Westgate Timeshare Orlando – Can I Stop Paying
Hi, firstly I’d like to say thanks to anyone who replies to me.
Me and my partner go to Orlando every year for the last 6 years, we were talked into going to an opening at a new hotel Westgate. We were then showed around and sweetened up by this lady explaining how good hotel was. We told her that we vacation for 2 weeks every year, and she started going on about this timeshare how good it be for us.
Now, 6 months later, we can’t afford it as my hours have been cut at work. I’m trying to talk my partner into just walking away and let whatever happen happen. The timeshare we have is an all season one week. My partner is worried of the consequences if we stopped paying; she is worried that we wouldn’t be able to holiday in Florida again if we stopped paying. I think she is worried about getting arrested or jailed. I’ve tried to explain that they can’t arrest us or stop us entering America, and decided to put this post up to see if get any answers and to prove how silly she is thinking these silly things.
Thanks so much if I get any help!
these people are scammers. I called to cancel 1 day after purchase and they called me back to keep pushing with her BS dreams, those manipulative pieces of crap. I stopped paying this piece of shit too late in the game, especially since I live in Latin America. But I am happy and feel free now. I told some of those employees over the phone that they were garbage and an embarrassment to the hospitality industry. All of them are, former o no former employees, the scum of society. Pieces of damn garbage. I recall having my sweet revenge, by attending other resort presentations. When I told those sellers with psychopath tendencies that I was not going to buy anything bc I thought it was a poor investment, their true colors came out: belligerent, aggressive, and rude. One of them shut the elevator door in our faces and didn’t even say “thank you for coming”.
After about 4 years of not paying our maintenance fees…( we had our timeshare paid off) ……there was a period of quiet and then I received a note of a registered letter from them…..my question Is should I pick that letter up from post office or let it slide
Hey did anything every happen? I own at westgate and it is paid off I have tried to get out of it several times over the years and was afraid they would ruin my credit before I bought a home. So we found away. I thought once I paid it off the would take it back but nope. I can’t afford the maintenance for that crappy timeshare that always has issues every single time I have gone. And it hasn’t been much cause I hate that place. What ended up happening with yours?
I to have purchased a time share back in 2014 used it a couple times and was a terrible experience. Waking me up at 7:00 am trying to con me into upgrading to a 2 bedroom so I told her I was not interested and she just would not shut up so me and my wife rode up the hill looked at the rooms and went back to club house and they started trying to really squeeze me but I got mad made a scene and said look people I don’t want your damn time share no more and mine is for sale and I will sell it for one dollar to anybody in this room then a manager came over to me trying to shut me up but I told him off as well and said take me back to my room and I had recently had knee surgery and they would not take me back up the hill so I had to limp back up that steep hill in smokies and I was fit to be tied. So I have not paid them another dime since 2016 and they have now got pinnacle collections on me and I will not answer them. All I can say is come get me you cant get blood out of a turnip. so we will see what happens I guess. Oh not to mention you cant even get a room for 9 months out usually and you can call back and pretend your just a regular customer and they have plenty of rooms available. Croooooked!!!!
Hi Kenny,
Did you stop paying the mortgage and the maintnace fees, or only the maintnance? I have been paying them for many years, and got sucked up into either changing and/or upgrading over the years so, I was still paying mortgage ‘till January.
I am wondering if they can do anything, since we’re in Canada?
Anybody knows?
I have friends from Canada who just quit paying and they are out of it.
Did they report to the credit bureau or anything?
Today I got a call from Westgate, they said I could pay $1,500 (that’s what we owned since we stopped paying since last year) and we will be free from them. Is this a real thing? Is it worth paying and finally get rid of them ?? please advise
I was told by a law office that Westgate does not pay into something but I can’t remember what she called it. But because they don’t pay for it they are not able to file on your credit report. This is why no one is seeing their credit score drop.
The key point here is, Do you want to be free of any timeshare where they call the shots and keep you enslaved?”
Why are you wanting to follow THEIR rules?
Just stop paying, let them whine, threaten, etc. After awhile, once they have NO HOPE of getting anything from you, they foreclose or offer a deed in lieu.
Take control now! Unless, you are letting them tell you how it’s going to be like a little, shy sheep. BAAAAAHHHH.
Remember, MANY STATES have non judicial, anti deficiency laws so they are quite powerless. Don’t let fear drive your decision. Check out the laws in the state where you have a timeshare and then decide.
VERY TRUE! I COULD NOT AFFORD ANYMORE SO I DID EXACTLY THAT, AND ONE DAY THEY SENT ME A DEED, I SIGNED AND NOTIFIED AND SENT BACK TO THEM. I MADE A COPY OF EVERYTHING! I STOPPED PAYING EVERYTHING TWO YEARS AGO, AND THIS YEAR, 2019, I GOT THE DEED. I PRAISE GOD FOR THAT BECAUSE THIS WAS ONE HUGE MISTAKE I MADE IN MY LIFE! PLEASE FOLKS DO NOT GET TIME SHARES WITH NOBODY, SPECIALLY WITH WESTGATE!
I just got a call from Westgate. I got my timeshare in 2016 and paid it for two years on top of the yearly maintenance. I called them two years into it and told them I no longer could afford to pay it. They said they could not help me so I stopped paying it. Now, almost a year later I received a call from them saying that if I paid the legal fees of $962.34 and signed a Warrantee deed in lieu of foreclosure, I would be released from the timeshare and it would not affect my credit. Is this a scam?
Usually, the timeshare resort starts by tryin to get you to pay their costs to do a deed in lieu. This is not a scam, just simply an attempt to get you to pay costs.
