Threatened with collection agency for US timeshare maintenance fees - is this possible?

Sooz007

We have been trying to do a Deedback with Exploria Resorts on a timeshare in Florida. It's been ongoing since end of 2019. My in-laws purchased the week back in the 1990s for my partner and his sister (and their families) to use, so put it in their names. They used it on one occasion only. Since circumstances have changed for all parties concerned it has now become a hell-ish situation with my father-in-law (nearly 80) making himself ill with worry about this. After sending paperwork signed by both 'owners' and solicitors, and paying a transfer fee of USD 350.00 in Dec 2019, nothing has happened to see the end of this nightmare. I have sent LOADS of e-mails and communication from them is abysmal to say the very least. The last one I sent I was told we'd have to wait up to 60 days to get an answer.

We are now being threatened with our supposed debt being sent to a collection agency. Is this something that can be done between the US and UK? My partner cannot afford to have any sort of black marks on his credit history due to the nature of his work and he is almost at the point of just paying the current bill. I have sent off yet another e-mail today. I don't see how they can chase us quick enough to pay bills and yet handle a deedback in such an appalling way. We have dealt with the resort direct but have nowhere left to go now really with this issue hanging over us.

I am of the mind to just ignore all comms now but dad-in-law is of the old school and can't let it go without some sort of 'proper' resolution.

Any advice REALLY gratefully received.

Alan_Bowen

Yes, it can, but will it? For $350 I would have thought the costs are prohibitive so don't panic until (unless ) they actually do so. respond by saying the agreement for a deedback was agreed 2 years ago and therefore no money is due

Sooz007

Alan, sorry but WE paid them in December 2019 the usd350 to do a deedback. We had no outstanding fees then. Now they have comeback saying we owe over usd1,000 and can't do a deedback cos we have outstanding fees from this last year. It's totally infuriating and we're getting nowhere.

Alan_Bowen

So they are looking for fees for a period after which you should no longer have any liability in any event? Dodgy in the extreme and I doubt a decent debt collector would get involved. It seems you are far from the only people with concerns about Exploria but they do seem keen to try and keep complainants quiet. I suggest you post your complaint on the Better Business Bureau's website here:https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/clermont/profile/vacation-timeshare/club-exploria-llc-0733-1008247/complaints as it seems they do at least respond, worth a try at least!

justworriedabit

Just a guess on my side but if they are aware you have a property etc that belongs to you, then most likely they will put costs on top and go for it.
I recall the time when we were in the US for a hols years ago with my parents and a sibling became unwell on the second night. We had medical cover but the hospital was 10 mins drive so we left without the insurance papers and felt it would be easier to pay on card. Parents paid, it was waiting with drunks on a night time about midnight for 2 hours, doc saw sibling took about ten mins, waited 30 mins for antibiotics, appeared to do trick but they had arranged for another vist couple of days saw sibling for 10 mins we waited hour - we paid hundreds of dollars i think and not 100% recall correctly, dad got another bill in the post for close to 3k dollars at the time i think we were getting 170+ dollars to the pound but a lot - the isunrance asked for gp reports re my sibling and that was the last we heard of it and dad gor the money back that he'd paid. They are out for you over there and will hound you here.