trouble cancelling membership

[lesstravel]

I purchased a "membership" with Vacation Village Voyages on June 27, 2008. After reviewing a "timeshare company" I realized that I don't really own anything with this membership. It's a vacation club that has a yearly membership fee of $189.00, to become a member it cost us $5995.00 plus interest, and it costs us $299.00 a week plus tax and fees whenever we take these vacations, two per year. We don't own a share of the resort, just a membership in the club. I sent a letter to cancel the membership on July 8, 2008. I had trouble contacting the company to find out what I needed to do, and did not notice the instructions on the contract. When I finally got in touch with the company they said I was outside of the 10 day cancellation period. I talked to someone at their main office and they said because July 4 was a national holiday I would still be considered inside my 10 day period. I sent the letter certified mail with return receipt, and they sent me a letter back stating that I my request to cancel was denied due to the 10 day cancellation period. In the terms and conditions of the contract it states that "You are entitled to cancel your Membership within any state promulgated cancellation period or within the ten (10) day cancellation period set forth herein, whichever is later and receive a full refund for the purchase price of the Plan subject to and limited by the laws of the state in which the Plan was purchased."

Does anyone know what I can do to get out of this contract? Does anyone know what the "state promulgated cancellation period" is?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to be stuck with this huge obligation that really does not benefit me.

Thanks

[lesstravel]

I thought I was going to have a huge battle ahead of me. I contacted Vacation Village Voyages this morning and spoke with someone about this situation. They had to contact their manager and get back with me, well I thought I wouldn't hear from them again. To my surprise they just contacted me and said their records showed a postmark date of July 11, 2008. I sent the cancellation letter on July 8, 2008 and had the receipt marked as such. I faxed this information to them and they said without hesitation the account would be canceled and I would get my refund!!! It turns out the date of July 11, 2008 was from the DHL package I sent them with the materials connected with the purchase (book of resort pictures, tote, paperwork folder, etc.)

Mark that one for the little guy

[happymum]

Thats great news! Don't give up on timeshares. They can be a wonderful way to vacation, but it is important to do your research first. Hope that you stick around. There are many knowledgeable folks that will be happy to help.