Trapped in timeshare torment

The Times has been inundated with complaints from readers following last Tuesday's front page article on timeshare deals.

We reported that the National Consumer Commission was investigating 545 complaints from fed-up holidaymakers, including frustrations with bookings, contract cancellations, bad deals and financial losses of up to R80000.

This is what readers had to say:

BOOKINGS

• Claire Louw: "We've never managed to redeem points for a holiday because there was never availability at the times we requested."
• Shirley Moore: "In December 1999 we paid R28300, which entitles us to 50 points a year. But FlexiClub does not have sufficient units in popular destinations to enable us to make bookings.

''We asked about selling our timeshare. Apparently you have to use a broker who will only do so on receiving advance payment of commission and we would lose our unused points."

• SMS: "I've tried countless times in the past year to make a booking with my timeshare. We have had timeshare for about 10 years and have successfully used it once."

CANCELLATIONS

• Kabelo Bogashu: "I wanted out of this contract but I heard the contract is binding for life, which I feel is unfair."
• Shirley Illman: "I would really like to cancel my membership but the company makes it impossible to do so by ignoring any communication."
• Balfour Kobrin Booksellers: "I could not get any assistance from FlexiClub to terminate my membership. Now, some R6000 later, I am no longer a member."
• Lisa Avery: "I want to cancel my contract. Clauses in the contract won't allow it. I cannot afford to pay the R5000 every year for membership fees. I have already spent over R80000 on this timeshare."
• Daniel Legoete: "I joined in 2003. In 2008, the membership was cancelled without any notification.

''I tried several times to be linked to the management of the company, but in vain. The consultants are never available."

• Tumo Mpetsane: "We were never made aware of the fine print that says its membership is for life.

''We then took a loan to pay the R17100 investment, only to be told the board of trustees decided we can't terminate our membership. We've received threatening correspondence about outstanding membership fees for the last six years."

MONEY LOST

• Never Moyo: "I've been trying to sell these shares for over five years. They are worth more than R35000 but I can't sell them for R1000."
• SMS: "[I have timeshare] with FlexiClub, paid R60 000, lost my business and could not pay for a while. It phoned me [and was] prepared to write off monies but I must buy another holiday for R80000 and I get nothing back on the first contract."

BAD DEALS

• Ndifanele Obes: "FlexiClub approached me with a scratch card saying I had won. We ended up signing a contract and I paid R3000 as a deposit. When we decided this is not what we wanted, we wrote a cancellation letter but they continued deducting money from the bank for several months."

• FlexiClub declined to comment at the time of press. To contact the National Consumer Commission, call 012-940-4450.