Starwood is a global timeshare company in the mold of Hilton and Marriott timeshares in that they are all also global hotel giants. Starwood timeshares is under the same umbrella corporation as such renowned hotels as Westin and Sheraton, which are fantastic resorts located in pristine locations. Much like Marriott and Hilton timeshares, Starwood reaps the benefits of the grand reputation and position these companies enjoy in the hotel business. However, Starwood timeshare reviews are plagued with the same complaints as these other timeshare companies as well.

While Marriott and Hilton are notorious in the timeshare industry for outrageous pricing and an inability to book a reservation months in advance, Starwood timeshare reviews focus on rate hikes and hidden fees more than anything else. Many Starwood timeshare reviews complain of an aggressive payment policy that becomes increasingly expensive every single year. Timeshare owners sign up with Starwood believing they will be paying a reasonable amount for their resort destination. Nothing is further from the truth.

One particularly angry Starwood timeshare owner posted in his review that he had signed a contract where fees were originally $1,300 per year. Starwood timeshares has raised his fees to over $2,500 a year, and have no intention of slowing down. Starwood timeshare reviews paint a disturbing picture for any timeshare owner, and these stories should serve as a major warning to potential victims. 

There are thousands of timeshare complaints submitted every single day, and nearly all of them involve timeshare fraud in one way or another. Timeshare fraud has become the norm within the timeshare industry, and this is the main reason the industry has gained such a notorious reputation. Timeshare companies did not all begin running rampant with fraud, this development occurred over a period of time.

When the timeshare industry arose out of an idea for flexible, partial vacation property ownership, the idea seemed sensible enough. In fact, with fair prices and wonderful locations, the market for timeshares would have boomed, and there would be no need for fraud. However, timeshare companies soon learned that with their own specialized contract and coercive sales tactics, they could trap timeshare owners. This binding document could legally force consumers to pay fraudulent hidden charges and ever-increasing fees.  

Soon enough, other timeshare companies and resorts caught wind of these tactics, and timeshare fraud spread like wildfire. Timeshare salesmen now say anything to get consumers to sign their contracts, most of which are straight up lies. These lies about the value and market for timeshares constitutes fraud, and too many laws are in favor of timeshare companies.

This is where timeshare owners fight back against fraud. Do not simply accept your dreadful contract, signed under duress with misleading information. You are likely the victim of timeshare fraud, and Timeshare Consumer Bureau wants you to be heard.

Post your experience with timeshare fraud or submit a timeshare complaint today! 

Nearly all timeshare owners seek to sell a timeshare eventually. The great majority of timeshare owners seek to sell a timeshare because of the massive hidden fees and high maintenance costs, including property taxes.

However, as many timeshare owners soon learn, this process can be extremely difficult. Many owners first seek to sell their timeshare, as they were promised a great return on their investment by representatives at the the timeshare presentation. However, this is very far from the truth, and owners quickly realize how difficult it is to actually sell a timeshare.

So what exactly are your options as a timeshare owner? There are a few routes that owners take when they want to get out of their timeshare. All have their benefits and drawbacks, and only you can decide what is best for your family. 

As mentioned earlier, selling a timeshare is a very difficult undertaking. Timeshare representatives mislead customers at presentations to get consumers to blindly sign their contracts. In reality, the market for timeshares is flooded, for so many owners are seeking a way to sell a timeshare. When selling a timeshare, you must first accept that you will not turn a profit on your timeshare. 

This can be a viable option to get out of a timeshare. However, many charities are very aware of the dangers associated with timeshare ownership. Many timeshare donations are refused, and the owner is still stuck without a way to get out of their timeshare. 

This may seem like giving up to many timeshare owners, but nothing could be further from the truth. In reality, this course of action often leads to success in getting out of a timeshare, even though it is a long and difficult process. If you have exhausted other options and decide you finally need real help getting out of a timeshare, find the right organization and let them help you fight back against the timeshare company. 

The timeshare industry is so massive, and those offering timeshare advice come from a variety of different sources. Some of these sources truly offer great timeshare advice, and many do not. Unfortunately, fraud and deceit have become rampant in the very industry that was created to help timeshare consumers.

Timeshare lawyers, timeshare listing specialists, and timeshare resale agencies all promise great advice for consumers who need to do something about their contract. While many consumers have decided they just need advice for breaking out of their contract, some opt for other solutions that will hopefully derive some value from their timeshares. The most common of these alternatives are timeshare exchange programs. 

Timeshare exchange programs advise timeshare customers to trade their timeshares between members of their own service. Members are allowed to deposit the week they own and trade with another customer’s week as long as they are a member of the same timeshare exchange program.

However, there are many limitations with the timeshare help and “advice” these programs offer. First of all, another week must be available in order for the customer to receive any help with their timeshare at all. Secondly, these programs only help customers trade an equally rated resort or week for one with lesser value. Finally, these exchanges are often very hard to come by and any timeshare help comes with a hefty price tag and hidden fees.

Most true timeshare advice does not come with the same hidden fees and deceitful tactics used to lure customers into timeshares in the first place. Any exchange comes with a fee, there are hidden deposits for reservations, and massive late fees for failure to pay before certain dates that are often unknown to customers.

The largest timeshare exchange programs are II (Interval International) and RCI (Resort Condominiums International.) Many members view these companies as scam-artists who charge even greater fees than the timeshare resorts themselves. For any real timeshare help, consumers must use every tool at their disposal and learn as much as possible about the contract they are signing. Some companies offer true help, but many are there to trick consumers who are already the victims of fraudulent tactics and hidden fees.