Transfer Smart News: Reynoldsburg Couple Can’t Get Rid of Campground Timeshare

Timeshares are known for their hefty fees. Such fees are the main reason why many owners today want to get out of their timeshares. In Reynoldsburg, Ohio, one family said that they've paid out $20,000 over the past 25 years for a campground timeshare membership. Suddenly, they stopped paying two years ago and creditors started to call.

Last 1985, Jack and Mildred Kidwell, in their late 40s, bought a timeshare for camp sites around the country. Since then, they are paying thousands of dollars in finance charges and dues.

According to Kidwell, they tried to sell or cancel it but the company refused. At 72 years old and with severe arthritis, Kidwell said they had to sell the camper. But Equity Lifestyle Properties which is the parent company of Thousand Trails Campgrounds is trying to keep him paying.

He said, he just wanted them off his back and to quit trying to bill him for more money. Meanwhile, Joan Coughlin, Spokesperson for the Central Ohio Better Business Bureau, in this particular contract there is no right of rescission, that's an important element to look for in any contract. Right of Rescission is a language that allows the buyer with notice to terminate a contract.

On the other hand, the said company has an F rating with the Better Business Bureau. In 2001, as Kidwell said, his annual dues rose from $272 to $500 and in the last two years. He and Mildred decided to stop paying for their vacation and the creditors are calling.

Transfer Smart News: Eurostar Acts as a Viable Alternative to Visit Europe’s Timeshare Resorts

With the many owners today who are trying to get out of their timeshares along with the negative perception of the consumers with such properties, timeshare operators are on their extensive advertising campaign to attract the consumers. Recently, Eurostar’s latest TV ad campaign created around the concept “exploring is beautiful,” captures the romance of train travel in an unexpected way.

The ad is like a short dreamy film which has an almost modern, magical Alice in Wonderland quality to it with a little girl strolls through her city park zoo, talking to the animals and trying to get them to talk back to her, until it fades to the tagline “Eurostar: Exploring Is Beautiful – Connecting You To Provence, Cologne and more...”

This is the Eurostar’s first TV commercial in three years. Despite the much publicized trouble with some trains last December, the company has seen a steady rise in passengers this year. Many consumers are opting for train travel to “short-haul” destinations as a safeguard against volcanic ash cancellations, airline or air traffic controller strikes, all of which have been wildcards that disrupted holidays this year.

With so many luxury brand hotels and self-catering city apartments today like Hilton, Wyndham and the Four Seasons now available as part of the timeshare holiday experience, getting away to explore one of Europe’s beautiful cities has never been easier. With a growing number of timeshare and vacation resorts in regions like French Alps and the south of France, Eurostar’s European network is becoming a viable alternative to air travel, assuming you have some time to spare.

Transfer Smart News: Kirkland Man Gets a Timeshare Refund

Timeshares are considered one of the vacation properties today which are closely associated with aggressive sales tactics and scams. Take the case of a Kirkland man who recently bought a timeshare and ended up regretting it.

Justin Bartlett of Kirkland won a free trip with a call from the people who run Wyndham Resorts. This led to a meeting and sales pitch. What attracted him was the chance to stay in Washington state properties at a moment's notice.

Justin then paid $1500 down and promised to pay $200 a month. But for months, he couldn't get any last minute reservations. As he said, he had tried multiple times in local areas Leavenworth, Lake Chelan and Seattle to get rooms but he can't get a room.

So, Justin find the salesman hoping that he was still working for the company and to ask him why this wasn't true. Justin found the salesman working out of Bend, Oregon because his Bothell office went out of business. The salesman is Joe Kennedy, in Bend. The salesman said, if Justin wants, he can sign a letter saying he lied to him. So Justin had his attorney draft up an affidavit and the salesman signed it.

The signed, notarized piece of paper has Joe saying "I was told to convey statements to Justin Bartlett that were untrue just to get him to purchase the travel share program." Justin mailed the affidavit to the company hoping for a refund. At first, the company will not hold any responsibility for what the sales rep had done. But a few days later, Wyndham gave him a call and said that they are going to give him all of his money back and they are letting him get out of the timeshare contract.

Smart Ways to Save Through Vacation Rentals

If you are one of those who love to travel, may be you are considering owning a timeshare. With the current economy, many owners are trying to get out of their timeshares and thus, the units on the resale market are also flooding. Such properties might be tempting. But today, there are also those properties in sought after locations that are available for reasonable rent. If you are on a tight budget or looking for ways to save in a vacation, vacation rentals might be a great option.

