Timeshare Market Pro

My wife has received a call from a company Timeshare Market Pro about selling our timeshare. I told him I had read repeatedly that it was a bad idea to deal with a company who required a fee up front. He is trying to tell me that in the state of Florida it is against the law to take their fee out of the sales proceeds. Has anyone dealt with this company or have any information about it?

edwarda63 wrote:

My wife has received a call from a company Timeshare Market Pro about selling our timeshare. I told him I had read repeatedly that it was a bad idea to deal with a company who required a fee up front. He is trying to tell me that in the state of Florida it is against the law to take their fee out of the sales proceeds. Has anyone dealt with this company or have any information about it?

You did good about not using upfront companies!

I might be way off here because I have never had dealings in Florida but I have heard this story of against the law to take their commission after sale and that is because they are not a realtor but a listing company.

If they waited for the sale they would probably never get any money,you need to sell to make money and they just list with thousands of other timeshares.

The one word that stood out was TAKE because this is what they probably will do to your money.

Sit back and study these forums and try to learn before listening to some phone jocky who in most cases is just trying to get your money and move on to the next sucker.

Now I'm talking about upfront companies in general and not just this one.

What is funny with these companies is that when pushed far enough they will show you some sales they made. Of coarse who knows if they are real but all these companies must get lucky once in a while and have a buyer find them even if its by just luck.

Like others have stated many of these companies will get phone calls and tell buyer offer to low. They have their money and really don't need to waste more time on your unit when no more money goes into their pockets!

edwarda63 wrote:

My wife has received a call from a company Timeshare Market Pro about selling our timeshare. I told him I had read repeatedly that it was a bad idea to deal with a company who required a fee up front. He is trying to tell me that in the state of Florida it is against the law to take their fee out of the sales proceeds. Has anyone dealt with this company or have any information about it?

They will tell you anything to get your upfront fee including the lie above. Never pay a company an upfront fee to sell your timeshare unless you have money to throw away, because that's what you'll be doing.

edwarda63 wrote:

My wife has received a call from a company Timeshare Market Pro about selling our timeshare. I told him I had read repeatedly that it was a bad idea to deal with a company who required a fee up front. He is trying to tell me that in the state of Florida it is against the law to take their fee out of the sales proceeds. Has anyone dealt with this company or have any information about it?

Stay away from any resale company that wants an upfront fee.

edwarda63 wrote:

He is trying to tell me that in the state of Florida it is against the law to take their fee out of the sales proceeds.

As Phil has already correctly pointed out, these parasites do not actually have a real estate license. Accordingly, they cannot lawfully "broker" sales with commission taken from sale proceeds. So it's "against the law" only in the sense that they possess no real estate license --- and hence no lawful right to sell real estate on a commission basis without having said license.

These assorted upfront fee parasites are advertising agencies --- nothing more, nothing less. Think of them as a grossly overpriced classified ad. They make their money only one way --- by getting you to give them yours. They will NEVER sell your timeshare, they won't even bother to try (beyond posting an inflated price on an obscure in house web site which no informed prospective buyer will ever take seriously). Why would they even bother to try to sell your timeshare? There is not another penny in it for them after they have collected your *VOLUNTARILY* paid "advertising and marketing fee". Don't do it! It's just flat out throwing your money away.

If you voluntarily CHOOSE to give these parasites (or others like them) your money, you'll have no credible or legal basis upon which to later claim "I was scammed! I'm a victim!". In the words of Dr. Phil McGraw, admittedly applied slightly out of context, "There are no victims --- only volunteers!"

So, where do you go to sell? Is Red Week one of these places? Or does it have a liscense? What is the best way to get a good price?

dorothye13 wrote:

So, where do you go to sell? Is Red Week one of these places? Or does it have a liscense? What is the best way to get a good price?

Redweek is not a realtor license to sell timeshares!

As far as using Redweek they are just like having a ad in the newspaper. You pay small amount of money to list your timeshare on here and other sites.

You write the ad,you do everything to sell your timeshare yourself.

A seller could run these ads for ten years and not spend what one of these upfront companies will steal from you.

ken1193 wrote:

edwarda63 wrote:

He is trying to tell me that in the state of Florida it is against the law to take their fee out of the sales proceeds.

