The UK European Consumer Centre’s (ECC) first full year of complaint figures show that complaints about timeshare and related/similar products (which includes discount holiday clubs, timeshares and the resale of both) accounted for just over 38% of all complaints received in 2008.

Jed Mayatt, UK European Consumer Centre Manager, said: “Consumers are often at their most vulnerable during recessions and whilst on holiday and they are drawn in by cheap offers and falsely attractive promotions which they would normally be suspicious of. If they are on holiday, they are more relaxed and their guard can be down. Difficulties can then seem to be multiplied when consumers make a purchase abroad.”

In addition to the high percentage of complaints related to timeshare and related/similar products there was also a high number of enquires and requests for further information from UK consumers, over 20% of these were related to timeshare and related/similar products.

There were more than 300 complaints about timeshare and related/similar products in 2008, covering all nature of complaints about holiday clubs and timeshares, including scams. The area most hit for discount holiday club complaints is Spain (including the Canary Islands) with an increase in this type of complaint about Malta and Cyprus. Other countries are also affected.

Jed added: “A typical example would be that consumers are approached by a tout whilst they are already on holiday – they are subjected to pressure selling and end up paying a vast deposit. They often attempt to cancel within a day or two and this is refused. Many hundreds of people get caught in this way and it’s a big problem for us.

“When we widen the scope to look at all of our contacts from UK consumers from June 2008 to June 2009, discount holiday clubs accounted for over 900 contacts from UK consumers. Holiday clubs are not covered by the Timeshare Directive (EU directive 94/47), neither are timeshare contracts for under three years.

“Our general advice is never to sign a contract straight away without allowing ample opportunity to check it over - which most genuine companies will allow - and always seek independent advice.

“Sometimes it is older consumers who are targeted for particular types of purchases – such as timeshares and holiday clubs - they are perceived by many to be more financially stable than some young people. Older people can also appear to be more trusting than younger consumers, who we feel sometimes ask more searching questions about purchases.”

The UK ECC, which is leading the way in Europe for receiving the largest number of consumer enquiries, handled more than 8,000 cases in 2008 (complaints and information requests), topping the number dealt with by Italy (just under 8,000), Germany (just under 6,000) and Austria (just over 5,500).