[2008] Beware of new scammer on the scene. The Vacation Depot

[Liliana]

Thanks Pedro. Interesting it's only 1 post Margaret has also.

They mentioned that they have been in business for a year. I will wait and see if I see any other information on them. I was more curious, I did ask how she got my name and she said my deed is a matter of public record. She only got eight from my timeshare and I don't know any of the other owners so I know they couldn't have given my name unless it was a board member giving this list out.

Thanks,
Silvia

 

[billymach4]

PEDRO PEDRO PEDRO !!! Excellent work!

Schill Schmill!!!


Man that is a schill if I ever saw one. Get that schill out of here now.

How stupid are these people for even attempting to pull this off an this audience!:hysterical: :hysterical: :hysterical: :hysterical:

 

[lvhmbh]

Vacation Depot called yesterday. They say they have a guaranteed buyer for my Bluebeards timeshare. What a joke - you can't give them away right now. We are still climbing out of the hole that unFairfield and Equivest put us in and our MF's are outrageously high! Maybe I'll pick up the phone next time and ask the X*XX how she/he can look themselves in the mirror.

 

[mamaOf2]

Timeshare Selling Scam- global resort solutions

I have had a similar issue with another company. Contacted by a Scott Williams, I was advised that the only way to sell my timeshare was to pay a $999 fee to present my weeks to a number of waiting buyers. I was guaranteed results in 30 days. It has now been over 60, and Mr. Williams will not return my calls. I have spoken with other people who were successful in selling after paying an upfront fee, which influenced my decision to sell with Mr. Williams. But since they got my money, I cannot reach anybody at this company.

After doing some research, I discovered that this company has several aliases. Contract work was headed, Global Resort Solutions with a website of www.globalresortsolutions.com. They also go by EDD Media, www.findmytimesharenow.com. Emails were sent from globalresortsolutions@ymail.com. I believe I was scammed. Has anybody else ever heard of this company?

 

[pemchile]

Vacation Depot scam

I was contacted today by Robert Mitchell of Vacation Depot. Offered to sell my timeshare to corporate buyers for over $33,000. Told me no fees, commissions, etc. etc. I asked him how he got paid, and he said he was on contract with major corporations and they paid him a fee. Sounded kinda sketchy. Somewhere in the conversation he slipped in the need to collect an upfront fee of $848 - for title search or something like that. My antennae went up immediately. He said they were located in Deland, FL and listed with Better Business Bureau, etc. They are listed with BBB, but are not accredited and there's very little info. Vacation Depot also shows up as Cambridge Marketing and Financial Services. I checked out the Florida Secretary Of State's Corporations page and both companies appear to be inactive/dissolved. The common thread is Anthony Corio (or A.T. Corio) who is the sole shareholder of these companies. He has set up and dissolved several companies over the last several years: Heritage Marketing and Consulting Corp., Quincy Marketing, Inc., plus Cambridge and Vacation Depot. Coiro's name was linked on other websites to marketing calls from 1-800 numbers about awards won, timeshare sales, etc. I think everyone should run away from this "offer" as fast as possible.

 

[JimT]

Vacation Depot

I have also been contacted by Brian Mckee of Vacation Depot. Claimed today he has a corporate buyer for 6 units at the resort I own, going into a meeting tonight (Friday, Jan 30, 2009) where he expects corporate buyer to sign contracts but he still needs 3 more units. Value of property he is quoting is twice the value Marriott is selling these for through there resale department. He is emphatic this is legitimate and if I list my 2 properties with him he will request discount to $700/unit upfront instead of normal $795/unit. Says all contract info is available through the company's website.

[Contact info. deleted - so we don't provide free advertising. - DeniseM Moderator]

How can I hold him accountable?

Jim

 

[jdetar]

You CAN'T hold him accountable.. IT'S A SCAM. For all of you trying to find a way to do this.. you *CAN'T*. Sure it's not as bad as the nigerian scams, but these guys know exactly what they're doing. It's all fed by greed, so STOP BEING GREEDY and move along.

 

[thinze3]

Brian, Help! It's an all out invasion of Tug!

These goofballs are trying to take over Tug - one single post at a time.
Qucikly - Call the exterminator!! . . :annoyed: . . .

