I had
absolutely no expectations that I would get anything free.:BigApplause:

[KeepingItReal]

...

[Threeputt]

When did it go to $3.50. I played in December and it was $3.00

As of July 1 It's now $4 but the annual prepay hasn't changed

[Threeputt]

If part of your amenity fee goes toward maintenance of the Executive golf courses, then golf is NOT free. The Morse family has used this ruse to help lure people to the villages so they could accumulate their current worth of $2.5 BILLON dollars. If you think you are getting something for free, then you need to rethink.

I'd have paid the Morse's even more. They earned it.........not rethinking anything, was well informed before we bought in. Semantics.....

[2BNTV]

There is a price to be paid to live in paradise which I will gladly pay when I get there. :smiley:

I believe dhill parents objected to the word free golf in their advertising when there may be a trail fee which they felt was false advertising.

Everyone knows there is no free ride in life. Nothing is hidden and the Morse's deserve every penny for building a paradise.

Just sayin.......

[hotrodgirl]

I don't know about everyone else, but I don't expect to get something for nothing! I have just recently purchased a lot in TV, love where I am going to live, am thrilled with the opportunities that abound there, and know this will be a good decision for me. That being said, when I made my purchase, my agent sat me down and was very forthright in explaining the covenants and restrictions, the amenity fees, the bond and it's proration, the rec centers, golf cart fees, etc etc. etc. In no way do I feel I was duped or misled, and am looking forward to this new lifestyle. Is the developer making a profit? Yes. Is that wrong? No. Is it smart? You bet! He's making a good idea work both for himself and those who choose to live there. I don't believe anything is being taken from me, and still feel it's a bargain for what we get. Sure there will be some surprises along the way, but mostly I feel fortunate to be able to live my retirement comfortably with smart and active individuals.:)

[asianthree]

what ever you think free or not free, you can stay love it here or put your home up for sale and that is the meaning of free to stay or free to go

[Joaniesmom]

You sound bitter.

If I sounded that way to you, I didn't mean it to. But I believe it to be true. Just my opinion. You are certainly entitled to your own and I wouldn't criticize yours. :)

In re-reading other posts here, I seem to have lots of company. So I'm not the only "bitter" person here. :)

[jgbama]

There is a price to be paid to live in paradise which I will gladly pay when I get there. :smiley:

I believe dhill parents objected to the word free golf in their advertising when there may be a trail fee which they felt was false advertising.

Everyone knows there is no free ride in life. Nothing is hidden and the Morse's deserve every penny for building a paradise.

Just sayin.......

You're so right 2BNTV! If you've never heard of TV and see the commercial on TV, "Free golf the rest of your life" sure gets you curious enough to check into it more. So I see it as a marketing tool. We visited before the commercials aired. We thought at first each village was truly gated, found out they actually aren't. As we got more and more educated about all the costs and understanding what a CDD is and learned the restrictive covenants, we still loved it.

To be angry at TV about the "free golf" is being trivial, which is best defined by a great Eugene O'Neill quote:

“When you're 50 you start thinking about things you haven't thought about before. I used to think getting old was about vanity - but actually it's about losing people you love. Getting wrinkles is trivial.”

[Dirigo]

Whenever I hear or read that something is "free" I always think that perhaps "included" might be a better word to describe the situation.

There is no extra charge for executive golf in TV. The greens fees are "included" in your amenity fee, should you wish to play.

[jgbama]

This past weekend I visited my parents and as usual they asked me about my house in TV. They have been seeing a lot of ads lately touting TV and free golf for the rest of your life. They want to know how they can say free when they charge you a monthly amenity fee. They think it's false advertising. My answer is that nothing is free.I don't know if this is false advertising or deceptive advertising. Nobody at TV ever hid the fact that there was an amenity fee so I guess I never gave much consideration to golf being free. I guess you could make a case that some people would look at TV as a place to go based on this statement and then after they figure out that it's not really free they are hooked by other things that make TV what it is. Just thinking out loud here

Wow, it seems most of our posts are about your parents statement and not on your entire post.

