If you’re searching how to get out of a timeshare, start with your developer, document everything, and then consider a tailored exit plan supported by a timeshare attorney who focuses on timeshares. That is the safest path discussed in the Phoenix Better Business Bureau “Joe Knows Better” episode featuring Jeremy Russo of Vacation Ownership Consultants (VOC), a BBB Accredited Business in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Timeshares can work well for some owners. However, when they stop working, owners often get targeted by the timeshare resale market and upfront-fee “listing” pitches that rarely solve the real problem. This article breaks down the podcast’s key points and explains how VOC approaches exits with attorney-supported, case-by-case strategies.
Table of Contents
Why people search how to get out of a timeshare
What a timeshare really is: deeded fix/floating weeks vs points
Why the timeshare resale market is confusing for owners
The questions you must ask before paying anyone
Why “timeshare attorney to timeshare legal departments” changes the conversation
What VOC provides: a tailored, attorney-supported process
Cost, timelines, and realistic expectations
Red flags vs green flags checklist
FAQs
Key takeaways
Why people search how to get out of a timeshare
Most owners search how to get out of a timeshare for three reasons: availability, cost, and life changes.
First, availability becomes a daily frustration. You buy with a dream destination in mind. Then you try to book. Suddenly, the week you wanted is gone.
Second, cost gets heavier over time. The podcast describes a common setup: a financed purchase with a high interest rate, plus annual maintenance fees that continue whether you travel or not.
Third, life changes. Many owners are older. Some travel less. Some start visiting family instead. Others lose a spouse and stop using the timeshare membership. The obligation remains, even when the lifestyle does not.
In VOC’s day-to-day work, these stories are not rare. A common call sounds like this: “I liked it at first, but now it doesn’t fit my life.” That is usually the moment people start searching how to get out of a timeshare in earnest.
What a timeshare really is: fixed or floating deeded weeks vs points
A timeshare is either a fixed or floating deeded interest or a points-based right to use membership. This difference matters when you’re planning an exit.
Fixed and Floating Deeded Weeks were the original model. You own a specific week or time in a specific unit. You also share responsibility for upkeep through annual fees. In the podcast, Jeremy explains how this model can work well when owners want the same location every year.
Points are a newer model replacing the deeded structure after owners “trade in” a deed. Points can offer flexibility on paper. However, the podcast notes that points commonly increase booking frustration, because owners no longer control a fixed vacation time and location.
Here’s a simple comparison:
| Feature | Deeded Week | Points Program |
|---|---|---|
| What you “own” | A defined period of time/unit interest | A usage currency |
| Booking | fixed or floating period of time | Competitive inventory among owners |
| Common complaint | Rising fees | Rising fees + lack of availability |
When people ask how to get out of a timeshare, the first real answer is: “It depends on what you own.”
Why the timeshare resale market is confusing for owners
The podcast is blunt about a hard truth: most timeshares have little to no resale value. Jeremy’s reason is simple. A buyer is not just buying vacations. A buyer is also taking on mandatory fees and liability.
That is why the timeshare resale market behaves differently than housing. In housing, buyers want appreciation and control. In timeshares, buyers often see a long-term bill that increases 5%-10% annually and unexpected liability.
The episode also calls out a common trap: almost all “resale” companies are nothing more than listing companies. They charge upfront fees for an advertising contract with no guarantee to sell the timeshare. They may provide a hopeful sales pitch. Yet owners often pay, wait, and never sell.
BBB complaint patterns of resale scams in this space often include:
big upfront fees,
promises of “ready buyers,”
and follow-up requests for more money to “close.”
The core lesson is not that every company is bad. The lesson is that the timeshare resale market structure creates easy openings for misleading sales tactics and unfulfilled promises.
The questions you must ask before paying a timeshare resale company
If you are searching how to get out of a timeshare, slow down and ask direct questions before you sign anything.
Use these questions as a script:
Are you a resale or listing company, or an exit service?
If they talk about “buyers,” treat it as a warning until proven otherwise.What exactly am I paying for today?
“Marketing,” “posting,” and “advertising” are not the same as “transfer” or “termination.”Do you rely on a timeshare-focused legal team?
If you never hear “timeshare attorney,” ask why.How do you evaluate my situation before taking me as a client?
A real provider needs to understand your circumstances and review of your timeshare documents.What do you put in writing about scope and expectations?
Vague promises are not a plan.
These questions keep the focus on outcomes, not sales language.
Why “attorney-to-attorney” changes the conversation
One of the most practical points in the BBB episode is how escalation works.
When an owner calls a developer, they usually reach a retention department, often incentivized with commission compensation plans. The solution is often to buy more to fix any complaint. These positions have limited authority and are restricted to their department’s policies and procedures. It often cannot provide reasonable solutions that owners are seeking.
When an owner is represented by a timeshare attorney, the conversation can shift to attorney-to-attorney communication. In the podcast, this is described as skipping several layers and getting into discussions that the owner wasn’t able to get access to.
That does not guarantee a specific outcome. However, it often changes leverage, tone, and exit options. It also pushes the discussion into formal channels where documentation and legal positions matter more than a call-center script.