 

[mikey0531]

To all of the people who are asking "is it legit"? "should I do it" blah,
NO< NO< NO< NO

Just read the original post -- she said she even offered them more money than they were asking for commission -- but wouldn't pay the upfront fee -- they even said they had a buyer. If this was legit -- any one would've jumped on the opportunity to take $1000 more. But, they hung up on her. So, noooooooo - if they want any money upfront -- just run the other way. After all, what other LEGIT real estate transactions are handled this way. The broker gets the commission AFTER the sale, usually based on the selling price.

I feel so bad for all the people that get taken from these scammers.

Debi

 

[jdetar]

I feel bad for very few people, but not for most because remember this is greed driven. Some people actually have no idea what's going on, and just happened to get that call at the exact right (or should I say wrong) time.

Seriously.. anyone with half a brain can take a step back, realize it's totally ridiculous, and walk away. Why on earth would any savvy company buy these weeks at more than the retail price? That's ludicrous! It's not like it's hard to buy a timeshare. :hysterical:

But greed comes into play, so people bite. That's how ALL financial scams work. I've even had a friend fall victim to one, and I just couldn't help but laugh as he tried to convince me it wasn't a scam. I'm just glad he stopped before he paid them...... a third time.

 

[adamsatl]

Amanda is a smooth talker.

First some small talk about how warm it is in Florida.

Then the pitch. There is a convention this weekend in Orlando where several of her corporate clients will be presented with listings of available timeshares for purchase or rent. These corporate clients are looking to save money on the expenses they incur when they send their people to conventions. Rather than pay hotel expenses, they buy or rent timeshares. Something like that.

Amanda will present my timeshare for purchase at 9k above what we paid for it and the price it is listed for on Redweek, or to rent the week for 2500 above what a Platinum week generally sells for.

Too good to be true?

There is an $848 fee and she wants it right now, to be able to present to her clients this weekend.

Then asks for your credit card number.

Provides the web page, vacationdepot.org.

1. Why don't her corporate clients go directly to Marriott?
2. Why is the website a .org and not a .com?
3. Why is it so urgent?
4. Why would they agree to pay such an outrageous amount when they could go to redweek?
5. Who in their right mind would give out their credit card number after a 10 minute phone conversation?

What is interesting is that she called the day after I called Marriott and traded our week for points.

Too funny... Amanda called me yesterday and and the conversation went exactly as you outlined it. And "No"... I didn't give her my credit card number... I was certain it was a scam, but I'm glad I found this forum to confirm what I suspected...

 

[LauraS93]

Whoever said to call the exterminator got that right! In this day and age of Google and easy access to information, it's an insult to my intelligence that anyone should try to put a scam by me!

Thanks, TUG!

 

[Cathyb]

dave: wow- what a good website! Thank you! Where is your next trip? We are heading to Marathon and Key West next week.

 

[jdb0822]

I am guessing with the economy in the toilet, more and more people will be looking to make some money off their timeshare, these scammers know that, and I think we'll see more and more people posting about these scams in the coming months.

Then of course are the non-believers in the marketplace, where they come here and learn their timeshare is worthless, and they can't accept that, and hope its not true, then some scammer calls, offering big bucks for it, and they think "Ha! TUG was wrong! Its worth alot!", and they get suckered.

 

[spatenfloot]

Hi Liliana,

I happened to find this while I am showing my friend about Premium Timeshare Depot and felt the need to tell you this: I signed up with Michelle months ago and she had my timeshare sold at the auto convention out of Orlando. I sold my 2/2 for $16,500, I did not want to do the rental program they offer. It took about 4 months; however, the job was completed. I did not have to pay my MF this year! She is not at the Resort Premium Timeshare Depot is a Management company. The fee they charge was totally worth it! My friend is signing up today.

Complete BS. Company shill.

 

[skwhick3c]

Resort Property Depot Inc.

Received a call from an Ms. Elizabeth Adams regarding renting my timeshare last night and as promised she emailed me today.
Website is poor, the deal too good, rent my one week for $1,800.00 to $2,100.00 ... blah, blah, blah. When she called tonight I question the deal as too good, so how does it work? She need $493.00 or $299.00 up front ... enough said. I told her I want to dig a little bit and get back to her - awaiting her call back and I'm not holding my breath. Nots sure how she came up with my phone number. I just came off a Carnival Liberty cruise on February 08, 2009 and last weekend my local timeshare company wanted to upgrade me so my wife and went for the free goods.

Resort Property Depot Inc. is from St. Peterburg, FL 33702

 

[Vacation Depot Corporate]

Vacation Depot Corporate...

