Self-advocacy and resources for timeshare buyers – Real People, Real Stories, Real Experts
Updated November 15, 2025
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. We also thank our guests who have shared their timeshare experiences – good or bad.
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, and Marc Lee, have donated their time and talent to direct and co-host. Any show can be accessed by scrolling to the bottom of the homepage. Click Live Update.
Timeshare Solution or Surrender Archive
Thank you to all participants!
February 26, 2024 through October 27, 2025 …. to be continued January 5, 2026 with a new format – 30 minutes live and a 30 minute prerecorded Timeshare Resource Center
- 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
- 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.
- 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.”
- 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/
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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/
- May 6, 2024, attorney Mike Finn, answers often asked questions about timeshare default, joined by PodTV producer, attorney Nick Paleveda
- May 13, Viola and Rhonda, Holiday Inn Club Vacation Club, more security clearance concerns
- 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.
- May 27, Former Diamond/Hilton sales agent Michelle Jabeur, Anne Marie, Army National Guard, Hilton Grand Vacation default, Gary Hardin, Wyndham
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- July 1, 2024, John Raymond, Resort Resellers, Cassandra, John has years of experience in timeshare resales.
- 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.
- 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.
- July 16 Reunion Show
- July 29, Jeremy Taziar, Timeshare Destination, Sherida, Atty Howard Prossnitz, Sheilah
- August 5, Atty Mike Finn, Dave McDowell, Diamond and Hyatt, Glenda, exit company nightmares
- August 12, Donnie in OK, Bluegreen, Corporate Consulting Associates Scam, Gary, Wyndham, and Joan, Bluegreen and Capital Vacations
- August 19, Kelly Johnson, Lending, Katie Holloway, Titles, Scott Meyers, CPA Capital Vacations
- 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.
- September 2, 2024, Michelle, Hilton Grand Vacations,
- September 9 Norma, Wyndham, Josie, Capital, Joy, Wyndham, Sheilah, Exploria, Shakeel
- September 16, Ron Roberts, Sage Marketing, Sherida Net, Marriott Resales, Julie May
- September 23, Kelly, Motivation Mortgage, Tracy, Andrew, Rhonda, Katie
- September 20, Myriam, Susan, The Manhattan Club, Gabby, Tracy, Norma updates
- October 7, Karen Levins, Wyndham Carriage, Myriam The Manhattan Club
- October 14, Robert, Wyndham, Michelle Jabeur, former sales agent
- October 21, Julie, Oakmont, Myriam, The Manhattan Club, Carriage Resorts
- October 28, Megan, Valerie, Wyndham, Andrew, Robin, Westgate
- November 4, 2024 by 4, Joseph Takacs, MVP, Jeremy, Destination Timeshare
- Veteran’s Day November 11 Sonja, Army National Guard, Westgate, Norma, Vietnam Navy Vietnam veteran, Gary Hardin, Navy Vietnam veteran, Taya, active duty Army and Army National Guard veteran
- November 18 Fran Dygulski, Denise Mecke, Sheilah Sherida, Dispute Resolution Process
- November 25, Sherri/John Capps, veteran, Westgate, John/Kathy Beardsley, Palmera
- December 2, 2024, Mazen, Wyndham, Pharah, Sheilah, Kellys, all Exploria
- December 9, Naomi, Marriott, Seema, Anne, Hilton Grand Vacations
- December 16 Anne, Martha, Hilton Grand Vacations, Sheilah
- December 30, Claire, Sherida, Carrie, Vacation Village/Great Eastern, Amy, Marriott
- January 6, 2025, Rhonda Arp, HICV, Candy, Westgate, Dennis, Vacation Village
- January 13, Iris, Mohamed, Sheilah, Club Exploria, Sherida
- January 20, Cindy Wells, 3 timeshares, Anne, Hilton
- January 27, Attorneys Mike Finn and Nick, Cindy
- February 3, 2025, Josie, Capital, Nicole, Westgate
- February 10, How to write a report, Anne and Lori, Hilton
- February 17, Jake and Sherida
- February 24, Air Force retired Colonel Scott Berry, resolved
- March 3, 2025 Taya, Brittany Myers
- March 10, Sydni, Taylor, Jeremy, Sherida VOLQA
- March 17, Jon, Army, Sheilah, Anne
- March 24, Marci Kim and I at ARDA Spring Conference and Tuesday March 25 Special Edition with Tom Gwin
- March 31, Jeff in California, Wyndham
