TATOC, known as the Timeshare Association, is introducing to consumers the opportunity to use a mediation service to further strengthen their successful consumer helpline facility presently offered.

TATOC is a consumer based Association formed as a notforprofit company in 1989. Its principle objective is to safeguard and enhance the timeshare holiday experience for existing and prospective users and to be the voice of timeshare owners. In line with its commitment to consumers TATOC is introducing to consumers the opportunity to use a mediation service to further strengthen the Helpline facility presently offered.

The Helpline is open to ALL consumers and offers information and assistance where possible, to help consumers resolve their problems within the timeshare industry. Although very successful there are times when the information does not assist in totally resolving the problem.

Mediators do not provide a judgement of the dispute. The mediator assists the parties in reaching an agreement. Mediation does not prevent any party from taking matters further within the law.

TATOC can provide a list of persons who are qualified or have experience of mediation and certain lawyers have been approached to see if they are prepared to be included in the list. It is the responsibility of the mediator to inform client how they would carry out the mediation. It is not the intention that TATOC recommends any particular lawyer or mediator; the consumer or committee will be given a list of TATOC approved mediators who have agreed to abide by the following parameters.

The requirements of a mediator are to provide:-

1.To undertake to maintain client confidentiality and to ask the parties to enter into a confidentiality agreement prior to mediation.
2.To refuse to take on any mediation where there may be a conflict of interest.
3.To provide a quote for costs and fees related to the amount of the claim and possibly to charge a maximum fee of 250 to an individual consumer where the claim is valued at less than 5,000.

The following mediators are available:

Chris Bannister - United Kingdom
Gregory Rowcliffe Milners
c.bannister@grm.co.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
(00 44 ) 207 242 0631

Vera Liprandi - Canary Islands
DeCotta McKenna Santaf
veraliprandi@decottalaw.netThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
(00 34) 922 719 520

Sandra Wrightson - Spain
DeCotta McKenna Santaf
sandrawrightson@decottalaw.netThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
(00 34) 952 93 17 81

John Hughes - United Kingdom
Shakespeare Putsman LLP
john.hughes@sp-legal.co.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
(00 44) 0121 237 3000

Alex Radford - Spain
Irwin Mitchell Abogados
alex.radford@irwinmitchell.esThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
(00 34) 952 209 860

TATOC, the Timeshare Association, was TATOC was formed in 1989 and is the only elected consumer association representing the interests of timeshare owners in Europe. Member resorts are located across Europe giving TATOC access to over 250,000 timeshare-owning families. The mission of TATOC is to safeguard and enhance the timeshare holiday experience for existing and prospective users and to be the voice of owners. In 2010, TATOC has focused not only on increasing the membership base but also raising the profile of the Association, establishing TATOC as the recognized voice of the timeshare consumer and an informed point of contact.

The industry association for the shared ownership industry in Australia is the latest corporate supporter of Perspective Magazines first annual networking and awards event.

Timeshare and fractional industry information provider Perspective Magazine announces that the Australian Timeshare and Holiday Ownership Council (ATHOC) will be participating as a GNEX 2011 Supporter during the First Annual Global Networking Expo. GNEX 2011 and the Perspective Magazine Awards Gala will be held May 11th-12th, 2011 at the magnificent Atlantis Resort in Nassau, Bahamas.

ATHOC is delighted to be a supporter of GNEX 2011 and the Perspective Magazine Awards which offers organizations a terrific opportunity to showcase themselves and our region on the international stage. With 18 award categories on offer, there is something for everyone to consider applying for, and we recommend companies take up the challenge and represent our region!, Laura Younger, General Manager of ATHOC.

The networking expo will feature an exhibitor hall with creative workshops, in-depth networking sessions and areas for one-on-one meetings so business can be conducted. The event will also include a welcome reception, networking time and the Perspective Magazine Awards Gala dinner where industry nominees will vie for the coveted title of Best In The World.

ATHOC has worked since 1994 to represent all interests involved in the Australian timeshare industry, and to work towards national industry best practices. The non-profit group operates with an elected board representing a range of membership categories covering resorts, timeshare owners, developers and promoters, marketers, exchange companies and organizations providing professional advice to the timeshare industry. The board works closely with members, advocates, and administrative and regulatory bodies throughout Australia to achieve the vision and mission of ATHOC.

We are delighted that ATHOC have agreed to support our event and help support the Australian regions participation in our event and awards program. We appreciate that Australia is a long way from the Bahamas, but thats what makes this event truly global and having recently visited New Zealand for this years ATHOC conference, we are looking forward to recommending and promoting their event next year to our delegates as an opportunity to learn more about prospective collaborations with companies from that region., said Paul Mattimoe, President and CEO, Perspective Magazine.

In addition to supporting GNEX 2011, ATHOC will host its next annual industry conference in September 11, 12th and 13th, 2011 on the beautiful Gold Coast.

Sponsors and supporters of GNEX 2011 include:

Absolute World, Connex Marketing Group, First American Title Insurance Company, RCI, First National Trustee Company, Ragatz Fractional Interest Conference, VOASA, ATHOC and Christel House International as Charity of Choice.