Greetings Timeshare User Group Viewers & Members:

My name is Shawn Murphy, Director of Marketing for Vacation Depot. These grievances have been brought to my attention and I would like to address your concerns. I would like to address the fact that these complaints are just speculation, not facts, made by consumers who have only spoken with our agency. I have yet to come across a discrepancy of a current client with Vacation Depot. I sincerely regret if anybody has had a poor experience with any Vacation Depot representative. I assure you this is something we do not tolerate, and these matters have been addressed with each representative in question.
The Mission of Vacation Depot is to provide our clients with candidates interested in timeshare vacation properties. Our goal is to identify and present motivated customers who are prepared and ready to conduct business with you, without having the inefficiency and aggravation of communicating through brokers and without broker fees.
Our most aggressive marketing concept consists of face-to-face direct marketing to corporations as well as the vacationing public. Vacation Depot holds internet marketing contracts with Google, Yahoo, and MSN. As internet users browse the internet, there is a good chance they will see an advertisement for vacation properties in our inventory. Due to these relationships, we receive numerous vacation property inquires from seekers hoping to acquire properties in certain areas.
Running concurrently with these programs, Vacation Depot employs a telemarketing team solely dedicated to the purpose of marketing to both businesses and consumers for vacation property resale’s and rentals. This department consists of licensed telemarketers.
While many vacation property marketing programs consist solely of internet marketing, Vacation Depot has taken strides to surpass our competition. While properties are being showcased at trade shows and conventions, reaching millions on the World Wide Web, they are also being marketed by sales calls. The combination of our marketing programs is a sure way to link motivated buyers with motivated sellers.
Due to the obvious investments that Vacation Depot makes to maintain our pipeline of buyers and renters, our marketing package does consist of a marketing fee. This fee provides professional exposure to vacationers and corporations world wide. Our team has continuous contact with buyers and renters, and constantly pursues new prospects to buy or rent. Dedicated to success, Vacation Depot is on our way to becoming a leader in the vacation property industry. Our multiple marketing programs and efficient customer service ensure that our clients will be pleased with their experience.
Cordially,

Shawn Murphy
Marketing Director
Vacation Depot Inc.

[TUG has a strict no advertising rule - please do not post your contact info. or website here - DeniseM TUG Moderator]

So my mother gets a call from "Vacation Depot" or "www.thevacationdepot.com" about selling her timeshare. She thought it was odd timing as she just spoke with Marriott an hour before, but apparently they have nothing in common. I spoke with them and spoke with an "Amanda" who offered to sell our Marriott Surf Watch for a GUARANTEED $18,000 - $22,400.

She didn't skip a beat when I said it was an outrageous price, and said she already has a buyer lined up. I said, ok great! Then I'll sweeten your deal, you can sell it at your minimum price, plus I'll throw in another $1,000 and you will be paid everything at the closing, not the $598 you want upfront now. She said we'll have to speak with the deed owner (my mother) I said sure thing and got her on the line and she hung up. :rofl:

Called her back and left a message and never heard back. With the deal I offered they should be jumping through hoops to make an extra grand with such a quick sale.

 

[AwayWeGo]

New T. U. G. - B. B. S. Phenomenon ?

Is it just me, or has there been a recent spate of He-Said-She-Said discussion topics on TUG-BBS lately ?

You know, the kind starting out with somebody new or relatively new to TUG-BBS blowing the whistle on some slick timeshare resale or timeshare liberty operation & then continuing with somebody else from the very same operation attesting to the organization's high ethical standards & calling out the whistleblower for being a grudge-motivated ax grinder.

Sound familiar ?

If so, at least we've got'm quarreling amongst themselves now.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[nlc425]

I also received a call from Jean. I don't know if I should do it. She wants $350 to process the paperwork and then can begin renting or selling my timeshare at the conventions. Is this a scam?

 

[DeniseM]

I also received a call from Jean. I don't know if I should do it. She wants $350 to process the paperwork and then can begin renting or selling my timeshare at the conventions. Is this a scam?

Once she has your $350, what motivation does she have to actually rent your timeshare? None! In this economy, when hotels are empty and begging for customers, and the market is already glutted with empty rooms - why would your's rent for top dollar, when others are standing empty? Don't do it!

 

[Talent312]

[Moved to the "received call" thread.]

