Latest Headlines From The Timeshare Industry

Hilton Grand Vacations Expand To The Caribbean.

Hilton Grand Vacations has announced that it is expanding its timeshare holdings to the Caribbean, and is planning a purchase of The Crane Resort in Saint Philip, Barbados. It is expected to sell for $54.6 million.

Hilton Grand Vacations is acquiring the existing one, two and three bedroom timeshare suites that operate and are currently owned by Millennium Investments Ltd. The deal will take 3 years to complete but sales will start by the end of this year. The Resort will be available for existing Hilton Grand Vacations members from January next year.

The Crane dates back to 1887, when it first opened its doors as Barbados’ first resort and is the oldest operating resort in the Caribbean. It is located on 40 acres of beachfront and amenities include a clifftop pool, a day spa, fitness centre, kids club, gardens and seven restaurants. Hilton Grand Vacations will rename the resort ‘Hilton Grand Vacations at the Crane’ and marks the continuing expansion of the brand and presence in the market.

Wyndham Agrees To Cancel Couples Timeshare.

Wyndham Vacation Ownership has agreed to cancel the contract of a Canadian couple, who claimed they were pressured into spending some of their pension fund, for a timeshare whilst holidaying in Orlando. The Canadian couple said that after a four hour high pressured sales pitch, they handed over $25,000 for a timeshare they did not want.

When they returned home and spoke with their children about the deal they had signed, they realised they had made a huge mistake which they could not afford. However following the incident, a local newspaper published an article specifying what had happened. Wyndham agreed to cancel the couples contract immediately, presumably in order to avoid any negative press. A spokesperson for Wyndham said that the couple were considered a hardship case and eligible for cancellation.

It is important to remember that in Florida the law is very different to the UK, where we have a statutory 10 day cooling off period. This means if you want to cancel any contract you enter within 10 days, you will be able to do so without any trouble. However in Florida, many consumers mistakenly believe they have three days to cancel the purchase contract. There is no mandatory cooling off period under Florida law.

In relation to timeshare, the law has been adjusted slightly. If you have purchased a timeshare, you have the right to cancel the timeshare contract, up until midnight of the 10th calendar day following the date you signed the contract. Or the day on which you received the last of all required documents, whichever occurs later. And this might not be enough time for some people, especially if you are still on holiday during this period. So it is important not to enter into any timeshare contract until you have fully researched it and have made a decision beforehand.

Westgate Resort settles Timeshare Lawsuit.

 A Florida federal judge ruled on the case bought by Westgate resorts, against Castle Law Group PC, which the timeshare company said had illegally interfered in its contracts with owners. The judge handed down a permanent and final injunction, against Castle Law Group engaging in any way with Westgate owners, unless to terminate any existing relationship between Castle Law Group and the owners.

The lawsuit was brought in June 2017 by a group of 11 Westgate timeshare companies. Westgate claimed that Castle Law Group had been forcing timeshare owners to breach their contracts with Westgate, so as to earn large sums of money from owners and not providing any of the services they promised to their clients. The owner of Castle Law Group has since filed for bankruptcy.

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 types of crimes often go unreported by the most vulnerable in our society, and criminal judgments 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 unhappy 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 Money Back Claim.