Last updated 2026-07-26
TL;DR
Timeshare Exit Team was a brand name used by Reed Hein & Associates. Washington's Attorney General sued the company in 2019 for deceptive practices and won a judgment of over $23.7 million in 2022. The company shut down. If you paid them, you likely won't see full restitution, and you need a new exit plan.
what happened to Timeshare Exit Team?
Timeshare Exit Team was the consumer-facing brand name for Reed Hein & Associates, LLC, a Seattle-area company that marketed itself as a way out of timeshare contracts. The Washington State Attorney General's Office sued the company in January 2019, alleging it violated the state's Consumer Protection Act by making deceptive claims about its "100% money-back guarantee" and misleading customers about how the exit process actually worked [1]. The case ended badly for the company. In March 2022, a King County Superior Court judge entered judgment against Reed Hein & Associates and its owner Brandon Reed for more than $23.7 million, covering restitution to consumers and civil penalties [2]. The Attorney General's office said the company had collected upfront fees, often $5,000 to $10,000 or more per customer, and in many cases failed to get people out of their timeshares at all, while also advising some customers to stop paying their timeshare loans and maintenance fees, which damaged their credit [1]. Reed Hein had already told customers in 2021 that it was closing, citing the pending litigation and financial strain. The Attorney General's press release on the final judgment stated plainly that the company "deceived thousands of consumers nationwide" [2]. If you're searching for whatever happened to Timeshare Exit Team because you paid them and never got resolution, this is the short version: the business you paid no longer exists in that form, and the legal case confirms the core complaints were real, more than unhappy customers venting online.
was Timeshare Exit Team a scam?
Based on the public court record, yes, in the legal sense that matters. A state Attorney General's office doesn't file a Consumer Protection Act lawsuit and win a $23.7 million judgment over a company that was merely disappointing. The court found the conduct violated Washington's consumer protection statute [1] [2]. The specific problems the AG's office identified are worth knowing because they show up in other exit companies too. The lawsuit alleged the company advertised a money-back guarantee that had so many conditions and exclusions that it was nearly impossible to actually collect on. It alleged the company misrepresented how long the process would take and what methods it would use. And it alleged the company told customers to stop paying their timeshare maintenance fees and loan payments as part of the "exit" strategy, which in many cases led to default, foreclosure, and credit damage instead of a clean exit [1]. That last point matters for anyone considering a similar company today. Stopping payments you legally owe is not a hack. It can trigger foreclosure on the timeshare, collections activity, and a lasting mark on your credit report. Nobody should be advised to do that as a strategy, and no legitimate exit approach requires it.
if I paid Timeshare Exit Team, can I get my money back?
Maybe some of it, but don't expect a full refund and don't expect it fast. Judgments against defunct or financially drained companies are often only partially collectible. The Washington Attorney General's office pursued restitution as part of the $23.7 million judgment, but actual recovery for individual consumers depends on what assets the company and its owner have left to seize [2]. If you paid Reed Hein / Timeshare Exit Team and never got the outcome promised, a few concrete steps are worth taking. File a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, since that office already has an open case history on this company. File a complaint with the FTC as well, at reportfraud.ftc.gov, because the FTC tracks patterns across timeshare exit complaints nationally even when it isn't the lead enforcer on a specific case. If you paid by credit card, look into a chargeback, though card issuers often have a 60 to 120 day dispute window from the statement date, so this option may already be closed depending on when you paid. Check your state's court records or your state Attorney General's consumer alerts page too. Some states have run their own actions against exit companies and may have separate restitution funds or claims processes.
how do you get out of a timeshare now?
Start with the fastest and cheapest option available to you: rescission. Every state gives timeshare buyers a window after signing to cancel for any reason, no explanation needed, but the length varies a lot by state and the clock starts from the date you signed or received the required disclosure documents, whichever your state's law specifies. Some states give as few as 3 business days; others give 15 or more. Confirm your state's rescission window before assuming you've missed it, because the deadline calculation isn't always simple. Our rescission by state guide walks through how to find your state's rule and send a proper cancellation letter. If you're past rescission, the next things to check, in rough order of cost, are: a deed-back or surrender program run directly by your resort developer (some major chains offer these for owners current on fees), selling on the resale market (expect little to no money for the timeshare itself, since resale values are often near zero), or working with a licensed real estate attorney in your state to review your contract for actual legal exits like developer breach or non-disclosure. What you should not do is pay a large upfront fee to a company promising a fast, no-questions-asked exit before doing any of that. That's exactly the pattern that got Reed Hein sued. See our timeshare exit companies breakdown for how to vet a company before paying anyone.
how to get rid of a timeshare when it's outside the rescission window?
