Got a call from a company called groupwise (aka timeshare titles) in Pennsylvania to take our timeshare off our hands. After being scammed by premier timeshare solutions, we refuse to give ANY money to sell our timeshare. They assured me there would be no fees and invited me to a presentation in my town next sunday. I worry this will be a waste of time since I think somehow, someway they will ask for a fee and we will NOT give them any money. Anyone do business with this company when selling your timeshare?
-
The TUGBBS forums are completely free and open to the public and exist as the absolute best place for owners to get help and advice about their timeshares for more than 30 years!
Join Tens of Thousands of other Owners just like you here to get any and all Timeshare questions answered 24 hours a day!
groupwise-scam?
- Thread starter renomnca
- Start date
Bill4728
Moderator
Here is a report from the rip off website:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/Title-a...ESHARE/group-wise-timeshare-groupwi-md35c.htm
http://www.ripoffreport.com/Title-a...ESHARE/group-wise-timeshare-groupwi-md35c.htm
Bill, it won't let me open the page. I did see a couple posts on the ripoff report...one saying it is a scam, the other saying it's legit. I'm always leary of the "legit" ones because I never know if they come from someone who works for the company. Premier did this once.
Bill4728
Moderator
Reading the link, it appears they are what is called here as a Postcard company (PCC).
If you search this site for that term you'll se that they will ask you for about $3000- $4000 and tell you "they take the TS off your hands" They will then have you sign a power of attorney and try and sell your TS, if they sell it quickly, they'll use the POA to complete they sale. BUT if they can't find a buyer quickly they may do nothing with the TS and you'll still own it and still owe all MFs associated with the ownership.
Is that a scam? Some people think so. IMHO it is something to avoid and certainly slimy.
PS I fixed the link
If you search this site for that term you'll se that they will ask you for about $3000- $4000 and tell you "they take the TS off your hands" They will then have you sign a power of attorney and try and sell your TS, if they sell it quickly, they'll use the POA to complete they sale. BUT if they can't find a buyer quickly they may do nothing with the TS and you'll still own it and still owe all MFs associated with the ownership.
Is that a scam? Some people think so. IMHO it is something to avoid and certainly slimy.
PS I fixed the link
Ya, I think it is probably something we won't be doing. I tried calling back the number that called me and it went to some unassigned voice messaging system but you couldn't leave a message unless you had a mailbox number. And, on their website there is no phone number for contacting them. How slimy.
sconnabs
newbie
I actually just used Groupwise Inc. recently to unload a timeshare.
I dabble in real estate on the side and was looking for a buyer and was having zero luck. A friend of mine referred me to Groupwise, Inc. and I gotta say, the experience couldn't have gone smoother.
One mis-perception I've noticed is they sell timeshares. It's not exactly accurate: they're what they call a 'timeshare relief specialist'. If you're having trouble with a timeshare, they'll help you with solutions in dealing with the problem.
I can't recommend them enough in seeking relief from a timeshare.
[I have undeleted this posting. I believe sufficient cautions are given in subsequent posts to let this one stand. - Makai Guy, BBS Administrator]
I dabble in real estate on the side and was looking for a buyer and was having zero luck. A friend of mine referred me to Groupwise, Inc. and I gotta say, the experience couldn't have gone smoother.
One mis-perception I've noticed is they sell timeshares. It's not exactly accurate: they're what they call a 'timeshare relief specialist'. If you're having trouble with a timeshare, they'll help you with solutions in dealing with the problem.
I can't recommend them enough in seeking relief from a timeshare.
[I have undeleted this posting. I believe sufficient cautions are given in subsequent posts to let this one stand. - Makai Guy, BBS Administrator]
Last edited by a moderator:
DeniseM
Moderator
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2005
- Messages
- 58,920
- Reaction score
- 10,886
- Location
- Northern, CA
- Resorts Owned
- WKORV, WKV, SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim) NEW: 3 Lawa'i Beach Resort!
My shill alert is going off.... 
Beware of one time posters who dig out a thread that's nearly a year old to promote a company that will "take your timeshare off your hands," for a large fee.....
Beware of one time posters who dig out a thread that's nearly a year old to promote a company that will "take your timeshare off your hands," for a large fee.....
sconnabs
newbie
My shill alert is going off....
Beware of one time posters who dig out a thread that's nearly a year old to promote a company that will "take your timeshare off your hands," for a large fee.....
I apologize I set off your shill alert but it's the truth. I was doing a Google search to get their phone number (hard drive shot Twinkies and lost all my emails in Outlook) and came across this in teh results.
