How much effort does the average person put into selling or giving away an unwanted Timeshare?

[TUGBrian]

perhaps they think TUG is a big scam, though I am not sure how offering a free solution would result in a scam...but i suppose its possible.

it just baffles me how so many folks can comment on a random FB post indicating they want out of their timeshare, but never follow thru with listing it somewhere that might actually result in finding a new owner.

even when i specifically ask and or post the link to the free giveaway forum (or instructions on how to give it away).

 

[TUGBrian]

sofar 140 folks have voted in the facebook poll in the last 24 hours, and 40% indicated they are looking to rehome a timeshare.

Timeshare Users Group | How many folks here are actively looking to sell or give away their timeshare

How many folks here are actively looking to sell or give away their timeshare?

www.facebook.com

 

[jp10558]

And one where people don't take time to research how to do something. They want to be spoonfed everything. Even on a site filled with historical and empirical data (e.g. Tug), they don't bother to do a smidge of research before posting a thread asking for help with something that has already been covered completely, often multiple times.

And it's not just Tug. I grow plumeria plants as a gardening hobby. I subscribe to several Facebook groups that are specifically for the hobbyist grower. I can't tell you how many times I see a newbie join the group, then ask the exact same questions that were posted earlier in the day, several times yesterday, and every day last week. They have full access to the site, including the posting history and search functions, but they don't bother to read previous posts. And if someone says, "Check the previous posts for the answer," they get push-back and "Why can't you just tell me?" posts in reply. It's maddening.

Dave

This happens all the time in all forums. I can sort of forgive it in more technical situations where the newbie may not at all know how to tell what previous post was similar enough to theirs to just take the same answer, or where the last matching post is years old and things may have changed. But when it's obviously the same question - IDK, I think some people like interaction for the sake of interaction I guess. They like the "special touch specifically for them". In some ways it's also hurt by google getting progressively worse at getting results and in general finding that various searches suck.

 

[jp10558]

perhaps they think TUG is a big scam, though I am not sure how offering a free solution would result in a scam...but i suppose its possible.

it just baffles me how so many folks can comment on a random FB post indicating they want out of their timeshare, but never follow thru with listing it somewhere that might actually result in finding a new owner.

even when i specifically ask and or post the link to the free giveaway forum (or instructions on how to give it away).

I mean, you first have to be the sort of person who "sells things" or ever "gives stuff away". A surprising number of people have never had a yard sale, or sold something on they weren't using. Heck, I've never *sold* anything on e-bay. I've only sold some books to used book stores and one camera lens to a person in person. I bet most people the closest they ever come to selling anything is trading in their car at a dealership. Everything else they either save, or throw out. So they want to "throw away" the timeshare, but find out they can't really do that. And they're just flummoxed. Most anything else you can't just "throw away" you can pretty easily "sell to a company" or "hire a non-scam company to help you out". Like a house, land, cars, even an estate worth of "stuff" can often be sent to auction "done for you".

The thing is, for at least some stuff, people usually have a more realistic idea of the going market rate for the used item than timeshares, so if you do have that person insisting their 2000 rusted F150 is *ashkulllay* worth $20,000 - well, everyone just shakes their heads. It doesn't make the news or the grapevine when they "can't do anything with it". Now, of course, there's whole shows about people not knowing what their "stuff" is worth, and them sometimes getting screwed, and there's always the thrift store find stories.

But most people never go into a thrift store, or pawn shop, or really think about looking up going value... So they either don't believe it can be a negative value, or basically worth 0, so don't really want to "give it away". They're not actually at the "I just want out of my timeshare" stage, they're at "I want to get $XXX for my timeshare".

 

[DaveNV]

This happens all the time in all forums. I can sort of forgive it in more technical situations where the newbie may not at all know how to tell what previous post was similar enough to theirs to just take the same answer, or where the last matching post is years old and things may have changed. But when it's obviously the same question - IDK, I think some people like interaction for the sake of interaction I guess. They like the "special touch specifically for them". In some ways it's also hurt by google getting progressively worse at getting results and in general finding that various searches suck.