- April 7, Felicia, Anne, HIlton, Roselle, Hilton and an exit company resolved
- April 14, Eric, Marine veteran, Marriott, Raquel, Club Exploria
- April 21, Street Preacher Don Campbell, Wyndham, Melissa, SMTN, Hilton
- April 28, Taylor, Sydni, Jeremy, Sherida, MyRESORT Co Op
- May 5, 2025, Michelle, resolved, Bret, 100% disabled combat veteran, Wyndham Joanne, Seema, Hilton
- May 12, Attorney Jay Kumar, Wyndham Mass Arbitration, https://jaykumarlaw.com/
- May 19, Raquel, resolved, John, active duty Army, and a 100% disabled combat veteran, Taylor, Hilton
- May 26, Jonathan from Vacation Ownership Advisor, Lyndsey Floyd, Hilton, Taylor, Volqa https://vacationownershipadvisor.com/
- June 2, Linda, Joe, Scott, Irene Pineda, Sapphire, Jonathan, VOA
- June 9, Amber, Wyndham, Valarie, Holiday Inn, Joanne, Hilton/Diamond, Jonathan VOA
- June 16, John Kushman, Timeshare Specialists, Mike Kennedy, Kolala, Andrew, Air Force veteran, Wyndham
- June 23, Krista, Westgate, Lamyra, Sherida, Vacation Village, Joanne, Jonathan, VOA
- June 30, Andrei, Volqa, Lori, Hilton, Heather, Wyndham
- July 7, 2025, Jimmy, Sapphire, Gabriella, Wyndham, Diana, Tahiti Village
- July 14, Cassandra, Vacation Village, Ryan, Hilton, Michelangelo, Southwind, Cheryl, Jake
- July 21, Lisa, Kathi, Earl, Sunset World Mexico
- July 28, Amanda/Daniel, Wyndham, Glenda, Bluegreen, Brad Resolved
- August 4, 2025, Eileen Spinnaker (resolved), Anne, Hilton, Nancy, Capital Resorts
- August 11, Seema, resolved, Don, Wyndham, Jimmy, Sapphire
- August 18, Betty, resolved, Candy, Robin, Tracy, Westgate
- August 25, Shawn, Akhilesh, Marriott, Nicki, Cindy & Steve, Holiday Inn
- September 1, 2025, Gabriela, Diana, Soleil Mgnt, Andrew, Westgate, Gabriela, Wyndham
- Sept 8, Mary, Wyndham/exit company, Lauren, Hyatt, Sherida, Eileen, resolved
- Sept 15, Attorney Rodrigo, Iris, Moon Palace, Aku, Wyndham, Lisa, Earl Sunset World
- Sept 22, Attorney Conner, Aku Wyndham, Mary, Wyndham
- Sept 29, Jeremy, Jonathan, Sherida, Andrei, My Resort Co Op
- October 6, 2025, Susan, Marriott and Wyndham
- October 19, Teresa, Jake, Club Exploria, Iris Palace Elite, Jimmy, Sapphire
- October 27, Candace, 5 exit companies, Dawn, Bridgett, Wyndham, Andrew, Westgate
- To be continued …….
Episode 87 launches our new format January 5, 2026 and our Timeshare Resource Center. Participants include:
- Brian Rogers of Timeshare Users Group TUG – a second generation resource center offering informative forums. TUG also provides and supports a viable for-sale-by-owner secondary market for resales and rentals. (E 5)
- Jeremy of Destination Timeshare, offers a low or no cost site helping timeshare consumers make the best choices for their vacation destinations. (Episodes 23, 37, 54, 61, 83)
- Mike Kennedy of KOALA, allows owners and members to recover costs by renting, if allowed by the timeshare developers. (Episodes 18, 68)
- Jonathan Stoker of Vacation Ownership Advisor provides personalized one-on-one consultation to manage vacation “portfolios” that expands beyond just accommodations (Episodes 65, 66, 67, 69, 83)
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- Andrei Borodin with MyResort Co Op/Volqa – an alternative to the perpetual timeshare contract – a three RCI year program that include one complimentary VOA service year. (Episodes 70, 83)
- John Kushman, Timeshare Specialists & Timeshare Scam Hotline, offering transfers, resale and a scam database. (Episodes 10, 68)
When the vacation program purchased turns out not to be as described, we include attorneys Michael Finn, Conner Spani, and Rodrigo Jimenez that will respectively provide information about exit companies vs law firms, arbitration, and Mexico timeshares.
7. Mike Finn has 50 plus years of private practice, maintains a real estate license, and is a former CPA (Episodes 11, 48, 24)
8. Rodrigo Jimenez, has a law degree from Mexico. He had no timeshare experience until working for an exit company until realizing why grievances need to be handled by a law firm. (E 81)
9. Conner Spani practices timeshare law/arbitration in the less biased landscape of Washington State, (E 82)
Last, but not least, attorney and POD TV producer Nick Paleveda, with National Pension Partners, talks about prudent investing. (E 48)
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.