POA required from buyer?

[ada903]

So I am buying a week from alltimevacations, and they are requesting that we notarize a POA, as buyers. The reason being Paypal chargebacks - they say buyers have paid for properties, and after transfer, they disputed the payment with Paypal.

However, this POA has no end date and basically gives them power over the week forever and ever, and it makes me very uncomfortable.

I already sent payment for the purchase, but I am just not easy hearted to do this POA.

Has anyone purchased from them and signed a POA as buyer? What's my risk here? Thanks for any advice.

 

[presley]

I just PM'd you. Please, please don't give POA to anyone that you don't know personally. I was shocked enough to see them doing it to sellers, but doing it to buyers is really going too far.

 

[presley]

So I am buying a week from alltimevacations, and they are requesting that we notarize a POA, as buyers. The reason being Paypal chargebacks - they say buyers have paid for properties, and after transfer, they disputed the payment with Paypal.

Here's the thing about that, if you google all of their company names, you will soon find out why buyers have disputed their charges.

 

[ronparise]

instead of paypal, send a check, or wire the money. That should remove their objection....or just threaten to move on. I bet they drop the requirement then

 

[ada903]

I paid them by Paypal, since that's what they requested. I do have impeccable eBay record, and many large $ resales and rentals.

 

[rrlongwell]

I paid them by Paypal, since that's what they requested. I do have impeccable eBay record, and many large $ resales and rentals.

You have paid them. I would not recommend signing a POA for them under any conditions. If they are afraid of a charge back from Pay Pal then there may be a reason. If you have there request for the POA in writting and their reason for it, I would send copies to E-Bay.

Was the POA a requirement listed on E-Bay and term of the biding? If not, I would advise E-Bay of that also.

 

[Talent312]

I've heard that some resellers are asking for POA's as a means to get their hands on HOA's.
If it isn't in a contract (or listing) as a condition of the sale, your only duty is for payment.

I'd tell 'em that you do not sign POA's to anyone, have no obligation to do so, that using paypal was their choice (not yours), and if they want better assurance that your payment will stay put, you'll be happy to send it in another form, upon refund of the first.

 

[ada903]

The POA requirement came after we sent payment, together with the contract. It is not mentioned in the eBay ad. I understand their concern, but so many other sellers face similar issues on eBay, and do not require buyer POA. My positive feeeback for buying timeshares should mean something. I truly believe they would not misuse the POA, but I am still umcomfortable signing any POA for anyone, especially someone I don't know.

 

[rrlongwell]

The POA requirement came after we sent payment, together with the contract. It is not mentioned in the eBay ad. I understand their concern, but so many other sellers face similar issues on eBay, and do not require buyer POA. My positive feeeback for buying timeshares should mean something. I truly believe they would not misuse the POA, but I am still umcomfortable signing any POA for anyone, especially someone I don't know.

From your post, you signed the contract and sent the payment as a upfront payment. If they do not deliver I would contact E-Bay, Pay Pal, the BBB, and the Attorney Generals Office in the state the Resort is located.

 

[dioxide45]

Sign the contract and send it back sans POA. No need for that and they can move on with the sale.

 

[ada903]

That's what I did, and they wrote back saying they need it. I wrote back again and politely declined the POA. I would love to buy the property, but if they will cancel because of the lack of POA, I can live without it.

Sign the contract and send it back sans POA. No need for that and they can move on with the sale.

 

[dioxide45]

That's what I did, and they wrote back saying they need it. I wrote back again and politely declined the POA. I would love to buy the property, but if they will cancel because of the lack of POA, I can live without it.

If they cancel the sale over it, I would definitely leave negative feedback on Ebay.

 

[rrlongwell]

That's what I did, and they wrote back saying they need it. I wrote back again and politely declined the POA. I would love to buy the property, but if they will cancel because of the lack of POA, I can live without it.

I had a number of similar situation on a number of timeshares that were Resorts/Ownership sold to me. The BBB of Central Flordia etc. got successful results, if you want it go for it.

 

[theo]

My $0.02 worth...

The POA requirement came after we sent payment, together with the contract. It is not mentioned in the eBay ad. I understand their concern, but so many other sellers face similar issues on eBay, and do not require buyer POA. My positive feeeback for buying timeshares should mean something. I truly believe they would not misuse the POA, but I am still umcomfortable signing any POA for anyone, especially someone I don't know.