Or maybe they just don't even try. Kind of like when they've tried to give away their timeshare, but can't find *anyone* to take it off their hands.

Dave

 

[LannyPC]

They want to be spoonfed everything. Even on a site filled with historical and empirical data (e.g. Tug), they don't bother to do a smidge of research before posting a thread asking for help with something that has already been covered completely, often multiple times.

Kind of like how every week, it seems, someone comes on boards asking, "[Insert name of scammer here] just phoned me and said they can sell my Mexican timeshare for kajillions of dollars. I just need to pay a Mexican transfer tax. Is this a scam?"

 

[dioxide45]

perhaps they think TUG is a big scam, though I am not sure how offering a free solution would result in a scam...but i suppose its possible.

it just baffles me how so many folks can comment on a random FB post indicating they want out of their timeshare, but never follow thru with listing it somewhere that might actually result in finding a new owner.

even when i specifically ask and or post the link to the free giveaway forum (or instructions on how to give it away).

Sometimes it comes down to not understanding the system. People are comfortable using Facebook because it is Facebook, but an online user forum is like a foreign language to them. Should there be a "Free Timeshare Giveaway" Facebook Group?

 

[rickandcindy23]

And one where people don't take time to research how to do something. They want to be spoonfed everything. Even on a site filled with historical and empirical data (e.g. Tug), they don't bother to do a smidge of research before posting a thread asking for help with something that has already been covered completely, often multiple times.

And it's not just Tug. I grow plumeria plants as a gardening hobby. I subscribe to several Facebook groups that are specifically for the hobbyist grower. I can't tell you how many times I see a newbie join the group, then ask the exact same questions that were posted earlier in the day, several times yesterday, and every day last week. They have full access to the site, including the posting history and search functions, but they don't bother to read previous posts. And if someone says, "Check the previous posts for the answer," they get push-back and "Why can't you just tell me?" posts in reply. It's maddening.

Dave

Plumeria is Rick's favorite flower. He loves the fragrance and the beautiful of those trees on the islands. Living in Colorado, we cannot grow them here. But we enjoy several weeks a year on the islands to enjoy their beauty and that glorious smell. Summer is the best season for them.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

And one where people don't take time to research how to do something. They want to be spoonfed everything. Even on a site filled with historical and empirical data (e.g. Tug), they don't bother to do a smidge of research before posting a thread asking for help with something that has already been covered completely, often multiple times.

And it's not just Tug. I grow plumeria plants as a gardening hobby. I subscribe to several Facebook groups that are specifically for the hobbyist grower. I can't tell you how many times I see a newbie join the group, then ask the exact same questions that were posted earlier in the day, several times yesterday, and every day last week. They have full access to the site, including the posting history and search functions, but they don't bother to read previous posts. And if someone says, "Check the previous posts for the answer," they get push-back and "Why can't you just tell me?" posts in reply. It's maddening.

Dave

Agree. I also find FB to be really difficult to see what's new and to navigate. Wastes a lot of time. Most likely by design to increase time on site metric for advertising revenue.

 

[4TimeAway]

My observation is most of the people who don’t know how to research pay the greatest price. It always shocks me to see so many people waste money on frivolous things and use less selective austerity to reduce consumption than we do.

The trick is specialization in doing what you are good at and letting go of small trivial things you can. Living below one’s means is not part of today’s ethos for most people, but there are movements like FIRE that fully embrace it. On the other hand, the average person’s continual quest for instant gratification allows many of us to harness the compounding effect of arbitraging this knowledge to accumulate wealth (and really cheap preferred timeshares).

As a new person to timeshares, its like a firehose of information and trying to piece together how to integrate timeshares into my life has been much more challenging that I thought it would be. I’m getting a handle on it and am almost able to just plan and enjoy some nice vacations without sweating all the details, but it took a lot more time than I expected.

In the end it’s probably pointless and wanting to help is great, but building more knowledge about the community and ideas of what’s working today might be more productive.

