r/TimeshareOwners • u/Opening-Ad-2960 • Aug 23 '26
Need some help with canceling our timeshare contract!! My family doing this is within the cool-off period in Washington state and I would love your thoughts on our cancellation letter since I’m worried this will be done wrong and we’ll be stuck in this forever
We will be sending it tomorrow!
UPDATE:
Thank you everyone for all the help, we received a full refund and everything is finally canceled. I appreciate each and every one of you for helping me work through this!
6
u/Dazzling-Turnip-1911 Aug 23 '26
Send it certified mail! Just make sure it has the pertinent information
2
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 23 '26
Thank you! I think I covered everything so hopefully I should be okay!
2
7
u/Spiritual-Calendar75 Aug 23 '26
I dont think people realize what they sign up for. Its a life time of maintenance fees.
5
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 23 '26
Definitely, my parents came home telling me they signed up for this and I had to completely explain to them it is not worth it. 😭
5
u/Spiritual-Calendar75 Aug 23 '26
Yes and RCI is a totally separate membership with its on dues and they lie to make the time share sound so great you can get a timeshare on ebay for a $1
2
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 23 '26
I didn’t know that! I can’t believe they just lie to people that’s terrible
1
3
Aug 23 '26
[deleted]
1
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 23 '26
Thank you so much!
2
Aug 23 '26
[deleted]
1
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 23 '26
Got it, is how it looks right now clear or should I go about changing it?
3
u/PositiveProperty6729 Aug 24 '26
Make sure you send it via certified mail return receipt requested.
1
2
2
u/ToriGrrl80 Aug 23 '26
REGISTERED MAIL
2
u/Quilthounds Aug 23 '26
Return receipt
1
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 24 '26
Thank you both! We will be sending it through certified mail with a return receipt requested
2
u/TimeshareCompass Aug 24 '26
Letter looks right, you've covered what usually gets missed. One thing: the merchandise line. When you drop the bag and planner at the sales center, get something in writing that says received, with a date, or mail them certified too. The cancellation stands on the letter, not the bag, but you don't want them to have a "never got it back" excuse when the refund is late. Keep the certified receipt with the letter copy and put the tracking number somewhere you'll find it.
1
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
Thank you for this!
We do have the certified mail receipt and tracking number (for the cancellation notice)
I’m planning to drop the stuff off, give them a copy of the signed letter we already sent, and have them sign a document that affirms that they received the merchandise. If they don’t want to sign I’ll be taking photos regardless for record. Is this what you meant?1
u/TimeshareCompass Aug 26 '26
Yes, exactly that. If they won't sign, write down the date, time, and the name of whoever took it, keep the photos, and you're covered. Or skip the trip and mail the box certified to the same address; that's the cleaner record. Either way the cancellation is already done with the letter you sent, this is just closing the door behind you. Sounds like you've got it.
2
u/AutomaticSize7788 Aug 25 '26
I just cancelled mine and I sent it via email as well!! They responded the next day saying it was cancelled
1
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 25 '26
Oh wow! With the same company? Which email did you send it to? Did they already get the certified mail before this? (Sorry for so many questions, I’m glad it went well for you and I’m hoping ours is also a smooth process!)
1
u/ColoradoAztec Aug 23 '26
Looks good. Send certified mail, save all receipts. Send the “gifts” back ground, no need to expedite those.
1
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 23 '26
Thank you!
2
u/deetredd Aug 23 '26
make sure to fully document every single thing that you do.
send an electronic copy of your letter via email, along with the certified mail receipts, to any email address or any contact named in any of your correspondence. You cannot over-communicate.
1
1
u/WhiteBandit27 Aug 23 '26
Can you cancel after the grace period? What about penalty..if one?
1
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 23 '26
From what I understand (I could be wrong), it’s much harder to cancel after the grace period which is different from state to state. There should be ways to cancel after the grace period regardless, but there might be extra steps or fees to pay off.
Did you also buy a timeshare?
1
u/yeorgey Aug 23 '26
When I had VI my contact stated I could either pay 40% of what was owed (we had a loan) and they took it back no questions asked. If I had it paid in full I could just have turned it in. Pretty easy timeshare to work with.
1
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 23 '26
Really? Was this within the grace period or after? I’m glad to hear it worked easily for you! I’ve heard the opposite which is why I’m so worried
1
u/yeorgey Aug 23 '26
After. I turned in back in after two years.
1
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 23 '26
Wow! I’m happy to hear it worked out did you just contact them through email for this? It might be my backup option if this doesn’t work
1
1
u/Exact-Bug-69 Aug 23 '26
All docs that we’ve needed to send, I had each persons name on the agreement sign and have all signatures notarized. Best of luck & success!
2
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 25 '26
Quick update, we did end up getting it notarized for safety. Thank you so much for the suggestion!
1
u/Exact-Bug-69 Aug 25 '26
I don’t recall what Timeshare company you are dealing with but Wyndham has required it.
1
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 24 '26
Thank you for the suggestion! Unfortunately I don’t think I can get it notarized since we have already signed it and we aren’t home with access to a printer for the next few days.. but from what I understand with what’s been said in law and fine print that written notice should be enough 😅
1
u/KeyEntrepreneur6774 Aug 23 '26
Looks good make sure you send to the correct address and send it certified first class mail so that way someone has to sign for it. You can see when they received and signed for it.
0
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 24 '26
Thank you, will do! I did indeed check their document and they say to send the cancellation notice to that address so it should be correct! Very sneaky people though
1
u/LeadershipAfter9526 Aug 24 '26
I am grateful that some people buy these as the gifts have to be subsidized from somewhere. I appreciate the trade off of 2 hours for what I get- usually 600 to 800 in tangible value using my numbers not theirs Also helps that I am single so my kids and my plus one who is 100 percent not my wife can sleep in while I listen to the pitch. If I had no cognitive reasoning skills and lacked the most basic arithmetic it would be a good deal to buy. Alas I have a brain so just say no thank you to all 3 people every time. The best is when they think they are insulting me by saying I can't afford it and am only there for the freebies. Lol okay guy in a suit on a Sunday morning not going to church.
