• The TUGBBS forums are completely free and open to the public and exist as the absolute best place for owners to get help and advice about their timeshares for more than 30 years!

    Join Tens of Thousands of other Owners just like you here to get any and all Timeshare questions answered 24 hours a day!
  • TUG started 30 years ago in October 1993 as a group of regular Timeshare owners just like you!

    Read about our 30th anniversary: Happy 30th Birthday TUG!
  • TUG has a YouTube Channel to produce weekly short informative videos on popular Timeshare topics!

    Free memberships for every 50 subscribers!

    Visit TUG on Youtube!
  • TUG has now saved timeshare owners more than $21,000,000 dollars just by finding us in time to rescind a new Timeshare purchase! A truly incredible milestone!

    Read more here: TUG saves owners more than $21 Million dollars
  • Sign up to get the TUG Newsletter for free!

    60,000+ subscribing owners! A weekly recap of the best Timeshare resort reviews and the most popular topics discussed by owners!
  • Our official "end my sales presentation early" T-shirts are available again! Also come with the option for a free membership extension with purchase to offset the cost!

    All T-shirt options here!
  • A few of the most common links here on the forums for newbies and guests!

[2007 Thread] American Timeshare Closing, LLC???? [merged]

tahoewendy

newbie
Joined
Oct 9, 2007
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
New York City
Has anyone had any transactions with the ebay seller redweeks4less or the closing company American Timeshare Closing?

I won an auction and am preparing to send payment via paypal, but the seller requested I not send payment through ebay (seller also offered the option of cashier's check directly to closing company). This is my first ebay timeshare purchase. (Although I have another timeshare which I bought in resale through a traditional real estate office.)

I'm now thinking that I should send a check directly to the Title Company, because the purchase price is far, far above the 2k buyer's protection paypal offers.

Any thoughts?

Thank you in advance!
 

grejon

TUG Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2007
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Points
361
Location
California
American Timeshare Closings

You and I are in the same boat. Just purchased from redweeks4less. Mailed the check to them, but it was made out to the escrow company, ATC (another firm, Charity Closing, reportedly does the deed and title work). I'm assuming, that since they are all located in the same town in Tennessee they are fairly closely related (if not owned by the same principals). For what it's worth, I did receive a call from someone claiming to be a rep of the escrow company acknowledging receipt of the monies and stating that the closing process was underway. So far, both the seller and the escrow companies have been accessible by both email and phone, so I'm hoping for the best. Responses to questions both prior to and after the auction ended were prompt and direct. However, until I actually get the deed in hand, I can't comment on the safety of the transaction.
 

jgalt19808

TUG Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Fort Gratiot, Mi
American Timeshare Closings/Sellingtime guys

Has anyone completed a closing with ATC ? If so, did you encounter any problems and would you recommend them ?

I am also looking for information on an ebay seller SELLINGTIMEGUYS? Has anyone purchased from them?
 

theo

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2007
Messages
9,032
Reaction score
2,268
Points
648
Location
New England Coast
I've never even heard of "American Timeshare Closing, LLC", which suggests to me that it is likely just an "in-house" closing entity of the PostCard Company which is selling the timeshare. Foxes taking care of closing details in the henhouse, a cynic (like me) might say. They of course make more money charging you for closing costs than they would if they instead let you choose and use your own (likely better known and more reputable), closing company.

Personally, I do not purchase timeshares from PCC's, nor do I have much interest in eBay. That said, however, I'm still well aware that eBay has assorted warnings posted to buyers regarding sellers seeking to "move" the transaction outside of the eBay process. You might want to ask the seller some very pointed questions regarding why they are attempting to do so. I'd also recommend reading all documents very, very carefully if you proceed, since PCC's are notorious for inaccurate eBay ads. They do so much "cut and paste" from ad to another that errors are routinely created in doing so. You certainly don't want to discover after closing that you have just purchased something entirely different from that which was actually advertised.

Good Luck --- you may need it.....
 

Bill4728

Moderator
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
11,038
Reaction score
598
Points
899
Location
Lake Tapps, WA
This question shows one of the biggest problems in online purchases. You buy a big ticket item (like a TS for $5000). The seller says that he wants to use an escrow company/ closing company which you have never heard of.

What do you do? (this is where I am suppose to give you great advice on what to do but I'm not sure of what to do)

At least, I would expect to speak to someone at the closing office and ask for them to prove to me that they are who they say there are and not a scammer's mail drop. Such as asking for a referance from their local bank.

PS does it bother anyone that the three people asking this questions are all first time posters?
 
