Getting out of my Timeshare - Safe Hands Transfers [merged]

[rone65]

Can anyone tell me about a company named "Safe Hands Transfers"? I received a postcard in the mail and had a meeting with them.

They want $2,795 to take my timeshare off my hands thus relieving me of the expensive annual maintence costs.

[Specifics deleted.]

Your thoughts?

Thanks - Ron

 

[zcrider]

don't do it

This is most likely a scam and you should not do it. Post your week up for free here on TUG. Offer to give it away for free to whoever will take it off your hands. Some people even offer to pay the closing costs....you can get this done for around $100 often, so basically you pay the closing cost to give it away to someone else here on TUG.
There a lots of people on here that collect Wyndham points and I hear Tennessee has some of the lowest MF's for Wyndham locations. You might make someone very happy to get that for free.
How much are your MF's?

 

[Talent312]

Anyone who wants your money up front is running a scam.
These cretins are well-known in the industry as PCC's - postcard companies.
Often, they ask you to sign a POA, not a deed, leaving the TS in your name.
Did they say the $$ is for a title search, advertising or they have a buyer?
Title searches aren't done, they list in on a website for price no one will pay, and no buyer exists.

Please turn them in by contacting the consumer division of your state's Attorney General or the condo/TS division of your state's real estate regulating agency. Do not get suckered and throw your $$ down a rat hole.

The truth is that the TS market is severely depressed and as the other poster(s) have indicated, your best bet is to give it away here or on e-bay.
Read the sticky posts above for common sense advice.

 

[AwayWeGo]

We've Seen This Hornswoggle Before.

Your thoughts?

Click here for a few pertinent thoughts.

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

 

[eal]

Do a search for "postcard companies" and you will find out more bad news than you would ever want! Several companies like this are under investigation with various state attorneys.

 

[DeniseM]

Before I even considered paying someone a cent to take my TS off my hands, I'd try to give it away to someone who might like to have it.

There are two places on TUG where you can give away your TS's for free (no charge for the Ads.)

TUG Marketplace - the only cost is your TUG membership - $15 (List it for $1 and it will automatically go in the Bargain Basement Ads.)

Bargain Deals - just write a simple post with all the pertinent info. - completely free!

To make it more attractive I would:

1) Pay 2010 maintenance fees

2) Pay for the title transfer (you can get a simple professional transfer for about $100)
I've used this company and the owner is a Tugger.

3) Reserve a popular holiday week in 2010 for the new owner

Good luck!

 

[rone65]

Search?

Do a search for "postcard companies" and you will find out more bad news than you would ever want! Several companies like this are under investigation with various state attorneys.

Do you mean search on Google or somewhere on TUG?
Thanks - Ron

 

[timeos2]

They want big money for something you can do

Can anyone tell me about a company named "Safe Hands Transfers"? I received a postcard in the mail and had a meeting with them.

They want $2,795 to take my timeshare off my hands thus relieving me of the expensive annual maintence costs.

[Specifics deleted.]

Your thoughts?

Thanks - Ron

Far better, as well as safer, to use some or all of that money to get your timeshare into the hands of a true new owner. When you pay to give them power of attorney rights and then they can't/don't actually sell it and deed it to a new owner correctly you can find yourself still on the hook for fees a year or two later. Not the outcome you want and a potential loss of your $2800.

Use the links above to find a willing buyer/taker and, if needed, sweeten the deal with just a fraction of what you would pay these guys. Then when you sign the deed over you KNOW you are no longer responsible and a hopefully happy new owner will enjoy the deal.

Bottom line - don't pay them to do what you can do far cheaper or even for nothing yourself. Good luck!

 

[dougp26364]

If you still owe money against your timeshare, they won't take it. They're only interested in timeshares that have no liens against them. Also be aware that they may not actually be transfering the title out of your name when you sign their documents. Most likely you're simply giving them power of attorny to sell your timeshare for you. If they don't sell it before your next MF's are do, it's still in your name and, even though you paid them nearly $3,000 to "take-it-off-your-hands", it may very well still be in your name with you on the hook for MF's.

These guys are slick. Pay very close attention to everything they say, ask questions and READ anything you sign. If you're going to pay someone to take your timeshare, make darn sure they actually transfer the title into their company name.

 

[DaveNV]

Do you mean search on Google or somewhere on TUG?
Thanks - Ron

Ron, a postcard company is an outfit that sends postcards to timeshare owners, offering to "relieve them of their timeshare burden" - for a fee. In your case it was $2795. The problem is, they don't actually take it over. They only get you to sign a Power of Attorney, allowing them to unload your timeshare at any price. They usually only put a listing on a website, along with a thousand other timeshares. It may or may not sell that way (but usually won't.) The next time maintenance fees or special assessments are due, you'd have to pay them, because you still own the timeshare. Since the PCC has taken your $2795 in advance, with no guarantees of a sale, they have no incentive whatsoever to actually sell your timeshare for you.

