Last updated 2026-07-26
TL;DR
If you just signed with Capital Vacations, check your state's rescission statute immediately; most windows are 3 to 15 days and you must cancel in writing. Past that window, your options are deed-back or surrender programs (if offered), resale, or working through your loan/fee obligations. Never pay a large upfront fee to a company promising a fast, no-questions-asked exit.
How do I cancel a Capital Vacations timeshare during the rescission period?
Capital Vacations, based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, sells and manages vacation ownership interests across a network of resorts in states including South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, and others. Like every timeshare seller in the U.S., its contracts are subject to state rescission ("cooling-off") laws that give a buyer a short window to cancel for any reason, no explanation needed. The first thing to do is find out which state's law governs your contract. That's usually the state where you signed, which may not be your home state if you bought while on vacation. South Carolina's timeshare law, for example, gives buyers a rescission period and requires written notice; check South Carolina Code Title 27, Chapter 32 for the specifics that apply to your purchase [1]. Florida, where many Capital Vacations-affiliated resorts sit, gives purchasers 10 calendar days to cancel under Florida Statutes section 721.10 [2]. Don't call the sales office and say "I want out." Verbal cancellation is legally weak and hard to prove later. Send written notice, by the method your contract specifies (often certified mail with return receipt, sometimes email to a named address in the documents), before the deadline. Keep a copy of everything: the notice, the mailing receipt, the contract's rescission clause. If your contract lists a specific address or fax number for cancellation notices, use that exact one. Some contracts also require you to state the contract number and date of purchase. Generic guidance: confirm your state's rescission window before you do anything else. These deadlines are counted in calendar days in most states, not business days, and they start running from the date you signed or the date you received the last required disclosure document, whichever the statute specifies. Miss it by even a day and you may lose the automatic right to cancel.
What if my rescission period has already passed?
Once the rescission window closes, you don't have a legal right to cancel just because you changed your mind. You're now looking at options like deed-back or surrender programs, resale, or, in narrow circumstances, a legal challenge based on misrepresentation or fraud in the original sale. Some developers run their own exit or surrender programs. Whether Capital Vacations offers a formal deed-back program isn't something we can confirm; developer programs change over time and eligibility rules vary by resort and contract type. The only reliable way to find out is to contact Capital Vacations owner services directly and ask, in writing, whether a deed-back, surrender, or take-back program exists for your specific ownership. Ask for the terms in writing before agreeing to anything, and ask whether there's a fee attached (some deed-back programs charge one, some don't). If a program doesn't exist or you don't qualify, resale is the next avenue. Be realistic about value; more below on why. If you believe you were lied to during the sales presentation (false statements about resale value, rental income guarantees, or investment potential are common complaints in the industry), that may support a fraud or misrepresentation claim, which is a legal matter for an attorney licensed in the state where you bought, not something a self-help article can resolve. See how to get out of a timeshare for a broader walkthrough of post-rescission paths, and timeshare cancellation for how the process differs by ownership type (deeded vs. right-to-use).
How do you get out of a timeshare after the deadline has passed?
There are really four honest paths once rescission is off the table: developer deed-back/surrender, resale, gifting/donating (rare, and often the receiving party still owes fees), or living with it and cutting costs. There is no fifth path where a company magically voids a valid contract for a fee; if someone tells you otherwise, that's the scam pattern. Deed-back means the developer takes the deed back, usually for no cash to you, sometimes for a processing fee. This is the cleanest exit when available because it ends your legal ownership and maintenance fee obligation going forward. It does not erase fees or assessments you already owe. Resale means listing your week or points on a resale marketplace or through a licensed timeshare resale broker. Expect a low sale price, often near zero, because the secondary market is flooded with sellers and few buyers. Consumer complaint data and industry trade groups both point to resale values for timeshares typically landing far below what owners paid, with many listings selling for a token amount or simply not selling at all [3]. If none of these work quickly, you keep the ownership and keep paying, while you sort out a longer-term exit. That's not satisfying advice, but it's the honest one: don't stop paying maintenance fees or a loan just because you're frustrated. Unpaid timeshare fees can go to collections, hurt your credit, and in some states the association can foreclose on a deeded interest, similar to a home foreclosure process.
