The timeshare industry represents two contrasting vacation experiences.
On the one hand, timeshares represent a promise of freedom – a guaranteed week(s) in a tropical paradise (with luxury resorts), as well as a lifetime of memories – to thousands of people.
On the other hand, timeshares involve a contract, increasing maintenance fees, and hidden fine print; ultimately, timeshare ownership often becomes an obligation for the consumer.
For millions of Americans caught somewhere between these two realities, the current means of escape from their timeshare is not a travel agency but rather a timeshare exit company.
However, as with all industries, the timeshare exit industry is made up of both great and not-so-great companies.
For many years, the timeshare exit industry has been plagued by scammers, unscrupulous “resale” businesses, and firms that claim they will free you from your timeshare obligations within 30 days or less; however, once you provide them with payment, the firm disappears.
Therefore, when Alpha Timeshare Consultants, an Orlando based timeshare exit company, opened its doors with promises of full transparency, no upfront fees, and a “money-back guarantee”, there was skepticism about the firm’s claims.
It appears the company is demonstrating that this distrust need not be the defining characteristic of the entire timeshare exit industry.
Alpha Timeshare Consultants is using technology, a friendly and non-aggressive sales approach, and an unusually personal and human touch to revolutionize how both timeshare owners and critics view the business of exiting a timeshare.
A softer sell in a hard-sell world.
When you’ve had the experience of sitting through a timeshare presentation you understand the dance. Smiles, incentives, increasing urgency, and a faint sense of guilt when you hesitate. The sales experience is typically very high pressure, and therefore the exit experience is even more intimidating — people think they’re going into another high pressure sales pitch.
Alpha Timeshare Consultants took that to heart. Since Day One, their strategy has been: no pressure, no panic, no push.
Many clients have described a process that feels almost demilitarized. Team members answer questions directly, encourage the client to conduct independent research, and even inform clients if they may qualify for a developer’s deed-back (a free DIY exit program available from some resorts). “They told me I didn’t need to hire them,” wrote one reviewer on Facebook, and called the company “honest, informative, and surprisingly nice.”
While that approach may seem minor in this industry, it’s radical. The timeshare exit industry has been working to distance itself from the high-octane sales culture that spawned it. Alpha is gradually enhancing its approach with a professional demeanor and warm tone.
The Power of Transparency and Technology
What’s setting Alpha apart is more than just their personality. It’s their use of technology to bring transparency to an industry that is desperate for it.
One of the most innovative tools they’ve developed is an online “Scam Checker”, a completely free service that allows consumers to vet other companies before employing them. Consumers can input the name of any exit/resale company, and the tool will automatically run business registration, complaint records, and Better Business Bureau checks. This isn’t a sales funnel — it’s a public resource.
When developing the Scam Checker, the leaders at Alpha realized that skepticism is a data problem, not a marketing problem. Too many companies are hiding behind generic promises and fake reviews, and therefore, consumers can’t determine who to trust. By providing consumers the opportunity to see for themselves whether a company is trustworthy, Alpha turned the tables: rather than attempting to build credibility using persuasion, they decided to enable it via accessibility.
The Scam Checker also serves as a lead generation tool — but in a manner that is perceived as earned. If users identify red flags when researching other companies, they often come back to Alpha because the company assisted them in avoiding a potentially costly mistake. “Transparency is the strongest marketing tool in this industry,” stated one member of Alpha’s team during an interview. “Assisting people to make intelligent decisions — even if they don’t ultimately decide to utilize our services — creates real credibility.”
Adapting to Digital Landscape in Post-Pandemic World
Alpha’s commitment to leveraging technology does not end there. As timeshare owners increasingly expect to find convenience and clarity digitally, the company has quickly adapted to the post-pandemic environment. Their website utilizes AI-powered chat tools to provide instant responses to frequent questions. Additionally, their analytics platform provides clients with real-time tracking of case status, eliminating the need for clients to wait for email-based status reports.
