July Newsletter Q&A: Sick of the Media Bashing Timeshare

Timeshare Crusader Lisa Ann Schreier answers the following question in this month's newsletter:

I have been a timeshare owner for the past 12 years and have been reading with increased dismay the media articles bashing timeshare. With this type of coverage it's no wonder the timeshare industry has a bad reputation. Is there anything that can be done to combat this rash of negative media attention?

Read Lisa Ann's response »

Want to discuss? Post your comments below.

Lisa wrote: "I believe that the legitimate parties involved in the timeshare industry - and that is about 99% of the industry - along with timeshare owners, need to band together and do something. Years ago, I challenged ARDA to come up with an effective pubic relations campaign for timeshare. Much to my dismay, they didn't. Seven years later, things are much, much worse. The need for an effective public relations campaign has increased substantially.

I urge everyone involved in the timeshare industry and the millions of owners to start to work together on the 85% of things that we all agree on, and worry about the other 15% at a later date. Action must be taken and taken quickly. Who is with me?"

My reply: It's not the media that's giving timesharing a bad reputation .... it's the industry itself. Until the timeshare industry, and all it's affiliates including upfront fee resale scammers and postcard companies, is federally regulated then I'm afraid there's not much the consumer can do but continue to educate themselves. About the only thing a consumer can do now that's been scammed is file a complaint with the attorney general in the state the scammers are located .... the FL AG has already shut down many scammers and is in the process of shutting more down.

Upfront fee resale scammers are rampant and new ones pop up everyday ..... it's the resale scammers and postcard companies that tell owners their timeshare is worth nothing and they will take over ownership for $3000 and they then turn around and list those aquired timeshares for $1 on Ebay that's killing the industry along with this economy. Also, lies told to prospective buyers by developer sales people have certainly given the industry a bad name.

I'm afraid the timeshare industry will never again be what it was pre-2006 and I see many resorts closing their doors and going into bankruptcy in the future, especially with thousands of owners refusing (for whatever reason) to pay their maintenance fees, which is the bread and butter of any resort.

My wife and I have taken our vacations for the passed eight years using the advantage timeshare properties offer. I am on a strict diet due to health problems, and the use of a full kitchen has allowed me to travel away from home again. I have purchased a few through resale at a drastically lower price than the unfortunate young couple are paying to the developers. I feel the mandatory maint. fees in addition to having a mortgage are mainly responsible for the bad publicity. Why not have a single price, with maint fees prepaid for a period of time. This would still be less than the developer's price, and the HOA's can earn there way by managing the up front funds. Dave B.