Consumer reports best timeshare exit companies: is there a list?

Last updated 2026-07-25

Does Consumer Reports actually rank timeshare exit companies?

No. As of this writing, Consumer Reports has not published a ranked "best timeshare exit companies" list or a buying guide that names and scores specific exit firms. People search for this because it feels like the kind of thing Consumer Reports would cover, the way it covers cars, mattresses, or refrigerators. But timeshare exit is a legal and financial service, not a consumer product with lab-testable specs, and the industry has a scam problem serious enough that a ratings guide would mostly be a liability list. What Consumer Reports and similar outlets have covered is the timeshare industry itself: the resale market's near-total collapse in value, the difficulty of getting out of contracts, and warnings about upfront-fee exit scams. The Federal Trade Commission publishes consumer guidance warning that timeshare resale and exit promoters often collect fees and deliver little, which is the closest thing to an official government-adjacent "watch out" list you'll find ^[1]. If you see a webpage claiming "Consumer Reports' top 5 timeshare exit companies," treat it as a red flag on its own. It's very likely a lead-generation page or an exit company's own marketing dressed up as journalism.

So how do I actually vet a timeshare exit company?

Start with your state attorney general's consumer complaint database, not a Google search result. Every state AG office keeps some form of public complaint or enforcement record, and timeshare exit fraud is one of the more commonly logged categories in states with heavy timeshare markets like Florida, Nevada, Tennessee, and South Carolina. The Florida Attorney General's office maintains a consumer complaint portal where owners can search for prior complaints and pending actions against specific companies before signing anything ^[2]. Check for lawsuits, more than complaints. A single angry Yelp review means little. A state AG lawsuit, a Better Business Bureau revoked accreditation, or a class action filing means something. Search the company name plus "attorney general" and plus "lawsuit." Ask who actually does the work. Some exit companies subcontract to law firms, some use non-attorney "transfer specialists," and some just take your money and file paperwork that does nothing. If a company won't tell you which licensed attorney in which state is handling your specific file, that's a problem. Never pay 100% of the fee upfront. The FTC's guidance on timeshare resale scams describes a common pattern where a company collects a fee up front promising a buyer or a fast resale, then stops responding once payment clears ^[1]. The same warning applies to exit companies, more than resale brokers. A legitimate escrow arrangement, where funds sit with a third party until work is verifiably done, is a much better sign than a company demanding full payment by wire transfer or gift card on day one. For a structured way to organize this vetting process yourself, see our guide on timeshare exit companies and our timeshare call list for the actual people and offices worth contacting before you hire anyone.

Are timeshares scams?

The timeshare itself usually isn't a scam in the legal sense, most are sold through disclosed contracts that comply with state real estate and timeshare statutes. But the sales tactics are frequently aggressive and misleading, and the resale market is functionally broken, which is why so many owners feel scammed even when no law was technically violated. The real scam risk sits downstream, in the exit and resale industry. The FTC has warned consumers directly about timeshare resale scams built around a false promise of a waiting buyer ^[1]. Common patterns include cold calls claiming a "buyer is already waiting" for your unit, demands for large upfront transfer or closing fees, and fake attorney letters claiming your timeshare has already been cancelled. Separately, the original timeshare purchase itself is where consumer protection law gives you real, enforceable rights: many states have a rescission period, sometimes called a cooling-off period, during which you can cancel a new timeshare purchase for any reason with no penalty. Florida's window, for example, is set by statute at 10 calendar days after signing or after receiving the public offering statement, whichever is later ^[3]. This window is short and varies by state, so confirm your state's rescission window directly rather than relying on what a salesperson told you. See our state-by-state breakdown at how to get out of a timeshare.

How much does a timeshare actually cost?