I guess I should offer another tip: make sure to back up Outlook's address book
pathways25
TUG Member
My shill alert is going off....
Beware of one time posters who dig out a thread that's nearly a year old to promote a company that will "take your timeshare off your hands," for a large fee.....
Actually, I just bought a SDO from Groupwise. They have straw buyers that hold title to dozens of intervals and they don't appear to bother paying MF's on any of them (until they're sold). I see many liens filed against the "owner" that I bought my interval from. Obviously, they clear up the liens before transferring the intervals to the final buyers.
I believe they charge the desperate seller 3K - 4K and do take title (at least in some cases). It saddens me to think that the original seller of the interval that I bought paid those guys 3K or more to take something that I would have paid them for. Oh well.
DeniseM
Moderator
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2005
- Messages
- 58,920
- Reaction score
- 10,886
- Location
- Northern, CA
- Resorts Owned
- WKORV, WKV, SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim) NEW: 3 Lawa'i Beach Resort!
Buying from one of these companies can be a good deal, but paying them thousands of dollars to "take your timeshare off your hands," is a completely different story. Note that Sconnabs failed to disclose that one little detail.
Timesharetrouble
newbie
Group Wise is now using phone calls to set you up with an internet conference. They send an email with a link to the conference site. I haven't sat thru the confernece yet, and not too sure I will... after reading the other posts. I have a Mystic Dunes TS and have recently gone through divorce. The TS is one thing that is to be sold and split. I have tried for several years now and keep getting these scam companies. I am starting to believe there is no real way to unload a TS.
DeniseM
Moderator
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2005
- Messages
- 58,920
- Reaction score
- 10,886
- Location
- Northern, CA
- Resorts Owned
- WKORV, WKV, SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim) NEW: 3 Lawa'i Beach Resort!
Please consider giving it away to a private individual who can use it, before you spend a cent with a company like this.
Why?
-You can give it away yourself for nearly no cost.
-You can control the transfer process to make sure it is truly transferred out of your name.
-You won't have to deal with companies that may or may not be Legit.
-You can transfer it to a private individual who will be happy to have it for their own use.
-You will have the satisfaction of knowing that you ended your ownership legally and ethically.
There are two places on TUG where you can give away your TS's for free (no charge for the Ads.) There are other cheap and free sites on the internet, as well.
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 - Totally FREE! - just write a simple post with all the pertinent info. In your post, include the following info.:
To make it more attractive I would:
Good luck!
Why?
-You can give it away yourself for nearly no cost.
-You can control the transfer process to make sure it is truly transferred out of your name.
-You won't have to deal with companies that may or may not be Legit.
-You can transfer it to a private individual who will be happy to have it for their own use.
-You will have the satisfaction of knowing that you ended your ownership legally and ethically.
There are two places on TUG where you can give away your TS's for free (no charge for the Ads.) There are other cheap and free sites on the internet, as well.
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 - Totally FREE! - just write a simple post with all the pertinent info. In your post, include the following info.:
-resort name
-unit size
-season owned
-maintenance fee
-current reservations
-unit size
-season owned
-maintenance fee
-current reservations
To make it more attractive I would:
1) Pay 2011 maintenance fees and don't ask for reimbursement.
2) Pay for the title transfer (you can get a simple professional transfer for about $100) I've used this licensed document Prep. company and the owner is a Tugger. - Note, this is my personal recommendation, not as a representative of TUG.
3) Reserve a popular holiday week in 2011 for the new owner
2) Pay for the title transfer (you can get a simple professional transfer for about $100) I've used this licensed document Prep. company and the owner is a Tugger. - Note, this is my personal recommendation, not as a representative of TUG.
3) Reserve a popular holiday week in 2011 for the new owner
Good luck!
Give them money - why? Do it yourself
Unless your idea of a "good way to get rid of it" is a questionable company who, it appears, takes about $3000 from the "seller" (you), requires you be up to date on maintenance fees and then does NOT take title to the timeshare (thus truly removing you as the owner) while having a third party try to sell it. For $3K you could do one heck of a sales campaign. As they do things the resort could end up with past due fees, interest and penalties. Guess who remains on the hook for those despite the $3K spent - the owner (you)! Just isn't a plan I'd sign on for. You of course have to decide what is best in your particular situation.
Unless your idea of a "good way to get rid of it" is a questionable company who, it appears, takes about $3000 from the "seller" (you), requires you be up to date on maintenance fees and then does NOT take title to the timeshare (thus truly removing you as the owner) while having a third party try to sell it. For $3K you could do one heck of a sales campaign. As they do things the resort could end up with past due fees, interest and penalties. Guess who remains on the hook for those despite the $3K spent - the owner (you)! Just isn't a plan I'd sign on for. You of course have to decide what is best in your particular situation.
