Solutions for people who believe they have been scammed by deceptive timeshare sales agents and timeshare exit companies - or  Surrender for those who choose to default - Real People, Real Stories, Real Experts

Updated August 25, 2024 

Timeshare buyers can have their voices heard on PodTV’s newest show, Timeshare Solution or Surrender. We are grateful to industry professionals and attorneys who have volunteered their time to be a guest on our show to help inform and educate the public on how to best buy a timeshare, or be released from one. Our volunteers cannot provide legal advice, but there are attorneys we can reach out to when a legal opinion is needed. 

Timeshare Solution or Surrender is aired live every Monday on ROKU and Amazon Fire from 1 to 2 PM EST. A live chat is available. PodTV producers and co-founders, Kim Calhoun, and Nick Paleveda, hosts of MoneyMasters PBS TV, have donated their time and talent to direct and co-host. Any show can be accessed from the drop-down menu by date. An archive of shows is provided below. 

https//podtv.tv/timeshare-showcase

Thank you to all participants! 

February 26 through August 26, 2024  

1. February 26, 2024, Taya, Active Duty Army, Wyndham, was our very first guest, Taya, knew the law and knew that when she transferred to active duty she became eligible to reduce the interest rate on her prior loan to 6% because of the SCRA. https://tarda.org/yorks-fissix-vs-wyndham-class-action---the-military-scra
2. March 4, 2024, Sherida and Earl, disabled Navy veteran, Vacation Village Sherida turned lemons into lemonade. She is now real estate licensed working ONLY in Marriott and Disney rentals and resales, Transaction Coordinator for True Timeshare Realty. Sherida's Vacation Village Colonies sales agent assured Sherida they could easily sell their Westgate timeshare to be able to afford a Colonies timeshare through their sales agent’s “personal friend” who is real estate licensed. An upfront fee of $299 produced no buyers, An exaggerated listing price of $37,000 produced no inquiries.   
3. March 11, Air Force veteran Frank, 23 years served, and Allen, Diamond Resorts, Diamond Resorts, Daniel, Branson's Nantucket, Allen reported that his Nantucket sales agent in Branson said he was paid by “an organization that automatically bills maintenance fee invoices” which would be the timeshare industry lobby ARDA. He claimed, “I and only I can get you out of Diamond Resorts.”
4. March 18, Carl and “Maria” Westgate One of the most common complaints is being encouraged to buy additional points or a week to rent to offset costs. When the buyer learns this is unfeasible, they are left with no choice but to default, often ruining their credit score. Also a link to an Orlando protest: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/01/06/westgate-coos-excuse-to-protesters-is-a-copout-letters/
5. March 25, Brian Rogers of Timeshare Users Group (TUG), Sheilah and Bob, Club Exploria (TUG), Club Exploria TUG rental/sales platform - Listing services charge $500 to $1000 or more to list. A Timeshares Only sales agent suggested an exaggerated listing price. A licensed Florida real estate agent can have their license suspended if they exaggerate a listing price.     
6. April 1, 2024 Michelle Jabeur, former Diamond/Hilton sales agent, Mark in MN Michelle Jabeur worked for Diamond Resorts, among other resorts, filed a lawsuit, refused to settle, and was  rehired by Hilton. Mark received a subpoena from American Express. He and his wife are disputing two Hilton Grand Vacation purchases. Michelle discusses: Front line and In-house sales - blaming the prior agent, Ping Pong "Collection" switches, as experienced by Roy Simmons, Navy Veteran, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_nca6lMA4U&feature=youtu.be Scare tactics to buy into HGV MAX 
7. April 8, Jessica O’Daniel from RedBud Realty resales https://www.redbudtimeshare.com/locations/Jessica talks about the good and the bad when it comes to timeshare resales. Jessica’s dad, Tom Tubbs, was one of the pioneers in the resale industry.
8. April 15, attorney Howard Prossnitz, Wyndham, Class Actions This past December the US Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s ruling that Wyndham’s arbitration clauses in contracts are unenforceable. Wyndham has since amended their contract to include an alternative arbitration forum. https://tarda.org/arbitration-ruling-upheld-by-the-11th-circuit-court-of-appeals
9. April 22, Earl, Canadian Air Force Police veteran, Mexican Timeshares and Cartels Don’t Mix Canadians Earl and Faith lost $72,000 US to a Mexican timeshare and $52,000 US to a cartel, involved with Your New Tennessee. An FBI agent said I was part of a 2019 “Your New Tennessee” $3.5 million  real estate and timeshare resale scam featured on Nashville Channel 5  News. https://www.newschannel5.com/news/bbb-warns-of-mexican-timeshare-scams Earl’s article: Club Sunset and Tres Rios - initial purchase and two up-sells https://tarda.org/memorial-day-honors-all-who-died-serving-our-country  
10. April 29, John Kushman, Timeshare Specialist and Crimeshare Scam Hot Line Timeshare Specialist https://timesharespecialists.com/ Timeshare exit scams abound. John explains in his interview why no unsolicited caller claiming to have a buyer for your timeshare is legitimate: https://timesharespecialists.com/timeshare-scams/ Timeshare Scam Database - 193 wire fraud entries (as of 4/1/24) https://timesharespecialists.com/timeshare-scam-database/
11. May 6, 2024, attorney Mike Finn, answers often asked questions about timeshare default, joined by PodTV producer, attorney Nick Paleveda
    
