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WYNDHAM:SHARKS...Canceled contract but won't cancel fradulent "down payment"

Sabrina T. · 2012-08-12T09:08:56-0700

My husband and I are wyndham owers at the grand desert in Las Vegas. We have been owners since 2005, our shares will be paid off 2015. On April 6, 2012while on vacation we attend an owners update that included breakfast and free items. While talking with the lady she asked if we would be interested in hearing about their new program because effective October 2012 the points system will increase and a new program will go into effect. However, we would keep what we have. She said its a good time to get into this new program. We sat and heard the information, it sounded very good. We explained to her that we didnt have any money to do anything not even a down payment for this. She indicated that we would only need to purchase 128,000 more points to be VIP which is the first step in this new program. We told her we didnt have any money and couldnt really afford any more monthly payment. You know how it goes. She ran our shares and came back with another lady. I guess it was her manager. They said they were able to pull funds from our equiity since we had never upgraded and that our payment to upgrade to VIP by adding an additional 128,000 points would be about $150.00 more and about $50.00 more in maintence fees. We asked them how much down? they said, nothing down. no money out of your pocket! REALLY? Our total monthly would be $496 and $158 for maintance; no money down, first payment May 15th. Sounded like a good deal to us. Well we went through with it because there was no money down, the payment was okay and we got a few more hundred thousands points more to use. We confirmed several times if that was the final payment and no other monies would be have to pay. They said, no this is it. We will pull from your equity. Well knowing what that means, i mean timeshares have equity? So we can borrow off our timeshare and use the money to re-do our home kitchen? Right? NOT! I found that out. Anyway, We signed the contract and while doing so we noticed a "BILL ME LATER" mentioned in the contract. When asked what was "BILL ME LATER" they said it was the finance company for the timeshare. We accepted that, I mean there are changes going on so we went ahead. Well we enjoyed our vacation, left Vegas came home and was telling all our friends and family that are owners as well as those that are considering Wyndham ownership how good this was and about the upgrade. Ha! Some goodnedss. On April 10th we get in the mail a bill from "BILL ME LATER", we thought it was a statment until we noticed an amount of $4,695.00 due with payments of $171.00 to beg November 1, 2012. What is this, we havent made any bills for $4K. So I called bill me later and they said, yes you made a purchase on April 6th in Las Vegas at Wyndham? YEs we did but for not this amount. So we called Wyndham and they said it was our down payment. Huh? No we didnt have a downpayment, was our response. We were told they was taking the downpayment from the equity with nothing additional and our monthly payment was $496.00. No ma'am you need to speak with "BILL ME LATER" because that is your down payment you have to pay. WHAT THE $#!@. We we filed a formal complaint and having been dealing with this issue since April 11th. We made our first monthly payment on May 15th. On June 4th we receive via email a letter from a Jennifer Mason, she is a member of the esculation team on members complaints and investigations. She indicated that based upon their review and my email stating what happened. Wyndham was releasing us from that contract / cancelling the new contract and re-instating our two traded contracts. YIPPY! Great. Well on Friday, August 10, 2012 we found out that yes, they are canceling the contract but will not cancel the "BILL ME LATER". Well that arose out of the contract. Between all of this we stop making our payments and was advised that no payments were to be made until the traded contracts were placed in effect. We stop paying! On Tuesday, Aug 7, 2012, Jennifer Mason and I talked ( you can never get a hold of her you always have to leave messages and wait days before she calls back) she said, that there are points used from the new contract that we have to pay for. in addtion, the account is behind and the down payment will be used to pay for the used points ( we haven't used them the vacations arent until August 24th and November 19) and any pass due payments. I told her we didnt have a down payment. She said, yes you put down $4695. I said NO. That is what we are disputing. We never physically put any money down. I told her the vacation in NOvember was booked with the new points and to please cancel that because we are not paying. I told her the vacation in August was booked earlier this year with points from our traded contract, so we dont own on that one. I told her we will pay the pass due amounts in cash. I asked her how is it that the contract is being cancelled and you're not calceling the "BILL ME LATER" which arose out of the contract? She said, ma'am im just letting you know. I said, you're wrong and this is unacceptable. You can say, you gonna cancel the contract ( we have in writing) and now we still have to pay the down payment. What kinda crap is that. Not to mention she called on Friday and said we are 6 months behind in payments.. not true and they will use 2500 of the 5500 down payment that was made to bring the account current. WHAT? So now the amounts change. So, you are taking back on your word to cancel the contract or you're canceling it in part; which has not been stated and you are increasing the down payment of $4695 to 5500. And you're telling me we when asked what happens to the other portion of that down payment that there is no refund this is what we are doing. I know this is a long story and i have tried to give it as simple as possible but you know when you're going to a crises and when you hve been treated unfailly you want to get it all out. I have left minor things out. But there it is. Please know, our account is NOT 6 months behing on 3 months ( june, july and aug is due on the 20th) we received a bill yesterday, August 11th saying please pay your pass due amount of $1500, which we will do tomorrow. We have no intentions on using the share until this is resolved. My vacation for Aug 22nd - 25th we have booked hotel. so no points are necessary to be used or need to be paid for. I need clarifcation on this supposive down payment with bill me later. How can they hold us to pay for this when the contract is being terminated and our new contracts are being reinstated. That bill me later arose out of the new contract. Shouldnt they contract bill me later and cancel that transaction? So bottom line, we are being forced to pay for something that we didnt use. So in essences we are giving bill me later $4695 just because. Please please please help us and clarify this. This is totally wrong. Also, if we were six months behind we never received notication of this and our monthly payments have been deducted from our checking account with the last one being made in May. HELP!!!!

