Original Message:
Trying to get rid of a timeshare already paid in full. (by Lance C.):
Armando Z. wrote:What is the best way to get rid of it? Thanks up front for any help.
The first and foremost thing to keep in mind is to not pay anyone or any outfit a large, upfront fee to get rid of it for you. Those are usually scams.
If your unit is with Wyndham, Diamond, or Westgate, check out their respective programs they have in place where they are taking back a select limited number of units. Some of them might have a small service charge. For instance, Diamond will likely charge you about $250.
If it is not with any of those, try contacting the resort's Homeowners' Association. Explain your situation that you want to surrender your unit. You might have to be firm and say that you are not going to pay any more maintenance fees and that it would be in everybody's best interests for the HOA to take the unit back amicably. They might ask you to pay closing costs but that will be a clean, legal transfer.
Another option is to list your unit for sale or giveaway here on RedWeek. You can also list it on E-Bay, My Resort Network or Timeshare Users Group (aka "TUG"; tugbbs.com) where they have a Bargain Deals section that allows you to advertise for free that you want to give your unit away. You can and should offer to pay closing costs and maybe even the next maintenance fee as an incentive for someone to take it.