If they hear nothing, they foreclose. Either way, you are done.
As an aside, I bought a nice place in Florida for 50 k. Now I have 52 weeks a year of usage, have an investment that appreciates over time (versus drops like a rock with a timeshare). Property management is only 200 a month to cut lawn and check the place. A lot cheaper than one week of of maintenance costs with a timeshare. No more pre booking, paying exchange fees, getting hosed on resale if I can even resell it.
Oh, it’s across the street from a public pool complete with weight room, hot tub, and beautiful outdoor pool with lounge chairs. Cost. 10 a day or yearly membership for 225 a year. It’s three blocks from the beach too.
I might rent it out for 100 a night for extra cash if I want.
Now, that’s FREEDOM!
Hi All,
Does anyone have updates on when the stopped paying their westgate time share? We stopped paying during the pandemic – we could not longer afford the payment. They had ZERO options. This was Oct 2020 – Feb 2021 they now want to re do our contract – waive the late fees and waive the past due payments. We recently received letter that they will start reporting late payments to the credit bureau but read they do not have the ability to report to credit bureau – we have yet to see any late payments. This was the worse mistake we could have ever made and we just want out.
We bought a timeshare in Oct of 2019 then the pandemic hit. I too told them I could no longer afford it and there were no options for help. I stopped paying on it last year and I WAS reported to the credit bureau and my score dropped due to this. So my question is can they report it or should I file a dispute at each credit bureau???
So if I stop paying my westgate it won’t be on my credit report before I am calling bank today to stop payments I don’t care its not worth it on.had minds 6 months
What ever happened with your situation?
i have been paying for about a year now on my time share, i have not been able to use it yet as it wasn’t available to 2020. i can no longer pay the payments due to other important things going on in life, they told me there is no way out unless you find someone who is willing to take it over and was able. i have read all the comments on here, i cant believe i let my family fall for this mess…. i pay way less vacationing the way we always have without the timeshare.
Westgate is a scam I stop paying on mines back in 2016 they stop calling but they still send me threatening papers in the mail telling me they are going to foreclosed the property and put a negative mark on my credit. I laugh because I don’t own this property so they are foreclosing something that’s not mines.
I’m also owner of Westgate in Orlando.. i told them i want to cancel because i can’t afford anymore the mortgage because I’m the only one working and my husband was disable veterans can’t work anymore. the lady told me i can’t cancel anymore and there’s no cancel by Florida law..i been paying 277 a month for 10 yrs and its been a year now.. i have two boys need a car for going to school .they been harassing me by email, and calling me on my phone, what i need to do guys need ur help or advice.. i have 2 kids in college ..
Call or write Florida Attorney General and file a complaint. They have over 1,000 complaints with Westgate
I received a letter today saying they are foreclosing on me? What does that mean? I have not paid in 2 years.. because I told them that I couldn’t, I got a divorce and couldn’t afford it
That means that soon they will be sending you a deed and you will sign, notify and send back to them. Than it’s all OVER! You give the TIME SHARE back to them. I am waiting for them to do the same with me. I stopped paying in the beginning of this month because I couldn’t afford anymore. Good luck! Ps. DO NOT PAY ANYTHING TO THEM FOR FORECLOSURE!
I am currently in the same situation. They even threatened me that I will end up paying more as they will hire lawyer etc if I dont pay them. I told them, go ahead do whatever you want to do and I will file for Consumer Proposal or Bankruptcy and the more the will not get their money. They cant do anything once you file for bankruptcy. Thats their job, the provide us false information and promises while we are on vacation and harass us and treat us with no respect as soon as you miss your payment.
FIRST THING: STOP PAYING! Go to your westgate account and cancel the automatic pay. Do not pay ANYTHING ANYMORE!
SECOND: BLOCK THEIR PHONE CALLS! If you gave your home phone, CALL YOUR PHONE COMPANY AND PUT A BLOCK ON EVERY CALL FROM THEM! You can recognize the number and if can’t block, ask you phone company to change your number. If they have your cell phone, download an app called ROBOKILLER and sign up for a trial and if you think is worth, pay for a while. This app WILL BLOCK ALL THEIR CALLS because they are considered SPAM CALLS and ROBOKILLER will block all spam calls.
THIRD: YES, THEY WILL HARASS YOU! But DO NOT TALK TO THEM! You already try and you did explain to them you can’t afford anymore like I did! I tried to get out but they didn’t let me either. So quit all communication with them and I will wait until they get tired and send me the foreclosure papers for me to sign and get out of this. It was one of the WORSE MISTAKES I MADE IN MY LIFE! But I am praying that God will forgive me for doing this and I pray he get me out! I will pray for you and your husband
They tried to offer me 599.99 to get out of the time share and it wasn’t even from westgate it was from the debt collector. Westgate keeps calling me trying to put me on an affordable payment plan. But don’t bother picking up the phone no more because they don’t understand. Sad part about it is I haven’t even used the timeshare
but going to foreclosure ruins your credit,doesn’t it? I have a resort with them too that I just got last Summer and I can’t afford it anymore. I just don’t wanna ruin my credit or file bankruptcy 🙁
Timeshare bought in less than 36 hours can I cancel now?
the law allows three days for any contract
I got a letter today that they sent me yo collections “Aspen” collections? Should I still ignore that?
Perfect….wait until you hear from ASPEN. Aspen has to follow fair debt collection practices act. Time for them to PROVE or validate that they own the debt and you owe the debt.
There are great YouTube videos by Alabama consumer protection attorneys on how to deal with folks like Aspen.
