Original Message:
AppIes vs. Oranges... (by KC):
jayjay wrote:I wish the RCI lawsuit plaintiffs and backers would put as much energy into closing down upfront fee resale company scammers as they have put into the RCI lawsuit.......Upfront fee resale companies (that charge in the hundreds/thousands of dollars) are the worst parasites (of many) in the entire timeshare industry ripping off thousands of people a year with their blatant lies in order to get that upfront fee.
I agree with your assessment of upfront fee parasite companies, but your "wish" is unfortunately an apples vs. oranges comparison:
RCI members can (and did) initiate a civil class action lawsuit against RCI because, as RCI members impacted by RCI practices, those RCI members had the "legal standing" to file that particular civil action against RCI.
On the other hand, taking on the upfront fee parasites is something which must be done by an entirely different and completely unrelated legal avenue. Specifically, legislation (...preferably Federal, so as to be applicable nationwide) would first be required to be passed, making the current practices of the upfront fee parasites overtly unlawful --- and thereby subject to criminal prosecution (not civil suit) by governmental authorities (not by private citizens). At present, unfortunately, what the upfront fee parasites do is unethical, deceitful and reprehensible --- but NOT illegal.
Different courts, completely different legal processes, and (currently non-existent) legislation would first be required and involved. Simply stated, RCI members have neither the legal standing nor any statutory basis on which to go after the upfront fee "advertising" companies. It's a non sequitor...