If you’re one of the millions of people who own or have owned a Westgate timeshare, you may be questioning your decision of purchasing one of their timeshares. Sure your intentions were to settle somewhere with breathtaking views and warm tropical weather. But the reality is that owning Westgate Timeshares can your vacation dreams into an ugly nightmare.
In recent lawsuits filed against the company, owners have found that they were not adequately warned of the risks associated with owning a Westgate timeshare. And now that thousands of Westgate owners are pursuing legal action against the company, many are looking for options to walk away from their timeshare contracts.
Here’s what you need to know before you cancel a Westgate timeshare contract. Let’s begin.
How to Cancel a Westgate Timeshare Contract
Because of the nature of the timeshares, many are leery about cancelling them. And for good reason! The process for cancelling a Westgate timeshare is often confusing and filled with red tape. Not to mention it can be incredibly expensive.
The good news is that you don’t have to go through this process alone. There are professional companies out there that specialize in helping individuals cancel their timeshare contracts. While there are definitely some advantages to hiring a company to help you cancel your Westgate timeshare, there are often times when you can get the process done on your own for free or at a reduced cost. So let’s take a look at both options.
Use your Right of Rescission
The best option when it comes to canceling your Westgate timeshare is by taking advantage of the “right of rescission”.
Every timeshare contract comes with a right of rescission clause that allows you a period of time to cancel or reverse your contract within a specific time frame after purchase. This can vary by state so it’s important that you know what your rights are in your state of residence.
In some states the time period can be as short as three days while others allow up to 30 days to cancel your purchase. Most places require you to send written notice of your intent to rescind the contract by certified mail. Return receipt requested-To the attention of the timeshare company
Legacy Program by Westgate Resorts
The Legacy Program allows owners of Westgate Resorts to trade-in their current timeshare for a new ownership category at a participating resort. This includes both deeded week rentals and points-based memberships and is offered for members in good standing with the Westgate Resorts brand.
A member can trade their vacation ownership right for an equivalent exchange value. The company will then work with the timeshare owner to transfer the ownership of the timeshare to the new owner. Once completed, the original owner will be refunded any deposit payments made at the time of the initial sale.
Many times, a person’s membership may be transferred to a friend or family member instead of the owner going directly through a resale program. If the new buyer decides to utilize the program for the Legacy Program, then the original owner would be refunded their original purchase price.
The program begins with an assessment of current ownership to determine whether the individual is eligible for the program. If so, then they will continue to explore your available options.
The Legacy Program is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM – 5 PM Eastern Standard Time. We always recommend you call your developer first to go over your available options. But we can understand if you do not wish to speak to the people who got you in this very mess.
Sell Your Westgate Timeshare
But if you’re looking to sell your timeshare quickly and don’t want to wait on the lengthy process of the Legacy Program, you can list it for sale online. There are several websites dedicated to listing timeshares for sale.
Let’s look a little closer at some of the sites that advertise timeshares for sale. One of the most popular sites is RedWeek. The site is free to use and allows you to search for available timeshares in your area, as well as sell them. The site also allows you to filter the results to find timeshares in a particular price range or size. This is helpful in narrowing down your options for interested buyers on a budget. Plus, you don’t need to worry about any commissions because the site only charges a small fee when a sale is closed.
The problem is there is no “official” timeshare resale market. This makes resale a very challenging process. This is why many resorts prefer a 100% guaranteed buyback program like the Legacy Program which guarantees you get your initial price back even after you sell your timeshare through a resale
This is if you qualify for a buyback program through your resort. If you are an owner of a Westgate Resorts timeshare and are wanting to sell, there are a few things to keep in mind as you start the process. One of the most important things to consider is choosing the right sale method for your timeshare. This will determine how quickly you can find a buyer and how much money you will make in the process.
Many owners who do not qualify choose to list their timeshare for sale online, such as on sites like eBay or Craigslist. While this can be an effective method for selling a timeshare, it can be a long and difficult process as well.
How to Pick a Legitimate Timeshare Exit Company
Legitimate timeshare exit companies are not scams. They understand that you aren’t likely to take advantage of them because they often offer a money-back guarantee or another type of guarantee such as escrow.
We understand selecting the right company to cancel your timeshare can feel overwhelming. With hundreds of companies that all promise to do the same, who do you trust? How do you know you are getting the best deal possible? Or that the company you’re dealing with will actually cancel your timeshare in a reasonable amount of time?
Knowing the answers to these questions is very important when choosing a legitimate timeshare exit company. Before you can make an informed decision, it’s important to do your research. There are many different factors that go into choosing the right company to cancel your timeshare. The following are just a few of the most important ones.
A company that offers Escrow means that the company will hold the money until the transaction is complete and you are paid. This is a useful way of ensuring that your money is protected. The #1 leading cause of a timeshare exit scam is when a timeshare owner is duped into paying thousands of dollars up-front. How it works is the company offers to cancel your timeshare for a certain fee and then keeps the money and disappears.
You should also check to see that the company has a positive reputation. Places like the Better Business Bureau or the American Resort Development Association are great places to check to see if a company has a history of complaints. You can also search online reviews to see what other people have to say about the service they received from the company.
How long has the company been in business? Are they a reputable company and do they have a good reputation in the industry? You should ask these questions before deciding which company to use for your timeshare cancellation.
Westgate Class Action Lawsuit
Westgate Resorts has been involved in quite a number of lawsuits in the past decade. This has prompted many owners to question the legitimacy of this company and its ability to follow through on its promises.
It looks like not much has changed since 2010. The latest class action suit alleges that many of Westgate’s sales practices are deceptive and that it often fails to deliver on its promises. According to its most recent lawsuit filed on February 2, 2022:
- Steines v. Westgate Palace, L.L.C. et al. – Case No. – 6:22-cv-00629
The class action lawsuit claims Westgate violated the Military Lending Act (MLA). The MLA is a federal law that protects service members from unfair or abusive financial practices relating to consumer loans. The lawsuit claims that Westgate provided its members with misleading information when it advertised special savings for military personnel, including discounted closing costs and special financing promotions for service members. The lawsuit also claims that Westgate was required to provide the service members with a clear and accurate explanation of how it calculated the number of military incentives it provided to these members.
Here is a list of past class action lawsuits Westgate was also involved in:
- Nathan B. Overton et al v. Westgate Resorts, Ltd, LP, et al.– Case No. E2014-00303-COA-R3-CV (Court of Appeals of Tennessee At Knoxville)
- Fredrick v. Central Florida Investments, Inc., Westgate Resorts, Inc., and Westgate Marketing, LLC– Case No. 3:19-cv-00418 (Eastern District of Tennessee)
- Westgate Resorts v. Shaun S. Adel and Consumer Protection Group, LLC– Case No. 20101017-SC (Fourth Judicial District Court in And for Utah County, State of Utah)
Hambacker et al v. Westgate Resorts, Ltd., L.P. et al. – Case No. 4:20-cv-00833 (United States District Court Eastern District of Missouri)
Final Thoughts
If you’re still unsure which route you want to take, don’t worry. There are plenty of companies that specialize in timeshare exit plans. With a little bit of research and the right guidance, you can find a reliable timeshare exit company in no time. And we can help! Just give our timeshare exit specialists a call and they will be happy to assist you in finding the perfect solution for you. Call us now at 1-949-514-6355 to discuss your options with one of our representatives.
Our team of highly skilled and knowledgeable professionals will provide you with all the information you need to make a decision that best suits your individual needs. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Call us today to schedule a consultation to learn more about our services and how we can alleviate the financial burden of your timeshare once and for all. Don’t let your timeshare burden you any longer!
