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Why Vacation Owners Won’t Admit Their Timeshare Purchase Was a Mistake

Why Vacation Owners Won’t Admit Their Timeshare Purchase Was a Mistake

by | Aug 31, 2018 | Cancellation, Home-Blog, Home-Page-Blog, Vacation Ownership | 4 comments

Have you ever made an impulse buy that never really met your expectations? At the time, it seemed like the right call, but as time went by you began to second guess the decision? Unfortunately, we’ve all been there – whether it was in-store, online or during a random sales presentation we attended for the free food. Not thoroughly thinking through a purchase decision can leave us with a bad taste in our mouth and less money in our pocket.

When I think of bad decisions, I’m always reminded of my inability to select a restaurant that satisfies everyone in my family (of 6) while we’re on vacation. No matter what place I choose, someone is left disappointed when the bill comes. It’s a tough pill to swallow. Blaming Google Maps or a curse might make me feel better, but it doesn’t eliminate my family’s experience. It kind of stings and I want to find a way to rectify it – like, by getting everyone ice cream or something. Making up for a bad decision allows us to cover up the experience to some degree.

Admitting Mistakes Can Be Tough

Unfortunately, many timeshare owners are faced with a reality they never saw coming. After buying into the hype of vacation ownership, they quickly realize it isn’t exactly what they expected. They struggle to find availability during their annual vacation dates and upgrades stand in the way of their enjoyment. But, in most cases, they continue to ride out the timeshare wave and cover up the reality. Even when fees pile up and their expectations dwindle, they’re still not ready to label it as a mistake.

admitting-a-timesahre-is-a-mistake-can-be-difficult-for-most-unhappy-travelers

Why Admitting Defeat isn’t Easy

At first glance, it may seem like unhappy timeshare owners are fools or bad investors. But, it’s important that we understand their perspective. Getting out of a timeshare mortgage is easier said than done. A lot of people actually think it’s impossible. Even when the property is paid off, it’s extremely difficult to escape the grasp of timeshare companies. Some resorts are even willing to pursue family members if you pass away.

Although help like us exists, other predatory agencies have caused timeshare owners to believe genuine resolutions aren’t out there. They’re left believing that broken promises and misrepresentation by timeshare companies is the norm – and that simply dealing with this “reality” of timeshare ownership is their only option.

Coping Instead of Seeing the Timeshare Purchase Was a Mistake

Similar to the bitterness that follows some of our impulse buys, timeshare owners are also forced to cope with their decision. The difference is, recurring fees continue leaving bad tastes in their mouth and less money in their pockets. They’re not able to leave the memory of a bad restaurant choice behind them. They have to keep paying the restaurant even if they can’t eat there. Imagine the feeling.. From their point of view, they really have no choice but to make the most of it. Giving up on the purchase isn’t always an immediate reaction. Would you be quick to admit the mistake or would you rather continue buying everyone ice cream? How you view the situation truly determines the outcomes. So, let’s take a look at some of the emotional reasons why vacation owners won’t admit their timeshare purchase was a mistake.

1. Hope.

Timeshare companies know how to make a handful of inconveniences seem like uncommon occurrences. It’s easy for timeshare owners to believe things can only get better. Hoping for the best instead of expecting the worst helps them avoid viewing the purchase as a mistake. I mean, not all timeshares are bad. Although skepticism can creep in, there are other factors that keep them hopeful.

The photos and video testimonials during the sales presentation remind them that happy timeshare owners do exist. The anticipation of finally experiencing vacational bliss eliminates the thought of their last 6 mortgage payments going down the drain. They might even have some close friends that absolutely love their timeshare. It’s easy to assume the investment will eventually be fruitful.

Once the upgrade options come into the picture, they begin to think their misfortunes will expire if they invest more. They’re led to believe that the package they currently have is to blame – that they should have gone with Tier 2 for a little bit more. This sense of hope forces them to take the passive route. The inexperience and lack of research prior to purchase is working against them and timeshare companies know it.

This positive outlook also carries over into personal relationships with family and friends. Some timeshare owners are really looking forward to sharing their weeks with loved ones. In order to keep their promises, they’re willing to do whatever it takes to make things work out. They have to be the ray of hope when the family is counting on them.

This is normally where owners believe they’re making progress with the timeshare company. They have reason to believe, as most of us would, that it’s only a matter of time before the customer service kicks in. Why would they believe the timeshare purchase was a mistake at this point? They continue planning vacations while finding comfort the the smooth talk of the timeshare sales team. They reassure loved one’s that everything is going to be OK. Surely, after all of the extra hoops they’ve jumped through, things will improve. But when the letdown continues, their hope essentially turns into optimism.

Hope Can Slowly Turn Into Optimism.

Staying optimistic throughout your entire experience is a good approach. But, it can grow old fast. At the same time, we encourage all timeshare owners to exhaust all of their options before pulling the trigger on a sale, exchange, transfer or cancellation. To some degree, immediately viewing the purchase as a mistake somewhat forces you to waive the white flag. Whatever you do, don’t give timeshare companies the advantage of hopelessness.

There are plenty of ways to leverage timeshare companies and get what you paid for. If you want to remain hopeful and pursue a resolution, we’d love to point you in the right direction. Although we specialize in contract termination, we’re not going to force you to do something that’s not in your best interest. Until we’re positive your timeshare purchase was a mistake, we want to help you keep the hope alive!

