Original Message:
Re: PERHAPS IT'S TIME FOR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT .... (by KC):
jayjay has observed, quoted only in pertinent part:
>> But I'm not sure the AG there is willing to pursue such complaints as timesharing is a major industry in that state that brings in tax revenue and major tourism dollars. If the AG had intervened I believe we would have seen some major changes in that industry. << ======================================
I think that a few observations of fact are in order here, while not seeking to start an argument (or even participate in further exchange):
1. Folks on various Internet forums have reported some success in recovering money (never all of it) after filing (well documented, written) complaints with the Florida AG office. I do not practice law in Florida, but I do believe these "voluntarily settlements" are agreed to by the company to just make the AG lawyers "go away" --- maybe not because there has been an actual violation of law. Unfortunately, it seems that most people who have entered into these unfortunate arrangements with the upfront fee parasites --- and inevitably just got burned --- don't usually seem able or willing to assemble their case facts and documents for the authorities to be able to go to bat for them. In some instances, there is nothing more than a credit card charge, voluntarily authorized over the phone, with no contract, no documents. And the complaint usually arises months later. Unfortunately in our legal system the rule of thumb is --- no facts, no case.
2. I think you may perhaps misunderstand AG interest and involvement in such matters in Florida. In my own limited experience, the AG office does indeed seem interested in cleaning up the long standing negative images of swamp land and snake oil salesmen, which is an unfortunate part of Florida history. I know of a number of instances of (successful) criminal prosecution, with people going to jail. However, those cases involved outright fraud and conspiracy--- not voluntary arrangements where one party has regrets after voluntarily entering into a (sometimes undefined) agreement, but then seeing no results. My real point here is that the AG office does not make or pass laws ---that particular process occurs in the legislature. I personally know several state attorneys in FL and they are honest, vigorous and energetic prosecutors in the performance of their roles and duties. That said, they can only work with the laws existing on the books. I think your beef, if you have one, is more appropriately with the lawmakers in FL (about whom I claim no personal knowledge). It's the LAWS that are inadequate ---not the people responsible for enforcing them.