Behind the scenes, the company’s marketing strategy has also undergone significant changes. In 2023, Alpha significantly reduced its reliance on traditional pay-per-click advertising (an area filled with competitive, aggressive claims) and invested more in creating educational digital content. Blog articles, explainer videos, and social media Q&A sessions have replaced banner ads and pop-up ads.
This content-first approach has yielded positive results. Rather than pursuing occasional leads, the company is building a community of educated consumers — individuals who are aware of what a realistic exit process entails. Such a growth-oriented marketing strategy based upon reputation-building is relatively rare in an industry typically characterized by quick-hitting strategies.
Why Skepticism Remains So Strong
Although the company is actively working to establish trust with the public, the prevailing sentiment regarding timeshare exits is still marked by skepticism. That’s understandable. The reputation of the timeshare exit industry was formed and in many instances destroyed by questionable operators who preceded the industry today.
There are numerous examples of fraudulent activities perpetrated by bad actors. Examples include companies purporting to offer resale services but collecting listing fees without actually selling anything to the client, and unlicensed legal entities pretending to be law firms. The number of scams is staggering.
Even some legitimate firms have contributed to the confusion in this space by making vague claims related to timelines or success rates.
In 2024, Westgate Resorts, one of the world’s largest timeshare developers, escalated skepticism by filing a lawsuit against a timeshare exit firm, accusing the latter of engaging in unlicensed legal practice. The exit firm responded with a countersuit citing consumer protection issues and the case became a litmus test for the entire industry: Are timeshare exit firms con artists, or advocates for consumers?
Neither side emerged victorious. What the case exposed is that the timeshare exit industry exists in a regulatory gray area — with unclear definitions surrounding contracts, consumer rights, and business models still being established in real time.
Alpha Timeshare Consultants has thus far avoided this type of turmoil by adhering to the same rules as everyone else: No representation without proper licensure, no exaggerated assurances, and no upfront fees. Nevertheless, even ethical players cannot remove themselves entirely from the shadows cast by that history.
Timeshare Exit Companies: What to Watch Out For
The key to avoiding scams is to be skeptical. It is okay to question if something seems too good (or bad) to be true. The following list outlines some common practices to watch for in the numerous timeshare exit companies you may come across:
Quick Timeshare Exits or Profits
When a company says they will exit your timeshare quickly (usually 30 to 60 days), you need to ask yourself why. There is little to no resale value for most timeshares and getting rid of them takes time.
Upfront Fees
Any company asking for money to start the process needs to be avoided. Legitimate timeshare exit firms do not charge high upfront fees prior to cancellation of your contract. Most reputable companies also use an escrow model or a post-completion payment model.
Unexpected Contact
Don’t fall for unsolicited calls, emails, or messages saying they have located your information via public records. The scammers typically claim to be exit specialists so as to appear as if they are the real deal but are simply using the information for their own purposes.
Pressure to Sign Up
You never want to feel pressured to sign up immediately. Especially when they promise to give you a “special” dinner or state there is a “limited time offer”. Legitimate firms allow you to take all the time you need to read over the contract and if you would like; speak with an attorney.
Stopping Payments
Do Not Stop Paying Your Mortgage or Maintenance Fees Based On Advice From A Third Party. Stopping your payments can result in foreclosure, collections, and a bad credit rating. A credible firm will only suggest that you do so once they have verified that your resort has released you legally.
The Persistent Internet Conspiracy Theory
Perhaps the most enduring myth circulating around the internet is that some timeshare developers are secretly operating exit companies — a “two-end-profit” model.
The idea isn’t totally unfounded. Perhaps the most notable example is Wesley Financial Group, one of the largest names in the industry, founded by Chuck McDowell, a former timeshare salesman. McDowell’s experience selling timeshares provided him with insight into the mechanics of contracts, which fostered speculation that developers could be making money both when you buy in and when you pay to get out.
It’s a murky subject. While there is no concrete evidence that major resort brands are secretly running exit companies, the ambiguity surrounding former insiders, referral networks, and strategic partnerships fuel the belief that some players are earning profits twice: first, when you purchase, and second, when you pay to exit.
