Ask RedWeek / February, 2020

What are the details of the Holiday Inn and Timeshare Exit Team settlement?

We just learned that Holiday Inn Club Vacations agreed to take back 1,300 intervals from owners. How did this come about and what does it mean for other timeshare owners?

It is true. In a remarkable resolution of the company's lawsuit against a major exit company, Holiday Inn Club Vacations (HICV) agreed in January to take back an estimated 1,300 intervals from Orange Lake Country Club owners who had hired Timeshare Exit Team to help them get out of timeshare contracts. Timeshare Exit Team, meanwhile, agreed to stop taking new HICV customers and pay some unspecified damages or court costs. The ramifications of this unprecedented legal settlement should reverberate throughout the timeshare world, because it marks the first time that a major developer has agreed to take back intervals rather than risk pursuing a lawsuit in federal court.

Background on the Lawsuit

HICV sued Timeshare Exit Team in 2017, alleging that the Washington-based company had interfered with customer contracts and misled owners about its ability to get them out of timeshares. After several pretrial hearings, the case was scheduled for jury selection in Orlando in early January. Orange Lake Country Club, also based in Orlando, is the flagship resort for HICV.

On the eve of trial, both companies agreed to settle the case without adjudicating any of the remaining legal issues raised by HICV against Timeshare Exit Team. They also agreed NOT to impose a confidentiality clause that prohibits disclosure of the settlement. According to timeshare lawyers contacted by RedWeek, this is the first time that a settlement of this kind has not been covered by a blanket confidentiality clause.

Adding to this litany of firsts, both companies issued press releases afterwards that touted the settlement as a major victory for their respective customers. The headlines pretty much tell the story of each company's positioning.

Both Firms Vow to Keep Fighting to "Protect" Their Customers

On Jan. 15, Timeshare Exit Team sent a press release to all major wire services that declared: "Orange Lake Takes Back Nearly 1,300 Timeshares from Frustrated Owners in Landmark Settlement with Timeshare Exit Team." The subhead added: "Timeshare Owners will not have to Represent Hardships or Answer Questions in New Settlement on Expedited Exit Process."

Five days later, Jan. 20, HICV responded with its own victory statement: "Holiday Inn Club Vacations Incorporated Secures Major Win and Exposes Timeshare Exit Team for its False, Misleading and Deceptive Practices." The subhead reads: "Successful legal action removes Timeshare Exit Team's harmful tactics with owners and allows Holiday Inn Club Vacations to continue offering no-fee timeshare relief options to owners."

HICV Declares Significant Victory While Minimizing Takebacks

Both companies acknowledged the settlement, but not much else. HICV did not mention that it would take back intervals from Timeshare Exit Team customers. (HICV told RedWeek that the exact number of takebacks will be determined later, after Timeshare Exit Team provides HICV with a list of impacted owners. The takeback process may take months to complete.)

Instead of highlighting takebacks, HICV said in its announcement that owners should take advantage of its "safe, legal and free" exit program, known as Horizons.

"We are vigorously fighting to educate owners and protect their financial wellbeing from the pitfalls of working with unscrupulous exit companies that demand thousands of dollars upfront and cause long-lasting credit damage," said HICV President and CEO Tom Nelson. "The most productive (exit) solution for timeshare owners is to work directly with their developer instead of hiring companies who use deceptive advertising with paid influencers to mislead consumers with money-back guarantees that they never receive. This court settlement holds Timeshare Exit Team financially accountable to Holiday Inn Club Vacations and protects our customers."

HICV Touts Industry's Responsible Exit Initiative as Best Alternative for Owners Who Need to Get Out

The bulk of HICV's statement warns owners about the potential perils of working with third-party exit companies and promotes the industry's 2018 initiative, know as Responsible Exit, to help owners who need or want to terminate timeshare contracts. Responsible Exit is a voluntary program, backed by many major developers, that was launched to offset the rise of exit companies — including many scammers — that typically charge several thousand dollars upfront to negotiate exits. In addition to suing individual exit firms and urging regulators to crack down on fraudulent exit companies, developers have declared all-out war on the exit industry. Nelson, the HICV CEO, said in his press release that 19 additional legal cases are pending against third-party exit firms and their attorneys. Nelson is also the chief spokesman for the industry's ongoing PR campaign to improve its public image and combat criticisms from consumer advocates.

The industry's legal assault against exit companies has driven several smaller firms out of business. But litigation appears to be just a cost-of-doing-business for the major exit firms. Timeshare Exit Team, which claims have helped more than 20,000 owners terminate contracts since 2012, says it plans to keep helping owners who feel trapped and financially overburdened by their timeshares.

Timeshare Exit Team Says It "Will Not Stop"

"This is a major win for consumers, who can now rest a little easier thanks to this settlement," said Timeshare Exit Team Founder and CEO Brandon Reed. "Developers have put consumers through years of stress due to purchases that owners often go on to regret. We're going to continue to fight on behalf of these consumers and will not stop until the industry changes."

