The TimeShare Relief Team
Welcome to Timeshare Relief. This is the Timeshare Relief Blog. Some people use their timeshares ever year or make a living selling timeshares. If that is you, our company is not for you. Our company is for people that do not use their timeshares anymore for whatever reason or have tried to sell their timeshares with no results and need to have an intelligent financial strategy to exit a binding contract.Timeshare Relief was started in January 2004, by two former timeshare owners: Cindy Martin and David MacMillan.
Cindy and David bought their timeshare in 1999 and quickly found it was “not the slice of paradise they thought it would be.” Their maintenance fees continued to rise, yet their timeshare became harder and harder to use. Their troubles were compounded when they tried to sell their timeshare through a well-known “listing company” but received no buyer offers, despite paying a hefty advertising fee.
After speaking with other timeshare owners, Cindy and David realized that their experiences were all too common. That is why Timeshare Relief was started: To provide RELIEF to dissatisfied timeshare owners. Not only do our clients NEVER pay another timeshare assessment or maintenance fee billing, they are also provided with a financial solution that saves them money allowing them to break free of the “timeshare trap”. Title transfers are handled by a professionally licensed, bonded, and insured title agency.
Timeshare Relief 
Help!
I have a Shell Vacations Club time share in San Francisco that is burying my wife and me. Please give me a number or e-mail address to contact someone for assistance.
Thank you,
Glen
Hi Glen,
You can reach our customer service for information at (800) 399-7958 or you can email info@timesharerelief.com. On our home page, there is a comment box where you can request information as well. Thanks for reaching out to us, we’re so glad to be able to help.
Kate Dickinson
To: sam@timesharerelief.com
Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2007 6:45 PM
Subject: Meeting in Tyler, TX 03/04/07
Dear Sam,
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the timeshare relief seminar this afternoon. As you were doing your presentation, you may have noticed me chuckling and nodding my head in agreement, as you were saying out loud everything I have been experiencing. I inherited our timeshare in 2003 when my husband passed away. He and his ex-wife #3 bought it in 1982. They divorced in 1984 and he got the timeshare in the divorce. We got married in 1986 and did get to enjoy some really amazing vacations through the years, along with a few duds, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to exchange for anything even remotely close to our first, second or even third choices. Along about 1998 we tried unsuccessfully to sell it through Stroman ERA, and they required a $400 something payment upfront. Now, don’t get me wrong, we did not just fall off the turnip truck and have sold numerous houses through the years and never paid a realtor fee upfront, only upon closing. Then when my husband became terminally ill in 2003, we listed it with Timeshares for Sale by Owner, which also turned out to be unsuccessful. We had zero inquiries either time and were out money for basically nothing. After my husband’s death, while suffering mind boggling grief, I had to include the”stupid timeshare” in the probate of his Will, get the “stupid timeshare” out of his and ex-wife #3’s name and get an Executor’s Deed in my name, all of which cost yet more money and attorney’s fees. At one point I was so angry I was ready to just walk away from the whole “stupid timeshare” money pit, but my lawyer advised me that would not be a good plan and my excellent credit would get ruined. So, I have been continuing to pay ever increasing maintenance fees, special assessments and getting very little in return. Since my husband’s death, I have taken trips to Bella Vista, Arkansas, Hot Springs twice, and Branson once. The last trip to Branson was just me and my 93 year old Mother and the 10 hour drive nearly killed me, not to mention the resort had no elevator and was way out by Table Rock Lake and Silver Dollar City. To add insult to injury, I sat through a 3+ hour timeshare presentation at the Fairfield Branson just to get the cheap Daniel O’Donnell tickets, which turned out to be the real shining moment of the entire trip. I’m done crying, I’m done being angry, and I’m not going to take it any more, thanks to you and Timeshare Relief, Inc. If I want to take a trip, I’ll just do what everybody else apparently is doing, and that is go to a travel club on the computer and book a nice condo at my first choice and pay less for it than the maintenance fees, exchange fees, screw you fees associated with timeshare ownership. So now I can put this entire episode in my by-gones file and move forward with the remainder of my life with my sense of humor intact.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Duggan
—– Original Message —–
To: sam@timesharerelief.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2007 10:19 AM
Subject: One More Thing!
