I think it is one thing to gift it to a friend or extended family, but I suspect they found that they had people "gifting" to "friends" who lived hundreds of miles away and just became friends a week or so ago when they decided to buy/sell each other the timeshare and had a side arrangement to hand over some cash. This all to avoid ROFR.
When I gifted an hgvc timeshare, it was an ad on put on tug. I paid all closing costs and gifted it for free. He paid the enrollment fee. I was happy with the person I gifted it to as he was a person who provided essential services in his job. It was mine and it was my choice to sell and go thru rofr or gift it without rofr. I was required to sign a notarized paper stating it was a gift. Now if hgvc wanted to investigate if money somehow changed hands that was their right and if they proved I lied they could go after me.
I agreed people could lie and exchange money but that should not give the timeshare companies the right to take away my right to gift. Maybe instead they should make both parties, gifted and receiver sign and notarize an affidavit stating if money is exchanged it has to go thru rofr and if facts are falsified they will take legal action against both parties.
Right now I own a week I want to sell that has value. I would be very willing to give it at a discounted price to a tugger but know if I do it probably will be taken with rofr. It makes me sad I can’t do what I want.
