Club members in Cape Town are facing being part of a “horror story” as they potentially will be forking out “eye-watering” amounts for a Timeshare Vacation Ownership to then be hit with yearly maintenance fees along with worries and threats of being blacklisted if they want to cancel.
Public hearings are being carried out by The National Consumer Commission at the Cape Town lodge as the issue has been escalated by the Consumer Goods and Services Ombudsman, the hearings were scheduled to take place up until Thursday.
Diane Terblanche who is a chairperson on the panel said that she felt “saddened” by one owners story of desperation of how they was trying to get out of their Timeshare contract which he had only been able to use 3 times in the 11 years they had owned.
Another consumer Faghie Meer explained how he was cold called to say he had “won a free holiday” and it was only when he claimed his prize that he was made aware that he would be required to a QVC sales presentation which resorted in him paying R56,000 as a one-off fee for the Timeshare and then would also be liable for R8,000 annual maintenance fee – at no point was he made aware that this would be for life!
Mr Meer and his wife was unable to use their holidays as they was unable to get availability at the resorts they wanted to travel and therefore in total was only able to use their points three times which was all prior to 2009. After several attempts to cancel the contract over the years he did consider cancelling his direct debit however was there threatened to be blacklisted which would affect all their credit rating.
Another owner Alvin Bowler explained how when he initially purchased his Easy Holiday Club membership he was very happy with his product however he soon discovered that “non-club members” were able to book privately for us to R1,000 less.
The list continues with unhappy owners which has ALL been threatened with being black listed if they cancel their contract or direct debits.
Diane Terblanche said that the panel would take submissions in every province and collect all relevant information from customers, interest groups and vacation ownership industry companies which will be completed by the end of September, after this reports will be made and analyzed ready for recommendations to be made.
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