I received a notification today regarding a Class Action Settlement involving the RCI Points Exchange Program. As part of my commitment to keeping timeshare vacation owners informed and updated on news and legislation affecting them, I am passing along a copy of the notification I received. You are invited to review the following information regarding the Class Action Settlement:
“A Settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit that claims that RCI, LLC violated certain consumer protection and other laws by renting timeshare inventory deposited by members of the RCI Points Exchange Program. RCI denies it did anything wrong.
Am I included? You are included if you (1) Are a resident of the U.S. or its territories, and (2) Were a member of the RCI Points Exchange Program on or before April 25, 2012. If this postcard is addressed to you, you are included in the Settlement unless you exclude yourself.
What can I get? If the Settlement is approved, Settlement Class Members who submit Claim Forms may receive a payment. Current members may get $12 and former members may get $10. Claim Forms are due by August 24, 2012.
What are my other rights? If you do not want to be legally bound by the Settlement, you must exclude yourself in writing. The exclusion deadline is October 2, 2012. If you stay in the Settlement you will not be able to sue RCI for any claim relating to the issues in this lawsuit. If you stay in the Settlement, you may object to all or any part of it by October 2, 2012. The Court will hold a hearing on November 1, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. to consider whether to approve the Settlement and a request for attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses in the amount of $835,000.00. The Court has appointed attorneys to represent the Class. You may hire your own attorney at your own expense.
This Notice is Only a Summary. For Detailed Information and a Claim Form:
Visit: www.pointsprogramsettlement.com Call: 1-866-647-5645 or Write: Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 2662, Faribault, MN 55021-9662”
Following you will find a copy of the details of the above mentioned Points Program Settlement:
“If You Participated in RCI’s Points Exchange Program, You May Be Eligible for a Payment from a Class Action Settlement
A court authorized this notice. You are not being sued.
This is not a solicitation from a lawyer.
Members of the RCI Points Exchange Program who are residents of the United States or its territories filed a lawsuit against RCI, LLC (formerly known as Resort Condominiums International, LLC), claiming that RCI rented certain timeshare inventory deposited by members in violation of consumer protection and other laws.
The Court preliminarily approved a Settlement of the lawsuit. The Settlement, if finally approved, will provide benefits to people who were members of RCI’s Points Exchange Program on or before April 25, 2012.
RCI denies it did anything wrong. The Court did not decide that RCI did anything illegal or wrong. The Settlement does not mean that RCI admits that it did anything illegal or wrong. The Settlement avoids the cost and burden of continuing the case.
Your legal rights are affected whether you act or not. Read this notice carefully.
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Your Legal Rights and Options in this Lawsuit: |
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| Submit a Claim Form | The only way to obtain a payment. |
| Exclude Yourself | Get out of the Settlement. Get no benefits from it. Keep the right to file your own lawsuit. |
| Object | Write to the Court about why you do not like the Settlement. |
| Go to a Hearing | Ask to speak in Court about the fairness of the Settlement. |
| Do Nothing | Get no payment. Give up certain rights. |
These rights and options-and the deadlines to exercise them-are explained in this notice. The Court still has to decide whether to approve the Settlement. Benefits will be made available if the Court approves the Settlement and after any appeals are resolved. Please be patient.”
I will continue to monitor this Lawsuit and keep you informed of any developments.
Advantage Vacation is a member of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) and offers the best buys on the timeshare re sales market today. We never charge an upfront fee for clients who want to sell a timeshare and only receive a commission, paid from escrow, when the transaction is closed.
We are leaders in the timeshare resale secondary market, have been in the timeshare industry for over 30 years and are Accredited Members of the BBB with an A+ Rating.
Advantage Vacation is using Twitter and Facebook to help educate people on the changes in the timeshare industry along with current timeshare tips, up to date timeshare news and timeshare FAQ’s.
We hope you will follow us and our blog, Timeshare Blogging by Advantage Vacation for the latest news and reviews. If our site does not answer your question or questions, please email us your question and we will answer it and add it to our library. Make your voice heard – what questions do you have?
At Advantage Vacation you can be assured you are working with professionals who believe that honesty and integrity are the most important aspects of the business they are in – timeshare resales. Our business has been built on relationships and we pride ourselves on providing excellent service to our clients.
Would you like more information about Advantage Vacation?
I had been a member and never felt got good value from Shell Vacations nor RCI. Booked in very dirty room in FL and booked into places I could have gone to without their “help”. Finally went to attorney to get rid of timeshare after spending years and many dollars to ripoff company. Why I paid for maintenance when the FL room was filthy is beyond my comprehension.
Former owner for too many years!
Shirley Alls
2565 Basin Street
Oceano, CA 93445
(805) 481-2477
Also, when unable to book reservations, the alternative was to get products offered in catalogue online. None of them were anything near an exchange. Caps and t-shirts with their logos, etc. Free advertising for them! What a deal!
how do you get rid of timeshare
Aloha Steve:
I sent you and email regarding the sale of your property. We look forward to being of service and again thanks for following our blog.
Cheri Becker
We bought in to RCI this may 2012, how do we know if we got a good deal or not. A former employee told us that the points do not roll over yearly. The way I figure it is, keep the & for a vacation acct because if you don’t use it, you lose it and all the yearly maintainace fees. They “rushed” us into a decision and would not let us talk about it together! Then had us sign and initial tons of papers after what was supposed to be a 90 min meeting, it turned into 4 hr. so we just signed altot without the chance of getting to read anything. Now we are scared. Do you know if it will be worth it in the long run? Won’t be long we will be on a fixed income, a few yrs yet, but never the less we wanted to travel. I think this will cost more than the trips we want. I was told that when I want to go to Italy, there are no rooms in any of the large cities, that they would “rent” a room outside the city, no matter how shabby, chg us our reg. amount plus the rent…this was told to me by the former employee. Now I see by this blog, that the point system is a ruse. Can you adivise us?