How to sell a timeshare when you don't want it anymore
Selling a timeshare works nothing like selling a house. You are almost never going to recover your original purchase price, and in a large share of cases the realistic resale value is close to zero. Start by getting your contract details straight: which resort, deeded week or points, fixed or floating week, and current maintenance fee. List it on a reputable timeshare resale marketplace or through a broker who is a licensed real estate agent in the resort's state (real estate licensing is state-regulated; verify a broker through your state's real estate commission). Price it low. A listing priced near what you paid will sit unsold for years. Watch for two common scams in the resale space. First, upfront transfer fee scams: a company calls saying they have a buyer lined up, but you need to pay a transfer, closing, or tax fee first. Real closings for timeshare resales typically deduct fees from proceeds or bill at closing, not months in advance with no buyer confirmed. Second, relisting scams: a company charges you an upfront fee to "list" your timeshare on multiple sites, with no buyer ever materializing. The Federal Trade Commission has warned specifically about this pattern: a caller claims to have a buyer ready and asks for money upfront before any sale closes. Its guidance is blunt about verifying any company's licensing and never wiring money to a stranger claiming to have a buyer ready [4]. If you get a call like this about your Capital Vacations ownership, treat it as a red flag, not an opportunity.
How to get rid of a timeshare you inherited or no longer use
Inherited timeshares are a specific headache because the heir often doesn't want the ownership and didn't sign the original contract, yet may still be on the hook for fees once the estate transfers the deed (or once probate assigns it to them). If you're the executor of an estate that includes a timeshare, you generally aren't required to accept it on behalf of the estate; an executor can disclaim or renounce inherited property under most state probate laws, though the exact mechanism and deadlines vary by state. Once accepted into the estate or transferred to an heir, though, the fee obligation usually follows the deed. Contact the developer's owner services (Capital Vacations owner services, in this case) and ask specifically about heir deed-back options; many developers have a process for this because it's a common situation and messy foreclosures on deceased owners' accounts aren't good for anyone. Ask in writing, get any agreement in writing, and don't sign a new contract or agree to "upgrade" out of the inherited ownership without independent review, since upgrade pitches during this vulnerable moment are a known upsell tactic in the industry. If you're not the executor and the timeshare passed to you directly, the disclaimer process (formally refusing an inheritance) needs to happen within strict timing rules that vary by state and, for tax reasons, generally within nine months of the decedent's death under federal disclaimer rules if you want it treated as a qualified disclaimer for tax purposes (see 26 U.S. Code section 2518). Talk to a probate attorney before the estate closes, not after.
Are timeshares scams?
The timeshare product itself is legal and regulated in every state, so "timeshares" as a category aren't a scam in the legal sense. But the industry has a real, well-documented history of aggressive and sometimes deceptive sales tactics, and a separate, very active scam ecosystem has grown up around owners trying to exit. On the sales side, state attorneys general have brought enforcement actions against timeshare developers and marketing companies for misleading claims about investment value, resale guarantees, and high-pressure tactics. The FTC has published consumer alerts specifically warning about timeshare resale and exit scams, noting a common pattern: a caller claims to have a buyer, asks for money upfront, then disappears [4]. On the exit side, the scam is usually not the original timeshare contract, it's a second company that calls or emails owners promising a fast exit with no real chance of failure, for a large upfront fee, sometimes thousands of dollars, then does little or nothing. Some of these operations have been shut down by state attorneys general; consumers should check a company's standing with their state AG's consumer protection division and the Better Business Bureau before paying anyone for exit help [5]. So the honest answer: timeshares are a legitimate but often poor-value product for most buyers, sold with sales tactics that regulators have repeatedly flagged, and the exit industry that sprang up to help owners leave has its own serious scam problem. Read timeshare exit companies before you hire anyone, and check our timeshare call list for who's actually worth contacting versus who to avoid.
