[2008] Florida Veterans Assistance Association [merged]

[simplycharming82]

Please keep us posted on if this goes through for you. I also have had no offers so far for the timeshare (granted, it has only been posted for a week). You're right that at least the additional fee would be less than the maintenance for next year. I'm hoping I don't have to pay either one, but if it comes down too it, I'll choose the smaller bill.

 

[esp1946]

good for u you have to keep fighting them and at least try to get your money back send that what you have just posted here and im sure u will get a response out of them. I now have the company e-mail that is going to do the closing on my timeshare had to pay but its not as much as next years maintence fee so guess that is better to get rid of it. The closing company is timesharetitle.com and ive spoken with them so getting a little closer on this anyways. Hope they are a reputable company.

 

[esp1946]

right ive had mine up for maybe a month to just pay closing cost on it no other fees but no offers on it so 670
maintence probably will be closer to 700 and 400 to get it deeded out of our name works for me as it is getting closer and closer to dec. lol ill keep you informed on it they said would take 60 to 90 days for the closing and that was with the closing company timesharetitle.com

 

[Meme]

FVA

Just my 2 cents worth.
Tried to donate to this organisation last year. They did tell me they would not take over my lease which had only 14yrs left but would refer me to a local broker if he would be willing. A cost of $199 was their referal fee which was tax deductable as donation. The broker did not require a contract and I was free to also try to sell myself.
I have not heard from either in months but did pay the $199 as some research did show they did do some veteran charity work. I was willing to count this as a contribution as we are a military family and I hope it helped someone.
I still have my TS

 

[Barb56]

Fl VA

Is the Florida VA donation Organization legitimate?

i AM THINKING ON DONATING MY TIMESHARE THAT i CANNOT SELL BUT WANT TO KNOW IF ANYONE HAD A PROBLEM ABOUT DEED TRANSFERING AND GETTING YOUR NAME OFF THE DEED? tHANKS!

 

[DeniseM]

Welcome to TUG - for that info., please read the rest of the thread you posted in. I made your 2 questions into one post.

 

[fvarep]

Non-Profit

I agree with Steve, as I'm sure most of us will. The $550 upfront fee is a definite negative! Jean

How do you expect a Non-Profit Organization, that does direct transfers to operate without funds. Transfer companies don't always return funding, but they do however, take your timeshare and transfer to them and save you many years of future maintenance fees. People need to realize we are dealing with realestate, there are always costs involved in any realestate. Why would we pay for the service, transfer, and closing of your timeshares. We have only had 1 problem in 6 years of taking timeshares and helping vets for 13 years.

I think out of the 6-7000 timeshare transferred in 6 years that one problem - that we were and are trying to straighten out, we've done pretty good for timeshare owners and the Veterans. Unfortunately, we had a fraudulent company take timeshares for a couple months - then call us and tell us he was broke and returned the timeshares. What would you have done in this situation? How could we have seen that coming, we got the same responses as our donors when they called for status, etc.

Well, what we did was the best we could to place those returned - did it take longer than the time promised? - yes, however, the point we never turned our back on any of our donors!

 

[mcady01]

This is incorrect FVAREP, as your organization has never returned any funding monies or provided even a simple receipt that a donation was made to the Florida Vets. That alone constitutes turning your backs on your donors.

We've been trying over and over to work with you, and your associates, many many times for this. Last 'info' (to hopefully persuade us that in some manner you were still working on our timeshare, and to stop the reporting mentioned on page two of this forum discussion) was that you've been working directly with a buyback source at Westgate, and you would have the individuals' name for us so we can actually get a current bill statement from the timeshare. At that point the maintenance fees, that should not have been due if the original dates wouldn't have been accrued if your deal hadn't fallen through, are still due, yet Westgate is still working with you. Since this has never been provided as promised (call me Wed, call me next week, only VMs), Westgate has never sent us anything, in writting, email, or telephone, and has turned us over to a collections agency in midstream of this 'buyback' process you've supposedly been working on.

Here's my good faith, in a email sent last night, to Florida Vets:

*Guys, I'm done dealing with this. You still have not provided a simple letter/receipt of support for the $550 in Oct 2008 even after have two of your folks contact me for a fax/home address, have found that you have not truly worked with any 'Ricky' at Westgate Lakes for buy-back on this timeshare. We've called back several times again to speak with your settling this timeshare/repurchase from Westgate, and now we've been turned over to a collection agency for a fee well above the standard fee's that were supposedly in-flight with your group. This is also due to not actually verifying the name of the individual you're supposedly actually working with.

So, you will be receiving a copy of the 3949-a IRS form that is being faxed on Tues to your office, as well as to the IRS office in Freso for fradulent 501c collection activities. I'm done, if you cannot at least return the original 'donation' without sending other folks over to get more dollars for this, you'll have until Wed.

Have a great memorial day to true veterans' support (both my father, both brothers, and one who is still serving, for their sacrifices).*

 

[fvarep]

Unfairly Responsible for Defraudulent Company

I actually spoke to you in the beginning of the week asking you to let me talke to Westgate - I have a company to give this to and there will be no additional costs - you know this was not a situation and we did not refuse to refund - we asked for a chance to speak to the contact that told us they would take the timeshare back. Again, I have another company to take it and you will be completed 6-8 weeks.