Original purchase price	$10,000 to $40,000+	Industry surveys put recent averages in the low-to-mid $20,000s
Resale price	$1 to $2,000	Deeded weeks often resell for a fraction of original price
Annual maintenance fee	$700 to $1,500+	Industry surveys put recent averages near $1,000 to $1,200
Special assessments	$500 to $5,000+	One-time, irregular, tied to repairs or disasters
Exit company fees	$2,000 to $10,000+	Wide range; verify against escrow, not full upfront payment	That exit company fee range deserves its own warning. Fees vary by contract type, deed vs. right-to-use, number of owners on title, and whether the resort is cooperating. Get a specific written quote, and be suspicious of round numbers pitched before anyone has reviewed your actual contract.

The purchase price and the ongoing cost are two very different numbers, and the ongoing cost is usually the bigger financial problem. Industry survey data compiled by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) has put average timeshare interval purchase prices in the low-to-mid $20,000s in recent years, though this varies enormously by brand, location, and unit size. Resale prices are a completely different story: it is common to find timeshare intervals resold for $1 to $500 on secondary marketplaces, because deeded weeks and points have almost no resale market and developers rarely repurchase. Annual maintenance fees are the recurring cost that catches owners off guard. Industry surveys have placed average annual maintenance fees in the roughly $1,000 to $1,200 range in recent years, and these fees typically rise faster than general inflation, often 3% to 5% per year or more, plus periodic special assessments for repairs or storm damage that can run into the thousands in a single year. | Cost type | Typical range | Notes |

How do you get out of a timeshare?

There are, realistically, four paths out of a timeshare: rescission, deed-back, resale or donation, and a paid exit service. Which one applies to you depends almost entirely on timing and whether the resort will take the property back. Rescission works only if you're still inside your state's cooling-off window after signing. This is the fastest, cheapest, and cleanest exit, usually requiring nothing more than a written notice sent by the method your contract specifies (often certified mail) before the deadline. Miss it by a day and you're back to owning the thing. Florida's statutory rescission period runs 10 days from signing or receipt of the public offering statement, whichever is later, under Fla. Stat. section 721.10 ^[3]. Every state sets its own window and rules, so confirm your state's specific statute rather than a generic number. Our guide to timeshare cancellation walks through notice requirements. Deed-back or surrender programs let you hand the deed back to the resort or management company, sometimes for free, sometimes for a transfer fee. Many major resort brands, including some Marriott Vacation Club, Hilton Grand Vacations, and Wyndham properties, run some form of voluntary surrender or "exit" program directly, though eligibility rules (paid-off loan, no delinquent fees, specific resort participation) vary and change over time, so contact the resort's owner services department directly to ask what currently applies to your specific contract. Resale is usually a financial loss but can end the ongoing maintenance fee bleeding. List through a licensed real estate broker in the resort's state if you go this route, and never pay an upfront fee to a resale company promising a buyer already exists. Paid exit companies make sense only when the resort won't take a deed-back, resale is hopeless, and you can verify the company's track record through your state AG's office as described above.

How to sell a timeshare, and does it actually work?

Selling is legally possible but financially disappointing for most owners. The secondary market for timeshares is so oversupplied that many licensed timeshare resale brokers openly tell sellers to expect little or nothing for their unit, and some owners end up paying a small transfer fee just to get someone else to take it off their hands. If you want to try selling: use a licensed real estate broker registered in the state where the resort sits (timeshare resale is regulated as real estate in most states), get a written listing agreement with no large upfront fee, and price realistically based on actual recent sales of comparable units, not what you originally paid. Some owners have success selling directly to other owners through official resort-affiliated resale programs or verified owner forums, which cut out the fee-charging middleman entirely. Be extremely wary of unsolicited calls claiming an eager buyer is waiting for exactly your unit. The FTC identifies this as one of the most common resale scam scripts targeting timeshare owners ^[1].

