Re: The Villages? No Thanks!

[ceejay]

Are you kidding me???

I want to ask them how many pools they have. Or how many recreation centers? Do they have nightly entertainment at their two town centers? Do they have restaraunts like we do? Are they a golf cart community? How about golf courses? Do they have championship and executive? And if so, how many? Do they have their own hospital? How many country clubs? How many shuffleboard and bocce courts? Sand volleyball? Lifelong learning college? Countless clubs and support groups?

If I click on their thread, it tells me I am not allowed to post...or ask any questions. I realize they are probably a sponsor of TOTV...but, geeze!

Lake Weir Living...NO THANKS!!!! :a20: I'll stick with The Villages!

[graciegirl]

They are paying customers.:undecided:

[villages07]

CJ.... I, too, did not like that thread title ... they are a sponsor, so, can post what they please. I guess they are trying to attract Central Florida wannabees who have issues with TV's covenants....someone who wants a shed, lawn ornaments, able to work outside on their cars, fences, fewer fees, etc. More power to them, but, personally, I think such a thread title will do them more harm than good.

For me and the vast majority of TOTV posters and readers, The Villages and all it has to offer is our lifestyle of choice.

[JenAjd]

I know they're "paying customers". It strikes me that these people wouldn't have the shopping and access to what they have here in T.V. if we weren't here. It's a "have your cake and eat it too" kind of thing---EXCEPT they don't get the animities that we do. We bought here because if offered way much more than another adult/gated community would have. As someone else stated here...you "might" get a bit more house, yard and NO rules but I'll take T.V.over all that. I don't want to look at someone elses hobbies and junked up yards, than you very much!!

[Bogie Shooter]

There have been other threads from this poster with similiar theams.

[otherbruddaDarrell]

I guess if you want to hang an engine from a tree, fire up the motorcycle, do some donuts and party in the back yard...........that might be the place to go.
We moved to TV to LEAVE that type of environment.

[downeaster]

All of the above posts make excellent points. I'll add another. One claim to fame is that it is eight (?) miles from The Villages. Just take that eight mile drive and tour it and see for yourself. Then imagine what it will look like a few years from now as a result of no deed restrictions.

I don't like to be negative regarding advertisers posts but this one stepped over the line. It's like he is biting the hand that feeds him.

[scrapple]

I'd like to say thanks to places like Lake Weir and others. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't be where I am today!

[bike42]

We've cycled through "Lake Weir Living" and what they do have is a lot of vacant lots with no amenities. There's The Villages and then there is the entire rest of Florida -- LWL is the rest of Florida -- failed developments, houses you could never resell, uncontrolled ugliness. Living in The Villages bubble -- YES.

[redwitch]

I just wonder if anyone has even looked at LWL as a possible purchase (not just to look) from an ad here. I can't imagine that anyone would seriously consider it over LWL unless, of course, they really do have a lot of toys they need to store at home.

[KathieI]

Lake Weir is very pretty, if that's what you like. I have a friend who lives there on 5 acres of property. I love leaving TV and visiting the horses, goats, dogs, humungous oak trees and the lake. Its very rustic and fun.

But what I do object to, is the nasty titles this poster is stating. As my mom used to say, to each his own!! If that's what you like, I won't put it down, so don't put down what I like.

He has gotten our attention however, hasn't he???

[Halle]

Are you kidding me???

If I click on their thread, it tells me I am not allowed to post...or ask any questions. I realize they are probably a sponsor of TOTV...but, geeze!

Lake Weir Living...NO THANKS!!!! :a20: I'll stick with The Villages!

:agree:

I guess that thread title struck many of us in a negative way. As someone posted if The Villages is so bad why refer to it in your advertising?

[l2ridehd]

They identified the one most single flaw in TV and are trying to capitalize on it. TV garages are TO SMALL. They say we are a golf cart community and work very hard to promote that. Then every home should have a two car garage and a golf cart garage. Single biggest mistake they make here. This developer see's that and is using it to his advantage. It is a major error by TV in making garages that do not accommodate even two cars and a golf cart. If I could, I would have a 4 car garage. Two cars, two golf carts, a motorcycle and a work space. Yes I know, they can sell everything they build, but they are not listening to the marketplace. LWL is, at least to one small segment. .

