Resort Development Organisation

Consumer Alert: Resale Agent World Axial Asia

It has been brought to RDO's [The Resort Development Organisation's] attention that a Singapore based resale company called World Axial Asia may be telephoning timeshare owners, informing them that they are representatives of RDO.

This company is not associated with RDO in any way and is not authorised to act on its behalf. Members of the public should be on their guard if contacted by this company and are advised to take legal advice before parting with any money.

Consumer Alert - Holiday Group Sales Ltd, UK

Members of the public should be on their guard if contacted by a UK based resale company called Holiday Group Sales Ltd.

By using our logo, the company is inferring that it is a member of OTE (now called RDO) the European trade body for timeshare, whose members sign up to a code of ethics that protects consumers’ rights. This company is not, and never has been, an approved member of either OTE or RDO and is breaking the law by including our logo on its documentation.

Consumer Alert - Incentive Leisure, UK

The industry trade body for the vacation ownership industry, RDO (Resort Development Organisation), is advising consumers who have purchased a membership from the Incentive Leisure Group (UK) to check with their local Trading Standards office or their solicitor to establish whether they have been defrauded.

This advice follows a recent court case in the UK, brought by West Berkshire Trading Standards, during which the Incentive Leisure Group pleaded guilty to 11 counts of fraud. The offences admitted by the company concerned the likely value of the cashback scheme and claims that it was run by an independent lawyer.

Help & Advice

The Resort Development Organisation AISBL (RDO) can accept no responsibility for the information it has provided, although it has used its best endeavors to supply factually accurate advice and guidance. This information is not a substitute for taking professional legal advice to cover your particular situation.

To contact us:-

RDO aisbl (Head Office)
Oak House, Cours St. Michel 100/3, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
Fax: +32 2533 3061, info@rdo.org

Please note that the RDO Consumer Services only deal with enquiries/complaints about RDO members in writing (by regular mail, email or fax), and these should be directed to the RDO Head Office.

TATOC (The Timeshare Association of Timeshare Owners Committees), who represent the interests of timeshare owners and their elected committees, provide information and assistance to timeshare owners/consumers on all matters relating to timeshare. If you require any general information, or assistance on matters relating to non-RDO members, we would ask that you contact TATOC directly. You can contact TATOC on:

Tel: +44 (0) 845 230 2430
E-mail: info@timeshareassociation.org
Website: www.timeshareassociation.org

Code of Ethics and ADR Scheme

The RDO Code of Ethics was introduced in 1999 and over the years has been regularly updated to reflect best practices within the timeshare industry.

Timeshare Owner Testimonials

“We can plan our holiday in confidence, knowing we will have first class accommodation, with brilliant facilities” - the Oven family

“We were very pleased with the island as a whole and the resort in particular. The accommodation was excellent, the resort was beautiful and the staff so friendly and helpful.” - Annette and Graham Barber

“Our family enjoys the fact that you have everything you need at your doorstep, and we feel good knowing our kids are safe within the resort. One really has the feeling of coming home, and it makes all the difference!” - Mr and Mrs Breeze

Selling Timeshare

There will of course be situations where owners may need to dispose of their timeshare/points. However, as Timeshare is regarded as a long-term investment in holidays, as opposed to an investment in real estate, it would be unrealistic to rely on realising the original purchase price. Bear in mind that some resorts/unit sizes are far more popular than others and ; as sales depend on current supply and demand it is not always possible to guarantee a date for resale. Resale companies offer various services. Some may not handle Points and some may charge up-front resale registration fees. Others may not charge an up-front fee but make a charge for optional advertising eg on the internet. RDO Resale Members must follow the Code of Ethics. Details of the services / costs / commissions / valuations should be obtained by contacting the relevant agencies direct.

If You Feel You Have Been Defrauded

Contact/Attend your local police station to report the crime and to make a written statement on the official forms. This must also be typed to ensure all necessary parties can read the statement. Any documentary evidence should also be properly exhibited and attached to the statement. The statement should be translated into the language that has the jurisdiction of the crime. The statement should then be forwarded by the police to Interpol.

Resorting to Legal Action

Solicitors

If you feel that your genuine grievances are being rejected both by the timeshare company and by your credit card issuing bank or finance company regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974, you could consider obtaining a fee quotation from a solicitor for handling the claim. Or you could refer the claim against your card issuing bank to the Banking Ombudsman (pamphlet available from 020-7404 9944).

Additional Rights of Redress if You Paid by Credit Card

If you paid by means of a Visa credit card, you should be aware that Visa introduced a rule in November 1996 (which is not linked to any legislation) and Mastercard more recently (which is linked to the EU directive), which set out that a customer buying timeshare with a credit card is entitled to a 10-day cooling off period, irrespective of whether there is local cooling off legislation in place or not. The 10-day Visa/MasterCard cancellation and cooling-off rule is particularly relevant in areas of Europe that are not subject to the European Timeshare Directive as they are out

Unhappy With Your Purchase and Now Outside the Cooling-Off Period?

If you have a complaint about a non-RDO member's sales presentation, it is best to (jointly) sign a letter of complaint and to send it recorded delivery to the timeshare resort in question rather than writing to its trustees or head office elsewhere. Set out concisely what aspect of the sales talk you now find was inaccurate, and who made the misleading statements about which you are complaining. Ask the sales director to make all necessary investigations.

If You Decide to Cancel an Agreement

If you wish to cancel during the timeshare cancellation period, it is best to communicate this in writing by recorded delivery to the seller's office. Remember that if two people signed jointly, both should also sign the cancellation letter or formal Notice. You should give the contract number and the date on which you signed the agreement.

RDO Consumer Services Department

RDO is in the first instance a trade association representing the timeshare industry in Europe. RDO therefore represents member companies and as such look after their interests. However, RDO's consumer policy allows for consumers to address complaints about members with RDO. RDO provides this consumer service free-of-charge and aims to resolve valid complaints against member companies.

RDO's members do believe that it is important that RDO undertakes this service for the consumer and count on RDO being fair and equitable.

What Should I Expect When Buying from an RDO Member?

The Contract
The contracts of RDO Members shall always be clear and comply with national Law and the EU Timeshare Directive and provide you with full protection. The printed agreement or contract will include all your rights and obligations. RDO Members must ensure that buyers receive in writing and in their own language all information which a prudent purchaser would reasonably require to make up his mind.

Buying Timeshare: General Advice

Why timeshare could be right for you!

There are many reasons why millions of families have chosen timeshare over traditional package holidays or owning a holiday home. By investing in future holidays, timeshare owners have peace of mind and security of ownership, paying only for the vacation time they actually use.