Geokir
newbie
GroupWise, Inc
If this company is so bad, how come the BBB has them as a "A" rating?
If this company is so bad, how come the BBB has them as a "A" rating?
- Joined
- May 5, 2011
- Messages
- 4,465
- Reaction score
- 5,111
- Resorts Owned
- HGVC and DVC
I think it is primarily due to the BBB showing them in business since 1995 (BBB file date 1996). Their website claims to be in business since 1995 but their website was only created in 2009. Someone previously posted a ripoff report in this thread and a poster in that claimed that the owner had the business name from 1995 and wants everyone to believe that he has been in business since then. The poster claimed that wasn't true and based on the website creation date the 1995 start date would seem a lie.
The complaints on BBB are from 2010 and 2011. If the BBB file start date was from 2009 and I sure that they would not have a A rating.
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2007
- Messages
- 17,886
- Reaction score
- 7,750
- Resorts Owned
- HGVC & GTS
For the life of me, I will never understand why anyone would pay someone $3-4K on the expectation that they transfer title, when you could likely find someone to take it off your hands for free (here) or a nominal fee, even if you volunteered the closing costs.
Why are you asking? Did they contact you or you them?
Geokir
newbie
Groupwise
We received letter in the mail. It was not a post card. We call the time share to see if we could get out. We think that is how they got our info.
We received letter in the mail. It was not a post card. We call the time share to see if we could get out. We think that is how they got our info.
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2007
- Messages
- 17,886
- Reaction score
- 7,750
- Resorts Owned
- HGVC & GTS
The term "postcard company" (a/k/a PCC) is derived from the former practice of these scam-artists sending mass mail-outs of postcards. These days, they're far more sophisticated. They've discovered that folks are far more easily manipulated with sincere sound-bites on the telephone and embossed-stationary.
An attorney I know likes to say: "Sincerity is a [salesman's] greatest asset. Once you can fake that, you've got it made."
RuralEngineer
TUG Member
groupwise
got a call for a meeting in alexandria. won't be going.
got a call for a meeting in alexandria. won't be going.
pacodemountainside
TUG Member
Over 2 years olde and they keep propagating and reincarnating.
Based on AG busts too easy to make big bucks and risk is minimal.
Like stealing cars vs robbing banks!
Based on AG busts too easy to make big bucks and risk is minimal.
Like stealing cars vs robbing banks!
MagdalenaLBoyd
newbie
Groupwise
Here is a link to the BBB site.
http://www.bbb.org/pittsburgh/Busin...panies/groupwise-inc-in-hermitage-pa-4000347/
Actually have an A+ rating. Not saying they won't charge you an arm and a leg to take it off your hands but they are not a scam in my judgement and will do whatever they say they will. I've talked to them too and they seem knowledgeable although I should probably keep my mouth shut as I've never work with them.
Here is a link to the BBB site.
http://www.bbb.org/pittsburgh/Busin...panies/groupwise-inc-in-hermitage-pa-4000347/
Actually have an A+ rating. Not saying they won't charge you an arm and a leg to take it off your hands but they are not a scam in my judgement and will do whatever they say they will. I've talked to them too and they seem knowledgeable although I should probably keep my mouth shut as I've never work with them.
GroupWise
GroupWise , located in PA and with several different, variously named sub-entities, has actually been around for quite some time. They are a PCC (Post Card Company), but not a "scam", per se. They get PoA (Power of Attorney) from a timeshare owner to dispose of unwanted timeshares and they often successfully do so. However, that process involves significant out-of-pocket, up front cost to the would-be seller, so don't harbor any delusions that their "disposal service" is low cost or free. T'aint so.
Their (..ahem) "closely associated" closing entity is located in a nearby PA town (closing entity name escapes me at the moment, but it doesn't really matter anyhow).
A few years ago, I actually purchased (for peanuts) a timeshare peddled by a PCC sub-entity of GroupWise; I saw the GroupWise name on some associated paperwork.
I had to push / lead them a bit as the buyer for a clean and timely closing, but it ultimately got done. I didn't keep that particular week for long; I ultimately sold it (also for peanuts) after just one year of very satisfactory usage. It was a great deal, we just very much disliked the unit location within that otherwise very nice resort.
GroupWise might even take on a Westgate week. There certainly aren't a whole lot of other options besides gifting, maybe with some significant additional cash thrown in to actually create some value --- or foreclosure --- for a Westgate owner to effectively and lawfully part company with that particular timeshare product.