[graciegirl]

An administrator is gonna yell at us. I feel it in my bones. I got yelled at the week before last and it isn't fun.:cold::grumpy:

I will say it for them. The advertisers are how they can afford to bring us this lovely forum.

[Barefoot]

IMHO, this Ad heading was effective. The Lake Weir Developer was able to grab readers' attention and generate discussion about what some people perceive as a "flaw" in The Villages ... small garages and lack of storage area.

[Boomer]

Oh my goodness! -- Interesting thread.

Even though we have no intention of buying in Lake Weir, there are many who might like it there because it is so different from TV. And, that's OK.

Lake Weir is targeting their market. And why not do it on a site that draws attention from people who are looking at TV but are finding some things that will not fit with the retirement lifestyle they have chosen for themselves.

If I were Lake Weir, I would advertise on TOTV. TOTV would be a good place for a fishing expedition to find buyers who can't get their heads around some of the things about TV that just do not work for them.

Maybe we should put our heads together and see if we can help Lake Weir with their marketing approach. Maybe we could think up some more thread titles to help direct the ads to the target market.

For instance --

Want Some Space? Lake Weir Is Your Place

-- or maybe

Need Your Space? Lake Weir Is Your Place

or

The Villages Not For You? Give Lake Weir a Look, too

Any other suggestions out there?

No bashing. Just communicating to the target market. C'mon, let's help.

And, btw, if Lake Weir is reading this and likes any of the titles I suggest, they are here for the sharing. No charge. :smiley:

Boomer

[Pturner]

The ad probably is effective. It's a typical strategy against #1 in the market. Think Cola Wars.

LWL, Top of the World, etc., first need to convince their prospects to not choose #1. If you can't beat TV at being TV, it makes sense to market yourself as the anti-Villages, the alternative.

One barrier in the competition is ego, the "the smug factor". Windows 7 has caught up to Mac in every way-- except the smug factor. Apple users feel smug! Apple leverages this advantage with it's "Hi I'm a Mac; and I'm a PC," ads.

TOTV is a good advertising medium for LWL. It offers a market of potential buyers, since many TOTVers are interested in TV, haven't moved here yet and still could be swayed to an alternative.

LWL's "Villages, No thanks!" ad on TOTV gives prospects a way to not feel second best, a way even to feel smug even about their choice. Yep, I bet it's effective.

Marketing PT

p.s., LWL, No Way! TV, Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[memason]

One barrier in the competition is ego, the "the smug factor". Windows 7 has caught up to Mac in every way-- except the smug factor. Apple users feel smug! Apple leverages this advantage with it's "Hi I'm a Mac; and I'm a PC," ads.



OUCH..... PTurner...you've hurt my smug feelings.

Sent from my unbelievably fantastic iPad :D

[Larryandlinda]

IMHO, this Ad heading was effective. The Lake Weir Developer was able to grab readers' attention and generate discussion about what some people perceive as a "flaw" in The Villages ... small garages and lack of storage area.

Dern tootin they got (y)our attention!
So did the 20 year old college kid with the Portland, Oregon bombing plot.
He continues to get media attention that were it for a legitimate cost, would be maga millions, instead the cost to us is mega millions.
Nuff said, tsk tsk, that could go political!

As far as the LWL campaign, the posting is obviously an ad, (albeit strong) and they could have even slid it in the side door discreetly, like a testimonial. They also coulda been discreet with more of an 'advertorial' but it's a plain ol' ad with lots of ID's.
As intelligent Villagers we can see that and make decisions. So can wannabees.
As bike42 says, it's an easy bicycle ride away.

We've been curious ourselves, with the banner ads over the last year and huge (Turn around NOW!)billboards we were piqued.
Took a pedal thataway one visit and dang, we couldn't find the place.