==========================================

As Phil has already correctly pointed out, these parasites do not actually have a real estate license. Accordingly, they cannot lawfully "broker" sales with commission taken from sale proceeds. So it's "against the law" only in the sense that they possess no real estate license --- and hence no lawful right to sell real estate on a commission basis without having said license.

These assorted upfront fee parasites are advertising agencies --- nothing more, nothing less. Think of them as a grossly overpriced classified ad. They make their money only one way --- by getting you to give them yours. They will NEVER sell your timeshare, they won't even bother to try (beyond posting an inflated price on an obscure in house web site which no informed prospective buyer will ever take seriously). Why would they even bother to try to sell your timeshare? There is not another penny in it for them after they have collected your *VOLUNTARILY* paid "advertising and marketing fee". Don't do it! It's just flat out throwing your money away.

If you voluntarily CHOOSE to give these parasites (or others like them) your money, you'll have no credible or legal basis upon which to later claim "I was scammed! I'm a victim!". In the words of Dr. Phil McGraw, admittedly applied slightly out of context, "There are no victims --- only volunteers!"

Thanks. I appreciate your insight here. Now. I need your suggestion. This Timeshare Marketing Pro will be sending me a Contract/Agreement to sign. Shall I just VOID it, and return it to them. Will that negate the upfront Visa number I had given them? They say I have seven days to decide to cancel.

As Phil has already correctly pointed out, these parasites do not actually have a real estate license. Accordingly, they cannot lawfully "broker" sales with commission taken from sale proceeds. So it's "against the law" only in the sense that they possess no real estate license --- and hence no lawful right to sell real estate on a commission basis without having said license.

These assorted upfront fee parasites are advertising agencies --- nothing more, nothing less. Think of them as a grossly overpriced classified ad. They make their money only one way --- by getting you to give them yours. They will NEVER sell your timeshare, they won't even bother to try (beyond posting an inflated price on an obscure in house web site which no informed prospective buyer will ever take seriously). Why would they even bother to try to sell your timeshare? There is not another penny in it for them after they have collected your *VOLUNTARILY* paid "advertising and marketing fee". Don't do it! It's just flat out throwing your money away.

If you voluntarily CHOOSE to give these parasites (or others like them) your money, you'll have no credible or legal basis upon which to later claim "I was scammed! I'm a victim!". In the words of Dr. Phil McGraw, admittedly applied slightly out of context, "There are no victims --- only volunteers!" ==============================================

Jamesm751 states: >> Thanks. I appreciate your insight here. Now. I need your suggestion. This Timeshare Marketing Pro will be sending me a Contract/Agreement to sign. Shall I just VOID it, and return it to them. Will that negate the upfront Visa number I had given them? They say I have seven days to decide to cancel. <<

You must contact (do it NOW!) your credit card issuer and see what THEIR particular procedure is for disputing a credit card charge. They might require the dispute to be filed in writing. Various card issuer policies differ -- there is no "one size fits all" answer for you. That said, dealing with the parasites is an entirely separate and distinct process from dealing with the card issuer.....

The 3-7 day rescission period (the specific time frame varies by state) is provided by law as a "cooling off" period for decisions on such purchases and contracts. Don't wait to receive any further paperwork from these people. Prepare and send NOW (in writing, by certified mail, phone calls don't cut it...) your written notification of cancellation. Certified mail exercise is not actually a legal requirement, but getting the date stamped receipt at the USPS counter DOES generate documentary proof that you have met the rescission deadline of your particular state (assuming, of course, that you do). I frankly woudn't necessarily even believe the parasites that you have 7 days to rescind. That's the MOST it could possibly be --- it could actually be several days LESS in your (unspecified) state. I also suggest that you have no further oral conversation with these folks. Instead, just send the certified mail letter ASAP informing them that: "Exercising my rights under applicable state law, I hereby rescind and terminate the arrangement discussed by phone on (insert actual date). I am also separately seeking immediate invalidation of any credit card charge associated with that conversation". You are NOT required to provide any explanation or reason whatsoever. It's your legal right; you are exercising it --- but you MUST do so within the time limits identified by applicable state law. As the saying goes "You snooze, you lose". And don't misrepresent the date of your original conversation --- they probably recorded the entire conversation (including you VOLUNTARILY CHOOSING to provide them with your credit card number).

