Resort Condominiums International may be a very large company, but many consumers have claimed that they perpetrate many timeshare scams within the industry. The internet is filled with alleged scams the RCI is involved in, including a new point system that leaves many timeshare owners unable to redeem exchanges. One consumer claims this is just one of many RCI timeshare scams that plague the marketplace. Retaining unused units in order to bolster their available inventory and boost their profitability is just another alleged element of fraud that has caused the timeshare exchange company to become synonymous with timeshare scams.

Timeshare scams are not a new discovery or allegation, and RCI has been under scrutiny for many years. Resort Condominiums International is the largest timeshare exchange program in the world. Founded in 1974, the company has over 6,000 affiliated resorts in over 100 different countries. With 3.8 million subscribers, it is not a surprise that there are cries of RCI timeshare scams from at least a few members. However, there is a very large amount of timeshare complaints against RCI, many claiming that the massive company is rampant with scams and fraud.

Not only is RCI a gigantic organization, they are looked upon favorably in the business world, even if this does not take alleged timeshare scams into account. The NYSE has recently upgraded RCI to “buy,” a positive label stating that the company is profitable. With so many customers upset with supposed RCI timeshare scams, why is RCI still reaping great profit in the business world?

RCI’s timeshare program works by allowing timeshare owners to join their membership and exchanging their timeshares with other members. At first, this hardly seems like RCI perpetrates timeshare scams. Infact, it seems like a brilliant idea. Timeshare owners grow tired of using the same vacation location every year, so they trade RCI weeks or RCI points with other members for an exchange. RCI does not develop or sell timeshares, which is one reason that many people accuse RCI of timeshare scams. The confusion between timeshare exchange and timeshare ownership has caused much anger within the consuming public. Some accuse RCI of doing little to make this distinction, and thus scam members by claiming they can sell timeshares. Despite the label of RCI as a collection of timeshare scams, are there any truth to these allegations? 

The RCI timeshare scams may have some validity to them, as such a large constituency of their members complain about their confusing program and tactic of giving customers the run-around when they have issues with it. This is one of many very old timeshare scams, and RCI is not the first one to employ it. While customers are attempting to make an exchange or trade, they cannot get a hold of representatives from RCI, and their desires go unfulfilled.

A great number who claim RCI is involved with timeshare scams assert that they profit from an annual membership fee, an exchange fee for any successful trade, and hidden deadlines. Every move a member makes seems to cost them money. Customers complain that these exchanges are rare, and the RCI timeshare scams work mainly by a claim of unavailability to boost profit.

A serious allegation against the RCI timeshare program is that their fees stay the same or increase over time, while the value of a timeshare decreases. If this is true, members seem to have every right to claim that RCI commits timeshare scams, because this is an unscrupulous business practice. Customers may be able to make a successful trade while the timeshare is new and beautiful, but the longer the ownership, the less value is attributed to a timeshare, and the less likely one would be able to make a reasonable exchange. RCI may not truly be a violator of the law with respect to timeshare scams, but when there’s smoke, there’s fire. 

Timeshare owners, who are often financially stressed, find it difficult to believe that they have a voice against the massive timeshare industry. Many are surprised to learn that their own timeshare reviews are absolutely necessary for change within the industry. In difficult economic times, timeshare scams have multiplied, making this awareness and change all the more important. Countless families have recently fallen prey to timeshare companies by getting involved with these bad investments, believing timeshares to be a solution for their financial troubles. Many of these families could have been saved from further turmoil by reading valuable timeshare reviews.

Timeshare owners are encouraged to submit as many timeshare reviews as possible to many different websites, in order to help warn others against the dangers of timeshare ownership. The internet has become the primary source for news and information, and those considering purchasing a timeshare will almost certainly read user-submitted timeshare reviews. Those who have experienced timeshare ownership firsthand can offer the deepest insight into particular resorts as well as timeshare companies in general. Furthermore, every timeshare review takes valuable internet space away from timeshare advertisements and other biased sources. The more factual information available online, the more healthy the consuming public becomes.

While it is true that timeshare owners are doing a great public service by posting timeshare reviews online, there are benefits to the witerr as well. Well-written, thorough timeshare reviews can become a powerful force for change. After being spurred by another timeshare owner’s words, more owners will share similar experiences. A collective group of timeshare reviews on a prominent website can uncover an illegal practice or evidence of timeshare fraud. In these cases, especially if the website is dedicated to consumer activism, a formal complaint will be filed. Not only will these timeshare reviews hurt the company’s bottom line, but a complaint could be picked up by the FBI or Federal Trade Commission. These organizations have made timeshare fraud a priority, and many of these cases began with one owner submitting a timeshare review. 

Consumer experiences with the timeshare industry are overwhelmingly negative, but positive timeshare reviews can be just as valuable for consumers. Knowing if a timeshare company is actually advertising a wise investment can help many families during these stressful economic times. If utilized properly and researched thoroughly, timeshares can, albeit rarely, produce a profit or provide a quality vacation experience. Not every member of the timeshare industry is a scam artist, and some do not want to see their clients suffer. Even though positive timeshare reviews are rare, they do happen, and these companies deserve to be recognized. If a timeshare company has allowed an owner to get out of a burdensome contract or has made concessions due to a particular set of circumstances, these reviews are extremely important. If one has had a positive experience with a resort or company, the internet community wants to hear that timeshare review more than anything, because they are indeed quite rare.

Negative timeshare reviews are far more common, because far too many families fall into a deadly financial trap than can swiftly cause bankruptcy. Positive timeshare reviews are extremely rare because in this industry, profit is often more important than the consuming public. However, positive and negative timeshare reviews can both provide deep insight for other timeshare owners in similar situations. Negative timeshare reviews are more common, but equally important, because they serve as a warning towards your fellow consumer. This warning can save a family years of financial hardship, as well as an uphill battle against a powerful company. Furthermore, an owner may feel at a loss, powerless in their position. Even if the timeshare review is a heated rant, other reviewers may offer solutions to the very same problem. Likewise, these discussions can become something much more as similar timeshare reviews gain momentum, exposing cases of fraud throughout the industry and affecting real change.