We are now considering buying a place there to store some of the things we don't use any more to make room in our TV garages for bicycles!
Our classic Chevy panel truck, 35 foot RV, and 4 motorcycles would fit in just dandy, and owning there over the course of the next years is less than renting storage space.

And, guys, don't you sometimes take a walk over to the workshop or garage to visit the things with which you may cuss out and call names, but which never give you an argument back?

Yep, walking among your projects and material possessions can provide a calming breather in the event of even the most distressing domestic spat.

We're kinda thinkin' that in the event of a squabble, Lake Weir could provide a needed (hopefully short) respite and even have a little space to bunk down if it looks like an extended bruhaha.

Probably even be some neighbors sitting 'round the barbie who'll offer up a steak and a cold can and some motorhead chattin' and chewin' to distract you. And loud engine pipes, while annoying to many, can be a lullaby to some!

Hey, don't assume we're talking men only! Lotsa motormoms here in the sunshine state.

We have visited the LWL site, looked OK. An old rule in business is to go where the Action is, not away from it. We've seen food courts, auto rows, big boxes stacked in a row, shopping centers, no?.

As far as the Negative advertising? A recent NYT story tells it well, only the business the guy is making look negative is his OWN.
This is a fascinating read, all 8 pages.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/28/business/28borker.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&ref=todayspaper&adxnnlx=1290963637-hg8R0t0aWj0hCBI96pTsoA


Hope to see the place when we head down for the Christmas Parade.
Hey, do they have one too?

L and L

[Bogie Shooter]

Dern tootin they got (y)our attention!
So did the 20 year old college kid with the Portland, Oregon bombing plot.
He continues to get media attention that were it for a legitimate cost, would be maga millions, instead the cost to us is mega millions.
Nuff said, tsk tsk, that could go political!

As far as the LWL campaign, the posting is obviously an ad, (albeit strong) and they could have even slid it in the side door discreetly, like a testimonial. They also coulda been discreet with more of an 'advertorial' but it's a plain ol' ad with lots of ID's.
As intelligent Villagers we can see that and make decisions. So can wannabees.
As bike42 says, it's an easy bicycle ride away.

We've been curious ourselves, with the banner ads over the last year and huge (Turn around NOW!)billboards we were piqued.
Took a pedal thataway one visit and dang, we couldn't find the place.

We are now considering buying a place there to store some of the things we don't use any more to make room in our TV garages for bicycles!
Our classic Chevy panel truck, 35 foot RV, and 4 motorcycles would fit in just dandy, and owning there over the course of the next years is less than renting storage space.

And, guys, don't you sometimes take a walk over to the workshop or garage to visit the things with which you may cuss out and call names, but which never give you an argument back?

Yep, walking among your projects and material possessions can provide a calming breather in the event of even the most distressing domestic spat.

We're kinda thinkin' that in the event of a squabble, Lake Weir could provide a needed (hopefully short) respite and even have a little space to bunk down if it looks like an extended bruhaha.

Probably even be some neighbors sitting 'round the barbie who'll offer up a steak and a cold can and some motorhead chattin' and chewin' to distract you. And loud engine pipes, while annoying to many, can be a lullaby to some!

Hey, don't assume we're talking men only! Lotsa motormoms here in the sunshine state.

We have visited the LWL site, looked OK. An old rule in business is to go where the Action is, not away from it. We've seen food courts, auto rows, big boxes stacked in a row, shopping centers, no?.

As far as the Negative advertising? A recent NYT story tells it well, only the business the guy is making look negative is his OWN.
This is a fascinating read, all 8 pages.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/28/business/28borker.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&ref=todayspaper&adxnnlx=1290963637-hg8R0t0aWj0hCBI96pTsoA


Hope to see the place when we head down for the Christmas Parade.
Hey, do they have one too?

L and L

Sounds like you will fit right in.

[Pturner]

OUCH..... PTurner...you've hurt my smug feelings.

