Original Message:
Does Donate For A Cause Really Care About Helping Charities Or Just Making Profits? (by Lance C.):
gregr197 wrote:Donate for a Cause is just another scam company. We own a week in Mystic Dunes (orlando florida) and they wanted $4400 to take it off our hands. They're just another outfit trying to rake in the cash on desperate time share owners.The tax deduction will do nothing more than get you an audit as it's not legit either.
I wouldn't refer to Donate for a Cause (DFAC) as a scam. A scam is basically when you promise somebody something, that party pays you to do it, then you don't do it but keep the money.
DFC lays it out on the table for you. It says "Pay us $4400 and we'll transfer the deed into our name." DFC will do as promised and you will no longer be the legal owner on record. DFC wants the $4400 to protect itself in case in can't trun around and sell the unit quickly.
However, $4400 is indeed a lot of money and if your ultimate goal is to relieve yourself of ownership of this timeshare, there are other ways to do it if you're willing to put in a little bit of time and effort.
Have you tried asking the resort if it will take the unit back? Some resorts do and some don't. Some will if you agree to pay closing costs and the next maintenance fee. That will work out a lot cheaper than $4400.
You can advertise here in RedWeek's Bargain Basement. Offer it for free and, as well, offer to pay the closing costs (about $180 with Legal Timeshare Transfers) and the next maintenance fee. Again, that will work out a lot cheaper than $4400.
As for the tax deduction, that's a delicate situation. You are correct to be leery about suspiciously high tax deductions for donating a timeshare that's virtually worthless.