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The funny thing about timeshares is that the desire to leave is something that tends to hit you all at once. For a while, you might be relatively happy being an owner – and then, suddenly, you want to get out as soon as possible.
In my experience, it’s when people realize that they want to leave that they quickly learn just how difficult it is to do so. Timeshares are notoriously hard to get out of, which is frustrating when you are continuing to spend money on something you no longer want. On this page, we’ll take a closer look at one of the many options to help you get out of a timeshare, Thompson & Associates.
What Does Thompson & Associates Have to Offer?
I always like to go directly to the source first when learning about a timeshare exit company. That means heading to their website to see what they have to say about themselves and what they appear to offer. That will never be the end of the review process, but it is an easy way to get started.
Before we even dive into the site, I can tell you there is one thing I like right off the bat – this is a real law firm that has a real lawyer standing behind the services that are offered. Thompson & Associates is the practice of Ronald B. Thompson, Jr., and you can read his bio right there on the website to learn more about his experience and qualifications.
If you are uncomfortable with how some timeshare exit companies don’t have information about any real people on the website, I don’t blame you. This is a good start and it should give you confidence that you’d be working with a real person who is qualified to do the job.
The website is also very clear about what they are offering – the opportunity to get away from timeshare ownership. It even goes on to talk honestly about the many problems with timeshares and why so many people want to get out of them as soon as possible. I appreciate this honesty, and it is carried through the rest of the FAQ section. The site is honest about how the process plays out and doesn’t seem to make any lofty or unrealistic promises.
Looking Around for Helpful Reviews
There is a lot to like about what is presented on the website, however, it is difficult to find much information about this service and law practice away from the site. You won’t find any links on the site to third-party review sites, so it’s tricky to figure out if this practice is actively helping others with timeshare problems and if they have been able to get any results. The lack of supporting reviews to back up what is stated on the website shouldn’t be seen as a deal breaker, but it is something to keep in mind.
There is an email address and phone number offered on the site to get in touch, so you can seek additional information that way if you so choose. By asking plenty of questions, you should be able to get a feel for whether or not this option could be the right one for your timeshare needs.
The Right Way to Get Out of a Timeshare
I’d like you to come away from this page with a good understanding of what it looks like to leave a timeshare. There is a lot of bad information out there from people who really don’t know how this works, or from people who are trying to sell you something specific.
First, the right way to get out of a timeshare is to do it legally. That means not just stopping the payments on your maintenance fees and letting things go from there. Such an approach isn’t going to get you out of the contract and will only make your problems worse. If an exit company or anyone else tells you the best plan is to stop paying on the account, feel free to ignore that advice and move on.
Once you decide that you no longer want to own your timeshare, one of the best things you can do is call or email the timeshare directly to talk about the situation. While timeshares have a reputation for being difficult to deal with, that won’t always be the case. Sometimes it will, of course, but in other cases, you might find that they are rather helpful and want to provide you with good service. So, it’s at least worth getting in touch with them, talking about your desire to get out, and seeing what they have to say.
In the best-case scenario, what they will say is that they are going to take back the timeshare and let you walk away. They wouldn’t be doing that to be nice – they’d take it back only because they want to try to sell it to someone else. That’s not really your concern, however. As long as the process ends with you no longer being the legal owner of the timeshare, you don’t need to concern yourself with how it happens.
Some people think that they’ll just go ahead and sell their timeshare when they are done using it, and they might have even been told that would be an easy option when they first made the purchase. In reality, it’s hard to sell a timeshare, but not necessarily impossible. You might want to try this for yourself just to see if you can get lucky and find a buyer. My advice would be to not get your hopes up on a deal coming together quickly, but you don’t really have anything to lose by putting it out there and seeing what happens.
Please Don’t Break This One Rule
As I spend more and more time learning about timeshare exit companies and working with people who need these services, I become certain that there is one rule that should be above all others in this space – don’t turn your money over to an exit company without some protection in place.
You have already spent enough money with your timeshare over the years, you don’t need to give away any more to an exit company that isn’t going to get you out of your contract in the end. Sadly, while there are plenty of reputable exit companies in the industry, there are also those that should not be trusted. The good ones are willing to use an escrow service to hold your money while working on the account. That’s the right way to go about it, and it will make your life much less stressful. With escrow protection, you can simply wait for the company to get you out of the timeshare and then approve their payment once that happens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it possible to exit a timeshare that I still owe on?
A: Yes, but that balance will naturally need to be resolved in the process. For example, if you find someone to buy your timeshare, you will need to pay off the balance due before you can transfer ownership to their name. Know what you owe down to the penny and calculate that factor as part of this situation.
Q: Will a timeshare exit company give me a refund if they don’t deliver?
A: Possibly, but I wouldn’t count on it. Once you turn over your money to an exit company, it’s going to be difficult to get them to agree to send it all back. What’s better is to use an escrow service so you can keep your money safe from the start and not turn it over until the job is done. This is how I recommend everyone work with an exit company just to play it safe and not be left holding the bag in the end.
Q: Is calling a timeshare exit company the first step in leaving my timeshare?
A: No – the first step should be reaching out to the timeshare directly to tell them you would like to leave. They might not be able to help you, but they might have something to offer like a “deed back” program that lets you leave right away. Only when you have connected with them and determined that they aren’t going to be helpful should you move on and try some other avenues.
There Is No Time Like Now to Get Started
If there is one thing that is certain about owning a timeshare, it’s this – you aren’t going to get out by accident. Leaving your contract behind and going on with your life is only going to happen if you are intentional about your actions. Call today at 833-416-8796 to talk about the situation you are facing and learn more about what you might be able to do to move on successfully. Don’t wait any longer!