Hi Again Sam,
I can’t believe I forgot the most important aspect of all this. All the women really need to listen up and pay attention. They need to learn how to stand on their own two feet and become financially responsible. They cannot and should not rely on the man to do it all. For me, the solution is to stop throwing good money after bad and instead I am going to invest what would have been paid in maintenance fees in an indexed annuity with a reputable company and continue seeking financial advice in order to secure my retirement years. My goal is to reap the rewards of the seeds I am sowing now so I can truly enjoy my golden years! Good luck and best wishes to all.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Duggan
Hi Sam,
You’re welcome for the letter and thanks for the compliment on how well written it was. I could write a book on our travel experiences. However, one important thing that I left out of the original letter was that while you were talking I actually experienced a “lightbulb” moment. The poor guys just don’t get it! I looked around the room and saw all the mostly older couples, who think that by going to their timeshare they are going to turn back the clock 40 or 50 years and they are going to climb mountains, swim in the ocean, play 18 holes of golf, play tennis, scuba dive with the dolphins, go to Disney World, (hopefully get sex), when the reality of it is the actuaries at the insurance companies have it figured out the poor guys are going to die first. They will leave the timeshare for their wives to deal with, the kids can’t afford the maintenance fees, everybody wants to go on the trip, nobody wants to pay. I have a quote by Albert Einstein framed in my office that says “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” I also have another quote by Dr. Seuss that says “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” At the end of the seminar, I didn’t see any other choice other than to end the insanity while the opportunity was presented, and I don’t plan on looking back with any regrets. Too bad some people in the room didn’t experience that lightbulb moment. I feel sorry for the hardships their wives are facing in the not too distant future. Thanks again and the only anxiety I have right now is to get this “stupid timeshare” in my rearview mirror!
Sincerely,
Carolyn Duggan
what is the average price that your company pays for time shares(caribbean based) thru your service?
Hi,
I live in NC, and I wanted to know when you are coming back here for your presentations. My sister went to see you in Feb. in Chaphill Hill and I couldn’t make it. She got rid of her Timeshare and I’m really envious of her. I hate my Timeshare and have tried selling it through these listing/advertising companies and got no where. I have spent over $2400 with these companies. My sister said you could get my name off the deed. Can you??? Please help me.
Thanks in advance, Grace Barbour
Tony, Timeshare Relief does not buy or sell Timeshares. If you are still trying to sell your Timeshare we wish you the very best of luck. I recommend you watch the interview with Timeshare Relief on Today’s View. You can view this on the Home page at http://www.timesharerelief.com. Thank you for your question, Kate
Grace, I do not know when we will be back in your area. I suggest calling Timeshare Relief at 1800 588 1582 and ask what they can do for you over the phone, Kate.
My wife bought a timeshare while in Vergas. We have used it twice and now what to sell it since the system works on points but you can only accumulate two years worth the “use it or lose it”. I am on SS disability and we can’t afford it. We really need to get rid of it and hopefully recoup part of the $10,000 it cost us.
Hope youll be able to help us.
Sincerely,
William K. Johannes
Stratford, CT 06615
I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION AND WHEN YOUR NEXT VISIT TO CENTRAL OHIO MIGHT BE. THANKS.
I hate my timeshare. I can never book an equal space as what I paid for, in my home resort or anywhere else. I also have spent more than $1000 trying to sell it, I want to even give it to a charitable organization but I can’t get the title transferred. How can you help? Sue
Sue, as you’ve learned from experience, charities can’t accept timeshare anymore because of the huge financial liabilities they are. And the resale market is practically non-existent. For more information please call us at 800-588-1582 for a consultation on how we can help. Kate.
I understand that nobody does it better than you. I have been sent to you by a previous client of yours. They tell me that yours is the only company with integrity. Thanks for your help.
Ed, We’d be delighted to share information about our company with you. You can call us at 800-588-1582 to connect with someone over the phone. We travel all over the US so I’m not sure when our next visit to Ohio will be. If you receive another postcard it will include the dates of our next presentation in your area. The number to make an appointment is 800-720-1412. Thanks for getting in touch. Kate.
Tobi,
Thank you so much for your compliment. We’re extremely grateful that we have a proven method for helping people get out of those perpetuity contracts. As always, we’re happy to be of service, and please call us at 800-399-7958 if you ever have questions. Kate.
Hi William.
Thank you for getting in touch with us. We believe our company is the best at getting people out from under the burden of maintenance fees. Our phone number to speak with a representative is 800-588-1582. These are experts who can show you a great strategy that will benefit you financially for years to come by freeing you of obligatory maintenance fees, tax bills, and special assessments. Kate.
please call me i have a timeshare i been trying to sell there have been no hope iam asking for 9.000.00 i own in myrthe beach. i can not make it to any meeting. diane bazemore
Hi Diane,
I’d be glad to have one of our program experts give you a call.
