Purchasing a Vacation Village resort timeshare is easy, but its cancellation can be strict. If you’re looking for routes to exit a contract, read this article to find the best way possible.
In this article, we’ve covered each option of timeshare cancellation, such as
- Using your right to rescind the contract (if still available)
- Check if Vacation Village Resort offers an exit program
- Work with a professional exit firm to handle the cancellation
- List your timeshare online to rent or sell
- Give it away for free to someone who may want it
- Avoid scams and fake offers
It’s worth understanding each option available, but choose the one that suits your situation.
1. Rescind your Contract
You can rescind your contract if you’re still within your rescission period. This rescission period is an initial time frame given to all timeshare owners (usually 3-14 days) during which they can cancel their contract without paying a single amount. This period varies by state or country, requiring us to act fast.
Vacation Village Cancellation Policy
Vacation Village Resorts operates timeshare properties across several U.S. states, including Nevada, Florida, Virginia, and Massachusetts. The rescission period varies by state law, typically ranging from 5 to 15 days. For Example, if you purchase a timeshare in Florida, you have a 10-day legal period. In Nevada, you have 5 days; in Virginia, you have 7 days; and in Massachusetts, you have 3 days to cancel after signing a contract.
Review the contract terms outlined in your agreement to determine the exact period. If you’re still eligible, write a formal cancellation letter to Vacation Village, mentioning your intent to exit and other personal details, including your name, contact information, date of purchase, timeshare contract number, and more. After writing, send your letter to the address mentioned in your contract via registered mail service with a return receipt.
2. Work Directly with the Vacation Village Resorts
After the rescission period, you must talk to Vacation Village Resorts for cancellation. Try to explain your situation and ask for possible exit ways. Many resorts provide their timeshare owners with a deed-back exit program opportunity. See whether your resort has this option so that you can exit by paying a specific fee.
Working directly with the resort is straightforward, but it rarely works because they don’t want to set a precedent for canceling timeshare contracts. They may give alternative options to keep you in the contract.
Why Resorts Do Not Easily Cancel the Timeshare:
The resorts do not cancel the timeshares due to the revenue loss, which will impact their financials and business models. Moreover, they often earn substantial income from ongoing maintenance fees and contract renewals, prioritizing the retention of contracts to ensure steady income.
If your resort denies your request, you still have a few alternatives, such as hiring an exit company to negotiate more effectively with your resort by selling your timeshare on the resale market or renting it out.
3. Hiring a Reputable Exit Company
If you fail to convince your resort, hire a reputable exit company to work on your behalf. The exit company can negotiate with resorts more effectively.
Why Should You Hire an Exit Company
Hiring a reputable company is a worthwhile option because:
- They have had several years of canceling timeshares. They should know how to handle various contract situations.
- They have strong negotiating power. They can easily convince your resort or reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
- They are aware of the resorts’ pressure or manipulative tactics and learn how to deal with them.
4. Rent Out Your Vacation Village Timeshare
You can choose to rent your unit to cover maintenance fees. Renting doesn’t completely remove you from the timeshare agreement, but it does help reduce some financial burdens.
You can rent your timeshare on various platforms, such as Airbnb, VRBO, or Facebook vacation rental groups, or use third-party companies that rent out timeshares in exchange for a commission.
Renting may sound relieving, but it’s a risky one because
- You’re still responsible for paying the mortgage and maintenance fees.
- Many resorts have restrictions on renting their timeshare. Check your contract terms and policies before renting.
- If the renter damages the property, you’ll be liable to pay for it.
- The demand for renting is low. No one is looking to rent a timeshare because they find booking regular hotels to be more cost-effective than renting one.
5. Sell your Timeshare
Selling your Vacation village is an option. You can list your timeshare on websites like eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace.
But the fact is that selling is not a favorable option. Here’s why
Oversupply of Timeshares: The resale market is full of timeshares. Many owners are trying to sell their ownership, making it hard to find a buyer.
No Market Value: Timeshares lose value over time, and currently, there is very low demand for them, which also affects their value. When you list your timeshare, you see many listed at $1 or even for free on eBay. This low price is because buyers prefer not to purchase; instead, they book regular hotels to spend their vacations.
Time-Consuming Process: Selling a timeshare in the resale market is a time-consuming process. It could take several months to a year or more to make a deal. You need to prepare yourself for potential long waiting times, and you’ll still need to pay maintenance fees during this period.
Scam: Many scam companies promise to find you a buyer and offer a hefty upfront fee to list your timeshare. If you fall into those scam companies, you will lose more money, so consistently:
- Work with a licensed broker.
- Avoid any service that asks for upfront listing fees.
- Check the company’s or broker’s license, reviews, and ratings.
