Timeshare sales- Timeshare relief

[davdio179]

Does anyone have information about a company called Timeshare Relief and the service they provide?

 

[Conan]

Use the 'search' button above and you'll find many posts about them.

The consensus is you'll pay them $3,500 or so for the privilege of giving them a power of attorney, authorizing them to act as seller on your behalf. They have an affiliate that lists properties on ebay, often at a one dollar starting price.

If the property sells for a dollar they've made their profit from you. Until the property sells you continue to be owner and responsible for ongoing maintenance (besides paying their fee they'll also make you prepay the coming year's maintenance so you'll be none the wiser unless the property remains unsold for a year).

 

[Rent_Share]

Use the 'search' button above and you'll find many posts about them.

The consensus is you'll pay them $3,500 or so for the privilege of giving them a power of attorney, authorizing them to act as seller on your behalf. They have an affiliate that lists properties on ebay, often at a one dollar starting price.

If the property sells for a dollar they've made their profit from you. Until the property sells you continue to be owner and responsible for ongoing maintenance (besides paying their fee they'll also make you prepay the coming year's maintenance so you'll be none the wiser unless the property remains unsold for a year).

They usually also seek "reimbursement" of the maintenance fee from the buyer and use an "affiliated" closing company which both add to there bottom line. Occaisionally you will see them dump for just a dollar and the resort transfer fee which is real cash to be paid.

 

[brawney]

Welcome to TUG. I am new here too and came here for the same reasons as yourself. I was about ready to pay TSR to take my timeshare. Then I found out that my TS really did have some value and I could actually sell it on eBay or elsewhere. Read all the info here on TUG, read through the forum posts and ask questions. Knowledge is power.

TSR has an "A-" rating with the Better Business Bureau, so they are not a scam in that sense of the word. From what I have seen and heard, they will do what they say, but its going to cost you big bucks. Many people just don't think their business practices are a good idea because many times you can do much better elsewhere by selling or donating your timeshare.

Start here - http://tug2.net/advice/howtosellyourtimeshare.htm

You've come to a great place. TUG BBS is filled with lots of very smart and helpful people.

 

[Bill4728]

TSR has an "A-" rating with the Better Business Bureau, so they are not a scam in that sense of the word. From what I have seen and heard, they will do what they say, but its going to cost you big bucks. Many people just don't think their business practices are a good idea because many times you can do much better elsewhere by selling or donating your timeshare.

You're right they are not a scam but I hate there business practices.

The problem with companies like TSR is that they know the worth of your TS. Yet no matter the TS's value, TSR offer everyone the same deal, Pay us $3500 and we'll "take your TS off your hands" There offer might be a good deal if your TS was in "car terms" a 1980 dodge dart, but what if your TS is a 2005 Honda or a 2005 porshe? Should you pay someone to take a TS off your hands that has a value of $3000 -$10,000 ? I think not.

 

[theo]

A little misleading, a lot irrelevant...

TSR has an "A-" rating with the Better Business Bureau......

No disrespect intended, but imho a BBB rating means next to nothing.
Anyone willing to pay the requisite fees to the BBB can be a "BBB member in good standing" --- and the hoops and hurdles to overcome in order to complete the process of filing a BBB complaint are substantial.

That said, however, you are correct that Timeshare Relief will most likely do what they say they will do. After being paid a few thousand dollars, TSR will find a way to dump the timeshare for as little as a few cents, if necessary, yet still end up way ahead (by pocketing the aforementioned few thousand dollars).
That doesn't make them a "scam", but it is certainly a questionable practice and "business model"...

 

[socaldude]

Excellent point about the BBB, Theo. Of course, now I'm curious as to what is considered an acceptable "business model" for the timeshare industry.

If a company is going to take something you don't want off your hands, wouldn't it make business sense to sell it elsewhere for as cheap as possible so that you can pocket as much of the profits as you can? That's basically what this company is doing -- Every company has to make money somehow. Besides, did it ever occur to anyone that companies, in general, charge the fees that they do (as ridiculous as they might be) to ensure that they are able to cover their general operating costs?? Companies make profits only after they've covered their expenses.

So they sell the timeshare for a buck, big deal. I'm pretty sure that there are additional expenses they need to cover like transfer title fees and any associated closing costs. Let's not forget that every company has to have a marketing and advertising budget too, which I'm sure a portion of their fee goes towards too. They might not make as much money as one might assume based on what seems to be common knowledge that these resale companies are just turning around and selling them for a dollar... which leads me to my next question:

Do timeshare resale companies have financial records or reports available to the general public? It'd be interesting to see how much these guys make and spend in a given year.... than maybe we could begin to question their business practices or model.

No disrespect intended, but imho a BBB rating means next to nothing.
Anyone willing to pay the requisite fees to the BBB can be a "BBB member in good standing" --- and the hoops and hurdles to overcome in order to complete the process of filing a BBB complaint are substantial.

That said, however, you are correct that Timeshare Relief will most likely do what they say they will do. After being paid a few thousand dollars, TSR will find a way to dump the timeshare for as little as a few cents, if necessary, yet still end up way ahead (by pocketing the aforementioned few thousand dollars).
That doesn't make them a "scam", but it is certainly a questionable practice and "business model"...

 

[AwayWeGo]

Hornswoggles R Us.

Does anyone have information about a company called Timeshare Relief and the service they provide?

Click here for a clue.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[Bill4728]

Of course, now I'm curious as to what is considered an acceptable "business model" for the timeshare industry.

If a company is going to take something you don't want off your hands, wouldn't it make business sense to sell it elsewhere for as cheap as possible so that you can pocket as much of the profits as you can?

That would make sense if that was what they were doing. BUT there not doing that.

If you when to a use car lot which says they buy cars from the public, you'd expect that they would make an offer for your car based on how much they think they could sell the car for. So if they think they can sell the car for $1000 they may only offer your $100. BUT if they think they can sell the car for $5000 they would offer you $3000 ( not $100)

The postcard companies like TS relief offer the same deal to everyone "pay us $3500 and we'll take the TS off your hands" even when they know they will have no problem selling the TS for $3000 - $10,000. IMHO, THAT IS SLEAZY!

PLUS they will tell you that they don't sell the TS BUT They give it to their brother and their brother sells the TS IMHO, THAT IS SLEAZY!


I wouldn't dislike them so much if they would just be up front with the current owners and tell the truth about what they plan to do with the TS.

 

[DeniseM]

Earlier today, "socaldude" registered for TUG as new user "fivepennies"

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?p=838753#post838753

Now he has registered with a completely different persona and posted in support of an upfront fee company... Need I say more...

*A little internet search reveals that the OP has posts all over the internet endorsing Timeshare Relief....

I have banned both user names.