I do want to point out that Timeshare Relief, Inc. is not a listing company, so we do not buy or sell timeshares. Our goal is to guarantee relief from those bad contracts that last forever.
We look forward to speaking with you and explaining the benefits of working with Timeshare Relief, Inc.
Thank you, Kate.
My husband and I purchased our first timeshare after being told it was a great deal because it had been sold back by owners who wanted to upgrade. We thought it would be a good way to take vacations with our family, because we have 6 children, which normally requires 2 hotel rooms. We were alarmed when our points were going to diminish, so,3 years later, we purchased a second set of points, after a sales rep promised to show us how to make the most of our points, keep us from having to pay maintenance fees, and be our on-call travel arranger.
I’m sure you know the rest of the story. None of this has happened as promised. We have had a few nice vacations, with great accomodations, but we could never travel enough to use our points. Now they are beginning to penalize owner who cancel vacations, by taking those points altogether. We can never seem to schedule the places we want to go to, when we want to go, and now, if someone gets sick, or we have to cancel last minute, we’ll lose those points!
Please let me know if you can help us find a way to make this mistake into something we can live with. I get sick when I think of the money we’re spending every month that will never be for anything useful or worthwhile for our family.
Thank you,
Beth Halverson
Hi Beth,
As you can imagine, we hear this story from customers over and over again. People buy timeshares thinking they are doing a great thing to increase the joy and well-being for their families, and it generally turns out that it does nothing more than drain time, energy, and money instead.
I will definitely have one of our program experts get in touch with you to discuss how Timeshare Relief, Inc. can turn this situation around and put you in a better place financially. If you’d like to call, we’d be happy to hear from you. (800) 588-1582.
Best wishes, Kate.
My mother (Texas resident) died in Dec 2006 and she was the only owner on a deed for a timeshare at Christie Lodge in Colorado. The condo was paid off years ago. Neither I nor my brother are listed on the deed and neither of us want to be.
The owner’s association said my mother’s estate is responsible for paying the annual maintenance fees and they said I (as the executor) need to go through Colorado probate to do anything with the property.
We want this property transferred off our mother’s estate.
Owe 4000 on my timeshare want out
Hello Mr. Kelley,
Thank you for getting in touch with us and telling us about your situation. It’s unfortunate as you’ve mentioned that children are left to handle timeshare contracts after their parents have passed away.
We think it would be good for you to get in touch with an attorney who is familiar with timeshares and estate law. If you’d like a referral, please let us know, and we’d be happy to pass along the name of a great attorney.
Thank you,
Kate.
Looking for information on how your service works. My wife and I have only used our timeshare 4 times in the last 15 years, so the investment is not working out quite as well as we thought 🙂
We have dug ourselves a huge hole and do not know what to do! We bought into not one but 2 timeshare company’s and now we are spending all our savings to pay for them and the maintence fees. We tried to contact them to resale but you know the story, they aren’t interested in buying them back. PLEASE let me know what to do??? I know we were very gullible and listened to their speil and now we are paying for being duped. can you help???
look forward to hearing from you
Bonnie Schulmeister
Hi Annette,
Your sentiments are ones we hear echoed on a frequent basis. People buy timeshares thinking they’ll have great vacations at lower costs, but as it turns out the upfront purchase price and the maintenance fees are more than they can handle.
We cannot transfer titles on a property that still has a mortgage on it, unfortunately. But, please contact us when the timeshare is paid off, if you’re still looking to escape that timeshare. Our number is 800-588-1582.
Thank you,
Kate.
Hi Keith,
We would love to talk to you about our service. We are a service company and we help get your name transferred off the title so that timeshare goes away.
Our experience is that 2 out of 3 owners do not use their timeshares, and as you know, the fees still have to be paid.
Please call us at 800 588-1582 and we can get you in touch with one of our program experts to help you escape that timeshare trap.
Thank you,
Kate.
Hello Bonnie,
First of all, I’d say please don’t beat yourself up for listening to and buying into the sales speech. The timeshare sales industry has taken the art of psychology and used it to manipulate the conversations at a sales table. Other than avoiding those tables altogether, it is pretty difficult for even the hardest person to avoid getting swept away in the dream of having a lifetime of lovely vacations.
Our phone number is 800 588-1582. Please call us, and we’ll have a program expert discuss your situation, and get you some honest to goodness timeshare relief.
Thank you,
Kate.
Please let me know when you will be in Memphis TN. I am anxious to be rid of timeshare points that I NEVER use!!! Thanks so much! Gail
Hi Gail,
Because we travel to different cities, it’s hard to say when we’ll be in your area. You’re welcome to call 800-588-1582 and we’ll get you in touch with one of our program representatives, and I can also forward your information by email.