Everyone fears these folks. I don’t know why because you have rights and THEY have obligations under the fair debt collections Act. Read up on your rights. Information is everywhere if you google it.
Bought time share a few weeks back. And can’t afford and want to cancel. But they won’t let me. Have only paid 1st deposit next deposit in 1000 which they will take next week. I am in UK. So if i just cancel my cards and things will that be it. I know get letters and calls and things. And anyone else from UK that done this did u get back into the us ok thanks
Feeling worried
Lots will happen, they will keep on you an eventually turn you over to collections
Irene, Collections have rules to follow or face consequences themselves. It’s called fair debt collection practices act. After they send you letter one, respond that you want them to validate the debt by PROVNG they own the debt and you owe the debt. If they threaten you in anyway, they are violating the law. If they can’t prove they own and you owe the debt, they are gone. Also there is SOL or Statute of Limitations. Actually, collections are where you can shine and yes, COURT is a ok because 90 percent plus of the time they cannot PROVE they own and you owe the debt. Most times the case is dismssed because of this. If it’s dismissed, it’s your turn to sue because they took you to court and the court determined you are cleared of this debt.
I hope you are still on here unknown, they sent me a letter saying they are foreclosing on me.. should I just ignore that too?
Yes Irene just ignore it. They are just threatening you to get money. I have stopped paying these people 7 years ago and haven’t had anything happen to my credit. They just threaten and harass and send letters. Thats it.
I’m sure they can prove you own the debt because you signed a contract for mortgage payments and your name is on it. Isn’t that enough for prove? I’m worried too because I’m in the same boat.
that’s is my same worry, there is a contract so I assume the debt is real and they will ruin my credit 🙁
I live in UK and bought a timeshare in Wastegate Vegas. My husband and I regretted buying a one cos we’ve been paying for a year and we don’t feel it is of any benefit now or in the future.
Actually, when we attended the loooong talk, there was a question behind my mind about ‘buying a ‘time’share’ but it was brushed off cos of the excitement during that holiday with my family and our son’s wedding in Vegas days before.
Now, it has fully dawned in me that ‘buying a ‘time’share’ has no benefit if you lived abroad or maybe even if you lived in the US comparing it to the total amount and maintenance fee of the ‘timeshare’. It is far better to just pay as you go!!! It is also definitely not the same when you buy a structure like a flat or a house which will end up as yours and yours alone once you have completed the downpayment and the full payment.
Of course I received plenty of phone calls which I blocked now and some letters but I have decided not to do any action. They can have all that money I lost as my ‘donation’ for the owner and founder of Wastegate Timeshare when he and his cohorts rest in peace. What a crap idea which for sure made him and his cohorts rich cos they have victimised and pressured a lot of innocent people!!!
As I have researched for advises, I will no longer pay a single penny, wait for them to close my account and fatten their bellies with my lost money. I hate to think that for once in my life, I have done the stupidest thing, buying ‘time’share!!! I hope no one would discover selling ‘Air’share or ‘Oxygen’share or ‘Sun’share!!!
If they ran after me because they ‘lured’ or ‘cheated’ me into their monkey business, they may do so but I will never spend a single penny for them again. I’ve paid more than enough for SOMETHING I HAVE NOT USED or will not use!!!
If that would affect my credit card ( which is UK based), so be it.
Hi, we just purchased one and like to cancel it on the last day of the recission period. Instead they tried to sell a smaller unit. But still i want to exit the westgate timeshare. I sent a letter to westgste by email, by their legacy program and by post mail. I will also not do any payments, because the first one should be due in 25th oct. The deeder told us that if we dont pay it doesnt have anything to do with our home property and our travel to usa and they simply would takecthe property back! Is this true, we dont mind losing the property? We are from south america. They tricked and pressured and dont tell you everything. It is a horrible experience and i can wait to officially get rid of it! Has anyone outside the usa experience this and how did you handled it and how did it went?
Hello me and my boyfriend bought a west gate timeshare about 3 years ago. We have just it once and we just cant afford it anymore. I want to get rid of it I have called multiply times and got no help. I wanted to know what happen to the people who just stop paying there monthly payments and maintenance? I am about to purchase a home and nothing has came up about westgate so if i stop payments will this affect my credit or anything else? PLEASE HELP
Buy your house, lock in a 7 or more year fixed rate. Rates are going up anyway. Then pull the plug on your timeshare by stop paying.
then what? get turned into collections and then to court
Yes, if need be. See other comments on this below.
just stop paying, block your cards get another one. be free……. WESTSHIT.
???????????????????????????????????? Lolo
How can you give these people such bad advice? they will come for you, take your home, and all your assets
Bring it on! Say, what resort or resort collection company do you work for? Ever heard of needing a judgement to seize anything? E er heard that it is THEM who needs to prove they own the debt and you owe the debt? Ever heard of counter sue? Ever heard that there are plenty of cases where Resorts have LOST based on misrepresentation, fraud and other causes that resulted in THEM paying fines and paying out themselves?
I just got a notice saying that they turned my fees over to collections… should I just ignore that?
You have your answer so why ask? Bad advice, take your home, other assets comment above…you know what to do based on your response above.
Hi Priscilla I’m in the same boat as you my husband and I stop paying on our timeshare several months ago. First I called and told them I could afford to pay for it because I wasn’t makeing as much money as I was when I brought the timeshare they told me I couldn’t cancel because it’s been a year since I had the timeshare and I couldn’t cancel after that year mark. So I stop paying them and they sent me two collect notices saying if I don’t pay within 30 days my credit would be affected. This was back in December of 2017 it’s now August and I haven’t heard anything from them and I check my credit on a regular and haven’t seen no negative remarks on my credit report.
