It happens from time to time to timeshare owners. He is taking a walk to his friendly mailbox with the sun shining beautifully on his home; the birds are singing a happy melody. You open your mailbox, reach in, and pull out a timeshare bill. “Same as every year,” you think. “Maybe a 2% increase. But nothing I can’t handle.” You then notice a considerably larger tab. “That?” you smoke. “How can they charge me so much per year for my timeshare?” Then he reads on, and his heart fills with the fear of an approaching car accident, and he sees it: a special evaluation fee.
The truth of the matter is that the timeshare industry is suffering, just like everyone else. Their extreme gains have taken a sheen or two off, and now they have to scrap barrels instead of throwing away entire meals. Unfortunately, you are that barrel they are going to scrape.
But let’s get to the question: Is there anything I can do about these special assessments? The truth is, there is very little you can do besides pay the bill. Many resorts offer payment plans, and for those who don’t want or can’t pay the fee up front, these plans are a good option. Of course, you will pay interest. What matters with special evaluations is whether or not they are necessary. In some cases, the fee may be as little as $200 for an additional sofa or accessory. In other cases, there will be hurricane assessments, which pay for hurricane damage and can cost upwards of a thousand dollars.
Failure to pay your special assessment will result in late fees and potentially a collection claim against you. For those of you who have paid special assessments before and have just taken a hit again, a timeshare sale might be in your best interest unless you find such value in your timeshare that these additional fees and additional expenses are worth the cost. grief.
If their special appraisal rates are no longer within your budget, you may want to start considering your timeshare relief options.