Once rescission has passed, you're dealing with a real contract, and exits get slower and sometimes cost money instead of making it. There's no shortcut that legitimately works overnight. Here's the realistic order of options. First, contact your resort or the developer directly and ask about a deed-back, surrender, or "exit" program. Several large timeshare companies (Marriott Vacation Club, Hilton Grand Vacations, and Wyndham have all had some version of a deed-back or surrender path at various points) will take a property back if you're current on maintenance fees and the deed is free of liens, though terms and availability change over time so you need to ask directly. Second, consider resale, understanding that most timeshares resell for a small fraction of what was paid, and many resale listings sit for years or sell for $1 just to get out from under fees. Third, if the timeshare was inherited and you never used or wanted it, some states and probate processes allow disclaiming inherited property before you accept it, which can avoid taking on the obligation at all; a probate attorney in the state where the estate is being settled can tell you whether that's still possible in your situation. Our deed-back programs resource and timeshare cancellation guide go deeper on each of these paths.
are timeshares scams?
The timeshare product itself is legal in all 50 states and regulated at the state level, typically through real estate law, so "timeshares are a scam" isn't quite accurate as a blanket statement. But the sales process and the exit industry both have real, well-documented scam patterns that the product's legality doesn't excuse. On the sales side, the FTC's consumer guidance on timeshares warns buyers to watch for high-pressure sales tactics and notes that many buyers regret the purchase once they understand ongoing fees and how hard resale is [3]. On the exit side, the FTC has separately warned that timeshare resale and exit scams often involve upfront fees, promises of a guaranteed buyer or an easy way out of the contract, and pressure to decide fast, matching almost exactly what happened with Timeshare Exit Team [4]. So the honest answer: timeshares aren't scams in the sense of being illegal, but the industry around them, both original sales and later "help me get out" services, has a documented pattern of aggressive and sometimes fraudulent tactics that a careful buyer or owner needs to watch for at every stage.
how much does a timeshare cost?
Two separate costs matter here: what you pay upfront, and what you pay every year afterward, and the second one is the part that surprises people. Upfront purchase prices for a timeshare interval have historically ranged widely, often anywhere from a few thousand dollars for a smaller or older resale unit to $20,000-$40,000 or more for a new-purchase deeded week or points package at a major resort brand, though these figures move with the market and vary enormously by location and unit size. Ongoing annual maintenance fees are the number that tends to hurt owners over time. According to the American Resort Development Association's owner research, average annual maintenance fees have been reported in the range of roughly $1,000 to $1,120 per interval in recent years, and they generally rise faster than general inflation because they cover a resort's actual operating and renovation costs [5]. On top of maintenance fees, owners can get hit with special assessments, one-time extra charges for major repairs, storm damage, or renovations that aren't covered by the regular annual fee. These can run from a few hundred dollars to several thousand per owner depending on the project. None of this is refunded if you stop paying; it just turns into a debt and potential credit and collections problem, which is exactly why so many owners look for an exit years after buying.
how to sell a timeshare (and what it's actually worth)
You can sell a timeshare, but you need to reset your expectations on price before you start. The resale market for timeshares is flooded and thin at the same time: a lot of sellers, few buyers willing to pay real money, because buyers know they can often find a similar unit for very little. Realistic steps: get a written estimate of current resale value from a licensed timeshare resale broker before doing anything else, list only through a company that doesn't charge a large upfront fee (a small closing/transfer fee taken at the point of actual sale is normal; a big fee to "list" or "guarantee a buyer" before any sale happens is a red flag the FTC specifically warns about [4]), and be honest with yourself that many weeks, especially older or non-branded ones, sell for $1 to a few hundred dollars, or don't sell at all. Points-based systems at major branded resorts can sometimes hold more resale value than deeded fixed weeks, but even those rarely return anything close to the original purchase price. If a broker tells you your unit is worth thousands and asks for money upfront to "process" the sale, get a second opinion before paying anything. That combination, high value promise plus upfront fee, is the classic resale scam pattern regulators warn about.
how do you avoid another Timeshare Exit Team situation?
The Reed Hein case gives a pretty specific checklist of red flags, straight from what the lawsuit alleged the company did wrong [1]. Watch for these in any company you're considering. 1. A "money-back guarantee" with conditions you can't get in writing clearly, or that seem designed to be hard to trigger. 2. Any advice to stop paying your maintenance fees or loan as part of the exit strategy. This is a warning sign, not a tactic, and can lead to foreclosure and credit damage. 3. A large upfront fee, paid before any work is verified as done, especially anything above a modest deposit. 4. Pressure to sign or pay within the same call or same day. 5. Vague answers about exactly what method they'll use to get you out (deed-back, litigation, negotiation) and no named attorney or law firm doing the legal work. Before paying anyone, check your state Attorney General's consumer protection page for open or past actions against that specific company name, check the Better Business Bureau file for complaint patterns, and ask for a written contract you can take home and review, not sign on the spot. Our timeshare call list has questions worth asking any company before you pay them anything.
what should I do if I'm still stuck with the timeshare?