Vacation rentals offer you flexibility in both location and time compared to actually owning a timeshare unit. Purchasing a timeshare limits your annual vacation to one locale and your vacation to a certain time of year. A timeshare also entails an annual maintenance fee. In other words, vacationing with a timeshare will be the same every year despite being luxurious and packed with many amenities.

With vacation rentals, you can choose any location and the specific period for your vacation. One of the popular options these days is the condo rental membership. With this, you can vacation with a number of benefits like discounts. Some condo rentals are packaged with various benefits including dining and entertainment discounts. There are also packages that include tickets to the theater or maybe scuba diving lessons.

A condo rental is no doubt one of the best offers available for a great vacation. With this option, you can avail for a relaxing vacation with many benefits and enable to save more. This also allows you to vacation even when you are on a tight budget.

Transfer Smart News: Timeshare Investigation Results to a 55-Year-Old Man Arrest

Recently, a 55-year-old man from Banbury has been arrested as a result of an investigation of a timeshare scam originating in Spain. The investigation was launched by Thames Valley Police in July. The complainant testified that he had been targeted by a scam in which people wanting to get out of their timeshares are contacted by a marketing company and told that there are buyers lined up.

However, to go on with the sale, there’s a £1,000 administration fee to the company called Golden Sands Marketing, which gave its correspondence address as Horse Fair, Banbury. Meanwhile, the police visited the address and closed down a mailbox, where letters were being held before being sent onto Spain.

There are more than 100 letters which have been found out so far and officers are informing the senders about the ongoing inquiry. According to the Thames Valley Police, its officers have been liaising closely with Oxfordshire County Council’s tading sandards department, as well as the Spanish authorities, throughout the investigation.

As a result of the investigation, a 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud. The man will be released on bail until January 2011 for further enquiries to take place.

On the other hand, PC Suzanne Cubitt of Banbury police station said,they believe people across the country who want to get rid of their timeshares have fallen victim to this scam and are keen to get the message out that timeshare owners are being targeted in this way. She added that they are urging people to be vigilant and think carefully before making payments over the phone as a result of unsolicited calls.

Transfer Smart News: State Proposes to Impose Accommodation Taxes on Timeshares

While many owners today want to get out of their timeshares because of the increasing maintenance fees, there’s a proposal in South Carolina to tax timeshare maintenance fees. This creates uproar in the timeshare industry. Meanwhile, the hoteliers push to impose such taxes on timeshares.

The said proposal aims to collect accommodations taxes on maintenance fees which have previously gone untaxed. According to Paul Goodrich, president of sales and marketing for SPM Resorts, which manages 33 timeshare resorts on the East Coast and in the Caribbean, including three on Hilton Head Island, the annual fees cover such things as roof replacement, management fees and property taxes. He stressed out that timeshare owners already pay accommodations taxes when they rent their property. So, they shouldn't have to pay those taxes on their maintenance fees.

On the other hand, Frans Mustert, a supporter of the proposal and also a Myrtle Beach hotelier who was also instrumental in crafting it, said that timeshare owners who only come to the state a few weeks a year are the same as tourists who rent hotel rooms and they should pay their fair share for the services and marketing.

The accommodations tax funds is drafted to go toward municipal services for tourists and out-of-state marketing for a destination. The legislature-appointed Taxation Realignment Commission estimates that the tax could generate about $10 million in the state. Most of the money would likely come from those vacation hot spots which have most of South Carolina's timeshare units like the Grand Strand or Hilton Head Island areas.

Transfer Smart News: Timeshare Company Files for Bankruptcy Due to Falling Sales

For those individuals or businesses who want to start fresh by forgiving debts, filing for bankruptcy might be the solution. These debts can't be paid while offering creditors a chance to obtain some measure of repayment based on what assets are available. In the US, many companies file for bankruptcy because of the struggling economy. One of these is the Island One Inc. and five of its affiliates citing falling sales and declining property values. One of the issues face by such companies is the increasing number of owners trying to get out of their timeshares because of the difficulty paying the fees.

Island One and its affiliates have developed and managed timeshare resorts in Florida and the US Virgin Islands since 1981. Through Navigo Vacation Club, these companies have developed a timeshare network that extends throughout the US, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe.

