Validity of offer to buy unused getaway weeks?

[Suzie62]

Just finished a conversation where they offered to buy our six unused getaway weeks for $1800 each. We would pay the $399 "activation fee" for each week, originally offered through Interval International. Anyone have experience with this? They say we would receive our payout in a guaranteed in 60-90 days.

 

[vacationtime1]

Scam, scam, scam.

Start with the fact that under Interval's terms and conditions, it is impermissible to sell/rent Getaway weeks.

Once they have your cash, they will disappear.

 

[Hindsite]

Just tell them that they can deduct the activation fee from the sum they sell them for and to send you a cheque. You'll find that they don't think that's a good deal....

 

[dioxide45]

100% a scam. If anyone cold calls you, it is a scam.

 

[Suzie62]

Thanks all -Of course, I should have known that was a scam...

 

[RX8]

@Suzie62 These are typically scam advertising/marketing companies cold calling. If you agree, and pay them $2400, you may not even notice that the contract you sign is only for advertising/marketing of your timeshare. There will be nothing about getaway weeks because that is a lie. The fact that they lie about non-existent getaway weeks tells you that their marketing services are also a scam. It is a scam because there is no real marketing going on. Their business model, which is copied by many fly by night companies, is to cold call for upfront fees, lie about everything, and have a fake marketing company that they can hide behind.

 

[sue1947]

@Suzie62 These are typically scam advertising/marketing companies cold calling. If you agree, and pay them $2400, you may not even notice that the contract you sign is only for advertising/marketing of your timeshare. There will be nothing about getaway weeks because that is a lie. The fact that they lie about non-existent getaway weeks tells you that their marketing services are also a scam. It is a scam because there is no real marketing going on. Their business model, which is copied by many fly by night companies, is to cold call for upfront fees, lie about everything, and have a fake marketing company that they can hide behind.

I think it's worthwhile to emphasize the bolded part for those who will ask this same question in the future. You don't have 6 (or any other number of their choosing) getaway weeks. They always say 'unused' which I guess is kind of true since you can't use what you don't have. Getaway weeks are a product for sale, just like donuts; you can buy as many or as few as you want, but there aren't any out there set aside just for you.
Now that you showed enough interest by talking to them, you will get repeat calls. They won't be from the same phone number and will likely be different area codes. Ignore and eventually they will stop; at least until another batch of crooks decide to take another swing at it.

 

[byeloe]

I had a similar call. They claimed to be from VRBO and wanted to know if I would like to put my 2 Interval exchange certificates in to the rental program. They knew the expiry dates? I could pick the rental price. I knew it was a scam.

 

[TUGBrian]

the most common scam there is today for timeshare owners! (well, outside of exit/cancellation companies)

Beware: Phone Call Claims of a Buyer or Renter for Your Timeshare Are Scams!

Attention Timeshare Owners: Beware of calls from companies claiming to buy or sell your timeshare. These are often scams! Stay informed and protect yourself.

tug2.net

 

[pedro47]

Scam. Scam. Ok, why can’t this caller purchase getaway directly from II or RCI?

 

[VacationForever]

I had a similar call. They claimed to be from VRBO and wanted to know if I would like to put my 2 Interval exchange certificates in to the rental program. They knew the expiry dates? I could pick the rental price. I knew it was a scam.

Every II account gets the same AC certificate dump and same expiration date.