Last edited:

Aussiedog

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2007
Messages
662
Reaction score
4
Points
378
Location
North Carolina
I think that this is a huge issue and thank you for recognizing it.

I searched on the TUG board as best I could prior to making my first purchase and then plunged in, knowing that if push came to shove I could back out if things were not in order.

Fortunately, I received a sheet in my closing packet that included the information you suggested - their bank info, license info, etc. I verified it all myself, which is easy to do online, and went forward.

Probably way too much work, but maybe TUG folks should set up a rating system for closing companies based on several criteria that can be measured without bias and start a list? Even a separate thread or section devoted to this issue may help so that people don't have to search the entire board for the various closing company-specific questions.

Ann
 

brucecz

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
1,819
Reaction score
1
Points
36
Location
Kansasville, Wi, center of the universe
I noticed something similar on the Tug Mexico BBS about the Bellaire. Something like this does catch my attention.

Bruce :D

This question shows one of the biggest problems in online purchases. You buy a big ticket item (like a TS for $5000). The seller says that he wants to use an escrow company/ closing company which you have never heard of.

What do you do? (this is where I am suppose to give you great advice on what to do but I'm not sure of what to do)

At least, I would expect to speak to someone at the closing office and ask for them to prove to me that they are who they say there are and not a scammer's mail drop. Such as asking for a referance from their local bank.

PS does it bother anyone that the three people asking this questions are all first time posters?
 

theo

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2007
Messages
9,032
Reaction score
2,268
Points
648
Location
New England Coast
An astute observation...

Re: >> does it bother anyone that the three people asking this questions are all first time posters?<<
============================================

Personally, I tend not to believe in coincidences.....
Three, almost simultaneous, all first time posts --- all about a heretofore completely unknown entity. My sniffer is now awakened. Name recognition by creative (and free) pseudo-advertising, perhaps?
 

ait109

TUG Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2008
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Points
211
Location
Arizona
Still not complete

With all of the current activity from this seller on eBay, I feel the need to keep this thread active for a little while longer.

Last month I also purchased something from redweeks4less on eBay and am now working with the aforementioned American Timeshare Closing to complete the transaction. Prior to my purchase, I contacted another person on eBay who had won another HGVC auction from redweeks4less to find out how his transaction went. He said it went well until HGVC exercised ROFR at which point he got his monies back.

I have reached out to the two folks who started this thread and while at least one of them has been able to use their week already, neither transaction is complete.

As for me, my dealings with ATC have been fine so far - my contact over there is polite and professional, and she replies in a timely fashion to phone and email inquiries.

I looked up both redweeks4less and ATC up on the BBB. They are accredited BBB companies that have only been in business for less than two years. Their mailing addresses are in different towns about 20 miles away from each other.

These purchases at the top of this thread were made in Sept and Oct of last year, mine in January of this year. While I don't expect mine to finish earlier than those other ones, is it within the bell curve for transfers to take 5 months to complete?
 

talkamotta

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
Messages
2,065
Reaction score
167
Points
274
Location
Sandy, UT
I bought a Pahio Ka Eo Kai from Redweeks4less in December. Still hasnt closed. Called the closing company, Timeshare Closings and they referred me to Charity Closings which didnt have any record. Went back to Redweeks4less and told how stongly I felt of my concerns. They are expediting the process. I thought they would try to pull the Hawaii takes longer thing but I squelched it fast by saying this isnt my first timeshare purchase.

So Im not a first time poster and the jury on Redweeks4less is still out. The point for them is that when I got irritated they responded fast. I paid with a credit card and my ebay dispute time is still valid. They have a 100% rating that I think they want to keep. Its a good selling point for higher priced items.
 

ait109

TUG Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2008
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Points
211
Location
Arizona
"Deed is in the mail"?

Just wanted to give an update on this.

After calling the closing company once a week every week for the past few months I have been told that the deed is in the mail and I should be getting it within the next week. The delay was caused by the use of the wrong color ink in the closing documents (blue vs. black)?!?

Anyway, I asked Christina (at the closing company) if she had my new HGVC member number and she said that HGVC would be sending me that information and that they should be able to look me up if I called them. Well, I did call HGVC and they can't find any record of me.

Christina said that she would follow up with HGVC and give me an update tomorrow.
 

jdb0822

newbie
Joined
Nov 22, 2005
Messages
283
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Location
Rhode Island
to me, the "in-house" closing/escrow company just doesn't fly.

As a reputable seller, they should not dictate who will handle the transaction.

That is like saying I am gonna sell you my timeshare and my wife will do the closing/escrow.

There is no 3rd party involved.

