"We actually have a list of disclaimers that the people go over and initial saying they understand that this is not an investment, we are not going to resell the week for them, we are not going to rent their week for them and on and on."

Siegel added, "We pride ourselves on running a very clean operation, and I would venture to say that our customer satisfaction is near perfect."

Unhappy owners

But reader Shane Honey was one who was unhappy. After reading the series and researching the resell value of the Westgate unit she had just bought, she decided to exercise her rescission rights.

"On the Internet we found this same type of condo for $30,000 less than what we paid for it. We bought it as an 'investment,' and it was told to us to be such. We feel like suckers but also feel so lucky to have your article as a great eye-opener," she said.

Chris and Johanne Cleveland of West Jordan wrote they wished the series had been written before they bought a timeshare at the Westgate Park City three years ago.

"Since then, we have attempted to use our 'owner' vacation amenities on several occasions, only to be informed that they were 'booked up at that time,' but we could stay for a 'special' reduced rate in an available unit. Needless to say, we were not happy and tried reselling. ... We have only met with more aggravation and expenses trying to unload our unit."

Robert Hendricksen of Kearns was among others who complained about Westgate. He said he received a call from Westgate two weeks ago offering him a weekend stay in exchange for listening to a sales pitch, but then Westgate "dropped me like a hot stone as soon as I said I was a widower."

He said while Westgate said it would sell him a timeshare, it would not give him any perks to attend because he is a widower. Hendricksen complained to the Utah Attorney General's Office and the state Department of Commerce. "Both told me it was not a case of discrimination, and they were comforted to hear that the timeshare people had some standards."

Readers had horror stories about other timeshare companies, too.

Cindy Jacobson of West Jordan wrote, "My husband and I purchased a two-bedroom timeshare for every other year at the Marriott Grand Chateau in Las Vegas in June of 2004.... The salesman tried every tactic to get us to buy, and we were about to walk away when all of a sudden he mentioned to us that Marriott will even buy our timeshare back from us at any time. So, gee, with that information, what did we have to lose? So we decided to buy it for $11,900.

"Now it's two years later, and we have tried contacting Marriott to sell our timeshare back, but they have informed us that we have to wait five to six years until all the units have sold out. Plus, it would be for about 40 percent less than what we paid for it. We were flat out lied to and feel that should be illegal."