If you're past rescission, don't have a viable deed-back option yet, and can't sell it for anything, you still have paths, they're just slower and require more of your own legwork. Start by getting your paperwork in order: the original purchase contract, your deed, your most recent maintenance fee statement, and any correspondence with the resort. This is the foundation for any legit exit method, whether that's a deed-back application, a resale listing, or a conversation with an attorney. A self-directed approach, using a structured document kit to organize your rescission letter (if you're still in window), your deed-back request, and your written records, costs a lot less than paying a company thousands of dollars to make phone calls on your behalf. That's the gap our $149 Timeshare Exit Kit is built for: a one-time cost to get organized paperwork and a clear step-by-step path, instead of an open-ended retainer with a company promising results it may not deliver. Whatever path you take, keep paying your legally owed maintenance fees and loan payments while you sort out your exit, unless and until a deed transfer, foreclosure, or legal release actually happens. Stopping payment as a strategy is exactly what regulators flagged as harmful in the Reed Hein case, and it can wreck your credit even if the exit eventually works out [1].
Frequently asked questions
What exactly happened to Timeshare Exit Team?
Timeshare Exit Team was the brand name for Reed Hein & Associates, LLC. Washington's Attorney General sued the company in 2019 for deceptive practices, and a court entered a judgment of over $23.7 million against it in March 2022. The company shut down operations around 2021 amid the litigation and financial pressure.
Is Reed Hein & Associates still in business?
No. Reed Hein & Associates, which operated as Timeshare Exit Team, told customers in 2021 it was closing. The Washington Attorney General's office finalized a judgment of over $23.7 million against the company and its owner in March 2022 following its Consumer Protection Act lawsuit.
Can I get a refund from Timeshare Exit Team?
Possibly a partial one, but recovery depends on what assets remain to satisfy the court judgment. File a complaint with the Washington Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division and with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If you paid by credit card, check whether your dispute window has already closed.
How do I get out of a timeshare?
First check if you're still inside your state's rescission window; every state allows cancellation for any reason during a short period after signing, though the length varies by state. Past that window, look at developer deed-back or surrender programs, resale (expect low value), or a real estate attorney review before ever paying a large upfront fee to an exit company.
How do you get out of a timeshare if it was inherited?
If you haven't formally accepted the inheritance, ask a probate attorney in the state handling the estate whether you can disclaim the timeshare before taking it on, which can avoid the obligation entirely. If you've already accepted it, you're generally treated as any other owner and need to pursue deed-back, resale, or another legal exit.
How much does a timeshare cost per year?
Beyond the purchase price, annual maintenance fees have averaged roughly $1,000 to $1,120 per interval in recent industry owner surveys from the American Resort Development Association, and they typically rise faster than general inflation. Special assessments for repairs or renovations can add several hundred to several thousand dollars more in a given year.
Are timeshares a scam?
The timeshare product itself is legal and regulated at the state level, so it isn't a scam in that sense. But the FTC warns that timeshare sales often involve high-pressure tactics, and the exit industry has documented upfront-fee scam patterns, including the case against Timeshare Exit Team, that owners need to watch for closely.
How do I sell my timeshare?
Get a realistic value estimate from a licensed resale broker first, since most timeshares resell for a small fraction of the purchase price, sometimes $1 to a few hundred dollars. List only with brokers charging fees at closing, not large fees upfront, since upfront-fee resale promises are a common scam pattern flagged by the FTC.
What is a timeshare rescission period?
It's a legally guaranteed window after you sign a timeshare purchase contract during which you can cancel for any reason, no justification required. Every state sets its own length and start date for this window, so you need to confirm your specific state's rescission rule rather than assume a standard number of days.
Should I stop paying my timeshare maintenance fees to force an exit?
No. Stopping payments you legally owe was part of what Washington's Attorney General alleged Reed Hein/Timeshare Exit Team advised customers to do, and it often led to default, foreclosure, and credit damage instead of a clean exit. Keep paying until a deed transfer, foreclosure, or legal release is actually finalized.
How can I tell if a timeshare exit company is legitimate?
Be wary of guarantee promises that sound too easy, large fees paid entirely upfront, pressure to sign the same day, and any advice to stop paying fees or the loan. Check the company name against your state Attorney General's consumer protection page and the Better Business Bureau before paying anything.
How much do timeshares typically cost to buy?
Purchase prices vary enormously by resort brand, location, and unit size, historically ranging from a few thousand dollars for a smaller resale interval to $20,000 to $40,000 or more for a new-purchase deeded week or points package at a major branded resort. Resale value afterward is usually far lower than the original price paid.
Sources
- Washington State Office of the Attorney General, press release announcing lawsuit against Reed Hein & Associates: The AG alleged deceptive money-back guarantee claims and advice to stop paying maintenance fees/loans
- Washington State Office of the Attorney General, press release on final judgment against Reed Hein & Associates: Court entered a judgment of over $23.7 million against Reed Hein & Associates and its owner in March 2022
- Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Advice: Timeshares and Vacation Plans (archived guidance, Cornell Legal Information Institute mirror of FTC consumer guidance on timeshare sales pressure): Timeshare sales practices are subject to disclosure and cooling-off rules meant to counter high-pressure tactics
- Federal Trade Commission, press release on timeshare resale scam enforcement action: Timeshare resale and exit scams commonly involve upfront fees and guaranteed buyer promises
- American Resort Development Association (ARDA), ARDA International Foundation State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry report summary: Average annual timeshare maintenance fees have been reported around $1,000 to $1,120 per interval in recent owner research