Thank you for getting in touch. We look forward to helping you get rid of those points.
Kate.
We live in Britain, u.k and are now old age pensioners. Our timeshares have become unuseable due to ill health and we have no one to leave them to. The Vacation Club has gone through several takeovers and our points have been devalued by new owners (Atlas points owned by Petchey Leisure now) We cannot afford the fees anymore but do not owe the company anything as no mortgage exists and maintenance fees for this year are paid. We would love to give this away – can you help?
All of these blogs are of people’s pain. There are no answers here. Your company is very ellusive with giving me information. If you were ligitimate, why do you speak in generalities? Be proud of your system and be up front and honest.
Hi Ann,
Thank you for contacting us. It’s unfortunate that people encounter this situation you’re in; paying for something that they can’t use for one reason or another. This is exactly why we’re here. We help people to escape those timeshare contracts once and for all.
I’ve forwarded your message to one of our representatives so they can contact you and discuss your timeshare situation.
If you would like to call, our toll-free number is 800-588-1582.
My best wishes to you,
Kate.
Hi Judy,
As mentioned on our site, we’re here to help people who are experiencing distress with their timeshares which is largely why you see people writing about the pain they’re experiencing here on our forums. There are two kinds of timeshare owners; one uses the timeshare and is happy, and that’s terrific, the other can’t or doesn’t use it, and still has to pay regardless. Those are the people we help.
Are you a timeshare owner? If so, are you a happy timeshare owner, or unhappy? If you’re happy with your timeshare, then obviously our service isn’t good for you, but if you’re unhappy, we’d be delighted to discuss your situation with you. Our number is 800-588-1582.
Thanks for stopping by.
Kate.
I have two Timeshares fully paid for. I am trying to find a way to get rid of them. How do I sell them without incurring a lot of expense?
Please Help!
Clara
We bought at Plantation at Fall Creek in Branson, MO. We want out. What can we do?
Hi Clara,
Have you ever tried selling your timeshare previously? Many people try various methods of timeshare disposal such as listing for sale, donating to charity, and generally, we’ve found these methods aren’t effective. The owners of our company tried that avenue twice to no avail. If you pay a company an upfront fee to list or advertise your timeshare for sale (usually starting at $500) then they’ve been paid up front to throw a few lines in the newspaper and not actively do anything to rid you of the timeshare. If you want to try and sell the timeshares, we wish you the best of luck, but if you’d like to talk to one of our program representatives about how we can help you get out of those timeshare contracts, our number is 800-588-1582.
Thanks for the question.
Kate.
Hi Navene,
Without more detailed information from you about your situation, it’s hard to give you specifics. Are your timeshares fully paid off? Have you tried to sell them previously? Are your fees current?
If you’d like to speak to one of our program representatives, please call 800-588-1582 and we’d be happy to discuss your situation and explain how Timeshare Relief can help you get out of the contract once and for all.
Thank you,
Kate.
I have read the entire website, called the number listed and got a recording sending me back here. I do own a timeshare, it is paid off and fees up to date. i do want out of it and you guys seem ok. the process is described clearly in the website except for specifics.
Does it cost me anything to transfer the title to you?
Do you pay the transfer fee’s and title change?
Phil
Hi Phil,
Thank you for getting in touch with us. We are happy to answer your questions, and as everyone’s situation can be different, it would be great for you to talk to one of our representatives so they can address specifics. I will pass your information along so they can be in touch.
We look forward to being of assistance.
Thank you,
Kate.
we purchased a time share from bluegreen last June… thinking we were getting such a deal but haha it is horrible and just taking our money with fees, interest… we are about on the verge to go under we don’t need this on top of it HELP I have two small children and I really need to find a way to get out of it thanks a million!
SARa
Hi Sara,
We would love to discuss your situation with you and offer you some relief. As you’re experiencing, timeshares just don’t work for everyone and many people feel trapped by the ongoing fees they have to pay whether they use that timeshare or not.
If you’d like to call and speak to a specialist, the number is 800-588-1582, or we can have someone contact you at your email address.
Best wishes for a timeshare free New Year.
Kate.
I would like help on getting rid of my timeshare that I purchased with Shell Vacations in 2006. Thank you.
Angela
Alhambra Villas in Poinciana Fla. Also can be used in another place in Ormand Beach and in Sunrise Ridge in Gatlinburg Tn. We are wanting to go some different places and no longer want maintenance fees….2 BR unit odd yrs. cost to us in 97 was 5600.00 and it is fully paid off…ty d/p mcd.
