Timeshare Win!

Dear Scott

I am reaching out to you after reading your question from a reader last week on our timeshare club. There may be some confusion here as to how our club operates, as we never intentionally wish to cause distress to any one of our members and always try to assist where possible. I would like to contact the people who wrote to you (Julie and David) so I can personally help resolve their concerns.

Sharon, Accor Vacation Club

Hi Sharon,

Julie and David admit they got cornered by the hard-sell at your timeshare seminar in 1997.

However, they’re not shirkers: David admitted to me “it’s our bloody fault!”

Yes, I said to David, you got pressured into making a bad financial decision that cost you $22,000 upfront.

Yet to be locked into paying a grand each year for something you won’t use, you can’t afford and you can’t get out of seems kind of … well … outrageous to me.

So much so that I decided to take this case on myself.

It seemed like an easy case for the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA): Julie and David were pressured into an unfair contract. They’re now pensioners, selling off assets to make these payments they can’t afford.

However, I’m appreciative that Accor Vacation Club has decided to let Julie and David exit the club and not be liable for any further payments.

Having an extra $1,000 a year will have a huge and meaningful impact on their lives.

Thank you.

Scott.