Meanwhile, the said company listed both its assets and debt in the range of $100 million to $500 million in Chapter 11 documents which was filed last Sept. 10 in US Bankruptcy Court in Orlando. According to the lawyers of Island One, the fall of the real estate markets in Florida and throughout the US and the general downturn in the economy have significantly impacted the resort development and hospitality industries.

The vacation industry is greatly affected by the economic decline since it broke up in the late of 1997. On the other hand, the ability to file for bankruptcy can benefit an overall economy by giving persons and businesses another chance and providing creditors with a measure of debt repayment. This is what some of the timeshare companies are doing right now.

Transfer Smart News: Survey Indicates a Flourishing Hawaii Timeshare Industry

Hawaii is known for its great beaches and as a vacation destination. It is also one of the havens of several timeshare resorts in the US. Recently, there’s a survey that shows that the flourishing Hawaii timeshare industry has high occupancy rates. Meanwhile, it helps support the state’s vacation industry throughout the recession.

In 2009, timeshares throughout this state were an average 90.8%. According to a new survey conducted by the Hawaii chapter of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) which is a trade association representing vacation ownership and resort development industries, Hawaii hotels and condominiums were an average 66.5% full in 2009. Hotels and condominiums can be considered as counterparts of timeshares.

The said survey is called the “State of Hawaii Timeshare Industry Survey.” It included responses from 84.3% of all timeshares in Hawaii and was last published in August 2008. In recent years, there are several new hotel and resort development and construction in Hawaii. These include timeshares.

On the other hand, the survey indicates that Hawaii’s timeshare inventory has increased by 12% in two years to 8,608 units spread among 87 timeshare properties. Although we usually hear many owners trying to get out of their timeshares, according to the survey this industry is flourishing despite such challenges. It even outflanks hotels and condominiums which can be considered as competitors of timeshare properties.

Transfer Smart News: Hawaii’s Timeshare Industry Shows Resiliency

Although the recent years depict a number of challenges for the timeshare industry, it still showed resiliency. Some of the common challenges include the increasing number of owners trying to get out of their timeshares and the negative perception of many consumers about it. Despite these, Hawaii’s timeshare inventory will continue to grow with another 4,881 units in the pipeline. It shows that the concept of vacation ownership has remained resilient throughout the economic downturn. This is according to an industry survey conducted by the Hawaii chapter of the American Resort Development Association.

In 2009, capital expenditures in Hawaii for the timeshare industry totaled $138.7. According to the survey, it will close out at $64.3 million this year. Among the newest timeshare properties opening later this year is the Wyndham Royal Garden at Waikiki which is the latest addition to Wyndham Vacation Ownership’s Hawaii portfolio.

According to Eric Penningroth, Wyndham’s regional vice president for the Hawaii, the first phase of the Wyndham Royal Garden which will include approximately 140 time-share units and 68 condominiums, will open in mid-November with a grand opening scheduled for February.

On the other hand, the American Resort Development Association which represents vacation ownership and resort development interests stated that Hawaii’s timeshare industry posted $400 million in sales last year and grew to 8,601 timeshare units in 87 properties.

Transfer Smart News: AG Delaney Warns Consumers When Selling Their Timeshare

As those owners trying to get out of their timeshares have become a favorite target of many scammers, Attorney General Michael A. Delaney warned that consumers should exercise caution when attempting to sell a timeshare through real estate brokers, agents and companies that specialize in reselling timeshares.

Meanwhile, Delaney also offered some tips to New Hampshire consumers. Even if the salesperson claims the local market is hot, or his or her office is overwhelmed with buyer requests, don't just agree to anything on the phone or online. It is safe to check out the reseller first. You may contact the Better Business Bureau or the Attorney General's office in the state where the reseller is located.

Also ask if any complaints are on file and ask for all information in writing. Find out if the reseller's agents are licensed to sell real estate where the timeshare is located. If so, verify it with the state’s real estate commission. Moreover, deal only with licensed real estate brokers and agents, and ask for references from satisfied clients. Ask how the reseller will advertise and promote your vacation property. It's better if the reseller takes its fee after the timeshare unit is sold.