How to get rid of a timeshare when the resort won't take it back

This is the situation most owners searching for exit companies are actually in: the rescission window closed years ago, the resort's deed-back program either doesn't exist or won't accept the unit (often because of an unpaid loan balance or delinquent fees), and resale value is effectively zero. In this scenario, your realistic options narrow to three: keep paying and try again for a deed-back once the loan is paid off, hire a vetted exit company and accept the fee and timeline risk, or in rare cases pursue a legal challenge to the original contract if there's evidence of misrepresentation at the point of sale (this requires an actual attorney, not an exit company salesperson, and works only when there's real evidence, more than regret). What you should never do is stop paying maintenance fees or loan payments as a strategy to force the resort's hand. Unpaid timeshare debt can go to collections, get reported to credit bureaus, and in some states result in a deficiency judgment even after foreclosure on the timeshare interest. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's complaint database includes numerous consumer accounts of timeshare loan servicing and foreclosure disputes, which shows this is a real, recurring problem for delinquent owners ^[4]. If you're behind or falling behind, talk to a housing counselor or attorney about your specific state's foreclosure and debt rules before deciding to stop payments.

What should I do before signing with any exit company?

Get three things in writing before you pay anyone: the total fee and payment schedule, what specifically they will do (deed-back negotiation, legal filing, resale listing), and what happens if they can't complete it. Then do the free legwork yourself first. Call the resort's owner services line and ask directly whether they have a deed-back or surrender program right now; policies change, and many owners never ask. Check your state AG's website for complaints against the specific company you're considering. Read your original purchase contract closely for a right-to-cancel clause, some contracts include disclosure language beyond the statutory minimum. This is where a structured, low-cost approach beats an expensive one for a lot of owners. Our $149 one-time Exit Kit Builder walks you through the same document-gathering, resort contact, and rescission-check process a $3,000 exit company would charge for, without taking your case on contingency or asking for a large upfront retainer. It's not a promise of any particular outcome (nothing legitimately is), but it gives you the paperwork and process to pursue deed-back, rescission, or a documented resale attempt yourself. For owners who inherited a timeshare and are trying to figure out if they're even legally obligated to keep it, the answer depends on whether they accepted the estate or specifically disclaimed the timeshare interest during probate, which is a question for an estate attorney in the state where probate is happening, not an exit company.

How do you get out of a timeshare you inherited?

Inherited timeshares are their own category of headache because you never signed the original contract, and depending on your state, you may have the option to formally disclaim the inheritance before you accept it, which can mean walking away without ever taking on the maintenance fee obligation. The Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act, adopted in some form by many states, generally requires a written disclaimer within a set time after the decedent's death, so check your state's specific probate code deadline with an estate attorney ^[5]. Once an estate has already transferred the timeshare into your name, though, you're generally treated as the new owner subject to the same rules as anyone else: no special rescission right just because you inherited it. Contact the resort's owner services department to ask about deed-back eligibility, since some resorts are more willing to take back inherited units than units still under an active loan. A probate or estate attorney in the state where the deceased owner lived (or where the resort is located, if different) can tell you the actual disclaimer deadline and process, which varies by state probate law and is time-sensitive in most states.

What's the difference between rescission, deed-back, and an exit company?

These three terms get used loosely, and mixing them up costs owners real money and time. Rescission is a legal right that exists only for a short window right after signing, created by state statute, and it's free, you owe nothing and get a full refund of money paid. Deed-back is a voluntary program some resorts offer to take the property back, sometimes free, sometimes for a transfer or admin fee, available anytime but never guaranteed. An exit company is a paid third-party service that tries to negotiate a deed-back, pursue a legal exit, or facilitate resale on your behalf, typically costing thousands of dollars with no outcome guarantee. In plain terms: rescission is a right, deed-back is a favor the resort may grant, and an exit company is a service you're purchasing with real risk attached. Understanding which category you're actually in before you pay anyone is the single biggest factor in whether you end up satisfied or scammed. See how do you get out of a timeshare for the full decision tree.

Frequently asked questions

Does Consumer Reports have a list of the best timeshare exit companies?

No. Consumer Reports has not published a ranked list of timeshare exit companies. It has covered timeshare industry problems generally, and the FTC publishes direct scam warnings about timeshare resale and exit services. Any page claiming a "Consumer Reports top list" of exit companies should be treated as marketing, not journalism.

