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Slashed services at timeshare resorts disappoint it's members

With sales falling, or in the majority of cases ceasing altogether, more timeshare resorts are resorting to cutting their services and facilities -- much to the disappointment of their members.

Tough times for timeshare

Times are not good for the timeshare industry, and it's causing problems for their members.

When timeshares first appeared, there were some good reasons for signing up:

• The resorts were exclusive
• They offered the best facilities
• They made holiday booking more convenient
• 'Holidays from hell' became a thing of the past

It was for these reasons that many people were more than happy to pay large joining fees and ongoing yearly payments, it gave them peace of mind.

Naturally, the customers who signed up for timeshare deals assumed that they would be receiving the same level of service for the length of their contracts.

However, with the changes in the travel industry over the last few years, many customers are now being left disappointed by timeshare resorts.

Timeshare industry in crisis

It's perhaps no surprise that timeshare is now seen as being dated. Now, the industry is facing some huge challenges:

• Websites like TripAdvisor have made it much easier for people to check reviews before booking, reducing the chances that they will book somewhere unsuitable.
• Many timeshare resorts are now open to non-members to make up for falling sales, meaning there is less reason to sign up for a contract.
• Many of the largest timeshare companies have been struggling and going out of business, with industry giants like Anfi and Club La Costa facing major insolvency issues and as a result, have been subject to legal proceedings .

With all the changes in the travel industry, the fact is that modern travellers don't want to sign up to expensive deals and get stuck paying large annual fees.

This means timeshare companies are increasingly looking for ways to make savings. And some of the first things to go have been their once impressive facilities and services.

Cost-cutting takes hold

Andrew Cooper, the CEO of European Consumer Claims (ECC), says that due to a fall in sales, "companies have had to cut costs."

"We speak to angry timeshare members all the time. They are disappointed that facilities and services like the kid's club and onsite entertainment are missing from their resorts now. There is often no welcome pack in people's rooms or welcome meeting when they arrive. Concierge services have been cancelled and restaurants are closed."

Many people originally bought timeshare after seeing impressive sales presentations. According to Cooper, these presentations "promised all of these little touches whenever members came to their 'home from home'."

To their credit, customers did not kick up a fuss when their contracts stopped making financial sense. They were familiar with the system, so they continued using it.

"Firstly," says Cooper, "they were used to their resort and that familiarity made them feel at home on their holidays, despite declining standards."

However, they were often convincing themselves that they were happy because "they didn't know it was possible to escape from the contract."

Slowdown in sales means fewer facilities

There is a simple reason why standards are falling, according to industry experts. As sales fall further, it becomes harder to provide the same high-quality facilities and services that people signed up for in the first place.

Timeshare companies had to make their resorts look wonderful when they made their presentations so they could sign up more new members.

"Facilities and services had to be demonstrably plentiful and high quality," says Cooper. "The people staying on-site had to be happy. That way when a salesperson is showing a prospect around, they see the kind of resort they would like to join.

"The high standards and great facilities were never for the existing members. They were to impress potential new members. The 'welcome breakfasts', for example, were only subsidised so that inhouse sales staff could spend time with clients and attempt to upgrade them into ever more expensive memberships.

"Now that sales are suspended or ceased altogether at many resorts, the need to impress has evaporated. The remaining revenue stream is annual fees and members are contractually obligated to pay whatever the resort demands every year, whether they are happy with standards or not."

Now that sales have started slowing down, people are beginning to notice the fall in standards. Things like "towels being changed less often, rooms not being made up every day, painting and pool maintenance becoming less frequent and so on.

"In short," Cooper says, "the financial model becomes that of any budget hotel. They minimise expenses by cutting corners."

Escaping from timeshare deals

Over the years, the original benefits of timeshare are being lost, and the disadvantages are becoming more apparent:

• High costs
• Inflexible contracts
• Lower standards
• Failure to provide exclusivity

It's for these reasons that many timeshare owners are searching for ways to escape from the contracts they signed up to.

However, according to Cooper, it "isn't easy to escape."

The annual fees are the only source of revenue for many timeshare companies, so they are forcing members to "keep paying as long as the contract can be legally enforced.

"It's a sad fact of life that people will agree to things more easily when they are in a good mood," says Cooper. "People signed these long, detailed contracts while they were surrounded by the Spanish sunshine and sea. Decades later, seemingly small details are still costing them hundreds or even thousands of pounds a year."

But is there a way out? According to Cooper, there is. "Usually, it is possible to get out of a timeshare contract." However, he continues, "in most cases, unless you have enough legal understanding to navigate the process (and plenty of free time), you will need expert help.

"The good news for anyone who bought in Spain on or after the 5th January 1999, is that there is a strong chance your contract is illegal. If so, you can not only escape, but you will be in a position to claim a high amount of compensation."

Do you want to get out of a timeshare contract or find out if you can claim compensation? Then contact Timeshare Release today for a no-obligation chat to find out what your options are.