Timeshare Cancellation

Today we are going to discuss the reasons why you might want to consider canceling your timeshare contract. Many have been inquiring into whether or not they should cancel their timeshares and most are not sure of the reasons, and resources that are available out there. If you have doubted your timeshare purchase, you might want to read further.According to ARDA, American Resort Development Association, timeshare sales increased from 2006 to 2007 by 10.3 percent and total sales in 2007 was $6.1 billion. That’s right, BILLION! In 2007 there were more fixed and floating weeks sold than points. This puts to rest the scam of sales reps stating that within a certain amount of time points will be the only product developers will sell. That is simply not true and not supported by any statistics. The average price in $2007 for a week was $19,247. Remember that was in 2007. This price was on average 14 percent higher than in 2006. In 2008 the average price for a timeshare in the United States was $20,152, an increase of over $900.00. In 2008 sold $9.7 billion, an increase of over $3 billion in one year. The majority of timeshares are in the state of Florida and on or in close proximity to a beach.

What does all this mean? Well, it tells you that timeshares are a popular thing in our culture. It tells you that sales are increasing and because of that, prices are increasing as well. Does this say that timeshares are a bad thing? Not at all. this tells you that anything that has value like this is going to have a huge sales campaign and strategy to get the consumers to the product and hungry for the product. Now that we have all the statistics, let’s get to the meat of this blog article.

What are the reasons that one might consider canceling their timeshare? Here is a simple list of 10 items that if happened, you should investigate canceling the deal.

1. A very long and aggressive sales presentation. Timeshare presentations/tours are supposed to last anywhere from 60 – 90 minutes before the people touring can get their gifts that were promised to them. During this process the sales representative is supposed to build rapport, gather information, and create desire for the customer. They will take you to the models, and ask questions about how you vacation and what you are currently spending. This process should last approximately 45 minutes, which will give them time to show you two options based on how you travel and what you spend. Once that is done and you “puke” at the cost, they will bring in their manager to attempt to get a better deal. You know the one that they bent over backwards for and that is so low that you can never return to get again. I have heard of timeshare tours lasting as long as 10 to 12 hours. That is not a tour, that is being held hostage. If you told them no several times and were there over 4 hours, you might want to really look further into what you have done.
2. If you took a timeshare tour and did not get the gifts that were promised to you, that is completely against every states timeshare regulations and you need to really consider canceling the deal. Any timeshare company that would do business on the front end like this is not a credible company. Just the same as starting a relationship off on a lie. The normal person would not stand for that, and it is a reason to really believe that this is just the start of more bad things to come.
3. If at any time the sales representative starts discussing timeshare ownership would be an investment, they are crossing an ethical line. If this has happened to you, this is a huge red flag and is totally illegal in the US, Canada, and Mexico. This goes against the Federal Trade Commission’s regulations concerning timeshare sales.
4. If you were promised to make a certain amount of money off of rental, your sales rep has crossed the ethical line. They can tell you that you can rent your timeshare out, but they cannot tell you that you can make a certain amount and they should not tell you that they can show you secrets to do this. This is probably the number one breech in ethics that we see. If this has happened to you, get advice.
5. If you were told that you can write trips off on your taxes, or owning will give you a tax break, get assistance. This is completely illegal and timeshare sales reps know that they are not allowed to provide any tax advice. They are allowed to say that you need to seek advice from a tax professional.
6. If you were never told that you have a right under state law to cancel your timeshare and what the cancellation period is, you want to seek advice. This is the consumers right and has to be given.
7. If you were told that because of a certain reason, no matter what the reason is, that you cannot cancel and all sales are final, get advice. Again, you have a right to cancel within the states cancellation period.
8. If you were told not to read the documents and to just sign them and read them later, that is a red flag. Any credible timeshare closing agent will want to take the extra 30 minutes and ensure that you completely understand what you are signing and what your rights are. If you did not get this, seek advice.
9. If you were told that you will never have to pay maintenance fees because of their referral program, or that maintenance fees will never go up, get advice. Many timeshare sales reps will short cut and state this instead of taking the time to explain how maintenance fees work and why they are needed. If you were told this, you might want to investigate.
10. If you were told that you will never have to pay exchange fees, and that you can exchange anywhere without any constraints, seek advice. This is another tactic that the weak sales rep will take instead of taking the time to explain how the exchange program works. You have some places because of location and size that are very difficult to get to and can take up to 2 years in advance to make the reservation.

This is not an all inclusive list. There are other areas that sales reps use to get you to think that you are getting more than what you actually are, but these are the most common. If you have 3 or more and have purchased within the last year you need to contact a timeshare assistance company for advice. As far as timeshare assistance companies are concerned, click here for more information.

