Getting out of a time share

About 25 years ago I went to a timeshare pitch in ‘Colonial Williamsburg’ Va. with my wife and young children. The smile on the face of the salesman turned to a scowl when I said “We’ll think about it”. I had no intention of buying a TS but after getting several e-mails inviting us down for 2 nights (IIRC) I figured ‘why not’. Obviously my instincts were right.
 
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I had a TS gifted to me (Colo Mountain.) when it was $500/yr for a week in the fall. Perfect. Then 10 years later it was $1600+ for the same week. I called the company, in California and negotiated a termination. I paid 3years all at once (a lot) and was released from my “Ownership “ obligations. It was extortion….but I needed to be done with it. Such a racket.
 
I can't believe there's a timeshare in DuBois, and someone actually bought into it.
I do enjoy the Dutch Pantry restaurant there.

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I’m always interested to hear about folks wanting to get out. I never figured them to be a good deal, but I do know a number of folks, my aunt included, that have them and love them. Go all over. Maybe because they’re with large companies with big networks or something?

We have a cousin that made a mint selling Ritz Carlton ones, but the typical buyer is probably a bit different.

If they’re being given away, even with fees and assessments, I’d think that someone would get a reasonable deal on a freebie. Of course if it’s limited to a location nobody wants to be, that changes the calculus.
 
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I had a TS gifted to me (Colo Mountain.) when it was $500/yr for a week in the fall. Perfect. Then 10 years later it was $1600+ for the same week. I called the company, in California and negotiated a termination. I paid 3years all at once (a lot) and was released from my “Ownership “ obligations. It was extortion….but I needed to be done with it. Such a racket.
If you didn’t pay taxes on your home, it would go to Sheriff sale and eventually it would be seized.

One can’t walk away from a TS, particularly if it was a gift, inheritance, or similar where the party that entered into the contract does not exist???!?

Those cost increases are a lot. What a racket.
 
🤣 I can't believe that scam is still running after all these years. Someone was putting people up in a free two night resort and offering some kind of gift just to listen to the time share presentation back in the 80's and my first wife and I decided to take them up on all the free stuff. Man I had to fight my way out of that place when they found out we had no intentions of buying into that. We did make them give us the free gift before they threw us out. I think it was a knife set or something.
 
If you didn’t pay taxes on your home, it would go to Sheriff sale and eventually it would be seized.

One can’t walk away from a TS, particularly if it was a gift, inheritance, or similar where the party that entered into the contract does not exist???!?

Those cost increases are a lot. What a racket.
You can default on the timeshare. At that point it depends on what the timeshare company does - if they try to "forclose" on the property or just let it sit. Its like you not paying your mortgage - its still yours until the bank goes through the foreclosure process. Given they also know its of no value they may just let it sit in hopes your heirs accept it through a will.

Your also not obligated to take it as an inheritance. I don't know the nuances to this, but I know to "accept" any inheritance you must sign many forms that your agreeing with all the paperwork. I have no idea how it would work - if you can decline some portion of an inheritance and take the rest? Likely State specific.
 
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We stay at a Marriott time share frequently - I just book through Marriott's normal website, I don't own the timeshare thing. They usually give me the sales pitch at the counter to go sit through one of their sessions and they will give me a couple hundred bucks. I always tell them I am happy to come alone, but the wife won't come. That pretty much ends there attempts. I guess they realize I have no authority to buy anything without approval :ROFLMAO:
 
I do enjoy the Dutch Pantry restaurant there.

That's too funny. Lived there for almost 20 years and had no idea there was a Dutch Pantry.

I can't believe there's a timeshare in DuBois, and someone actually bought into it.

I can't believe it's still scamming, er, operating. The locals ignore it.

Have you ever been to DuBois? It’s beautiful this time of year. 🤡

They're getting hammered this winter. 🥶 I'm riding my bike in short sleeves and shorts.😁
 
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I find it hard to believe that you could get stuck with the legal obligation of a Timeshare just because somebody willed it to you .
Agree.This situation would seem to offer an easy way out.

Getting willed/gifted and then getting stuck with a timeshare is similar to your parent being imprisoned, only to die before their sentence is fully served - and you, being completely innocent, are forced to serve the remaining sentence.

I find this gifted/willed situation unfathomable.

Scott
 
@xspeedy - whatever happens, please do come back to update this thread. How the process happened and what the cost was.

1010 WINS - I listen on the way to work and on the way home. It takes me about 25 minutes each way so at least I get some news/world updates. I hear multiple lawyer things daily, would they be the worst? Who knows, maybe same chance as randomly trying to pick one unless you had a good referral from friends or online friends like BITOG (Bob is the oil guy).

off the timeshare topic-
1010 WINS advertising positive experience- My wife had a serious back injury at 20 years old from car accident. Over the years she slipped and fell multiple times. She was doing chiropractors, meds so many times to make it tolerable. After my daughter was born she slipped again and it was at the point where on muscle relaxers passed out, needing help for child care. Driving to work, 1010 WINS on and daily 10:30pm advertisement for something like "backpain.com" with a phone number, place in Queens doing disc decompression. I called the next morning, we went, not covered under medical (but surgery would be). We paid out of pocket, after 2nd visit my wife said if "if I had to level with this level of pain as compared to before I'd be ecstatic". We continued the therapy and got her and her back to mostly normal living, no meds etc. That experience may taint me to be willing to give the advertisers a try.

On Time share-
My sister and my parents (mom now) have timeshare through Marriott International. We as families stayed multiple times at Harbour Lake and Cypress Harbour Villas in Orlando. We did the Disney thing, we used my parents for multiple Orlando Cheerleading trips etc. We used some built up/not used ones and did 2 multi bedroom villa's in St. Thomas for 10 days for 10 people. The last absolutely great family vacation while my dad was still able to get around decently for sightseeing etc. Since my sister has her timeshare, I will probably inherit my mom's. Current scenarios, not sure I could afford the monthly/annual cost so may need to investigate the EXIT strategy also.

At the Villa's one they "offered" a deal to come back to try and sell us. We did that for the following year, I think like $400 for 4 days/3 nights but had to sit through the presentation with a $100 gift card. They pushed hard but explaining it wasn't going to happen, 2 kids in college etc. Their attitude totally changed to like a mean, pissed off why did you waste our time version and got us out of there pretty quick. They are good at pushing all the positives.
 
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You should consult a professional. However, a good start would be to dig out John Oliver's Last Week Tonight episode on timeshares (search for "Timeshares: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)"), and see if he gives any pointers. He's not for everyone, language and all, but his analysis and advice is usually top notch.
I worked with someone in that clip. They were finally able to get out of it via lawyer but it cost them a pretty penny.
 
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