Timesharing Today--current issue has misleading and incomplete information

[Carolinian]

My concern is that I am sure these con men will use that very article to increase their own credibility with their victims. THe only question is whether they will just photocopy it or order a bunch of extra copies to pass out at their meetings.

TST readers were probably mostly smart enough not to fall for this scam, but it is the ones that reprints are passed out to at meetings that I am concerned about. TST did a real disservice to them, and even repenting in the next issue cannot solve that problem.

 

[taffy19]

That's exactly what they will do at these meetings, Carolinian. They passed out these type of articles too when we were there but then about how hard it is to sell a timeshare. They were very careful that you didn't take anything home they had to show you there.

I hate all these scams that scammers come up with to defraud unsuspecting timeshare buyers who never have heard of this subject before and now are stuck with trying to sell it too.

Thank goodness, Iit will only get better with forums like this warning people and people starting to google after they have bought on impulse at a resort.

 

[denisebirch]

Missing the point

Hi-

I've taken a few days break to focus on other things. I appreciate all your comments as each one of them reminded me of why I never wanted to deal with this in the first place. I don't mean that as a slight. You all seem very commited and sincere. That's just not me. Coming here helped me see that.
I think we have all missed the point to a certain extent. Including me...until now. When you just don't want to deal with something or have utterly failed to reconcile with it (both reasonable positions), then you have to call someone in to haul it off. And that will cost you something. If that's a scam, then more scams exist than I thought, including the guys who come every Wednesday to pick up my trash.
The thing that puzzles me is why tuggers seem to consider Timeshare Relief a scam when they're the only ones who guarentee relief. All other avenues come with no assurance. And to me, a guarantee has a lot of value.
It's always, try this, it might work...and if not, try this. That's the same run around my father got.
I know your way seems surefire to you but only because you're knee deep already. I don't even want to put my toe in. A lot of other people get in up to their ankles and say enough. I've concluded that these two groups are the people that Timeshare Relief serves. And why the knee-deepers can't understand this perspective and seem to oppose it's mere existence, when I myself am proof that it does exist, is what made up my mind to go with Timeshare Relief. As clear, simple and logical as your arguments appear to you, they just don't represent my position.
Anyway, I don't want to start an argument. But having signed on and asked for your comments, I felt it necessary to sign off and close the circle with what I've decided. I hope someone else can learn from our exchange.
I wish you all the best of luck in timesharing.

 

[Dave M]

I can appreciate that there are people who just can't bear the thought of dipping their toes into something that is as unfamiliar as some of our suggestions might be. I have my own areas of lack of expertise where I prefer to pay - sometimes substantial $$ - to have someone else to do something that I could probably do myself if I were willing or able to learn. What comes easily for some doesn't come easily for all.

Still, we hate to see anyone pay $3,000 or more - that's a lot of money - to get rid of a timeshare they don't want when we know there are options that almost always generate a small amount of cash, cost nothing or, at worst, cost only a few hundred bucks (for closing costs).

If you were to start a separate thread stating that (1) you have a timeshare you need to unload, (2) you can't bear the thought of doing anything to sell it yourself and (3) you would appreciate it very much if some kind person would e-mail you an offer to help get rid of for you, you might get a volunteer from this crowd.

 

[KaileyB]

Thank you Denise!

Hello, I'm new here. Well, that's not altogether true. I've been reading the forums here and elsewhere for a while now but hesitated in signing up. Here's my "ugly" truth. I got rid of my timeshare four months ago through Timeshare Relief. I know I could have done a million and one different things but the truth is I just didn't have the time.

Sure the idea of renting out weeks is a good one but the time investment in such transactions is something my life just doesn't accommodate. It also doesn't accommodate rising maintenance fees on a timeshare I - admittedly - got suckered into four years ago and have not used. Live and learn as they say. We all make mistakes.

I'm a single, professional, working mother and no idiot though the knee-jerk response most seem to have in these communities would suggest that offing an albatross with a company like Timeshare Relief would imply otherwise. Hence my reluctance to post until now.

Here's the thing. I've paid at least what I paid to Timeshare Relief or more in fees over the last several years and would have continued to do so over the coming years. Money out the window. Not having the time or money to continue investing in either the resale or "donation" route nor the time to invest in trying to rent weeks Timeshare Relief offered me a real way out. A complete transfer of title and a guarantee that I would never ever see another maintenance fee bill.

Call me an idiot but I couldn't thank them enough. I think what people fail to realize is that time is worth a lot too and having to invest as much as one does to explore the alternative options comes at a price. One I couldn't afford.