Reed says his company provides legal and legitimate services to owners who cannot find relief from their developer or HOA. He makes no apologies for charging upfront fees. He also points out that many of his customers owe mortgages that make them ineligible for programs like HICV's Horizons program. As a former timeshare owner who turned his own negative personal experience into a business, Reed also blames developers for creating the cottage-industry exit business in the first place. Exit companies fill a gap in the timeshare universe, he says, to resolve owner issues that developers deliberately refused to address, such as the exit needs of an aging owner base.

Reed's company is one of the most prolific radio and Internet advertisers in the exit industry, spending millions every year to attract clients. As a result, he and his company are top targets for developers who are extremely sensitive to criticisms about high pressure sales practices and inadequate exit programs. Reed is also the Founder and primary funder of the Coalition to Reform Timeshare, a nonprofit launched in 2019 to advocate consumer reforms, including a Bill of Rights for owners and potential buyers. The Coalition contends that buyers should get a 24-hour cooling-off period prior to purchase; that developers should disclose the market value of a timeshare at time of purchase; and that the industry should adopt a strict code of ethics that includes, among other things, a ban on high-pressure and misleading sales pitches.

Setting Precedent for Future Lawsuits?

As mentioned previously, HICV's agreement to take back 1,300 intervals from Orange Lake owners is a symbolic first for the industry. Legal experts say that the expense of trial, coupled with the unknowns of a jury verdict, drove both sides to settle. Those 1,300 intervals represent an infinitesimal percentage of HICV's 365,000 owner network and a small slice of Timeshare Exit Team's customers. So, from a number's standpoint, the settlement was survivable for both companies.

The impact of the settlement on other cases will be determined over time. Timeshare legal experts are split. Some say the HICV settlement could become a model framework for developers to resolve disputes with other exit companies. Others say this settlement only fits HICV and caution against using it as a yardstick to evaluate other cases.

Of course, there are other alternatives for owners who no longer wish to own. RedWeek.com has built a large network of owners who trust the platform to rent or sell their timeshares. The company focuses on helping owners monetize their asset if they can no longer use it, rather than simply surrendering it. For those unable to sell, RedWeek recommends owners contact their HOA to see if they offer resale or buyback programs.

Why This Settlement Is Important for Timeshare Owners

At a minimum, the settlement serves as an open invitation for HICV owners to apply for the company's Horizons exit program. It also prompts other developers to offer similar exit options. However, not all owners will qualify. Typically, owners must be in good standing, paid up on all fees, and have no mortgages. Those with mortgages may still have to hire outside help to figure out how to move forward.

On the other hand, the settlement gives Timeshare Exit Team a green light to continue signing up new customers from other companies without any stigma from the HICV lawsuit. According to court records, the company still faces lawsuits, alleging similar contract-interference claims from Diamond Resorts, Wyndham Destinations, and Westgate Resorts, three of the largest timeshare chains in the world.

What do you think about this case? Do you think the settlement was a fair solution for both sides?

About the author

This answer was provided by RedWeek contributor, Jeff Weir. Jeff is a California-based journalist who has covered California, Congress, and the White House. He also has roots in Silicon Valley, where he directed public relations and marketing programs for high-tech companies. He is also a timeshare owner and member of RedWeek.com.

Comments (7)

    Avatar for Marvin B.
    Marvin B.
    Feb 11, 2020

    Hopefully this will shine more light on the timeshare industry and persuade more companies to buy back or at least let owners surrender their units when they no longer want or can use them. I stayed at one of the resorts listed in the top 25 in RedWeek this past weekend and wanted to tell everyone I saw on tours to please check RedWeek or Ebay or any other place listing timeshares for sale to get an idea of the fair market value before buying at a greatly inflated price from the developer. If these units are worth anywhere near what the developer is selling at you would think they would be very eager to take your place off your hands and resell it again.

    Avatar for Ken B.
    Ken B.
    Feb 14, 2020

    Having read the article on time share sales I contacted Marriott about a possible sale of some of my time shares in Orlando and Aruba. The report about Marriott is illusionary at best. They are operating it as a real estate operation asking a 50% commission for Orlando. Is that outrageous or not? Typical of the current Marriott organization- doing everything it can to undermine legacy or deed owners by excluding them from new benefits unless they purchase points. Ken b

