ABC news story on Timeshare Scams

[TUGBrian]

love the message, though it does seem to be promoting ARDAs new website for consumer protection!

https://www.abc10.com/article/money/dollars-and-sense/timeshare-scams-cost-americans-millions-heres-how-to-protect-yourself/103-a5fefe38-91d3-42c0-be9f-e52d4e2538a7

developers offering more exit options for owners would still be a much bigger threat to exit scams than anything!

 

[pedro47]

I wish the President of ARDA would suggest to all timeshare salespersons and all potential timeshare buyers; that buying a timeshare is not for investment purposes. IMHO

 

[JohnnyO]

..."According to ARDA, about 10 million U.S. households own some form of timeshare. But AARP reports that roughly 850,000 of those owners hope to sell within the next two years.'...

That's a huge pool of potential victims. ARDA is on the developer's side who are also a bunch of scammers. If ABC really cared they would have interviewed and featured TUG up front and center. Mainstream media is part of the problem.

 

[sponger76]

Someone needs to tell the President of ARDA to tell timeshare sales staff to stop saying to potential timeshare buyers.
That buying a timeshare is an investment for future vacations. IMHO

The president of ARDA can't tell timeshare sales staff anything - sales staff don't work for him, or for ARDA. ARDA doesn't own any timeshare companies, it is simply an industry trade and advocacy group, of which various timeshare companies happen to participate in. Sales staff work for their respective timeshare companies. Each timeshare company's leadership teams are the ones who would have to police up their company's actions and practices.

 

[TUGBrian]

..."According to ARDA, about 10 million U.S. households own some form of timeshare. But AARP reports that roughly 850,000 of those owners hope to sell within the next two years.'...

That's a huge pool of potential victims. ARDA is on the developer's side who are also a bunch of scammers. If ABC really cared they would have interviewed and featured TUG up front and center. Mainstream media is part of the problem.

I reached out to the reporter to see if they wanted to do a followup from the consumer side, will see if they reply!

 

[ZacharyBattles]

The president of ARDA can't tell timeshare sales staff anything - sales staff don't work for him, or for ARDA. ARDA doesn't own any timeshare companies, it is simply an industry trade and advocacy group, of which various timeshare companies happen to participate in. Sales staff work for their respective timeshare companies. Each timeshare company's leadership teams are the ones who would have to police up their company's actions and practices.

While that’s true, ARDA often presents itself as a consumer advocate while simultaneously collecting substantial annual dues from, and promoting, the very timeshare developers and upfront-fee marketing companies that contribute to many of the industry’s problems.

 

[sponger76]

While that’s true, ARDA often presents itself as a consumer advocate while simultaneously collecting substantial annual dues from, and promoting, the very timeshare developers and upfront-fee marketing companies that contribute to many of the industry’s problems.

That still doesn't mean the president of ARDA can tell timeshare salespeople that he doesn't employ what to do. My point still stands, it is the actual timeshare company leaders that have to do that. So what, exactly, is your point?

 

[ZacharyBattles]

I appreciate your brevity. At no point did I claim that the President of ARDA, or ARDA itself, can “tell timeshare salespeople what to do.” My point is that ARDA positions itself as a consumer advocate, publicly emphasizing its role in “protecting timeshare owners’ rights,” while in reality, its primary function is to protect the interests of developers and timeshare associations.

The organization’s token gestures toward consumer protection are, frankly, superficial. If ARDA were to direct the same lobbying power and resources toward genuine consumer advocacy, one has to wonder.. Would they still enjoy the same level of support from the major developers funding them?

 

[sponger76]

I appreciate your brevity. At no point did I claim that the President of ARDA, or ARDA itself, can “tell timeshare salespeople what to do.” My point is that ARDA positions itself as a consumer advocate, publicly emphasizing its role in “protecting timeshare owners’ rights,” while in reality, its primary function is to protect the interests of developers and timeshare associations.

The organization’s token gestures toward consumer protection are, frankly, superficial. If ARDA were to direct the same lobbying power and resources toward genuine consumer advocacy, one has to wonder.. Would they still enjoy the same level of support from the major developers funding them?

You replied to and quoted my post, which itself was responding to someone's contention that the president of ARDA should tell timeshare salespeople what to do/say. Logically that would mean your reply was somehow meant to add to that particular tangent, and it didn't seem like your post was in support of what I was saying.