April Newsletter: Illegal to sell timeshare to companies that won't pay fees?

Timeshare Crusader Lisa Ann Schreier answers the following question in this month's newsletter:

I read online that industry lobbyists are trying to make it illegal for timeshare owners to sell their property to people/companies that will not pay the maintenance fees. Can they do this?

Read Lisa Ann's response »

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Yes, they can do this .... what they will do is have the seller verify to the resort that the new owner is legit and it is not a PCC, scam charity or other scam operation that have no intention in paying future maintenance fees eventually forcing the week into foreclosure.

There's one particular bogus charity that's posted on Redweek forums boasting of their scam operation.

From what I understand, right now this law is only looking to be passed in Florida. If it does get passed there then other states might follow.

Keep in mind too that it's, as you put it, "industry lobbyists" (ARDA) who are pushing for this law.

On the surface, it sounds like a good law protecting owners from rising maintenance fees due to defaulting owners but, on the other hand, it will likely make things more difficult for owners who want to sell or give away their timeshare when they want or need to.

lancec13 wrote:

Keep in mind too that it's, as you put it, "industry lobbyists" (ARDA) who are pushing for this law.

On the surface, it sounds like a good law protecting owners from rising maintenance fees due to defaulting owners but, on the other hand, it will likely make things more difficult for owners who want to sell or give away their timeshare when they want or need to.

Even though ARDA (American Resort Developer Assoc) is a timeshare lobbyist group, it is in the best interest for all resorts (whether controlled by a developer, management company or HOA) for this law to be enforced.

Something needed to happen to keep the lowlife PCCs, bogus charities and other scammers from ripping off resorts and other owners (they have to take up the slack in higher maintenance fees for the deadbeats that simply let it go into foreclosure).

When one signs a legal contract (and the buyer supposedly read and signed it) to buy a timeshare then they have to be aware that they own that timeshare for life or until it changes ownership .... it's just like buying a car, house, boat etc. .... you own it until it changes ownership (sold). The timeshare and owner is also listed in courthouse deed records in all counties.

I've been reading on TUG that many members think there should be a way for timeshare owners to get out of their contract/maintenance fees by the resorts (deed in lieu of foreclosure, etc). The resorts are not in business to take back ownership ... owners should find their own way to rid themselves of their timeshare by giving it away or by other legal means.

One member on TUG that owns a tremendous amount of Wyndham Points and rents his units out boldly stated that if he could no longer afford or he wants to get rid of his Wyndham points that he would simply default (to h-ll with all the other owners) .... this is no way to operate a business yet he boasts about defaulting if that time should come.

I hope Florida follows through with this law.

Does anyone know about a company called Quality Vacation Services out of Savannah GA. They contacted me about selling my time share. Very convincing with legal department, validator and others participating in potential transaction. Say they have a buyer, look for $1500 title transfer fee and documentation fees. Sounds bogus to me. Any real estate transaction ever went through, those fees were considered at closing. Does that apply when in US and selling a Mexican timeshare?

It's a scam. NEVER pay anyone money upfront. They will disappear with your money and you will end up on the " sucker list " and they will pass your name around to other scammers.

Who's supposed to pay this $1500 fee? If they ask you to pay it, then it is a scam.

We have been contacted by Quality Vacation Services. Is this a scam? I don't want to lose any more money on this.

sarahf136 wrote:

We have been contacted by Quality Vacation Services. Is this a scam? I don't want to lose any more money on this.

Well if you could give more details as to why they called you or what they are offering, some posters here on RedWeek might be able to answer your question.

Here are some typical signs of a scam with companies like these:

1) Cold calls out of the blue.

2) Offering to sell or rent out your timeshare for far more than resale market value.

3) Convincing you that they have buyers lined up waiting in the wings.

4) Asking you to pay an upfront fee. They might have various euphemisms for this fee such as "closing costs", "paperwork fee", "remittance tax", etc. But any such tax or fee that has to be paid would come out of the proceeds of the sale and not from the seller beforehand.

5) Not letting you see the contract or terms of agreement before you pay.

As Lance stated in his post above .... his list shows the scammer's modus operandi = how they operate ..... bottom line never, ever pay any entity a large upfront fee to sell, supposedly advertise or rent your timeshare.

I received a call today from Quality Vacation Services about a timeshare I own. He said someone is interested in buying and so far he said the buyer is paying all the fees. Said the buyer found it on the web where I had listed it. which I have listed it onl the web but can't remember the site. Also said I had 2 bonus weeks that they could rent. It sounded legit but there are so many scams out today that I have my doubts and if they call back asking for money, I will let them know where to go. Just wandering if anyone has had a deal go thru with this comapany or if I need to report them to BBB even though they are not accredited thru the BBB.

it's a SCAM.

barbarac662 wrote:

.. or if I need to report them to BBB even though they are not accredited thru the BBB.

If they're not BBB-accredited, then reporting them to the BBB would be absolutely futile. What would the BBB be able to do?

barbarac662 wrote:

I received a call today from Quality Vacation Services about a timeshare I own. He said someone is interested in buying and so far he said the buyer is paying all the fees. Said the buyer found it on the web where I had listed it. which I have listed it onl the web but can't remember the site. Also said I had 2 bonus weeks that they could rent. It sounded legit but there are so many scams out today that I have my doubts and if they call back asking for money, I will let them know where to go. Just wandering if anyone has had a deal go thru with this comapany or if I need to report them to BBB even though they are not accredited thru the BBB.

Go along with them for awhile ..... if they ask you for 1 red cent for anything upfront then you'll know they are a scam. Never ever pay any entity any kind of upfront fee to supposedly sell or rent your timeshare even though they may tell you they have a buyer ..... 99% of times it's a lie .... it's one of the biggest lies told in the timeshare resale world.

One more thing to consider is that if you had listed it on the web .... why would they contactl QVS and not you, the owner?

Did you go through with the transaction? We received a call from them yesterday, hot buyer, need to close by end of month, price in excess of what we paid for it. But they want a credit card number to charge the $900+ title fee first. What did you do?

ronf147 wrote:

Does anyone know about a company called Quality Vacation Services out of Savannah GA. They contacted me about selling my time share. Very convincing with legal department, validator and others participating in potential transaction. Say they have a buyer, look for $1500 title transfer fee and documentation fees. Sounds bogus to me. Any real estate transaction ever went through, those fees were considered at closing. Does that apply when in US and selling a Mexican timeshare?

It's a SCAM. All they want is your upfront money and then they blow you off claiming the buyer backed out. Don't get involved with them.