PCCs are a common timeshare scam. Follow the advice of TUG folks who have been where you are - don't ever pay anyone in advance to sell your timeshare. If you do, all you're doing is giving away your money.

I have a timeshare in Hawaii I've just sold to a fellow TUGGER for $1. And I'm paying the closing costs, which will be about $300. The TUG ad was free. The closing is being handled by a respected TUG member, at a fraction of what outside companies might charge. I've passed along a timeshare I no longer want to a buyer who is thrilled to get a great deal on a timeshare she wants to own. It was all pretty painless, and a lot cheaper than giving away $2795 to a company that is only interested in your money.

Good luck!

Dave

 

[Stormron]

Can anyone tell me about a company named "Safe Hands Transfers"? I received a postcard in the mail and had a meeting with them.

They want $2,795 to take my timeshare off my hands thus relieving me of the expensive annual maintence costs.

[Specifics deleted.]

Your thoughts?

Thanks - Ron

Check out [commercial link deleted] It is a last resort option that sounds better than what you are looking at.

 

[Stormron]

Ron, a postcard company is an outfit that sends postcards to timeshare owners, offering to "relieve them of their timeshare burden" - for a fee. In your case it was $2795. The problem is, they don't actually take it over. They only get you to sign a Power of Attorney, allowing them to unload your timeshare at any price. They usually only put a listing on a website, along with a thousand other timeshares. It may or may not sell that way (but usually won't.) The next time maintenance fees or special assessments are due, you'd have to pay them, because you still own the timeshare. Since the PCC has taken your $2795 in advance, with no guarantees of a sale, they have no incentive whatsoever to actually sell your timeshare for you.

PCCs are a common timeshare scam. Follow the advice of TUG folks who have been where you are - don't ever pay anyone in advance to sell your timeshare. If you do, all you're doing is giving away your money.

I have a timeshare in Hawaii I've just sold to a fellow TUGGER for $1. And I'm paying the closing costs, which will be about $300. The TUG ad was free. The closing is being handled by a respected TUG member, at a fraction of what outside companies might charge. I've passed along a timeshare I no longer want to a buyer who is thrilled to get a great deal on a timeshare she wants to own. It was all pretty painless, and a lot cheaper than giving away $2795 to a company that is only interested in your money.

Good luck!

Dave

Just in the interest of accuracy, there are companies of last resort that do
"take over" better defined "take ownership" of distressed timeshares. The application for this type of company is after the timeshare owner has exhausted all other resources such as you did.

[Commercial link deleted - DeniseM Moderator]

 

[Stormron]

Before I even considered paying someone a cent to take my TS off my hands, I'd try to give it away to someone who might like to have it.

There are two places on TUG where you can give away your TS's for free (no charge for the Ads.)

TUG Marketplace - the only cost is your TUG membership - $15 (List it for $1 and it will automatically go in the Bargain Basement Ads.)

Bargain Deals - just write a simple post with all the pertinent info. - completely free!

To make it more attractive I would:

1) Pay 2010 maintenance fees

2) Pay for the title transfer (you can get a simple professional transfer for about $100)
I've used this company and the owner is a Tugger.

3) Reserve a popular holiday week in 2010 for the new owner

Good luck!

As an owner group, it might be well for us to stop playing ostrich and get our heads out of the sand. There are some timeshare weeks that have no value and therefore no takers even for FREE. Timeshare weeks are never free since they carry the ongoing obligation to pay maintenance, taxes and special assessments. There are also legitimate companies that deal with this situation and do take ownership of distressed properties for a fee. Owners who have tried everything else first do not have to take a hit on their credit or pay fees forever.

[Commercial link deleted - when you post the same info. 3 posts in a row, it becomes advertising, and duplicate posts are not permitted on TUG. - DeniseM Moderator]

 

[Stormron]

Anyone who wants your money up front is running a scam.
These cretins are well-known in the industry as PCC's - postcard companies.
Often, they ask you to sign a POA, not a deed, leaving the TS in your name.
Did they say the $$ is for a title search, advertising or they have a buyer?
Title searches aren't done, they list in on a website for price no one will pay, and no buyer exists.

Please turn them in by contacting the consumer division of your state's Attorney General or the condo/TS division of your state's real estate regulating agency. Do not get suckered and throw your $$ down a rat hole.