Sent from my unbelievably fantastic iPad :D

:duck:
Sent from my unbelievably fantastic iPhone :wave:

[Bill-n-Brillo]

:duck:
Sent from my unbelievably fantastic iPhone :wave:

:ohdear:

Sent from my two-tin-cans-and-a-string telecom network :shocked:

Bill

[Larryandlinda]

An administrator is gonna yell at us. I feel it in my bones. I got yelled at the week before last and it isn't fun.:cold::grumpy:
<snip>
Do we have to wait for the story in the National Enquirer or will you let us know what to avoid saying here?

L and L

[Shirleevee]

CJ.... I, too, did not like that thread title ... they are a sponsor, so, can post what they please. I guess they are trying to attract Central Florida wannabees who have issues with TV's covenants....someone who wants a shed, lawn ornaments, able to work outside on their cars, fences, fewer fees, etc. More power to them, but, personally, I think such a thread title will do them more harm than good.

For me and the vast majority of TOTV posters and readers, The Villages and all it has to offer is our lifestyle of choice.

Right on 07!!!!!!!!! We are extremely happy Villagers too!:coolsmiley::a040::a040:

[Yoda]

On a positive note.

We looked at LWL when we first came for our life style visit. Guess who won.

Yoda

[Larryandlinda]

Oh my goodness! -- Interesting thread.
<snip>
Maybe we could think up some more thread titles to help direct the ads to the target market.

For instance --

Want Some Space? Lake Weir Is Your Place

-- or maybe

Need Your Space? Lake Weir Is Your Place

or

The Villages Not For You? Give Lake Weir a Look, too

Any other suggestions out there?

No bashing. Just communicating to the target market. C'mon, let's help.

And, btw, if Lake Weir is reading this and likes any of the titles I suggest, they are here for the sharing. No charge. :smiley:

Boomer

Well, since the garages and storage are key points......
Not Just Another Self-Storage, we can add living quarters! and a Satellite dish too!

In reality, it's in the best interest of most of us in the area to have fewer vacant areas. We all benefit economically and socially.
Before we made the investments in TV we got several tours on several visits to the surrounding areas checking out residential, commercial, and industrial land, and buildings and dwellings within 10 miles.
Though we knew we at least wanted a couple toes in TV, we were looking for some larger space in the event we move more than ourselves and (at the time) a relative here.
Within walking distance of TV walls are some very basic (to put it kindly) properties that for one reason or another, the Developers chose to turn down.

Between TV and LWL are hundreds and hundreds more. There are planned areas on water that never quite made it all the way. One developmentis dotted with homes like TV Designer and Premier style, and the roads are rutted sand.

We found a dream property on 5ac with a modern home, guest home, pool and huge modern two story work barn/garage.

We haggled and were ready with an offer that would have worked.

After several calls and emails and getting through to the right folk, we discovered that all the kings horses, money, and men would never get the roads paved.
Not even graded and graveled.

Hopefully LWL will provide us with good neighbors.

L and L

L and L

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Like L and L stated in an earlier post in this thread, we tried to find the new stuff being touted/developed in LWL while we were down in TV during June................to no avail. We even had a GPS in the car! Tried to follow the signs to find their sales office (or even some new homes/models) in this development and succeeded in getting hopelessly confused. So glad we had a GPS in the car. Otherwise, we'd probably STILL be there, driving around in circles. It literally seemed like we were rats in a maze - an unbelievable number of streets/roads, but it was difficult finding our way out of there once we were in!

Sadly, what we did see wasn't for us. We did see houses - some nice, some o.k., and some looking rather forelorn. I'd guess that the area we saw was 99.9% empty lots and .1% houses that had been built. And it was quite obvious that there were no building restrictions in place...........or if there were some, they weren't being enforced.

Granted, maybe we didn't see some newer part that was being developed or something. But what we did get to see wasn't for us.

We really love TV! :pepper2:

Bill

[BobKat1]

I really appreciate this thread. I've been meaning to start one, to get some information on Lake Weir but never got around to it.

We've never visited there and have been curious about how living there is for those who don't have the "toys" frequently mentioned in the ads.

