Guide

What to Check Before Hiring an Exit Company

The timeshare exit industry has legitimate operators and fraudulent ones. Here is how to tell them apart before you sign anything.

Published by: Client Protection Group
Reading time: 3 min

A dark, wet shoreline at blue hour with a thin band of light on the horizon

Do your homework

Before you hire anyone, including us.

The market for timeshare exit services has grown as more owners look for a way out of contracts they can no longer afford or no longer want. With that growth has come a number of fraudulent companies that collect fees, do little or nothing, and leave owners worse off.

Before engaging any exit company — including CPG — you should conduct due diligence. This guide explains what to look for, what to avoid, and what to ask before you sign anything.

From Client Protection Group

We encourage every potential client to research us independently, check our BBB profile, and compare us to other firms before deciding anything.

If we are the right fit for your situation, we will earn that through honest communication, not pressure.

What legitimate looks like

Signs of a legitimate company.

Clear, written service agreement
Ask to see the full agreement before you sign: which services are included, what the fee is, and what happens if the exit isn’t completed. If any of it is only verbal, ask for it in writing.
Verifiable business history
A documented history: a founding date, a BBB profile, an online presence going back several years. A new company with no track record carries more risk.
Transparent fee structure
Ask what the fee is, when each payment is due, and what the money covers, and get the answers in writing before you enroll.
Reviews you can check
Ask whether the company can put you in touch with past clients, and check independent reviews such as the BBB. Be cautious of testimonial pages with no verifiable names, locations or dates.
State rules and licensing
Some states regulate companies that offer timeshare exit or transfer services. Ask what licenses or registrations, if any, apply in your state, and how the company complies.
Will tell you when it can’t help
A trustworthy company turns down cases it can’t realistically support. If a company never says no, treat that as a warning sign.

Ask before you sign

8 questions to ask every exit company.

Ask these before signing anything, and write down or record the answers. If a company is evasive, can’t answer, or gives answers that conflict with the written agreement, treat that as a serious warning sign.

How long has your company been in business?
What is your fee, when is it due, and what does it cover?
What is your process if my case is not resolved — do you offer a refund?
Do you guarantee a specific outcome or timeline?
Will every term of our agreement be in writing before I sign?
Have you worked with my specific developer before? What was the result?
Who will be my point of contact, and how often will I get updates?
What happens to my maintenance fee obligations while my case is being handled?

Sources

Check it yourself.

These are independent sources, not CPG. Use them to check anything on this page.

Better Business Bureau: CPG's profile
bbb.org · Search “Client Protection Group,” or read our profile directly.
FTC: Timeshares, vacation clubs, and related scams
consumer.ftc.gov · Scam warnings and consumer rights specific to timeshares.
NAAG: Find your state attorney general
naag.org · Find your state attorney general’s complaint process.