12. May 13, Viola and Rhonda, Holiday Inn Club Vacation Club, more security clearance concerns
13. May 20, Tracy and Candy, Westgate Buyers, Tracy reported she was advised to have her bank refinance the high Westgate loan interest rate, but of course banks don't consider a timeshare loan a "mortgage" but an installment loan.
    
14. May 27, Former Diamond/Hilton sales agent Michelle Jabeur, Anne Marie, Army National Guard, Hilton Grand Vacation default, Gary Hardin, Wyndham
15. June 3, 2024, Cornelius Billips and daughter Natazhia, launched a Facebook Group for Westgate owners helping them to make the best use of their Westgate timeshare. 
16. June 10, Judy in Missouri and Diana in Kentucky, Judy paid a listing company $10,000 for nothing, encouraging her to take out ads that turned out to be grossly overvalued. With Blluegreen asking $15,000 to take back her points (1 1/2 years maintenance fees), TARDA volunteers helped her sell points. Diana is disputing a Wyndham purchase. Both lost their husbands.
17. June 17, Cassandra, Vacation Village, Laurie in Minnesota, Diamond Resorts/Hilton Grand Vacations Cassandra reported that she was told she could easily earn back the $6,000 for the timeshare by renting it out during Super Bowl. The only problem - her week is in Florida! Laurie in MN said she stopped paying because of a deceptive sale, then received a subpoena from AMEX. Laurie negotiated her own settlement.
18. June 24, Mike Kennedy, co-founder of KOALA, a timeshare rental platform, Cassandra and Sherida, If you like resorts, but don't want the hassle and commitment of owning one, help someone with their maintenance fees by renting through KOALA, but make sure if you rent with them, your resort allows renting
19. July 1, 2024, John Raymond, Resort Resellers, Cassandra, John has years of experience in timeshare resales.   
    
20. July 8, 2024 Carl, Westgate, Andrew, active duty Air National Guard and Brooke, Westgate, Gabby, Army National Guard family, Hilton Grand Vacation dispute. why those who serve in the military should think twice before committing to a timeshare product.  
    
21. July 15, Tom Gwin, Wyndham Rental Scam, Joan, Russell Sullivan Bluegreen Rental Scams, more reports of sales agents encouraging the purchase of more points, to rent to offset costs, then receiving a cease and desist letter, accused of commercial activity, what some members are calling an inventory grab. 
22. July 16 Reunion Show
23. July 29, Jeremy Taziar, Timeshare Destination, Sherida, Atty Howard Prossnitz, Sheilah
24. August 5, Atty Mike Finn, Dave McDowell, Diamond and Hyatt, Glenda, exit company nightmares
    
25. August 12, Donnie in OK, Bluegreen, Corporate Consulting Associates Scam, Gary, Wyndham, and Joan, Bluegreen and Capital Vacations
    
26. August 19, Kelly Johnson, Lending, Katie Holloway, Titles, Scott Meyers, CPA Capital Vacations
27. August 26, Andrew, Westgate, Andrew served 10 years with the Air National Guard, intending to retire in 20 years, but told a 4 BR week was a rental investment, a default prompted Andrew to not re-enlist.

Thank you to all past and future Timeshare Solution or Surrender guests -  and to all who have donated their time or treasure to provide a safe place for timeshare buyers, and prospective buyers, to find straight answers. Articles and our donate tab are at the end of our home page.