How much do timeshares cost, and how much is a Capital Vacations timeshare?
Timeshare prices vary a lot by brand, resort location, unit size, and season, so there's no single national number that applies to every purchase, including Capital Vacations properties specifically. The American Resort Development Association's State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry data has put the average per-interval purchase price for a timeshare at roughly $20,000 to $24,000 in recent years, though individual sales range from a few thousand dollars for older or smaller-market resorts to well over $40,000 for newer points-based products at premium resorts . That purchase price is only the entry cost. Annual maintenance fees are the recurring cost that catches owners off guard, and they rise most years. Industry-reported averages have put annual maintenance fees in the range of roughly $1,000 to $1,400 depending on unit size and resort, and these fees are separate from special assessments, which resorts can levy for large repairs, storm damage, or renovations . On top of the sticker price, financed timeshare purchases often carry high interest rates, sometimes in the mid-teens or higher, well above a typical mortgage or even many credit cards, because timeshare interests are harder to repossess and resell than a house. If you financed through the developer, check your note for the actual annual percentage rate; it's usually disclosed in the closing documents required under the federal Truth in Lending Act . Bottom line: between purchase price, financing costs, annual maintenance fees that tend to increase most years, and periodic special assessments, the real lifetime cost of a timeshare purchased for $20,000 to $25,000 can run well into six figures over 20 to 30 years of ownership, which is exactly why so many owners eventually look for an exit.
What should I do before paying anyone to cancel my Capital Vacations timeshare?
Before you pay a single dollar to a third-party "exit company," do these five things. First, re-read your original contract for the rescission clause and any deed-back or surrender language specific to Capital Vacations. Second, call Capital Vacations owner services directly and ask, in writing, what internal exit options exist; this costs nothing and is often skipped. Third, check the company you're considering hiring against your state attorney general's consumer complaint database and the FTC's scam alert pages [4] [5]. Fourth, never pay 100% of a fee upfront; some states specifically restrict or regulate upfront fee collection for timeshare resale and transfer services. Fifth, get everything in writing, including a specific, written description of what the company will do and by when. No legitimate company can promise they'll get you out of a valid, binding contract with certainty. Anyone who promises a certain outcome, pressures you to sign or pay same-day, or asks for payment by wire transfer or gift card is showing you scam behavior, not a service. We put together a self-directed Timeshare Exit Kit ($149 one-time) that walks owners through the actual documents and letters used in deed-back requests, rescission notices, and dispute correspondence, for people who want to try the do-it-yourself route before paying a company thousands of dollars. It's not a guarantee of any particular outcome (nobody can honestly offer that), and we don't contact the resort on your behalf; it's a structured set of templates and step-by-step guidance built from how these processes actually work. If you'd rather build your own packet, see the exit-kit-builder.
How does canceling Capital Vacations compare to other exit paths?
| Exit path | Timing | Typical cost to you | Reliability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rescission (cooling-off cancellation) | Days only, per state statute | $0 (may lose small processing fee) | High, if filed correctly and on time | |
| Developer deed-back/surrender | Anytime, if program exists | $0 to a few hundred dollars in some programs | Depends entirely on developer offering it | |
| Resale via broker/marketplace | Months to years | Broker commission, often a low or $0 net sale | Low; most resales net little or nothing | |
| Hiring a third-party exit company | Weeks to years, varies widely | Often $2,000 to $8,000+ upfront, per FTC/state AG complaint patterns | Mixed; many complaints of no result [4] [5] | |
| Do nothing, keep paying | Ongoing | Annual maintenance fee, rising most years | Certain cost, no exit | Rescission is the fastest and cheapest path by far, which is exactly why acting inside your state's window matters so much. Everything after that gets slower, less certain, or more expensive. |
Frequently asked questions
How do I cancel a Capital Vacations timeshare contract?