We wondered about potential noise (motorcycles and ATV's etc.) and storage issues for the aforementioned toys.

[ijusluvit]

An administrator is gonna yell at us. I feel it in my bones. I got yelled at the week before last and it isn't fun.:cold::grumpy:

I will say it for them. The advertisers are how they can afford to bring us this lovely forum.

Forget Lake Weird, THIS is news!!

Can't imagine what Gracie ever said to get yelled at.

(If it makes you feel better, we recently got the most lovable puppy ever! Her name is Gracie.)

[graciegirl]

Forget Lake Weird, THIS is news!!

Can't imagine what Gracie ever said to get yelled at.

(If it makes you feel better, we recently got the most lovable puppy ever! Her name is Gracie.)

A puppy??? Named Gracie??? Pictures please.

[Pturner]

A puppy??? Named Gracie??? Pictures please.

Puppy pictures, yes! We want puppy pictures!:doggie:

[ijusluvit]

OK, never put a picture here before, but maybe you can see Gracie...


/Users/jusluvit/Desktop/IMG_4481.jpg

[ijusluvit]

Sorry, I read the sticky and will post Gracie correctly when I have a few minutes

[golfnut]

i've never been to lwl but i'm sure there are people who will feel at home there...gn

[ceejay]

There have been other threads from this poster with similiar theams.

If you check back on their threads, they really didn't start posting deragatory titles until 11/8. That's when they started mentioning The Villages in a negative way. I normally ignored their posts...I had no interest in reading about LWL. It was this particular title that really got my ire up.

I do realize that they are sponsors of TOTV and can say whatever they want. However, I don't have to like it and I can respond however I choose. If the administration found my thread not to their liking, they are welcome to admonish me. I'm a big girl, I can take it.

Now, please post pictures of Gracie, the puppy...I'm dying to see her!

[EdV]

.....If you check back on their threads, they really didn't start posting deragatory titles until 11/8......

Desperate people do desperate things. I drove over there yesterday just to have a look. It’s nothing more than a walk in the woods.

[Taltarzac]

A puppy??? Named Gracie??? Pictures please.

I know of at least two dogs who are named Gracie who come to the Doggie Doo Run Run. One of them is a lumbering Great Dane named Gracie. She has all the grace of drunken teen at a frat party.

On the subject of this thread, I suppose if I wanted to fit right into a "You might be a redneck joke" I would move to Lake Weir Living. http://www.countryhumor.com/redneck/mightbe.htm

This one seems to be apt--


You might be a redneck if....


"You ever cut your grass and found a car."

[elevatorman]

Question: If I buy a lot there can I put up one of those large metal buildings to store my boat and RV? Or do I have to build a house?

[BobKat1]

Desperate people do desperate things. I drove over there yesterday just to have a look. It’s nothing more than a walk in the woods.

Anyone know if LWL is being built by one developer, or by individual builders?

[Larry Wilson]

I have a motorcycle friend who built there and just loves it. He use to live in The Villages but found this much cheaper living. He built a great house and loves all the open space. Loves all the roads for riding his motorcycle. I know nothing about the developer of LWL.

[bike42]

Anyone know if LWL is being built by one developer, or by individual builders?

This is from their own posts (bottom disclaimers)
"Homes are constructed and sold by builders not affiliated with SSSI. SSSI and all builders shall act as independent entities and not as a partnership or any other joint relationship. SSSI does not guarantee or warrant the obligations of, or construction by, such builders"

Also they say . . .

"Use and storage of motorcycles, recreational vehicles(RVs), campers, toy haulers, ATVs, trailers and other related or simliar vehicles or items are subject to any homeowners association that may be formed in the future"

So you may be able to have your toys there today but not tomorrow.

[Talk Host]

Forget Lake Weird

I'm wondering if this this is more proper than their subject line.

JK

[Xavier]

No doubt about it. I LOOOOOOOOVE my neighbors here in The Villages!

[swrinfla]

I go away for 10 days, plus a couple to recover, and here I am reading a rather heated thread, most of which means virtually nothing to me! :shrug:

Lake Weir, to me, means Gator Joe's, nothing more!

