About Andreas Rossler Expertise I'm able to answer general questions on timeshares and specifically in regard to purchasing, renting or exchanging timeshares on the secondary or resale market and through the Internet. I have expert knowledge in sales, mechanics (how and why timeshares work), and timeshare exchanges.
I am also well versed in timeshare financing and may be able to guide you to better financing or refinancing options for your timeshare purchase.
If you ask questions of a legal nature, or those requiring tax advice - I may not be able to answer fully.
Experience I have 10 years of industry experience in sales, management and processing. I'm currently CEO of Timeshare Village, a resource for timeshare owners and industry professionals.
Organizations Mensa - Life Member
Publications I have been interviewed by Channel 7 News in the Bay Area of California regarding my opinions on Worldmark, the Club timeshares as developed by Trendwest-Wyndham Resorts.
Education/Credentials MBA - Master's in Business Administration
BS - Mathematics
BA - Economics
California Real Estate Broker
Question We bought a week with one "free" week at Villa Palmar in Puerto Vallarta (Universal Vacation Club, Resortcom International) at the beginning of October. Since then, we've figured out that we've been taken for a ride and have major buyer's remorse. We've put down $8000 already and owe $22,000. We can pay it off but we're wondering if we have any way out of this. If not, what's our best option? Obviously, we're expecting to take a loss. Help ASAP -- payment coming up.
By the way, I had no idea we had a 5 day grace period. They led us to believe that it was a done deal on that day (not to mention a laundry list of other lies). I had to read it in the fine print just now. Buyer beware.
Answer TJ,
I hate to be the bearer of bad news - but I have always preferred to be confronted with the unvarnished truth - I can then act accordingly.
The real obstacle is proving they lied to you. I am absolutely sure they did, but without proof there isn't much we can do. There are plenty of organizations you can complain to, but will it help? It might prevent other's from making the same mistake - but I'm not sure it will get you out of this mess.
Let's start with the worst. You can't get out of this and are obligated to pay. You could simply stop paying, but then you lose the $8,000, they take back the timeshare, and it could affect your credit.
You could try to sell it. Go to eBay and take a look at the resale prices for the Villa Palmar in Puerto Vallarta. Right now, I could probably pick up a studio week for $500 out the door. So, selling isn't a realistic option. Either is a donation.
You could hope someone will take it over - but I don't see that happening for the same reason I don't see it selling.
What are we left with? You could scream and yell to the various agencies I will list - perhaps something will come of it. I'm sorry I can't be of more help. Obviously not every option on this list will apply, so pick and choose accordingly.
1. The Attorney General. You should file a complaint with the Attorney General where the company is headquartered, the state where you purchased, and your home state. Here is a good site where you can link to Attorney General complaint forms online: http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/attorneys.html
2. See if the company is listed with the Better Business Bureau; file a complaint with the BBB. Here is their online complaint form: http://www.bbb.org/complaint.asp
3. A good site is the Rip-off Report. Be careful when writing up a report on that site – state the truth and nothing but the truth. This site is caught by search engines, so be sure to use the company name. Here is their site: http://ripoffreport.com/
4. Complaints.com is similar to Rip-off Report. Here is their website: http://www.complaints.com/ (#3 and #4 have a simple purpose, to get the company’s name to show up on search engines. This is the worst possible publicity and can cause the loss of an untold amount of business).
5. The FTC (Federal Trade Commission). They are very much interested in hearing about shady timeshare developers or rip-offs. The reason being that most timeshares solicit individuals via the telephone. Here is their online complaint form: https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01
6. For reference purposes, you may want to check out the National Association for Members - http://www.natlassoc.org/ - lots of good stuff.
7. If a lawyer or other professional (CPA) was involved in the transfer or escrow process, you may be able to file a complaint with the state bar or other professional organization they belong to – depending on the nature of your situation.
8. Report the company to the state agency that regulates real estate. It is best to do a Yahoo search like this: “Florida Department of Real Estate”. You could however start here and drill down to the right website: http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/State_and_Territories.shtml
9. If your situation involved a credit card purchase and you’re not getting your refund, definitely call the credit card company and find out their policy on filing a complaint.
10. File complaints with State, County and City Consumer Protection Offices. Here you’ll find a list of all of them: http://consumeraction.gov/state.shtml
11. File a complaint with the National Consumer’s League Fraud Center . Here’s the web site: http://www.fraud.org/
12. File a Complaint with the National Association of Consumer Advocates. Here is their website: http://www.naca.net/
13. Small Claims Court . What’s good about small claims is that it is easy and can cause huge head aches for the company.
