Timeshare Clarity Initiative
This initiative is designed to bring much-needed clarity, accountability and practical understanding to an increasingly complex and contested timeshare landscape.
Across Europe, timeshare owners are facing unprecedented confusion. Millions of pounds’ worth of claims against timeshare developers and banks that financed timeshare purchases have been filed, heard and ruled upon in Spain and the UK. Legal representatives publicise “victories”, while developers and lenders settle some cases and continue to contest others. Both sides claim legal and moral authority, leaving many owners unsure whom to trust or what information is reliable.
At the same time, timeshare-related scams continue to proliferate, resulting in hundreds of millions of pounds in losses for owners who believed they were being offered legitimate solutions. “Clear exit” offers, complex claims processes, resale obstruction and ongoing insolvency cases have further compounded uncertainty and distress for many owners.
The Vacation Owners Study (VOS) has been created to give owners themselves the opportunity to help shape the future of vacation ownership through independent, evidence-based research.
The VOS is far more than a consumer survey.
It is an ongoing evidence-gathering programme designed to understand the real experiences of owners throughout the lifetime of their ownership.
Among the issues being examined are:
- information provided before purchase
- sales presentations
- update meetings
- contractual clarity
- verbal representations
- maintenance fees
- availability
- resale experiences
- exit options
- use of claims and exit companies
- outcomes achieved
- owner satisfaction
- complaints
- examples of outstanding practice
Importantly, the study is designed to identify both good practice and poor practice.
Businesses that consistently demonstrate openness, honesty and consumer-focused behaviour deserve recognition just as much as poor practices deserve scrutiny.
The evidence gathered will help inform consumers, support responsible businesses, identify emerging risks and, where appropriate, assist regulators, enforcement agencies and journalists.