2. Pride.

Most timeshare owners hate to admit they were “suckered” or scammed into buying a timeshare. At first, the execution of timeshare companies makes buyers truly believe their investment was worthwhile. A sense of entitlement, due to the amount of money invested, causes timeshare owners to believe the leverage is still theirs.

When I think about losing, I tend to look at all elements of the win. Was it fair? Did someone step out of bounds? Would the outcome have been the same if I had my running shoes? It’s a different story when it comes to acknowledging a loss with a timeshare. You still feel like you’re owed what you paid for.

Upholding your end of the bargain gives you a sense of pride or confidence. It’s similar to not admitting you lost when you know the other party cheated. You have to immediately challenge the legitimacy of what’s going on while ignoring the final score. In your mind, it wasn’t a loss. Instead of hoping for things to turn around, timeshare owners with pride tend to bet on themselves to get it straightened out.

Aside from the bank account, admitting defeat can be can be damaging to one’s ego. It’s not only embarrassing but nauseating to know the return on investment wasn’t there. Owners have spent thousands of dollars over the years maintaining a property they expected to receive equity on one day. When it doesn’t work out, the time and money invested creates a sense of disbelief. Knowing that it isn’t what they signed up for, there’s no way it’s going to end like this. If family members or friends are involved, admitting the timeshare purchase was a mistake might be the last thing on their mind.

I wonder how many timeshare owners boasted about the purchase afterwards. They probably felt really good about it. That it was a financially friendly decision and that they feel accomplished for being able to afford something like this. They might have even been arrogant about it. I can imagine something along the lines of, “I’ll send you all some pictures of us on the beach..” At the same time, I can’t imagine any of them being thrilled when it doesn’t go as planned. Especially if some of the boasting was done on social media.

Confidence and Pride Can Make Matters Worse.

It’s hard not to couple pride with arrogance in this scenario. When you think about some of the situations a disgruntled timeshare owner might face, you’d think the pride would dwindle at some point. Some owners simply believe they’re incapable of being swindled. That they don’t make bad investments and they’ll fix the problem. Sometimes, they believe throwing more money at the issue will make it go away. When pride gets in the way of making logical decisions, a lot of money can be wasted. Putting yourself in a bigger hole just so you don’t have to admit the timeshare purchase was a mistake can cause even more problems.

If you really feel like the investment isn’t adding up, don’t be stubborn and look into an exit strategy to see if it makes sense. Saving thousands of dollars over the next year is a lot more to be proud of. It should feel like a win. Now you don’t have to feel like you’re continuously losing to someone that’s not playing fair. Tons of people make bad investments and even more feel trapped in their timeshare agreement. Swallowing your pride and seeing the purchase for what it is will help you make the right decision for you and your family.

3. Fear.

The first set of emotions are very similar as they pertain to a lack of knowledge or understanding of what’s actually transpiring. When timeshare owners believe everything will work out in the long run, they easily formulate a sense of hope, or even arrogance. It inevitably blinds them from the reality of their situation. But, as timeshare ownership progresses, they begin to lose the optimism and pride they once had. Once they feel trapped and vulnerable, it’s easy for fear to set in.

After listening to a multitude of broken promises from the timeshare company, you can’t blame timeshare owners for assuming the worst. When they first began experiencing frustrations, their initial reaction may be to sound off on the resort. Being taken advantage of causes most people to feel the need to stand up for themselves and demand a fair resolution. They may even threaten a lawsuit if they feel strong enough about the inconvenience. Before the initial arrogance wears off, there’s no way they’re going to think the timeshare purchase was a mistake.

Once fear sets in, timeshare owners become hesitant to sound off or badmouth the resort. It’s hard for them to know whether their actions will make matters worse for them or not. When you think about it, fear might actually be hurting their ability to find a resolution. Avoiding other options, like timeshare cancellation, can be the end result of this fear.

We have to understand that hundreds of people’s vacation plans have been altered (or even eliminated) due to the inadequacies of the timeshare. Most timeshare owners live in disbelief. Especially when they find out that there isn’t much they can do about the contract they signed. Their confidence dwindles, their tale sinks in between their legs and intimidation sets in.

They begin to wonder about the effect of the purchase on their finances or even personal relationships. They might become afraid of continuously letting down their spouse, friends or other members of their family. Conflict might arise. Fear of things escalating causes them to simply deal with the hand they were dealt instead of acknowledging the timeshare purchase was a mistake. As far as they know, this is the norm of the industry and it’s not really their fault for getting “hustled.” They know that taking action has only made matters worse.

Fear of Being Taken Advantage of by Timeshare Relief Programs

Even when they gather up enough courage to pursue one of the timeshare relief organizations, there is a high chance they’re going to be taken advantage of even more. Once they’ve been burned from multiple angles, fear really takes over. It’s hard for them to know who they can trust. They’re afraid of putting themselves or their family in an even bigger hole. Despair and anxiety can trickle down into other areas of their lives. It’s really a shame to see. Fear of being ridiculed even more essentially causes them to avoid admitting the timeshare purchase was a mistake. Just thinking about it gives them the heebie-jeebies.

At Vacation Ownership Consultants, we’ve talked to thousands of timeshare owners that are broken. They can’t believe the situations they’ve gotten themselves into and don’t want to fear being taken advantage of anymore. Although the timeshare industry can be gut-wrenching, we understand the opportunity we have to relieve timeshare owners of this burden. As a timeshare cancellation company, it’s our responsibility to deliver on your expectations for once.