Just wondering if anything has happened yet, if you have received a call from collections agency? We are in the same boat and have just received our first letter making all sorts of claims.
Just nervous as I don’t want it to effect our credit negatively.
I have been getting those letters for 2 years.. and my credit is rising
R u serious. No credit debt has been added to ur credit
Hi Irene, Just following up on your comments. Did Westgate reported anything on your credit to date?
Would appreciate your response. Thank you.
My husband and I were one of many people lied upon by Westgate into buying. We stop paying for 3 months now and I have been getting phone calls.
Those letters will come for a while but don’t worry. I did not respond any of it. Than one day, I started to receive letters from WestGate itself again. It did go to collections but because they got no answer, they returned back to Westgate. They tried to contact me several times but I didn’t answer. I can’t afford to pay them ANYTHING!
Let’s hope soon we will get the foreclosure letter! I hope we ALL LEARN THE LESSON OF NEVER AND EVER , but another timeshare. Good luck!
Shell and Priscilla. I brought into a time share in July 2018 and I have been trying to get out for the last 2 months. Seems like the only way out is to stop paying. How are things going in terms of your credit and have you gotten any new notices.
There is nothing on my credit report and it’s almost been a year now for me. They keep sending me letters saying they are going to for close the property. They even tried to bribe me to pay 599.99 and all will be forgiven.
Won’t they just take all their fees from your estate when you pass away?
Not if you force foreclosure by stop paying before you die.
Hi, how do I force going to foreclosure? I can’t afford anymore and NOW THEY SENT MY CASE TO COLLECTION. They ARE THREATENING MY WAGES AND BANKING ACCOUNT. What should I do? PLEASE SOMEONE HELP!
For them to garnish your wages, take property, they need to sue you. Then, they need to get a judgement. They hope you don’t respond to the lawsuit so a judgement is easier. So, if they do, respond to the suit and countersue.
Look…it’s up to you. If you pay them one cent, you stay locked in. If you are just fearful, pay, don’t complain and don’t ask for help.
To rid the leach from sucking your blood, you need the courage to apply salt even when the leach wiggles and fights to stay attached.
In this case, if you want them gone, do nothing, put the ball in their court and if they sue deal with them then. Change your number so they can’t harrass you anymore. Letters can just be returned. Make their tantrums and threats go somewhere else where they may be effective.
Only time forces them to foreclose. By time, I mean they have tried everything in the book to whip you into submission and they still come up empty handed. Time is your friend too. Statute of limitations keeps ticking where they can’t even sue you.
How long is the statute of limitations and when does it start, we stopped paying 2 years ago and now owe 3 years fees. We have owned since 1984. We have just received letter from collection agency in California although our timeshare is in Florida.
The do almost put a gun in your face, they put a pen trying to force me to buy a timeshare and got mad because I didn’t want to and the girl was driving that golf cart so fast on the tour because she was mad that I did not want to buy that I almost fell off of it. Tourist be ware, when you see them coming go the other way. The breakfast wasn’t all of that neither, cheap PAPER PLATE PRODUCTS.The next time we go to Florida we will have our tikets with us. I did not need a discount from your stupid time share presentation, I had money with me for my vacation. Something about them is just not right, they are weird, you can feel it in the atmosphere. My first time at Disney I had a terrible headache. If that is how you make a living God is not pleased with that. You pressure people and its not honest gain
Candice,
No one forces you to remain in a sales presentation. You have 2 working legs. Stand up, put your hand up to stop, continue to walk out. Forget the trinket. Just pay full price at a shop or activity centre.
Better than enduring garbage and signing an iron clad contract that locks you in for life.
We to got suckered in by this company. We had to pay the down payment in 3 payments which was ok. We were also told that the taxes and maintenance fees are part of the monthly payment. They are wanting almost $800 for these fees on top of the monthly. We cannot afford that so is not paying still the best option.
iam owner of westgate in FL i stop paying about 5 or 6 yrs ago my credit is ok they just sent a letter saying we are going to foreclose so call us to work it out ,i will not call them i want them to foreclose it .it will be maybe another 6 yrs for them to do it,
I was afraid to stop paying the mortgage but after reading your comment, I’m gonna stop paying now. Thanks!
Me too! I did stop already and the phone calls started. I put an App on my phone, (ROBOKILLER) and all their calls are block! The are SPAM CALLS! Is worth to use! I am hoping they will soon stop and give me a break. I don’t want the money I paid for as long as I am OUT OF THIS MASS!
i will stop paying them im the only one working..i pay my rent before them ..
Dave,
Did you stop paying? Did you have a balance still or just own maintenance?
Hi George. I have a Westgate timeshare in FL too that I can’t afford. Can you please tell me what happened and who you talked to, please. Thanks.
I am having a hardtime with Wyndham and their timeshare tactics. I am retired and paying to much money for something I do not use often. Anyone else with this problem.
Yes I am having issues with Westgate as well. I’ve asked many times if they were able to do a deed in Leu of sale or what other programs do they have available for someone that can no longer afford a timeshare and they seem to not have any answers. I’ve tried everything that I could to try to reason with them and they just won’t budge. I’ve read online articles and sought out legal advice all of which states the timeshare company should be willing to work with you but that doesn’t seem to be the case here.
Me and my wife got suckerd as well..we tried to cancel. They won’t let us.then thretn us a third party will come after us.. And say they can only work with payment.. Its horrible say n we soghn contract.. Wtf..we are just going to stop paying them..they screw my life up..to anyone Dont get this. It is a trap..
