The team at Mercantile Claims work extremely hard to gain successful outcomes for our timeshare owners. Many of our clients come to us after having experienced years of hardship and distress at the hands of unscrupulous companies who have often targeted them simply because they own a timeshare. These fraudulent companies know that there are many timeshare owners desperate to get rid of them, and they use this as an opportunity to prey on people’s vulnerability and defraud them, sometimes for thousands of pounds.
Owners often come to us after suffering financially because of fraudulent companies with whom they placed their trust. Mercantile Claims has seen an increase in frustrated timeshare owners who are desperate to be free from their contracts and high maintenance fee payments and obtain the compensation they are rightfully owed. Unfortunately, desperate timeshare owners are prime targets for fraudsters and scam companies who will use every trick in the book and tactic to get people to part with their money. Often, they will gain peoples trust by promising services they have little to no intention of performing and charge large upfront fees for.
This was exactly the case with our latest client’s case who were contacted out of the blue by a company selling a lifestyle and concierge package alongside a timeshare relinquishment service. In 2016 our clients were invited to attend a presentation to discuss how they could help get them out of their timeshare contract. As part of the timeshare termination, they would also receive access to exclusive offers and deals that were only available to members. These exclusive deals included, discounted holidays, flights, and other highly discounted items that they could access through an online account. They were advised that the savings they would make over time through this package would far out way the price they would pay for it. The salesperson was extremely persuasive and aggressive in their sales tactics. Our clients were kept at the meeting for nearly a full day and not given any time alone to discuss the deal or even the large price they were charging for it.
The seller explained to our clients that this package would cost them a whopping £15,000 which they could not afford. They tried to explain this to the salesperson who then proceeded to offer them the same deal at nearly half the price but that this deal was only available as a one-time offer. Desperate to get out of there and eager to get rid of their timeshare our clients agreed to pay the discounted fee and paid a deposit there and then. It was not until some months later when our clients went to use their online account that they had trouble accessing any of the deals they were told were available. They then tried to call the company and discovered to their shock that the company had ceased trading and had simply closed their offices. They later discovered that this company and the owners were under investigation by Trading Standards and had taken money from many other people and were being prosecuted for fraud.
Thanks to the hard work and efforts of the expert team here at Mercantile Claims and the detailed evidence our clients were able to give us we were successful in putting forward our claim that this product was mis-sold to them and fraudulent, they have been awarded all their money plus interest and can finally put to bed the whole ordeal.
People who enter into timeshare agreements often find it difficult to keep up with the mounting maintenance fees and simply cannot afford it any longer. They may also find that the timeshare no longer suits their needs and simply want to end the contract. There are too many individuals who are willing to take advantage of timeshare owners and offer fake products, along with timeshare exit schemes. Before agreeing to any timeshare termination or exit procedure with an individual or company, seek independent advice and fully research any company you are thinking of working with.
It is also important to remember that purchasing a timeshare should NEVER be viewed as a financial investment. Timeshare is an investment in lifestyle, in future holidays and family time together. There is almost no resale value to a Timeshare.
The mis-selling of holiday products is, unfortunately, common practice within the holiday industry and these types of crimes often goes unreported by the most vulnerable in our society and criminal convictions are few and far between.
If you have purchased a Lifestyle / Concierge Service, a timeshare or a ‘holiday points’ based product from a resort or company and feel unhappy with the service, or feel you have been mis-sold this product, please get in touch with us to discuss how we may be able to help you with a possible Money Back Claim.
