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June 2018

Friday’s Letter from America

Sell My Timeshare Now Exploits Inside Timeshare’s Name

INSIDE TIMESHARE IS NOT IN BUSINESS WITH

SELL MY TIMESHARE NOW and does not endorse SMTN

Sell My Timeshare Now has plagiarized Inside Timeshare’s name by using the keyword search words INSIDE TIMESHARE RESALES AND RENTAL on this link.

http://ww2.sellmytimesharenow.com/timeshare/Inside/vacation/

29 June. UPDATE TO TODAY’S ARTICLE: Today’s article was published because SMTN ignored, until today, our request  to remove Insides Timeshare from their headline and internet search words, “Inside Timeshares Resales and Rentals” 
Just today we notice Inside Timeshares has been removed, but we keep this article posted to remind timeshare members to check  with a licensed timeshare resale broker before paying anyone upfront money to list your timeshare. They can get you an accurate assessment as to whether your timeshare has any secondary market value. They charge nothing upfront to list a timeshare.   

We had previously pulled two timeshare members’ articles after Sell My Timeshare Now (SMTN) refunded the members their money. Both members owned a timeshare widely reported as having no secondary market. There are few, if any, licensed timeshare resale brokers that will even accept a listing for the timeshare these members owned.  SMTN charged the families $1500 to $1700 to list their timeshare points, only to see the listing stagnate over the next year.

Reviewing a report from a few months ago, submitted by a timeshare member who had been solicited by SMTN, I noticed a quote the member provided from SMTN agent Richard Salzenstein. The member said Mr. Salzenstein agreed that her timeshare had no secondary market, but declined to answer why SMTN continues to accept listings for this company.         

Timeshare members solicited by SMTN threatened to file regulatory complaints accusing SMTN of offering real estate advice without being a licensed real estate agent, because both members said SMTN assured them they had listed at a good price. After checking with a timeshare insider, I was advised that this could be considered acting as a real estate agent without being licensed. SMTN agents are not licensed real estate agents. When the timeshare members threatened to file complaints, SMTN refunded their money.

As a courtesy, when a timeshare member approaches us about an article, we send a draft of the article to the company, hoping the company can resolve the dispute. Inside Timeshare would always rather see a member helped than publish an article. If the key words are not taken down, Inside Timeshare will direct readers to the New Hampshire and Florida Attorney General’s Office where SMTN is domiciled or operates as well as state real estate licensing commissions.    

Sell My Timeshare Now is not a scam, because there are timeshares with resale value. The company can make plenty of money listing timeshares points of companies like Hilton, Marriott, Disney, Starwood and Hyatt that do have some secondary market value.

SMTN is not Ebay or Craig’s List. SMTN advertises that they are knowledgeable of the timeshare industry and are a resource for timeshare members. By accepting listings for timeshares known to have virtually no secondary market, SMTN is harming beleaguered timeshare members already financially stressed.

June 29, 2018

By Irene Parker

If any timeshare members wishes to sell a timeshare they should check with a member of the Licensed Timeshare Resale Broker Association. They charge nothing upfront. We have often referred timeshare members to LTRBA.

http://www.licensedtimeshareresalebrokers.org/

This is the member’s report from the article we previously pulled:

I responded to a Sell My Timeshare Now (SMTN) solicitation. I had been trying to get rid of my timeshare points for years. I wasting $1600 by listing with SMTN, I was relieved to find a member sponsored Facebook page where I learned the company had launched a voluntary surrender program. We applied for the program and were accepted. We were able to avoid the painful collection calls that come after the member stops paying maintenance fees. 

Nikki Salvador of We Buy and Sell Timeshares recommended SMTN.

My SMTN listing agent explained that the upfront money charged is not a commission. In addition to the listing fee of $1,600, Maria quoted $800 to $1200 estimated for attorney fees should the points sell. I listed the points for around $14,000. Any knowledgeable member of this company knows this is a ridiculous listing price for my points, given the number of members on Facebooks and websites seeking to give away this company’s points.

Maria assured me demand for my points is high. I started inquiring about inactivity since we had not heard anything. Maria said, “People are looking at it. The price is good.” By advising a price, and advising me our price is good, I learned Maria was acting as a real estate agent without being licensed. I dropped the price to $12,500. Nothing happened. The timeshare points are worthless.   