What Causes People to Admit Their Timeshare Purchase Was a Mistake?

Over the years, we’ve found that many timeshare owners don’t open up about their experience unless they’re around a group of people with similar circumstances. They more than likely bury the topic to avoid becoming vulnerable with remorse. A lot of emotions play into this and it’s easy to understand their reasoning.

When it comes down to it, timeshare owners finally admit the purchase was a mistake when this sense of regret sets in. They can’t help but to look at everything they’ve been through and simply desire an end to it all. They want to put this experience behind them and avoid comparable circumstances moving forward. Just like losing to a cheater, most people want to avoid that opponent at all costs. Some might even feel obligated to help others avoid the same mistakes. We encourage our clients to tell their story and reward them for letting other timeshare owners know they’re not alone.

The fact of the matter is, tons of people have invested a lot of time and even more money in planning vacations that never came into fruition. They’ve grown tired of being lied to while they’ve remained optimistic. They’re tired of swallowing their pride in hopes the experience turns. They’re tired of getting upset during unproductive arguments with the timeshare company. Conflict in personal relationships may have even negatively impacted their quality of life. Once they regret their decision and consider getting out of the timeshare, they realize they don’t have to fear the unknown any longer.

Being overwhelmed with regret is understandable. It’s not like some investments that give you immediate clarity on return. Seeing the purchase for what it is helps timeshare owners understand that they’re not going to get back all of the time and money they’ve already invested. But, once they’ve made the decision to terminate the contract, they still have to be careful about who they trust. Timeshares specialize in distractions and even in-house cancellation programs can land owners right back where they started.

What to do After Realizing the timeshare purchase was a mistake?

For starters, we’d love to learn more about what you’re going through so we can determine what’s feasible for you at this point. We’ve consulted thousands of clients and are committed to helping timeshare owners avoid being taken advantage of at their own expense. If you’ve lost all hope and are in fear of things getting worse, give us a call for a free consultation. It’s not about the sale at VOC – we make sure you’ve exhausted all options prior to asking you to complete an eligibility form for our program. At the end of the day, we want to help you trust our ability to find you a resolution.

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The Result of a Poor Timeshare Investment. Is the Purchase Worth it?

The Result of a Poor Timeshare Investment. Is the Purchase Worth it?

by | Aug 30, 2018 | Cancellation, Home-Blog, Home-Page-Blog, Travelling, Vacation Ownership | 2 comments

The timeshare industry is a booming business. Today, plenty of timeshare owners enjoy vacationing for a fraction of what a second mortgage would cost. At the same time, a large percentage regret the purchase and view it as a bad investment. Because of this, more and more timeshare owners are looking to get out of their contracts every year. You would think profits would suffer due to this increasing trend – but, even when complaints were peaking, the industry brought home close to $10 billion in 2017.

This successful endeavor has continued to thrive due to a persuasive “bait and switch” sales model that prioritizes occupancy. Every room has to be booked and sometimes overbooked in order to guarantee maximum profits. Timeshare companies believe their greed is justifiable because the vacation rental market is slowly taking over a large percentage of their market share. We can only assume they’re focusing on sales over customer retention because they know it’s only a matter of time before hard-selling is no longer effective. I guess until that time, they don’t plan on changing anything. As sales teams continue to master the art of deception, timeshare owners continue to bite on presentations that seem too good to be true.

When it’s all said and done, impulse buys can leave a lot of people looking for relief. Instead of focusing on the reasons why timeshare owners want to get out of their contracts, let’s take a look at what the result of a poor timeshare investment can be.

1. A Travel Void Arises

The most common result of a poor timeshare investment is that people still have a desire to find an escape away from home. The further along they get with timeshare ownership, the easier it is for them to see that the property isn’t fulfilling the need they initially set out to satisfy. Their inability to use the timeshare during preferred vacation days is a big reason why that void still exists. Aside from availability, the amenities and promoted activities have now created an expectation that timeshare owners begin to covet over time.

What’s really intriguing about the timeshare industry is that most people attending the sales presentation have no intention to buy. This means, the desire to vacation wasn’t necessarily present at the time. Moreover, when they decide to make the purchase, many new timeshare owners don’t even know exactly what they’re agreeing to. They’re too distracted by the possibilities to understand the actualities of the “deal.” In the end, the features and benefits get them excited about the idea of routinely vacationing.

Even when timeshare ownership loses its appeal, owners may still feel inclined to continue pursuing that experience. Just like any other poor investment, money wasted forces them to make it work. Timeshare owners normally won’t give up on these aspirations just because the commitment they made wasn’t reciprocated by the resort. If anything, it ignites the pursuit.

Think of the Travel Void Like a Bad Relationship

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The desire to fill this void is kind of like dating. You put yourself out there to experience something magical and in the end, the other person is only interested in their own agenda. If you’ve invested a lot of time into the relationship then it can be difficult for you to end it. But, once you let go, human nature tells you to immediately fill that void. You’re tired of the “what could have been.” In order to stop thinking about the possibilities of the previous relationship, some people might even double down on their dating efforts – or their overall investment. It’s just like the way plenty of timeshare owners cope with their bad experience.

This can be dangerous because it may cause some to obsess over righting their wrong. It’s easy for timeshare owners to believe “upgrades” and other forms of eye candy will fix the problem. They fail to consider the consequences simply to bury the previous mistake.  Multiple failed attempts might make most hesitant to try again, but it doesn’t mean the desire to fill this void goes away. Especially if a timeshare owner feels obligated to make up for the impact the loss has had on family or personal relationships. The desire to provide the vacation home everyone was anticipating is probably the most disheartening result of a poor timeshare investment.