The good news is that Sundays don't count. The bad news is that Saturdays DO count. Don't delay --- the clock is ticking....

jamesm751 wrote:

Thanks. I appreciate your insight here. Now. I need your suggestion. This Timeshare Marketing Pro will be sending me a Contract/Agreement to sign. Shall I just VOID it, and return it to them. Will that negate the upfront Visa number I had given them? They say I have seven days to decide to cancel.

Why would you ever give them your credit card number when you already have doubts in this compamy?

They probably already sent the charge through your company but if not call your credit card company now.

Tell them what is going on and ask if they can reject the charge if it comes through.

Sign and get the letter off to the upfront company right away canceling it.

If they can they will stall so your time is up so follow their directions exactly!

The way people are being ripped off don't ever give your information out until your sure of what your doing. Good Luck! PHILL12

ken1193 wrote:

As Phil has already correctly pointed out, these parasites do not actually have a real estate license. Accordingly, they cannot lawfully "broker" sales with commission taken from sale proceeds. So it's "against the law" only in the sense that they possess no real estate license --- and hence no lawful right to sell real estate on a commission basis without having said license.

These assorted upfront fee parasites are advertising agencies --- nothing more, nothing less. Think of them as a grossly overpriced classified ad. They make their money only one way --- by getting you to give them yours. They will NEVER sell your timeshare, they won't even bother to try (beyond posting an inflated price on an obscure in house web site which no informed prospective buyer will ever take seriously). Why would they even bother to try to sell your timeshare? There is not another penny in it for them after they have collected your *VOLUNTARILY* paid "advertising and marketing fee". Don't do it! It's just flat out throwing your money away.

If you voluntarily CHOOSE to give these parasites (or others like them) your money, you'll have no credible or legal basis upon which to later claim "I was scammed! I'm a victim!". In the words of Dr. Phil McGraw, admittedly applied slightly out of context, "There are no victims --- only volunteers!"

Jamesm751 states: >> Thanks. I appreciate your insight here. Now. I need your suggestion. This Timeshare Marketing Pro will be sending me a Contract/Agreement to sign. Shall I just VOID it, and return it to them. Will that negate the upfront Visa number I had given them? They say I have seven days to decide to cancel. <<

You must contact (do it NOW!) your credit card issuer and see what THEIR particular procedure is for disputing a credit card charge. They might require the dispute to be filed in writing. Various card issuer policies differ -- there is no "one size fits all" answer for you. That said, dealing with the parasites is an entirely separate and distinct process from dealing with the card issuer.....

The 3-7 day rescission period (the specific time frame varies by state) is provided by law as a "cooling off" period for decisions on such purchases and contracts. Don't wait to receive any further paperwork from these people. Prepare and send NOW (in writing, by certified mail, phone calls don't cut it...) your written notification of cancellation. Certified mail exercise is not actually a legal requirement, but getting the date stamped receipt at the USPS counter DOES generate documentary proof that you have met the rescission deadline of your particular state (assuming, of course, that you do). I frankly woudn't necessarily even believe the parasites that you have 7 days to rescind. That's the MOST it could possibly be --- it could actually be several days LESS in your (unspecified) state. I also suggest that you have no further oral conversation with these folks. Instead, just send the certified mail letter ASAP informing them that: "Exercising my rights under applicable state law, I hereby rescind and terminate the arrangement discussed by phone on (insert actual date). I am also separately seeking immediate invalidation of any credit card charge associated with that conversation". You are NOT required to provide any explanation or reason whatsoever. It's your legal right; you are exercising it --- but you MUST do so within the time limits identified by applicable state law. As the saying goes "You snooze, you lose". And don't misrepresent the date of your original conversation --- they probably recorded the entire conversation (including you VOLUNTARILY CHOOSING to provide them with your credit card number).

The good news is that Sundays don't count. The bad news is that Saturdays DO count. Don't delay --- the clock is ticking....

Ken: I really appreciate your speedy reply here. The sales rep did say I have seven days to cancel the agreement, so I am going to write to them immediately and send a certified letter to them first thing Monday. Thanks again!!!

jamesm751 wrote:

ken1193 wrote:

As Phil has already correctly pointed out, these parasites do not actually have a real estate license. Accordingly, they cannot lawfully "broker" sales with commission taken from sale proceeds. So it's "against the law" only in the sense that they possess no real estate license --- and hence no lawful right to sell real estate on a commission basis without having said license.

