AVO-Resource-Guide-.Pdf
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
O W N E R RESOURCE GUIDE Table of Contents RESOURCES ................................................................................................................................................ 1 ASSOCIATIONS .......................................................................................................................................................... 2 GOVERNMENT AGENCIES .................................................................................................................................... 3 CONSUMER SITES .....................................................................................................................................................4 PUBLICATIONS & INFORMATION SHARING SITES ....................................................................................4 EXCHANGE COMPANIES ....................................................................................................................................... 5 DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................................................. 7 AG LIST ...................................................................................................................................................... 11 RESORT CONTACTS .............................................................................................................................. 15 RESOURCES 1 ASSOCIATIONS 1) Association of Vacation Owners and Helpline The Association of Vacation Owners (AVO) was founded in 1998 by an individual who had purchased a timeshare and then found out that there was nowhere to turn for unbiased help and education. Through the years, the AVO has blossomed into the largest association of vacation owners in North America. AS THE LARGEST AND OLDEST INDEPENDENT OWNER ASSOCIATION IN NORTH AMERICA, OUR STRONG COMMITMENT TO WORKING WITH ONLY THE BEST ORGANIZATIONS IN THE VACATION OWNERSHIP INDUSTRY HAS EARNED US THE TRUST AND ENDORSEMENT OF THOUSANDS OF HIGHLY SATISFIED VACATION OWNERS. NTOA members receive many benefits such as; access to a members-only newsletter, travel discounts, straight talk and a collective voice in the vacation ownership community. For more information, please visit http://www.avoworldwide.com The NTOA has also created a toll-free helpline designed for any vacation owner to report any activity they deem important; good or bad, deserving of praise or something that is questionable. 1-833-2ASK-AVO is manned by a group of ownership savvy volunteers who will assist you with advice and/or instruction to better navigate your ownership. Direct consumer input continues to be our most important tool. READY………Support, Education, Tools………GO! Explore…. 2) Cooperative Association of Resort Exchangers (C.A.R.E.) C.A.R.E. (Cooperative Association of Resort Exchangers) is a trade association established in 1985 by representatives of timeshare resorts who found that by exchanging vacation inventory among themselves, they were better able to satisfy their owners with increased vacation opportunities. Today, member companies are also able to utilize inventory and generate revenue through wholesale rentals while continuing to offer expanded exchange and fulfillment options. C.A.R.E. is not an exchange company, it does not own or control inventory or guarantee fulfillment of travel requests, and/or rental or sale of any type of inventory, service or product. C.A.R.E. provides a networking platform that offers the tools for individual business enhancement while requiring its Member companies to adhere to its Code of Standards and Ethics. C.A.R.E. member companies currently offer 2500 vacation properties and service approximately one million vacation owners and members. C.A.R.E. is an international organization, with members throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia. https://careonline.site-ym.com 2 3) Canadian Vacation Ownership Association (CVOA) CVOA is an industry association that is dedicated to furthering the ownership-based vacation and resort development industry, both at home and abroad. The association was founded in 1980 as “The Resort Timesharing Council of Canada” in response to the public demand for more information about vacation ownership. Since then, CVOA has become the preeminent industry association representing all forms of Vacation Ownership in Canada. The association provides general consumer information on its website as well as a consumer helpline 844-544-CVOA (2862) http://www.canadianvoa.org/consumer_information.shtml 4) Your Homeowners’ Association (HOA) Board Your HOA is there to serve individual owners. The board should be maintaining budget records, minutes of annual meetings, history of annual maintenance fees, current delinquency rates as well as a current listing of legal owners of the resort and information regarding any management company that may have been hired. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES 1) The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) The FTC maintains an excellent site with easy to understand, pertinent information on a variety of timeshare issues. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0073-timeshares-and-vacation-plans 2) State Attorney General’s Offices As chief legal officers of the states, commonwealths, and territories of the United States, the Attorneys General serve as counsellors to state government agencies and legislatures, and as representatives of the public interest. The Attorney General is popularly elected in 43 states, as well as in Guam, and is appointed by the governor in five states (Alaska, Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Wyoming) and in the four jurisdictions of American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. In Maine, the Attorney General is selected by secret ballot of the legislature and in Tennessee, by the state Supreme Court. In the District of Columbia, the Mayor appoints the Attorney General whose powers and duties are similar to those of the Attorneys General of the states and jurisdictions. The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) maintains an up to date website with full contact information for each of the Attorney Generals. http://www.naag.org/current-attorneys-general.php CONSUMER SITES 1) The Better Business Bureau (BBB) The BBB’s mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. They see trust as a function of both integrity and performance. Not every business is eligible for BBB accreditation and they must be invited to join. Although BBB listing should not be the only consideration you look at, it is a good place to start. http://www.bbb.org 2) ARDA International Foundation (AIF) With a combination of education, research and fundraising, the AIF is the research and education division of ARDA. Their Mission Statement is: "Support, conduct and disseminate research and technical studies that will enhance and improve knowledge for the public and the industry, and develop educational resources that will optimize operations, value, acceptance and service for the industry and the public." Most of the research performed supports the investment in Vacation Ownership on a development level as well as its economic impact on our communities. http://www.arda.org/foundation 3) Consumer Affairs USA ConsumerAffairsUSA.org is a comprehensive resource for consumer-related facts and other information, with links to official, not-for-profit consumer protection websites, including those offered by national and state governments. ConsumerAffairsUSA.org strives to protect consumers by connecting them to the best quality information from reputable sources. From recalls and warnings to store bargains and online deals, ConsumerAffairsUSA.org is your destination for trusted, unbiased information designed to address consumer needs and raise awareness. In short, we help citizens become informed consumers. http://www.consumeraffairsusa.org/ PUBLICATIONS & INFORMATION SHARING SITES 1) TimeSharing Today TimeSharing Today began publishing in 1991. The magazine, published six times annually, contains articles about resort destinations, tips on exchanging, what to watch for in buying or selling, straight-forward resort reviews by owners while on an exchange, and much more. There is also a classified ad section with hundreds of listings with units for sale, rent or trade http://www.tstoday.com 2) Inside The Gate A daily online privately owned news and information service dedicated to freely and openly sharing news, information, stories, opinions, insights, tips, etc. that affect the marketing, sales and ownership aspects of the worldwide shared ownership industry. http://www/insidethegate.com 3) International Timeshare Appreciation Day Each November 1st is dedicated to the celebration of all that is good about timeshare. Using the official Twitter hashtag #YES2TIMESHARE and/or by accessing the unique Facebook page, timeshare owners, resorts and exchange companies can share stories and photos of great timeshare experiences. https://www.facebook.com/InternationalTimeshareAppreciationDay EXCHANGE COMPANIES 1) Dial An Exchange (DAE) DAE is the world’s largest privately owned global timeshare exchange provider. They pride themselves on low fees, a simple approach to timeshare exchange, and legendary personal service. Timeshare owners are able to search, hold, book and confirm instantly, with a minimum of exchange rules. Membership is free and transaction fees are not charged until your exchange is confirmed. For general information on how DAE benefits and how