2. An Increase in Debt

If we were to rank the most devastating results of a poor timeshare investment, the financial aftermath would easily be number one. Hundreds of thousands of timeshares are owned by people who can no longer afford it. People end up wanting to get out of their timeshare because they simply cannot continue chasing a return by spending more money than they originally budgeted for. Some timeshare owners are in denial about how much they’ve put into making it work. But, when they’re forced into purchasing hotel rooms just so they can go on vacation, things have gotten out of control.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t credit the effectiveness of the timeshare sales presentations for their contribution. Upfront costs for a timeshare are extremely high and sales teams do an immaculate job at persuading prospects this is an affordable investment. According to certain associations that monitor the industry, the typical timeshare week costs anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000. On top of that, each timeshare owner is responsible for about $200-$1000 in maintenance fees every year.

In order to show you how ridiculous maintenance fees are; A resort that books 100 rooms for 30 weeks a year with $600 in fees can deposit $1.8 million. What’s worse is they can charge more if they want or feel the need to.

Timeshare companies reserve the right to revise these annual fees when they see fit. Additional costs normally skyrocket after natural disasters or during resort buyouts and mergers. Moreover, many timeshare owners use credit lines to keep up with payments. When you factor in interest rates for mortgages and credit cards, the unexpected fees start to add up. Being on the hook for these expenses causes many to verge outside of their initial budget.

This is a big commitment for an industry dominated by middle class America. Would you spend that much on a car you could only drive for one week every year? Even if it was a Lamborghini, I think most of us would balk at the proposal. The fact of the matter is, millions of timeshare owners are initially led to believe owning a timeshare is a worthwhile investment. As they get further away from their expectation, it’s easy for them to dish out more cash to to satisfy the desire they initially invested in. Just like the first result in this article. Refusing to see the reality of their situation only puts them in a bigger hole.

When it comes to being realistic, we have to understand that timeshare ownership is an expense, not an investment. Eric Mohrman of USA Today encourages us to look at it purely from a financial standpoint. “An investment should generate income, increase in value or, in the best cases, do both. Timeshares don’t do either.” At the end of the day, there’s no equity involved in a timeshare purchase. Timeshare owners are simply buying real estate interest. Instead of experiencing a return over time, the timeshare diminishes in value. In other words, if you sell the property, you’re going to lose money. A lot of it. Even claiming capital loss as a tax deduction requires you to jump through some hoops with the IRS.

get-out-of-timeshare-agreement-without-selling-or-renting-the-property-with-mike-cantrell-from-vacation-ownership-consultants-like-this-happy-customer-did

Although a major loss is anticipated when re-listing the property, many believe this is their only option to exit timeshare ownership. Far too many people pursue this resolution without knowing the resale market is oversaturated with options. Over time, they realize the small percentage they hoped to recoup is nothing but a pipedream and the resale “opportunity” costs are eventually added to the overall expense of timeshare ownership.

This is normally where debt catches up to the consumer and desperation sets in. Losing more money by trying to rent or sell causes them to become desperate for a way to get out. Unfortunately, many timeshare relief companies prey on their vulnerability as well. Time and time again, owners end up right back where they started. If they would have known the overall expense would be so high, I’m sure a majority of them would have avoided the investment altogether. Unfortunately, once they sign the contract and agree to upgrades, they’re financially obligated to continue paying or further damages loom.

Walking Away From a Timeshare Can Be Very Costly

Debt can be a burdensome result of a poor timeshare investment. It can get to a point where timeshare owners literally can’t make payments anymore. If they happen to default on their mortgage payments, foreclosure normally follows. Even when the timeshare mortgage is paid off, defaulting on other financial obligations (like taxes, maintenance fees or special assessments) also triggers a foreclosure. If this occurs, they can expect further financial consequences on top of their accumulation of debt. They’ll have trouble taking out another loan while experiencing higher interest rates and a damaged credit line. If you’re not careful, the result of a poor timeshare investment can be extremely costly. You could end up paying for the decision for years to come.

3. Personal Grief

Have you ever despised your employer? Does the poor work environment carry over into your personal life? In most cases, it does. Similar to the way these conditions affect the home, bad investments can create emotions that impact people’s everyday lives. Over a long period of time, it can become difficult for some to embody a positive outlook when they continue to experience disappointment or deception. Not only can this affect their ability to trust, but also cause them to become extremely skeptical. A negative outlook can have a big impact on current relationships as well as future interactions. When timeshare owners feel defeated and trapped in an investment, it’s easy for them to act sour towards others. The self-pity, resentment and grief can really alter their perspective.

I wonder how many relationships or marriages have suffered to the tune of a bad investment. The blaming game can be enough of a distraction in itself. Taking a loss can be difficult. Sometimes, multiple people are involved. The demeanor of a person can change when a beneficial resolution isn’t in sight. Especially when the overwhelming debt has handicapped their ability to enjoy life.

In addition to the psychological disadvantage, many timeshare owners struggle to afford some of the things they’ve grown accustomed to over the years. They might even be forced to make sacrifices just to keep their head above water. Whether it’s social events or personal purchases, their inability to enjoy these things can also create a sense of bitterness. Having to give up personal interests in order to pay for a regretful purchase can be a recipe for disaster.

