Timeshare Closing Services, VIN, and Ebay --my experiences

[BocaBum99]

I have had a very bad experience with Timeshare Closing Services. I will NEVER use them again. If a seller on eBay requires them, I won't bid on the auction.

They don't answer their phones and it takes them forever to respond to email.

Plain and simply, THEY SUCK!

 

[rickandcindy23]

Walt,
All I can say is that they charge too much for their bad services.

We closed our first ebay timeshare purchase with them, since Thomas Ochoa required that the closing go through them. He even answered the phone at closing company's number, if I remember correctly. But anyway, the second timeshare purchase we called them for the closing and they gave us a price, then they took it back, saying the person had misquoted.

This was before I knew they closed properties for Timeshare Relief. Yes, I am mentioning that I think both companies are scum--VINinc, Timeshare Relief and even their closing service.

 

[nrkh12]

I made a purchase from VIN this summer and it was handled by TCS. The transaction went along fine until I called Fairfield to add the week I had just purchased to my account. Turns out the week was never authorized for sale by the owners. When I contacted TCS they apologized and immediately refunded my money. Although I got a full refund with no problems I do have to wonder how they can sell someones timeshare week without their knowledge or authorization.
I probably wouldn't work with them again.

 

[BocaBum99]

I wonder if TCS is melting down now like Timeshare Liquidators did last year.

This is very sloppy closing work. Perhaps VIN is having a comeuppance.

 

[PeelBoy]

I purchased from ebay with TCS as the closing agent on December 6. Got the email in about 2 days and the contract, signed and returned. The purchase price was $67 and closing free. TCS kept me posted with both emails and snail mails. After the holiday, I received a certified copy of the deed endorsed by the county government. Mid January, I received the original.

I called the resort to confirm I am now the owner, enrolled into RCI and deposited the week (can't go in April).

Everything was smooth in 6 weeks.

 

[Walt]

For Your Information

I have dealt with Timeshare Closing Services 2 times. Both transactions have not been done to my satisfactory. :annoyed:

The first one was for a bid on Ebay for a 2 bedroom Red week in a Resort in Wisconsin. It took 7or 8 months to get a closing done. The reason (so they said) was that the owner had 2 weeks. One week was a Red week. The other week was a White Week. The owner gave back a week to the Resort and sold the other on Ebay. When it came time to close, I found out that the week on the copy of the Warranty Deed listed the White week not the Red Week as they week I was buying. Only because the Resort was willing to give back the Red Week and take the White week did the deal go through. Of course, the trading power was reduced by 7 months

The second transaction was cancelled yesterday because they did not have the week to sell.

The Ebay ad was for a 2 bedroom red week at a Resort in Florida. I will call it Resort A. The Name listed, the address of the Resort, the Maintenance Fee amount, the pictures of the Resort all showed it to be Resort A. When I got the copy of the Warranty Deed yesterday, I saw on one line of the Warranty Deed stating the Resort commonly known as Resort A which was correct. However on the very next line of the Warranty Deed, they listed the unit as unit 616 at a resort I will call Resort Z. How could a Closing Company not know something was wrong when doing the Warranty Deed?

Since Resort A didn’t have a floor over 4 stories and no unit higher than 411, I knew something was wrong. I called them and got this Story.

I found out that the person selling the week had ownership in both Resorts. The story I got (And I do think it is a Story) was that they called the wrong Resort and got the wrong information to put in their listing on Ebay. And they would be willing to sell me the week in Resort Z for half the amount I would have paid for Resort A. It is my view, since I know both Resorts, I would NOT take the week in Resort Z for 'Free." I am waiting for a full refund. I found out about this deal yesterday and will let you know how long it will take to get the full refund.

Walt

For Your Information

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I got a call Wed. from Timeshare Closing Services. They told me that I would get a check on Friday for the total return of my money. I got the check today (Friday).

Because the Deed was recorded, I need to sign back the wrong Resort's week back to them.

Timeshare Closing services said they will get back to me in the future with a 2Bedroom Week at the Resort I wanted to buy. I will let you know if they do.

Walt

 

[intromaster]

My experience has not been great either!

Here's an email I just got back from Timeshare Closing Services about my timeshare purchase on June 11, 2007


===================================

Dear Mr. Smith,

As a courtesy update I would like to inform you that I have followed up with the county on the status of your recording. I have been informed that the documents sent to the county for recording did not meet certain county requirements. The documents have been sent back to our office to be reviewed again. I have reviewed the documents and made the necessary corrections. The documents will be re-sent today. Once we receive your recorded deed from the county recorder, at that time it will go to our Resort Transfer Liaison Department where the resort will be notified and followed up with until the transfer is complete. The Original Recorded Deed will be sent to you in the mail.


Thank you for your patience and we appreciate your business.

Sincerely,
(removed name)
Agent, Recording Department
Timeshare Closing Services, Inc

 

[Kona Lovers]

We've had overall successful dealings with them, although sometimes long and drawn out, requiring staying on them with phone calls. One instance took so long that MFs increased in the meantime, and they paid the difference for us.

Marty

 

[bogey21]

I'm just amazed at these problems. I have purchased 3 Weeks from VIN entities on Ebay and closed through their affiliated closing company. They asked for money via PayPal; I sent money via PayPal; and about 3 weeks later I received Deeds. Smooth as silk but I didn't ask for signed contracts or make any waves.