SMTN still retains their Better Business Bureau rating of D.

https://www.bbb.org/concord/business-reviews/timeshare-resale-and-rental-marketing/sell-my-timeshare-now-in-portsmouth-nh-92008632

SMTN has been sold twice since 2010. Scott Roberts is the owner of Vacation Innovations and SMTN is a wholly owned subsidiary of V.I.

Accepting upfront money to sell a timeshare is illegal in some states like Florida, but it seems companies can work around the law by calling it an ad or subscription fee, or a market analysis.

After receiving our first SMTN complaint, I called SMTN and talked to Mike. The first question I asked Mike is, “Can I rent my points through SMTN?” Mike said renting my points is no problem. When I informed him this company does not allow the renting of points through a third party site like SMTN, Mike said he would have someone from legal call me. I did not hear back. I offered to email Mike the rule from the member handbook.

According to Better Business Bureau files,

Sell My Timeshare Now, LLC

This company has a pattern of complaints that centers around the company’s advertising claims. Complainants allege they are guaranteed a time frame in which their timeshare will sell. Many consumers allege the company makes a promise that their timeshare will sell quickly. The company responds to the complaints and reiterates the company policy which reads the company does not guarantee when a timeshare will sell.

On March 23, 2016 BBB reviewed the complaints on file and determined the pattern described above has not been eliminated. BBB sent a letter to the company requesting cooperation in responding to and eliminating the pattern of complaints.

On December 5, 2017 representatives of SMTN met with the BBB to update us on improvements they are making to their organization. They have taken steps toward improving customer service by hiring a new Customer Service Manager. They have put in place an “audit group” that will contact consumers on the day they sign the contract with SMTN and then again 90 days out as a way to ensure customer satisfaction. It is anticipated that by proactively working with their customers, the number of complaints will be reduced substantially. BBB will work closely with SMTN to follow their progress and to continue to address any complaints that may come in.

Consumers are, once again, requested to contact SMTN prior to filing a complaint with BBB at 1-877-815-4227. This Business Is Not BBB Accredited

Customer Review Rating:

35%

62%

[12] Positive Reviews

[1] Neutral Reviews

[21] Negative Reviews

[34] Total Customer Reviews

[107] Total Customer Complaints

Composite Score:

Sell My Timeshare Now, LLC has received 1.93 out of 5 stars based on 34 Customer Reviews and a BBB Rating of D.

This content is provided by the business and may contain advertising. BBB does not review or endorse this content.

https://www.bbb.org/concord/business-reviews/timeshare-resale-and-rental-marketing/sell-my-timeshare-now-in-portsmouth-nh-92008632/Alerts-and-Actions

According to a post found on RedWeek, published on the internet, SMTN does seem to charge a considerable upfront fee. A member had asked whether they should buy timeshare points through SMTN.  

Good question. Here is the straight scoop:

Sometimes you will find a timeshare of interest on the SMTN site which may be available at a price acceptable to you. HOWEVER, you will have NO say or ANY choice regarding the “closing” entity. Closing costs through SMTN are quite excessive — multiple times the cost of customary and usual closing costs. You have no option to conduct a SMTN transaction “in person”, but that is the case in most any resale timeshare transaction, so SMTN is not unique in that regard. It would frankly be both highly unusual and entirely unnecessary to conduct a resale timeshare transaction “in person”. Objective, third party “closers” who have no association with either buyer or seller (not an available option via SMTN, unfortunately) look out for the interests of BOTH buyer and seller, holding all funds in escrow until closing if necessary. This obviously eliminates any need for any travel or physical presence by either the buyer or the seller just to “close” on a resale transaction.

With SMTN, you essentially have to determine ALL of the collective costs as a buyer and then ask yourself if that bottom line figure is acceptable to YOU to acquire that particular timeshare listing, despite the exorbitant closing costs. Far more often than not, the answer will be NO, but there are (relatively rare) exceptions. In all fairness, in the performance of your due diligence you really have to look at the big picture and ask yourself if the TOTAL expenditure involved justifies acquisition of that particular timeshare for YOU. You obviously first need to accurately determine the bottom line total figure before you can possibly make that fully informed evaluation and personal decision.

SMTN of course has nothing whatsoever to do with maintenance fees, regardless of the resort involved. Maintenance fees are determined only by individual resorts — and they are engraved in stone. That said, I would certainly want to verify the accuracy of any figures SMTN indicates as maintenance fees. This is very easily done by contacting the resort directly for confirmation of any figures claimed by SMTN in their listings.

