Timeshare exit scheme

[Luvtoride]

HI All,
Sorry for this long post. I wanted to find out if anyone has encountered a Timeshare exit company called CLP (Consumer Law Protection) and their pitch of getting owners out of their Timeshare maintenance fees and inheritance issues (perpetuity) while still retaining the rights to use your timeshares? Let me explain.

A few days ago my wife accepted a call (god only knows why she picked up the phone) from an organization saying that they wanted to share with us some important protections afforded to TIMESHARE Owners under the recently passed CARES act due to Covid 19. She agreed for us to attend a zoom call last night where this would be explained to us. Prior to the call, we got a phone call "reminding" us about the call and asking details about our timeshare ownership, which she provided (basic, where we owned, which developer, etc.).
We got on the call with the head of this company, Levi Strake, who explained that certain provisions of previously enacted timeshare protection laws from 2015 (HB 7025 ) were being offered again to consumers to allow them to make an election to modify their timeshare contracts as we had originally been offered back in 2015. After saying I never remember being offered any provisions to modify, they said that according to their records, we chose NOT to modify our contracts. We went along to see how this played out.

After a 20 minutes general session, we were put into Zoom "breakout rooms" with an "advisor" to discuss our particular ownership. He pulled up a series of slides showing how much our annual maintenance fees (we told them in total how much we paid per year) would increase and the total amount we would pay over the next 30 years. Also, how this would be passed onto our heirs through out estate. He talked about the alternatives to this horrible scenario:
- Keep things as they are now and continue to pay this exhorbitant price for vacations, when cheaper alternatives like AIR BNB and rentals of Timeshares through multiple channels are a much lower price are readily available.
- go to a liquidator who will charge us 10 years worth of maintenance fees and get us out of our timeshares within 2 years
- OR #3.... join the RCI Trust, at $299/ year membership fee (almost like a COSTCO membership he said) and still be able to use our timeshare weeks as we do today, by trading weeks in RCI, equivalent to what we own now....WITHOUT the ongoing maintenance fees. WOW...REALLY?!

He showed us how much it would cost to travel to the places that we own at now (even though we rarely use our timeshares in that way) to stay at other nearby comparable properties vs. using our RCI trust for several weeks of vacations a year! It was sounding better and better until we asked a couple more questions....

We own Marriott and go to the Marriott Aruba Surf club each year (we don't own there), so how much to trade for that resort in RCI? Hmmm....that resort doesn't come up in his RCI account for Aruba, but here's an "equivalent" one...Casa Del Mar which is a gold crown resort. We've visited that property while in Aruba and it is NOT an equivalent to the Marriott Surf Club! Same for a couple of other locations. No Marriotts available (even though he said every Marriott resort can be listed in Interval and RCI).

We then asked how much to join the RCI Trust. He pulled up a quote for us. Instead of paying 10 years of maintenance fees for our 4 weeks, we would get all of this for the discounted price of $23,000! No more maintenace fees and we can stop paying the $299 Costco type membership fee anytime we felt this no longer worked for us.

We asked if he could send us the information. He said he would, but we needed to decide by 12 midnight last night if we were going to take up this great offer! We told him we would review the info and let him know. We never received the email.

Look, I'm not happy about the rate that maintenance fees are increasing every year, but we own Marriott and we stay in Marriotts and we USE all of our weeks and points every year.
So what was this scam all about? Anyone familiar with this organization or style of timeshare exit? Would love to hear your comments!
Stay safe everyone.
Brian

 

[Panina]

This has been going on for years, scamming you to get money, but in person with free dinners. Now they turned it to online and if it works, less costs for them and less risk. It still amazes me that people fall for this, sad.

 

[bbodb1]

Short and to the point - your heirs do NOT have to accept your timeshare.

Any offer that has a short timeframe for consideration is almost always a scam.

 

[Luvtoride]

Short and to the point - your heirs do NOT have to accept your timeshare.

Any offer that has a short timeframe for consideration is almost always a scam.

That's what I though bbodb, but he kept saying...it comes with everything else. LOL. I didn't bother to argue with him. Thanks for your comments.
Panina, damn, you mean I could have gotten a dinner out of this?

