Sharelife Vacations

[lct]

Hello, I'm new and this is my first post. Sorry if its in the wrong section.

My mom has had a timeshare for several years, and recently had a chance to cancel it, keep it, or transfer it over to Sharelife Vacations. She went with the final option. I wasn't there, so don't have all the information. From what I've been told though, apparently she has an optional yearly fee to pay if she wants to use it, and in exchange gets discounts on travel. What I'm wondering is, does anyone have experience with this? And if so, has she misunderstood, and is it worth it?

My inclination is no, but I can't find a lot of information online about it either.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

TUG Member @RX8 is pretty good about finding out information about some of these companies. Hopefully he will see your posting about Sharelife Vacations and do a little digging for you.

They appear to be operating out of Las Vegas, NV.

Welcome to TUG.





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[RX8]

@lct Who was it that gave your mom a chance to cancel it, keep it or transfer it? What were they charging to cancel it or transfer it? My guess is that this may have happened at a high pressure meeting at a hotel or restaurant.

Sharelife Vacations appears to be a Vacation Club with the website being created October 2019. Nothing on their website indicates that they cancel or transfer timeshares. The LLC member is Stan Mullis, who appears to be a former NASCAR driver. He is also associated with Timeshare Liquidators, LLC with other names being TLC Resort Vacation
TLC Resort Liquidators. There are complaints with the BBB but they at least provide some sort of response so the BBB rating is A+. Although Timeshare Liquidators by name appears that they could be an exit company, the BBB complaints don’t mention anything about timeshare exits, only Vacation Club issues.

Vacation Clubs are rarely a good deal. In many cases, one can find deals just as good as the Vacation Club without having to pay hundreds or thousands to enroll in the Vacation Club.

Below is an older thread on Timeshare Liquidators, LLC.

[ 2013 ] Stay Away Timshare Liquidators, LLC "TLC" in Las Vegas

Stay Away Timeshare Liquidators, LLC located 1050 E. Flamingo Rd, Suite N337, Las Vegas. This company takes advantage of buyers and tells lies and half truths and then has the buyers sign that the sale is final and that only what is written in the contract and not any verbal promises are the...

tugbbs.com

BBB profile of Timeshare Liquidators.

Timeshare Liquidators, LLC | BBB Business Profile | Better Business Bureau

Not BBB Accredited. Timeshare Resale and Rental Marketing in Las Vegas, NV. See BBB rating, reviews, complaints, and more.

www.bbb.org

 

[lct]

Who was it that gave your mom a chance to cancel it, keep it or transfer it? What were they charging to cancel it or transfer it? My guess is that this may have happened at a high pressure meeting at a hotel or restaurant.

Apparently the business behind the timeshare was purchased by a new company, and they were willing to let 20% of people out. She paid a total of about $14,000 to transfer the deed, and does have something saying the deed was transferred. I should be able to see that later today, and I'll try to update with more info then. It was a meeting at the timeshare. I don't know much about how the meeting went beyond that since I wasn't there.

Thanks for the answer.

 

[TUGBrian]

ugh, thats a very common scam (charging a huge amount for a "trade in").

very sorry your mom was taken advantage of. how long ago did she pay? can she cancel or dispute the charge?

 

[lct]

ugh, thats a very common scam (charging a huge amount for a "trade in").

very sorry your mom was taken advantage of. how long ago did she pay? can she cancel or dispute the charge?

Last Thursday. I'll check the paperwork today and see.

 

[TUGBrian]

wow, i would make every effort to cancel/stop payment/etc whatever medium was used to pay that 14k.

absolutely sickening how folks will take advantage of the elderly!

 

[lct]

wow, i would make every effort to cancel/stop payment/etc whatever medium was used to pay that 14k.

absolutely sickening how folks will take advantage of the elderly!

snip

Okay, I have more information. The paperwork says that a company called SBV Vacations LLC (Grantee) has taken ownership of the timeshare previously owned by my mom. They have an agreement with a timeshare company in the area called The Vacation Store to transfer a number of deeds. On their grantee acknowledgement it says that they have taken on the obligation to pay all assessments, property taxes, and maintenance fees. And that they will take on all responsibility for future transfers or assignments of the Vacation Ownership Interest. On the Grantor Acknowledgement, my mom's, it says it relieves her of an obligation to pay assessments, property taxes, and maintenance fees, etc. Both forms are signed and notarized. There was a $1500 resort transfer fee payable to the Condominium owner's association. There is then an assessment certificate and estoppel letter. Then there is a resort transfer form showing the Grantee and Grantor info previous. Finally in the Timeshare documentation there is a Warranty Deed which states that my mother "Grant, Bargain ad Sell, Convey and Confirm" to SBV Vacations as well as that the premises are free and clear of encumbrance.

For the Sharelife Vacations It says there's a $50 hotel gift card per month (which I'm kinda questionable on how that works), and annual dues of $349, and then monthly dues of $29.08. The Purchase Price was $13,000. It says on the enrollment that it is a membership program and not a real estate or timeshare purchase. It seems like if she wants to cancel she just has to stop paying the dues.