Smart Reasons Why You Should Think Critically Regarding Timeshares

In today's troubled economy, most consumers are looking for ways to reduce their expenses. For some holidaymakers, this may mean that getting out of a timeshare contract is one of those ways. At first, you may think that timeshares can be a great way to vacation. However, there are a number of things that you need to take into account before you buy a timeshare.

One major thing that you need to keep in mind when you're at the presentation is not to be swayed by any slick marketing talk or any text plan your emotions. Be aware that you will be subjected to a high-pressure sales tactics after a presentation. Take note that the people doing the presentation, will not only make money on the sale, they may also get commissions well so it's in their interest to get a hard and fast sale as quickly as possible.

Thus, do a research before you consider owning a timeshare. Find out whether or not such properties are going to be a good long-term investment. Do not be swayed by flashy graphics during a presentation. Instead, ask the salesperson about such properties whether it fits what you are looking for in a timeshare. Something else you want to consider also is if they are willing to take you and show you the property that they want to sell you. Also find out if such vacation property requires extensive repairs or a property that is in a neighborhood that is not safe.

Smart Ways to Sell a Timeshare or Vacation Club Points

The increases in annual fees force many owners to get out of their timeshare contracts or vacation club membership points. Despite the image of a great location with complete amenities and services of timeshare and vacation clubs, owners still find it extremely difficult to sell such properties. In many respects, this is not always the best option for owners experiencing financial difficulties with their timeshare holiday experience.

The major drawback when selling your timeshare or vacation club points may be the number of sanctions written into the Deeds and purchase agreements which can make them extremely difficult to sell on to independent purchasers. For example, a number of vacation clubs will only allow sales to existing vacation club points owners. Meanwhile, points owners may well find that in order to progress the sale, they must pay to transfer their annual points allocation to fixed weeks in local timeshare resorts.

However, there are better ways to sell timeshares or vacation points. One of these methods would be to cultivate friendships with existing owners at local timeshare venues. Many timeshare owners and vacation points owners are convinced that this method of holidaying is better and are happy to purchase points from other members as it is cheaper than buying direct. Moreover, selling to an existing owner is a lot easier and avoids any legal problems that may be written into the timeshare deeds.

On the other hand, one way to capitalize on such vacation properties is to rent it out to third parties, friends and relatives. The property will still be in your ownership but with successful advertising, you could easily raise sufficient funds to ensure the payment of management charges.

Transfer Smart News: Prominent Timeshare Network Affiliates with New Bali Property

Although there are still a number of owners trying to get out of their timeshare properties, some operators are optimistic about what lies ahead for this industry. As a matter of fact, some timeshare providers are showing signs of expansion and partnerships with other companies. One of this is the Interval International which is a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services. Recently, it has added the Peninsula Bay Resort, situated on the Indonesian island of Bali, to its resort network.

The said resort is the latest vacation ownership property developed by British entrepreneurs, Roger and Alan Thomas, and is located on the waterfront of Nusa Dua overlooking the golden sand beaches of Benoa Bay. According to Joe Hickman, Interval International’s executive director for Asia Pacific, they have had an excellent partnership with the Thomases since they affiliated Peninsula Beach Resort with Interval more than 10 years ago. He added that they look forward to working with them on the new Peninsula Bay Resort which is certain to prove as remarkable.

When completed, the purpose-built project will feature 65 one- and two-bedroom units, all with sea-facing views. It is being built using contemporary Balinese architecture and is set within lush tropical gardens to create an eco- friendly atmosphere. The new property is just a five-minute drive from Peninsula Beach Resort. It has shuttle service between the two, so that owners are free to enjoy the amenities at both.

On the other hand, Roger Thomas stated that their second resort in Bali, which is the Peninsula Bay Resort, offers unrivalled spaciousness and luxurious comfort in an idyllic tropical setting. From their years of experience, they know that only one exchange company is capable of providing the highest standard and quality service. They chose to affiliate with Interval International so that their members could enjoy the many vacation benefits and the efficient and caring service that the company unfailingly provides.

A Smart Guide to Orlando Timeshare Rentals

As a number of owners are trying to get to out of their timeshares, many holidaymakers opt for rentals units for their vacation. One of the hot spots when it comes to vacation destination is the state of Florida. Staying at a resort style timeshare will add a relaxing component to a vacation in this area. Currently, there are 92 timeshare resorts located in the Orlando vicinity.