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Why Should I Cancel My Timeshare

Many travelers who go on vacation and take timeshare presentations often make the mistake of purchasing a timeshare based off the emotional high they are getting while on vacation. They normally go on the presentations because of a free gift that they are promised. The timeshare presentation was supposed to last 90 minutes, but end up lasting over 4 hours. They are never told they can cancel and when they get home and are having that feeling of buyers remorse, they find out that they could have canceled, but are now past the cancellation period. Does this sound like you?Timeshare Advocacy International, LLC has helped many who have fallen victim to poor sales tactics and were lied to, coerced, misinformed, or misrepresented. You need to know that you can cancel your timeshare contract even if you are past the cancellation period. There are timeshare assistance companies that claim to have a 100 percent success rate, even though the BBB says other wise. There are companies out there that claim the BBB is a ripoff and are not to be trusted. That makes no sense whatsoever. I use the BBB before I ever make a decision to do business with a company and have always gotten the best insight possible. You can even call if you are still unsure and they will give you all the information that you may need. For anyone to call the BBB crooks and say that they are not a useful organization is trying to hide something if you ask me.

One thing I have learned after serving 21 years in the Navy is that everyone has a different definition of integrity. Integrity is not claiming that you can help anyone when you cannot. Integrity is not claiming that you have credentials with the Federal Trade Commission, US Attorney General, and Profeco when you do not! Integrity is not claiming that you are the FIRST and only professional consumer advocacy group to successfully effect the termination of hundreds of Timeshare and Vacation Ownership contracts nationally and globally when you are not. There are documented companies that have been around longer and that have better results. This company claims that they had to use alias’ because they were afraid for their families. What a load of rubbage. I am running off on a tangent, there is integrity, then there is everything else period.

Now, to get back on track, if you have a timeshare that you purchased within the last year and feel that you have been lied to, corced, or misrepresented go to Timeshare Advocacy International and request a free initial consultation. It costs you nothing and if we cannot help you, we will tell you up front. WE WILL NOT TAKE YOUR MONEY AND RUN! There is a company out there who has that reputation. You can make all the new and creative websites and claim to be there for the people, but once a shark, always a shark!

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How to Cancel Your Timeshare Contract

Due to the tightening economy and recent news concerning timeshare developers going bankrupt, timeshare owners are looking for any reason possible to get out of their timeshare contract(s). I want to give you a realistic view from someone who is in the business of canceling timeshares.There are many timeshare assistance companies that claim they will get you out of your timeshare contract no matter how long you have been in it. All you have to do is pay anywhere from $500.00 to $2500.00 and they “guarantee” to get you out. I wish that was really the case. In order to get out of a timeshare contract, you have to prove that there was misrepresentation, fraud, coercion, or some type of misinformation. That part is pretty simple. The following are reasons that can justify a reason for cancellation:

1. Not informing the customer that they have the right to cancel within the states/country rescission period.
2. Not conducting a proper sales presentation, i.e. not showing you the models, not gifting you at the end of the presentation.
3. Using misleading information to get you to make a decision. Telling you that you will earn a certain amount of cash $$ for your rental, giving tax advice, or that the timeshare is an investment and you can make money when you go to sell it.
4. Not showing and disclosing the Public Offering Statement.
5. Using coercion as a sales tactic. Keeping you on the tour for an extended period of time without letting you leave with your gifts. Some will not sign your hotel voucher, while others will not give you the cash or other gifts that you were guaranteed prior to the tour.
6. Not conducting a proper closing of the timeshare contract and other documents.
7. If the sales rep misrepresents themselves, like stating they do not get paid a commission and are only there to ensure you get the proper information. They normally will state that you are not on a sales presentation. This is more for existing owners.
8. Making any promises other than what is in writing to get you to buy.
9. Making bribes of any type to get you to buy.
10. Giving false information on pricing, financing, maintenance fees, and exchanges.

This is not an all inclusive list, but just 10 of many. Here is the other piece of the puzzle. You need to make these issues known and make formal complaints in a reasonable amount of time. I will tell you that if you are over 6 months, it is difficult to cancel, but depending on the reason(s) it definitely can be done. If you are over a year, you better have a rock solid case, and there are few. You might be able to get the contract canceled but you will not recoup all your money. Anything over 2 years is a waste of time. Now, there may be the exception to the rule. but normally you have used the timeshare, and have made numerous payments. It is almost impossible to prove any type of fraud, misrepresentation, or coercion that far out. Think about it. If you purchased a used car from a slick, smooth talking salesman and you try to go back two years later, you are going to get laughed at. Additionally, no judge in this country is going to allow that to come across their bench.

I genuinely feel for anyone who has been a victim to anything other than legitimate sales practices, but that does not give you a reason to cancel after a reasonable period of time. After two years, you have to make a decision to either keep it and learn how to make it work; stop paying and let it go into foreclosure; or find someone to buy it. The last option is the least likely to happen.

Again, I want to help anyone who has been a victim. The bottom line is that if you have owned for over a year and have not brought the issue up to the timeshare company or any other agency, you really do not have a chance of winning your claim. If you do, you are the exception and not the rule. Please, do not fall for the scams of companies telling you that they specialize in anyone in this range. The facts are the facts.

If you have any questions visit Timeshare Advocacy International for more information. I still will answer any questions from those who are over a year from purchase, but I will most likely not take your case.

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Timeshare Cancellation News