Timeshare reviews throughout the internet offer unprecedented access to information regarding this highly mysterious yet often discussed industry. While some timeshare reviews are mixed and contain quite a bit of confusion, once again consumers seem more angry than anything else regarding resorts, presentations, and actual timeshare ownership. While nearly every company has at least one positive timeshare review, the vast majority contain several anger-filled reviewed reviews by consumers who simply cannot receive the answers they seek regarding their timeshares.

Many of the outraged timeshare reviews deal with the timeshare presentation. It seems as though those timeshare owners who decided to do research on certain companies by reading user-submitted timeshare reviews were much more pleased with their ownership, even if these were commonly negative as well. However, those who have attended timeshare presentations have been continuously subjected to some of the more brutal experiences in the real estate industry.

“However we do not make any snap decisions and told the sales people that, well you would have thought the world was ending....all of a sudden the higher up sales person accuses us of not being truthful with them, of not making sense since we want to go on more vacations and wanting to spend more time with family....why would we not want to buy into their vacation club....we had to suffer through 2 other sales people and say NO like 10 times before they would let us leave.   

It was more stressful that it should have been....and after being treated that way will never buy anything from Westgate Resorts...  You just don't treat people like that.”

-Carey F, Yelp

This is not an isolated incident, and Westgate resorts is a very common target for outraged consumers through online reviews. Many of those who attend timeshare presentations have miserable experiences and vow to not only never attend one again, but to warn others against making the same mistake.

Westgate is notorious for terrible timeshare presentations throughout the online community, but they are certainly not the only company to be accused of fraud and deceitful sales tactics. Most large timeshare companies have scathing reviews regarding these presentations, and consumers are often warned to stay far away. This is even true when considering the large prizes offered for attending these presentations.

The Better Business Bureau is a household name for filing complaints and constructing a rating system for businesses in any industry. Part of this complex rating system involves which industry the business is engaged in, and the timeshare industry is one of the most notorious for fraud and scams. 

Timeshare companies are especially targeted by the Better Business Bureau for receiving a high volume of complaints and never responding to them. While the number of complaints levied against a company holds some sway in the final score, how the business responds has a great effect on the outcome. Timeshare companies commonly do not respond to the formal complaints lodged against them, which has hurt their standing with the Better Business Bureau.

While Yelp is commonly known as a website that reviews restaurants and other food and dining businesses, they have grown into a forum for rating businesses in every industry. Timeshare reviews posted on yelp are astoundingly low, showing many problems with this industry.

“...this place would have been nice if:
1. the hot water heater worked
2. the room was closer to the pool and spa
3. the spa was hotter
4. instead of what was supposed to be in the shower, they had three huge rings...
5. the sofa bed was broken
6. the tv was broken
7. the shuttle service to the strip was slow
8. housekeeping didnt clean but expected a tip
9. did i mention the room was bad?”

-Senna H.

While anyone is able to leave a timeshare review on Yelp, this is not an isolated incident. Many timeshare companies hold low ratings on Yelp’s user-based website, showing time and time again a pattern of distrust and dissatisfaction with the industry. Not all timeshare reviews are bad, but the overwhelming majority on some of the most popular consumer websites paint a very dark picture of this industry, warning consumers to stay as far away from timeshare ownership as possible.

Complaints against the timeshare industry have been rampant within the consuming community for decades. This dark sector of the real estate market has long been plagued by rumors, accusations, and allegations of fraud and timeshare scams since its inception. Some complain that the entire industry runs of some level of fraud leveled against the consuming public. It is no wonder why so many consumers are looking for a place to lodge formal timeshare complaints.

The problem with timeshare complaints is that many believe they will fall on deaf ears. Timeshare resort reviews are a good example of this fear. Many timeshare owners have dreadful experiences with timeshare companies, and some are enraged enough to provide scathing user-submitted reviews online. However, the majority of these consumers do not launch this type of internet protest because they believe that no good can possibly come of it. The timeshare owner may feel a little better, less heated, but a timeshare resort complaint will do little for the benefit of the consumer, right?