Timeshare properties can be purchased for yearly use or rented one week at a time by anyone. When purchasing timeshare it can be bought at the resort of choice or on the secondary market through sites like ebay, craigslist or through individuals. Researching timeshare programs will provide the proper decision making about the commitment of a purchase fee and yearly maintenance fees.

Meanwhile, renting a timeshare offers the chance to experience the lifestyle and accommodations before making the lifetime purchase. Timeshare rentals can be done through the websites listed above, employer websites, and individuals. It is also often an inexpensive and luxurious way to travel.

A brief look at Orlando timeshare resorts will serve as a guide to the accommodations that are in the region. Doing a bit of research also will maximize the benefits of an Orlando timeshare experience. There is Holiday Inn Orange Lake Golf and Country Club. This beautiful complex features multiple restaurants, cafes and shopping within the Orange Lake complex. Each unit comes with an equipped kitchen, washer, dryer and deck.

There is also the Sheraton’s Vistana Resort which is located near Disney World. This 135 acre expansive park like setting is surrounded by fountains and lakes. You can wander the lush tropical vacation resort where you will find 13 tennis courts, 7 swimming pools, fitness center and 18 holes of miniature golf. Moreover, there is Summer Bay Resort which is a Caribbean style resort located 6 miles outside of Disney World. Palm trees, lakes, and greenery surround the complex that boasts the option for various water activities like jet skiing, water skiing, canoeing and pontoon boating.

Transfer Smart Alert: AG Kroger Warns Oregonians about Unscrupulous Timeshare Scams

As the number of owners trying to get out of their timeshares is increasing every year, fraudulent resale activities also tend to surface. Meanwhile, in Oregon, Attorney General John Kroger warns its citizens to be wary of unscrupulous offers to sell timeshare properties.

There are reports from property owners about dishonest companies with legitimate-sounding names, such as International Timeshare Consolidators (ITC). Such companies mislead consumers by offering to help to sell their vacation properties. While posing as an agent or broker, they will produce an appraisal or offer a very generous bid for the timeshare or vacation property. But before the sale is finalized, the consumer will be told that they owe taxes or administrative fees. Once the property owner has paid the fees, the broker or agent will vanish without a trace.

Unfortunately, it can be almost impossible to locate the culprit. According to the BBB, the address ITC deceitfully provided to consumers has received stacks of undeliverable mail, and countless visits from stunned customers. If you are a timeshare owner and someone contacts you to offer assistance with the sale of your property, there are some precautions to reduce the risk of falling for a scam.

As a general rule, do not give your credit card number or other personal information over the phone. Be wary of companies that charge up-front fees and consider opting for a company that offers to sell for a fee only after the timeshare is sold. Try to do also your research before transacting business with any company and compare their offers to industry competition. Moreover, ask if the company’s salespeople are licensed to sell vacation properties where your timeshare is located. You can also verify this with the State Real Estate Agency licensee search.

Smartly Knowing Your RCI Timeshare Exchange Directory

The lack of flexibility is one issue that many timeshare owners have to deal with once they own such property. However, for some, they simply get out of their timeshare contracts once they decided that they want another vacation experience. But today, there are some timeshare exchange companies like RCI that address such issue. These companies facilitate the exchange of one timeshare to another and thus, owners can now have a new timeshare experience.

However, many timeshare owners look at their RCI timeshare exchange directory once a year usually just before they are ready to place an exchange request. It is recommended that you really get familiar with your RCI exchange directory long before that.

You should go through it before hand and not only star the resorts you like but also cross out the ones you do not want rather than picking it up the day you want to request your RCI timeshare exchange. This will help you in planning your RCI vacation. For example, if you want to exchange to an RCI resort on the beach. Some of the resorts listed may be blocked from the beach rather than right on it. Crossing them off now can save you the time of filtering through them when you want to exchange.

Below each RCI timeshare listing, there is a series of color coded, round symbols. That will quickly give you important information. Currently, there are currently 48 of these symbols in the RCI exchange directory that will give you an insight as to what amenities are in the unit itself, on site at the resort and nearby the resort.

On the other hand, some people look for criteria like on-site child care and organized children's activities. For others, it may be whether there is a casino or bar on site. Because of how the RCI timeshare exchange directory is formatted, you can tell all of this and more with a quick glance. Moreover, the RCI exchange directory is very nice so you may be hesitant to mark it. This will not only help you enormously in getting a better exchange but also able you to find the vacation experience that you want.