You are SO RIGHT about "getting hooked by the other things". There may be some things we don't necessarily agree with when first considering TV as our new home, but once we "buy in" there is no need to make an issue of any of those. JMHO

Hope your parents aren't like my in-laws use to be. . .never happy for any of our successes or choices. I think mine were angry at us or belittled our choices because they weren't doing or seeing what we have. Just saying....

[allairenjadea]

I can't believe this old post has come back to haunt me. I have no problem with the amenity fees and was well aware of them when we purchased our home. I do think the post that suggested that the word "included" be used instead of the word "free" may be on to something. As far as my parents I believe that's just a generational thing. My Mother's brother lives in TV and was one of the original people to go there. He actually can play some championship courses for free and gets free cable tv but he still pays an amenity fee. At 91 he doesn't play much golf anymore

[bluedog103]

I really love the Villages and don't have a problem with the Morse's gaining
a reward for their work and risk. Everone had a opportunity to take a risk.
Your reward is in line with the risk you are willing to take.
Having said that it should be understood that "nothing is ever free". If you see a buy one get one free, a free candy bar if you buy a soda, a free
high end music system if you buy the car, these costs have already been
built into what you are going to purchase. The recovery may be from a different product, or the free one has been built into the cost of the first one,
etc. This is a very basic requirement when compaines price prodiucts and services. THey have profit objectives they must meet to satisfy the share holders.
Given the above of course golf is not free. The recovery of their expenses
may be from the Amenity Fees, from some of the profits from sales of products, etc.etc. But rest assured golf is not free.
I really don't care..I moved here because we love the life style and I had
absolutely no expectations that I would get anything free.:BigApplause:

:agree: Everything you say is true. TV is a great place unlike any other. The amenities are fantastic and the Amenity Fee is a bargain, but golf is not free. Call it included if you will but I don't think it makes much difference. Like the candy bar and soda you referred to. If it was indeed free you wouldn't have to buy a soda. Still, it's the biggest bargain going.

[Posh 08]

I'm one of those that think of golf there as free on the ECs. No digging into my pocket each time I will be playing golf because I'll be paying the cart fee annually, so I'm "free" of the burden of digging into my wallet. (unless I'm down after the round)

[logdog]

At my previous residence, my amenity fee was $40 per month. That paid for common area maintenance, two small kids parks (which we didn't use) and weekly graffiti removal. No pools, rec centers, golf, nightly entertainment, gates, shopping, community watch, etc. Plus we paid about $125 per month in state income tax. Here, I'm paying less per month and getting so much more.

[2BNTV]

what ever you think free or not free, you can stay love it here or put your home up for sale and that is the meaning of free to stay or free to go

Reminds me of the saying:

"Some people brighten a room when they enter and some when they leave".

[2BNTV]

You're so right 2BNTV! If you've never heard of TV and see the commercial on TV, "Free golf the rest of your life" sure gets you curious enough to check into it more. So I see it as a marketing tool. We visited before the commercials aired. We thought at first each village was truly gated, found out they actually aren't. As we got more and more educated about all the costs and understanding what a CDD is and learned the restrictive covenants, we still loved it.

To be angry at TV about the "free golf" is being trivial, which is best defined by a great Eugene O'Neill quote:

“When you're 50 you start thinking about things you haven't thought about before. I used to think getting old was about vanity - but actually it's about losing people you love. Getting wrinkles is trivial.”

Thanks John. I hope you meet you at Crispers when I get there. :smiley:

[Carl in Tampa]

I'm really tired of hearing people grump about how much money the Morse family has made from developing The Villages. They came here, bought a small mobile home park and a large amount of acreage, and developed it into an incredibly resident-friendly retirement community.

They owned the property. They developed it in a manner that made them very, very wealthy. They were smart. They didn't break the law. It's called capitalism. Anyone with some investment money and a vision could have done it. I wish my family had done it.

The family that owned much of the acreage that is now The Villages were ranchers and farmers. One of my best friends is from that family. He hunted and fished this land. But when they owned it, his family never had the vision to develop it as the Morse family has done. He doesn't begrudge their success.

Enough of this class envy bull.

With regard to "free golf" it might be more accurate to say "golf at no extra charge" but that's splitting hairs as far as I'm concerned. The fact is that you must pay the amenity fees whether or not you play golf. So if you choose to play golf it costs you nothing extra, and is in effect free.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion; that's mine.

