Original Message:
Its our VACATION. Let us HELP clean up the TIMESHARE INDUSTRY. (by Paul G.):
Many bash (out of understandable frustration) this or that management company or developer. This industry to me is a cup that is way more than half full. I say this because the price of hotel rooms on this planet keeps escalating and properly managed timeshare planning keeps the weekly cost of lodging (including kitchen) and food way down; provided management plays by the rules.
The problems as I experience them conisist of knowing the rules and seeing that they are followed.
There are posters like jay jay and others with more experience than me who may be able to shed some light on the whys and hows to clean this up.
Without mentioning a specific company, I can anecdotally recount a recent experience:
Among the units of time share I love and own are two two-bedroom lockoff units. In order to get a desirable week, I must call ahead 13 months to the day, at 8 AM EST (5 AM my time). Recently on June 3, 2008, I did this to reserve July 3, 2009. Imagine my surprise to have the 800 number busied out for 30 minutes from 5:03 AM to 5:33 AM and then when I finally got to speak to a person, there were "no units left" to reserve. After an hour on the phone, I was finally able to down convert 2 1 bedroom units to two mini-suites (studios) for July 3, 2008. I asked for a supervisor return call. It, this far, has not happened.
Now here are some of the questions that ocur to me: 1. Who regulates timeshare practices in California or the US? 2. What rights does an owner have to audit the reservations system? 3. Is there an appeals process, should there be?
This is a growing area of affordable vacation enjoyment for Baby Boomers. Has anyone got the ear of a Congressman or Senator?
Are there common areas of frustration that unite owners across numerous managemnt companies and developers that could be used to champion reform?