Jul 30

Canadian Government Tightens Down on Timeshare Industry

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The government in Alberta, Canada, is tightening down on the timeshare industry in order to provide more protection prospective timeshare owners.

As of November 1, those involved in timeshare sales will be required to obtain a $200 license issued by the government and clearly disclose their terms and conditions.  They will also be required to post security.  The parameters of the security have not been fully determined yet.

The current timeshare regulations are over 10 years old and the timeshare industry has endured many changes.  The new regulations are up-to-date with the timeshare industry’s current practices and will ensure that consumers are well-informed of all the details before purchasing a timeshare.

“The past recession had a significant downward impact on both developers and buyers of vacation property, condo-hotels and timeshares, and I believe the government is trying to provide greater protection for the consumer,” says Chris Wein, president of Multifamily Operations at Calgary-based UBG.

He goes on to say that the government is simply updating its regulations to match the rest of the jurisdictions in North America.

In addition to the new license and security provisions, other stipulations include:

  • Requiring timeshare developers and sellers to fully disclose their terms and conditions, including a full description of the timeshare property, the time period the owner can use the property, the number of points provided under any applicable points programs and the total cost to the buyer including all fees.
  • Allowing buyers to cancel their contract within a year if the timeshare does not meet the new requirements.
  • Ensuring the timeshare owner has use of the property even if it is refinanced by the developer.
  • Preventing the timeshare businesses from misleading sales tactics, including misrepresenting the availability of prizes, gifts, discounts, etc.

You can read more on this story in the Calgary Herald.

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Jul 20

Timeshare Sales Company in Ormond Beach Shut Down

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On July 14, 2010, Florida state investigators raided a timeshare call center in Ormond Beach, Florida, after receiving dozens of complaints.  The company, operating under the name Buy Owner Resort Marketing, has been promising to help customers sell their timeshares but is just one of the timeshare industry con artists that are taking money from timeshare owners and not delivering on their promises.

The company had already been shut down in March for being an unlicensed telemarketing company.  When the state learned that it was still operating, agents served a warrant.

The State Attorney General’s Office has been receiving complaints from timeshare owners all over the country.  The complaints were all the same story: the company promised to sell or rent out their timeshare but just took their money and they never heard from them again.

Timeshare owners said they’ve paid thousands of dollars in upfront fees, appraisals and closing costs.  Representatives for the company refused interviews.  Employees deny any wrongdoing.

The Better Business Bureau has given this company an “F” rating and there are over 20 unanswered complaints.

There are no records of any timeshares ever being rented or sold.

Once again, the state of Florida has shut down this company.  There are still other companies operating just as this one did all over the country.

Getting out of your timeshare doesn’t have to be this burdensome.  Contact Timeshare Relief to get rid of your timeshare without having to deal with rip-offs such as these companies.

More information on this story can be found at WFTV.

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Jul 06

Timeshare Ruling in Spain Could Devastate Industry

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A court in Spain ruled that timeshare developer, Anfi Del Mar, in Gran Canaria must pay back double the amount of timeshare deposits taken within the cooling off period.    According to the Spanish Magistrate, it is unlawful to require a deposit and Law 43/1998, article 11 permits the timeshare holder to get back double the deposit amount at any time.

Anfi Del Mar, one of the most largest and luxurious timeshare developments in Europe, is now liable for 10,000 new claims for “timeshare miss-selling” under the 1994 European timeshare directive.  Presently, more than 200 claims are active in Spanish courts against Anfi Del Mar with 10 new claims a week being filed.

Five out of the top ten timeshare developers in Europe are guilty of taken illegal deposits during the cooling off period and are still selling illegal contracts.  The European timeshare industry does have a regulatory body, but four of its members are developers that have broken these laws themselves.

The ruling is potentially crippling to the European timeshare industry as it sets a precedence of refunding money to timeshare owners who were sold by nefarious means.  It is now thought that up to 400,000 contracts were made illegally after 1996, industry experts believe that timeshare compensation claims could reach 2,000,000,000 (Billion) Euro.

If you have paid a timeshare deposit during the cooling off period after 1996 in Spain or its islands, you are entitled to reclaim double your deposit.  If the company you purchased the timeshare from is no longer in business, you can still reclaim your deposit as long as the timeshare development still exists.  Visit Claims Directive for free advice and to file a claim.

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Jul 01

Timeshare Relief News Story on Television [Video]

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Due in part to receiving the Best in Torrance Award for 2 years running, Timeshare Relief was featured on This Week in Torrance on a local television program to highlight what the company has done for their clients and a little more about the timeshare industry as a whole.

In addition to seeing some of the inner working at Timeshare Relief and the offices, you’ll get to hear from the owners and founders of the company, David Macmillan and Cindy Martin Macmillan.  If you don’t know their story, click here.

You’ll also get to hear from a few clients of Timeshare Relief and get their perspective of their timeshare ownership experience.

We hope you enjoy the news segment.  Remember Timeshare Relief is here to help.  You can call us at our special hotline at 1-866-797-0535 or fill out your contact information on the home page of this website, http://www.timesharerelief360.com.  Someone will contact you to talk about your specific timeshare situation and what options you might have.

The news program was produced by the City of Torrance for the This Week in Torrance program on CitiCable 3.

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Jun 25

New Timeshare Ownership Program from Marriott Vacation Club

Timeshare News 1 Comment »

Timeshare Relief Mariott Vacations ClubIn 1984, Marriott became the first hospitality company to enter the timeshare industry.  Since then, Marriott Vacation Club has redefined the timeshare ownership experience.  Timeshare owners enjoy the assurance of a program from a recognized leader in the timeshare industry.

Marriott Vacation Club just launched the points-based Marriott Vacation Club Destinations program in North America and the Caribbean.  The program offers more flexibility and a more personalized experience.

This new program will allow timeshare owners to redeem points to travel within any of four Vacation Collections.

  1. Marriott Vacation Club Collection:  Access to more than 50 luxurious resorts and including added benefits such as:  any day check-in, varied lengths of stay, variety of accommodation sizes, and more choice of travel season at resorts in North America and the Caribbean.
  2. Marriott Collection: Choose from more than 3,000 hotels.
  3. Explorer Collection: Travel to new places or take a cruise with exchange for travel packages.
  4. World Traveler Collection:   Access to over 2,500 resorts in more than 75 countries through Interval International.

Timeshare owners will receive their points annually to redeem for their customized vacation.  They will also be able to save, borrow or buy additional points.  This new program also provides timeshare owners with a personal Vacation Ownership Advisor that will help with travel arrangements in the four Collections.

Keep coming back to this blog to learn about how this change will affect timeshare owners.  In short, Marriott grants flexibility to its timeshare owners, but at the same time creates a marketplace for the points and opens their timeshare units to be sold more than 50 weeks per year.

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