I Think I Own A Timeshare...

[CrazyChef]

Hey, new guy here!

So, long story short, I placed a bid on a timeshare on eBay a while back for $10. Apparently I won the auction, but never followed through. I thought that was the end of it.

About a year later, I started getting bills for the yearly M/F. I just ignored them, because I had never signed any documents to transfer ownership. Now I'm getting collection letters.

So I called Star Island (the resort I "own"), and they said that it was in fact deeded to me. She even sent me a copy of the recorded deed.

So, what should I do? It's a 3 bedroom lockout, and it's week 24. Yeah, last week was week 24.

 

[Passepartout]

At this stage I guess it depends on how you feel about obligations, vacations, and your credit rating. You placed the bid, showing you wanted it. If you don't pay your annual nut, the other owners have to make it up, and if you are going to use it or sell (give away) it will have to be brought current. I don't know how it got transferred, (recipient doesn't need to sign) but I'm not surprised that a seller was able to do this.

If you pay it current, there is a good chance that there are some 'bonus week's you may be able to use until week 24 next year.

Oh yeah, I mentioned credit rating. You could just do nothing and see if the resort or collection agency dings your rating. If they do, it disappears in 7 years. Or so.

Good luck!

Jim

 

[DannyTS]

I had never signed any documents to transfer ownership.

If true, this is outrageous. What was the transfer company?

 

[CrazyChef]

No idea - but she sent me the deed via email earlier today. I'm installing a new email client on my Mac right now, but I'll look up the email in a minute and see what the transfer company is.

 

[CrazyChef]

Okay, it just says VOCC, Inc. on top.

 

[Adventureisoutthere]

This is pretty darn crazy...I "won" a Marriott timeshare, gold week for a measly $25. I'm guessing the ROFR will not be waived, so I will not actually own the timeshare in the end, but now this post is making me wonder....

Hopefully you can utilize this $10 investment wisely

 

[Panina]

Hey, new guy here!

So, long story short, I placed a bid on a timeshare on eBay a while back for $10. Apparently I won the auction, but never followed through. I thought that was the end of it.

About a year later, I started getting bills for the yearly M/F. I just ignored them, because I had never signed any documents to transfer ownership. Now I'm getting collection letters.

So I called Star Island (the resort I "own"), and they said that it was in fact deeded to me. She even sent me a copy of the recorded deed.

So, what should I do? It's a 3 bedroom lockout, and it's week 24. Yeah, last week was week 24.

Just a few questions so I can give you my opinion. What do you mean you didn’t follow thru? Does apparently mean you never knew you won. How did they get your full name and address? Did you have initial contact and if so did you tell them you didn’t want it?

 

[silentg]

Do you remember signing anything?

 

[TUGBrian]

id certainly like to see the documentation regarding the transfer of ownership if you claim you did nothing more than place a bid on ebay!

 

[theo]

id certainly like to see the documentation regarding the transfer of ownership if you claim you did nothing more than place a bid on ebay!

In most states, the new grantee does not sign the new deed; only the grantor(s) signature(s) would have been required. Assuming that a correct full name and address of the new grantee appears on the new officially recorded deed, it seems very odd that the grantee alleges having done nothing more than just submit a bid on eBay under a eBay user name.
There is definitely a piece (...or maybe several pieces) of the puzzle missing here.

P.S. VOCC (cited by OP as being on the deed) might stand for Vacation Ownership Closing Company, Inc., an entity located in Branson, MO, in the business of timeshare transfer (and perhaps associated with PCC's --- I don't claim to know).