:gc:

[sueandskip]

We've got to remember that the amenity fee doesn't just cover golf. There's a multitude of things that it pays for. I believe it's money well spent!
Because I'm new here (an occasional visitor to our home in Duval), the $3.50 trail fee for the executive courses...is that per person in the cart? or only the cart driver?
Thanks,
Phil

that is per person wheather they play or not and the last time I played turtle mound it was $4.00 trail fee...

[sueandskip]

The Morse family had a lot of exposure building this great place. Don't like their act, don't stay.
Quit worrying about things you can't change, it's a waste of time ...:swear:

[Cantwaittoarrive]

You pay the amenity fee if you use the courses or not. Sure you could say golf isn't free but there are many areas around the country with larger fees and no golf

[keithwand]

If part of your amenity fee goes toward maintenance of the Executive golf courses, then golf is NOT free. The Morse family has used this ruse to help lure people to the villages so they could accumulate their current worth of $2.5 BILLON dollars. If you think you are getting something for free, then you need to rethink.

Aah you're just jealous you couldn't do what the Morses did now aren't you.
Guess you don't like folks who have taken risks and done well or REALLY well.
Sounds like you feel cheated in life; sorry.
Maybe you'd be happier if he had lost his shirt and gone broke then you'd feel much better.

[CatskillBill]

that is per person wheather they play or not and the last time I played turtle mound it was $4.00 trail fee...


Just my opinion, but I feel the "trail fee" should be accessed for the cart only, for the wear and tear on the paths. There isn't any more wear on the cart paths whether there are one or two people in the cart. I'd like to see one annual fee and get a decal for the cart. This way who ever uses the cart is covered. Just dreaming and venting. After all it's my cart and my gas.

[perrjojo]

Just my opinion, but I feel the "trail fee" should be accessed for the cart only, for the wear and tear on the paths. There isn't any more wear on the cart paths whether there are one or two people in the cart. I'd like to see one annual fee and get a decal for the cart. This way who ever uses the cart is covered. Just dreaming and venting. After all it's my cart and my gas.

I'm not sure I understand. We pay one trail fee and my husband and I never pay a trail fee even if we are not in our own cart. Seems to me that the trail fee covers both members of the family regardless of what cart they might be in. So the fee covers the members owning the cart, not the cart itself.

[casita37]

I'm not sure I understand. We pay one trail fee and my husband and I never pay a trail fee even if we are not in our own cart. Seems to me that the trail fee covers both members of the family regardless of what cart they might be in. So the fee covers the members owning the cart, not the cart itself.


You are correct, if you pay the trail fee in advance...approx. $145/yr for the family. When they enter your ID number, it shows you paid. Works the same way a AAA membership does. Doesn't matter whose car you are in, the membership covers YOU.

[Ripcord13]

If part of your amenity fee goes toward maintenance of the Executive golf courses, then golf is NOT free. The Morse family has used this ruse to help lure people to the villages so they could accumulate their current worth of $2.5 BILLON dollars. If you think you are getting something for free, then you need to rethink.

Amen, but there is nothing free in life.

[casita37]

Whenever we tell people outside TV we get all the "free" golf we can stand, the first question is ALWAYS, "How much is your HOA fee?" People do understand how it works.

[graciegirl]

If you have played golf all of your adult life than you will know what a huge present the use of the executive courses is.

The trail fee is so low and the choices for golf so wide it is just wonderful.

If you are coming here and you don't play golf and it will annoy you to pay the amenity fee and not play golf, than please don't come here.

[JoeC1947]

Amen, but there is nothing free in life.
Ahhh, but there is. Here's 10 free things.

1) Sunsets.
2) Sunrises
3) Being nice to others.
4) Looking at and smelling flowers.
5) Listening to the morning doves.
6) Walking around the LSL boardwalk.
7) Walking anywhere.
8) Bird watching.
9) Breathing air.
10) Loving your family.

