
We all love traveling, and timeshares have been one of the best ways to get a vacation spot at your dream place. Timeshares are usually great if you think you can visit a place over and over through time. However, nobody would spend a dime visiting a place once they have visited. This is where the loophole lies.
Timeshares offers you a luxurious staycation to stress-free locations. However, there is more than one location for the world to offer. Timeshares, if not in use, can be a financial and logistic pain for you.
How is that so? You have to pay the yearly subscription fee even if you didn’t use it, and this fee can really make a dent in your pockets. Besides, times come when you want the place for your desired place, and it is already booked, making it utterly useless. Or when you decide to get rid of it for your initial investments but can’t because the policy doesn’t allow it.
There are multiple other reasons someone would want a way out of timeshares. You can be happy to hear that; anyone can get out of a timeshare, and this is legally possible. You simply have to follow a few right steps and finish the process patiently.
Things To Understand Before Exiting A Timeshare
Before we tell you how to get out of a timeshare, it is important to know that every timeshare agreement has different clauses. The terms depend on the company you are dealing with, the country’s tourism policies, and your agreed clauses. You have to read the terms of the contract carefully to understand what you signed up for.
For example, what if your state provides additional protection with extended rescission periods or restrictions on certain sales practices? This info can be useful at the time of filing for an exit.
Besides being logical, you also have to check your mental capabilities. We know that timeshares can inflict an emotional toll on the owner, and they might feel misled, frustrated, and embarrassed with their decisions. However, know that thousands of travel enthusiasts are in the same boat as you.
Each year, people look for ways to exit a timeshare because it gets burdensome after a while, so don’t feel about your decision. You took a great deal out of it, and now it’s time to say goodbye.
You might be looking for a quick exit, but let us tell you there are none. This method of getting out of a timeshare can be time-consuming, but it is better than the unethical one, which might trap you with legal troubles and financial loss. This method serves as an example for Bluegreen timeshare owners but other providers will follow similar steps.
Step 1 - Read Your Contract Thoroughly
As we said, before you file for an exit, you have to read the terms of your contract to scrape important information. This can be about your rights, obligations, and, most importantly, any potential exit options. Scan through the agreement and pay close attention to clauses that talk about cancellation policies, early termination penalties, transfers, or resales.
Why? Because many timeshare agreements have a “cooling off period,” which is about 5-15 days after purchase. In this period you can file for cancellation without having to pay a penalty. In order words, if you lie in this period, you can exercise your right to cancel.
In the agreement, you can also look for conditions where you can terminate or transfer voluntarily. For example, some contracts allow you to transfer ownership from party A (you) to party B (other) but adhere to strict conditions. At the same time, there are rarely some timeshare companies that offer buyback programs with some strings attached.
Once these agreement details are at your fingertips, you will find the most suitable path to follow ahead and avoid any legal complications. We do know that legal matters are not everyone’s cup of tea, so you can even get help from a professional who knows the nitty gritty of timeshare law.
However, to cancel Bluegreen timeshare, you can find the clauses in Blugreen’s contract where they talk about termination. These clauses will give you a good understanding of your available options without hiccups along the way.
Step 2 - Consult Your Timeshare Company
You can contact your timeshare company now that you know your contract and what it says. Most of you are here because you don’t want to talk to the company itself because of past experiences. But trust us, this is where you need to have open communication with them for a resolution.
This might involve a polite but straightforward email explaining your issues and the decision to cancel your timeshare with them. In this email, you have to elaborate on your reasons, including financial hardships, dissatisfaction with the service, or a change of circumstances.
Just stay persistent with the process, and you will get through it. While it can be bothersome, keep detailed and organized records of all correspondence, including emails, letters, and phone call notes. Always request written confirmation of any agreements or promises made during your interactions.
Timeshare companies are usually hard to deal with as they can attempt to discourage cancellations. To do this, they will drag the process with misleading information. But don’t you worry as you can escalate your case to a supervisor or file a formal complaint with relevant consumer protection agencies.
