posted 26th March 2025
Timeshare: The Planned Obsolescence Trap.
There aren't many timeshare owners who haven't upgraded their membership at least once. And most of the clients we have helped, have upgraded at least 2-3 times and have spent between £20,000 - £250,000.
Timeshare was initially sold as a lifelong commitment, during which you holidayed at the same place every year or exchanged your week for a holiday at another resort. The 'investment' was in future holidays and was supported by a yearly maintenance fee, which was charged for the upkeep of the timeshare resort and facilities.
So, where did it all go wrong?
Unlike most other industries involved in multi-million-pound operations, the timeshare industry was unregulated and not answerable to anyone. When the government flouted regulation, the Timeshare industry quickly devised a plan to self-regulate and keep out third-party interference.
Timeshare companies quickly devised plans to sell timeshares as investments, leading victims to believe that upgrades would lead to larger profits and more valuable assets. The sales tactic moved from an investment in holidays to fake property investments that they later renamed 'Fractional Ownership'.
The Fake Rebrand
The renaming of timeshares as fractional ownership, along with the backing of companies such as Barclays Partner Finance, Shawbrook Bank, and Hitachi Personal Finance, saw a massive boom in sales as victims believed that they were investing in partial property ownership that would be realised once the 'membership' was resold.
In reality, there was never any Fractional Ownership in timeshare; it was just a timeshare with a clever marketing rebrand to give potential investors the impression they were buying something other than a timeshare. The banks funding these purchases turned an obvious blind eye due to the eye-watering amount of money they were making.
The Financial Conduct Authority Dropped the Ball
Based on the Financial Conduct Authority's lack of intervention and unwillingness to accept the magnitude of the problem, you must consider lenders such as Shawbrook Bank's influence over the authorities.
Is it easier for the FCA to accept the narrative of the banks who consistently denigrate anyone claiming against them whilst conveniently turning a blind eye to the fact that the ultimate losers are the consumers who have lost thousands of pounds on fake investments in missold timeshares? Who are the authorities trying to protect? It's definitely not consumers!
A Chance of Redemption
The authorities now have an unprecedented chance to take action against Seasons Holidays, which believes it is outside the law and can operate with impunity. This British company operates on British Shores with British directors who are, for once, unlike most timeshare crooks, not hiding in Spain.
Your timeshare 'investment' was planned to fail. The only way to get back the money you paid is to take legal action against Seasons Holidays and Barclays Partner Finance. We represent hundreds of Seasons Members and have accomplished unprecedented results. If you wish to hold Seasons Holidays to account and get your money back, get in touch.