 

[RX8]

Duplicate post

 

[RX8]

Okay, I have more information. The paperwork says that a company called SBV Vacations LLC (Grantee) has taken ownership of the timeshare previously owned by my mom. They have an agreement with a timeshare company in the area called The Vacation Store to transfer a number of deeds. On their grantee acknowledgement it says that they have taken on the obligation to pay all assessments, property taxes, and maintenance fees. And that they will take on all responsibility for future transfers or assignments of the Vacation Ownership Interest. On the Grantor Acknowledgement, my mom's, it says it relieves her of an obligation to pay assessments, property taxes, and maintenance fees, etc. Both forms are signed and notarized. There was a $1500 resort transfer fee payable to the Condominium owner's association. There is then an assessment certificate and estoppel letter. Then there is a resort transfer form showing the Grantee and Grantor info previous. Finally in the Timeshare documentation there is a Warranty Deed which states that my mother "Grant, Bargain ad Sell, Convey and Confirm" to SBV Vacations as well as that the premises are free and clear of encumbrance.

For the Sharelife Vacations It says there's a $50 hotel gift card per month (which I'm kinda questionable on how that works), and annual dues of $349, and then monthly dues of $29.08. The Purchase Price was $13,000. It says on the enrollment that it is a membership program and not a real estate or timeshare purchase. It seems like if she wants to cancel she just has to stop paying the dues.

If there is a way to rescind that Vacation Club please do so. It isn’t worth the $29 monthly fee let alone the $13,000.

Unfortunately, SBV Vacations LLC, based in Branson, MO, was just created on April 18, 2023. Any new entity in the timeshare exit business is a huge red flag. Combine that with Missouri being a hot bed of questionable timeshare related businesses and i suspect that you will still be on the hook for your timeshare and your $13K gone in the wind. Either this is going to be an exit company making big promises or a “Viking Ship” in which timeshares are transferred to the LLC only for the members to stop paying maintenance fees leaving the HOA’s trying to pick up the pieces of the default.

@STLBBB

 

[TUGBrian]

looped in @STLBBB on this one, perhaps they can be of some assitance!

however as it appears to me, your mom forked over 14k to "get rid of" her timeshare and as part of said super awesome deal, she was signed up for a random vacation club.

as mentioned above, thats not even worth 14 bucks, much less 14k.

it sure sounds like the timeshare has already been transferred? though you say all this happened only 2 weeks ago, no way that happens in such a short time?

 

[STLBBB]

@lct I agree with @RX8 and @TUGBrian with their suggestions to rescind if possible.

This company is new. It's address is in a UPS Store in Branson. The registered agent works for a Kansas City-area realtor Winfield Real Estate. The registered agent has several other holdings for the owner of Winfield Real Estate, Andrew Danner, in her name.

I would be appreciative of any other contact info you can get me on SBV Vacations LLC. Phone number, email, etc. I am going to make a file for the business. Once that is done today, you can file a complaint there if you'd like.

If you'd like, your other route would be to file a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General's office. Here is the link to that site - https://ago.mo.gov/app/consumercomplaint

 

[lct]

@lct I agree with @RX8 and @TUGBrian with their suggestions to rescind if possible.

This company is new. It's address is in a UPS Store in Branson. The registered agent works for a Kansas City-area realtor Winfield Real Estate. The registered agent has several other holdings for the owner of Winfield Real Estate, Andrew Danner, in her name.

I would be appreciative of any other contact info you can get me on SBV Vacations LLC. Phone number, email, etc. I am going to make a file for the business. Once that is done today, you can file a complaint there if you'd like.

If you'd like, your other route would be to file a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General's office. Here is the link to that site - https://ago.mo.gov/app/consumercomplaint

First of all, thanks @TUGBrian and @RX8 for your comments. I've talked to her about it, but she's decided to stick with the decision. Today's the last day to cancel too, so I guess it will stick. I just hope she hasn't misunderstood and actually can just withdraw when she wants to.

@STLBBB, I don't have the paperwork with me atm, but I'll see about getting the information and posting it Wednesday afternoon.

 

[TUGBrian]

id think id be more aggressive in your talks regarding throwing away 14,000 dollars....especially if now you mention she can still cancel it????

 

[STLBBB]

First of all, thanks @TUGBrian and @RX8 for your comments. I've talked to her about it, but she's decided to stick with the decision. Today's the last day to cancel too, so I guess it will stick. I just hope she hasn't misunderstood and actually can just withdraw when she wants to.

@STLBBB, I don't have the paperwork with me atm, but I'll see about getting the information and posting it Wednesday afternoon.

Feel free to email it to me at dobrien@stlouisbbb.org if you don't want it seen by the masses.

 

[RX8]

@lct It is your mom’s/yours decision to do what you want with your money. We are just trying to make it clear to you and your mom that not cancelling will be the same as taking a match to your $13,000. But that is not all as she will likely still be on the hook for her timeshare and these scammers will have her credit card number to keep charging monthly fees for a worthless vacation club.

