The truth behind Class Actions – RDO lifts the lid on dubious schemes
You've seen an advertisement or had a call out of the blue - something in itself to be wary of as your details have probably been obtained through a stolen database - and are now considering whether to join a class action against your resort developer or even exchange company. So what's the reality behind these schemes; is this just another scam, a way of obtaining money from timeshare owners under false pretences? From evidence collected by RDO's enforcement team, headed up by a former Spanish police inspector, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the majority of these schemes are bogus, their...
If you think you have been defrauded, read on….
If you have been invited to a presentation to discuss ways in which to dispose of your timeshare/ points or to join a class action scheme against your resort developer but then signed up for membership of a holiday club, we would like to hear from you. The European trade body for timeshare, *RDO (Resort Development Organisation) is currently looking into the activities of a number of holiday clubs that we believe are deliberately misleading timeshare owners and signing them up to holiday clubs, often with the promise that any money paid will be recouped through a cashback scheme. To submit a...
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). View list of Associate Members - Lawyers Your home insurance policy It is worth looking at your insurance policy to see if legal costs cover is included. A single call to your insurers should give you this...
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 outside the...
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 feel strongly that you have signed a purchase agreement and perhaps paid a deposit on a timeshare which was so misrepresented...
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. Posting the cancellation recorded delivery relieves you of any responsibility for proving that you actually posted the cancellation. You are not required to give any reason for the cancellation. You should also cancel, in writing, any loan application that you might have signed at...
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. A full description You will receive a full description (sometimes called a Disclosure Statement) of the product, resort and any services provided, which forms part of the contract you are signing. The contract should show your...
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. They can relax knowing that the quality of accommodation is a known factor. Timeshare owners also know that they have paid for their resort accommodation at today's prices for holidays for years to come. Timeshare is a great way of vacationing and caters for many different holiday preferences. It is important to...
Benefits of Membership
Belonging to RDO helps members to grow their business in a number of ways, notably through: Quality Endorsements Members can use the RDO logo on all their sales literature, business stationery and websites. The logo acts as a positive endorsement for customers who can be reassured that they are dealing with a company committed to offering the best in European timeshare and fractional ownership. Europe-wide lobbying RDO represents the collective voice of the industry and communicates the views and interests of the European timeshare and fractional ownership industries to national governments, the European Commission and Parliament, the media and other consumer bodies and associations....
Key appointments at Club La Costa
Club La Costa Resorts & Hotels (CLC) has recently announced a number of key appointments at the company: Leslie McCann has joined as Marketing Director, while Richard Carrick has been appointed as a consultant and Martin Andrew as new Commercial and Distribution Director. Leslie McCann has more than 30 years’ experience in the timeshare industry, and was Group Marketing Director for LSI and Seasons Holidays plc before joining CLC. Most recently, he acted in a consultant role to the Royal Karma Group. He will be responsible for introducing and developing new marketing and sales programmes and will operate out of the...