What Did I Get Myself Into?

Another result of a poor timeshare investment is being forced to constantly deal with high pressure sales and marketing tactics. Whether timeshare owners are disappointed or content, resorts are always looking for ways to increase their revenue. Even when they pursue ways to get out of a timeshare, submitting their information places them into new sales campaigns that never seem to end. Many consumers don’t realize that a lot of these timeshare programs actually work together. No matter how many times you tell them “no” someone is always countering your disinterest with another shiny object. When salesmen don’t respect your wishes or listen to your responses, general annoyance can turn into frustration. This causes a majority of timeshare owners to believe every offer is a ripoff or scam. Their negative outlook grows colder.

Purchase Skepticism Can Result

An experience like this can also affect large purchases outside of the timeshare industry. Timeshare owners might begin to assume the worst in other scenarios that aren’t relevant. Car salesmen or real estate agents could easily be misjudged prior to any form of interaction. Online purchases might get overly compared and contrasted. Legitimate “deals” might not have the same appeal anymore. A bad investment can easily turn into something bigger than a bad attitude.

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For the most part, travel and hospitality companies have taken the biggest hit. Timeshare owners that regret their decision struggle to trust these purchases as well. From our perspective, the timeshare industry is single handedly destroying tourism in many destination cities. The fear of being bamboozled can detour some from truly exploring the world and participating in other expeditions. It’s truly sad to see.

The personal grief experienced by timeshare owners is the main reason we officially launched our company back in 2014. We were tired of seeing people get taken advantage of while timeshare companies thrived. Although some timeshare experiences are amazing, there are plenty that consistently fall short of consumer expectations. Our commitment to helping timeshare owners with an ethical approach has earned us an unmatched reputation in the cancellation industry.

We’re the only company that offers guarantees that are actually backed by 100% success rates. If you feel like you have nowhere to turn with your timeshare, we’d love to point you in the right direction. At the end of the day, we want to make sure your end result to a poor timeshare investment is a positive one.

Check Your Eligibility

View our eligibility form below to inquire about our qualifying for our timeshare cancellation program. This is the first step of learning how to get out of a timeshare contract.

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Why Would You Want to Legally Cancel Your Timeshare Contract?

Why Would You Want to Legally Cancel Your Timeshare Contract?

by | Aug 24, 2018 | About Us, Cancellation, Home-Blog, Home-Page-Blog, Vacation Ownership | 1 comment

Vacation Ownership Frustrations

There are plenty of elements of timeshare ownership that can leave you feeling overwhelmed and disappointed at the same time. Thousands of people aren’t sure where to begin when it comes to explaining their experience. From booking frustrations to being taken advantage of, they’ve seen it all. But, is it enough for them to see value in legally cancelling their timeshare contracts?

What most timeshare owners can relate to..

After speaking with thousands of timeshare owners, the most common disappointment seems to always surround regret. They can’t believe that after all this time they actually thought things were going to get better. That they would eventually be able to use their timeshare how they imagined. Plenty of travelers anticipate immaculate vacationing at their fingertips with the ability to “share” the benefits with close friends and loved ones. But, it just never transpires.

Over the last decade, more and more timeshare owners have realized their vision of vacationing is no longer feasible. Unless they’re able to escape the agreement they once signed, their ability to travel is hindered. There comes a certain point in time that they simply want to speak with someone that cares. They want to find a solution with someone that can genuinely help them eliminate the mistake they signed off on. But, the manipulation and sales tactics of the timeshare industry has them worried about where to turn – and rightfully so.

Why You’re Considering a Legal Timeshare Cancellation.

When you’re getting little to no return on an investment, it can be quite frustrating. The thing is, most timeshare owners don’t just want to get out of timeshare contracts – they have to. Some simply cannot afford the ever-increasing fees. The small timeshare purchase that sounded so amazing in the beginning has now turned into a carousel of forceful upgrades and broken promises. If you’re in this situation, you may want to legally cancel your timeshare contract, but another payment can be daunting. The thing is, the cost of continued ownership can take a far bigger tole on your finances.

Beware of Timeshare Resale Scams

What Might Happen if You Don’t Cancel

Contractual obligation forces many timeshare owners to make the most of their situation. So, after being led to believe you had to upgrade packages in order to make the property worthwhile, the heftier payments become disheartening. This is even less than ideal if the initial investment was too burdensome in itself. Unfortunately, timeshare companies could care less about the impact the timeshare has on your finances. They’ll continue to do their best to distract you with shiny objects as long as you continue making payments. Even when the mortgage is paid off, your hard earned money is still funneling towards an investment with no return. Small increases in maintenance fees or unexpected assessment costs are an added frustration that seem to only make matters worse.

The Resort’s ability to close you and cause you feel trapped allows them to profit immensely. What’s sad is your payments are covering the costs of their sales presentations and “giveaway” events. You’re really left with no choice but to take action. Even though you might really want to legally cancel your timeshare contract, selling or renting might seem like the better option. Why wouldn’t you want to try to recoup some of the money you’ve lost? The thing is, options that seem like obvious solutions can actually cause you to take a few steps backwards if you’re not careful.

“Obvious” Solutions May Add to the Problem.