If I can place you with another company with no additional costs - then we still did our job, even though we got screwed - we have to wait for others to answer - try to be in our shoes - For 6 years we never had problems - the one we should all be going after is "TOMT" - we have refunded clients and or placed elsewhere - you can only speak for you, which again, I asked you give me till the end of the week.

We do alot of good for the Vets and it is unfair to ruin our Charity when we have done nothing but try to fix theses problems - 250 out of 6-7000 is a good track record I think and we continue to fix....Thanks.

 

[fvarep]

FVAA UNFAIRLY JUDGED - NO SCAM - Personal Experience

Re: Unable To ConnectThursday, June 25, 2009 10:53 AM
From: "BMURPHY660@aol.com" <BMURPHY660@aol.com>Add sender to ContactsTo: fvarep@verizon.net




Kim,
I went to TUG2 and started the registration process but it's too much bullshit just to leave a comment, so I'll provide one in this e-mail and you can cut and paste it on the web site if you so desire. I hope this will be of help.

Sincerely,
Brian C. Murphy


To all of you timeshare owners out there that have been scammed, lied to, cheated, and have spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars trying to get rid of their property, or properties, Florida Veterans Assistance is the REAL DEAL. I tried at least three times, and paid well over $1500 for advertisement costs in order to try and sell my timeshare. I came to the conclusion that the only way I was going to get rid of my undesirable timeshare was to donate it. It's really sad that it had to come down to donating, but we all know that certain timeshares have just plain crappy trading power, and maintenance fees are escalating every year. I have to say I was very skeptical when Florida Veterans Assistance first contacted me due to the negative experiences with all those swindlers out there. Yes you do have to pay a small payment up front, but you can write off the administrative fees, and in most cases write off up to $5000 for your donation. The up front fee is nominal and knowing that you'll finally be out from under that timeshare is peace of mind.
In fact I contacted many places that accept timeshare donations, and because I did in fact have such an undesirable location they wouldn't even accept my donation. How disheartening is that? But Florida Veterans Assistance came to my rescue. They assured me that my donation would be accepted, and things would be done expeditiously. To write over the deed, and the miscellaneous paperwork that had to be done, the timeshare was donated in less than a month. It was a seamless transaction, and all parties involved were completely competent, easily assessable, and friendly. If you're serious about donating your timeshare I would highly recommend using Florida Veterans Assistance.

B. Murphy
Mount Wolf, PA.

 

[fvarep]

Unfairly Responsible for Defraudulent Company

FVAA UNFAIRLY JUDGED - NO SCAM - Personal Experience

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Re: Unable To ConnectThursday, June 25, 2009 10:53 AM
From: "BMURPHY660@aol.com" <BMURPHY660@aol.com>Add sender to ContactsTo: fvarep@verizon.net




Kim,
I went to TUG2 and started the registration process but it's too much bullshit just to leave a comment, so I'll provide one in this e-mail and you can cut and paste it on the web site if you so desire. I hope this will be of help.

Sincerely,
Brian C. Murphy


To all of you timeshare owners out there that have been scammed, lied to, cheated, and have spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars trying to get rid of their property, or properties, Florida Veterans Assistance is the REAL DEAL. I tried at least three times, and paid well over $1500 for advertisement costs in order to try and sell my timeshare. I came to the conclusion that the only way I was going to get rid of my undesirable timeshare was to donate it. It's really sad that it had to come down to donating, but we all know that certain timeshares have just plain crappy trading power, and maintenance fees are escalating every year. I have to say I was very skeptical when Florida Veterans Assistance first contacted me due to the negative experiences with all those swindlers out there. Yes you do have to pay a small payment up front, but you can write off the administrative fees, and in most cases write off up to $5000 for your donation. The up front fee is nominal and knowing that you'll finally be out from under that timeshare is peace of mind.
In fact I contacted many places that accept timeshare donations, and because I did in fact have such an undesirable location they wouldn't even accept my donation. How disheartening is that? But Florida Veterans Assistance came to my rescue. They assured me that my donation would be accepted, and things would be done expeditiously. To write over the deed, and the miscellaneous paperwork that had to be done, the timeshare was donated in less than a month. It was a seamless transaction, and all parties involved were completely competent, easily assessable, and friendly. If you're serious about donating your timeshare I would highly recommend using Florida Veterans Assistance.

B. Murphy

 

[kingfisher]

Florida Veterans Assistance

I have read all of the threads through May 2009 and wonder what the status is since May '09. Anything new on donating timeshares to this group?

 

[DeniseM]

For continuity, and to keep pertinent info. in one thread, I moved your question to the on-going thread on that topic.

 

[mcady01]

New Update

Quick Update-

Yes, been contacted again to complete this timeshare transfer through FVA with another company. Kim has stated that she is moving forward with the new group, as Westgate also renegged on the buyback (still would like to see those emails from Rusty).