For many owners who have tried “everything,” this is why a timeshare attorney approach can feel like the first “real” strategy.
What VOC provides: a tailored, attorney-supported process
VOC positions itself as an exit-focused service, not a resale shop. The podcast repeats this point clearly. Our model focuses on tailored solutions supported by attorneys, rather than trying to “sell” a timeshare that may not have a buyer.
VOC is a BBB Accredited Business in Scottsdale, Arizona, and its BBB profile lists over 11 years in business and accreditation details.
Here’s the process described in the episode:
1) Eligibility and document review
Owners start by sharing key documents and details. This step matters. Without it, no one can reasonably talk about options.
2) No-cost consultation
VOC’s consultation is framed like an initial legal-style evaluation. The goal is clarity, not hype.
3) A tailored action plan
The recommended path can vary based on:
paid-off vs financed,
fixed/floating deed vs points,
developer behavior,
and the owner’s circumstances.
4) Attorney-supported process
When appropriate, a timeshare attorney engages the developer side. The podcast highlights the “attorney-to-attorney” dynamic as a major difference.
5) Resolution paths
The episode gives examples such as negotiated settlements or structured agreements. The point is a reasonable plan built for that owner.
For example:
An aging owner with limited mobility may say, “I have not used this in seven years because I cannot travel anymore.”
A reseller might still pitch a listing fee.
A timeshare attorney supported approach can instead frame hardship, history, and fairness in a structured request.
That is the practical difference between exit work and the timeshare resale market pitch.
Cost, timelines, and realistic expectations
If you want the most honest answer to how to get out of a timeshare, it is this: timelines and costs depend on the file.
The podcast compares upfront fees that oftentimes exist in traditional legal work. Lawyers often charge retainers and then bill their hourly rate of $300-$500 on average. That structure is different from paying an advertising fee to list a timeshare.
VOC’s model is described as a flat consulting fee structure in many situations, rather than open bill. That can make budgeting easier for owners. Still, any service should be evaluated based on scope, paperwork, and transparency.
Here is a simple cost-pressure snapshot based on the podcast’s examples:
| Cost Pressure | What it can include | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase financing | High interest loans | Can double total cost over time |
| Annual fees | Maintenance and assessments | Continues even if unused |
| Exit effort | Documentation + negotiation | Necessary to determine the best path forward and accomplish an exit |
Red flags vs green flags checklist
If you’re still deciding who to trust for how to get out of a timeshare, use this fast checklist.
| Red Flags | Green Flags |
|---|---|
| “We already have a buyer.” | “We need to review your documents first.” |
| Upfront fees framed as “closing costs” | Clear scope, clear contract, clear steps |
| Pressure to act “today” | Encourages research and cooling-off time |
| No mention of legal strategy | Uses a timeshare attorney when appropriate |
| Vague outcomes and vague timelines | Explains scenarios and sets expectations based on experience |
| Focus on paying to list your timeshare | Explains why the timeshare resale market often fails |
BBB encourages consumers to research businesses, including reviews, complaint patterns, and accreditation status. That’s consistent with the episode’s advice.
FAQs
Is the timeshare resale market ever a good option?
Sometimes, but often not. If your timeshare has low demand and mandatory fees, resale is difficult. The timeshare resale market also attracts upfront-fee listing pitches. Treat buyer promises carefully.
Should I contact my developer before anything else?
Yes. The podcast explicitly recommends calling your developer first. Document who you spoke with and what they offered. If the answer is “no options,” that information may help later.
What does a timeshare attorney actually do in an exit?
A timeshare attorney can communicate attorney-to-attorney with the developer side, frame the facts, and pursue structured resolutions. This is different from asking a retention agent for help.
Why would I pay upfront for an exit service?
Legitimate legal work often starts with a retainer or deposit. That can be reasonable if the scope is clear. A similar billing standard applies for attorney supported timeshare exit services. It is not the same as paying upfront for advertising in the timeshare resale market.
What makes VOC a reliable option for owners?
VOC emphasizes a step-by-step intake, document review, and tailored strategies supported by attorneys focused on timeshare space. VOC is also listed as BBB Accredited in Scottsdale, Arizona.
If I’m searching how to get out of a timeshare, what is my first action today?
Gather your contract, loan details, and recent maintenance fee statements. Then call your developer and ask about surrender, deed-back, or hardship options.
Key takeaways
Start with the developer, but expect limited options at the call-center level.
The timeshare resale market is not like housing, and “buyers” claims are a common trap.
Ask what you are paying for, in writing, before you pay anything.
A timeshare attorney approach can change the conversation to attorney-to-attorney channels.
VOC’s approach centers on tailored, tried-and-true strategies and attorney-supported exit paths.
If you want how to get out of a timeshare answered honestly, focus on process, not hopeful promises.
Ready to Explore Your Options?
If you’re still searching how to get out of a timeshare and want clear, realistic guidance, the next step is a no-cost eligibility review with Vacation Ownership Consultants. This review helps determine whether a tailored, attorney-supported strategy may be appropriate for your specific ownership, contract type, and situation. There is no obligation, and it starts with understanding your documents and goals. To begin, complete the secure eligibility form.
Taking this step can help you move from uncertainty to a clear, informed path forward.