GEORGE

 

[kjsgrammy]

We are still waiting for our refund of $400 from them regarding an ebay purchase for Discovery Beach Resort. (Was promised almost two weeks ago they'd send check.) Ebay ad listed unit as 1-52 floating week - turned out to be only floating for certain "off season" weeks, unless we pay additional fee for seasonal. Processing of recorded deed and transfer to resort took less than 2 months - with us being notified with each step along the way. Intend to contact them on Monday to find out why no check yet. Will advise on outcome.

 

[JMAESD84]

I've had very successful dealings with both VIN and TCS. They are moving a lot of different timeshares in many states so it's easy to see how they could mix things up on folks.

I try to keep my end of things moving quickly and accurately. I recommend checking the accuracy of all the information contained in the documents.....they do make mistakes. They quickly correct things when notified of errors and the process gets completed.

They will work with you if there are reservations required to ensure satisfactory near term use of the timeshare.

Keep your eyes open to make sure stupid mistakes don't slip through and I think you will find that these folks are fine to work with.

 

[UWSurfer]

I've noticed lately on E-BAY that the VIN sellers have different pricing listed for Timeshare Closing Services (TCS) these days.

I bought a unit earlier this year and the closing costs cited were $299. Now looking at several auctions they have up on E-Bay they cite $299, $399 & $499 and there doesn't appear to be any ryme or reason for the differences in costs other than what the auction lister felt like putting down.

At $299 I felt they were reasonable. $499 seems like a stretch.

 

[london]

VIN and Timeshare Closing Services

I have purchased several timeshare on Ebay via VIN, with TCS as the closing agent.

All the transaction went smoothly, and were closed in 4 to 6 weeks. Communication via email and snail mail was excellent.

I do realize that they are a volume operation, and can make mistakes on their Ebay listings.

When I have emailed them, I have always received a prompt reply.

 

[easyrider]

VIN / TCS ok for us

We have bought 3 TS from these people with the only problem being an extra TS week for free. They goofed and recorded 2 eoy at Eaglecrest for me. I called to let them know and it seems they are allright with this. They have also sold to a few of my friends with no problems.

 

[Loco]

Vin & Tcs

I'm in the process of closing on an ebay timeshare with VIN & TCS. I did not ask for a signed contract by the seller and I already ok'd the charging of my credit card by supplying this information. I figured I am dealing with a bonded closing company and a seller with high positive feedback on Ebay, so there wouldn't be a problem. I thought the closing company would secure the signed contract from the seller for me. Am I wrong to assume this will happen? What will happen next in the process? I was told something to the effect that I will receive paperwork that will need to be notorized within 14 days. I already called the resort and asked if there were outstanding monies owed on the unit and week that I am buying and they assured me the unit and that week was up to date. Will I receive a copy of the deed with the real seller's name on it that will be transfer eventually to my name?

 

[icydog]

I purchased three timeshares from VIN throughout the years. No problems with the timeshares at all, except that their closing company, Timeshare Closing Services, was extremely slow and lax in their follow up. I found I had to call each week to get them to move the papers from one desk to the next. I did get Timeshare Closings to give me one contact to call, rather than calling each desk all the time, since I was buying and selling a lot of timeshares in those days. It only helped a little. It was a painfully long, drawn out, process for each timeshare transaction, and I vowed never to do business with them (Vin or Timeshare Closings) again. Of course, I no am no longer in a buying mode. I am trying to divest myself of all my timeshares except my DVCs and Marriotts

 

[JLB]

Not knowing about this thread, I have one of my own on the same company(ies). I just posted on it a few minutes ago.

They did a ---poor job and I gave them negative feedback on eBay.

It was my (our) guess that the original owners had paid VIN to take the week off their hands, but I (we) were guessing around $500.

 

[london]

VIN and TCS

I have purchased eight timeshares on Ebay via VIN, with TCS as the closing company.

All transactions were done in a timely manner. Email communication was excellent from TCS.

The deeds were received in good order, and resort notifications were also prompt.

Overall, I would not hesitate to purchase again.

 

[Aussiedog]

Maybe things are starting to slip a bit

I have purchased a handful from them.

The weeks I purchased in the fall went through just fine.

The closing for the one I purchased in the winter has not been smooth at all. First it took FOREVER (>6 weeks) to get the deed moved through TCS to their resort notification dept even though I called a lot and could see the deed online at the county so I knew it was recorded.

Then when I finally thought I was past that hurdle I called Starwood and was told that the new deed was wrong - they checked back to the original deed and TCS had made a typo in the name of the original owner in the new deed!!!! So everything is back to square one while the time for the EOY unit slips away!!! And this is what you don't see when you buy from VIN/TCS because they use their name on the contract and not the true owner on the recorded deed- harder to double check yourself.

I may end up asking for a refund and cancel the deal - don't know yet. I am bummed, though. They had done such a good job on the earlier ones I may have been lulled into an unrealistic sense of complacency.

Ann

 

[JLB]

This is reminiscent of Prodox a few years back, when Tia and Susan got fed up and started TST.

Stuff got piled up, including something of ours. If I had not raised a ruckus, ours would not have gotten done.

Deja vu all over with TCS recently, that if I had not taken it upon myself to contact the Recorder and the resort, and put TCS on track, it does not appear that this one would have gotten done. Or, that we are lucky to have gotten it done before the implosion.