Consumers of timeshare in South Africa are raising their voices and making allegations against the timeshare industry as a whole. These consumers are stating that there is no availability when requested and are being conned into signing contracts that last a lifetime that they can never cancel. There have also been allegations made that timeshare companies overbook and over-sell accommodation, and that the fee increases are excessive and members are threatened with law suits if they can’t pay the fees.
Watchdog has called for a public probe into South Africa’s alleged ‘disgusting’ holiday club industry. National Consumer Commissioner, Ebrahim Mohamed, ordered the inquiry into the South African timeshare industry, he could not hide his anger at the behaviour of the major holiday clubs. In Pretoria he said
‘It’s disgusting in my view that captains of this industry can turn a blind eye to the relentless pain and suffering of consumers for such a long time.’
He went on to say that;
‘The most disturbing aspect is that the vacation ownership industry has done little or nothing to correct itself when issues are raised with conduct, products or services,’
(The timeshare industry has revealed that it prefers to be called the vacation ownership industry now)
The Vacation Ownership Association of South Africa have declared their utter dismay at Ebrahim Mohamed’s claim; that there has been no effort made to resolve the consumers’ issues and delve into their alleged suffering. The industry in South Africa is a $3.5 billion a year industry with in excess of 200 resorts and over ‘500,000 ‘shared owners’.
Alex Bosch is the spokesperson for the industry and he has said that since 2008, representatives have proposed amendments to the legislation and the industry code of conduct to try and fix the problems that are faced day in and out by the consumers.
There were cases raised in 2015 and the National Consumer Commission lodged an application with the National Consumer Tribunal following an investigation into some major holiday clubs that included Univision, Club Leisure Group whom own Flexi Club and the holding firm; Quality Vacation Club. It happened that these cases were withdrawn due to ‘technical defects’. Mohamed states that
‘We were legally challenged by the clubs and came to realise that it would prove very costly to proceed.’
With the new inquiry that has been announced a three-member panel will spend 6 months engaging with affected consumers and industry players. Their aim, and the intention of the enquiry, is to
‘identify the root causes of the issues experienced by the consumers, make findings on the facts and evidence presented and make recommendations on how to address the consumer issues highlighted in the complaints’.
Let’s hope that this inquiry can shed some light and bring some peace to those that have allegedly suffered at the hands of the Vacation Ownership Industry in South Africa.
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