This is actually not the case. Many timeshare complaints written as public reviews have not only damaged the reputation of timeshare resorts, but have revealed defrauded timeshare owners all across the internet. A peculiar thing happens when a public timeshare complaint is created. Other timeshare owners search for the company online and view the timeshare complaint, realizing they have gone through a very similar experience. Soon enough, the timeshare complaint has spread like wildfire throughout the consuming public and online media. The source of timeshare fraud is exposed by larger entities such as the FBI and Federal Trade Commission, and the timeshare owners win massive legal battles through fair trade laws. This can all occur because of one public timeshare complaint that a struggling owner finally decided to create in the right place at the right time.

While this type of action resulting from timeshare complaints may be rare, it happens a lot more than one might think. The biggest difference between timeshare complaints that make a difference and those that are stored away never to be seen again is exposure. This exposure is a direct result of timing and location of the timeshare complaint. It is also important to know that not all timeshare complaints need to be made public in order for them to make a difference in your voice being heard online. Lodging the right formal timeshare complaint to the right agency could mean more than any online review.

The exposure that your timeshare complaints receive have a lot to do with the companies with which they are filed. The main factor one needs to consider when making a formal timeshare complaint is how active these websites are in terms of consumer rights. If the company has many advertisements and are simply trying to drive traffic, they may not be the right place to make a timeshare complaint because nothing will be done about it. Even though your review or complaint will be visible, little will be done to create action because of it. However, those websites and companies that do tend to be more active in terms of consumer rights are much more likely to take a timeshare complaint and run with it. Furthermore, these sites often have more active users, leading to even greater action.

Credibility is another very important aspect of a company to consider when lodging a formal timeshare complaint. Websites such as the Better Business Bureau are household names that, while perhaps not being extremely active, are highly respected and nearly immune from pressure or bias. Many consumers trust websites like these and your timeshare complaint will receive much more exposure by being placed on a website with a well-known name and reputation.

Westgate Resorts began in the garage of David Siegel as Central Florida Investments, (CFI) but has since grown to become the largest privately-held timeshare company in the entire world. While the company has achieved titanic business status, the organization has long been the subject of consumer outrage, which can be most explicitly seen in online Westgate timeshare reviews. There are many websites that allow consumers to submit timeshare reviews, and the aggregate of these reviews relates to an overall score that determines an online presence and reputation for the company. While no one Westgate timeshare review can determine an accurate depiction of the company, the sum total tell a very frightening story, one that should drive many potential timeshare owners away from this company.

David Siegel has recently come under fire from employees, consumers, and other activists for his announcement that he would fire employees if Obama was elected. No matter one’s political views, this is seen as a coercion tactic to perhaps sway his own employees into voting for Romney, because their own livelihoods depend on this. Westgate Resorts employs over 6,500 people across the United States, with an annual revenue stream of nearly $1 billion. Needless to say, there are many employees out there who are frantic on this election day, and we will see if Mr. Siegel carries through on his imposing threats. While recent Westgate Timeshare Reviews have focused on this piece of information and have a taken a downturn in recent months, their online reputation was never glowingly positive. In fact, Westgate timeshare reviews have been some of the most devastatingly negative for the entire online community, and this began long before Mr. Siegel’s inflammatory remarks.

There have been many events over the course of Westgate’s history that has lead to such negative Westgate timeshare reviews. In 2009, Westgate Resorts was found guilty of violating the United States Telemarketing Rule in United States of America versus Westgate Resorts Ltd. Siegel had to pay a $900,000 settlement, and many Westgate timeshare reviews had complained of their telemarketing practices before this case was brought to light. Westgate Resorts was found guilty primarily on the charge of violating stipulations of the national “do not call” register. This was the largest subject of consumer outrage in Westgate timeshare reviews for quite some time, but it certainly has not been the last.

Westgate timeshare reviews have not been flattering in recent days, even discounting those that focus on David Siegel’s recent election-based threats towards his employees. In fact, many of the recent Westgate timeshare reviews are based against these employees, who are often accused of bullying and pressuring consumers into purchasing their timeshares.