 

[Talent312]

Its sad to see that scammers do not rest during pandemics.
But then, what else would you expect.
What they're selling is like a cure for the coronavirus.
(There is none.)
.

 

[RX8]

So what was this scam all about?

Your $23,000.

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

...a Timeshare exit company called CLP (Consumer Law Protection .....
out of their Timeshare maintenance fees and inheritance issues (perpetuity) .....
..... how this would be passed onto our heirs through out estate. ...
He talked about the alternatives to this horrible scenario:

-So what was this scam all about? Anyone familiar with this organization or style of timeshare exit? Brian

Hi Brian ,
1) just be aware that you will be contacted again- (forever) - because when someone leaves this outfit ; it is very likely that your contact information will go with them .

2 ) Re : to the point of their saying the xx resorts were equivalent to Marriott .
If you ever hear this “pitch again - tell them :
“ that is like saying the cold virus is the same as the corona virus “

3).Best TUG presentation answer for the “ heirs statement “
Ask the presenter their legal name - so you can put them in your will , and they will be stuck with all the
expenses etc.

 

[Luvtoride]

Hi Brian ,


3).Best TUG presentation answer for the “ heirs statement “
Ask the presenter their legal name - so you can put them in your will , and they will be stuck with all the
expenses etc.

ROFL....that's a great comeback!!

I'm sorry to bother all of you with this, but I guess it demonstrates how even those of us who feel we are knowledgeable about the pitfalls of scams can be lured into "listening" to their pitch. I think that he realized once we starting shooting holes in their pitch that he wasn't going to get anywhere with us and he should just move on to his next mark on this night!

 

[callwill]

I know this thread is a bit old, but just thought i would add to it as my wife and i attended one of the CLP seminars a couple days ago(rochester NY). 1) Dinner was pretty good! 2) At the end of the group presentation they announced that if you were not interested in learning more and meeting with an advisor you could leave (that was our choice!). 3) They ran out of the premiums they were offering for attendance and advised they would be mailed...we will see if it comes and if it is of any real value.
I had done a little research on them before hand which led me to actually read thru this thread ahead of time.
The highlight of their discussion was several timeshare related legislative acts in florida, hb 453(not passed? but comes up again in 2021), hb 435, and hb 7025. They pushed the idea that you were cornered into no way out of your timeshare through this legislation; that your deed is an in perpetuity ownership contractual obligation that your heirs and or estate will be forced to take on when you die, that timeshare ownership cant be resold and that there is no such thing as timeshare foreclosure. That they will sue and or prosecute you and or your heirs/estate to get their money- taxes and maintenance fees forever. Their guy sitting at our table got up and walked away when i casually stated that I would not be leaving this to my kids when we die and sticking them with it, he stated that was no longer possible, that they would be,as i would learn. I told him that heirs cannot be forced to accept everthing left to them and in fact that i was considering giving it to my 87 year old mother, who would in turn leave it to me so that i could refuse it!

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

I know this thread is a bit old, but just thought i would add to it as my wife and i attended one of the CLP seminars a couple days ago(rochester NY). 1) Dinner was pretty good! 2) At the end of the group presentation they announced that if you were not interested in learning more and meeting with an advisor you could leave (that was our choice!). 3) They ran out of the premiums they were offering for attendance and advised they would be mailed...we will see if it comes and if it is of any real value.
I had done a little research on them before hand which led me to actually read thru this thread ahead of time.
The highlight of their discussion was several timeshare related legislative acts in florida, hb 453(not passed? but comes up again in 2021), hb 435, and hb 7025. They pushed the idea that you were cornered into no way out of your timeshare through this legislation; that your deed is an in perpetuity ownership contractual obligation that your heirs and or estate will be forced to take on when you die, that timeshare ownership cant be resold and that there is no such thing as timeshare foreclosure. That they will sue and or prosecute you and or your heirs/estate to get their money- taxes and maintenance fees forever. Their guy sitting at our table got up and walked away when i casually stated that I would not be leaving this to my kids when we die and sticking them with it, he stated that was no longer possible, that they would be,as i would learn. I told him that heirs cannot be forced to accept everthing left to them and in fact that i was considering giving it to my 87 year old mother, who would in turn leave it to me so that i could refuse it!