Check your state's rescission statute immediately (the state where you signed governs). Send written cancellation notice by the method your contract requires, before the deadline, and keep proof of mailing. If the window has passed, contact Capital Vacations owner services in writing to ask about deed-back or surrender options.
How to get out of a timeshare after the rescission period ends?
Your main options are a developer deed-back or surrender program if one exists, resale through a licensed broker or marketplace, or continuing to pay while you plan a longer exit. There's no legal mechanism to void a valid contract just because you regret signing it; be very wary of anyone who says otherwise.
How do you get out of a timeshare if the developer won't take it back?
List it for resale at a realistic (often very low) price through a licensed real estate broker in the resort's state, or a reputable resale marketplace. You can also consult a real estate or consumer attorney about your specific contract, especially if the original sale involved misrepresentation.
How to sell a timeshare when nobody seems to want it?
Price it near or at a token amount, since the secondary market is oversupplied; industry and consumer groups both note resale values are typically far below purchase price. Use a licensed broker, verify their state real estate license, and never pay a large upfront fee to someone claiming they already have a buyer.
How to get rid of a timeshare I inherited?
As executor, you may be able to disclaim the property on behalf of the estate under your state's probate law. As an individual heir, a qualified disclaimer generally must happen within nine months of the decedent's death under 26 U.S. Code section 2518. Talk to a probate attorney before deadlines pass.
Are timeshares scams?
The product itself is legal and regulated, but the industry has a documented history of high-pressure and misleading sales tactics, per state AG enforcement actions and FTC consumer alerts. A separate scam problem exists around timeshare exit and resale companies charging large upfront fees and delivering nothing.
How much is a timeshare, on average?
ARDA industry data has put the average purchase price around $20,000 to $24,000 per interval in recent years, though individual prices range from a few thousand dollars to $40,000+ depending on resort, unit size, and points structure. Annual maintenance fees typically run roughly $1,000 to $1,400 on top of that.
How much do timeshares cost over time, including fees?
Beyond the purchase price, expect annual maintenance fees (commonly $1,000 to $1,400, rising most years per industry data), periodic special assessments for repairs, and, if financed, interest rates that can run into the mid-teens or higher. Total lifetime cost often reaches well into six figures.
What is Capital Vacations' rescission period?
It depends on which state's law governs your contract, usually the state where you signed. South Carolina and Florida both have statutory rescission periods for timeshare purchases; confirm your specific state's rule and count days exactly as the statute defines, since some use calendar days from signing or from receipt of final disclosures.
Can I cancel my timeshare by phone or email?
Only if your contract specifically allows that method and address for rescission notices; many require written notice by certified mail. A phone call alone is weak proof of cancellation. Always follow the exact method listed in your contract and keep copies of everything you send.
Should I pay an exit company to cancel my Capital Vacations timeshare?
Be cautious. No legitimate company can promise with certainty that they'll cancel a valid contract, and the FTC has repeatedly warned about upfront-fee timeshare exit scams. Check any company against your state attorney general's complaint database first, and avoid anyone demanding full payment upfront or pressuring same-day decisions.
What happens if I just stop paying my Capital Vacations maintenance fees?
Don't do this as a strategy. Unpaid fees typically go to collections, can hurt your credit, and in many states the resort association can foreclose on a deeded timeshare similar to a home foreclosure. Address the obligation directly through deed-back, resale, or a payment plan instead of ignoring it.
Sources
- South Carolina Legislature, Vacation Time Sharing Plans Act: South Carolina's statutory framework governing timeshare rescission and disclosure requirements
- Florida Legislature, Florida Statutes Chapter 721.10: Florida gives timeshare purchasers 10 calendar days to cancel a purchase contract
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Consumer Complaint Database (timeshare category): Resale values for timeshares are typically far below original purchase price, based on owner complaint patterns
- Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute, 26 U.S. Code section 2518: Qualified disclaimer of inherited property must generally occur within nine months of the decedent's death for federal tax purposes
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z) overview, 12 CFR Part 1026: Financed purchases must disclose annual percentage rate under Truth in Lending Act requirements