I simply don't buy unless I can choose the closing/escrow company.
 

dero

TUG Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2007
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Points
1
American Timeshare Closing

We purchased a timeshare on ebay from redweeks4less and went through their closing company American Timeshare Closing and have had a really bad experience with this company. When we purchased this timeshare, we arranged to use a week and have them book us a reservation, knowing that these things take some time to close. We were told that this would not be a problem and I arranged a week and assumed that this had been taken care of.
After a couple of months of not hearing anything, I began to get concerned about our reservation so I called American Timeshare Closing again to double check that our week was still on track. The second time, I was told first that we did not have the week I had requested but after re-checking it was confirmed that I did have the week I requested and that all was well and the closing process was nearly complete.
As the time for us to travel is now approaching, I called again to see if there was anything I needed to bring to verify our ownership or right to use the week or could be expecting to receive from the resort and was told that our week reservation was again in question but that the closing was complete and the resort had been notified. I called the resort to verify that we did have an existing reservation and surprise, surprise, no reservation in our name. No guest reservation, nothing. They do not have paperwork from ATC about this timeshare. At this point, I have already purchased plane reservations after verifying twice that we were expected and am now pretty unhappy.

I will never deal with this seller or closing company again. For future purchasers, exercise extreme caution when dealing with this closing company as they are clearly clueless.
 

DeniseM

Moderator
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
57,672
Reaction score
9,091
Points
1,849
Resorts Owned
WKORV, WKV, 2-SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim)
I would be mad too - next time, insist that they send you a confirmation...
 

ait109

TUG Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2008
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Points
211
Location
Arizona
Turns out Christina C. is less than effective at her job. She went out on maternity leave a few weeks ago and when I called to find out about my status, another person looked up my record and said that they had to refile due to a filing error made by Christina (that she never owned up to - she just kept blaming the folks in Vegas).

Well, a week later, I can now confirm through the Las Vegas Recorder web site that my deed has been filed. The closing company expects to send the final paperwork to HGVC either today or Monday.

Crossing my fingers for a speedy conclusion to this. Would love to try to exchange into Hawaii (HGVC or RCI) for a week in October of this year.

Anyway I've learned my lesson - only use trusted closing companies from now on.

Ed

PS. grejon informed me that he received his deed a few weeks ago and that redweeks4less went to bat for him when he had problems with the closing company.
 
Last edited:

Bill4728

Moderator
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
11,038
Reaction score
598
Points
899
Location
Lake Tapps, WA
Turns out Christina C. is less than effective at her job. She went out on maternity leave a few weeks ago and when I called to find out about my status, another person looked up my record and said that they had to refile due to a filing error made by Christina (that she never owned up to - she just kept blaming the folks in Vegas).

Well, a week later, I can now confirm through the Las Vegas Recorder web site that my deed has been filed. The closing company expects to send the final paperwork to HGVC either today or Monday.

Crossing my fingers for a speedy conclusion to this. Would love to try to exchange into Hawaii (HGVC or RCI) for a week in October of this year.

Anyway I've learned my lesson - only use trusted closing companies from now on.

Ed

Hope this means that you're almost done.

Good Luck

PS thanks for keeping us updated.
 

ait109

TUG Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2008
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Points
211
Location
Arizona
Were you working with Christina C. at ATC? She had not been timely or forthcoming with me with any of my requests and since she has been out on leave things have moved along quickly.
 
Last edited:

dero

TUG Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2007
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Points
1
update on ATC

After screaming at ATC for nearly an hour, we finally received a faxed copy of the deed and were able to verify with the resort that we do indeed have a reservation for May 23 and I need to bring a copy of the deed with me. The reservation was under the name of the old owner and not listed as a guest reservation. I made ATC give me the name of the prior owner so I could check it that way. Yes, the closer was Christina C. The selling company would not help me but kept referring me to the closing company. I have certainly learned a big lesson about dealing with these type of companies. Get everything in writing!
 

ait109

TUG Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2008
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Points
211
Location
Arizona
All done!

Today I was notified by ATC (not Christine C) that HGVC has confirmed that the transfer is complete and they (ATC) is sending me my deed. I just called HGVC and they confirmed everything and I am now surfing the HGVC reservation system online!

4 months start to finish - but I'm sure I'll forget all about that once I start using my timeshare!

Ed
 

Jennie

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2005
Messages
1,808
Reaction score
3
Points
398
Were you working with Christina C. at ATC? She had not been timely or forthcoming with me with any of my requests and since she has been out on leave things have moved along quickly.

Christina seems like a genius compared to Shelley, who doesn't return calls, has no idea what the status of your closing is, and is clueless about RCI Points. What a rag tag operation this is. It's my worst experience to date with Ebay purchases.
 