These assorted upfront fee parasites are advertising agencies --- nothing more, nothing less. Think of them as a grossly overpriced classified ad. They make their money only one way --- by getting you to give them yours. They will NEVER sell your timeshare, they won't even bother to try (beyond posting an inflated price on an obscure in house web site which no informed prospective buyer will ever take seriously). Why would they even bother to try to sell your timeshare? There is not another penny in it for them after they have collected your *VOLUNTARILY* paid "advertising and marketing fee". Don't do it! It's just flat out throwing your money away.

If you voluntarily CHOOSE to give these parasites (or others like them) your money, you'll have no credible or legal basis upon which to later claim "I was scammed! I'm a victim!". In the words of Dr. Phil McGraw, admittedly applied slightly out of context, "There are no victims --- only volunteers!"

==============================================

Jamesm751 states: >> Thanks. I appreciate your insight here. Now. I need your suggestion. This Timeshare Marketing Pro will be sending me a Contract/Agreement to sign. Shall I just VOID it, and return it to them. Will that negate the upfront Visa number I had given them? They say I have seven days to decide to cancel. <<

You must contact (do it NOW!) your credit card issuer and see what THEIR particular procedure is for disputing a credit card charge. They might require the dispute to be filed in writing. Various card issuer policies differ -- there is no "one size fits all" answer for you. That said, dealing with the parasites is an entirely separate and distinct process from dealing with the card issuer.....

The 3-7 day rescission period (the specific time frame varies by state) is provided by law as a "cooling off" period for decisions on such purchases and contracts. Don't wait to receive any further paperwork from these people. Prepare and send NOW (in writing, by certified mail, phone calls don't cut it...) your written notification of cancellation. Certified mail exercise is not actually a legal requirement, but getting the date stamped receipt at the USPS counter DOES generate documentary proof that you have met the rescission deadline of your particular state (assuming, of course, that you do). I frankly woudn't necessarily even believe the parasites that you have 7 days to rescind. That's the MOST it could possibly be --- it could actually be several days LESS in your (unspecified) state. I also suggest that you have no further oral conversation with these folks. Instead, just send the certified mail letter ASAP informing them that: "Exercising my rights under applicable state law, I hereby rescind and terminate the arrangement discussed by phone on (insert actual date). I am also separately seeking immediate invalidation of any credit card charge associated with that conversation". You are NOT required to provide any explanation or reason whatsoever. It's your legal right; you are exercising it --- but you MUST do so within the time limits identified by applicable state law. As the saying goes "You snooze, you lose". And don't misrepresent the date of your original conversation --- they probably recorded the entire conversation (including you VOLUNTARILY CHOOSING to provide them with your credit card number).

The good news is that Sundays don't count. The bad news is that Saturdays DO count. Don't delay --- the clock is ticking....

Ken: I really appreciate your speedy reply here. The sales rep did say I have seven days to cancel the agreement, so I am going to write to them immediately and send a certified letter to them first thing Monday. Thanks again!!!

I decided to follow your suggestions. Today is Sunday. When he Post Office opens tomorrow I'll send them the Certified letter. Also, decided to Fax them last night. I called Visa. The lady saw the amount Timeshare Market had put "on hold. (I think they were waiting for the signed agreement before they can legally put it through?). The lady said she couldn't do anything about it cause they have no way to validate a sale. I could have received a service or a product sent in the mail already. When I explained the circumstance, she understood, so she decided to give me a Visa number I should write to. That letter will also be Certified. Hope I've covered everything. Thanks.

jamesm751 Re: >> Also, decided to Fax them last night <<

Fax does not adequately constitute legal notification of cancellation, but no harm in having done so. ===============================================

Re: >> I think they were waiting for the signed agreement before they can legally put it through?).<<

If you voluntarily provided your credit card number over the phone, they may proceed with the charge without receipt of a "signed contract"; it happens every day. If they intended to wait, they would simply ask for your credit card number WITH (instead of BEFORE) the contract execution. Many of these upfront fee parasites don't even have or utilize contracts at all, although I have not heard of this particular one before. They come and go, changing names and hats along the way, but their game is always the same --- obscene upfront fee for useless advertising of overpriced listing on an obscure site. =================================================

Re: >> When I explained the circumstance, she understood, so she decided to give me a Visa number I should write to. That letter will also be Certified.<<

Most card issuers require post-charge disputes to be filed in writing anyhow, with specific dates and detailed explanation provided. I would also provide the card issuer with a copy of your rescission letter to the parasites, which also spells it out quite clearly. The "dispute" mailing address and instructions are also often found on your credit card statements. Certified mail is not required here, but again serves to document dates (you generally have 30 days to dispute a credit card charge, but only 7 days (as few as 3 days in some states) to "rescind" the transaction. ===========================================

Re: >> Hope I've covered everything. <<

Don't forget to provide the Visa card folks a copy of your rescission letter to the parasites, along with a photocopy of the certified mail dated receipt from USPS for that rescission letter to the parasites. THEN you will have covered everything. Good luck.

