Unfortunately for the legal timeshare resorts out there the word timeshare is a word synonymous with “cold calling”, “bandits”, “robbed”, “scam” and “con”. Consumers complaints are increasing worldwide about how they have been approached, treated, mis-sold, and how they end up in a scheme of convoluted timeshare contract.
Consumers complaints are on the rise with regards to the intolerable way the resorts are controlled, the ever-growing surge in the maintenance fees or for those who wish to exit.
Potential consumers are enticed with the promise of a 5-star holiday to which they are then told “there is no availability”, the consumer is not informed that availability is to the discretion of the timeshare developer, nor are they informed of the elevated fees each and every year nor that should a consumer wish to exit, how difficult this will prove to re sell the timeshare they bought.
More and more timeshare companies are under scrutiny, not only by the public but the authorities too. South Africa’s very own Consumer Association is claiming the timeshare “points” systems are “scams”, the United States have had claims involving the federals and also Spain fluctuating in litigation. Many resorts all over the world are declining to revise their sales pitches, in turn failing to abide by the laws.
These days the word “timeshare” is not commonly used at presentations, therefore words like “Holiday club” and “Fractional Ownership are used in order to divert the attention of the consumer.
That diversion in its self is a misrepresentation and consumers are only aware they have bought into a timeshare when it is too late.
Most resorts openly misrepresent the product to get you to buy something you would never have bought if you had been made aware of the truth. Telling the truth is not going to achieve a sale, therefore, many sales are being made by timeshare companies knowing that the consumer was completely unaware what they were purchasing. When the consumer realises that what in-fact they purchased was a timeshare product, it is sure to create conflict.
Once the consumer raises their concerns and requests cancellation, these timeshare companies will deflect the conflict away and commonly refuse to pay any sort of monies back as a refund. The consumer’s claims are either ignored, diminished or restricted, leaving timeshare resorts to continue to misrepresent and mis-sell holiday products.
For more information regarding this article or assistance in any other timeshare related issues please contact the TCA on 01908 881058 or email: info@TimeshareConsumerAssociation.org.uk