Last edit by ken1193 on Nov 28, 2017 05:27 AM.

https://www.redweek.com/forums/messages?thread_id=14010;page=last

 ken1193

1 month ago

Timeshare members seeking to sell their timeshare need to do their homework.

This is a Department of Justice report about timeshare transfer violations:

https://search.justice.gov/search?query=timeshare+fraud&op=Search&affiliate=justice

Contact Inside Timeshare or one of these member sponsored U.S. timeshare groups if you need help with a timeshare. It can save you money.

https://www.facebook.com/timeshareadvocategroup/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/DiamondResortsOwnersAdvocacy/

https://tug2.com/Home.aspx

https://www.facebook.com/groups/180578055325962/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/465692163568779/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1639958046252175/

If you have had any experience of this or any similar company and want to share it, then use our contact page and get in touch, Inside Timeshare welcomes your stories.

On the subject of the warning issued about some of the fake law firms and claims companies, Inside Timeshare has been informed by Canarian Legal Alliance that the fake law firm Abogados Lopez have had a denuncia made against them with the Guardia Civil and at the Courts.

This means that the callers Hope Brugge, Megan Heywood and Paul Tyler if those are their true names are now under investigation. Readers who have informed Inside Timeshare of being contacted have also made reports to the UK authorities using the Action Fraud website.

That’s it for this week, Friday is here and it is the start of another weekend, have fun and join us next week for more news and views on the murky world of timeshare.

Victoria Services Legal SL

Back in April Inside Timeshare reported on a new cold calling company called Ross & Harper SL, CIF B9391915 with the address C/ Centro Comercial Los Jarales – Local 1, Suite  29651 – (Mijas) – Málaga. They were calling timeshare owners and claiming the court had awarded them substantial sums of money.

At that time we also identified another company at that address, with the question could this be the next cold calling claims company?

Victoria Services Legal SL

CIF  B93597839

Email: [email protected]

This is a free email address service.

Telephone: UK  +44 203 582 7586; and Malaga +34 951 221 253

C.C. Los Jarales

Well it certainly turns out we were right, Inside Timeshare received an email from one very grateful person who decided to do a little research on this company after he received a call from a Mr Nigel Watkins, who claimed he was an employee of the Bank of Spain. Mr Watkins has a great deal of knowledge about all the dealings our reader has had in the past 6 to 10 years with various holiday club memberships. Again as we have asked before, where did they get this kind of information?

The story goes like this, the Bank of Spain had done a sweep to prosecute all the scam companies and holiday clubs, during this investigation the Bank of Spain had uncovered not only records of money due but also substantial amounts deposited in accounts owed to those cheated. Wonderful news, especially for our reader, there was over £25,000 just sitting at the Bank of Spain waiting to be claimed by him!

He was then passed to Ann Sharke (rather an appropriate name don’t you think), who explained the various methods he could claim this lovely loot, which he would receive precisely on 24 July! (Wow). These followed exactly those published in the original article, (see link at the bottom).

The first three methods were difficult, time consuming and expensive, but not to worry, luckily Ms. Sharke could find a Spanish lawyer who worked for the Bank of Spain, who could do all the work for around 8,000€ with an immediate payment of around 2,500€.

How very convenient, Ms. Sharke just happened to find Sr. Jose Manuel Rodriguez of Victoria Services Legal SL, (hang on, I thought she said he worked for the Bank of Spain). According to the agreement, apparently sent by the Bank of Spain,  comunicacionbancodeesp[email protected] (not an official email address for Bank of Spain, it should be XXXX@bde.es)it contained all that had been explained to our reader. Although the last two paragraphs left a lot to be desired, these paragraphs did actually allow for Sr. Rodriguez to cancel the contract with impunity after payment.

The bank details which the client would need to transfer the money are:

Santander Bank.  IBAN ES86-0049-5792-1725-1606-3191.  Swift/Bic BSCHESMM. Central Commercial, Valdepinos, 29649 Calahonde, Mijas, Malaga

Well thanks to this reader deciding to do some research and having found the original article which described everything he had been told, they didn’t get his money. This really does go to highlight the point that we are always making:

IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE IT PROBABLY ISN’T.

Never believe what you are told on the phone, never pay any money on the promise of the Courts, Bank of Spain, Tax Authorities or any other body is holding a huge amounts of money just waiting for you to claim it. There is always a catch, you either need to pay a lawyer to do the work for you, there is Tax to pay, a Procurator to pay or even bank fees to make the transfer.