WE Purchesed 2 years ago with fairfield stayed 1 week in the smokies this past Thanksgiving.while we were there we are told we dont have enough points to vacation every year & we needed to do somthing right away or we wouidn’tbe able to use are points next year & probably couldn’t stay a whole week, which is the only way the resorts take reservations. Now I am in A finacial delima and Iwant rid of this burden. can you help!
Here at Timeshare Relief, we’d like to offer help to everyone in the situations like the ones posted above. Some people do actually use their timeshares successfully, and that’s great. But we hear the stories every day from people like Jackie, the McDaniels, and Angela and it’s our goal to help get them out of those timeshare contracts that last forever.
If you find that you are in the same situation and need to speak to one of our program experts about how we can help you, please call us for more information at 800-588-1582.
Best wishes, Kate.
p.s. If you have left a comment like the ones above, I’ll be sure to pass it along to a program specialist so they can get in touch and discuss our program and how it can help you get out from under a timeshare burden.
My husband and I would like to get rid of our timeshare weeks. My husband is on social security, and not well. The maintainance costs are outrageous. Please send me information about your company.
Hi Deborah,
I forwarded your request for information on our company to a specialist. Sadly, we hear your story over and over so we’re thrilled to show you a way out of those ongoing maintenance fees. I’ll be happy to forward you a copy of our newsletter as well to give you more information. Our best wishes for a speedy recovery for Mr. Shellenberger.
Kate.
I own 2 weeks in Orlando, Fla which I paid cash for. I want to get rid of them and get most of my money back can you help.
We have a 2br/ba floating eoy timeshare in Gaitlinburg, tn. At Westgate Smoky mountain resorts. We need to unload this expense. Can you help us?
I have enjoyed my timeshare, but my wife is from the phillippines, and feels that Cancun is too much like her homeland. I am registeres with rii Stroman since September 2007, but have heard nothing from them, and have not found my timeshare on their listing. I wonder if I am getting scammed
Hi Ray,
We can certainly help extricate you from a timeshare contract. It’s what we do best. I’ll pass your information along to our internet program representatives so they can talk to you about our services and how they can benefit you financially.
Best wishes. Kate.
Hi Meagon,
I’ve passed your inquiry to our internet program representatives so they can discuss your situation with you. We do understand that timeshares can seem like nothing more than a financial obligation when the fees are due and yet you haven’t been able to use it. We can help get you out of that contract.
Thank you for contacting us. Kate.
please contact me about your program with details of how it works.
Is this another presentation to take more of our money or are you really out to help? What’s the catch, what’s your gimmick?
Reading the letters of inquiry from potentiial customers asking how you can help, you only spoke in generalities. You didn’t answer one letter with specifics!!!!
Hi Mr. Delaney,
I believe you might want to read the following article I found on the web doing research about Stroman. The article is here:
http://www.timeshareconsumergroup.org/fraud_stroman.html
We always caution people to be wary of advertising their timeshare for sale using a listing company that asks for a significant up front fee. Unlike Timeshare Relief who guarantees to get you out of the timeshare, a listing company simply adds your timeshare to the millions of other listings and does nothing to promote the sale.
I will pass along your information and have one of our program representatives get in touch with you.
Best wishes,
Kate.
Hi Elaine,
I have asked for one of our program representatives to get in touch with you so they can go over the Timeshare Relief service and how it can help you.
Thank you,
Kate.
Hello A. Datiner,
Because everyone has a different situation when it comes to timeshares, it wouldn’t do to post information that only applies in one circumstance. Instead, we address specific issues with each customer. Timeshare Relief has currently helped thousands of people to be timeshare free permanently. That’s not a gimmick. We have a real solution for people facing a real dilemma with their timeshares.
If you’d like information about how we can help you, I’ll have a program expert get in touch with you to answer your specific questions.
Many thanks,
Kate.
We bought a Timeshare through Fairfield, have 2 deeds totalling 217,000 but don’t have time to use it much less able to afford the payments and maintenance fees with the economy today. We have listed with 3 different people which have all been unsuccessful 2 of which don’t have valid numbers anymore. We had to pay upfront costs on the listings as well as high as $699. We need to get rid of this but can’t. Please HELP!
Hi Lisa,
We definitely understand your situation. Not only have many of our employees and the company owners been in your shoes, but we’ve heard from thousands of people who share your experience with timeshares. It’s a situation that leaves many people not knowing what to do or where to turn.
