Protecting the consumers of timeshare products: report with evidence, 3rd report of session 2007-08The Stationery Office, 2007 M12 18 - 159 pages Timeshare is popular, especially amongst UK consumers, but the sector has often caused problems. The European Communities removed many of the worst excesses with its 1994 Directive, which introduced a right of withdrawal, a cooling-off period, and a ban on advance payments during the cooling-off period. However there are loopholes that have been exploited by the unscrupulous and complaints about long term holiday clubs have grown dramatically. The Commission is seeking to address these problems with proposals for a broader directive. This report considers that directive's strengths and weaknesses. |
Contents
Setting the Scene | 7 |
Regulatory Issues | 13 |
The right of withdrawal and the coolingoff period 69 | 20 |
Exchange schemes | 26 |
Raising Public Awareness | 32 |
Multiannual hotel reservations | 38 |
Other Issues | 44 |
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations | 50 |
Common terms and phrases
14 days accommodation advance payments Advice agreement allow Annex apply Association Baroness believe cancel Chairman clear Commission Committee companies complaints concerned consider consumer protection contract cooling off period cooling-off period costs countries cover deal definition deposit effective enforcement Europe European evidence example exchange existing Fair fees further give given Grey holiday clubs holiday products included industry interests issues legislation look Lord Member offer Office operators organisations particular practices present problem Professor Howells proposed purchase question recommend redress regulation relation requirements resale resorts right of withdrawal rogue sanctions scheme scope selling Spain suggested things Timeshare Directive timeshare industry timeshare owners traders Twigg-Flesner understand Unfair