Sunset Fisherman

[roberti]

Hi,

I purchased a timeshare last year from the Sunset group for the Sunset Fisherman, we paid $100,000 over 5 years, with $20,000 down on our credit card. Various things promised to us have not happened, half price flights from the UK, we are going back to Mexico this year, but couldnt even get the apartment that we paid for.
It was sold as an investment & something to pass on to our kids as it is a title deeded timeshare.
Starting off with 4 weeks a year, then after 5 year we will get 8 weeks, which we thought we could sell on.
Should I continue paying $1000 a month for 5 years or walk away from about $30000,

Some advice would be apprecaited.

Regards

 

[Bill4728]

First, NO timeshare should be considered a investment. When you buy a TS from the developer, you almost always lose 50% of the value when you walk out the door. That is why almost all the time you'll read that here on TUG we recommend that you buy your TS resale. Generally you'll save amout 50% off resale ( sometimes up to 90%)


Second, unless you plan well ahead, it is very likely that the resort you want to use will be booked by some other member. So if you want to travel during peak travel time ( summer for most resorts but winter for ski areas ect) you need to reserve early.


As far as walking away from your TS, while you still owe $30,000. Most people will say that your credit will be severly damaged and that's a choice you have to make for yourself.

Good Luck

 

[roberti]

Sunset hell

Sound advice, but too late for us,

well we will go back in October & see if the whole timeshare experiance is worth the money & effort.

Thanks

 

[sernow]

You need to get some legal advice on how to proceed and what the applicable laws are in your country that might protect you. If I understand correctly you still owe $70,000 on this which is too much to just chalk up to experience (or it is to me).

 

[roberti]

Sunset nightmare

Yes you are correct,

I still owe around $70,000, but we are hoping that our visit in October will be a happy one & we can resolve our issues with Sunset, then we can look at what our rights as consumers are, but because I am $30,000 down already I would at least like a holiday out of it !!!


Reading the various reports from previous threads, there does not seem to be many successful outcomes with other effected parties, & one woman had her contract cancelled after she had paid in full, now imagine that happening after 100,000 dollar investmant.

Can no one hold these companies accountable ?

 

[krissydee]

Profeco maybe can hold them accountable but you'd have to be able to prove you were a victim of fraud. That's unlikely to happen. They may of told you one thing, then your contract says something else or leaves it out completely (like the half price flights). Or they may of explained benefits to you that really don't exist, like it's an investment... which it is certainly not. Those are just verbal and you can't prove it ever happened. The written contract is going to hold true.

If you're able to PROVE you were lied to, you may have a case.

Good Luck!