I was beside myself to see someone actually posting an argument that goes against the grain. For whatever it's worth, I had my attorney review the paperwork before I signed off on the deal and she gave me the thumbs up. Regardless of opinions in the positive or the negative their legalese stands up to scrutiny.

Anyway, thank you Denise. You're a breath of fresh air!

 

[Carolinian]

As I recall, there was a Tugger who had a website that was something like thetimesharedump, where you could discard your timeshare for free. This would seem a much better option, if it is still up and running, than paying someone thousands of dollars to do so.

Hi-

I've taken a few days break to focus on other things. I appreciate all your comments as each one of them reminded me of why I never wanted to deal with this in the first place. I don't mean that as a slight. You all seem very commited and sincere. That's just not me. Coming here helped me see that.
I think we have all missed the point to a certain extent. Including me...until now. When you just don't want to deal with something or have utterly failed to reconcile with it (both reasonable positions), then you have to call someone in to haul it off. And that will cost you something. If that's a scam, then more scams exist than I thought, including the guys who come every Wednesday to pick up my trash.
The thing that puzzles me is why tuggers seem to consider Timeshare Relief a scam when they're the only ones who guarentee relief. All other avenues come with no assurance. And to me, a guarantee has a lot of value.
It's always, try this, it might work...and if not, try this. That's the same run around my father got.
I know your way seems surefire to you but only because you're knee deep already. I don't even want to put my toe in. A lot of other people get in up to their ankles and say enough. I've concluded that these two groups are the people that Timeshare Relief serves. And why the knee-deepers can't understand this perspective and seem to oppose it's mere existence, when I myself am proof that it does exist, is what made up my mind to go with Timeshare Relief. As clear, simple and logical as your arguments appear to you, they just don't represent my position.
Anyway, I don't want to start an argument. But having signed on and asked for your comments, I felt it necessary to sign off and close the circle with what I've decided. I hope someone else can learn from our exchange.
I wish you all the best of luck in timesharing.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I sent Denise a private message, asking what week she wanted to get rid of, she never did respond. I told her I might be interested, this was weeks ago.....

It would be so easy for employees/owners of these companies to sign in and tout the wisdom of using Timeshare Relief and their related companies. I am suspicious when I send a message, basically asking what she is trying to give away or pay to get rid of, and not get a response. Very disappointing to think our precious TUG is possibly being used by these scammers to promote their company.

First, most resorts will take weeks back. That is the one thing I want desperate people to take from my original post on the article. Second, you can get rid of your week by selling it cheap, not paying someone to take the week and do the very same thing!

Just because a good lawyer drew up the contracts and they pass your lawyer's scrutiny does not mean this company is reputable or that the concept is anything less than a scam, designed to steal something of value and charge you to steal it.

I can use a blue week that I still have banked to pull Hawaii within a four week window. I can pull Orlando Gold Crowns with that week, any week of the year in advance. There is no reason to pay someone to take a timeshare off your hands.

 

[KenK]

Steve:
You forgot an original Tugger??? Remember all the info related on T/Ss esp those in Texas? It was Kurt Brown

He still has the "Timeshare Dump". Its part of his website (not his lawyer (legal) part):

http://timeshare.qcommerce.com/

TUG put a section for T/S for $25 or less. See signature tag. I don't think many here will buy them though. I hope more HOAs will post their free weeks. There MIGHT be something in the group for someone.

I also feel the two new comers were 'plants' by the company.

What everyone seems to forget is not proceedure of what they do, its how they do it. They sell stuff they assessed AS OF NO VALUE to the owners and proceed to sell on E Bay. Why an owner can't try to do that themselves (or have an e bay store do it) is hard to understand. To bad they don't suggest that to the 'mark'. Or even attempt to do it for them for a realistic fee.

And to prove how they don't know how to assess a property, check the other posts on how the principals of the companies live- ie their life styles. Sure figured out how to make money on worthless property. SUCH A CHARITY !!! Give me a break.


And my trust of the publisher of TS Today....pretty shaky, even though he seems to maybe have a case...The first thing I thought of was the article was included.....to justify the ad. It couldn't have brought that much revenue.

Its easy to see why Doug, Dave, and past administrators of TUG insisted there be no advertisements on the BBS pages....none

As I recall, there was a Tugger who had a website that was something like thetimesharedump, where you could discard your timeshare for free. This would seem a much better option, if it is still up and running, than paying someone thousands of dollars to do so.

 

[Bill4728]

If these people really thought these TS were of no value they sell them with a $1 no reserve but include a $5 buy it now option. They do it the way they do because many of the $1 auctions get bid-up to some significant money.

