There are over 600,000 people in the UK who have been sold timeshares by companies using malicious or misleading tactics, promising a huge profit whereas really, the opposite is more likely.
As such, there is an increasing number of people looking to get out of these unwanted contracts. This process however, given its entrenchment in contract and consumer protection law, can be confusing. People are advised to seek the help of a law firm or consultancy who specialise in these claims when looking to get out of their timeshare, knowing who to choose to assist you though can also be extremely confusing.
Combatting the Negative Stigma
If you begin to research timeshare lawyers, you will not just be met with multiple options but also multiple reasons as to why you cannot trust those options. There is a negative stigma attached to companies who operate in this industry and unfortunately, thanks to frequent malpractice, it is a stigma that has been well earned.
Multiple timeshare lawyers and consultancies give clients unreasonable expectations before gathering all of the facts. It means that when people enlist the help of these companies, they are doing so without having full access to all the necessary information.
The above being said, though there are poorly run corporations out there, this does not mean that there aren’t companies you can trust available to contact. When you are looking for the right company, there are a few things you should consider.
Firstly, consider the urgency with which the company is trying to enlist you as a client. It is good practice to offer clients a 14-day cooling off period after the case has been explained to them, during which they should not be expected to pay anything. This gives people a chance to consider all of the facts and ask any questions they may have. The best consultancies’ will have access to Solicitors and Qualified Relinquishment Contract Specialists who you will be able to speak to and get all the information you need before engaging with their services. The legal process can be a daunting journey, so before you embark on it, it is important you do so with an organisation you can trust.
You should also take to google and look up reviews of the organisations you are in contact with. By doing this you will be able to get an unbiased opinion on the quality of the services they offer and understand the legitimacy of the information you have been given.
Other Red Flags to Look Out For
There are other key factors you should look for when considering which company to trust. One of the best ways to work out how confident you should be in an organisation is by assessing the confidence they have in themselves. Are they offering a money back guarantee if they are unsuccessful with your timeshare contract relinquishment? If not, question why not and whether this could be a representation in their lack of confidence in pursuing cases. Organisations that will genuinely be effective in getting you out of your timeshare contract will have no problem offering you your money back if they’re unable to do so.
Also consider what they are offering as far as information is concerned. The relationship built between an organisation and their client throughout this process needs to be one of trust and so you should be given the opportunity to read the full terms of agreement before signing anything.
Listen as well to what they are promising. Claims should be assessed on a case-by-case basis and so if you are being promised compensation of thousands of pounds as a general figure, you should question how the company have come to that figure.
You should also opt for an organisation who will be running the claim through the UK financial ombudsman . If an organisation advise they will take the matter through the Spanish courts, then ask for references to clients who have been successful in doing so. This will allow you to be sure it is the right way to go. If the firm will not provide this information, then again, you have to consider whether you want to engage in such a trust dependent engagement with them.
Summary
You should not be in a timeshare contract if it was sold to you in a misleading manner, consumer laws exist to protect you against this very thing. That being said, consumer protection laws can be extremely complicated and so it is only natural that you would want to enlist help when it comes to getting out of your timeshare contract.
There is a negative stigma attached to consultancies in this industry due to people giving clients unrealistic expectations, however, there are organisations out there who can help you. You should be wary when choosing who you want representing you. Consider what kind of pressure they are putting you under to agree to their services and look them up, what do reviews from previous clients say?
You should also consider the other red flags mentioned above which will generally give you an indication as to how much you can trust an organisation and the level of confidence they have in pursuing cases.
About Carl James Associates
Carl James Associates are a U.K. based consultancy that assists clients with getting out of unwanted timeshares. Using a team of Solicitors and Qualified Relinquishment Contract Specialists, we assist clients in relinquishing their timeshare contracts, whilst providing them with comprehensive, up to date legal advice every step of the way. Unlike our competitors, we give our clients realistic expectations and allow them time to consider going into business with us, rather than pressuring them to engage with our services. By taking on this transparent and honest approach, our reputation speaks for itself as we have never had a negative comment published about the service we provide
Find out more here.