Alpha Timeshare Consultants has leveraged transparency as their shield against this perception. The company publishes its company registration data publicly, discloses all partners, and emphasizes that they are independent of any resort developer. Their Scam Checker tool also identifies possible conflicts of interest — such as whether a firm’s founding members/executives have previous associations with large resort groups.
How long does it take to get results from an Alpha Timeshare Consultant?
As stated by Alpha Timeshare Consultants, the typical length of time needed to cancel a timeshare is approximately 6-9 months. However, the amount of time can be greatly affected by the type of resort that owns the timeshare, the terms of the contract and the speed at which all necessary documentation is submitted to Alpha Timeshare Consultants.
Alpha Timeshare Consultants outline a three-phase approach to their service:
Phase 1 – Consultation and Contract Review (4 weeks to 1 month)
This is the first step of the process. A complimentary consultation will be scheduled where the client’s timeshare contract will be reviewed to determine possible methods to exit the timeshare contract. As part of the consultation, there will be a discussion about any available developer deed back programs that allow the owner to surrender their property. There are no costs associated with this initial consultation.
Phase 2 – Legal Action and Negotiations (6-3 months)
After Alpha Timeshare Consultants accepts your case, they will begin communicating with the resort on your behalf. They will prepare and submit any necessary documentation and negotiate for the release of the property.
In many cases, Alpha Timeshare Consultants works with attorneys who represent the resorts or coordinates group filing of similar cases to facilitate the exit process. The majority of the time during the process is spent in Phase II.
Clients will not be charged a fee for services until the process is complete. The fee for services will be held in an escrow account until the client’s timeshare contract is cancelled and they have ceased paying maintenance fees.
Phase 3 – Confirmation and Release (1-2 months)
After negotiations are concluded, clients will receive confirmation from the resort that the client’s timeshare contract has been cancelled and the client is no longer responsible for paying maintenance fees.
Additionally, clients may choose to purchase credit monitoring services.
Timing may be affected by a variety of factors. For example, resorts that are known for having cooperative exit programs (i.e., Marriott and Hilton) generally have shorter processing times (sometimes less than 6 months).
Developers that are more restrictive (i.e., Westgate) often take longer (12+ months). Exit processes involving contracts that are paid in full typically resolve faster than those with outstanding mortgages, because the presence of a loan can complicate the exit process.
In addition, external factors (such as changes in state escrow requirements, new consumer protection laws or a change in a resort’s policy requiring additional legal review) can delay the exit process by several weeks.
A Model for the Future of the Timeshare Exit Industry
The timeshare exit industry is still in its early days. Regulators are increasingly defining the oversight of the industry, developers are exploring direct “surrenders” of contracts, and new firms are emerging daily — some honest, some not.
Alpha Timeshare Consultants represents what the future of the industry could resemble: technology driven transparency combined with authentic human service. The company’s Scam Checker tool allows consumers to verify companies before purchasing. Their digital marketing focuses on educating consumers, not scaring them. Their tone is patient rather than persuasive.
Similar to all exit firms, the ultimate success of Alpha Timeshare Consultants will depend on externalities outside of its control — namely, the willingness of resorts to cooperate, the terms of the contract(s), and state laws. While Alpha’s spotless record is impressive, the company is still in the early stages of its existence and will continue to prove its long-term effectiveness as its client base grows.
However, to date, the indications are encouraging. In a business that has been defined for decades by distrust, Alpha has begun to create a modest, yet consistent, reputation for conducting business the correct way.
So, Is Alpha Timeshare Consultants Legit?
The criticism of Alpha Timeshare Consultants is typical of all players in the timeshare exit space. As such, the industry itself creates skepticism, and the criticism directed toward Alpha is generally reflective of the distrust people have for “timeshare exit” firms in general, rather than being specifically indicative of Alpha’s practices.
