Are Timeshare Users Group’s Services Truly Unbiased?
Timeshare Users Group (TUG) is a website where timeshare owners and prospective buyers can interact and seek advice on managing timeshare ownership. TUG provides an online forum that claims to offer unbiased conversations about users’ experiences.
While TUG presents itself as a helpful, free resource for resolving timeshare questions or complications that owners might not be able to address with their timeshare company, the reality may differ. TUG could have incentives to promote certain timeshare companies or perspectives to sell listings, which may compromise the objectivity of the advice offered.
This raises concerns that TUG may not fully provide a balanced view of timeshare ownership. By failing to highlight the wrongdoings of major timeshare developers, TUG could inadvertently contribute to the manipulative practices present in the timeshare industry.
How Timeshare Users Group Was Formed
TUG’s founder, Bill Rogers, started the company after experiencing a disappointing timeshare purchase back when information about timeshares was not widely available online or on social media. This purchase was arranged through an exchange company that he and his wife used to trade their luxurious 5-star property for what they expected would be an exciting new vacation opportunity.
However, upon arriving at their new property, they discovered that the amenities were not as advertised. Everything appeared rundown and outdated, a stark contrast to the flashy pictures they had seen online. From this experience, Bill recognized the need for a reliable place where consumers could access honest information and advice about timeshare ownership.
Today, Timeshare Users Group (TUG) has grown into an online community with tens of thousands of members. Membership provides connections to other timeshare owners through an online owner discussion forum and access to TUG’s timeshare marketplace.
But does TUG’s role as a seller of timeshares compromise its ability to be a truly unbiased source for consumers? Let’s explore how TUG’s image as an impartial third-party service may also serve to promote timeshare sales and protect the reputation of major developers.
Is Timeshare Users Group Unbiased?
On their homepage, TUG claims to be devoted to providing consumers with “the truth” about timesharing. Yet, directly beneath this claim is a link to the TUG marketplace. This presents a conflict of interest: promoting transparency about timeshare ownership while simultaneously pushing timeshare sales — particularly when aligned with major developers like Marriott, Wyndham, and Diamond Resorts International.
TUG’s free online forum, tugbbs.com, offers a variety of articles on the best timeshare to buy based on lifestyle, location preferences, and budget. The platform also connects users with other timeshare owners from popular developers, helping members navigate questions about point systems, week trading, and top resort locations.
While TUG primarily focuses on ownership guidance, they also provide advice on how to get rid of timeshares. They generally recommend two routes for ending ownership: reselling on the resale market or returning ownership to the resort.
However, TUG underestimates the challenges involved. Many timeshare owners struggle to achieve a successful or profitable resale due to contract restrictions and the competitiveness of the timeshare resale market. Additionally, TUG’s claim that numerous developers offer buyback programs is an oversimplification. Most developers make it nearly impossible to return or sell back your timeshare, often requiring all maintenance fees to be current and mortgages paid in full — conditions many financially stretched owners cannot meet.
Does Timeshare Users Group Protect Owners From Scams?
What you’ll rarely find on these online forums is any criticism of the major timeshare developers that TUG provides information on. TUG pays little attention to warning prospective first-time timeshare buyers about potential scams. Why? Likely because there’s an incentive for TUG to promote these developers — even those notorious for pressuring unsuspecting buyers into unwanted timeshare purchases.
As you may know, timeshare scams are unfortunately common. Many developers use manipulation and deceit to push people into hasty purchases. But when the topic of timeshare scams arises on TUG, the focus tends to shift to exit companies — essentially TUG’s competitors within the industry.
TUG warns about exit companies that approach timeshare owners promising to buy their property or help them achieve a successful sale. They claim the goal of these companies is to collect a large upfront fee without delivering results. While it’s true that some exit companies are illegitimate and that no timeshare owner should pay upfront fees before a successful sale, TUG’s disproportionate focus on exit companies raises reasonable suspicion.
If TUG’s genuine goal were to provide unbiased advice, one would expect them to also caution users about predatory practices by timeshare developers. Instead, TUG moderators often censor posts and ban members who share information about successful exits achieved through legitimate exit companies.
The Good and Bad of Timeshare Users Group
TUG’s online forums provide limited guidance on avoiding unwanted timeshares in the first place. This is likely because they aim to stay in the good graces of major timeshare companies and the large pool of consumers who own timeshares with them. Instead, TUG often addresses questions and resolves issues for these developers, acting almost like an unofficial customer service team.
Does this make Timeshare Users Group a bad company? Not necessarily. However, it does raise questions about their ability to provide truly unbiased guidance to consumers.
When you find yourself asking, “Do I Want to Buy a Timeshare or Not?”, TUG may not be the best resource. While they offer useful information about popular resorts and points programs, they won’t highlight the worst timeshare companies or the realities of vacation ownership. Their online marketplace demonstrates that TUG prioritizes selling timeshare units and keeping the industry profitable, which often means siding with large developers over the best interests of consumers.
If you’re seeking advice on how to get rid of a timeshare, TUG provides only limited resources. If your provider doesn’t have a buyback program and resale options fail, their assistance effectively ends there. For better results in exiting your contract and freeing yourself from an unwanted timeshare, Centerstone Group is here to help. We are a full-service advocacy group specializing in resolving timeshare contracts. Contact Centerstone Group for a free consultation.
