Way Too Little…Way Too Late

Several days ago, I saw a tweet from Responsible Exit…the consortium of a handful of timeshare developers who claim…I say ‘claim’ because I’ve heard both good and bad reviews…to provide a way out for owners…saying “Want to exit your timeshare? Maybe you should consider learning how to best take advantage of the benefits available as an owner. ⁣⁣Contact your developer to learn more about how to get the most out of your ownership.”

I almost spit out my iced tea. 

“Maybe you should consider learning how to take advantage of the benefits available as an owner”?  Seriously?  And then suggesting that the beleaguered owner contact the developer?!?  Are you kidding me?

The same developers who disguise their never ending sales pitches as “information sessions”?  The same developers whose only answer to frustrated owners is to buy more?  The same developers who routinely employ salespeople whose knowledge of the timeshare industry consists of nothing more than what management wants them to know?

Now, there are some developers who do provide owners with some continuing education.  They are to be commended. I recently saw that both Wyndham and Marriott were offering some virtual sessions and of course, DVC is way ahead of other developers. 

But the vast majority of developers collect their money, shove new owners out the door with some phone numbers, a link to their website and some paperwork and then continually try to get them to buy more so that the owners will be able to do what they were initially told their timeshare would get them. 

After years of not getting adequate information, after years of rising maintenance fees and after years of being lured by the unscrupulous self-appointed exit companies; NOW the developers want owners to come to them to learn all about the many benefits of ownership and how get the most out of their timeshare?

Way too little…way too late.