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

I have been going ot professional conferences and trade shows my entire career - 30 years now, a minimum of one conference per year and averaging about three per year.

I must admiit that in my experience it is not unknown for conventioneers to stay at a timeshare. However, in every case I know of it is a situation in which an attendee who is a timeshare owner exchanges into a timeshare resort that happens to be near the conference location. I've even done it myself; when I had a conference at Incline Village, Nevada I exchanged into a nearby timeshare.

But I have never heard anyone telling me that they have rented a timeshare because they were going to a conference.

Now, I'm certainly not saying that hasn't happened. But it certainly raises the question of how exactly these folks are going about marketing these great timeshare bargains to conventioneers. In my 30 years of conference I have not once seen a single notice advising me of timeshares available for rent at the conference I am attending.

******

Personally, I don't doubt for one minute that the money timeshare owners give to companies to market their units to conventioneers goes into advertising. But I suspect that most of that advertising is targeted toward people who have timeshares to rent, not toward finding people who might rent a timeshare.

If a person were motivated to look into renting a timeshare as an alternative to staying at a hotel, I suppose they might stumble across a site such as Vacation Depot after doing a Google search. Vacation Depot would probably be glad to pass on any such contacts they receive.

But renting timeshares to conventioneers as a standard business practice??? Doesn't happen.

 

[Badsarito]

Resort Property Depot success Story

I have to admit im a tough customer. Ive signed up with 3 of these listing companies in the last two years, so when Sara called me I was prepared to hang up the phone. but for some reason i didnt. she was very thorough and not pushy at all. I was a little skeptical that my timeshare would sell at all, i mean i had tried this 3 times before. Anyway, i decided to give it another shot based on the fact that they are not a website listing company and they have no complaints witht the BBB. Ill admit, i was a little shocked when i got a call 2 months later from one of their reps saying they had an offer for me. It was a little bit lower than i had hoped (13k) but to be honest i accepted just to get out of the payments. This was no joke, i had the check in my hand 5 weeks later and no more timeshare!! I am not saying that timeshare resale companies arent a scam, i beleive the first three i did business with were, but sara and Resort Property depot were so helpful through the entire process and they even helped me get my money back from those other comapnies. My suggestion is to do your research and not to pay a company with customer complaints. Wish i would have done business with them first!!

Hats off guys, keep up the good work!!

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

I have to admit im a tough customer. Ive signed up with 3 of these listing companies in the last two years, so when Sara called me I was prepared to hang up the phone. but for some reason i didnt. she was very thorough and not pushy at all. I was a little skeptical that my timeshare would sell at all, i mean i had tried this 3 times before. Anyway, i decided to give it another shot based on the fact that they are not a website listing company and they have no complaints witht the BBB. Ill admit, i was a little shocked when i got a call 2 months later from one of their reps saying they had an offer for me. It was a little bit lower than i had hoped (13k) but to be honest i accepted just to get out of the payments. This was no joke, i had the check in my hand 5 weeks later and no more timeshare!! I am not saying that timeshare resale companies arent a scam, i beleive the first three i did business with were, but sara and Resort Property depot were so helpful through the entire process and they even helped me get my money back from those other comapnies. My suggestion is to do your research and not to pay a company with customer complaints. Wish i would have done business with them first!!

Hats off guys, keep up the good work!!

There's enough baloney in that post to set a Guiness record for world's largest hero sandwich.

 

[jdetar]

I have to admit im a tough customer. Ive signed up with 3 of these listing companies in the last two years, so when Sara called me I was prepared to hang up the phone. but for some reason i didnt. she was very thorough and not pushy at all. I was a little skeptical that my timeshare would sell at all, i mean i had tried this 3 times before. Anyway, i decided to give it another shot based on the fact that they are not a website listing company and they have no complaints witht the BBB. Ill admit, i was a little shocked when i got a call 2 months later from one of their reps saying they had an offer for me. It was a little bit lower than i had hoped (13k) but to be honest i accepted just to get out of the payments. This was no joke, i had the check in my hand 5 weeks later and no more timeshare!! I am not saying that timeshare resale companies arent a scam, i beleive the first three i did business with were, but sara and Resort Property depot were so helpful through the entire process and they even helped me get my money back from those other comapnies. My suggestion is to do your research and not to pay a company with customer complaints. Wish i would have done business with them first!!

Hats off guys, keep up the good work!!

You're completely full of it. They are a total SCAM.