Dear Donald:
We are not saying the points system is a ruse. Timeshares work well and gives you a wonderful way to vacation in a home like setting not a hotel room. And you own your vacation you are no longer renting. It is important to purchase a very nice resort in order to get a very nice property. RCI says it is a fare trade system. Like for like. My feelings are I want to stay in a 4 Star hotel or a very nice timeshares. I am a little spoiled having been in the timeshare industry for over 34 years and we have traveled the world. Not all were timeshare vacations but many were. I would suggest owning a property that is a name brand property like Hilton, Westin, Hyatt or Marriott. I personally own Hyatt and Hilton and they work great for me. I use my Hyatt resort at the home resort which is Hyatt Highlands Inn in Carmel, CA and I always trade my Hilton points. It is always good to plan in advance and learn what you own. You may have been bombarded with way to much information on the day you purchased but take the time to know what you purchased and you will get more out of it. Google your questions and there are answers there for you. Join Tug. People will help you there without trying to sell you something.
Thank you for following our blog. Wishing you many years of wonderful vacations!
Cheri Becker
Re. timeshare we understand:
I would tell my daughters or friends never buy timeshares after we have been members of RCI connected two timeshares. In our case we have made best of it after a long years, but if it is deeded, as we were told by one of the sales person, you have no way to get out of it even after you die. It will be passed down to your family members to keep the payment. So, only way to get rid of is, they say, just donate because they would not buy it back, either. Or, of course, you would realize that you will never be able to sell, as we tried in vain having lost $500 a couple of times. So, do not buy deeded timeshare at least and if it is not deeded, like timeshare company on trust, you can at least return it for free after all. Until then, once you buy it, just make use of it and go to those resorts, off season if you want a good one when it is not a popular season. We have enjoyed so far, but as you say,l their quick sales talk and urge us to decide right there is really fraud. You can cancel within a certain period days, but usually too late when you realize it.
Aloha Mariko:
You are correct a deeded timeshare can be rented out, sold or transferred to your heirs. In my opinion it is always best to purchase a name brand timeshare such as Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott or Starwood/Westin. These properties retain some value and do have a resale market. Not all timeshares do. Timeshare is never an investment. If it is an investment it is in future vacations. You are not correct that a nondeeded timeshare can be returned. These developers do not want this inventory back regardless if it is deeded or not. It sounds as if the salesperson you spoke to wanted to sell you a nondeeded timeshare while he was collecting that $500. for you to donate it. You could not return a car once you drive off the lot. This is not unique to timeshare. Your timeshare had a recession period when you purchased it. It is very important for people to understand what they are purchasing. It is your responsibility as the consumer. As they say “buyer beware” or buyer be aware. Read all the material when you purchase something. It sounds like you have gotten many years of enjoyment from your timeshare. That is where the value is and NEVER pay an upfront fee to anyone to sell.
Mahalo,
Cheri Becker
Where do I get the claim forms?
We are researching where to get the forms. I will post the information when we ge it.
Thanks for following.
Aloha Paula:
Following is the claim form for the RCI Class action. https://pointsprogramsettlement.com/anto_ocf.aspx
Mahalo for following.
I used RCI and every time we used it was told stuff about the resort and they were totally wrong and was charged for it and they didn’t do anything about it.. and they were closed on the weekends not a 24hr service and they couldn’t move us so we had to stay in a smelly small room.. cheaper looking then a motel 6
Please send me a claim form to:
1404 Windjammer court
fort washington, md 20744
We are researching to find where to get the claim forms. Will let you know when we get them.
Thanks for following.
Aloha:
Following is the link for the claim form. https://pointsprogramsettlement.com/anto_ocf.aspx
Thanks again for following.
Have had the timeshare for 4 years and have never used it. People tell us it is not worth it. You never get what you expect. Please if you know where I need to go to get rid of the timesheare please let me know . I am tired of paying for something we never use. Should have never invested in it.
Thanks so Very Much for information.
Patricia and James Gordon
Dear Patricia and James:
I have sent you an email regarding the sale of your timeshare. We look forward to being of service to you.
Cheri Becker
please send me a claim form. I tried to get one off the internet but wasn’t able to.
do you need my address???????????????
I have your email address. If you want me to send via snail mail I will need your address. I will send it to you tomorrow.
I was unable to email you the form. could you email me at [email protected] and I will forward you the form. Also, today we posted the form on a blog article. The document is clickable and printable. Try that and let me know if it works for you. If not I will need your address.
Cheri Becker
I need this information in spanish, its possible?
I will look for this information in Spanish for you.
Cheri Becker
OK THANKS
I really don’t not like Shell Vacation Timeshare. If I could get some of my money back I would love to get rid of it. Ant suggestions??????? thanks
We network with over 70 brokers across the country and will see if we can find someone to market your Shell timeshare. We do not have a market for them but we will do our best to find you someone that can help you.
Cheri Becker
Aloha Ann:
I am sorry but we do not have a market for Shell. We do cobroker with over 70 Brokers across the country and I will ask around and see if we can get someone to help you.
Mahalo,
Cheri Becker