Mike Cantrell, the co-founder of Vacation Ownership Consultants, has been studying timeshare tactics for a good part of the last decade. He understands the nature of the business and what it can do to people financially. He believes “the head of the serpent really presents itself when the owner tries to sell or donate the unwanted property and they realize they cannot.” Timeshare owners may believe that selling or renting their property is a no-brainer, but it can become a problem when they’re unable to find occupancy.

woman-considering-reselling-property-or-hiring-an-attorney-to-legally-cancel-her-timeshare-contract

Why Selling Your Timeshare is Difficult.

Many timeshare owners don’t realize that listing and selling a timeshare is very difficult. They assume it’ll work out in their favor. Even after they make the decision to list their timeshare, they have to deal with the reality that they’ll be lucky to recoup 50% of their initial investment. (Most are around 20-30%!) Keep in mind, these numbers only speak for timeshare owners that were actually able to get rid of their timeshare. There is no guarantee that renting and selling platforms will work. If you take the time to do your research, you’ll find that there isn’t much of a reseller market after all. Resellers will gladly take your listing fees without mentioning closing probability is extremely low.

The reoccurring fees that timeshare owners experience is normally enough to persuade them that any return on investment is a win at this point. But, the timeshare industry is a well-oiled machine full of misleading tactics and strategies. Inevitably, most timeshare owners land right back where they started. Doesn’t this alone make you want to legally cancel your timeshare contract?

Mike goes on to explain how “many timeshare owners pay thousands of dollars to ‘listing agencies’ or realtors, only resulting in more lost money and further disappointment.” Once again, timeshare owners place their trust in another sales focused process that leaves them feeling like they’re being held hostage. At the end of the day, most of them watch 5 more months (or even years) go by only to be charged more fees with less vacation time.

avoid-resale-scams-and-tricks-when-you-legally-cancel-your-timeshare-contract-with-vacation-ownership-consultants

One of our clients went as far as describing selling as: “throwing good money after bad investments.” If there’s a high probability this happens to you, why wouldn’t you want to at least consider legally canceling your timeshare contract? You might think your situation is different or that it can’t happen to you – but, thousands are burned during this phase of timeshare ownership. The obvious solution might seem like the answer to all your problems, but the risk of digging a deeper hole should weigh on your decision here. Do yourself a favor and dig into the facts surrounding the services you’re considering. If you’re sold on taking this route, try to avoid impulse decisions and cheap options if you want to increase your chances.

Don’t Believe Everything You Hear

Aside from resale scams, there are plenty of ways resorts, attorneys, realtors and other agencies try to milk your initial timeshare purchase. Even if you avoid one scam, there are plenty of others lurking in the background. Mike’s knowledge here is unmatched in the industry. “The federal government has shut down hundreds of these predatory agencies looking to scam thousands from desperate timeshare owners seeking a solution to their liability.” This is good for companies like us, that value helping you legally cancel your timeshare the right way – but it shows how severe the problem really is.

If you’re looking for a company to assist in timeshare relief, then start by reviewing their reputation. Tons of companies change their branding and business name once timeshare owners catch onto their lack of competency. If they’ve been in business for 4-5 years then they’re probably doing something right. Read between the lines of presentations and do your best to research the companies offering you solutions. If something isn’t adding up, don’t believe the hype.

Legally Cancelling a Timeshare Starts with Quality and Integrity.

Although the reality of timeshare ownership may seem overwhelming, Mike wants you to know change takes time. “Over the course of the last few years, many lawsuits have been filed against these massive conglomerates for deceptive practices and fraud. Certain attorneys have managed to prove their cases against the billion dollar organizations and have pioneered ways for owners to eliminate the unwanted property without requiring them to sell or donate the property.”

In other words, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully this discourages similar tactics in the future and eliminates the unfortunate scenarios many timeshare owners experience. We understand that many timeshare owners view relief programs as the enemy – and rightfully so. But, we want you to know that changing this perception is a priority at VOC. Over the years, we’ve stayed true to our ethical approach because helping you legally cancel your timeshare contract requires a high level of integrity and customer service.

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We don’t want you to be nervous about next steps or worried things won’t work out in your favor. We want you to be comfortable with and confident in every step of our cancellation process. Since 2014, we’ve taken the necessary steps to qualify each of our clients before moving forward with action plans. In the end, this has allowed us to exceed expectations and satisfy our guarantees with 100% success rates. Taking the time to thoroughly research the companies you do business with will allow you to experience a fruitful resolution in the near future. If a suggestion seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Don’t overthink the process and always lean towards the quality, reputable solution.

How We Legally Cancel Your Timeshare Contract

Getting out of a timeshare contract requires a lot of diligence and organization. That’s why we encourage you to exhaust all options before attempting to legally cancel your timeshare contract. Whether you use our services or not, we want to ensure you don’t put anymore capital into a wasted investment. If you find yourself continuously running into problems, it’s probably time to team up with an experienced consultant.

At VOC, we actually care more about your end result than your money. We know that every satisfied client (whether we consult them or cancel their contract) adds to the reputation we pride ourselves in. Mike Cantrell is passionate about creating this type of culture for his employees and clients. He knows that he has to invest in the best people in order to provide the best service. While unethical companies have been manipulating the system, we’ve been steadily improving our ability to relieve timeshare owners.

“VOC is proud to have the world’s most successful timeshare litigator on staff to represent our clientele,” says Mike. He and Jeremy Russo’s commitment to building a quality team with ethical standards has allowed them to scale and grow their company. “By using a proprietary law that protects consumers from abusive timeshare contracts, we’ve been able to help thousands of owners forever eliminate this burden.” Mike understands that there’s fulfillment in helping people get rid of something that’s causing them grief.