We can definitely help. Our service is guaranteed to get a timeshare out of your name so those exorbitant fees go away forever!
If you’d like to call the number to reach a specialist is 800-588-1582, or I can forward your request by email.
Many thanks for sharing your story and we hope to hear from you soon.
Kate
I am buying A time time share and i wish to get out can you help
Hello Robert,
We’d be more than happy to speak with you about our services and how we can help you get out of your timeshare.
If you’d like to talk to a specialist about how our service works and how it benefits you, please call 1-800-588-1582.
Best wishes,
Kate.
I just discovered your blog! I will definitely have a few clients for you by summertime. I meet quite a few disgruntled timeshare owners in my business.
I live in greenville SC I have timesharing all dues & maintence paid , Ineed to get rid of of it i am tired of paying it,,, as I do not use it can you give me any help I only have my social secyrity to live on and that is making life hard for me
My Wife and I attened a TSR seminar in Charlotte, NC in April 2008. The Seminar realy opened our eyes to teh “perpetuity” of maintanence fees, the increasing lack of service in exchange from RCI, the lack of exchange ability and how we could even take a tax advantage and capital gain/loss on our property.
If this information was more widely available, there would NEVER be another Time Share sold! I am a convert! I transferred three time shares and I shall recover my costs in saved main. fees in 5 years! If I put that in a bank, I am actually making more money than if I could rent the silly things, which is becoming a losing game.
I highly recomend it to any and all who have discovered the “TimeShare Trap”
B G Bancroft
I’d like to inquire about more information regarding what options there are to dissolve a timeshare contract. I currently have two contracts with Wyndham (Fairfield). My financial situation has changed dramatically and I am no longer able to afford the monthly loan payment and maintenence fees. I have contacted my timeshare company several times to no avail. They will not even hear of me downgrading and will most certainly not offer me a refi on my loans. The resale value is less than half what I’m contracted to pay for it! Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
will we be able to receive some money from timeshare relieff or just transfer ownership and get out of annual dues??
My husband and I own a bi-annual timeshare in Hawaii which we want to sell, but
have not been successful in doing so. Received a letter for an appointment with
you in our area (Seattle) in April, but we were traveling and unable to respond.
We now have an appointment with a different “relief ” company early next week,
however, their advertised web page does not exist, so we can find no further advance
information about the company.
My question to you is: what type of solution do you offer, since you do not sell or
buy? I can’t imagine what other way there is to solve a timeshare problem!
Would be interested in learning what you can offer, before we see that other
company. Hope for a response as soon as possible. Liv Cartwright.
I can only echo the same bad feelings of timeshare ownership.We are paid with deed and want out please help. Capt. John&lynn Skinner
As a veteran traveler now I kick myself every year for ever giving in to sales pressure during the worst financial decision of my life. No I’m not talking about a subprime home loan but something less regulated and practical but all the same painful and sinister. At the age of 25, just recently out of college my then boyfriend and I got suckered into purchasing a timeshare in Florida with only $600 for a down payment and interest rate of 17.9% to finance the other $5400. At the time it seemed like a good idea since maintenance payments were only a few hundred dollars (about $300) and to belong to an exchange program that allowed you to trade your local timeshare with thousands around the world was another $100 per year. Of course what was left out was that the maintenance fee would grow every year, the properties on the exchange program were in poor locations and conditions and making reservations would require additional fees and recurring calls to find when a room to our specifications would be available if at all. Almost ten years since that grand mistake was made, the maintenance fee is up to $600, I quit subscribing to the exchange programs because of rundown properties in the outskirts of areas of interest and haven’t been able to sell the timeshare at a 60% discount from its original price despite numerous attempts. I have three weeks banked with my resort (Orbit One Vacation Villas) because Orlando FL is not an alluring vacation destination to me after having gone a couple of times for leisure and more times than I care to remember for business. In addition the internet and social networks have made it so easy for me to make cheaper, better and more interesting travel arrangements. I don’t see a lot of coverage on timeshares in travel magazines or websites. I wish I would have been warned about the horrible money pit this venture truly is and what I can do now to get rid of it after almost 10 years of ownership. I am divorced from the boyfriend who became my husband and in our agreement we choose to share this burden because neither one of us wanted to bear it alone. What’s more with a son now I’m afraid this leach will pass on to him when his Dad and I are gone. This thought along with the $180 dollars paid in addition to my yearly maintenance fee for making and then changing a reservation is what’s motivating me to write this letter and look for a way to finally get out. I don’t know how this industry continues to grow given the ridiculous fees for minimal services – I guess it’s all about praying upon the right “target market” with a story and pen to sign your life away with unnecessary and fruitless debt.