“We got three different people who came to our table and asked us over and over to buy some property that we NEVER even saw. I was so disappointed with this behavior and will NEVER tour with them again. They got mad and even rude with us for not buying what they had to offer but couldnt explain why everyone else got a tour and we didnt.”

-Quienna (Pissedconsumer.com)

While many Westgate timeshare reviews complain of similar interactions with disorganized and pushy sales people, the majority complain of actions that were taken after the contract was signed. Many consumers claim that Westgate Resorts is involved with timeshare fraud and make it a regular practice to scam their clients.

“The shower leaks, the toilet runs all night long, and the dishwasher leaks. I called maintenance and even talked to owner services - no fix and no new room. I repeat: if you are an owner, get everything in writing. When you make a reservation, have them send it to you in what actual building you will be in. I can't believe this is really happening. I can go on about once you're an owner, you're treated like **.”

-Dean (Consumeraffairs.com)

While no singular Westgate timeshare review tells the entire story of the company, the aggregate score and overall online reputation is staggering. Through research into user-based online reviews, Westgate Resorts will have to make major changes in order to negate their building reputation with the consuming public. This is especially true if David Siegel’s threats are carried out, and they will fire their employees based on the results of the national election.

Wyndham timeshare reviews can be found everywhere on the internet, and these have been mixed over the course of time. In certain times of year, for example, a Wyndham timeshare review could be much more negative than others. This is probably due to fluctuations in vacation time and when customers use their vacation and timeshare rentals more often. While each Wyndham timeshare review can be different , ranging from very negative to overly positive, the general consensus is that these timeshares are generally a bad idea, and certainly not an investment one should be interested in. This is no surprise, as timeshare reviews almost always have a negative consensus on the internet. While many Wyndham timeshare reviews were indeed fiercely negative, there are those that offer a more balanced insight into exactly what they offer. One such timeshare review was competent, coherent, and offers a reasonable explanation of why many timeshare reviews are overwhelmingly negative.

Wyndham is a hotel and vacations giant that markets their timeshares as “vacation rentals.” This rebranding is almost certainly an attempt to move away from the negative stigma that comes along with the timeshare industry. One particularly negative Wyndham timeshare review made the assertion that this rebranding is indicative of the entire company as manipulative, using certain terms to mislead customers into thinking they are not really buying into a timeshare. Wyndham owns timeshares and hotels in the United States and Canada as well as Mexico and the Caribbean. In July of 2006, they became Wyndham Worldwide, which incorporates many other companies such as Group RCI. RCI (Resort Condominiums International) is a timeshare exchange company that allows its members to trade timeshare rentals on a point based system. Many consumers have accused RCI in engaging in timeshare scams, which has lent further credence to many negative Wyndham timeshare reviews.

Wyndham Worldwide is a massive company, and the timeshare division is branded as “Wyndham Vacation Ownership,” rather than using the term “timeshare” in the name. Wyndham is the largest vacation ownership company in the world. These corporations are incredibly massive, and, like most online timeshare reviews, they carry a lot of negative consumer remarks with them. One Wyndham timeshare review criticized the timeshare presentation aspect of the company, which is often considered to be unpleasant, nerve racking, and sometimes humiliating:

“...the anger and insults for not buying are a big turnoff. They said it would be 90 minutes. They picked us up in a van...that was a mistake as they then kept us hostage and would not let us leave at the end of 90 minutes even though they had promised and we needed to be somewhere else then. They insulted us to no end for not purchasing.”

While timeshare companies can offer wonderful prizes for attending these presentations, it is generally advised to not attend. In many cases, the insults and hard-selling tactics leave attendees scarred and wishing they had never gone through with it. Many Wyndham timeshare reviews are negative and cite these reasons for having horrible experiences with the company.

“...the bigger players in the timeshare industry prefer to use is "vacation ownership." Unlike the term "timeshare," I think "vacation ownership" more accurately reflects that you are committing money annually to vacationing through a specific company. This can be helpful in that it forces individuals to plan to take the time -- use it or lose it. Otherwise, it's easy to take a much more casual approach to planning vacations that may never happen.”

