Original Message:
Wyndham's "Ovation" program... (by KC):
jeffl482 wrote:I spoke with Minerva of the Ovation program. It seems straight forward, but I am skeptical. I would welcome any experiences. I am puzzled as to how timeshare exit programs (like the one in FFG) can request a $2,500 fee or more when one can get out of a timeshare, ostensibly, for free. I welcome comments as well.
Have you read ANY of the many first hand accounts regarding successful use of Ovation that are posted right here within this forum thread?
The Ovation program is completely legitimate; it has been in place since 2015. Wyndham "cherry picks" what they will accept into the program, but it might help to decrease your skepticism if you simply keep in mind that the program is actually self-serving for Wyndham. Basically, Wyndham retrieves (for free) inventory which they can (and will) then turn around and sell all over again, probably "repackaged" as CWA Points contracts. The fact that the program also helps owners who want to "get out" to achieve a quick, lawful (and free) "exit" is almost a coincidental side benefit --- not the benevolent goal or intent of Wyndham. That said however, it's still a "win / win", since it would otherwise be next to impossible to sell (or even give away) that timeshare on your own. Even if you found a willing new recipient, Wyndham charges a mandatory $299 "transfer fee" to process the ownership change. Ovation, on the other hand, is FREE.
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. If you want "out", use Ovation while that door still remains open --- it could be closed by Wyndham at any time, with no advance notice, if or when they simply decide that they have more than enough "recovered" inventory for their sales force to peddle for the time being. By the way, DRI has recently adopted the very same practice for the very same reasons. DRI now calls their new "deedback" program "Transitions"; a warm and fuzzy program name. ;-)
ALL upfront fee alleged "exit companies" are just useless, expensive parasites. They have no magic beans nor do they know any secret processes --- they exist only to take your money. You pony up a few thousand dollars and they might make a phone call or two or send out a letter; both being things you could easily do yourself for the cost of a postage stamp. When the call and / or letter from the "exit' parasite is inevitably just ignored (since it doesn't originate from the actual owner), the "exit" parasites will then just sit back, do nothing more --- and let foreclosure occur (which would occur anyhow if you stop paying fees and pay those "exit" parasites NOTHING). The "exit" parasites can then very comfortably say "Well, you're out now. Congratulations! What's your beef? We tried to help you and now you're "out", which is what you wanted in the first place. Thanks for the money --- and have a nice day!"
Do not even momentarily consider dealing with ANY of these assorted, thieving, upfront fee parasites. Remember the old saying that "a fool and his money are soon parted" and make the active decision and choice to NOT become just another person who proves that old adage to be absolutely true.