There are many, many people who come on TUG upset with themselves that they didn’t rescind when they could have. You have a chance to do so. If you cancel, and decide later after much research you still want to do it, they would happily take your money again. You have nothing to lose to cancel, everything to lose if you don’t.

 

[RX8]

I just hope she hasn't misunderstood and actually can just withdraw when she wants to.

I just noticed this after my post above. Your mom is dealing with a company that wouldn’t think twice about lying to make a sale. Whatever she has been told, the truth is probably close to 10% of that. If she is relying on their statements that is just another reason to cancel.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

First of all, thanks @TUGBrian and @RX8 for your comments. I've talked to her about it, but she's decided to stick with the decision. Today's the last day to cancel too, so I guess it will stick. I just hope she hasn't misunderstood and actually can just withdraw when she wants to.

@STLBBB, I don't have the paperwork with me atm, but I'll see about getting the information and posting it Wednesday afternoon.

There goes $14,000 of your inheritance.......

Your first posting had a bad smell to it and I wish you had followed the advice given here.



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[MommaMary]

I am in the same situation that LTC‘s mom was in. I signed my paperwork today to deed my timeshare to share life - for a fee. The fee started at $14,000 but I ended up “only” paying $7500. I had second thoughts as soon as I left there. Is your advice still the same… Get out of it if at all possible?

 

[byeloe]

I am in the same situation that LTC‘s mom was in. I signed my paperwork today to deed my timeshare to share life - for a fee. The fee started at $14,000 but I ended up “only” paying $7500. I had second thoughts as soon as I left there. Is your advice still the same… Get out of it if at all possible?

yes, of course get out if you can

 

[MommaMary]

yes, of course get out if you can

In Missouri I should be able to opt out within three business days. Hopefully they abide by that.

 

[RX8]

In Missouri I should be able to opt out within three business days. Hopefully they abide by that.

Look at the contract you signed carefully for the rescissio instructions. Follow those instructions exactly. If you have questions with the contract, many here can walk you through it.

 

[MommaMary]

Look at the contract you signed carefully for the rescissio instructions. Follow those instructions exactly. If you have questions with the contract, many here can walk you through it.

Is there a good way to get out of my timeshare? Have had it for 20+ years, but am ready to unload it now that my husband has passed. Thanks for any advice.

 

[amycurl]

Welcome to TUG! There are three main options to get out of your timeshare, since it is paid off, all of which you can do yourself for free or very low-cost:

--Give it away here on TUG. We have a whole "Bargain Deals" listing for that here on the boards. Provide pictures, activities, the MF, how the timeshare has "worked" for you. You've enjoyed it for 20 years; I'm sure someone else will enjoy it, too. You might need to sweeten the deal by providing free closing (LT Transfers is highly reputable, reasonably priced, and makes the process easy,) and/or a year of free usage (i.e. you pay the 2024 MF, they can use the week in 2024, but won't need to pay the MF until 2025.)

--Call the resort HOA and see if they will take the deed back up front or a deed in lieu of foreclosure. Some resorts will do so if you pre-pay maintenance fees or for some other fee (typically, less than one year's of MF.) Make it clear that otherwise, you'll just walk away, and the resort will have to incur the costs to foreclose.

--Unless you need sterling credit, just stop paying the MF and ignore any calls and letters you might get. Eventually, the resort will foreclosure and you'll be done.

Any and all of these options will have better results for FAR LESS than the $7500 you paid. I hope you're already writing the rescission letter so you can get it in the mail tomorrow morning. Hope this helps, and I'm so sorry to hear about your spouse.

 

[MommaMary]

Welcome to TUG! There are three main options to get out of your timeshare, since it is paid off, all of which you can do yourself for free or very low-cost:

--Give it away here on TUG. We have a whole "Bargain Deals" listing for that here on the boards. Provide pictures, activities, the MF, how the timeshare has "worked" for you. You've enjoyed it for 20 years; I'm sure someone else will enjoy it, too. You might need to sweeten the deal by providing free closing (LT Transfers is highly reputable, reasonably priced, and makes the process easy,) and/or a year of free usage (i.e. you pay the 2024 MF, they can use the week in 2024, but won't need to pay the MF until 2025.)

--Call the resort HOA and see if they will take the deed back up front or a deed in lieu of foreclosure. Some resorts will do so if you pre-pay maintenance fees or for some other fee (typically, less than one year's of MF.) Make it clear that otherwise, you'll just walk away, and the resort will have to incur the costs to foreclose.

--Unless you need sterling credit, just stop paying the MF and ignore any calls and letters you might get. Eventually, the resort will foreclosure and you'll be done.

Any and all of these options will have better results for FAR LESS than the $7500 you paid. I hope you're already writing the rescission letter so you can get it in the mail tomorrow morning. Hope this helps, and I'm so sorry to hear about your spouse.

Thank you so much for your kind words and guidance. I’m sure I’ll be back on here with an update and questions.