Biggest issue is the lack of communication, documented. I've written, IM'ed, emailed, etc and feedback is pretty scarce. I'm hoping this next round with FVA through another donation group goes through, as we're at 10 months now. I've been patient, somewhat understanding, but as you can tell, extremely frustrated with the whole industry/scammers. I definately don't have a problem with calling BS loudly...

So, I'm still holding onto some hope that this is working through FVA. I'll let all know.

 

[esp1946]

I used Florida Veterans for a donation of my timeshare and was 1 of those that had the trouble with whom they used to send it to and was sent bac it took awhile for kim to get it sent to another company but once done it wwas finished in about 4 weeks and i called the resort we had and our name was taken off and the new name but on the deed. We are free and clear had to pay 499 to do so for the trasfer etc but in the long run the maintence fees would be around 700 in december so it was cheaper and we are free and clear now of ownership. Thanks Kim!

 

[JoeMO]

Questions

esp1946,

Did they communicate with you, keep you informed and could you get a hold of someone when you had questions. I may be willing to try it again. Did you deal directly and only with Kim at FL Vets? What is the phone number you used?

Thanks,
Joe

 

[esp1946]

FVA

Yes went thru kim and we were in the mess that all went back to kim and it took longer to get done but it got done and when she sent our timeshare to a company they kept us informed by clicking on their website and using a password they took about 3 months to complete but it did get done and I called our timeshare resort to make sure it was out of our name and it was so we wont owe maintence fees for next year which would be around 700 but we did have to pay 499 to have the paperwork done the closing etc but well worth getting it out of our hands.

 

[JoeMO]

Phone Number

esp1946,

What is Kim's phone number and email address?

Thanks,
Joe

 

[esp1946]

Im not sure of the poe number now just go to Florida veterans association and get the number or leave a e-mail there and they will call u.

 

[Indytraveler]

Florida Veterans Association

I just recently completed my transaction to donate my timeshare to Florida Veterans Association & thought it'd be beneficial to share my experience as it's been so recent. I documented the entire timeline to give people a realistic look at the process. Here's the order of events:

1) Early June, Kim called me and told me about the opportunity & process. She was straight forward on the costs for the Administration Fee, Closing Fee & Transfer Fee. I did some research, including reading this forum and all the comments. After reading the comments regarding what had happened & the concerns, she flat out was transparent with the entire story of what happened with the other timeshare closing company they worked with. So on June 8th, I decided to go with it, send it my deed and paid the Admin fee to Kim.
2) Early August, I got a Warranty Deed back from American Timeshare Closing LLC, asking me to sign the deed to transfer ownership along with the closing costs and resort transfer fees. These fees were the exact amount Kim had communicated to me in June. It took me a couple of weeks but at the end of August, I mailed back the notorized deed and payment to American Timeshare Closings.
3) Mid-September, I got a call from Kim saying that they transferred ownership with the County of my timeshare so I'm no longer legally bound to the timeshare. I went on the County website and saw that the closing company in fact had documented the transfer with the county
4) Late September, I got a letter from American Timeshare closing stating that my transfer had been complete. I called my resort and confirmed with them that it's no longer in my name and I had no legal obligations anymore.
5) Mid-November, I received a letter from Kim with all of my receipts for my donation amount. The amounts were the exact same amounts she had communicated to me in June.

As you can see, it takes a few months but everything that I was told, including costs, process and donation amount were correct so I'm happy with it and it was one of the best things I did. I know sometimes they don't get back to you right away but I think they try very hard to do so. All in all, if you're thinking about donating to get rid of your timeshare, this is a good way to go. You'll just have to be patient and estimate maybe 5 months to be safe for the transaction. Good luck!

 

[norash]

Florida Veterans Association

Hi

I just joined to post a comment about this organization. We had a timeshare at Wyndham Bay Voyage float fixed week. Not easy to get rid of. I searched many sources and decided to take the risk with Florida Vets. I sent them a donation and they started the transfer process. It took some time and I checked with the transfer company several times to make me feel better that I had not just sent money to a scam artist. Although it took a while I just got off the phone with Wyndham and I officially do not own the timeshare any more. I feel that it was a bargain. $400.00 donation and $350.00 to the title company. Kim returned all my calls and I feel like I have had an enourmous weight taken off my shoulders. Thanks Florida Vets.

 

[jc24]

Uh oh - website account suspended

Florida Veterans seemed like a legit company, but recently I noticed their website account has been suspended: www.veteransassistance.us

Also, their phone number (813) 249-4910 gives a machine-like "Hello, no one is available to take your call..."

This company seemed legit to me, but now I'm not so sure.

 

[richardm]

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes...

Florida Veterans seemed like a legit company, but recently I noticed their website account has been suspended: www.veteransassistance.us

Also, their phone number (813) 249-4910 gives a machine-like "Hello, no one is available to take your call..."

This company seemed legit to me, but now I'm not so sure.

..... These groups have a way of resurfacing, usually with a new name- but always with the same way of doing business..

When the next group comes along, just pay attention to who they work with for closings, it will tell you an awful lot about the entire organization..

 

[jc24]

They're back up

website is back up now.

 

[fvarep]

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