No More Business As Usual

I was recently quoted in an excellent article written by Gregory Holman from the Springfield News Leader. Here’s the link https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2018/07/24/better-business-bureau-branson-timeshares-deceiving-consumers/825403002/

The article was one of the most direct and scathing indictments of the timeshare industry and its closely related counterparts that I’ve seen in recent memory. The stories from the affected consumers ring true and sad. 

What I found most surprising about the piece was the Greater St Louis Better Business Study which included some very direct recommendations to both the industry and regulators. You can read the entire Study here    https://www.bbb.org/en/us/article/news-releases/18149-dont-fall-for-deception-pressure-and-traps-disguised-as-vacations-a-better-business-bureau-study-of-the-missouri-timeshare-vacation-club-industry?bbbid=0734

How long before more BBBs and other organizations issue such warnings and recommendations?  The industry bigwigs living it large on their private jets and ensconced in their ivory towers won’t succeed in any attempts to either shut those guys up or try to discredit them as they’ve attempted to do for years to certain consumer advocates. 

You might think that I’m pleased to read this article and the BBB Study. But I’m not. I’m saddened. Saddened that the industry has had every opportunity in the world to fix itself, yet steadfastly refused to. They’ve had every opportunity to work hand in hand with myself and others who have always maintained that it doesn’t have to be a win/lose proposition but a win/win where the industry thrives and consumers can purchase a great product. They’ve had every opportunity to come clean, admit there are some bad companies in the timeshare community, throw those bad companies out of their cabal and then distance themselves from those companies, but they don’t. 

I sense a seismic shift around the corner for the industry and the entire timeshare community. I think the days of business as usual are coming to an end. Don’t say you weren’t warned.