How to Cancel a Sheraton Timeshare

Do you want to cancel your Sheraton Vistana timeshare but don’t know how? 

If you regret your decision due to limited booking availability, rising maintenance fees, or financial issues, and are seeking a genuine solution, this is the right place. 

In this article, you’ll get details on every possible option to cancel your Sheraton timeshare, such as,

• Cancel through the legal rescission timeframe (if valid)
  
• Contact the Sheraton Resort to negotiate a release
• Seek help from a reliable exit firm to handle the cancellation
  
• Explore rental or resale opportunities
  
• Give away to someone for transferring ownership
  
• Watch out for exit scams and fake resale companies

Look at each option to determine which one is best for you.

1. Cancel during the Rescission Period:

If you’ve just signed up for your Sheraton Vistana resort timeshare, time is your best solution.

The rescission period is a short, legally protected window (usually 3 to 10 days), depending on your state, during which you can exit the timeshare contract without penalty and receive a refund. This period is typically outlined in your purchase contract.

Sheraton Cancellation Policy

The Sheraton’s rescission period varies by state and depends on where you purchased a timeshare. In Florida, ten calendar days are granted; in South Carolina, five calendar days are provided; in Nevada, five calendar days are offered; in Texas, six calendar days are permitted; and in Arizona, California, New York, Virginia, and Hawaii, seven calendar days are provided.

So, reviewing your contract terms and confirming your eligibility for cancellation is essential.

How to Cancel During the Rescission Period

Follow the steps below to cancel your contract.

Review Your Contract: First, review your contract. Check your rescission rights when you signed the contract. You’re within your rescission timeframe.

Write a Cancellation Letter: You must write a rescission letter to your resort stating your intention to exit the contract. The letter must include your name and contact information, date of purchase, and timeshare contract number.

Send it by Certified Mail: Mail the letter to the address mentioned in your contract for cancellation notices. Make sure to use a registered mail service with a return receipt.

2. Working Directly with Sheraton

Try working with Sheraton directly and asking about their exit options. Many timeshare owners think negotiating with resorts will not help, but that’s not always true. 

Many resorts offer owners exit solutions such as deed-back programs under specific conditions.

You can qualify for the exit program if your account is fully paid and you’re current on maintenance fees.

How to Start the Process

To start the process, you first need to

• Understand the process: First, review the Sheraton Club cancellation policy and procedures. Then, study the guidelines and requirements to learn about the documentation and fees.   
• Discuss Your Situation: Communicate your situation to your resort and explain the reason for cancellation. Whether it’s due to personal changes, financial headaches, or others, explaining your reason will help you understand your situation.
• Inquire about Exit Option: Ask the Sheraton Club for exit program opportunities. Ask, “What options do I have to exit my timeshare legally?” Many resorts usually provide an option for timeshare owners to return their properties through a deed-back program. If your resort has exit options, they will allow you to give ownership back to the resort. 
• Prepare Necessary Documents: Gather all documents related to the timeshare contract, such as payment history, letters, emails, any responses received, or other relevant information that will support your case for cancellation.

3. Hire a Professional Exit Company:

When working with Sheraton hasn’t worked and you don’t want to sell or rent your timeshare, hire a reputable exit company to represent you.

The Good vs. The Ugly

There are many good exit companies, but unfortunately, not all exit companies are legit. Many scam companies also exist that trap owners. 

Good Exit Companies:

• Reliable companies offer you attorney-backed services
• They’ll not charge you upfront fees.
• They usually provide money-back guarantees.

Red Flag Companies

• They ask for full payment before starting to work
• They may pressure you to make fast decisions.
• They don’t have official business.

4. Rent Out Your Timeshare

If you’re not quite ready to sell or cancel, consider renting your timeshare. Renting may help you cover your annual maintenance fees. You may also use rental income as a holding strategy while exploring other exit options. 

Where to Rent a Timeshare?

You can rent your timeshare by listing it on various platforms such as VRBO, Airbnb, and RedWeek.

You can also join Facebook groups or other forums where owners rent directly to each other.

Why Renting is Not a Good Idea?

Renting is not a good option for the following reasons.

• Financial Responsibilities: When renting out your timeshare, you must still pay maintenance fees, taxes, and other financial obligations.
• Liable for Damage: You’ll be liable to pay for repairs or maintenance if your renter damages the property. 
• Less Demand: There is a low demand for timeshare rentals because nobody wants to rent a timeshare; instead, they prefer to book accommodation, which they think is cheaper.

5. Sell your Sheraton Timeshare

You can sell your timeshare, but it’s challenging, especially in an oversaturated resale market.

Where to Sell Timeshare?