To be more specific, if you are having issues with the company directly, feel free to seek external assistance from legal firms like Linx Legal. This company is a specialist in timeshare cancelations and can provide great support to understand and succeed in this legal battle.
Step 3 - Keep Researching For More Options
There is always another way to get out of a timeshare. Some timeshare agreements come with an already existent but hidden mechanism for exiting the arrangement, and you just have to find it. For example, it can be in the form of a Resale Marketplace where your company partners with a resale platform where you can list your timeshares for sale. Selling this way can be a time-consuming process but it is legit and avoids hassles.
Then comes the Deed Back Program, where timeshare developers such as the famous Bluegreen will take the return of the deed for a catch (conditions applied). This happens in rare cases, but if there is a possibility, why not give it a shot?
Well, it will be a matter of time before you get tired of selling the timeshare independently and look for shortcuts. However, keep in mind that the market is saturated, and timeshares are low in demand. You will come across third-party resellers (scammers) who will claim guaranteed buyers, but this is all a hoax. They prey on your desperation and take all your money from the resale.
Step 4 - Hire A Professional For Your Legal Assistance
Direct negotiations didn’t work well for you as well as the contract lacks clear exit provisions. What do you do now? You leave the matter in the hands of an expert. Some attorneys specialize in timeshare law as we said, many have gone through it and needed assistance.
Among a list of reputable firms, one firm is worth considering, i.e., Linx Legal. This firm solely focuses on providing a transparent and ethical way out of this trap. Their experts ensure you are fully informed throughout the process. With Linx Legal, you can get assistance for:
- Finding out the possible contract breaches by the timeshare company.
- Creating formal letters with legalities for cancellation.
- And, officially representing you in courts if necessary.
We understand that you don’t want legal interventions and want to resolve the matter voluntarily. But some predatory practices push you off the bridge to take the issue to another level. You can report misrepresentation during the sales pitch or violations of consumer protection laws with your legal expert.
Also, if it's specifically about the Bluegreen timeshare, Linx Legal is where you go. They have immense experience with major timeshare companies and can help with guidance for your situation.
Step 5 - Take Them To Consumer Protection Agencies
Laws and rules are for us to protect our rights, and consumer protection agencies have been very fruitful in this kind of matter. You can file a complaint with your relevant agency to pressure the company for resolution.
In this regard, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), State Attorney General’s Office, Better Business Bureau (BBB), etc. This way, your cases will get attention for prompt investigations and favorable outcomes.
Step 6 - Cautiously Consider Timeshare Exit Companies
This is not the best option for exiting a timeshare agreement, but these companies can be very helpful if you find a reputable one. Before you hire one, make sure it passes the following checklist:
- Provides transparent fee structure
- Charges only after successful cancellation
- Provides verified positive testimonials and reviews
Some common red flags to avoid in a timeshare exit company are:
- Guarantee results
- Request large upfront fees
- Fakeness in reviews
- No proven record
Step 7 - Last Resort Is Bankruptcy
This sounds extreme, but when your timeshare puts you under financial stress and you don’t have other options to follow, you can file for bankruptcy. You have to file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy to get rid of certain debts, including those inflicted by timeshares.
But this last resort can even impact your credit score and impose long-term financial implications. At this stage, you can avoid complications by consulting a bankruptcy attorney. They will put forward the pros and cons for your understanding.
Key Takeaways
Now that you know how to get out of a timeshare, you should also know how to be patient during this battle. You have to plan your exit and follow this plan persistently. From this, you get certain tips to keep into consideration:
- Before you try external options, communicate with your timeshare company.
- Be very cautious of scammers, as they can be deceiving.
- Keep records and document every action and reaction.
- Trust an authentic professional for advice.
If you are so determined to cancel your timeshare, get help from a reputable legal firm that can increase your chances of success. We hope this guide has given you a clear picture of what to do and what not to do to exit a timeshare trap.
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