 

[KaileyB]

I can't believe I'm investing the energy...

... in responding to the ridiculous accusations about being a TSR "plant" but I just have to say that I wish I had the kind of time Cindy does. Perhaps then I could have invested the necessary energy into my timeshare to make it work (the money on the other hand...). If my life permitted me the bazillion exchanges on boards such as this that Cindy seems to have all the time in the world for then I'm sure things would be different for me. On many levels.

The bottom line is, I'm happy you're happy with your timeshare. You're obviously very into it and that's great. Good for you. Timeshares are great for those who have the time, energy and finances to invest. I wish I could have managed mine better but the fact is, I couldn't. My point was not to convince you otherwise or get you to offload anything with Timshare Relief. My point was to let people who might be in a similar position to my own know that there is an alternative whether you like it or not.

Now I know you've got a million answers and those are useful too. I'm not saying they are not and never did. I'm sorry you don't like the route I took but hard as it may be for you to accept, I have no regrets. It worked for me and I feel it was money well spent. If there was a mistake made in any of this it was getting wrapped up in a timeshare to begin with. Not because timeshares are evil or bad but because they are not for everyone.

As for the post by Denise, my impression was that she had no intention of coming back here. Can't say I blame her. I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment.

 

[rickandcindy23]

So why seek out a board like TUG, with thousands of happy timeshare owners, to tell us what a waste of time it all is, even though you have no time to search for exchanges or use your timeshare. :annoyed:

So you are a single mom, paid a lot of money for a timeshare and have no time or money to deal with your investment, then you spend money to give the timeshare away to the tune of $3,495.

Makes no sense.

 

[djyamyam]

Steve:
I also feel the two new comers were 'plants' by the company.

What everyone seems to forget is not proceedure of what they do, its how they do it. They sell stuff they assessed AS OF NO VALUE to the owners and proceed to sell on E Bay. Why an owner can't try to do that themselves (or have an e bay store do it) is hard to understand. To bad they don't suggest that to the 'mark'. Or even attempt to do it for them for a realistic fee.

And to prove how they don't know how to assess a property, check the other posts on how the principals of the companies live- ie their life styles. Sure figured out how to make money on worthless property. SUCH A CHARITY !!! Give me a break.

Wow. Pretty strong comments when we're trying to invite people to TUG. I can appreciate your view as I'm sure there have been some past individuals that have tried to promote various TS companies over the years.

Having said that, I believe the point that the OP is trying to make to the seasoned TS person is "yes I recognize there are other potential avenues of getting rid of a TS that have met with some measure of success, but they require an investment of time and a certain amount of effort & research". For us as Tuggers, that time of effort isn't worth $3000+ or whatever the number is. Therefore we think that should apply to everyone. It doesn't, otherwise companies such as Timeshare Relief wouldn't exist. (I'm not advocating the tactics of Timeshare Relief as I'm sure they do use some very questionable tactics.) We need to be aware that our paradigm is not everyones and that fee charged to sell it is deemed as value for those that simply need to get rid of it.

On the point about why someone would come to this website, ask for info and then not act on the info given, think of all the times you give "your" advice to your kids, friends or other people that don't use it. It may or may not fall into their world view or be fully applicable to their situation. Many people stumble across TUG by accident (I know I did). Some have posted and gotten great value (e.g. by rescinding on a new purchase) and others have never reponded after posting. They may have gotten value and we would never know. I just want to say that we should caution ourselves on casting judgment because "it's not what we would do".

JMHO

 

[KenK]

Djyamyam & all:

Didn't mean to sound so strong. I can see folks using a service such as this. I might need it somw day*. It the way this service operates that I find disturbing.

I wish Ray had stayed quiet longer at this meeting. From what tuggers have reported in the past, it might have been quite a different article. Also need to take back the statement that I think the girls were planted. No proof, and both need to stay here as they seem pretty smart (or are now) from what they posted.

But having read all the problems tuggers have had with this group, I must have added it all to one sum.

Avoiding this type scheme (like that word better?) might be some changes in the way T/Ss are sold. Since its' usually real estate, I would make sure only a realtor was involved. Why? Because maybe (tsk) then, the assessed value would be better controlled. Some states in the USA do not allow sales of any reale state (second party) to be sold without a Realtor. But not all. Some states (Fl) do not allow an upfront fee for T/S sales (but only by a realtor - advertisers {T/Ss Only can get an upfront fee).


* Posted free weeks on the tag line below don't seem to get much movement, as the website I watch still has a lot still listed. It is true many units can't be given or charitied away.