We were stupid to pay a fee to list our timeshares with Timeshares Only in Orlando Fla. Nothing has sold or rented. Do not give upfront fees is the lesson, we learned the hard way. Good Luck to you!

Ken: Thanks to you! My fax appeared sufficient. I credit the sales rep for not giving me a hard time in the cancellation. He did ask several questions, but I declined to answer them Just kept repeating my desire to cancel the agreement based on the seven days allowed for changing my mind. He posed all the problems associated with sale of a timeshare and, again, claimed they can do all that for me. But surely they cannot afford to do all that for the fee they charged up front! I felt uneasy and am glad I found this website. You're providing a valuable service.

I was a victim of two scams the Timeshare scam and then cause I didn`t want to pay for the maintnance fee I tried to sell so I contracted a company that took my money and did nothing so I paid the fee twice !!

ramons wrote:

I was a victim of two scams the Timeshare scam and then cause I didn`t want to pay for the maintnance fee I tried to sell so I contracted a company that took my money and did nothing so I paid the fee twice !!

Well, whether you were a "victim" or a "volunteer" is a matter of opinion. Virtually all timeshares have maintenance fees; your not wanting to actually PAY them hardly qualifies as a "scam". As far as you VOLUNTARILY CHOOSING to pay an upfront fee company for absolutely worthless advertising, that decision clearly falls into the "volunteer" category.

ken1193 wrote:

ramons wrote:

I was a victim of two scams the Timeshare scam and then cause I didn`t want to pay for the maintnance fee I tried to sell so I contracted a company that took my money and did nothing so I paid the fee twice !!

================================================

Well, whether you were a "victim" or a "volunteer" is a matter of opinion. Virtually all timeshares have maintenance fees; your not wanting to actually PAY them hardly qualifies as a "scam". As far as you VOLUNTARILY CHOOSING to pay an upfront fee company for absolutely worthless advertising, that decision clearly falls into the "volunteer" category.

I use the word scam `cause when you buy you get an idea of what`s supposed to happen but then reality is different,. I insist and personally view timeshares as a scam with the law on it`s side.And these Companies that do this kind of business should have rules to abide by real strict no scamming rules if they cant do their job they should give the money back taking money for nothing is not honest no matter how pretty and fancy the words used to excuse it are. If you don`t do ur job u dont get paid thats how it should be!!

ramons wrote:

I use the word scam `cause when you buy you get an idea of what`s supposed to happen but then reality is different,. I insist and personally view timeshares as a scam with the law on it`s side.And these Companies that do this kind of business should have rules to abide by real strict no scamming rules if they cant do their job they should give the money back taking money for nothing is not honest no matter how pretty and fancy the words used to excuse it are. If you don`t do ur job u dont get paid thats how it should be!!

You are certainly entitled to your point of view. For the record, in no way do I "excuse" the behavior of these bottom dwelling upfront fee parasites. I absolutely despise them --- but that still doesn't make their practices in any way illegal. Personally, I've enjoyed my few timeshare ownerships for nearly 25 years now. No disrespect intended, but I think it's a matter of fully understanding what a timeshare product is BEFORE you buy it, as well as fully understanding that it will involve annual maintenance fees --- and that it may very well be much more difficult to sell than it was to buy. In my experience, unhappy timeshare owners are often folks who fail to adequately grasp one (or all) of those facts.

If you search various threads on this site addressing selling a timeshare, you will find that you can sell a timeshare on your own. Yes, it will actually require some time and effort on your part --- but very little actual monetary "out of pocket" expense. Why so many people won't exert that effort, yet will still voluntarily pay upfront fee parasites big money for utterly worthless advertising is a mystery to me. Nonetheless, good luck and regards.