HI
My husband and I got sucked in as well. We went to Florida last April 2016 and signed bunch of papers and gave a partial down payment towards the 13,000 it would cost us. We were suppose to send the rest within 2 weeks. We only send one more payment and then couldn’t afford the 2nd payment.
To sum up my story.
We never finished paying the down payment of 1,500 they asked us to pay. Before we “mortgage” payments kicked in of 300 a month.
You can pretty much say we are not technically owners yet.
But… we are worried of what’s going to happen next??
They’ve called a few times, but we haven’t spoken to anyone. We just stop paying.
We had a feeling it was just a scam.
We lost 1,200 we gave . But we don’t care. We just don’t want to lose more.
Could you please update me on your situation? We are currently still in the down payment part of our timeshare. I would love to know what happened in your situation..did it go on your credit?
Recently I noticed that they tried to call me several times. I have an app called ROBOKILLER and because their calls are considered “SPAM” calls, they stop from getting to me. It’s not free but it’s worth all the money. According to other cases, I STOPPED ALL CONTACTS WITH THEM. I have being praying that they will let me go foreclosure and send me a paper to sign releasing all my rights back to them. I can’t afford anymore. I paid for more than 2 years. I paid the whole 40% and I paid maintenance fee until I couldn’t anymore. I feel really bad and it was not something I thought to do but things got difficult for me and I couldn’t do it anymore. I have other priorities. Good luck to all of you. I still hoping I can get out of this. I do NOT RECOMMEND TIMESHARES FOR ANYBODY! If YOU happen to go on any vacation package with WESTGATE RESORT, GO WITH YOUR MIND MADE UP! DO NOT LET THEM CONVINCE YOU! PRACTICE AHEAD AT TIME TO SAY A HUGE “ NO” to them. You can listen all the proposals and offers and they may sound good and even be ware that they can almost push you to SIGN putting to PEN IN YOUR HANDS, BUT STRONG AND COURAGEOUS TO SAY “NO THANK YOU”! NOTHING OF THIS FROM them is worth! You don’t need to LOOSE YOUR SLEEP OR PEACE OVER A PRESSURE from people like this. UNFORTUNATELY I did, and I regret deeply. God bless you all and do what you think is best for you. As far is my credit, honestly, I DID NOT EVEN LOOK YET! Oh well, my mother always say that in life we can find a way for a lot of things, except for death. With God’s help, my credit will be back to good someday but at least I am going to be free from this.
We live in the Caribbean we we visited Orlando last year and after they promised us the discounted tickets, we went on the tour and signed a timeshare mortgage contract paying a $300 US deposit. When we returned home we realized we couldn’t afford it and didn’t make any more downpayments. Even though I told them that I did not want to make any payments from my credit card, they deducted the first one two weeks ago and the next one is scheduled for next month. We really cannot afford to pay and feel so helpless here as we don’t know anyone overseas or have money for attorneys overseas. Can someone please please please advise us if there is anything here in the Caribbean we can do to get out of this timeshare. I tried calling their contact center and it was no help at all.
Thanks for your time and thank you in advance.
Reply
Tell your credit card company that you no longer authorize payments. If necessary, change credit cards. I hope that helps!
If you have credit card company stop payments the Developer will go after you civilly. It can ruin your credit and force you into foreclosure. If you have questions call me (number redacted).
This guy ^ is an idiot. They won’t do shit to you but threaten you and use scare tactics. Just stop paying it. Once it goes into foreclosure just get a credit professional to get it removed. Easy as that.
You are correct if you don’t have a mortgage on it. A mortgage means you have 2 things to contend with. If you own it outright, stop paying is a sure fire way to rid yourself of it.
Yes, they threaten but the costs to chase you get prohibited unless you have a mortgage. Remember, it costs them money to chase you so they do give up if the timeshare is owned outright and just foreclose.
Change your bank account to stop them from getting money out automatically. My husband and I got suckered in Orlando in 2016. We have made our monthly payments and even paid the maintenance fee in 2016. We have not made the maintenance fee this year. We heard about a law firm that we are considering and it seems to have a guaranteed satisfaction rate for getting timeshares cancelled. No clue yet what their fees are.
Have you found that company yet we are having same problem
any info…we need one too. To make it into a short story, we owned with westgate blue true, they basically said our property was made in a bad deal and not worth anything to any interval or trading company and it would be hard to sell. We upgraded bc our sales rep told us she would rent out our property for us each year to big corporate clients and enticed us with money. we even had the proof she gave us. Showed it to Westgate and they still don’t care. I had a perfectly good paid off timeshare and i’m in a nightmare. I stopped paying and I don’t intend to pay. I need an attorney or class action lawsuit. These sales agents gimmicks are terrible.
We contacted Wesley Financial they want $8000 to get us out. I have not seen any bad reviews on them but it sounds like they are just going to have us stop paying and wait it out like everyone in this feed is doing. The only benefit is that they will remove from my credit. I think I should save the $8000 and do it on my own then take some of the $8000 to have a credit professional remove it for a much smaller amount.
Could you provide the law firm to contact to get out of this timeshare?
If I stop making payments for my time share will I have problems with the IRS.
You will receive a 1099C and the developer can come after you civilly
You will receive a 1099C
Sam,
Better to pay taxes on their loss than let them keep bleeding you.
I became an elite member after I specified that I was not working. They did my forms and asked me to sign the papers without me reading them properly. I feel betrayed with there tactics as I when to what they offered was non existent. A class action is required so we can all get our money back.
i am the co owner of time share me and spouse broke up but its my card attached will this also appear my on my credit report once i remove my card. as i want out all the way!!