In summary, GroupWise is a PCC (Post Card Company). They are not a "scam" in the literal sense and a careful buyer might well find a good deal from them on occasion. From the perspective of a would-be seller ponying up significant cash to give them Power of Attorney to maybe sell their week however, it's a costly and risky avenue to pursue for timeshare "exit", with no real guaranty of a later sale and / or lawful (i.e., non-Viking Ship) transfer.
This input is not intended as any form of "endorsement"; just some objective and factual observations based upon my own limited but direct, first hand experience.
GroupWise , located in PA and with several different, variously named sub-entities, has actually been around for quite some time. They are a PCC (Post Card Company), but not a "scam", per se. They get PoA (Power of Attorney) from a timeshare owner to dispose of unwanted timeshares and they often successfully do so. However, that process involves significant out-of-pocket, up front cost to the would-be seller, so don't harbor any delusions that their "disposal service" is low cost or free. T'aint so.
Their (..ahem) "closely associated" closing entity is located in a nearby PA town (closing entity name escapes me at the moment, but it doesn't really matter anyhow).
A few years ago, I actually purchased (for peanuts) a timeshare peddled by a PCC sub-entity of GroupWise; I saw the GroupWise name on some associated paperwork.
I had to push / lead them a bit as the buyer for a clean and timely closing, but it ultimately got done. I didn't keep that particular week for long; I ultimately sold it (also for peanuts) after just one year of very satisfactory usage. It was a great deal, we just very much disliked the unit location within that otherwise very nice resort.
GroupWise might even take on a Westgate week
. There certainly aren't a whole lot of other options besides gifting, maybe with some significant additional cash thrown in to actually create some value --- or foreclosure --- for a Westgate owner to effectively and lawfully part company with that particular timeshare product.In summary, GroupWise is a PCC (Post Card Company). They are not a "scam" in the literal sense and a careful buyer might well find a good deal from them on occasion. From the perspective of a would-be seller ponying up significant cash to give them Power of Attorney to maybe sell their week however, it's a costly and risky avenue to pursue for timeshare "exit", with no real guaranty of a later sale and / or lawful (i.e., non-Viking Ship) transfer.
This input is not intended as any form of "endorsement"; just some objective and factual observations based upon my own limited but direct, first hand experience.
Last edited:
I purchased a timeshare on eBay recently with them. They use the name on eBay timesharetravel and had decent ratings. I will let you know how the closing goes...did not realize it was them until I read this thread and until I got the paperwork.
Scammers Abound
I have recently listed my two timeshare weeks in Aruba. The resort is right, the prices right and the weeks are right. In other words, it's not that I "need" to "get rid" of my "unwanted" timeshares. I'm just not able to fly due to a medical condition recently diagnosed.
I don't trust E-Bay or Craigslist so I'm looking to restrict advertising to timeshare forums and bulletin boards. Within a day or two of posting, I'm getting calls from these "companies" who claim to want to "make me an offer on my timeshare."
I "Google" the phone number and come up with hits from these complaint boards like "Rip off Report." If I had the time (which I don't) to give people like this a taste of their own medicine, I'd actually call them back and ask for their direct contact information to provide to my attorney, so that he may set up the escrow for the earnest money deposit and provide the contract for sale.
If these people are really looking for upfront money FROM you and not interested in purchasing the timeshare at all, that conversation will end real fast.
If you have a timeshare for sale in a desirable location and you price it right, a savvy buyer with make a genuine offer because they will know a good opportunity when they see one.
As for any third-party companies, let the seller beware!
I have recently listed my two timeshare weeks in Aruba. The resort is right, the prices right and the weeks are right. In other words, it's not that I "need" to "get rid" of my "unwanted" timeshares. I'm just not able to fly due to a medical condition recently diagnosed.
I don't trust E-Bay or Craigslist so I'm looking to restrict advertising to timeshare forums and bulletin boards. Within a day or two of posting, I'm getting calls from these "companies" who claim to want to "make me an offer on my timeshare."
I "Google" the phone number and come up with hits from these complaint boards like "Rip off Report." If I had the time (which I don't) to give people like this a taste of their own medicine, I'd actually call them back and ask for their direct contact information to provide to my attorney, so that he may set up the escrow for the earnest money deposit and provide the contract for sale.
If these people are really looking for upfront money FROM you and not interested in purchasing the timeshare at all, that conversation will end real fast.
If you have a timeshare for sale in a desirable location and you price it right, a savvy buyer with make a genuine offer because they will know a good opportunity when they see one.
As for any third-party companies, let the seller beware!