Maybe the best TUG can do is offer a compared to what approach. I think having a couple of Time Share Resale Brokers with their fees clearly listed is not a bad idea. It’s like knowing an oil change shouldn’t be $500. Sure, those tires “need to be rotated” but not if its $100. Also, that damn blinker fluid is low again?

 

[HedonisticEpicurean]

Most everyone in this thread who comments on not understanding why people hold on to a timeshare obligation they no longer want is educated on the timeshare product and process. They are also the same ones who can’t understand why these trapped souls don’t follow the great, honest, forthcoming instructions you kind people have set forward. Honestly, I agree with you. Very sad!

“I find so many owners put forth a bare minimum of effort, if any at all in trying to find a new home for an unwanted timeshare. “ I think it is much like the alcoholic that says he wants to quit but stops at the bar on the way home or the woman who wants to lose weight that takes a second helping and gets ice cream to top off the meal.

It goes back to the root of the timeshare sales process. Walking around Vegas last week I took time to watch the timeshare bogus, deceptive practices that start right at the car rental center to locations up and down the strip.

The hustlers are lassoing in couples, not singles. Most were often focused on the female with nonthreatening conversation such as “Where are you from?” and “Would you like discounted theater tickets?” Right there you have the Nigerian Prince email technique in play. Not one vendor says, “How would you like to buy a timeshare?”. It starts with deceptive confidence building and then continues through the sales process. But, like the Nigerian Prince email that is so ludicrous and unbelievable the lasso captures a certain person that will more likely fall for a hotboxed sales presentation. Seriously, who the heck drops 20K to 40K or more without doing some serious research and due diligence. Totally crazy in my mind.

When the regret sets in a month or a year down the road the buyers are no more educated on timeshares than they were at the beginning. The buyer wants out but they are overwhelmed and stuck in a quagmire of helplessness. The purchase that brought the two happy, loving travelers together is now a financial wedge that divides and serves as the catalyst for many other topics, arguments, and more that are problems in the marriage. The timeshare now subconsciously represents a lot more bad than good. Instead of tackling the problem head on and getting educated on the mess it is easier to write a check and put the dreaded problem on the shelf hoping it disappears in a fog of forgetfulness.

The more I peruse this forum the more it frustrates me when I see naive couples stop and even engage with these heartless salespeople. I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to walk up to those people caught on the path of their timeshare deceptive journey and say, “PLEASE. STOP. Go to your room and get on TUG. RESEARCH. READ. Then do as you please.”

Then it hit me. Those individuals, like those who respond to the Nigerian Prince email, would most likely discount the TUG truth and still happily start their journey down the yellow brick road because, “That woman was so nice and kind helping me get discounted tickets she wouldn’t deceive me - what has TUG given me?”

When the yellow brick road turns into the rocky, muddy swamp the couple aren’t able to harness their inner abilities and skill set to unload their disastrous purchase in a simple methodical way that TUG suggests. Driving past the bar, eating less, or researching and following TUG are easy solutions that aren’t often adhered to by us humans.

 

[DaveNV]

...

When the yellow brick road turns into the rocky, muddy swamp the couple aren’t able to harness their inner abilities and skill set to unload their disastrous purchase in a simple methodical way that TUG suggests. Driving past the bar, eating less, or researching and following TUG are easy solutions that aren’t often adhered to by us humans.

Like many others, I used to attend timeshare sales presentations for the free gifts. I never considered buying, because prices were well out of this poor Navy sailor's budget. Fast forward twenty years, and the idea became more appealing to me after we stayed with my brother and his then-wife in a nice timeshare they'd bought from the developer in Cabo San Lucas. (It wasn't theater tickets, it was just a free bottle of tequila, offered to them as they were leaving the SJC airport. $12K later, they owned a junior studio timeshare. The tequila was gone before the ink dried on the contract.)