Timeshare Users Group (TUG) is a website where timeshare owners and prospective buyers can interact and seek advice on managing timeshare ownership. TUG provides an online forum that claims to offer unbiased conversations about users’ experiences.
While TUG presents itself as a helpful, free resource for resolving timeshare questions or complications that owners might not be able to address with their timeshare company, the reality may differ. TUG could have incentives to promote certain timeshare companies or perspectives to sell listings, which may compromise the objectivity of the advice offered.
This raises concerns that TUG may not fully provide a balanced view of timeshare ownership. By failing to highlight the wrongdoings of major timeshare developers, TUG could inadvertently contribute to the manipulative practices present in the timeshare industry.
How Timeshare Users Group Was Formed
TUG’s founder, Bill Rogers, started the company after experiencing a disappointing timeshare purchase back when information about timeshares was not widely available online or on social media. This purchase was arranged through an exchange company that he and his wife used to trade their luxurious 5-star property for what they expected would be an exciting new vacation opportunity.
However, upon arriving at their new property, they discovered that the amenities were not as advertised. Everything appeared rundown and outdated, a stark contrast to the flashy pictures they had seen online. From this experience, Bill recognized the need for a reliable place where consumers could access honest information and advice about timeshare ownership.
Today, Timeshare Users Group (TUG) has grown into an online community with tens of thousands of members. Membership provides connections to other timeshare owners through an online owner discussion forum and access to TUG’s timeshare marketplace.
But does TUG’s role as a seller of timeshares compromise its ability to be a truly unbiased source for consumers? Let’s explore how TUG’s image as an impartial third-party service may also serve to promote timeshare sales and protect the reputation of major developers.
Is Timeshare Users Group Unbiased?
On their homepage, TUG claims to be devoted to providing consumers with “the truth” about timesharing. Yet, directly beneath this claim is a link to the TUG marketplace. This presents a conflict of interest: promoting transparency about timeshare ownership while simultaneously pushing timeshare sales — particularly when aligned with major developers like Marriott, Wyndham, and Diamond Resorts International.
TUG’s free online forum, tugbbs.com, offers a variety of articles on the best timeshare to buy based on lifestyle, location preferences, and budget. The platform also connects users with other timeshare owners from popular developers, helping members navigate questions about point systems, week trading, and top resort locations.
While TUG primarily focuses on ownership guidance, they also provide advice on how to get rid of timeshares. They generally recommend two routes for ending ownership: reselling on the resale market or returning ownership to the resort.
However, TUG underestimates the challenges involved. Many timeshare owners struggle to achieve a successful or profitable resale due to contract restrictions and the competitiveness of the timeshare resale market. Additionally, TUG’s claim that numerous developers offer buyback programs is an oversimplification. Most developers make it nearly impossible to return or sell back your timeshare, often requiring all maintenance fees to be current and mortgages paid in full — conditions many financially stretched owners cannot meet.
Does Timeshare Users Group Protect Owners From Scams?
What you’ll rarely find on these online forums is any criticism of the major timeshare developers that TUG provides information on. TUG pays little attention to warning prospective first-time timeshare buyers about potential scams. Why? Likely because there’s an incentive for TUG to promote these developers — even those notorious for pressuring unsuspecting buyers into unwanted timeshare purchases.
As you may know, timeshare scams are unfortunately common. Many developers use manipulation and deceit to push people into hasty purchases. But when the topic of timeshare scams arises on TUG, the focus tends to shift to exit companies — essentially TUG’s competitors within the industry.
TUG warns about exit companies that approach timeshare owners promising to buy their property or help them achieve a successful sale. They claim the goal of these companies is to collect a large upfront fee without delivering results. While it’s true that some exit companies are illegitimate and that no timeshare owner should pay upfront fees before a successful sale, TUG’s disproportionate focus on exit companies raises reasonable suspicion.
If TUG’s genuine goal were to provide unbiased advice, one would expect them to also caution users about predatory practices by timeshare developers. Instead, TUG moderators often censor posts and ban members who share information about successful exits achieved through legitimate exit companies.
The Good and Bad of Timeshare Users Group
TUG’s online forums provide limited guidance on avoiding unwanted timeshares in the first place. This is likely because they aim to stay in the good graces of major timeshare companies and the large pool of consumers who own timeshares with them. Instead, TUG often addresses questions and resolves issues for these developers, acting almost like an unofficial customer service team.
Does this make Timeshare Users Group a bad company? Not necessarily. However, it does raise questions about their ability to provide truly unbiased guidance to consumers.
When you find yourself asking, “Do I Want to Buy a Timeshare or Not?”, TUG may not be the best resource. While they offer useful information about popular resorts and points programs, they won’t highlight the worst timeshare companies or the realities of vacation ownership. Their online marketplace demonstrates that TUG prioritizes selling timeshare units and keeping the industry profitable, which often means siding with large developers over the best interests of consumers.
If you’re seeking advice on how to get rid of a timeshare, TUG provides only limited resources. If your provider doesn’t have a buyback program and resale options fail, their assistance effectively ends there. For better results in exiting your contract and freeing yourself from an unwanted timeshare, Centerstone Group is here to help. We are a full-service advocacy group specializing in resolving timeshare contracts. Contact Centerstone Group for a free consultation.