Can you please let me know how this turned out? I am in tge exact situation.
We were basically “forced” into buying a timeshare at Westgate just this August 2016. It appears that we were told a lot of lies, pushed around and manipulated. after reviewing multiple negative comments that are all about the same, I want out. I know it’s impossible to cancel or sell. And many companies that offer the relief are often times fraudulent themselves. So, I just want to stop the payments by simply cancelling my credit card. My main concern is my credit. How is it affected for US citizens? Also will they try to prosecute me or repossess my home as a dept repayment? I will appreciate any input.
This is the best place for real advice. The advice that seems to be prevalent is STOP PAYING NOW. Don’t pay those thieving bastards a single penny more. The very worst case you will suffer is a small hit on your credit rating if you live in the same country but I suspect that may not even happen. Have confidence. Stop paying today. Ignore all correspondence.
Hi James I can’t pay the $999 they want for 2017 – I live in England and wondered what would happen if I just don’t pay? Will it prevent me travelling to the US ever again if I want to? Can they send debt collectors after me when I’m in the U.K.? I’m a bit worried what will happen. And do I write to tell them I can’t pay anymore? Thanks
I worked for Westgate in both fields (selling the timeshare to owners) and (Fixing and managing defaulted accounts)
The Dayline department (Sales for timeshare) is indeed an aggressive sales team and some of the best in the world but no one holds a gun to anyone to force them to buy this. so when owners say they were “forced” into buying their timeshare to me is extremely irresponsible to say in my opinion.
Anyways as for canceling, they clearly put in writing you have 10 days to send in a written cancelation to cancel out your deed before it is finalized and notarized. However no one reads the papers they sign again extremely irresponsible and then act confused when they fall into a real estate defaulted status. After the 10 days the contract is solidified so if you stop paying your account will fall into a defaulted status which has to be notified in the state of Florida because the deed is notarized in court.
Once the account falls into defaulted status the owner is then approached with a hardship assistance program. if owner denies, the account is moved to third party. Any consequences that come up at that point are between you and the third party not Westgate. Any money you originally invested into the account and your equity is completely lost once its moved to third party.
Thank you and I hope you guys learn how to use your product better so you can enjoy your vacation ownership more! theirs so many uses with this product its incredible.
Learn how to use the product? You have people telling you that you will make money and that money will be apply towards your account when you purchase vacations or sell vacations, but they neglect to tell you that the money you accumulate, you can only a little bit at a time.
I’ve tried contacting the hardship department. My ex and I purchased a timeshare at Westgate Smoky Mountains, after we split I can’t afford to make the payments and he doesn’t want it. The lady I spoke to told me to pay enough to get the account current and then remove my name from the deed. That is the most horrendous advice I have ever received!
and when it goes to a third party then what happens?
Since you think it’s so wonderful… Why don’t you buy all these timeshares that none of us can afford .
I’ve been reading all the comments.And there is no mention of SMP is there and advice on how to get out of a timeshare with this company. We bought in 2009 we paid the down payment but never made another payment,in the past year they reported on my credit for three thousand dollars we had that removed. With end the last two weeks pinnacle hit my credit for over eight thousand and now is threating foreclosure. We have never stayed there. Someone please help.
I to was stupid enough to buy a westgate share thing we stopped paying it over 12 months ago now an get hounded big time changed the phone number the lot,they told us becouse were from England they carnt come after us there now sending debt agency letters but look like there coming from same address as westgate office now what im really worried about is my daughter is taking me an my husband to America in sept an just been looking on line an some are saying they can put a stop to your visa do you no if this is right as im out my mind with worry we just couldn’t afford as husband went into credit fix basically it left us broke im really getting worried now
It’s all lies. Stop paying and enjoy your life.
Contact the company (800)651-7606 that’s the number for the department (Westgate Corporate Owner Solutions) they will help you out of your timeshare where you get the money you owed waived and the negative ramifications of your account removed, they can help you.
Thank you for the number. I have been looking for this. We are members of smokey mt westgate but not allowed to use until 2019. that’s fine. we were told we could stay within our membership and use the water park for free because we are members. we tried to book a hotel through them and no one knew what they were doing. so I booked with another company. complained a lot because we are paying over $30,000. then we go to water park. they try to charge us to use it. OH heck no. I complained again. there were four of us and we repeatedly asked about the water park being free even if we stayed off the resort (since we can’t stay until 2019 because of the fire) they told all of us over and over we could, no additional charge. Just feel lied to. We want out. We were excited but now just upset. They have been taking monthly payments out for few months but we never got paper work that said we had ten days. I got a sealed envelope. We opened it and the ‘deed’ is blank the disk is blank, we were told it was a CD about our membership. ALL LIES. I wanted to believe them. I wanted to enjoy this. I can afford this and was looking forward to traveling to Italy with my husband but way too many lies, WE just want out. I will buy me a cabin in the mountains for the rip off amount they are charging me for one week I can’t even use for two years.
I believe the Westgate corporate owners solution is a fraud that took my money and did nothing for me.
We too got suckered into buying at Westgate’s PHT in 2008 – after looking at legal firms who want £1,000’s + a settlement with Westgate and no guarantee of success, it seems the best option is to just walk away and wait for them to foreclose. Legal firms claim they can pursue you here in the uk, bailiffs etc like a normal debt – but I have never heard of this happening, anyone have experience of this?
I’ve not read about a single instance of this happening. I think the tactics they employ to sucker you into buying a timeshares keep them from wasting money on debt collection.
Won’t they just take all their fees from your estate when you pass away?
