[ 2024 ] timeshare resolution

[hoffer4150]

I hired John Stern at Willow Bend in TX. to end my ownership and since paying him $3500. I have not had any assistance with this contract. I thought he was a legit business. This has been going on since November, 2023. Please advise.

 

[Patri]

Wish you would have found Tug first. We advise never to pay someone to get rid of your ts. They don’t. Do you have any paperwork or a verified address for him?

 

[Talent312]

You've just sent your $$ down a rat-hole.

If he is a realtor or an attorney you can file a grievance with the agency that regulates the profession, and you can file a complaint with the consumer protection agency for your state. If you can locate him, you may be able to take him to small claims court. But the likelihood of recovering your $$ is virtually nil.

Try to get management to take it back, or give it away here on TUG - there's a forum for that. If that doesn't work, you can stop paying, likely take a ding to your credit rating, and eventually be used for foreclosure. You should see an attorney for a consult on debtor protection or Bankruptcy.

 

[moonstone]

I hired John Stern at Willow Bend in TX. to end my ownership and since paying him $3500. I have not had any assistance with this contract. I thought he was a legit business. This has been going on since November, 2023. Please advise.

So sorry you got taken. Please read all of the 'Help & Advice' section (in the dark blue banner above) for legitimate ways to get out of timeshare ownership.

~Diane

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

As others have said, most likely you lost $3500. Try to get it back, but in the end, the con man could easily hide and take your $ with him.

TS

 

[rickandcindy23]

You need to file a complaint with the BBB, which could stop this person from stealing money away from others.

Some timeshares are worthy of the money you paid to use them as intended, and some are even worth giving away or selling. Paying money for someone to do something you could do yourself, unfortunately, you have indeed been scammed, and it's a common one.

 

[LannyPC]

I hired John Stern at Willow Bend in TX. to end my ownership...

There is nothing else I can advise that hasn't been advised already by others here but I have this question. How did you come to hear of this scammer and/or his company?

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

I hired John Stern at Willow Bend in TX. to end my ownership and since paying him $3500. I have not had any assistance with this contract. I thought he was a legit business. This has been going on since November, 2023. Please advise.

Sadly your $3,500 has long been spent. Basically stolen. Best thing you can do now is be sure not to pay anyone else upfront money. It's a common scam.

Keep in mind that most timeshares are worth little or nothing. TUG has a section where you can post this and give it away at no charge.






.

 

[Luanne]

I found TUG when we had given money to a timeshare exit company. We were able to get the money back by putting the amount in dispute with our credit card company for failure to provide services promised.

 

[LannyPC]

Sadly your $3,500 has long been spent. Basically stolen......Keep in mind that most timeshares are worth little or nothing.






.

I'm sure the OP is well aware that the TS is worth little or nothing. That's why (s)he didn't try to sell it but rather, realized that he would have to, in fact, pay money to get rid of it.

What I have a hard time understanding about owners who pay exit companies thousands of dollars is this. Owners want to get rid of their TSs in order to avoid paying MFs. Owners (I'll use the OP's situation as an example) are basically saying to the exit company, "I'll pay you two years' maintenance fees so that I don't have to pay maintenance fees."

 

[montygz]

I'm sure the OP is well aware that the TS is worth little or nothing. That's why (s)he didn't try to sell it but rather, realized that he would have to, in fact, pay money to get rid of it.

What I have a hard time understanding about owners who pay exit companies thousands of dollars is this. Owners want to get rid of their TSs in order to avoid paying MFs. Owners (I'll use the OP's situation as an example) are basically saying to the exit company, "I'll pay you two years' maintenance fees so that I don't have to pay maintenance fees."

Yes, it is hard to understand why people fall for these scams ... but they are.
A few slick-talking ads on the radio, cold-calls and postcards with free Red Lobster meals can go a long way.
In the end, what really matters is we help the people we can avoid being swindled and help those that have back on the correct path to solve their timeshare problems.

 

[BillBrownawell]

I hired John Stern at Willow Bend in TX. to end my ownership and since paying him $3500. I have not had any assistance with this contract. I thought he was a legit business. This has been going on since November, 2023. Please advise.

I signed a written agreement with Joseph Stern in November of 2024 in which he stated that he would either resale my timeshare in 90 days or he would take ownership of or I could have a full refund. At the end of the 90 days he asked for a two week extension which I granted. He then stopped answering my phone calls unless I called him from a number he was not familiar with. At one point he claimed to have a buyer and sent me paperwork to sign and file to have the deed transferred but the paperwork was rejected as not being written correctly by the county clerk! You would think that someone who resales timeshares for a living would know what the proper paperwork should be! He the promised to refund my money and take ownership of my timeshare but he has done neither to date. He has excuse after excuse when I am able to contact him which is rarely. Stay away from this company!!! They are thieves!!!

 

[chapjim]

I signed a written agreement with Joseph Stern in November of 2024 in which he stated that he would either resale my timeshare in 90 days or he would take ownership of or I could have a full refund. At the end of the 90 days he asked for a two week extension which I granted. He then stopped answering my phone calls unless I called him from a number he was not familiar with. At one point he claimed to have a buyer and sent me paperwork to sign and file to have the deed transferred but the paperwork was rejected as not being written correctly by the county clerk! You would think that someone who resales timeshares for a living would know what the proper paperwork should be! He the promised to refund my money and take ownership of my timeshare but he has done neither to date. He has excuse after excuse when I am able to contact him which is rarely. Stay away from this company!!! They are thieves!!!

Maybe he doesn't resell timeshares for a living. Maybe he just pretends to resell timeshares for a living.