ECC joins seasoned journalist and podcast host Eugene Costello to unpack common timeshare problems, how timeshare claims work, and what’s involved in a timeshare relinquishment.
Valencia Life website and podcast
When veteran journalist and author Eugene Costello moved to Spain towards the end of his high-flying career in journalism, there was only one place he wanted to settle: Valencia.
"The food, weather and lifestyle are all glorious to a Brit used to the urban blandness and iron skies of London," says Eugene. "The locals are welcoming to us 'extranjeros' and the cost of living is so much lower than the UK. There is even a sizeable expat community here which makes it easier for new arrivals to find their feet."
Eugene, by his own admission, has far too much energy to retire. In 2021 he launched the Valencia Life website, which now reaches hundreds of thousands of people locally and further afield. The associated podcast followed in 2022, and already attracts over 3,000 unique downloads per episode. The show explores all aspects of life in the Valencian Community, speaking to expats, re-pats (people who moved away and returned) and notable individuals from across the province.
Eugene Costello and ECC
In 2005, Eugene Costello’s parents, Eileen and Denis, were targeted by a timeshare sales operation called Pestana Vacation Club in Portugal’s Algarve. They were sold a 20-year membership for over £20,000 (Eileen and Denis were in their mid-seventies at the time).
Unsurprisingly, age-related concerns later meant the retirees were only able to use the membership three times in total. Even when they couldn’t travel, the annual fees (£650 per year) still had to be paid. The cost became a burden the family could not seem to escape, despite repeated attempts by the Costellos and their relatives to resolve matters with the resort.
After Eileen sadly passed away earlier this year, Denis asked Eugene to help him get rid of the financial burden once and for all.
Eugene’s research led him to European Consumer Claims (ECC). He then chose to document his dealings with the well-known firm to help others facing the same situation and searching for a clear route to relinquish a timeshare.
ECC achieved Denis’s relinquishment within two weeks. A delighted Eugene later shared the experience in the Sunday Times, as well as Reader's Digest and The Sun.
He then invited TAC/ECC Communications Director Mark Jobling onto the Valencia Life podcast to go deeper into the history of timeshare, the realities of timeshare claims, and what a timeshare relinquishment process can look like.
Fraudsters vs genuine firms
One topic Eugene was particularly keen to explore was how listeners can avoid being conned by scam operators offering similar services. His professional instincts quickly confirmed what many owners discover the hard way: the market is crowded with fake firms looking to profit from the desperation of timeshare victims. So how can you tell who is trustworthy when you’re reading timeshare exit company reviews?
The key indicators, as explained by Mark, include:
- Choose a company with strong feedback on trusted review sites. Also check how the company responds to negative reviews. As Mark puts it: "Every company makes the occasional mistake, so look at how they handle that bad review. Are they condescending and dismissive? Or do they treat the reviewer respectfully and do their best to rectify the situation?"
- Check how long they’ve been trading (for example via Companies House): "Scammers quickly build a poor online reputation and need to change their name and website. If a company has been trading for many years, they are more likely to be genuine."
- Look for client video testimonials: "Written testimonials on a company’s website are great, but how do you know who really wrote them?" asks Mark. "When you can watch real people discussing their personal experience, you can make a better-informed decision."
Eugene and Mark also discuss other due-diligence steps to take before instructing a timeshare claims or relinquishment company, but space doesn’t allow for a full checklist here.
Either way, this podcast is well worth a listen if you’re looking for practical options to solve a timeshare problem.
I’ve heard the podcast. How do I speak to ECC?
"There are a huge number of people who are unhappy with their timeshare ownerships," says spokesperson Suzanne Stojanovic. "And ECC has a policy of only accepting cases they know they can win. So your first step is to get in touch with our team at Timeshare Advice Centre (ECC's marketing arm) to arrange a free, no-obligation assessment interview."
"Our consultant will make sure your options are clear, and that you have the information you need to decide how to move forward."
"If you don’t qualify for a claim, or in the unlikely event your membership can’t be relinquished, our consultant will explain exactly why, so you can rebuff any future attempts by fraudsters to take money for a service that isn’t possible to deliver."