We’d love to schedule a free consultation with you just to see where we can help. In the meantime, feel free to learn more about our legal cancellation process by reading how it works or listening to some of our client’s stories.

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View our eligibility form below to inquire about our qualifying for our timeshare cancellation program. This is the first step of learning how to legally cancel your timeshare contract.

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Are you better off without owning a timeshare? Fans love them but others will sell you their interest for less than a penny.

Are you better off without owning a timeshare? Fans love them but others will sell you their interest for less than a penny.

by | Jan 23, 2017 | Cancellation, timeshare scams | 0 comments

John and JoAnn Belczak vacation in Hawaii every year.

That’s in addition to trips the Yorba Linda couple have taken to Tahoe, Boston and the Carolinas. They’ve strolled the scenic beaches of Aruba and St. Kitts and been on a cruise to Alaska. Every three years, they spend a week in a 2,000-square-foot penthouse in Nuevo Vallarta on Mexico’s west coast.

Timeshares make all that travel possible for the peripatetic Belczaks and their three now-grown children. After buying their first timeshare in Kauai 10 years ago, they upped their points a few years later, then bought a second timeshare in Mexico.

“Never regretted it,” said JoAnn Belczak, 59. “It’s not cheap. We know that. But so long as you know how to work the system and you use it, it’s great.”

William Dorman has a different take on the Las Vegas timeshare he got talked into buying at a sales presentation 15 years ago. Yes, he has exchanged his parcel for trips to places like Palm Springs and Arizona, but nothing exotic. Those were always booked. He had to pay out of pocket for accommodations in New York because the timeshare there also was booked.

Now he wants to get rid of it.

“Nothing’s available, and you have to book two years ahead of time,” said Dorman, 56, of Dana Point. “People are giving them away … or they’re listed for $5 or $100 because people want to get out of them.”

Some people are happy with their timeshares, saying they give them a chance to see the world in homey, spacious accommodations that cost less than an equivalent hotel. Others deeply regret them, saying maintenance fees keep rising, they can never book the times they want and they’re stuck paying for something they can’t use.

Regardless of whether timeshares are good or bad, the industry is booming.

Sales revenue by timeshare developers and operators rose 32 percent – to $8.6 billion a year – in the five years ending in 2015, according to the most recent estimate by the American Resort Development Association, or ARDA. Association figures show there were 411,880 transactions in 2015, with prices averaging $22,240, up 21 percent in five years.

But secondary market sales by private owners have been flat and represent a tiny fraction of the timeshare market, said Bob Schmidt, data officer for Sharket.com, a timeshare resale data firm. The resale market averages 25,000 to 26,000 transactions per year, with an average price of $5,000, a fourth the value of a typical retail unit.

“There certainly are a lot of people who are interested in selling their timeshares,” Schmidt said.

Sexier vacations

The timeshare concept, which dates to the 1960s, allows multiple owners to share one property or to gain access to resorts around the world by cashing in points they’ve accumulated or through an exchange system.

People who love their timeshares say they are motivated to take regular vacations, and they get better accommodations for less money, with kitchens and, in most cases, two or more bedrooms.

An ARDA survey found timeshare owners are more likely to take annual vacations.

And because timeshares have more rooms, and thus more privacy, owners have more sex, the industry trade group claims (yes, they actually asked vacationers about this). More than two-thirds of timeshare owners say they have more sex on vacation, while less than a third of nonowners have more sex.

ARDA President and CEO Howard Nusbaum said that over a 10-year span, the typical timeshare saves a family almost $14,000 compared with renting two hotel rooms for a week each year.

“You save money, plus you get all the comforts of home,” Nusbaum said. “It’s a better way to vacation.”

But it’s not for everyone, he concedes. People who are happy sharing a hotel room with the kids or who don’t mind sleeping on Grandma’s sofa don’t buy timeshares. But for those who want to stay in a nice hotel and take a vacation each year, he said, “it works out.”

Booking issues

Discipline and advance planning are a must in the timeshare world, owners say.

Jeff Weir, owner of three timeshares and chief correspondent for Redweek.com, a leading timeshare resale site, said bookings can get competitive. For example, he has to call a year in advance to reserve a week at the Marriott Newport Coast Villas, where he’s an owner.

“Wait two days later, those weeks are gone,” he said. “There are some practice issues for owning a timeshare that people have to deal with.”

Most of the unhappy owners are people who own a timeshare in a “legacy resort,” or an older, single-site property not affiliated with a large club, ARDA’s Nusbaum said.

“Those are the owners who have more pent-up demand to sell,” he said.

A glut of resales

Almost half of the 614 timeshares selling on eBay the weekend of Jan. 14-15 had starting bids of $1 or less, with 37 of them going for a penny.

“There’s a glut,” says a representative of Vacation Ownership Consultants, a company specializing in timeshare contract cancellation.

Hard-sell tactics are a key reason owners end up buying a timeshare they can’t use over the long run.

Buyers are lured into sales presentations by free dinners, theater tickets or discounts on hotel bills. The presentations last hours, lubricated by free food and drinks. Then, the buyers are presented a stack of papers to sign.

“They are zombies when they sign the contract. We have judges, we have clerks, we have doctors. They all come to us. We’re getting people out of these contracts that are burdensome and oppressive because at the time they signed them they really weren’t in their right mind.”