It's taking me longer to re-enter TOTV society after this cruise than ever before! :pepper2:

SWR
:beer3:

[K9-Lovers]

It's taking me longer to re-enter TOTV society after this cruise than ever before! :pepper2::

Okay, I'm still waiting for Puppy Gracie photos, and now we want to see CRUISE pictures, too! :D

[swrinfla]

K-9:

If, and when, I figure out how to post my cruise pictures, I may do so. But, I'm not sure everyone wants to see all 231 pictures I took!

SWR
:beer3:

[Bill-n-Brillo]

K-9:

If, and when, I figure out how to post my cruise pictures, I may do so. But, I'm not sure everyone wants to see all 231 pictures I took!

SWR
:beer3: HA!! Posting all the pictures would probably bring the whole message board crashing to its knees!!! :shocked:

Glad you had a good time - - - -

Bill

[gemorc]

I think the poster of this thread accomplished his original intent. With 5 pages of responces, the thread sure got some attention. If only viewer considered looking into Lake Weir, mission accomplished.

[The Great Fumar]

Isn't that where all the Buffalo went ?????? On certain nights if the wind is just right ,,,,Oh well , never mind , probably nothing to it anyway......

aromatic fumar:shrug:

[drdodge]

I visited there. not a very good place , on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest they would be below a one
drd

[Talk Host]

I visited there. not a very good place , on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest they would be below a one
drd

Opinion or fact?

[redwitch]

Isn't anything graded on a scale of 1 to 10 always opinion?

[downeaster]

I think the poster of this thread accomplished his original intent. With 5 pages of responces, the thread sure got some attention. If only viewer considered looking into Lake Weir, mission accomplished.

Absolutely. A lot of people who may have never heard of LWL have had their curiosities aroused. Some may even take a look. And some of those may like what they see.

[ceejay]

I think the poster of this thread accomplished his original intent. With 5 pages of responces, the thread sure got some attention. If only viewer considered looking into Lake Weir, mission accomplished.

I am the original poster and never expected 5 pages of responses. My original post was done in a fit of anger in regards to the title of their thread (The Villages? No Thanks!). I was angry that they could come on TOTV and post a thread like that and I was not "allowed" to write a response because they are advertisers.

I wound up watching one of their "Lake Weir Videos" and found it to be quite stupid and not entertaining at all. So, I guess they did accomplish their mission because I did watch it. All it truly did was make me forever thankful that we chose The Villages instead of Lake Weir.

So, thank you, LWL, for reinforcing the decision we made to move here and for making me realize that there is not another place on earth that I would rather live. The Villages is the ONLY place for me! :kiss::kiss::kiss:

[2BNTV]

One trip to TV was enough to convince me that I had found heaven on earth.

I do not have a need or desire to consider any other retirement community.

As a wannabe, it's TV or bust.

[mulligan]

Thought I'd jump in with a couple of observations. They don't seem to be able to compose an ad without mentioning the villages, and they usually include some sort of negative reference. They also imply that we have a mandatory membership in a HOA, which we obviously don't. Can't the project stand on it's own merits??

[Sally Jo]

When we first moved here, 2001, The Plantations in Leesburg, had some obnoxious billboaeds. They indicated that The Villages was so crowded that it was hard to get tee times, etc. I always said when I won the lottery I was going to put up a billboard that said "When you're tired of living in the middle of nowhere and have nothing to do call 1-800-The Villages. Needless to say, I haven't won the lottery yet.

[BobKat1]

What's the base price of the Tuscan on a non-premium lot?

[SALYBOW]

I feel sorry for them . That does not mean that I would ever be rude to them when them come to OUR squares for entertainment. I think LWLwould appeal to one certain type of person and the Villages to another. It is not that I feel the Villages is filled with one sort of people, God knows we are about as diverse as you can get. To the people of LWL, enjoy what you have and let us enjoy what we have..:a040:

[ceejay]

Thank you, Administrators! :smiley: