HAS anyone dealt with Creative Vacation Solutions?

[Michaelhenry144]

I just received a call from Creative vacation Solutions asking for an upfront fee of 1,287 as a deposit that would be returned to me after the unit was sold. John,the salesman, said the 1,287 fee was to prevent people from backing out of deals at the last minute.

I gave him my CC inormation on Sunday, and received a contract to sign today Tuesday. This contract had new language in it that I did not care for.It stated, "I understand that my credit card was charged the non-refundable, non disputable charge, and will appear on my next credit card billing statement.

I called him John after receiving the conract, and told him I was not signing it because I changed my mind about selling. I actually do wan to sell, but all of his verbal gurantees of already having a buyer all lined up seemed to be be negated by that one clause. He tried to tell me I could still cancel later if the unit did not sell. I do not want to take the chance of signing this contract and mailing it back. What do you guys think of this company? Has anyone used them?

 

[DeniseM]

You need to call your CC company immediately and block the charges - don't wait!

Here are some warnings signs with these kinds of companies:

1) Do they say that they already have a renter/buyer for your timeshare? (or an established market like people attending conventions.)
2) Are they offering to rent/sell it for far more than the market value?
3) Do they want you to pay a large up front fee?
4) Are they refusing to send you a contract until you pay their fee?​

If you answer yes to any of these questions, then this is the usual scenario:

Once you pay the fee and receive the contract, you discover that the company has only promised to advertise your resort, not to rent/sell it, and they don't mention having a renter/buyer in the contract.

Then, you won't hear anything from them for a long time, and when you contact them, they will tell you that the renter/buyer backed out, but they will advertise your timeshare on their over-priced website.

Finally, when you try to get your money back, they will point out that you signed a contract, and it's only for advertising. When you try to challenge it with your credit card company, they will tell you the same thing.

Please see the articles at the top of the Buying, Selling, Renting page entitled "How to Sell Your Timeshare." - http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44

 

[DeniseM]

Info. on TUG about this company -

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94588&highlight=creative+vacation+solutions


About your timeshare - I own at Sheraton Vistana Resort myself, and right now this timeshare has very little market value. I've had my week about 6 mos. and I actually got it for free - and it's a fixed week that is Easter week 65% of the time - a very good week.

If you can afford the maintenance fees, then I'd encourage you to keep it, use it, and get some use out of it.

If you can't afford the maintenance fees then your best bet is to put it up for sale for $1 and offer to pay the transfer costs, too. You can get a basic transfer for about $100.

But sadly, because of the economy, and the fact that Florida is over-built with timeshares, there is little demand for Florida timeshares right now.

We have a board for Starwood (Sheraton/Westin) Owners on TUG and I hope you'll join us there for lots of good ideas about how to get more out of your timeshare.

Oh - AND WELCOME TO TUG!

 

[carl2591]

just read all the stuff denise has highlighted for you..

the language of a "non-refundable, non disputable charges" on your credit card should let you know what kinda slim you are dealing with..

if they really had someone to buy your unit (hell would freezing over first) they would not need to put that kinda harsh verbiage in the contract.

like Nancy Regan taught us to just say NO..


ask him how $1,287 was going to prevent them from backing out of the deal last min.. oh he forgot to tell you they already did.. i though the buyer had to put up earnest money not the seller..


SCAM.. man this is too much fun... :hysterical:


PS be sure to check your credit card statement the second it comes and make sure no charges show up.. if they do, dont bother to call "john" call your credit card company and dispute it, .. then check your statement every month for the next 2-3 months after as well.. they are scum and will try to get the charge on there..

 

[Dave M]

PS be sure to check your credit card statement the second it comes and make sure no charges show up....

Don't wait for the mailed copy of your CC statement. Log into your CC account online NOW and check current activity. Do it today, tomorrow and every day for at least two weeks - in addition to calling your CC company NOW to block the charge, as Denise recommended.

 

[Michaelhenry144]

CVS rep called

They tried to get ne not to cancel but I did anyway.

They also said I did not have to dispute the charge, since they would issue a refund shortly.

Denise suggests that I dispute the charge immediately, and not wait for them to reverse it.

Do you think I should just vdispute the charge now and not wait fro their reversal?

Mike

 

[225chs]

They tried to get ne not to cancel but I did anyway.

They also said I did not have to dispute the charge, since they would issue a refund shortly.

Denise suggests that I dispute the charge immediately, and not wait for them to reverse it.

Do you think I should just vdispute the charge now and not wait fro their reversal?

Mike

They charged your credit card before you signed the contract. What do you think?

 

[DeniseM]

You have nothing to lose by disputing it - I would do it immediately.

Be sure you tell your CC Co. that they charged you BEFORE you signed the contract.

They tried to get ne not to cancel but I did anyway.

They also said I did not have to dispute the charge, since they would issue a refund shortly.

Denise suggests that I dispute the charge immediately, and not wait for them to reverse it.

Do you think I should just vdispute the charge now and not wait fro their reversal?

Mike

 

[Tia]

They get you to wait long enough to dispute with an excuse then maybe you'll miss the deadline to do so. Disputing it asap is the only thing that makes sense to me .

 

[Michaelhenry144]

Thanks for the input

I disputed the charge. The credit card company is sending me the paperwork.

Mike

 

[Makai Guy]

Florida’s attorney general has filed a lawsuit and requested an emergency injunction against two related South Florida timeshare resale marketing companies – Universal Marketing Solutions and Creative Vacation Solutions.

Link to article

 

[oregonguy]

They tried to get ne not to cancel but I did anyway.

They also said I did not have to dispute the charge, since they would issue a refund shortly.

Denise suggests that I dispute the charge immediately, and not wait for them to reverse it.

Do you think I should just vdispute the charge now and not wait fro their reversal?

Mike

I am glad you disputed it. I always am kind of amazed that people hesitate to do the maximum they can to protect themselves from a scam. A small amount of research shows what a scam these are. I don't expect anyone who is trying to rip me off is going to follow up on what they say they are going to do and not keep my money. I would actually consider going a step further and canceling the card and have the credit card company issue a new card.

 

[Aussiedog]

These folks called me this evening

I have a timeshare for sale on Redweek and TUG (actually now in closing but I am not counting my chickens yet so it is still listed as for sale), and one of their reps called me to ask if my TS was still for sale. And my phone number is not listed in any ad.

It was easy enough to hang up on her but I am not happy that someone got my home phone number from somewhere.

Ann

 

[richardm]

Refer to Brian's thread about the Florida AG filing suit against two marketing companies, Universal Marketing Solutions and Creative Vacation Solutions........

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109541

 

[derb]

Florida’s attorney general has filed a lawsuit and requested an emergency injunction against two related South Florida timeshare resale marketing companies – Universal Marketing Solutions and Creative Vacation Solutions.

Now thats what I call a WARNING SIGN.

 

[Michaelhenry144]

They keep calling me

This timeshare company keeps calling me up.

Now they tell me they have the check in hand, and I all I have to to do is give them my CC number, and they will send the contract with the check to follow within 21 days.

They have called twice now from West Palm Beach.

I did change my CC number so I they could not try to slip it through again.

I tell them I think its a scam, and they should read your website and articles about them. Their answer is" we never read all the negative things on the net"

I keep turning them down.

Mike

 

[Bill4728]

The way a legit company works is " if they have a check in hand" they deposit it into their escrow account. Then after the transfer is done, they take what funds are owe to them and give the remaining funds to the seller. The seller NEVER has to pay up front when selling property. NEVER!!

They are a scam, but if they want to play, say you'll have them sell your TS but their fees must come from the sale funds.

 

[DeniseM]

This timeshare company keeps calling me up.

Now they tell me they have the check in hand, and I all I have to to do is give them my CC number, and they will send the contract with the check to follow within 21 days.

They have called twice now from West Palm Beach.

I did change my CC number so I they could not try to slip it through again.

I tell them I think its a scam, and they should read your website and articles about them. Their answer is" we never read all the negative things on the net"

I keep turning them down.

Mike

Don't you have caller ID? I wouldn't even pick up the phone when they call!

 

[Stefa]

This timeshare company keeps calling me up.

Now they tell me they have the check in hand, and I all I have to to do is give them my CC number, and they will send the contract with the check to follow within 21 days.

They have called twice now from West Palm Beach.

I did change my CC number so I they could not try to slip it through again.

I tell them I think its a scam, and they should read your website and articles about them. Their answer is" we never read all the negative things on the net"

I keep turning them down.

Mike

When they call, say "I'm not interested. Stop calling me," and then hang up immediately. Do not listen to their response.

They keep calling because you continue to engage them. This is how telemarketers work. They verbally beat you into submission. They have canned responses to any objection you raise. They believe they still have a chance as long as you are willing to listen to their sales pitch.

 

[Michaelhenry144]

They have stopped calling

I want to thank all of the people who replied to my question because you guys saved me $1287.

I can keep the timeshare, but the Vistana special aseesment was $1500 for the Spa's units.

I will check out the Vistanna thread to find out out what other readers are doing with their units.

Thanks

Michael K

 

[JDF]

Scam

Sounds like you are involved with two scammers. One you can avoid, and the other has you and other owners between a rock and a hard place! Development and retail sales are dead, overpriced maintenance fees are alive and well.

 

[DeniseM]

I want to thank all of the people who replied to my question because you guys saved me $1287.

I can keep the timeshare, but the Vistana special aseesment was $1500 for the Spa's units.

I will check out the Vistanna thread to find out out what other readers are doing with their units.

Thanks

Michael K

Michael- this is a Starwood timeshare and there are a number of owners on the TUG Starwood board who own at SVR. Right now, the resale market is flat so most owners are using, renting, or trading their SVR week. A holiday rental should more than cover your maintenance fee and it's still a good exchanger. I have traded mine for Westin Princeville twice, and another Tugger just traded into the Westin Maui in August with her SVR week. Please join us on the Starwood Board for lots more info.

 

[BSIrvine]

This oughta be the end of this thread.

Well, folks; Creative Vacation Solutions is DEAD. The Attorney General of Florida has locked their assets effective sometime in January of 2010. Whatever you paid them, whatever promises they made to you; it would be best to move on to get over your loss. As of this date 5-13-2010, their website still appears to be up and active but they don't answer their phone and they don't respond to postal inquiries either.

I don't know why I thought this was going to be any different. I trusted them. They promised me they had a buyer for my property and RCI points. I got NOTHING in return for my $3772 but two ads on what appears to be a defunct website. Lying scum.

 

[LannyPC]

Want a good laugh?

Go to YouTube's home page; enter the name of this company in the search box; then click on the first clip (7 minutes and 18 seconds).

It makes you wonder who this TV company was that actually ran and produced this clip.