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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Timeshare Was a Snow Job, Man Says

BALTIMORE (CN) - Wyndham Vacation Resorts defrauded a man of thousands of dollars by offering him two free nights in Branson, Mo., then subjecting him to a 4-hour sales pitch that pressured him into buying a timeshare for $47,000, the man claims in City Court.

Frank Jaroski says he responded to an email in which Wyndham told him that if he listed to a 90-minute "informational presentation," about the benefits of a timeshare, he would get the free vacation, along with tickets to shows in country music heaven.

But the 90 minutes turned into a 4-hour sales pitch that wore him down until he was tricked into signing up to buy a timeshare for more than $43,000, Jaroski says

Jarowski says he felt trapped by Wyndham during its pitch. Every time he told the pitchmen that he didn't want to sign the contract, they offered larger units, additional points, more assistance, and additional benefits, he says.

He finally signed the contract, which he says he later found out obligated him to pay $43,806.80 over 10 years at 13.39 percent.

He also had agreed to a $349 settlement fee, program fees of $75.59 per month, a membership fee of $49.95 and an assessment fee of $89.

He also was talked into opening an RCI Elite Rewards credit card through Bank of America to cover the down payment of $2,395.

Jarowski says he tried to cancel the contract the next day, but could not get a hold of the Wyndham representatives who had signed him up.

After weeks of calls and letters, he says, Wyndham's legal department told him it was too late to cancel.

Jarowski says refuses to make payments on the contract, which has damaged his credit; he says his unpaid bills have been sent to collections.

He demands $47,596.83 in damages for fraud, to cover the cost and fees of the timeshare. Alternatively, he wants the contract to be rescinded.

He is represented by Gina Harasti of Severna Park, Md.

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