Well, as long as you enjoyed the free meal (hopefully it was free)...................

Smart move to stand up and leave after the end of the group presentation!




.

 

[callwill]

Well, as long as you enjoyed the free meal (hopefully it was free)...................

Smart move to stand up and leave after the end of the group presentation!




.

Meal was free and tasty, boneless chicken breast. The bonus premium, a $250 "shopping card" arrived in the mail. There were actually 8 cards and much like i predicted to my wife- who wanted to do this- are for specific etailers offering 25 or 50 bucks off your purchase from them...none looked all that interesting but i have not checked them out on line. I expect they will be mostly overpriced crap to make up for your free "cash".

 

[dvdnetn]

I received a post card offering a meal and the 250 in gift cards. We have received these gift cards in the past from RCI. They are totally useless.
I answered a call from these guys yesterday. Nice guy. He said there is relief from mortgage payments and maintenance fees allowed by a House Resolution.
He had to look up the HR number. I said I would look into it. The number was HR 748 of 116 congress. This is the CARES ACT.
There is nothing in there about timeshares. Looks like the HOA could've got a PPP loan. He gave me a call back number. Did not call back.
About an hour a go they called again. I told him I already talked to "Matt" yesterday, and to stop calling.
They have been calling for at least a month. Everytime the caller ID shows a different local numbers,

 

[LannyPC]

Yes, avoid these people. Are you even looking to get rid of your TS? Do you still owe mortgage and/or maintenance fees on it?

 

[Talent312]

Does anyone at these meals wear masks?
If not, both your $$ and your life are at risk. I don't play with scammers.
.

 

[callwill]

social distancing rules were applied. all tables were adequately separated. Only people that came together were seated together. The sales folks visiting the table sat on the opposite side and wore a mask. Server wore a mask...

 

[rickandcindy23]

Wow, they want your Marriott weeks and can sell them for a huge amount of money (you can do that yourself), then they get you into RCI, with a bunch of worthless points. They are truly what we call scammers.

RCI Points are just okay, but they are something you can get pretty much for free. I am dumping mine currently. I am getting rid of a lot of my ownerships. It's time. Most are worth giving away, some are not. Your Marriott ownerships are valuable. Don't let anyone tell you anything else.

 

[dvdnetn]

Yes, avoid these people. Are you even looking to get rid of your TS? Do you still owe mortgage and/or maintenance fees on it?

Its paid off. They did not know that and I did not tell them it was
Maintenance fees are never ending and go up every year

 

[Makai Guy]

The sales folks visiting the table sat on the opposite side and wore a mask.

The pandemic plays right into their hands. If I were pitching a timeshare exit scheme, I too wouldn't want to show my face.

 

[Snazzylass]

Cmon! Though I admit I have had to steer my mom away from this nonsense.

If you are old enough to sign a contract, surely you would know that legislatures don't make laws to change contracts.

1. If it sounds too good to be true...

2. So many marketing offers, even legitimate ones, simply appeal to a person's greed. Give that some thought.

 

[STLBBB]

For those wanting more information on Consumer Law Protection LLC, which has ties to F-rated Square One Development Group Inc.:

BBB Warning: Consumers lost thousands of dollars to timeshare exit company, Square One Development Group, Inc.

Consumers from across America tell Better Business Bureau (BBB) they have lost thousands of dollars to a St. Louis area timeshare exit business.

www.bbb.org

 

[RX8]

For those wanting more information on Consumer Law Protection LLC, which has ties to F-rated Square One Development Group Inc.:

BBB Warning: Consumers lost thousands of dollars to timeshare exit company, Square One Development Group, Inc.

Consumers from across America tell Better Business Bureau (BBB) they have lost thousands of dollars to a St. Louis area timeshare exit business.

www.bbb.org

This is how to properly warn potential customers of these questionable cancellation companies. More BBB’s need to call out these bad apples that cost consumers big money. Great work @STLBBB!