Carolinian

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
10,644
Reaction score
936
Points
598
Location
eastern Europe
On any deeded purchase, I would insist on using an attorney located in the state where the timeshare is located. I have seen too many invalid deeds prepared by these out of state closing companies, sometimes even with out of state attorneys.

The first thing I would ask about a closing company is their licensure in the sate where the timeshare is located.
 

Jennie

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2005
Messages
1,808
Reaction score
3
Points
398
The problem is that the el cheapo great weeks being auctioned off on Ebay require the winner to use a specific closing company, usually one that the seller owns, either officially or otherwise. The auction description warns that using a different company is not an option and that one should not bid unless they agree to these terms.

That said, if the week or Points package being auctioned is very desirable and can be "won" for pennies on the dollar, I go along with the program and take a chance. I pay with a major credit card so that I can file a dispute (or threaten to) if things are not going smootly. So far, the end result has always been positive. I just resign myself to having to wait several months to become the official owner of record.

Here's a few of the bargains I have won over the past year:

172,000 Fairfield Points at Sea Gardens in Pompano Beach, Florida. The "underlying unit" is a Week 8 beautiful two bedroom two bath unit on an upper floor of the Ocean Palms building--the newest and best building. The total cost was $600.. We intend to use it ourselves every year.

Week 31 one bedroom unit at Celebrity Resorts, Brigantine, New Jersey. It's an older resort with a problematic management team but I own another week there, go every year, and really love the spectacular beach, excellent on-site restaurant, and five minute drive to the Atlantic City casinos. I paid $1.00 for it plus about $500. closing costs. Now I can spend two weeks there in prime summer time.

Week 5 two bedroom lock-off unit at the Ft. Lauderdale Beach Resort for $700.. We already own Weeks 7 and 8 next door, and use it every year. By the way, the Week 5 unit came to us already converted to RCI Points and we received an extra 32,000 Points rolled over from the prior year.

These are weeks at resorts we know and love. We or family members will be using them. They would rent easily if we wanted to, and would have good trading power if we deposited them with RCI or I.I..

With bargains like this, I am willing to put up with some delays and ineptness in the closing process.
 

lorilulu

TUG Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2008
Messages
70
Reaction score
0
Points
6
Location
yorba linda
I am closing on 3 timeshares, 2 from e-bay auctions, and one a private sale.
Resort Closings is moving along fine with my Maui timeshare. JRA is doing my Palm Springs Tennis Club (private seller) and that is going well also, but ATC is doing my Desert Springs Villa I, and yes, Christina C is the processor.
After reading this thread, I gave her a call (I am a newbee) and asked the status- she said the deed was being recorded. I have never recieved any paperwork except the initial sales agreement from the ebay seller "IAVACATIONS" which was a "second chance" offer from "redweeksforless" on a auction I came in second on.
Christina told me I did not have to sign the deed JUST the seller signs the deed- Is this correct or should I be concerned?? Both of my other transactions have sent me deed descriptions and paperwork that needs to be notarized by my husband and I. I also have paid for this in full (on a credit card).

Should I be freaking out or is this O.K?
 
Last edited:

CaliDave

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
2,008
Reaction score
1
Points
36
Location
Southern California
I am closing on 3 timeshares, 2 from e-bay auctions, and one a private sale.
Resort Closings is moving along fine with my Maui timeshare. JRA is doing my Palm Springs Tennis Club (private seller) and that is going well also, but ATC is doing my Desert Springs Villa I, and yes, Christina C is the processor.
After reading this thread, I gave her a call (I am a newbee) and asked the status- she said the deed was being recorded. I have never recieved any paperwork except the initial sales agreement from the ebay seller "IAVACATIONS" which was a "second chance" offer from "redweeksforless" on a auction I came in second on.
Christina told me I did not have to sign the deed JUST the seller signs the deed- Is this correct or should I be concerned?? Both of my other transactions have sent me deed descriptions and paperwork that needs to be notarized by my husband and I. I also have paid for this in full (on a credit card).

Should I be freaking out or is this O.K?

The buyer does not have to sign the deed in California.
 

Dave H

TUG Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2007
Messages
417
Reaction score
3
Points
228
Location
Orlando
The buyer generally does not have to sign the deed. There are some exceptions like in Hawaii. My bigger question is, is the closing company preparing any settlement documents for you to sign like a settlement statement etc.

I know we require it of both the buyers and the sellers, but then again, I run my operation withing the letter of the law and only do closings where I am licensed to act as an escrow agent.

But the buyer should have some documents that need to be signed off on.

Dave
 
Top