It took about 4 years for westgate and the collection agencies to stop bothering me. they were very persistent for the first couple years with calls and letters. It’s been about a year since any contact and I don’t hear from them anymore. They threatened to ruin my credit but nothing was ever done to my credit and I still have a very high credit rating. I’m so glad I just walked away and I recommend that others have the courage to do the same. Timeshares are bad and should be illegal. the maintenance fees seem to be where they get there money. I think that now since so many seem to be walking away that the timeshare people can’t afford to do anything about all the people that have walked away.
I haven’t been able to use mine because it has been booked 9 months out every time. They have rooms but not “rooms for owners”. I’m not paying them anymore for their scam. Just going to stop paying and see what happens.
Hi Denise,
I’m in the same boat as you. I am about to stop paying mine too. I have been trying to get out of this crap for months. I never get a call back or replies to my email. Good luck to you and I hope you let people know the outcome of your decision.
Same here. If we are all having the same problem why not pursue a class action lawsuit
Westgate is criminal entreprise i would not even call them . I agréé for class action
I’m definitely in as well.
All the posts I’ve seen about how terrible Westgate is date back years and years. How has there not been a class action filed?!
I’m in the same situation, my husband passed away and I can’t close this deal he made with them long before we meet. If has any kind of lawsuit, please let me know, I want to participate
also we never received any deed paperwork in the mail or our official contract.
we haven’t either. If we walked away now we would be out about $10K already. I can’t afford to lose that much money on this scam. I vote class action too.
It’s Tom again: I talked to another timeshare owner who is trying to get out of their timeshare and remembered my post here. Just to update … it’s now June 2016 and that makes 2 1/2 years with no contact at all. They will threaten you for a while, but after that nothing. I still think they have way too many non-payers since the economy fell off in 2008.
Hi Tom,
We are seriously considering walking away from our TS with Westgate. We are not so concerned with our credit rating since we are Canadian and the banks and creditors here tend to look at your payment history as a whole and these types of “blemishes” don’t seem to bother us much if you can offer a valid argument. That being said, I have checked and Westgate is not listed as a creditor on our credit reports. My question is (and I don’t know if you can answer this), can we be denied entry into the U.S. for this?
I have the same concern. I can’t pay anymore because I need the money for other things more important. I’m not from USA and I would like to know if stop paying will bring consequences (Like I can’t get in to USA, or something like that).
Would you be denied entry to the US if you stopped paying for your car finance? No, of course not. But for the good of empowerment could you kindly give it a go and find out? 🙂
Nope. Civil matters to CBP doesn’t matter just criminal. Timeshares are a civil matter.
James, I was really fooled by these ‘gaitors’ as well and have two boys in school with a credit card bill up to my neck and wondering what the heck I’m going to do. I have been going thru hell for a while now and researching out to get out of this trap that I cannot afford as I need the money to school my children. But I could not be happier after reading your contribution on this site. You are so encouraging and the one thing to do is walk away in faith not fear as God sees and knows a we cannot manage and there is absolutely nothing these people are willing to do to help us so therefore we have no choice but to help ourselves. Wish I had met you before otherwise my credit card which I have been using to pay the mortgage these past years the bills would have been much less today. Thank you so much for your contribution.
Hi, I’m Canadian and also got sucked into a purchase around 5 years ago. I stopped paying three years ago and just ignore them. I know in Canada there is a statute of limitation for debt collections based on debtors location (2 years in Ontario); however, I don’t how that applies to us debt.
They seem to have started another round of harassment, but trying to contact my wife instead. We will continue to ignore them.
As for crossing the border, we do it regularly with no issues.
I would like to point out that when we met with their so called lawyer, he illegally advised us that we could not back out once we signed. Researching after the fact we found out that was highly illegal, regardless if it was in the paperwork. They were supposed to give us a copy of that recording at the time but of course the slippery bastards never provided it….evidence likely destroyed!
Did you go to Florida as we are goin in sept an worried we will not be able to get in stupid I no but daughter has payed a lot of money for us to go on holiday
Wow. Please let us know what happen when you go to Florida this Sept. I have the same concern because I just go to USA for vacations. And I’m going to stop paying Westgate now.
Karen
Did you have any problems getting into the USA after not paying your timeshare. Were you able to get an ESTA ok and get through border control. I am in the same position want to visit but don’t know if I will be stopped from visiting. I am in the UK
I’m from Perú i stop paying Westgate since 20 years ago and i went back to usa Many times for vacations and Nothing happen everything was good
Hi Tom I can’t pay the $999 they want for 2017 maintenance fees. I wondered if you have heard any more from Westgate? In 15 years I’ve only stayed there twice and I just can’t travel now through ill health, age and lack of funds.
Still to this day I have not heard from Westgate again. They have moved on just as I did. Wow, almost a thousand dollars now! I’m happy I have those thousands in my pocket since I stopped paying.
I’m thinking of just stopping payments… but won’t they just collect their fees when I pass away? Take the money out of whatever I’m leaving behind to my children?
Hi Tom, I know it’s been 4 years since you posted your comments. I would like to know the status to date. Did they every reported anything in credit bureau? My husband and I are afraid that we won’t be able to get Parents Plus Loans for our kids college.
Would appreciate your response. Thank you.
