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Are there any "timeshare release" services that are NOT scams?

jamcclure1044

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I get phone calls every couple of days from companies offering to take my timeshare off my hands, and I'm seeing lots of TV commercials with the same pitch.

A couple of years ago I went to a lunch presentation for one of these outfits. They offered to assume ownership of my timeshare in exchange for a bunch of points good for any vacation anywhere. And (no surprise) a fee of thousands of dollars. The pitch employed all the familiar timeshare sales tactics: a young sales person, then an older sales person and finally a "closer" with lots of numbers scrawled on a sheet of paper. As a timeshare veteran, I beat a hasty retreat.

Years ago my wife and I fell for a similar proposal and signed papers relinquishing ownership of one of our timeshares. Then we began getting collection calls to pay our timeshare maintenance fees because -- surprise! -- we still owned the timeshare.

Are any of these companies on the level?
 

LannyPC

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Are any of these companies on the level?

I have yet to hear of one.

That being said, if you are looking to get rid of your timeshare, there are other ways to do so that are legit and will cost you a lot less than what these so-called "release" services will do. And on top of that, you will actually get rid of your TS.

Have you tried asking the resort if they will take it back? Wyndham and Diamond currently have programs in place that will accept certain intervals back.

Have you tried the free giveaway method here on TUG?:

https://tug2.net/timeshare_advice/timeshare_abandonment.html

https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/how-can-i-give-away-my-timeshare-on-tug.132509/

It might require a little time and effort but it will save you thousands of dollars and a few headaches.
 

Passepartout

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It appears you 'own' a Mexican timeshare. if this is the case, just stop paying. You don't actually own anything. There is no deed to foreclose. All they can do is terminate your use and send threatening collection letters. File the letters in the trash and move on.
 

theo

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In a word, no --- none of those upfront fee parasites are "legitimate". There are no magic beans, no pixie dust, no secret "escape hatches".

As already noted, if it's a Mexican RTU contract, just stop paying and put it in your rear view mirror and forget about it --- forever.
They will certainly forget about you in relatively short order; there are plenty of other gringos coming along ready and willing to take your place.
 
Last edited:

taterhed

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Ok, I'll take the 'contrarian' point of view:
  • I would bet that 90% plus of the 'timeshare release' advertisements are simply scams designed to bilk you of money...and nothing else.
  • I would also bet that the remainder of these operations are lawyers/paralegal services that will charge you a bunch of money (vs bilk) and attempt to legally (vs fraudulently) void or terminate your contract.
So, what's the difference?
  • One is a ploy/plot/scam designed to cheat someone (maybe you, maybe the HOA, maybe the next rube) out of money without providing a legal and legitimate service.
  • The other is a legal and legitimate service (attorney or similar) designed to generate billable hours in a legal attempt to get you out of a bad or poorly informed decision and provide you with a legitimate service....that may have little or no result--other than a large bill for legal fees.
Unless you've truly been scammed, cheated or hoodwinked by a group or corporation with liquid assets, and have documented written or legally recorded evidence demonstrating a clear breach of statute.... you have little chance of escaping from a properly drafted, executed and signed contract. You did read and sign the contract, right?

Let's face it: if you have unlimited funds, you can probably litigate any contract to death or stalemate. But, throwing good money (lots of it) after bad is probably always a bad idea.

No, Virginia, there is no Santa Clause...
 

jamcclure1044

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I have owned my timeshares. including one in Mexico, for 20-plus years and they are long since paid for. I probably will use the TUG marketplace or eBay to sell them. I have told my kids I am not leaving the timeshares to them unless they really piss me off.
 

theo

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I have told my kids I am not leaving the timeshares to them unless they really piss me off.

Even then, they would be under absolutely no obligation to accept the “gift”, regardless of having irritated you. :)
 
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