We got home from that vacation, and I started researching timeshare ownership. I figured there must be a cheaper way than paying the inflated Developer pricing. I found Tug, and the rest is history. I researched the resale market, learned plenty before ever buying anything, and I was soon off and running. I absolutely owe my positive timesharing experience to the information provided on Tug, and the smart folks who post here.

The trick to drinking from that Tug firehose was not to try and understand *everything* all at once. I focused on a system or timeshare location that appealed to me, and learned the necessary information about that system or location to make a smart purchase. Once I bought in (buying on eBay was my main resource in those days), I honed my knowledge through "learning by owning." As an insider to that timeshare, I learned everything I could about what I could and couldn't do with that ownership. Seeing that the first few purchases weren't able to give me what I'd come to want, I bought closer to the goal, and sold off what I didn't need any longer. It was a simple process that served me well for a long time. I kept improving what I owned as my knowledge and wants increased, and I sold off what I wasn't going to want any longer. I kept things under control, and didn't hesitate to part with what no longer suited my needs. As i said upthread, it was a simple matter to offload timeshares I no longer wanted. Easy breezy, in fact. I only divested myself of my final ownership (WorldMark) a year ago, when I decided the next phase of our travel was going to be in Europe, and our WM ownership didn't fit that vacationing model. More progress.

Tug is a wealth of great information, but you need to learn how to drink from the firehose a cup at a time, so you don't drown.

Dave

 

[jp10558]

Most everyone in this thread who comments on not understanding why people hold on to a timeshare obligation they no longer want is educated on the timeshare product and process. They are also the same ones who can’t understand why these trapped souls don’t follow the great, honest, forthcoming instructions you kind people have set forward. Honestly, I agree with you. Very sad!

“I find so many owners put forth a bare minimum of effort, if any at all in trying to find a new home for an unwanted timeshare. “ I think it is much like the alcoholic that says he wants to quit but stops at the bar on the way home or the woman who wants to lose weight that takes a second helping and gets ice cream to top off the meal.

It goes back to the root of the timeshare sales process. Walking around Vegas last week I took time to watch the timeshare bogus, deceptive practices that start right at the car rental center to locations up and down the strip.

The hustlers are lassoing in couples, not singles. Most were often focused on the female with nonthreatening conversation such as “Where are you from?” and “Would you like discounted theater tickets?” Right there you have the Nigerian Prince email technique in play. Not one vendor says, “How would you like to buy a timeshare?”. It starts with deceptive confidence building and then continues through the sales process. But, like the Nigerian Prince email that is so ludicrous and unbelievable the lasso captures a certain person that will more likely fall for a hotboxed sales presentation. Seriously, who the heck drops 20K to 40K or more without doing some serious research and due diligence. Totally crazy in my mind.

When the regret sets in a month or a year down the road the buyers are no more educated on timeshares than they were at the beginning. The buyer wants out but they are overwhelmed and stuck in a quagmire of helplessness. The purchase that brought the two happy, loving travelers together is now a financial wedge that divides and serves as the catalyst for many other topics, arguments, and more that are problems in the marriage. The timeshare now subconsciously represents a lot more bad than good. Instead of tackling the problem head on and getting educated on the mess it is easier to write a check and put the dreaded problem on the shelf hoping it disappears in a fog of forgetfulness.

The more I peruse this forum the more it frustrates me when I see naive couples stop and even engage with these heartless salespeople. I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to walk up to those people caught on the path of their timeshare deceptive journey and say, “PLEASE. STOP. Go to your room and get on TUG. RESEARCH. READ. Then do as you please.”

Then it hit me. Those individuals, like those who respond to the Nigerian Prince email, would most likely discount the TUG truth and still happily start their journey down the yellow brick road because, “That woman was so nice and kind helping me get discounted tickets she wouldn’t deceive me - what has TUG given me?”

When the yellow brick road turns into the rocky, muddy swamp the couple aren’t able to harness their inner abilities and skill set to unload their disastrous purchase in a simple methodical way that TUG suggests. Driving past the bar, eating less, or researching and following TUG are easy solutions that aren’t often adhered to by us humans.