Looking for a way out,
Mildred Moreno
Hi,
I bought a timeshare when i went out to Las Vegas last november. They are charging me 16% interest and said dont worry. They said I can easily refinance for much much lower once I get home from my vacation. I just found out that that is an outright lie. NOBODY will refinance a timeshare and if you can find the one or two companies who will refinance, it will still be an outrageous interest rate. I cannot afford these payments. They are being charged on my credit cards every month and I am about to be overextended on my credit. I need out. I dont want to have to file for bankruptcy but if thats the only way out, I will do it.
My wife and I purchased a Timeshare at the Grandview Las Vegas in Sept 07. We were travelling at the time, as we are from New Zealand. We didn’t want to buy a timeshare we only went along because we got cheap seats for a show. From walking through the doors at Grandview we have been lied too and deceived every step of the way. I asked question after question because I was unsure, but they kept reinsuring us that they would help us, if we ever wanted out. We were the last left in the building and they were getting annoyed, and while signing up the sales person was taping his fingers while we were signing. It was weak on our part but we believed them, which was the biggest mistake. Two months down the track we come to the conclusion we didn’t want the timeshare. I rang Grandview and the told them our situation, their response ‘its not out problem its yours’. I knew then we were in trouble. Every week for 6 months I sent them an email and rang the Grandview & Eldorado Resorts, but no-one gave me the time off day. We were in financial trouble with the bank because of the payments on the timeshare, and the bank ended closing our credit card and now have a black mark against our name. We keep receiving letters saying we owe this much, I have sent more emails stating we can’t afford and we want out basically. I finally got hold of a lady who was chasing money, and told us if we don’t pay within ten days it would be put into foreclosure. I need answers on how we go about it?
1. If they foreclose the timeshare, what will happen to us? 2. If they take legal action against us, do we have turn up/pay when we live in New Zealand? We need advice on how to stop the nightmare?
Regards
Grant
please send me some information. I need to get out of this timeshare!
Please help!!! I have been stuck for three years with a Massanutten Resort timeshare, the experience was horrible and has been a huge burden on my finances. I was roped into thinking that the timeshare would complement my military service. I would travel all over the world and have great resorts to visit…..well like many others, I HATE MY TIMESHARE!!!!!!!!! Only now do I see that the whole enviroment at the resort was manipulated into pressuring the sale. My son didn’t even get to use the water park which was the reason we went there in the first place. I’ve gone through the routing of paying someone to sell it online, of course no buyers. Tried Craigs list – no one want this dam thing. What can I do???? Please help me get this leech off me!
I would like more information on your services.
Please email me details on how you can help me get rid of the timeshare I own.
Loking forward to hearing from you soon
Caryl
I have a studio unit on even years week 38 Sunterra- Scottsdale Villa Mirage. I am interested in selling it.
I like so many others purchased a timeshare thinking it would be the answer to my vacation dreams. I was told it was so easy you just call and tell them where you want to go and they could exchange my timeshare with hundreds of others all over the world. Needless to say each time I call the area & time I want to visit is not available. I have yet been able to exchange. I listed with a company who advertised they would have it sold within 3 months, sent them $400 and never heard from anyone. How can you help?
I have been trying to get rid of my timeshare for over a year now. I have had terrible luck and have lost lots of money through it. I can’t afford to keep paying for it since I don’t ever use it. Please help me.
How do I get out of my time share, it a 20 year contract and the fees keep on increasing. There are 6 years left on our contract.
Look forward to your comments.
The best way that we can help anyone is for them to contact us by filling out the short enrollment form on the Timeshare Relief home page at http://www.TimeshareRelief.com or to call us at 800-588-1582.
Also, we’ve changed the location of our main blog to http://www.timesharerelief360.wordpress.com
please help we have a time share at blue green out of florida and we can no longer afford it because of financial circumstances. please e mail me how you can help if you can. thanks
My mom has a timeshare in FL. She does not want it. It has been paid in full. She paid some other company money upfront to list it and nothing happened. She is not wanting to stop paying the maintenance fees. Will this mess up her credit. She tried asking the timeshare company to buy it back but they said they don’t do that sort of thing. What should she do? She does not to pay anymore money. Isle of Bali B.S.
What is the fee that you charge?
Hey guys,
When is the next time you’ll be making presentations? I’m in New york.
great blog! excellent resource for timeshare owners.