With all due respect, your belief does not appear to be supported by any personal knowledge about (or experience with) this seller. Your good track record as a buyer is essentially irrelevant to their purposes.

I would overtly and categorically refuse to sign a PoA as a buyer under any circumstances. Period, amen.
In your case, it clearly was not a term or condition of the listing and the seller should not be unilaterally inserting such a requirement "after the fact".

I'd tell the seller to just do without the PoA or go pound sand and refund my money. YMMV.

 

[ada903]

Theo, that's exactly what I did. Waiting for response, we'll see what happens. Thanks for the feedback

With all due respect, your belief does not appear to be supported by any personal knowledge about (or experience with) this seller. Your good track record as a buyer is essentially irrelevant to their purposes.

I would overtly and categorically refuse to sign a PoA as a buyer under any circumstances. Period, amen.
In your case, it clearly was not a term or condition of the listing and the seller should not be unilaterally inserting such a requirement "after the fact".

I'd tell the seller to just do without the PoA or go pound sand and refund my money. YMMV.

 

[ada903]

Ok, they said it's ok to move on without POA, relief sigh.

I will post a review on how the process went with this seller when done.

 

[rrlongwell]

Ok, they said it's ok to move on without POA, relief sigh.

I will post a review on how the process went with this seller when done.

Congratulations

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

When my wife and I purchased our resale timeshare at Star Island, CJ Timeshares asked us to sign a POA, but for a different reason: to represent us at HomeOwners Association meetings. Since we live outside Orlando, we just threw that away, since we could go to a meeting at any time.

TS

 

[dioxide45]

When my wife and I purchased our resale timeshare at Star Island, CJ Timeshares asked us to sign a POA, but for a different reason: to represent us at HomeOwners Association meetings. Since we live outside Orlando, we just threw that away, since we could go to a meeting at any time.

TS

This type of POA is interesting. I wonder if they are just trying to get enough votes to try to pass amendments where the board will take back weeks. They would rather give the weeks back to the HOAs than bother to sell them for $1 on Ebay and incure the fees associated with it.

 

[timeos2]

I would NEVER give a POA to anyone looking for an open ended right as that sounds like they want to take control of an Association or worse. If I REALLY wanted that ownership and they wouldn't complete the sale without it I'd word the POA to terminate 5 days after the deed is officially recorded. That would give them what they claim to "need" until your ownership was confirmed - then it expires. Beyond that they get nothing except my payment. it doesn't sound right in any case & you did the right thing to refuse to provide it.

 

[PamMo]

I had the same experience as you, but with a different eBay seller. I refused to sign the POA, and the sale went forward without any problems. Then I received an auto request for a POA after the sale closed, explaining how they wanted to protect my interests at the resort. That is just plain spooky. I wonder how many newbies sign, and what on earth they are doing with those POA's?

 

[theo]

Another $0.02 worth...

<snip> I wonder how many newbies sign, and what on earth they are doing with those POA's?

My bet is that very few (...if any) resellers would ever forego a "bird in the hand" sale over this PoA issue. TUGGERS are surely more savvy and experienced regarding timeshare matters than the general population might be. The innocent and inexperienced likely do not even begin to understand the potential implications of relinquishing their owner representation rights / votes over to a third party; they may even believe (...quite incorrectly) that the PoA is just a standard and acceptable part of the transaction process.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

This is not a reputable seller anyway. Huge numbers of complaints. They recently used an alternative eBay account to relist a unit where the buyer left negative feedback because they refused to allow the buyer to use an independent escrow service. They want all the money up front and won't use an independent escrow.

 

[theo]

Not at all unusual...

...they refused to allow the buyer to use an independent escrow service. They want all the money up front and won't use an independent escrow.

This is standard operating procedure for most eBay megasellers, actually. In some instances the "closing company" and the "seller" are one and the same people, just "changing hats" for different parts of the transaction. In other instances, the seller and closing company are indeed different people, but with a "cozy or contractual agreement / arrangement" for closings (...no, I did not overtly use the word "kickback").

In any case, I'd venture to say that most eBay mega-sellers dictate and require using only their pre-identified and pre-determined closing entity. No news flash there at all, particularly since most of them make that fact abundantly clear within their listings anyhow.