In current times it could be easy to accuse the timeshare industry of misinforming their consumers when they seek to leave or cancel their timeshare. The timeshare industry boasts of helpers, advisors and consumer associations, who are there to support and guide it’s customers. However it could claimed that the advice and guidance given is actual harmful to the consumer and in favour of the industry. The difficulty arises that there are two sides to every story and the bit in the middle!
In one corner consumers are seeking advice from legal professionals who will reprove the timeshare industry for it’s alleged wrong doings and on the other side the timeshare industry with it’s consumer associations advising customers that actually all is as it should be and there are no failings, with the support of he industries own legal eagles.
As a customer the risk is getting passed from pillar to post and not truly understanding what is happening. The result of this is confused, sometimes distressed customers and an industry who’s name is being destroyed with each complaint made against it.
So could an intervention be effective, a meeting or meetings called to try to bring an end the seemingly never ending complaints, mediation so to speak.
Surely this type of formal hearing to air any grievance in a ‘safe’ space could perhaps induce a shift in the industry and perhaps repair the damage that have been caused to the industry reputation as a whole.
The difficulty is that with any meeting or meetings to resolve what is considered to be serious issues, there will always be the two sides of the story (and the bit in the middle). There will be people in the industry accused of being a villain in the business and customers aggrieved by the perceived actions of such people (and these people may consider themselves to be innocent of such accusations).If the powers that be decided to allow this type of consumer interaction, there would need to be levels of control in place.
The biggest part of that ‘control’ would be an agreement that the meeting was to try to reach an amicable and reasonable resolution to move out of the entrenched position currently being experienced by consumers and industry alike. Setting an agenda and specific goals for resolution to all affected parties know what they are working towards.
Legitimate complaint and claims should be listened to and acknowledged with solutions offered, should that be compensation and any other agreed resolution. However it should also be noted that this type of action could be expensive both to the customer and they industry. Costs will need to be paid by both parties.
Mediation is seen as a successful and practised way to resolve disputes quickly, effectively and fairly. If such services were offered there may a chance for the timeshare industry to create a name for itself that customers want to continue to be involved in and will recommend to friends and family. Definitely to be considered in my opinion.
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