I feel like one thing missed here is that humans aren't Vulcans. They are emotional, they are driven by unconscious and often uncontrollable desires and urges. Though I think there's a big difference between timeshares and physical addiction of various types. It's also the case that we're pretty sure that doing something is actually often harder than not doing something.

I.e. as hard as skipping a stop at the bar or a dessert may be, it's a "simple" don't do anything sort of action. (In terms of one off situations). Getting rid of a timeshare is the exact opposite - we already know all these timeshare owners are able to "do nothing", that's the point of this thread! It's also the case that it doesn't really take much knowledge to skip the bar or dessert once you've decided you don't want that alcohol or calories. I suppose there's the just stop paying on it, but you usually don't get legally threatening letters for failing to get a drink or dessert.

That said, I also think on the flip side it seems like it is really difficult to give up something you're physically addicted to. Like alcohol or desserts. It seems like it'd be at least as easy to think - I should look around for info on my problem. But as we know with so many things - you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink. Lots of people seem to enjoy wallowing in their various miseries.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

I have never sold anything on ebay. I have no idea how to do it, even though I have purchased on ebay.

I am willing to pay all closing costs at this point. Maybe I should give it a shot. I have a bunch at one particular resort to give away.

I can do the closings myself, and it would just cost me the transfer fee and recording costs, which are minimal. It's not difficult to do the closing. Rick will give me a hand. We talked about the process yesterday, on the way home from going with the grandkids to the North Pole at the base of Pike's Peak. We had a good two hours to talk. But I was talking about Redweek. Maybe I should consider ebay.

I am just lost as to what to do.

I think you could just about copy an existing ad from another ebay seller who is selling the same thing as you, put "FREE CLOSING" in the ad title, and start it at a dollar.

Edit: Obviously you'd have to modify the ad somewhat, but that's what I plan to do as an exit strategy if/when we decide to no longer use Wyndham, if certified exit is no longer an option.

 

[escanoe]

I have bought most of my timeshares from a post card type operation or someone selling them on eBay. For the most part it has all gone smooth.

This year. I made a purchase from someone who wanted out of their timeshare and posted it in their timeshare's quarterly newsletter. Nice people, but they had no idea what they were doing. I set it up with LT and walked them through the process, but it took a long time and involved a lot of waiting and handholding (and me reexplaining to them what the email from LT transfers meant).

They originally thought they were just going to come see me with the deed in hand and sign it over to me like someone selling a used car.

So, yes. People should be more engaged and put more effort into getting out of a timeshare they don't want. But there is an easier class of sellers for buyers to deal with. They may not be all that motivated or engaged after they have taken the step of creating an ad.

 

[PDX Matthew]

I recently inquired about an ad on Redweek that was advertising 5,000 points of APVC (based in Australia), for $1,000. As I already own points at APVC this was extremely attractive to me as it was a bargain for that system. I got a reply from the Redweek agent who said she'd contact the seller. The seller never responded. So, either they'd changed their mind and never withdrew the ad, or whatever, but it was mildly irritating. That said, I am very wary of internet scams and prefer to use a non-scammy website like Redweek or TUG, than eBay, Facebook Marketplace or the dreaded Craigslist. I think that it would be helpful, at least from a buyer's perspective if sites like Redweek and TUG could process the sale if the price was within a pre agreed price range - this would help sellers too.

As an accountant I know all about sunk costs and to me my time share purchase price is a sunk cost, as are the annual maintenance fees once paid. If I was selling, I would be looking to get the market price - not some fantasy price related to what I paid for it. I've owned for nearly twenty years and had lots of vacations at a lower price than I would have paid if I had booked equivalent accommodations some other way, however, APVC's maintenance fees are around AUD1,000 for my membership, considerably lower than what many of the stateside timeshares charge, and I've had no trouble using II to trade into Marriott properties in Hawai'i or the Caribbean.