While this Wyndham timeshare review does little to alleviate the negative experiences while attending a timeshare presentation, it does offer a more balanced outlook on the ideals and habits of the company. Many consumers despise Wyndham, citing an inability to use their own timeshare. If the points are not used, they are lost, leaving many customers out of luck. As this Wyndham timeshare review points out, by purchasing a timeshare, you are committing to paying each year for a vacation that you must use. It is often advised to avoid these altogether if you cannot fully commit.

The modern world has connected the public like never before. We are able to digest an immense amount of information and advice in a very short amount of time. This has revolutionized the way we are informed of news events, political activities, and business fluctuations. One area that has been particularly affected is the financial and business world, as we are able to receive updates in nearly real time. The “information age” has opened the floodgates for nearly anyone to offer advice or insight on a particular subject. While this has many benefits, the drawbacks are obvious as well, for much of this advice is can be offered without evidence and presented as fact. Wikipedia, for example, is an incredible tool with a vast amount of valuable information about virtually any topic one can think of. However, any person with access to the internet can make changes to whichever page they like. This double-edged sword permeates the entire internet, and this is especially true of advice offered to consumers.

Advice offered online that relates to business should always be examined with a skeptical eye, and this is even more important in regards to the timeshare industry. While the advice may be put forth by a knowledgeable consumer with deep experience and insight into a subject, it could also be from an individual who has a vendetta against or personal issue with a company. Furthermore, this advice could be offered with a hidden motive to sell, as many salesmen have been known to leave fraudulent reviews in favor of a company in order to make the concept more palatable to consumers. This is a very unfortunate occurrence, and it occurs far too often, much more so than many think.

While this is true of all business information, this is particularly relevant in timeshare advice. The entire industry is based on sales, and a good deal of these sales occur at timeshare presentations where consumers are lied to, bullied, and pressured into signing a contract. This sets the tone for the entire industry, even down to the timeshare advice that is posted on the internet. Any written material should be taken with a grain of salt in order to ensure one is not being fooled into accepting timeshare advice that comes with an ulterior motive.

There are a few general rules when seeking timeshare advice online, and this can be true of reading any information on the internet. Making sure to keep these tips in your mind will allow you to sift through timeshare advice much more effectively, helping you in your research rather than detracting from it. The internet can be amazing tool where you can access insightful timeshare advice from reputable sources, but one must take care to place heavy weight on the quality of this information.

As we mentioned earlier, timeshare advice online should be taken with a grain of salt, and the source of the information is the greatest indicator of quality. There are websites which make no profit from the consumer forums they provide, and these are perfect places to start when looking for timeshare advice. Since the organization has no motive or means to profit from certain reviews, you can trust that there is a lower level of bias. Once the website is shown to be objective, pay attention to the tone of the actual reviews or advice. The source deals with both where the information is located and the voice behind it as well. You will often be able to tell if this is legitimate timeshare advice or a sales pitch in written form.

Finally, fact-checking is absolutely essential when seeking timeshare advice. Reading one review and taking it as truth is often a mistake, and research should be thorough. Did many consumers have this same experience or offer similar advice? When searching for timeshare advice, you will often be able to see trends emerge. These trends offer much more valid timeshare advice than a singular review. Asking a specialist or one with experience within the industry is also recommended. This double-checks the timeshare advice from actual customers and those who have dealt with the industry beforehand. Timeshare advice can be found nearly everywhere, and it is up to the reader to make sure that this information can truly help.

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. 

Starwood timeshare reviews are overwhelmingly negative, much like most large timeshare companies, but these reviews are especially visceral. timeshare reviews are posted every day across the internet, and those who are thinking of purchasing a timeshare have an unlimited resource for researching a potential company. However, it seems as though timeshare owners do not take advantage of this resource, as more and more owners report misrepresentation and fraud committed by the Starwood Timeshare Company. If only these victims would investigate the many timeshare forums across the internet, they would learn that Starwood Timeshare reviews expose a dark truth. 