A significant amount of the criticism regarding Alpha Timeshare Consultants is related to the experience referenced on the company’s website and BBB profile — “30+ years of experience” and “100,000+ clients helped.” Some observers view this information as conflicting with Alpha’s incorporation date of 2022. However, this is not a contradiction per se, but an indication of how the business has evolved and transformed into a digital version of the previous company operations under different management, including a new CEO and an enhanced digital presence. The incorporation formalized and reorganized prior experience that predated the current Alpha brand — as part of a larger modernization effort that included client tracking, digital marketing and the development of the Scam Checker tool.
However, Alpha will likely be subject to the same scrutiny that reveals inconsistency throughout the entire industry. The use of the “30 years” claim is frequently referenced as evidence of exaggeration by critics in public forums, like TUGBBS. These claims frequently emanate from a There is widespread distrust of exit companies, and the TUGBBS community mainly consists of long-time timeshare owners who often have an inherent bias against the entire industry. Many posts suggest that “anyone can do it themselves,” by contacting the resort directly — a viewpoint that ignores the reality that many clients simply lack the time, patience, or desire to engage in the process of negotiating with the resort’s retention team(s) and processing legal paperwork.
Viewed in this manner, the criticism merely tells a portion of the story. A DIY (do-it-yourself) method may work for some owners. For other owners, hiring a professional firm is less about having expertise, and more about gaining relief from the stress associated with the negotiation process — allowing them to outsource the stress of negotiations to another party. This viewpoint rarely appears in forum threads, which typically categorize all exit firms based solely upon their categorization as either legitimate service providers, or predatory operators.
With regard to measurable reputation, Alpha’s performance metrics continue to demonstrate strength. At the time of this writing, Alpha Timeshare Consultants has a 4.8-star rating on Google, with approximately 160+ verified reviews — positioning it among the top one percent of the industry. The trend of Google feedback indicates a high degree of overall client satisfaction. In addition, it should be noted that many clients are reluctant to publicly comment on their experiences with timeshare exit firms, as the terms of their contracts are often private and/or sensitive, resulting in very low review volumes throughout the industry, even for legitimate and reputable companies.
Although Alpha Timeshare Consultants is subject to much controversy with regard to the timeshare exit industry, it has been able to maintain an exceptionally clean record. There have been no legal action (lawsuits), no government investigations, and no regulatory agency enforcement action taken against the Company. Independent websites like Scamadviser also rate AlphaTimeshareConsultants.com as a legitimate website for which they provide a high trust score based upon the transparency of their operation, as well as the security of the website.
The most frequently asked question is regarding the age of the company. The Better Business Bureau shows “Business Started: 2/6/1985” and Florida’s Sunbiz registry shows that Alpha was officially filed as a corporation on July 27, 2022. This time gap has caused some individuals to speculate whether or not Alpha is exaggerating when claiming “30 years of experience.” However, the difference in the two dates represents the fact that the company was originally founded by Brandon Ubiera’s father in the form of a small, off-line service, providing timeshare relief prior to the time when this type of service existed in the digital era. Brandon took over the responsibility of the company, and he transformed and re-filed the Company as Alpha Timeshare Consultants.
While the July 2022 filing signifies the official launch of the Company into the digital marketplace, the operational roots of the Company go back farther in time – in alignment with the BBB’s founding date. Therefore, the 30 plus years of experience claimed by the Company is based upon the collective knowledge base of the timeshare exit industry as opposed to being a reference to the length of time that the current version of the Company has been incorporated.
The Path Forward
For timeshare owners, the road ahead is still complex. Exiting a timeshare can take months, and in some instances, years. The distinction between “exit service” and “legal representation” continues to be ambiguous, and the industry continues to evolve to meet the growing demand for consumer education.
Nevertheless, something is changing. Firms like Alpha Timeshare Consultants are demonstrating that the remedy for skepticism is not greater promises — it’s greater confidence. It is technology applied for the purpose of transparency — not manipulation. It is an industry that is beginning to understand that the greatest method for selling freedom… is to earn it.
And if Alpha Timeshare Consultants’ open, transparent, and technology-driven model continues to gain momentum, perhaps the industry will finally realize that.