Time Frame

• Virtually every state has laws that allow you to cancel a timeshare contract within a certain number of days. According to Timeshare Trap, the states with the shortest period are Connecticut, Massachusetts, Indiana and Ohio, which only give you three days. Alaska offers the longest period (15 days). The timeshare seller is not likely to point out this information, but it should be in your contract. If it's not, contact the state regulatory agency. If you decide to cancel within the specified time frame, call the company to let them know, and follow up immediately with a certified letter. Get a return receipt so you can prove that you sent it within the allotted time and that it was received.
  
  

Misrepresentation

• If you feel that the salesperson made gross misrepresentations to you during the sales presentation, you may have groups to cancel your timeshare contract. Most contracts contain a clause that says verbal promises will not be honored. However, you can still attempt to cancel your contract if you feel that there were blatant lies. Send a certified letter to the timeshare company outlining the misrepresentations, and send a copy to the state's regulatory agency.
  
  

Consumer Groups

• If you are unable to cancel your timeshare contract on your own, try a consumer advocacy group. You can contact a general consumer group such as the Better Business Bureau to file a complaint. You can also work with an advocacy group that deals exclusively with timeshares, such as The Owner's Advocate or Timeshare Advocacy International. Their timeshare-specific knowledge can be very valuable.
  
  

Legal Help

• It often pays to consult a lawyer when your other options have failed. A legal professional may be able to find a loophole in your timeshare contract that allows you to cancel it without penalty. This could be anything from an incorrect date to a missing signature to paying the wrong down payment amount.
  
  

Warning

• Timeshare companies are used to dealing with customers who feel buyer's remorse a few days after signing their contract. These companies tend to cover themselves legally as much as they possibly can. Even if you seek the assistance of an advocate or a lawyer, you may discover that you are locked into your timeshare contract.