Follow up on Travel Exclusive
Okay, after reading these posts and signing the contract on Friday with Travel Exclusive I made a phone call to my resort today, Monday.
For the past year we have tried to contact the resort and never received an answer to our inquires or a return telephone call. I thought I would give it one more try on Monday morning after speaking to one of the lawyers on this forum. (Attorney Kurt Brown) He suggested I ask for the President of the Homeowner’s Association or the legal department. Perhaps that is the key word I needed. When I called the resort on Monday, I asked for the President and was referred to the business office. I spoke with the business office manager who informed me that the Association was dissolved but the new Trustee would address my question of deeding back our timeshare to the resort. She instructed me to send an email to her and she would forward it to the Trustee. She assured me he was very good about responding and I will hear back soon. Well, sure enough I did. I asked if the resort would take back my time share since none of my family want it and I am clearing my affairs. The Trustee emailed back that indeed they would take the deed back. I asked for the costs associated with the transfer and for both units the total was $595.00 and they would process the paperwork.
You can imagine my delight that after a year of reaching the wrong person, within one hour I had an answer from the right person. Did I just get lucky?
I did not know enough about this whole process. Perhaps I needed to have the urgency of confirmation that I spent $3,045 wisely that forced me to investigate and ultimately came across this forum and Attorney Brown’s message on a thread.
There are scare tactics out there but maybe the one we need to be mindful of is the one that states the resort will NOT take your timeshare back.
I sure would have liked to receive some money for the units but I am satisfied with reducing my original $3,045 cost charged from Travel Exclusive to only $595 with the resort. I think the resort is happy to take the units back for free. It allows them control over their own property instead of releasing it to something like Priceline.com
So, I am adding to my post of the other day. While I was ready to spend $3,045 to be done with the whole Time Share business, I am happier to spend less. However, I think if the resort did not take my units back, I would have completed the transaction with Travel Exclusive. They are more expensive but the nightmare would be over. Again, just my thoughts and not for everyone.
Finally, Will I get out of the Signed Contract with Travel Exclusive? Good question and the answer may be helpful if you are deciding to proceed with an Equity Transfer of your own Timeshare to Travel Exclusive.
This is what transpired so far.
We signed the Contract on Friday evening. On Monday, I telephoned the office in Florida and explained the situation, sent a copy of my email communication with the resort and I was told I needed to speak with the person from the seminar. Since he was still traveling I would hear from him on Tuesday. In the meantime, I followed up with a fax to their office informing them of my intent to cancel. I mentioned I am canceling under the Federal law that allows me to cancel a transaction prior to midnight of the third business day. I also sent the same fax by email to the office. I prepared the original Intent to Cancel letter for mailing (by registered mail) and included postage to return my original deed documents.
On Tuesday, I expect to receive a telephone call from the gentleman who processed the paperwork at the seminar and I will learn my fate. Stay tuned. I will post the result.
In summary, go to one of these seminars for information and learn what they are offering. Don’t agree to transfer your unit unless you have personally received notice that your resort will NOT take back your unit. Ask for the Trustee or person in charge of the Homeowners Association at your resort. Understand your options first. If you are willing to pay someone to get you out of the Time Share you own, make sure you have all the information before you sign it over. Of course this is after you have exhausted all your sales effort. At some point you will decide on the break even point for yourself. Your unit does have value, you may do better than I did and actually receive compensation from the resort for your units. Good luck.
Please understand I am not endorsing Travel Exclusive nor am I recommending their services. I am only sharing my experience. I would be interested to learn if there is anyone that has gone through the entire process with Travel Exclusive and can state that the company did what it was contracted to do.
With thanks to Attorney Brown for his suggestions and kindness for taking the time to speak with me.