I purchased a timeshare with my then boyfriend. We could not afford it then and I sure can’t afford it now, we owe about 5,000 on it and that is pretty much what we purchased it for. I can’t even go on a normal vacation much less afford airfair to go on a trip. Its the selling techniques that got me. The salespeople made me believe that I could afford it – not so.
I want to know if you have information in spanish
My wife and I purchase a timeshare with westgate Smokey Mountain Resort in 2008, now that I lost my job we can’t afford the payments and we just want to get rid of it can you help us. We tried to resell it through one of timeshare companies, paid $700 dollars upfront and we are tire of shelling out that kind of money. Can you help us?
I have a timeshare through Wyndham and man the promises they have made and the lies have just mounted up! To a personal counselor to help down to if I give them names I won’t have to pay the maintenance fees (no only did they lie here but the maintenace fees have increased) I have gone through two companies and lost thousands trying to get it sold. I am stuck here..and I have to get out of this contract please help me.
My husband and I purchased a vacation/campground package several years back. We have used it maybe 3 times. Recently the company used high pressure sales tactics (threats that our children would be stuck paying the climbing maintenance costs) to get us to change our plan…costing us more money. It is a lifetime membership with inheritance rights… Can you help us to get out from under this? We live in Illinois. THANKS!!
I have QVC timeshare.
If you want it , ill give to you for free.
Have it now for 10 years – 10 years remaining
Just contact me.
For those of you that still owe money on your timeshare, you should consider posting an offer for someone to “take over payments” on ebay. Put it up for a dollar and see who bites! Sure, you might not make money off of it, but it sure is better than having to pay tons of money for a timeshare you really don’t want anyway.
Do you have any referrals for companies while I still have a balance owing on my timeshare? With the economy downturn, I’ve been out of work for almost a year and just can’t afford to do this anymore.
I am an 83 y/o male with only income from SS.
I am unable to satisfy (a mistake] a contract I
was talked int signing I currently am obligated for
30,000.00 which I am billed monthly for 400.00
I would like to surrender the property but World Mark
refuses to consider this and continues to harrass me
to make monthly payments. Can you help me?
Do you only handle mortgage-free timeshares? Or do you also handle timeshares with mortgages?
I would like to know if I have a legal recourse against Diamond Resorts. I purchased a timeshare in 2007 on a bidding website for $50. I had to pay the maintenance fee in the closing. It was around $750 or more. Within a few months, Diamond Resorts bought the timeshare and increased the rates to over $1000. Last year I called and stated we counldn’t pay do to financial hardship, but they did not care. With late fees over $1400 had to paid or else they were going to legally proceed against us. I did ask if we could just give the timeshare to Diamond Resort and was told we could. We scraped up the > $1400 and paid. In OCT 2009 I called to request to give the timeshare to Diamond Resort and was told we could not because they had already mailed statements out for maintenance fees due in Jan 2010. I explained that when I asked to give the timeshare back earlier that year after paying the 2009 maintenance fee, it was never stated to me that I needed to ask by a certain Month or date. I am contemplating contacting an attorney because my husband has been diagnosed with a rare cancer and we are really living check to check and cannot pay Diamond Resorts and skip our mortgaage payment. Do you think we will have a case?
Interesting post reminds me of another gem. – Always do right – this will gratify some and astonish the rest. – Mark Twain 1835 – 1910
This is astounding. Whenever people read this blog, which could be mostly a weekend, there are thousands of people in resorts just ready to buy their timeshare from the sellers. How can this be true. Yes, I understand every word written above that TS are a total and lifelong and hereditary liability to pay their maintenance fees, but how can the other side be successful in selling those — every day and every hour a winner is announced in those places? Can someone explain that?
Hello, Do your timeshare have to be paid in full to get relief? I have a timeshare with Westgate and I can’t afford it and would like to out of it. They made promise, at the presentation; if I wanted to sell it to contact them. NOT! So, I’m trying to make monthly payments and pay maintence fee on something I will never used. If I see another timeshare, I will run the other directions
I am currently still paying on a Wyndham contract. However, apparently they lost the paperwork that gives me the deed to the property. They started sending documents in the mail for me to sign the deed and have it notarized. Do I have a better chance than others to break the contract since I technically haven’t signed anything on their end?
I bought a timeshare from Williamsburg Plantation. I dont want it. I just want to get out of the contract. I dont care about selling it…I’ll let that go. This thing is hanging over me like the Gulf oil slick..I have no $$ to travel and no interest in traveling since 9-11-01. Can you help me without putting a vacuum cleaner to my wallet??
So do these guys do the “Transfer Process” or do they have someone else do it? Either way it seems like these guys are the ones to see if you really need to be done with it once and for all.