Recently a series of lawsuits were filed accusing Las Vegas-based Diamond Resorts International sales people of falsely telling buyers their timeshares appreciate in value and are easily sold and the property could be used by their heirs when they die. A retired Oceanside couple with no income paid $150,000 for timeshare contracts with Diamond, a recent Orange County lawsuit said.

“You’re told it’s an investment. … It’s not, it’s a liability … because of the maintenance fees you have to pay every year if you go on vacation every year or not.”

The lawsuit “is without merit,” a company statement issued last week said.

In December, Diamond agreed to pay Arizona $800,000 and take back timeshares after the state alleged it had received hundreds of complaints of false statements and misrepresentations made during sales presentations, the state Attorney General’s Office said.

A Diamond statement said the firm will launch nationwide reforms this month, dubbed Diamond Clarity, “to enhance the overall customer experience” during sales presentations.

Rising fees

Virginia Pelton of Laguna Hills sold timeshares in the early 1990s and ended up buying four of them in Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Dana Point and Cabo San Lucas.

“I used them several times a year,” said Pelton, 88, a former model. “A lot of people say, ‘If I want to go somewhere, I’ll get a hotel.’ But they don’t travel that much. If you have a timeshare, you use it. I did.”

But then maintenance fees started going up. Her total bill is $6,000 a year, and she’s taking steps to shed her timeshares.

“I was really into it until (the maintenance fees) went out of sight,” she said. “I can’t afford it anymore.”

Anaheim bakery owner Asem Abusir, 55, tried going to court to get rid of the Las Vegas timeshare he bought for $12,000 in 2008. He said he hasn’t been able to get a reservation since he refused to upgrade to a $35,000 plan. His annual maintenance fees are $1,400.

“They said, ‘Eventually you have to upgrade, so think about it,’” Abusir said. “It’s like I have no option.”

Eventually, he was able to shed his obligation by paying a $2,500 fee.

“I didn’t want to pay for something forever that I wasn’t using,” he said. “They said, ‘Even if you die, your kids will have to pay.’”

For more information on how you can safely eliminate an unwanted, unsellable timeshare, please contact us today. Our consultants are standing by to assist you. Call 1-800-614-5288

There are many ways to be relieved of your timeshare obligations.

There are many ways to be relieved of your timeshare obligations.

by | Sep 19, 2014 | Cancellation, Home-Page-Blog, Vacation Ownership | 0 comments

While it is true that a timeshare contract is a binding legal document, it is often mistakenly thought that such a contract cannot only be cancelled. In fact, most timeshare companies maintain that their contracts are non – cancellable. This misconception is perpetuated by timeshare companies and user groups that are funded, maintained and controlled by the timeshare industry. The truth of the matter is, that under the law, contracts are cancellable for a variety of reasons, including fraud and mistake. Moreover, a person who is burdened by the obligations of a contract may “terminate” it and no longer be bound by the contract for reasons other than breach.

“Cancellation” occurs when either party puts an end to the contract for breach by the other and its effect is the same as that of ‘termination’ except that the canceling party also retains any remedy for breach of the whole contract or any unperformed balance. Uniform Commercial Code 2106(4); see 13 Corbin (Rev. ed.), §73.2; 13 Am.Jur.2d (2000 ed.)

Since it is the law of the land, that a breach of contract by a party to the contract may result in the other party being released from their obligations under the contract, the notion that one is forever bound by a timeshare contract is erroneous as a matter of law. The purpose of this article is to provide a ray of hope to those timeshare owners who are no longer interested in being tied to their timeshare and its lifetime of financial obligations. To start, when you first purchase your timeshare, most states have a rescission, or “cooling off,” period during which timeshare buyers may cancel their contracts and have their deposit returned. This is know as the “right of rescission.”Once this period expires, however, most timeshare companies will have you believe that their contract is non – cancellable and you are thereafter bound in perpetuity to pay the ever increasing maintenance fees that go along with timeshare ownership.

“Termination” occurs when either party, pursuant to a power created by agreement or by law, puts an end to the contract otherwise than for its breach. Uniform Commercial Code sec. 2106 (3)

In recent years, however, new techniques pioneered by real estate attorney’s who specialize in timeshare litigation have emerged. These techniques reached their ultimate fruition in a series of lawsuits filed in California on behalf of a group of timeshare owners who wanted nothing more than the complete release, termination and cancellation of their timeshare interests.

Other similar actions have followed, all seeking cancellation and termination of timeshare interests for the type of fraudulent and deceptive conduct that is frequently utilized by timeshare sales people to induce unwitting potential owners to sign on the dotted line. Such conduct includes the following representations, typically made at the time the timeshare was sold:

  • That the timeshare interest purchased would appreciate and increase resale price and value over time
  • That the timeshare interest purchased could be freely exchanged, transferred and sold.
  • That the timeshare interest purchased was a financial investment.
  • That the timeshare interest purchased would result in the purchaser receiving booking priority over non – purchasing vacationers wishing to stay at one or more of the properties owned and/or maintained by the defendant.

As a result of the filing of such actions, timeshare companies have become much more amenable to releasing timeshare owners from their timeshare obligations even without resort to litigation. In order to avail yourself of such a solution, you should retain an attorney familiar with timeshare laws and the various techniques for terminating a timeshare contract.

In sum, do not believe the naysayers who tell you that it is impossible to get out of a timeshare contract. Should you be the victim of one or more of the foregoing misrepresentations, you too may be able to cancel your timeshare contract.

Call today for your complimentary assessment 1-800-614-5288

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