The truth is that the TS market is severely depressed and as the other poster(s) have indicated, your best bet is to give it away here or on e-bay.
Read the sticky posts above for common sense advice.

Buyer beware is always a good idea but that implies complete information. Not all companies who offer last resort options should be grouped with your PCC companies. Unfortunately, there are many timeshare weeks that cannot be successfully given away, donated, sold or given back to developers. The option is to pay fees forever, take a credit hit or look for a company that actually buys distressed timeshare weeks but charges a reasonable fee for such service. Fees should not be paid until the timeshare week is actually transferred successfully.

[Commercial links deleted. - DeniseM Moderator]

 

[DeniseM]

Duplicate posts are not permitted on TUG - please quit posting the same info. over and over.

 

[Stormron]

Hi Denise,

Thanks for the notice about how you classify advertising. It is just sad that there is so much mis-information out on the TUG site and other sites. Like it or not, Timeshare Relief is now one of INC Magazines fastest growing - top 500 companies in America. They carry an A- rating with BBB.

I have considered using their service for a week I own but didn't because of their pricing structure. Giving TUG members research options may be "advertising" but it also potentially protects TUG members.

BTW - I am not affiliated with Timeshare Relief in any way.

 

[DeniseM]

Stormron - No savvy TUG member would use this company. You have a total of 9 posts and more than half of them promote upfront fee companies. You lack credibilty - especially recommending a company you haven't used personally.

 

[Stricky]

And what a surprise... every thread that mentions that company has a new poster that comes in and tries to say how great it is. Hmmmm....

To the OP... I think you get the point... stay away from companies that require a up front fee. Sell it yourself on ebay for $1 and you will save $2794

 

[e.bram]

Stormron:
Try posting on TS4MS.com.

 

[Stricky]

here is a good place to start:
http://www.timeshareforums.com/foru...share-relief-defending-their-company-tug.html

 

[yumdrey]

Stormron,
If you EVER used timeshare relief for your timeshare and recommend again, I would not suspect you as a shill.
Timeshare Relief is no better than other pcc or scams. My friend attended their presentation, got scared and paid $$ 9 months ago. This year, they got a MF bill again (what a surprise!), tried to solve this problem with timeshare relief, called and called and called again, then they realized that it was NOT a real relief. Fortunately, they still can afford ongoing MF and it doesn't affect their life, they just think they learned a good lesson by paying $3000 and plan vacations again with their 150,000 annual RCI points. I have seen what they went through, so I know you are a shill.
Do not recommend any company unless you use it yourself. If you DID use timeshare relief, I want to see the proof.

 

[Stormron]

[Deleted - duplicate post - DeniseM Moderator]

 

[sandkastle4966]

and further......

"Ron"e posts and then storm"ron" posts over and over and over again info on some company in response.........

 

[Stormron]

Per the TUG posting rules:

Honor changes entered by moderators
You may not alter, edit, or delete any edits introduced into your message by a Moderator or Administrator. This is considered a serious offense and may result in loss of posting privileges.

In addition, do not enter complaints about moderation into BBS messages. Such posts will be considered off-topic and will be removed. Any such complaints or discussion should be communicated to the bbs staff directly via email or personal message.

 

[volsforever]

Can anyone tell me about a company named "Safe Hands Transfers"? I received a postcard in the mail and had a meeting with them.

They want $2,795 to take my timeshare off my hands thus relieving me of the expensive annual maintence costs.

[Specifics deleted.]

Your thoughts?

Thanks - Ron

Ron, I just went to one of their presentations today.
In a nutshell, they give a show about how nobody is actually reselling their weeks, you can't just walk away from them, the "upfront fee" resales are scams, and that they are a family owned business that only wants to help those that want out. They tell you that the biggest reason that you can't seel your unit is that closing costs run from 3 thousand to 5 thousand dollars.

Now what clued me in to them was that their presentation was EXACTLY like a timeshare sales presentation....you know, they sit down and write down a bunch of dollar figures designed to show you how much money you can save with their program, then when that doesn't work they try to make you fell foolish for not going with them, then if that doesn't work they bring in the high pressure guy who double talks you trying to confuse you and get your emotions rolled up. When you call his hand on his double talk he accuses you of calling him a liar (which he is) trying to intimidate you into backing down.

When I recognized what was going on, I stood up and put my coat on, exchanged insults with him and walked out, with him following me out the door mumbling some things (I wasn't listening anymore or I very well would have been arrested for assault and battery).

They say for 4995 they will get you out of your TS, and I'm sure they will drop that price down because they are running a special "today only" (where have you heard that before) that will end when you walk out the door.

Bottom line, they are legitimate only in the legal sense of the word. Stay away from them.