Original Message:
ask-redweek-wyndham-ovation-help-owners-get-out (by Garvin M.):
I have been a Shell Vacations owner for approximately 13 years, a points based ownership at the Paniolo Greens resort in Hawaii. We have been looking to exit this timeshare for at least half the time we have owned it. It has been paid off within a few months of purchase. We have exchanged the points for a couple of other places over the years, banked and lost the majority of what we have accumulated. Now retired, the yearly maintanance fee has been a burden for a long time, but after wasting $500 with a re-sell scam about 6 or 8 years ago, we have been careful when looking at other avenues of escape. Well, I found out that the ownership transfers to my heir upon our passing and that made my mind up....I had to find a way to get rid of it. I contacted Timeshare Solutions and Resort Release and got the same basic response: "Shell doesn't want to deal with returning the timeshares and only legal action will work", to the tune of around $5000 to $6000 ! I was close to taking the plunge, I am that committed to getting out of this burden. Then I spotted the link to this Ovations review page. I then went to Wyndham's Ovation page, called the Ovations direct line and after talking to a Case Specialist, was advised I qualified for the program. The next day I spoke to one of the program specialists, she has started the process. I have been assured that there will be no fees, no additional costs and in approximately 3 months I will no longer own the timeshare, be responsible for maintanance fees beyond keeping them current until the release is final. They are taking the timeshare back. I am not receiving any compensation, but that is fine with me. It sounds like this will be painless and I will be saving $5000-$6000. I would strongly suggest anyone with a Shell Vacations or Wyndham timeshare that they want to get out from under, go to: https://www.clubwyndham.com/cw/discover/ovationbywyndham.page and see which avenue best fits your needs. They have at least three or four options, but if your timeshare is paid off and you are current on your maintenance fees, the Ovations program can get you out painlessly. I will follow up in 3 or 4 months with the rest of the story. ***UPDATE*** : So as promised, an update. We went through the Ovations program and it was indeed painless and handled via email. We now are free of the timeshare as of early-April 2018 at no out of pocket cost whatsoever. Yes, we gave it back without receiving anything in return, but that was exactly what was promised and after years and years of trying to get out and numerous offers to get us out from under the timeshare for $5000 to $6000, that is all we wanted. The people at the Ovations program were easy and professional and followed through on all promises. It all starts with a phone call. Remember, this was a paid off property....no mortgage. Good luck all!