    Avatar for Patrick V.
    Patrick V.
    May 13, 2020

    The problem even in the good old days of deeded weeks/units is that people thought they were actually buying property. They weren't. They were prepaying vacations and agreeing to pay annual dues for upkeep. There is no free lunch folks. And even if you bought a home on the water and paid likely MILLIONS you may lose money as markets fall or with upkeep, taxes, utilities, repairs, furnishings, and the dreaded hurricane insurance and flood expense and hazard insurance for fires. We bought with a respected legacy developer in Hilton Head and have deeded fixed week and fixed units, but the flexibility of Interval exchanges or Interval Getaways, or even Developer Bonus Weeks, and free internal exchanges with other developer properties and if necessary we can call reservations and move our fixed week for one season no cost. Best of all worlds. What is it worth? I dont know. But its gorgeous. The view is incredible and the resort is awesome. And we drive there and no airline tickets are necessary. So we are good. Did the developer get a BUNCH OF MY MONEY? YEP. DID I PAY IT WILLINGLY? YEP. We even transferred from an older property and got every dime we put into it then, and just upgraded. Treated FAIRLY. My kids LOVE IT and they are now grown and married and will use it with grandkids as they come along (one due now!) . Everyone thinks they got scammed into buying. I know of few if anyone who got scammed. Some were a bit high pressure. Sure. But in every case you got what you contracted and paid for. If you bought a resale on TUG or REDWEEK you did VERY WELL. CONGRATS! I bought mine from the developer because HE DELIVERED PRECISELY WHAT I WANTED: BUILDING, UNIT, WEEKS, FIXED. ANNUAL. BIG THREE BEDROOM UNIT. We've exchanged to Europe twice btw. Awesome vacations there. (Malaga and Paris/Normandy).

    We bought deeded unit and deeded weeks. Not floaters. Not points. WE STILL HAVE THE SAME FLEXIBILITY. IF I WANT TO SELL ONE OF MY WEEKS, I WILL POST HERE. OR MAYBE THE DEVELOPER WILL BUY IT BACK SOMEDAY because its an awesome unit and he needs inventory to sell. Meanwhile people pay 10,000 a week or MORE to rent part of a house on ocean side or inland waterway side of Hilton Head. Its crazy. I love some Marriott properties and Hilton properties but we own with a legendary legacy developer and are very happy. (You are welcome Mr. T! ; - ) Some whining people. 90% of people dont know how to use and leverage their timeshares. Even fixed week people. Its sad.

    Avatar for Anthony B.
    Anthony B.
    Jun 29, 2020

    re: patrickv2, I would say you are the rare (if legitimate) person who truly feels they've gotten a good deal from their timeshare. We have owned for 20 years and are planning to sell back/give back. I've kept pretty good records and it took ~15 years to "break even," which is just not a good deal (and I had to be generous sometimes with the price I assumed we would pay if we weren't owners, given some of the prices I observed units advertised at for non-owners.)

    The resorts, service, and amenities are wildly inconsistent - even between RCI Gold Crown resorts. (I'll admit, I've heard the Interval exchange network is better. No proof, but have heard that.) Nonetheless, many people wouldn't want to go to the same place every year for vacation, so memberships in exchanges are generally a necessity, and have their own membership fees and escalating costs for an exchange. Most of all, as noted above, when I see units for sale in other publications for much less than the sales people "estimate" during the sales process, it becomes clearer that the value of these units was never really there. This is an industry run amok and I don't think the people who are trying to get out are "whining". Also, the vice most developers apply when one expresses a desire to get out, plus the fact that you have a "deed" makes it appear that the industry considers the investment "property".

    Not trying to pick a fight, just offering what I think is a less judgmental perspective on timeshare owners.

    Avatar for Marsha L.
    Marsha L.
    Sep 27, 2021

    My Husband and I own a timeshare at Orange Lake. We went over to the Space Coast. We were put up for a weekend and listened to the sales pitch. We decided to decline. We did have pressure put on us. The price kept coming down and we just wanted to get out of there. We finally agreed under pressure to purchase the time share for $5,000. They are taking $141.00 a month out of our checking account. I have talked to the Company several times asking for help to get out of the timeshare. I explain that my Husband is not at all well, having had a stroke and cancer twice. He will be 82 in November and cannot travel. Orange Lake is a three and a half hour drive from where we live and he cannot even make that trip. The Company offered no suggestions or help. It should be illegal to keep people legally bound to a timeshare if they can't deal with it physically and financially.

    Avatar for Pl M.
    Pl M.
    Nov 23, 2022

    Silverleaf / Horizons Exit Program made an offer to exit but subsequently changed the offer by quadruping the exit fee and extension of paid up fees such that I could not exit and stuck in their mire of their perpetual drain. Exit offers must be honored and changes must be with notice so the offeree can act.

    Avatar for Rosemary
    Rosemary
    Dec 21, 2022

    The Horizons program is another timeshare exit trap that has no transparency whatsoever, even when you qualify. They want $$$ (up to $2709 up front, the $1200 "flat fee" subject to change at any time, and the rest of the years maintenance costs, whether you used your timeshare or not. So I'm hiring my own attorney to deal with them because at least what I do pay for to exit the contract is transparent, rather than the customer service agent on the phone who has no conditions being signed or agreed to---kind of what the timeshare exit scam companies were doing to begin with!