[Golfingnut]

The vast majority of communities in the US have no amenity fees at all. My question is if the FEE bothers you, why would you seek out a community that has one. I assure you if all the amenities that are paid for by the fee we pay were removed, you would then have something to be concerned about. I would not complain if the amenity fee for The Villages was 500 dollars a month. We would still be getting a lot for a small price.

[graciegirl]

that is per person wheather they play or not and the last time I played turtle mound it was $4.00 trail fee...


Well, say, Pebble Beach is a little more than that. It's all relative.

http://www.pebblebeach.com/golf/pebble-beach-golf-links/current-rates

[BobKat1]

In the sales and marketing of just about every product, a lot of words, descriptions, platitudes etc. are tossed around. "Free" is one of them.

One can't take any of them too literally or seriously. Do your homework and make a decision that is best for you.

[graciegirl]

Our amenity fee is about $135 per month.. We pay the family rate for the cart fees yearly, about $145 so that means when I go out on the executive courses (32) to play four times a week they don't charge me ANYTHING. I also go to Laurel Manor and paint and draw, I go to the pool almost daily for nothing. I go to Bingo at the rec centers that costs me a couple of bucks and they give back the take and also give you a bodacious ice cream sundae in the middle, I go to Bocce and Sweetie plays pickleball and I could play Bunko, Bridge, pool, shuffleboard, horseshoes, and a number of other card and board games for free, seven days a week. I can go to free seminars on Florida plants, lightning, and other interesting stuff. I can drive around in my Ohio State themed golf cart and look at the beautifully maintained areas and the beautifully maintained people.

I can attend any of the over 1000 special interest clubs in the many beautifully decorated recreation centers and go to water aerobics at the regional pools. I can go to any number of dance lessons, tap, ballet, jazz, modern, clogging, ballet barre, line dancing for NOTHING. I can join the villages workshop and learn how to frame my canvases after they teach me how to run all of their equipment safely. I can walk off the pounds, I can zumba, I can yoga and I can walk over miles and miles and miles of streets that are lined with beautiful homes.

OR I can live in a lot of areas of Florida that have NO amenity fees. It is my choice...and if I ever decide and it isn't for me, the houses aren't hard to sell.

[hockyb]

I'm really tired of hearing people grump about how much money the Morse family has made from developing The Villages. They came here, bought a small mobile home park and a large amount of acreage, and developed it into an incredibly resident-friendly retirement community.

They owned the property. They developed it in a manner that made them very, very wealthy. They were smart. They didn't break the law. It's called capitalism. Anyone with some investment money and a vision could have done it. I wish my family had done it.

The family that owned much of the acreage that is now The Villages were ranchers and farmers. One of my best friends is from that family. He hunted and fished this land. But when they owned it, his family never had the vision to develop it as the Morse family has done. He doesn't begrudge their success.

Enough of this class envy bull.

With regard to "free golf" it might be more accurate to say "golf at no extra charge" but that's splitting hairs as far as I'm concerned. The fact is that you must pay the amenity fees whether or not you play golf. So if you choose to play golf it costs you nothing extra, and is in effect free.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion; that's mine.

:gc:
I think "Carl in Tampa" has it right....Where would TV be if the Morse's lost a ton of money when they built Spanish Springs and developed the W side.

[Roaddog53]

Our amenity fee is about $135 per month.. We pay the family rate for the cart fees yearly, about $145 so that means when I go out on the executive courses (32) to play four times a week they don't charge me ANYTHING. I also go to Laurel Manor and paint and draw, I go to the pool almost daily for nothing. I go to Bingo at the rec centers that costs me a couple of bucks and they give back the take and also give you a bodacious ice cream sundae in the middle, I go to Bocce and Sweetie plays pickleball and I could play Bunko, Bridge, pool, shuffleboard, horseshoes, and a number of other card and board games for free, seven days a week. I can go to free seminars on Florida plants, lightning, and other interesting stuff. I can drive around in my Ohio State themed golf cart and look at the beautifully maintained areas and the beautifully maintained people.

I can attend any of the over 1000 special interest clubs in the many beautifully decorated recreation centers and go to water aerobics at the regional pools. I can go to any number of dance lessons, tap, ballet, jazz, modern, clogging, ballet barre, line dancing for NOTHING. I can join the villages workshop and learn how to frame my canvases after they teach me how to run all of their equipment safely. I can walk off the pounds, I can zumba, I can yoga and I can walk over miles and miles and miles of streets that are lined with beautiful homes.

