TITANIC SINKS, 1500 DIE (The Boston Globe)
 
  MEN WALK ON MOON (The New York Times)
 
   APPLE SEEKS TO REDEFINE PHONE (The Los Angeles Times)
 
The best headlines tell you what you need to know using the fewest number of words. 
 
So we were impressed by the informative headlines one Capital Vacations owner used when filing their complaintagainst the company with the Better Business Bureau. 
 
It’s not the longest complaint among the hundreds on file. Nor is it the most detailed. But it does tell you all you need to know about how Capital Vacations does business.
 
For starters, there’s a pretty good lead paragraph.
 
“I am filing this formal complaint against Capital Vacations, LLC, due to severe misrepresentation during a timeshare sales presentation, unethical upgrade tactics, and unprofessional treatment during an orientation stay.”
 
Then the headlines start coming.
 
“False Representation of Benefits: I was told during the sales presentation that I would be able to use my points to book travel through Expedia, which was the primary reason for my agreement. This turned out to be completely false, and this benefit does not exist.”
 
And coming…
 
“Bait-and-Switch Upgrade During Orientation: During our schedule orientation, my family and I were unexpectedly offered a contract upgrade, again tied to the promise of Expedia usage. This was highly misleading and pressure-driven.”
 
And coming!!!!
 
“Unprofessional Treatment: The orientation date was changed without proper notice. Our room was also switched last-minute, and the customer service experience was poor. This was particularly difficult as we were traveling with a small child.”
 
We don’t know if this owner is a journalist, but they do know how to report an important story.
 
 
“I have attempted to resolve this directly with the company by emailing and calling customer service, but I have not received a resolution.”
 
“The actions taken by Capital Vacations are deceptive and violate basic consumer protections.”
 
We’re familiar with the old saying, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity,” but we’re pretty sure these headlines are bad news for Capital Vacations – and the owners of its timeshares.
 
Let’s see if Travis Bary, the co-president of Capital Vacations, agrees. Email him at tbary@capitalvacations.com and ask when he’s going to stop dismissing complaints like these as old news and start treating owners properly.
 
We hope these headlines got the attention of Jason Gamel, the President and CEO of ARDA, the trade association for the timeshare industry.  Let’s email him at jgamel@arda.org and see when he’s going to make some news of his own by demanding some accountability from Capital Vacations.
 
We’re pretty sure headlines like these have gotten the attention of at least two U.S. Senators, however.  Last December, U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT) and Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced the Timeshare Transparency Act (S.3502). 
Essentially, it’s a long overdue “bill of rights” to prevent timeshare consumers from being sold a dream and delivered a nightmare. The Timeshare Transparency Act (TTA) sets out clear, commonsense requirements for timeshare companies, so consumers understand exactly what they are purchasing:  

• Total Cost Disclosure: Requires a single document itemizing all acquisition and maintenance costs (including fee increases).
• 14-Day Cancellation Period: Grants buyers in all states a 14-day, penalty-free period to cancel contracts.
• Exit Options: Requires clear, documented procedures for exiting ownership.
• Review Period: Allows buyers to review documents privately without high-pressure sales staff present.
• FTC Enforcement: Empowers the Federal Trade Commission to enforce these regulations. 

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

Have a headline your timeshare company’s leaders need to read? Use the information in this list of ARDA VIPs to share it with them.
Is there a story you think others need to read? Send it to us at info@timesharefacts.com. 
 
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