How do you get out of a timeshare?

Four realistic paths: rescission if you're still inside your state's statutory cooling-off window, a resort deed-back or surrender program if your loan is paid off and fees are current, resale through a licensed broker (expect little money back), or a vetted paid exit company as a last resort. Confirm your state's specific rescission window before assuming you've missed it.

How much do timeshares cost?

Industry survey data compiled by ARDA has put recent average purchase prices in the low-to-mid $20,000s and average annual maintenance fees near $1,000 to $1,200, though both vary widely by brand and location. Resale prices often fall to a few hundred dollars or less, since demand for used timeshares is very low.

Are timeshares scams?

The original timeshare contract usually isn't illegal, though sales tactics are often aggressive. The bigger scam risk is in the exit and resale industry: the FTC warns that many resale promoters collect upfront fees and never deliver a sale. Vet any exit company through your state attorney general's complaint database before paying.

How much is a timeshare exit company likely to cost?

Fees commonly range from about $2,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on contract complexity, number of owners on title, and whether the resort cooperates. Get a written, itemized quote and avoid paying the full amount upfront; ask about escrow arrangements tied to completed milestones instead.

How do I sell a timeshare?

List with a licensed real estate broker registered in the resort's state, price based on actual comparable resale sales (often just a few hundred dollars), and never pay an upfront fee to anyone claiming a buyer is already waiting. Resort-affiliated resale programs can also be worth checking before using a third party.

How can I get rid of a timeshare for free?

Ask the resort directly about a deed-back or surrender program; some accept units back at no cost if the loan is paid off and fees are current. If you're still within your state's rescission window from the original purchase, cancellation there is also free and requires no exit company at all.

What is a timeshare rescission period?

It's a state-law cooling-off window right after signing during which you can cancel a new timeshare purchase for any reason and get your money back, no penalty. Florida sets this at 10 days under Fla. Stat. section 721.10; other states set their own length and notice requirements, so confirm your specific state's rule.

Can an exit company guarantee they'll get me out of my timeshare?

No legitimate company can promise a specific outcome, because deed-back acceptance or any legal resolution depends on the resort or a court, not the exit company. Treat any promise of a certain cancellation, or any request for full payment upfront before work begins, as a serious warning sign.

What happens if I just stop paying my timeshare maintenance fees?

This isn't a safe exit strategy. Unpaid fees or loan payments can go to collections, damage your credit, and in some states lead to foreclosure on the timeshare interest and even a deficiency judgment for the remaining balance. Talk to a housing counselor or attorney before falling behind intentionally.

How do I get out of an inherited timeshare?

If the estate hasn't finished transferring it to you, ask a probate attorney about formally disclaiming the interest under your state's version of the Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act, which in many states means you never become the legal owner. If it's already in your name, you're treated like any other owner and can pursue deed-back or rescission only if timing allows.

What's the difference between a deed-back and a timeshare exit company?

A deed-back is a free or low-cost voluntary program some resorts offer to take a unit back directly. An exit company is a paid third-party service, often thousands of dollars, that tries to negotiate that deed-back or pursue another exit on your behalf. Always ask the resort about deed-back first.

Sources

1. Federal Trade Commission, "Timeshares" consumer advice article: FTC consumer guidance describing timeshare resale and exit scam patterns, including upfront fees collected without delivering a promised sale
2. Florida Attorney General, Consumer Complaint Form: Florida owners can file and search consumer complaints against companies, including timeshare exit and relief firms
3. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Consumer Complaint Database: Consumers file recurring complaints about timeshare loan servicing, collections, and foreclosure practices
4. Uniform Law Commission, Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act: States have adopted disclaimer statutes allowing heirs to formally decline an inherited interest, including timeshares, within a set deadline
5. Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. section 45: The FTC's general legal authority to pursue companies for unfair or deceptive practices, the basis for its timeshare resale and exit enforcement