OR I can live in a lot of areas of Florida that have NO amenity fees. It is my choice...and if I ever decide and it isn't for me, the houses aren't hard to sell.

:agree::bigbow:
Well said! A combination of jealousy of the Morse family, and simple whining. Bottom line as so many have said...if they don't like it here, no one is forcing them to live here. Find another community of which there are many out there.

[jimmy D]

Once again someone is blaming the Developers for making money. What a concept . It is the American way. Look what you get for your $$s.

They took the risk and let us enjoy the wonderful exp of the Villages.

When does your house go up for sale

[downeaster]

If part of your amenity fee goes toward maintenance of the Executive golf courses, then golf is NOT free. The Morse family has used this ruse to help lure people to the villages so they could accumulate their current worth of $2.5 BILLON dollars. If you think you are getting something for free, then you need to rethink.

Army Guy and ijusluvit have pretty much answered the OP's question.

Of course there are very few things that are free. There is a price for about everything. But calling it a "ruse" is a bit much. I think we all (85,000+ of us) were aware there was an amenity fee before we purchased. In my ten plus years here I have yet to hear a resident say they were "lured" into their purchase and were not aware of the amenity fee.

So I helped the developer amass a fortune by purchasing a home from him. I also helped Bill Gates amass a fortune by buying his products. The same goes for Dell, the Ford family, the Busch family, etc. etc.

[villages3412]

This past weekend I visited my parents and as usual they asked me about my house in TV. They have been seeing a lot of ads lately touting TV and free golf for the rest of your life. They want to know how they can say free when they charge you a monthly amenity fee. They think it's false advertising. My answer is that nothing is free.I don't know if this is false advertising or deceptive advertising. Nobody at TV ever hid the fact that there was an amenity fee so I guess I never gave much consideration to golf being free. I guess you could make a case that some people would look at TV as a place to go based on this statement and then after they figure out that it's not really free they are hooked by other things that make TV what it is. Just thinking out loud here

We are from NJ and New Jersey Law required TO to places a disclaimer
stating the amenity fee provided the golfing and it was not free without paying the fee. During point of sale

[graciegirl]

boy howdy

[shcisamax]

I was wondering when we would get to Boy Howdy :)

[Threeputt]

I've always thought it was kinda funny that some people will use a single statement or part of a statement to make a comprehensive judgement about something as complex as a whole mode of living.

"Free Golf For Life"! It's a factual statement. If you play any of TV's 20 some lovely executive golf courses, carry your bag or use a hand cart, it's free.

Saying that it's not true because residents have to pay an amenity fee is the same as saying its not true because you have to buy a house, or pay taxes, or utilities, or own golf clubs, or have transportation to a golf course, etc. More than 70 thousand folks have decided that the overall costs of living here provide an overall benefits package which is really worth it. Those who carefully compared this place to others think they got the best value-for-dollar here. Some actually think that free golf is the clincher.

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[Richard1366]

If part of your amenity fee goes toward maintenance of the Executive golf courses, then golf is NOT free. The Morse family has used this ruse to help lure people to the villages so they could accumulate their current worth of $2.5 BILLON dollars. If you think you are getting something for free, then you need to rethink.

dlhill: Why do you belittle someone who has created something as unique as TV and at the same time makes a profit on it? I can walk, ride a bike, play golf (if I walk...better for you anyway) and do lots of other things for free in a beautiful and safe environment. Of course, if you aren't happy you are always free to move.

[jblum315]

I don't think the Morse family had to use any ruse to "lure" people to The Villages. People look around at retirement communities, and they look at The Villages, and they see the benefits of the Morse family's careful and meticulous planning.

[jannd228]

Ahhh, but there is. Here's 10 free things.

1) Sunsets.
2) Sunrises
3) Being nice to others.
4) Looking at and smelling flowers.
5) Listening to the morning doves.
6) Walking around the LSL boardwalk.
7) Walking anywhere.
8) Bird watching.
9) Breathing air.
10) Loving your family.

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