The never-ending problems with timeshare these days. The word alone is seen as a dirty word with people describing it as a ‘con’ or a ‘scam’. All over the world consumers are ranting about the way they were approached, the way they were
The word alone is seen as a dirty with people describing it as a ‘con’ or a ‘scam’. All over the world consumers are ranting about the way they were approached, the way they were mis-sold and that they felt manipulated into buying timeshare products, in addition, timeshare owners are complaining about the way the resorts are controlled, about the never-ending increase in maintenance fees and for people who simply want to exit their timeshare, about the way they were treated.
Across the globe, timeshare resorts are still leading people to believe they are selling ‘a good product’ whilst at the same time many consumers are claiming it’s all a ‘con’. Currently, in many countries, timeshares companies are being looked into. For example, in the UK they are being investigated by the legal profession and in for example, in the UK they are being investigated by the legal profession and in Spain, there are currently companies going through litigation.
In spite of all these many timeshare resorts all over the world are still refusing to make any changes to their sales practices and failing to abide by the laws set. As timeshare is now looked down on by many people, when a sales pitch is being presented they omit the word ‘timeshare’, instead choosing ‘Holiday Club’, Fraction Ownership’ or ‘Long Term Holiday Products’. This is done with the hope that the potential buyers’ attention has been deflected from the bad press associated with timeshare. This in its self in a misrepresentation and some consumers only become aware they had bought timeshare when it was already too late. Many resorts believe that if they had simply told the truth the consumer may never have made the purchase. With the knowledge that conflict may commence, many resorts have many tricks up their sleeves to deflect the problem and prevent paying compensation. Claims are either diminished, diluted or restricted meaning the resorts can continue misrepresenting holiday products.
This is where consumers need protection and where the Governments should step in but unfortunately, they do not. Many resorts rely upon the fact that governmental investigations cost a
lot of money and there isn’t the budget for that. Without the budget, consumers receive low, bad or no justice at all. From as far back as the 1970’s, the justice that consumers seek has not been delivered.
Consumer/Resort conflict is still a big problem and unless you pay to get it, enforcement is practically non-existent. Timeshare companies are known for making you believe you are getting something that you’re not, whether it be that you’ve won a prize that you haven’t, telling you it’s a short presentation when it’s long, that you’ll get cheap holidays but obviously with the ever increasing maintenance fees you won’t, you get to go to the same place time and time again but forget to mention that is only if there is availability or you can resell when it’s incapable of being resold. This is the ‘luxury’ of some timeshare contracts.
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