For more information and to find out how your company can participate in GNEX 2011, please visit http://perspectivemagazine.com/gnex.

They have always been seen as innovators within the industry but now Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket has embraced the world of the new digital media with their own Facebook pages, Twitter account and even a Youtube channel.

These social media channels have been set up so that Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket will be able to reach out to both its existing customers and to give them coverage to reach a whole new range of people who may not have access to their normal means of advertising.

These should not simply be viewed, however, as additional advertising streams. Paramount importance to Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket is the role that these media avenues can play in expanding their programme of educating the public to the benefits of timeshare ownership.

The educational process took a major step forward in July 2009 with the airing on satellite television's Travel Channel and Travel Deals Direct of a 30 minute programme all about the ownership system which can now be viewed on their Youtube channel in bite size pieces.

Phil Watson, Managing Director of Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket was quoted as saying we have made major steps towards educating the public about timeshare and what it has to offer. We are very excited, therefore, with the way we can expand that education programme to an ever wider audience.

A large part of the success of the programmes has been down to Harry Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of the Timeshare Association ( Timeshare Owners and Committees ) TATOC who features heavily in the television programme and explains all there is to know about timeshare, exchanges, management fees and re-sales.

Harry Taylor has said Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket have been long term industry leaders and are taking timeshare and timeshare resales to a new level and new audiences and I am sure that these initiatives will be very successful and prove to be popular with existing and prospective timeshare owners.

A telemarketing ring that allegedly scammed millions from consumers nationwide looking to sell their timeshares was shut down by the Federal Trade Commission, the agency announced today.There were thousands of victims, the FTC told Consumer Ally.

The FTC won a temporary restraining order halting Timeshare Mega Media and Marketing Group Inc., two related companies and six people in connection with an ongoing investigation. A complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale claims they ran a telemarketing boiler room -- a call center where telemarketers use high-pressure sales tactics -- in Fort Lauderdale.
They allegedly told timeshare owners looking to sell their units that a buyer was ready to seal a deal, but a fee -- usually $1,996 -- for sale-related costs including real estate agent, closing, title search and document fees was needed first.

A check of the phone numbers for Timeshare Mega Media listed on its website shows they are currently not in service. A short note on the site's contact page reads: "At this time we are no longer taking new customers, so that we can better serve our existing customers."

New Jersey natives Henry and Eugenia Watson retired to northern Florida and decided to sell their timeshare as a way to trim their expenses. So the couple put their posh Summit Bay resort timeshare near Walt Disney World up for sale last year. They had no takers until Timeshare Mega Media called in March saying it had a buyer, but first the couple needed to pay near the nearly $2,000 fee supposedly for a title search before the sale could go through.

"They were very professional, very business-like ... they showed us they had a buyer," Henry Watson told Consumer Ally. The company told the couple it had a buyer ready to pay $25,000 for the timeshare, but that a title search was needed first and the fee would be reimbursed by the buyer at closing. When the upfront fee was lowered to $999, the couple jumped on the offer. Watson first tried to pay by check, but was told a check wouldn't be accepted. He then paid the fee with a debit card.

Watson said once he sent the money, he couldn't reach anyone at the company to check on the sale. "We never communicated with them again," he said. "They wouldn't talk to me when I called."

The Watsons still own the timeshare and now get calls from debt collection companies looking to cash in and help them recoup the money lost in the deal -- for a portion of the money.

In its complaint, the FTC alleges that the upfront fee could range up to 10% of the timeshare's price, if the timeshare was an expensive unit. Consumers who paid the fee were told to expect a contract. Timeshare Mega Media did send a contract to consumers -- for marketing and advertising services, not a sales contract. The FTC said consumers who raised questions or wanted a refund were allegedly given a run-around.

The FTC's complaint was filed against Timeshare Mega Media, also doing business as Timeshare Market Pro Inc.; Timeshare Market Pro Inc.; Tapia Consulting Inc.; Joseph Crapella, also known as Joseph John Philbin; Pasquale Pappalardo; Lisa Tumminia Pappalardo; Pasqualino Agovino; Louis Tobias Duany; and Patricia A. Walker. The FTC is also seeking restitution for consumers in the case.

According to the FTC, the number of fake timeshare resale complaints has more than tripled over the past three years, as more consumers try to sell their timeshares.

"When cash-strapped consumers are trying to sell their property, the last thing they need is to lose thousands of dollars to scam artists who promise a quick sale, but then provide no services at all," David Vladeck, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement.

In this case, the defendants allegedly defrauded consumers nationwide out of millions of dollars before being shuttered by the court. The South Florida Better Business Bureau, FTC and the Florida attorney general's office have received hundreds of complaints from consumers. The BBB gave Timeshare Mega Media an F rating, its lowest.

States across the country have been warning consumers against timeshare reseller scams. In Florida -- the state with the most timeshares in the country -- the attorney general's office has gotten more than 8,500 complaints since January. Scam artists also look to hook consumers with promises of selling timeshare points -- similar to frequent flyer miles -- or securing quick rentals for that unused week.