You can sell your Sheraton timeshare online at various resale marketplaces such as eBay, Redweek, Timeshare Users Group (TUG), and Craigslist. Moreover, you can sell through licensed resale brokers because they know the market and handle legal work in exchange for a commission.

What to Expect When Selling:

Timeshares usually depreciate over time, and when you sell your Sheraton timeshare, you may receive less value in return.

When you list your timeshare, you will likely find that many timeshares are listed for $1 due to lower demand and increased competition. You may need to list it for a few hundred dollars or even $1 to offload it. 

Tips to Avoid Selling Scams

1. Avoid paying upfront fees to resale companies that claim fast results.
2. Always verify the broker’s license and reviews.
3. Use an escrow service to handle payments.

6. Give Away Your Timeshare

You can get out of your timeshare contract by simply giving it away to a family member, friend, relative, or someone outside of your immediate circle who wants it.  But this route also involves financial and legal risks. Above all, many resorts do not permit people to transfer timeshares without their prior approval, and many charge high transfer fees. 

Furthermore, many states hold the original owner responsible for any debts and obligations if the new purchaser fails to fulfill them. 

The Florida Law (Chapter 721, Section 17) defined

“That the obligations of the transferee under such instrument will continue to exist despite any cancellation or rejection of the contracts between the developer and purchaser arising out of bankruptcy proceedings.”

So, be sure to hire a legal professional or use a title transfer service to protect yourself from future obligations.

Legal Consideration

If you’ve tried every cancellation option, you can go for legal action. However, this option will only be valid if you have a valid legal basis. If you qualify for deed-back and your resort denies your request, or you have realized that your timeshare contract was made on pretenses, a legal route can help you out. Such misrepresentation can support your case and serve as valid legal grounds for contract disputes under consumer protection laws.

Timeline and Cost Expectation for Each Option

Here’s a brief overview of each option’s timeline and associated costs.

Pro Tips to Avoid Scams and Choose the Right Company

Many exit company scams can financially drain you. Many fake companies promise fast cancellation, charge high upfront fees, and vanish after receiving payments. To avoid these scams, you must prioritize caution.

Always hire a Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited exit company. Read reviews on various platforms to know their success rate. 

Another crucial step is to look for escrow services, which hold your money until the work is completed. However, these are just a few things. Many warning signs can protect you from scams. So, it’s wise to consult with our experts at Timeshare Cancellations to guide you through the process and connect you with top exit companies that use escrow protection. By doing so, you can achieve a smooth, scam-free exit.

Lawsuits Against Sheraton 

No specific lawsuit has been filed against Sheraton Club Vacation. However, the Sheraton Club operates under Vistana, part of Marriott Vacations. Therefore, legal class actions involving Vistana or Marriott Vacation may indirectly pertain to Sheraton Vacation Club.

Some legal action lawsuits alleged that Marriott Vacation misled buyers. The case could extend to affiliated timeshare programs under Marriott Vacations.

Sheraton Vacation Club Reviews

The Sheraton Vistana Village Resort received both positive and negative reviews from guests.

Many appreciated the resort’s excellent location, well-maintained amenities, multiple pools, friendly environment, and recreational activities. They found the place comfortable and relaxing.

However, many clients have shared their experience regarding their staff’s aggressive or pressure sales tactics. Some reviewers described receiving multiple unsolicited calls and pitches throughout their stay. A few noted that certain rooms were outdated, and some experienced issues such as an inconsistent hot water supply. 

Conclusion

Canceling a Sheraton timeshare is impossible, but requires the right exit path. Whether you’re considering working with a resort, hiring a reputable exit company, selling your timeshare, or renting it out, understand the benefits and risks associated with each path. If you’re uncertain, consider consulting with a Timeshare Cancellation expert for unbiased advice. Our team will guide you through the process or connect you with top, reliable companies that use an escrow service option.

FAQs

Q1: How do I get out of a Sheraton Vistana timeshare?

There are several options available to get out of a Sheraton timeshare. First, check your rescission period. If you’re eligible, you can exit legally. Otherwise, you must work directly with your resort for a deed-back exit, hire an exit company to handle negotiations, or sell your timeshare.

Q2: Can I sell my Vistana timeshare?

You can sell your Vistana timeshare on various resale markets, such as eBay, RedWeek, Craigslist, and Facebook groups.

Q3: Does Vistana buy back timeshares?

Vistana does not usually provide a direct buyback program. However, they may have exit options for owners who meet specific requirements.

Q4: Does Sheraton charge a fee for canceling a timeshare?  

Sheraton Club does not charge fees if you cancel the timeshare within the rescission period. However, if your recession window period ends, you may have to pay fees or additional payments. It’s always good to act fast within that initial period to avoid the burden of penalties.