Feb. 10, 2014, Las Vegas Nevada, 9am in Federal Court,
Fuoroli v. Westgate Planet Hollywood Las Vegas, LLC
Plaintiffs allege that Westgate made the following misrepresentations in the timeshare sales negotiations: the property would be a pet friendly environment (doc. # 1 at ¶ 21), when in fact it is not (id. at ¶ 22); daily maid service would be included (id. at ¶ 19), when the purchase included only weekly cleaning (id. at ¶ 20); the timeshare would book a fixed unit during New Year’s Eve each year (id. at ¶ 23), when in reality the plaintiffs were purchasing neither a fixed unit nor the right to reserve any unit on New Year’s Eve (id. at ¶ 25). Plaintiffs also contend that Westgate made false and misleading statements with regard to all of the following: the cancellation period for timeshares under Nevada law (id. at ¶ 35); the financing package used to purchase the timeshare (id. at ¶¶ 36–44); and, the completion date of the hotel (id. at ¶ 47).
From these facts, plaintiffs have alleged seven claims for relief. Ultimately, plaintiffs contend that “the contract drafted and presented by Defendants was materially different than the terms upon which Plaintiffs and Defendants had agreed during the sales presentation, [and] there was no meeting of the minds as to the terms of the purchase contract signed by Plaintiff[s] and, therefore, no contract was formed….” (Id. at ¶ 26)
We have also been conned into buying a Westgate timeshare. Can any one tell me what happens when you stop paying? We have stopped paying ours. We are getting the phone calls from a collections agency and the letters, I have now changed our phone number, unfortunately we continue to receive the letters.
Does anyone know if this will affect our Uk credit rating because me and my husband have excellent credit scores.
Hi,
After some deliberation we decided to stop paying. We weren’t with Westgate but a similar time-share in Florida. We were sent several ‘final’ reminders and warnings of foreclosure all of which went in the bin. As far as I can gather this will have no affect at all on our UK credit rating, it certainly hasn’t so far and it’s been about 8 months. Best decision I ever made….still lost a chunk of money that I REALLY wish I hadn’t but a very expensive lesson has been learned!!!
Thank you Geenie for your response. Yes it is approx. 8 months since we stopped paying and no affect to our credit rating yet… Hopefully there never will be and this timeshare nightmare will go away.
I purchased a Westgate timeshare in Orlando back in 2005. I finally stopped paying in 2011, after I went to purchase a house and was told I had no equity built up on my credit report, nor were timeshare purchase/payments anywhere to be seen on the report. It is now 2014, and I am only receiving notices in the mail from Westgate, giving me a chance to let them foreclose (for a “processing” fee that increases each letter, I’m in the thousands now. They have tried calling, but I don’t answer. I haven’t received anything from attorneys, and nothing has hit my credit report.
Woohoo Well done ladies. 3-4 years on and no issues for me either 🙂
hello.. how did this come out?
hi i stop paying westgate a long time ago now they sent a letter saying they are going to foreclose and to call them so we can work out something oct 17/20017 ,it hasnt hurt my credit i got loan,car,motorcyles,my score 700 then down 690 because getting my house worked on,i own 3,000.maybe more now ,i wouldnt pay them any thing
So what happened ? Did they foreclose on you ? I got a call today they want us to sign and send a paper back we wouldn’t be responsible for it no more sounds to good
what happened with this
George, any update on this? Are you still getting harass by Westgate? Collection Agency?
Would appreciate your response. Thank you!
Find out fee for transfer? In paperwork or call resort. 2009 the transfer fee was $150.
Kevin I hv noticed your questions regarding transfer fee cost and maintenance fees. I hv two deeded timeshares, Westgate Palace and monarch grand vacations-Las Vegas
Hi.
I to own a timeshare in Westgate Orlando and want to get rid of it. We own the deeds on it and have always paid the maintenance, but just can’t afford the $800, for someting we don’t use. I got landed with it from my divorce and own it with my brother and we just go round in circles trying to think how to get shot of something we got conned into!! I also live in the UK.
How can we get rid of it?????
Thanks, Amanda.
Hi. What happend? Did you go again to US? I live outside US and I’m going to stop paying it too. But I’m concern that I have some problems to get in USA again for this.
Hi, I know your comment was a long time ago but did you ever get rid of it. I’m in the same boat as you and we want out! I’m also in the UK.
As per the previous queries, my husband and I have also recently bought. We have tried to cancel but have been told it isn’t possible. If I cancel my credit card and stop payments will it impact my UK credit rating?
We also brought a time share this August in west gate. We tried to cancel it the next day but were told we would not be able to do that. Instead they exchanged it for a cheaper one.
What I wanted to know is that if I live in the uk what would happen???
Will I still get debt collection letters and phone calls?
Thanks for any advise
Hi,
This is almost exactly what happened to us. We paid a deposit in Florida and have been paying around £80 per month for the past 2 years for a measly 3000 points per year!! (which is actually useless) Our US mortgage includes something like a 20% annual interest rate. I still can’t believe we got suckered into it but I now want to know what will happen if I just stop paying. I have a good credit rating and do not want to end up getting hounded etc by debt collectors. I would be really grateful for any advice.
just walk away and make no payments. if you are a us citizen, the worst they can do is threaten you, harass you and damage your us credit. and eventually, they will give up and offer you a deed in lieu f foreclosure, although it may take up to four or five years
we also brought a time shre in FL in August at Westgate. we tried to cancel it the next day but were told we could not do that and instead they exchanged it for a cheaper one.
What i wanted to know is what would happen as i live in the uk?
will i still get debt collection letters and phone calls?
Will it also effect my credit history in UK?
thaking anyone who answers in advance
Research the 10 day return law. We purchased a timeshare also and were unaware of that law. Send the timeshare company a notice you wish to cancel the contract. Good luck!!
i try to cancel and the said it was to late i had 3 days to sent a letter so i paid cash 10,000 used it 2 times then stop paying taxes maint,5 yrs latter they are telling me {we are going to foreclose i said its about time,