 

[STLBBB]

This is how to properly warn potential customers of these questionable cancellation companies. More BBB’s need to call out these bad apples that cost consumers big money. Great work @STLBBB!

Thank you! I have found TUG to be a valuable asset. I check here frequently to see what you all are talking about.

 

[codyrainbow]

I had the absolute worst experience ever with them. Yes, I fell for all of their bull?@!#. My husband paid them and now after tons of anxiety were able to get most of our money back. I feel awful but at least I learned a lot and now a member to TUG.

 

[JudyMesko]

HI All,
Sorry for this long post. I wanted to find out if anyone has encountered a Timeshare exit company called CLP (Consumer Law Protection) and their pitch of getting owners out of their Timeshare maintenance fees and inheritance issues (perpetuity) while still retaining the rights to use your timeshares? Let me explain.

A few days ago my wife accepted a call (god only knows why she picked up the phone) from an organization saying that they wanted to share with us some important protections afforded to TIMESHARE Owners under the recently passed CARES act due to Covid 19. She agreed for us to attend a zoom call last night where this would be explained to us. Prior to the call, we got a phone call "reminding" us about the call and asking details about our timeshare ownership, which she provided (basic, where we owned, which developer, etc.).
We got on the call with the head of this company, Levi Strake, who explained that certain provisions of previously enacted timeshare protection laws from 2015 (HB 7025 ) were being offered again to consumers to allow them to make an election to modify their timeshare contracts as we had originally been offered back in 2015. After saying I never remember being offered any provisions to modify, they said that according to their records, we chose NOT to modify our contracts. We went along to see how this played out.

After a 20 minutes general session, we were put into Zoom "breakout rooms" with an "advisor" to discuss our particular ownership. He pulled up a series of slides showing how much our annual maintenance fees (we told them in total how much we paid per year) would increase and the total amount we would pay over the next 30 years. Also, how this would be passed onto our heirs through out estate. He talked about the alternatives to this horrible scenario:
- Keep things as they are now and continue to pay this exhorbitant price for vacations, when cheaper alternatives like AIR BNB and rentals of Timeshares through multiple channels are a much lower price are readily available.
- go to a liquidator who will charge us 10 years worth of maintenance fees and get us out of our timeshares within 2 years
- OR #3.... join the RCI Trust, at $299/ year membership fee (almost like a COSTCO membership he said) and still be able to use our timeshare weeks as we do today, by trading weeks in RCI, equivalent to what we own now....WITHOUT the ongoing maintenance fees. WOW...REALLY?!

He showed us how much it would cost to travel to the places that we own at now (even though we rarely use our timeshares in that way) to stay at other nearby comparable properties vs. using our RCI trust for several weeks of vacations a year! It was sounding better and better until we asked a couple more questions....

We own Marriott and go to the Marriott Aruba Surf club each year (we don't own there), so how much to trade for that resort in RCI? Hmmm....that resort doesn't come up in his RCI account for Aruba, but here's an "equivalent" one...Casa Del Mar which is a gold crown resort. We've visited that property while in Aruba and it is NOT an equivalent to the Marriott Surf Club! Same for a couple of other locations. No Marriotts available (even though he said every Marriott resort can be listed in Interval and RCI).

We then asked how much to join the RCI Trust. He pulled up a quote for us. Instead of paying 10 years of maintenance fees for our 4 weeks, we would get all of this for the discounted price of $23,000! No more maintenace fees and we can stop paying the $299 Costco type membership fee anytime we felt this no longer worked for us.

We asked if he could send us the information. He said he would, but we needed to decide by 12 midnight last night if we were going to take up this great offer! We told him we would review the info and let him know. We never received the email.

Look, I'm not happy about the rate that maintenance fees are increasing every year, but we own Marriott and we stay in Marriotts and we USE all of our weeks and points every year.
So what was this scam all about? Anyone familiar with this organization or style of timeshare exit? Would love to hear your comments!
Stay safe everyone.
Brian

Yes, I was contacted by them. I live in NC. They wanted $5000 to get me out of a timeshare in Florida. Luckily, I didn't buy in because today I see their parent company has many bad reports on BBB.