Should We Refuse to Pay?

Barefoot,

My husband and I (stupidly) bought a timeshare in Vegas back in 1997 ‒ we had just got off a plane and were feeling very jet lagged! We have tried a gazillion avenues to offload it ‒ we even offered it to a number of charities for free. My question is: if we stop paying the maintenance fees, will that affect our ability to get into the US when we travel there (we have family there)? Alternatively, do you know how we can offload it?

Melanie

Hi Melanie,

You’ve been paying this timeshare for 21 years ‒ you’d get less for murder!

It’s like an ugly chihuahua ‒ you can’t give these things away.

As for payment, I’m afraid you signed up to Hotel California: you can check out any time you like … but you can never leave.

In other words, you signed a legally binding contract to continue making payments, and timeshare operators reserve the right to sue you for payments you fail to make, and they often do in Australia.

As for overseas operators, well, I’d think it’d be unlikely they’ll chase you, but I’d definitely seek legal advice as to what the ramifications are.What a nightmare!

Scott