6. Give Away Your Vacation Village Timeshare
Like many timeshare owners, you can give away your timeshare to a family member, a friend, or even a stranger. This can help you escape from a contract, but it’s essential to give it to someone who truly wants it and understands the associated costs.
Also, it’s worth noticing that giving away involves legal and financial risks. Many resorts put restrictions on transfers or even charge high transfer fees.
Furthermore, in many states, the original owner may still be liable if the new owner fails to pay maintenance fees.
Most recently, Florida’s timeshare laws under Florida Statute Chapter 721, Section 17, Paragraph 1.e, defined that even if the contract goes bankrupt, the original owner could still be liable for contractual obligations.
Therefore, it is essential to involve a licensed attorney and utilize a professional title transfer service to ensure that the process is conducted legally.
Legal Consideration
You can also choose to take legal action to cancel your contract if your resort ignores your request or threatens you with collections or legal action over missed payments.
Or, if you have other legal grounds, such as being misled or lied to during a sales presentation, or when you believe your rights were violated, then this might be the only way to fight back.
Timeline and Cost Expectation for Each Option
Here’s a brief overview of each option’s timeline and associated costs.
| Method | Timeline | Cost |
| Rescission (cooling-off) | 1–2 weeks | Free |
| Work with Diamond directly | 3–12 months | Free–$1000
Admin Fees or Back Dues |
| Hire an exit company/law firm
(Without Escrow) |
3–12 months | $3,000-$7,000 |
| Hire an exit company/law firm
(With Escrow) |
6–24 months | $4,000-$10,000+ |
| Sell it | 2–6 months | $100-$1000 Listing/Transfer Fees |
| Give it away | 2–6 months | $100-$1000 Listing/Transfer Fees |
| Legal Action | 6–24 months or more | $5,000-$10,000+ Case by case varies |
Tips to Avoid Scams of Exit Companies:
If you’re considering hiring an exit company, know that many scams exist. There are a few things to look for to avoid falling into scams.
- First and most important, consider a company that does not charge upfront fees before doing anything.
- Choose a company that uses an escrow payment system accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
- Check reviews and ratings of exit companies to get an idea of their success rate and timeline.
There are many more signs to watch for. For detailed guidance, contact Timeshare Cancellation. Our team of experts can guide you through the exit process and recommend a reliable exit company that uses escrow services for your situation. We guarantee your 5-minute call can save you thousands of dollars.
Lawsuits Against Vacation Village Resorts
The Timeshare Law Firm, a national law firm exclusively dedicated to timeshare law settlements and litigation, had filed lawsuits against several major timeshare resort companies, including Vacation Village, which operates under The Berkley Group. The lawsuits allege widespread violations of consumer protection laws, specifically citing Vacation Village’s failure to provide government-mandated warnings and advisories to consumers before they signed their timeshare contracts.
What People Say About Vacation Village Resorts?
Based on reviews on various websites, such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot, many people have expressed concerns that Vacation Village employs pushy sales tactics. They were pressuring guests to buy timeshares.
Moreover, some clients promised bonuses, perks, or gifts but failed to provide them. Others say it’s tough to book vacations, and when they do, the rooms often have problems, such as broken toilets or appliances. There were many hidden fees, and people regretted their decision.
Conclusion
Canceling a Vacation Village timeshare isn’t an easy process. It requires careful consideration of various options. It’s crucial to explore all the available paths and choose the best one. Doing so can increase the chances of your timeshare cancellation, whether you consider a deed-back, resale, rental, or hiring a professional exit company. Always research and never pay high upfront fees. If you are still confused, Timeshare Cancellation can help you find reliable exit companies.
FAQs
Q1: Are vacation village resorts legit?
Yes, Vacation Village Resorts is a legitimate company. It’s a well-known timeshare and vacation resort brand that has been around for years. It operates multiple properties across the U.S., especially in Florida, Nevada, and Massachusetts.
Q2: How to get out of a vacation village timeshare
There are several options available to exit the vacation village timeshare. You can legally exit if you are within your rescission period. If you missed that timeframe, you may have to opt for other options, such as working with your resort for a deed-back option, hiring an exit company, selling your timeshare, or renting out to cover some expenses.
Q3: How to sell a vacation village timeshare
You can sell your Vacation Village timeshare by listing it on a resale marketplace. But remember, it may take time, and the resale value is often less than what you paid.
Q4: Will Vacation Village buy back timeshare?
Vacation Village Resorts is unlikely to buy back your timeshare without specific programs. Ask your resort about potential buyback options or deed-back exit programs.
Q5: How much does it cost to cancel a Vacation Village timeshare?
The cost of canceling a Vacation Village timeshare varies depending on various factors, such as your type of timeshare, the company involved, the method, third-party service, and the complexity of your case.