 

[hillview570]

There is a forum here for it, TUG Bargains timeshare giveaway, or whatever it's called.
There is a marketplace you can list it free with a paid TUG membership ($15 per year).
You can list it on ebay (I wouldn't do it).
You can ask a seller on ebay how much to sell your timeshare and if they can even sell it. Think Buy and Sell Timeshares for one that will do it for you.
You can advertise on Redweek.
You can ask friends and family.

Once you find someone to take your timeshare, offer to pay closing costs and contact readylegal@gmail.com, Legal Timeshare Transfers OR use Resort Closings, in Bozeman, MT, or do it yourself pretty easily:

Contact the county, ask how much for recording fees, type the deed yourself (easy to do), contact the resort and ask what transfer fees cost, most are under $200, and you can get it done in a matter of days.

I have closed many myself, it's been a cinch, and I plan to close more in the future. $26 for Rutherford County, NC, which is where Foxrun is located. $18 for Pagosa Springs in Archuleta County for a recording fee. They want a cashier's check, which is stupid, but okay.

When you get the deed back from the county, you make a copy of the deed for transfer, mail a check for the transfer fees to the resort or the management company. Then mail the original deed to the new owner and throw your old deed away.

Easy, breezy.

This is the avenue that I took to 'give away' my timeshares with Daily Management/Vacation Villages in Las Vegas. The 'buyer' transferred the deeds in Clark County and filed deed transfer requests with DM/VV in March 2023. No response from them to the 'buyer' so in October 2023, I filed the deed transfer requests with payment. All were rejected by 'the developer' stipulating that they did not approve of the transfer due to a dispute with the buyer that arose AFTER the our deeds were changed and filed with the county. I have reached out to the 'owners resolution' department but have not received any response.
So now, the deeds are not in our name, but the company is billing us maintenance fees. The buyer and I are at our wits end dealing with this company. Please share your thoughts on how to proceed.

 

[TUGBrian]

This is the avenue that I took to 'give away' my timeshares with Daily Management/Vacation Villages in Las Vegas. The 'buyer' transferred the deeds in Clark County and filed deed transfer requests with DM/VV in March 2023. No response from them to the 'buyer' so in October 2023, I filed the deed transfer requests with payment. All were rejected by 'the developer' stipulating that they did not approve of the transfer due to a dispute with the buyer that arose AFTER the our deeds were changed and filed with the county. I have reached out to the 'owners resolution' department but have not received any response.
So now, the deeds are not in our name, but the company is billing us maintenance fees. The buyer and I are at our wits end dealing with this company. Please share your thoughts on how to proceed.

id provide copies of the deeds showing legal ownership by the new party along with the contact details of the new owner anytime they sent me a bill or contacted me for mf payments....but thats just me.

 

[hillview570]

id provide copies of the deeds showing legal ownership by the new party along with the contact details of the new owner anytime they sent me a bill or contacted me for mf payments....but thats just me.

thank you...I have reached out to Owners Resolutions but continue to wait for any response.

 

[ScoopKona]

This has been a thorn in my side for awhile now, but recent forum and Facebook posts lead me to believe the answer to this is "as little as possible".

I agree 100% with your answer. You're so close to having the right question.

Instead of "How much effort does the average person put into selling or giving away an unwanted Timeshare?" Replace with, "How much effort does the average person put into anything?"

Doesn't matter what the activity: Planning a trip. Learning to cook. Driving to work. Raising children. Saving for retirement. Maintaining a house. The average person is going to do the bare minimum -- if that. Often, "I can't do that" wins the day. Especially in the case of "cooking a meal." I've met so many people who seem to be proud of their inability to cook. As if it's a badge of honor. "Cooking is beneath me and I won't do it." Ask such a person to feed their family, and they'll throw their hands up; demand "this is impossible;" and call for pizza delivery.

"There! I made dinner!"

If it doesn't involve watching "Who wants to marry a tap-dancing millionaire survivor with the stars," it isn't worth the time or effort. Basically, we're more than halfway to that scene in Wall-E people post whenever they're disgusted by modern society. (Never seen the movie. I see that clip all the time though.)