THERE IS NO MONEY WAITING FOR YOU

THEY ONLY WANT TO GET HOLD OF YOURS

So the moral of this little tale is do your due diligence, do your homework and do your research. If you are in any doubt and need help in getting the information then use our contact page and ask Inside Timeshare, that is what we are here for.

http://insidetimeshare.com/start-the-week-another-warning/

Midweek Report

Yesterday it was brought to the attention of Inside Timeshare that a company based in the US called Sell My Timeshare Now is using the Inside Timeshare name in keywords for internet search. The wording is Inside Timeshare Resales and Rentals, this we believe is to give the impression that Inside Timeshare is associated or endorsing this company.

They have been informed that we are not happy by this use of our name and have been asked to remove it, so far they have not responded. Along with any legal action that may be required Inside Timeshare will publish articles about this company to keep this in the news and to warn all our readers that Inside Timeshare is not associated with or endorses Sell My Timeshare Now.

We have also been in contact with an elderly lady from the UK, she wanted to tell her story of how she has been the victim of many scams regarding her timeshare and about the latest attempt to illicit money from her.

It all began years ago when she and her late husband purchased a timeshare with Club la Costa, over the years they upgraded and eventually succumbed to the sales pitch to “invest” in two weeks fractional ownership. This cost around £90,000 which she was not actually aware of as her late husband dealt with all the finances and the timeshares.

Over the years they had paid out to “scam” resale companies to try and offload the burden of the maintenance fees, they were also taken in by “fake” claims companies.

It was not until her husband’s passing that she actually became aware of how much they had spent. She then had to take control of all the affairs and settle the fractional ownership issue. In order to organise her husband’s estate and list all assets, she contacted Club la Costa for a valuation of the two weeks of fractional. What shock she was about to receive.

She was under the belief that each week of fractional was worth around £45,000 each, CLC sent her a valuation worth only £11,000 for both weeks.

Eventually she had to hand them back for no return, so all that had been “invested” was now gone.

Then the latest “scam” appeared.

She received a phone call supposedly from the Malaga Courts telling her she had won a case against Club la Costa, she had been awarded a huge amount of money well over £100,000.

Obviously she was not taken in by this call, but the disturbing fact is the caller had very precise knowledge of all transactions and purchases over the years with Club la Costa. This was even right down to the dates of purchase.

So one has to ask, where the hell did that kind of information come from?

We are all very well aware that client information is often stolen by employees, especially when they know that they are going to lose their jobs. This data is worth a great deal to the “scam” companies that are always being setup and obviously to the person selling it. Quite often these companies are also being opened by those  very same ex-employees.

This ladies story really does go to show how vulnerable people are, especially the elderly who more often than not are the main victims, after all the timeshare owning community is mainly this age group.

If you are contacted by any company and have been told they are either from the courts or have been appointed by the courts, do not believe them. Do not pay out any money, especially by bank transfer, use our contact page and let us know. It is your information that will help others.

On the subject of “fake” law firms, we have again been asked to warn readers about the activities of Hope Brugge, Megan Heywood and Paul Tyler or Taylor, supposedly calling from Abogados Lopez (Gran Canaria & Marbella).

The story is they have taken over the clients case which is about to be heard in the courts, they need to clarify some details before attending the hearing. Then very soon after another call is received and the client has been awarded a huge amount, this is backed up by an email with forged court documents and a forged notary letter.

The address given on the letter is:

Calle Teniente C Castillo Olivares 12, 35011, Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Checking this address it is an apartment block.

Telephone numbers being used are:

0034 951 242 867 (Malaga code)

0034 602 654 670 (Mobile)

0034 604 261 988‬ (Mobile)

0044 1291 440 500 (UK Chepstow code)

Email: [email protected]

The website www.javierlopezabogados.com

Was registered on 22 March 2018, it is privacy protected so the owner is hidden. The website itself has nothing on it, just the one page with the words Javier Lopez Abogados / Lawyers and a lot of swirling lines.

Again this is a scam, do not be taken in by them, if you do have a case pending and you receive a call from them, contact your own lawyers for confirmation and inform them of any details you have been able to get.

These articles just go to show how doing your homework is so important, don’t believe what you are told even if it does sound plausible, check, check and double check.