Given the hundreds upon hundreds of horror stories we have shared at Timeshare Facts, do you ever wonder…
 
Why would anyone ever sign up for a timeshare in the first place?
 
The answer seems to be pretty straight forward – especially if you read through the hundreds of complaints against Hilton Grand Vacations on file with the Better Business Bureau.   
 
So many owners were lied to.
 
It’s understandable that just about everyone would want a vacation getaway that is always available, affordable and a good investment…one that can be sold when the owner decides the time is right.
 
And that’s just what the sales representatives at Hilton promise.
 
But, as one Hilton owner’s complaint tells us, Hilton is great at making promises.
 
Keeping them? Not so much.
 
“We purchased our first timeshare with Hilton in December 2021. The only reason we signed all these papers is because they told us if we needed to sell it back, we could, but Hilton would like the first opportunity to buy it back from us.”
 
Give Hilton first dibs? Sure, why not?
 
“This was the deciding factor for us, that we could sell back if we couldn’t keep it any longer.”
 
Easy-peasy!
 
“This was an outright lie.”
 
 Or maybe not so easy…
 
“Our sales representative gave us his cell phone number, saying if we had any issue we should just call.” 
 
But when they wanted to sell their timeshare back to Hilton … you can almost guess what happened.
 
“Our representative never answered our calls or texts.” 
 
And he wasn’t the only Hilton employee who lied.
 
“Another lady from customer service said I needed to fill a form and someone would get back to me. I did. No one got back to me.”
 
Hmm.
 
“Eventually another customer service rep told me there is a secondary market for buy backs.”
 
That part is, at least, true. 
 
But the original promise that Hilton would buy back the timeshare that led them to sign up in the first place?
 
Another lie!
 
“This, along with deceitful sales tactics, shows Hilton does not value their owners, nor strive to maintain an ethical relationship.”
 
Ethical being the key word there.
 
“This is NOT what we signed up for.”
 
Clearly not.

This is a good example of why it is high time there was a “bill of rights” to prevent timeshare consumers from being sold a dream and delivered a nightmare. And last December, U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT) and Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced just that with the Timeshare Transparency Act (S.3502). 

The Timeshare Transparency Act (TTA) sets out clear, commonsense requirements for timeshare companies, so consumers understand exactly what they are purchasing, including a requirement for clear, documented procedures for exiting timeshare ownership.  You can find out more about the bill here.

To be considered further by the U.S. Congress, the Timeshare Transparency Act needs more support.  

If you agree, contact your U.S. Senators and U.S. House Representative.  Tell them you support the Timeshare Transparency Act (S.3502).  Share your own timeshare horror story. Tell your representatives you’re tired of seeing families “misled and flat-out lied to” by an industry that seems to value profits over fairness and transparency.

• Find your Senator: senate.gov
• Find your Representative: house.gov

But until that bill becomes a law, ever wonder why is it soooo hard for Hilton to tell the truth? That’s a question for Mark Wang, the CEO of Hilton Grand Vacations. Let’s email him at mark.wang@hgv.com to get an answer.
 
Or maybe Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton Worldwide, can tell us. Email him at christopher.nassetta@hilton.com to ask if being lied to is just what you sign up for when you join Hilton.
 
Perhaps Jason Gamel, the President and CEO of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the trade association that represents the timeshare companies in Washington, DC knows. Email him at jgamel@arda.org.
 
Not getting what you signed up for from your timeshare company? Use this list of ARDA VIPs to let your company’s leaders know.
  
What lies has Hilton told you? Let us know at info@timesharefacts.com 
  
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