Starwood is notorious for outrageous rate hikes and hidden fees. All timeshare companies have the legal right to increase their fees due to inflation and rising maintenance costs. However, Starwood timeshares have the reputation of using this excuse to raise their payment levels every year, to the point where most timeshare owners are paying more than twice the amount that was originally agreed upon.

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. This is often a very dangerous combination, as consumers are misled by the incorrect notion that because these companies are so well-respected in the hotel industry, their timeshares must be legitimate. The level of public trust in these companies is soon betrayed as customers realize that the timeshare business is completely different than the hotel industry. 

The very nature of the timeshare industry breeds fraud and misrepresentation, and success in the hotel business means very little compared to the timeshare side of the company. 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. While all timeshare companies raise their rates, Starwood does this nearly every year and uses low initial prices to lure potential owners into buying a timeshare. The rates can be raised immediately, and the timeshare owners is already too late. Many Starwood timeshare reviews complain of an aggressive payment policy that becomes increasingly expensive every single year. The longer a consumer has a contract with Starwood timeshares, the more devastating the hidden fees and maintenance costs become. 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. Doubling the annual fee for a timeshare is a brazen move that even Marriott and Hilton do not commit often. Starwood uses their low initial price to bring customers into a trap, and many remain in financial chains for years. Starwood timeshare reviews paint a disturbing picture for any timeshare owner, and these stories should serve as a major warning to potential victims. 

In understanding the timeshare industry as a whole, there are many expert sources that provide valuable advice such as timeshare attorneys and consumer advocacy groups. However, to understand a particular resort, timeshare reviews are a valuable tool in deciding whether or not the timeshare is right for you.

Timeshare customers that have experienced timeshare resorts firsthand are the experts of the locations and policies of particular companies. Marriott timeshare resorts have become the largest and most widely reviewed in the industry. After hours of researching Marriott timeshare reviews, there is a general consensus. While Marriott timeshares offer nice facilities and better customer service than most, timeshare reviews are still overwhelmingly negative. 

Let’s begin with the positive attributes commonly found in Marriott timeshare reviews. Customers who review Marriott seem to be very pleasantly surprised with the quality of their timeshare resorts. Marriott offers beautiful locations with sensational amenities, such as resorts in Orlando and Singer Island, Florida. Marriott timeshare units are also very well reviewed, noted for their friendly staff, clean rooms, and quality service. However, all of these positives still do not make up for the Marriott timeshare reviews that contain great customer frustration.

While customer service in the Marriott timeshare resort may be positively reviewed, the corporate timeshare machine remains the same. Difficulty reserving rooms even far in advance, inability to reach anyone for help, and extreme hidden fees are still replete throughout Marriott timeshare reviews. A notable Marriott reviewer claims to have reserved and paid for an oceanfront view that he did not receive. When he attempted to call corporate to alleviate the situation, no one in Marriott corporate could be reached and he was stuck, without any legal recourse.

The main problems outlined in the Marriott timeshare reviews deal with the way the timeshare industry works as a whole. Because Marriott timeshare resorts are much nicer than most, the annual cost plus the maintenance fees seem astronomical. These fees can, and according to most Marriott timeshare reviews, will increase rapidly over the years. A vacation is not guaranteed, either, especially with floating time agreements. Reviewers often find themselves stuck paying large fees to simply keep up with their Marriott timeshare contract, even when they are unable to reserve the week they need to use for their vacation.

The general conclusion from most Marriott timeshare reviews: while the locations and facilities are superior to most timeshare resorts, the negative aspects of the timeshare industry still far outweighs the resorts themselves. This does not alleviate the Marriott company from any wrongdoing whatsoever. Marriott timeshare reviews have still made it abundantly clear that this company takes part in a business practice designed to dupe consumers into signing a binding contract that does harm to the consumer. Most reviewers of the Marriott timeshare company heavily advise you to stay as far away from their timeshares as possible.