Disgruntled Timeshare owner from U.S wants to warn others to stay away from the financial trap he has faced

A former timeshare owner was promised a flashy showy vacation, but instead ended up spending $21,000 on a timeshare. He was approached by a timeshare resort in 2017 and thought it would be a good time for him to invest, as his children were getting married and he thought it might make a nice honeymoon destination for them. He also employed several staff at his own small business, and wanted to offer it as an employee perk for loyal staff members.

It is a financial decision, he now says he regrets. He spoke with a news channel in the U.S in a bid to warn others: “Once we got into this every time you tried to call them and ask, hey how can we use this? They’d say look, for another few thousand dollars, it was constant upselling.”

Eventually he was approached by a timeshare termination company who offered to buy his timeshare. They wanted him to pay an upfront fee of over $10,000. Desperate to rid himself of the timeshare, he agreed to pay the upfront fee. The termination company simply pocketed his money and he was left with a huge debt and his original timeshare contract. “I was stupid twice it cost me well over $21,000. I’d love to get that money back, but boy I just hate to see these people doing this. I hate bullies and this is what these people are doing, their bullying people.”

The Federal Trade Commission offers the following advice to consumers thinking of purchasing a timeshare in the U.S:

Before you buy a timeshare or enter into an agreement with a termination company calculate the total cost including mortgage payments and expenses. Take travel costs into consideration, annual maintenance fees and taxes, closing costs, broker commissions and finance charges. Maintenance fees can rise at rates that equal or exceed inflation, so ask whether your plan has a fee cap. You must pay fees and taxes, regardless of whether you use the unit.

To help evaluate the purchase, compare these costs with the cost of renting similar accommodations with similar facilities in the same location for the same time period. If you find that buying a timeshare or vacation plan makes sense, comparison shopping is your next step.

The Better Business Bureau are offering the following advice to U.S. timeshare owners:

Be wary of unsolicited offers: If an opportunity just falls in your lap, or your inbox, and appears too good to be true, it probably is.

Be suspicious of transactions that involve additional fees: Scammers will often tempt you with a great offer and request additional fees to further the transaction. Never share bank account numbers or other personally identifying information with someone you’ve never met.

Don’t be pressured to act immediately: Scammers typically try to make you think something scarce or a limited time offer. They want to push you into action before you have time to think or to discuss it with a family member, friend or financial advisor. High-pressure sales tactics are also used by some legitimate businesses, but it’s never a good idea to make an important decision quickly.

Do your research: Review businesses, complaints and reviews from other consumers. Look on the secondary market for properties being resold.

Protect yourself from timeshare fraud.

Always check that the details of the organisation or company contacting you, such as the website, address and phone number, are correct as the fraudsters may be posing as a legitimate organisation.

Challenge all calls, letters or emails from people or organisations you don’t know or you have never contacted before. Ask how they have obtained your details and make a note of the call.

If you have been a victim of fraud in the past, seek independent advise before engaging with any organisation that is offering to help you. Callous fraudsters will often attempt to defraud people who have already fallen victim to fraud by offering to return what the victim has already lost.

People who enter into Timeshare agreements often find it difficult to keep up with the mounting maintenance fees and simply cannot afford it any longer. They may also find that the Timeshare no longer suits their needs and simply want to end the contract. There are too many individuals who are willing to take advantage of Timeshare owners and offer fake products, along with Timeshare exit schemes. Before agreeing to any Timeshare termination or exit procedure with an individual or company, seek independent advice and fully research any company you are thinking of working with.

It is also important to remember that purchasing a Timeshare should NEVER be viewed as a financial investment. Timeshare is an investment in lifestyle, in future holidays and family time together. There is almost no resale value to a Timeshare.

The mis-selling of holiday products is, unfortunately, common practice within the holiday industry and these type of crimes often go unreported by the most vulnerable in our society and criminal convictions are few and far between.

If you have purchased a Lifestyle / Concierge Service, a Timeshare or a ‘Holiday Points’ based product from a resort or company and feel sad with the service, or feel you have been mis-sold this product, please get in touch with us to discuss how we may be able to help you with a possible Timeshare Termination.