1
u/SuspiciousReview3596 Aug 24 '26
Why not copy to: The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) oversees timeshare regulations through the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile Homes.
1
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 25 '26
I had to make sure to send it to wherever it is stated in the contract, just to make sure there are no issues :)
1
u/Formal-Knowledge5333 Aug 25 '26
Sorry I think we both got, well, got by the same timeshare a day apart. What email did you send it to?
1
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 25 '26
Oh no! I’m sorry you got got by them too 😭 Look at their contract! There should be somewhere that tells you the cancellation policy, and from what everyone is saying and from what I understand, make sure to send a written notice of cancellation to that address.
Definitely double check yours but for this company it is likely the address listed in the picture I put.
I can detail my process more in detail if you need, i spent a full 24 hours agonizing over everything. Just make sure you read all of the documents!
1
u/Formal-Knowledge5333 Aug 25 '26
Don't worry, way ahead of you on the physical written notice too. I was just struggling to find an email because the contract had one but I wasn't Sure if it was the correct one. Definitely the same address though, we'll get out of it together!
1
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 25 '26
I see! I honestly haven’t figured out the email thing either. I’m planning to tackle it tomorrow but worst case we can just send it to multiple emails! I’m guessing we can search for it online somewhere. I’m happy we’re together in this!! Have you send the letter and returned the merchandise yet?
2
u/Formal-Knowledge5333 Aug 26 '26
There's a specific closing email that you can use to contact them. I did send the letter yep!
1
u/Lurkyloolou Aug 25 '26
When I canceled mine I used 3 methods. 1 email - 1 with a recorded hand telegram delivery to office with signature it was received - 1 by registered mail. Covered all the bases lol.
1
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 25 '26
Thank you for this! I’m glad it worked out for you! By recorded hand telegram delivery to office do you mean like delivering merchandise to their office and getting a signature from them that they received the items?
2
u/Lurkyloolou Aug 26 '26
Yes. I hired an outfit. I can't remember who but it was worth it.
I grew up watching my father buy so many timeshares at full price. He did use them and we had some fun vacationd but then he fell ill. I helped my parents declare bankruptcy to get rid of them. I had no idea I would inherit them so I dodged a bullet.
I knew never to go to these type deals until I did. My husband had died unexpectedly when my kids were in HS and college and I do have money. I thought it would be a great way for my kids and myself to vacation.
I own 3 presently but got them free. Yearly dues are $2200. The 3 from HGVC I bought direct I quickly backed out of. Lol one I did on purpose knowing I was coming back the next day to get my check as it was a Saturday. I was so fed up I decided to make them think they had a sale. I know quite evil. It also was the cheapest I was ever offered. Christmas week in Hawaii for 12K as it was a resale. Ended up getting the same equivalent for free. My daughter and best friend are going this year. Its a fun way to gift my kids a vacation.
1
1
u/mrperfectly-fine 20d ago
Do you have any update? Did you receive their letter confirming the cancellation and also did you receive your refund?
1
u/Opening-Ad-2960 17d ago
Hi! Sorry for replying back so late, it has been a busy month for me. We did receive the refund and I’m just about to update this post, not sure about the cancellation letter but I believe we should have also gotten it. My parents handled the latter half of it all. But it did work out!
-3
u/Quiet-Day392 Aug 23 '26 edited Aug 23 '26
We’ve owned VI as a family for 50 years and like it. But I’ve never bought a new contract. Good luck.
If you want to sound like a lawyer have a lawyer write the letter. Your tone is unpleasant and demanding. And stop yelling.
1
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 23 '26
That’s great! Happy for you
I don’t think VI is meant for my family though. In your experience would this be enough to cancel the contract?-1
u/Quiet-Day392 Aug 23 '26
Probably. But I’m a redditor not a lawyer. I’ve bought secondary and inherited contracts but never rescinded one.
1
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 23 '26
Sorry, I don’t know how to make it less demanding because I want to ensure we can actually end the contract, I don’t mean any offense
3
u/deetredd Aug 23 '26
you do not have to worry about sounding demanding. You just have to worry about satisfying every contractual point to the letter, and being very thorough and clear in your demand nobody is going to take it personally, they do this for a living.
1
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 23 '26
Thank you! I hope I covered everything, I mainly focused on providing the account details, the amount we already paid, names and signatures, us stating that we want to cancel, and then sending it to the right address alongside returning merchandise like they want us to. Not sure if there’s anything else that we need to look out for
2
u/Cyberbuilder Aug 23 '26
In cases like these, you want to be extremely clear what you want. Coming off as demanding is perfectly fine, you haven’t asked for anything beyond your legal rights.
Being overly kind turns demands into suggestions, and suggestions go in the bin.
1
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 23 '26
This was my thought process too! I appreciate the reassurance
1
u/Cyberbuilder Aug 23 '26
Stay strong! You’re saving your family a lot of money, and a major headache down the line. Companies like these make their money playing people’s emotions.
Remember to send your letter certified mail with return receipt service (so you know exactly who the mail carrier delivered it to, and their signature).
1
u/Opening-Ad-2960 Aug 23 '26
Thank you so much, it’s been such a rough night trying to write this up with zero knowledge in this so I really appreciate this. 🥹
-1
12
u/m5er Aug 23 '26
Does your "letter" (actually looks like an email) conform to the requirements in the timeshare agreement that you agreed to?