Kathleen H. Dec 04, 2015

I think Laura's suggestion was a good one and a welcome one. I unloaded my Mom's Wyndam timeshare for a total outlay of $150, but if I had counted the heartache and difficulty and frustration and hours I spent figuring that out, it would have easily been worth the $2000. DIY is not for the faint of heart, it took quite a lot of motivation and time and savvy on my part. Once I finally knew the way, it could have been easier on me in retrospect. That amount of money for a lawyer to take the job over and get it done fairly and properly is not so bad to some people as it is to others. So, finding a lawyer who is not just another scammer of some version would be a great thing.

Veronica B. Mar 11, 2016

Hi, I need help on getting out of a new contract - additional points purchased. I already have 6000 points with Worldmark Wyndham and got pressured in purchasing another 6000 points. What they didn't tell me is they combined the two contracts without disclosing it to me and the purchased price is different in the contract then what they had told me. I tried seeking help with Jim Grant but he seems disappear and I'm stranded. Thank you! Veronica

Don P. Mar 12, 2016

File a complaint with the consumer affairs division of the Attorney Generals Office in the state where you live. They should have someone who deals with these matters or they can refer you to the proper agency . NEVER pay anyone money upfront that claims they can get you out of your contract. Scammers are everywhere looking to get your hard earned money .

Zenaida B. Apr 16, 2016

Did you get ahold of Jim Grant??

Angela C. May 12, 2016

Is Jim Grant Legit? I have been in contact with him for help to get out of our contract. Just trying to figure out if he is scammer or not?

Don P. May 12, 2016

NEVER pay anyone money that claims they can get you out of your contract . All they want is your upfront money. What do you know about him other that what he tells you. Anyone can create a website and use a mail drop box for an address. What will you do if he takes your money and ignores you ? How do you go about getting your money back ? Ask yourself these questions before you part with your hard earned money .

Lance C. May 14, 2016

angelac510 wrote:
Is Jim Grant Legit? I have been in contact with him for help to get out of our contract. Just trying to figure out if he is scammer or not?

How much is he going to charge you? The only way to "get out of [your] contract" is to find someone else to take over ownership. Have you tried contacting the resort and asking the resort to take your unit back? It's possible that the resort will if you agree to pay the closing costs and maybe even the next maintenance fee? That will probably be a lot cheaper than using Jim Grant who may or may not actually accomplish what you would pay him to do. Keep in mind also that Wyndham and Diamond resorts currently have a program in place where they are taking back units. See the pinned thread on these boards about Wyndham's Ovation program.

The other thing is to try to give your unit away yourself. Advertise in places such as RedWeek's Bargain Basement, E-Bay, Craigslist, Timeshare Users Group (aka "TUG"), or My Resort Network. Advertise that you are willing to give it away for free and maybe even offer to pay the closing costs (around $200) and, if you're serious enough about finding a new owner, the next maintenance fee. Again, that should work out to cheaper than paying some attorney.

Helen S. Jun 01, 2016

We attended a Wyndham presentation about one month ago in Vegas (April 2016) and found out they are scammers of the first class. Contact the Wyndham and find out who is at the top of the food chain and write him. OR....you can reply to this and I will put you in touch with a good attorney. I would suggest you cancel your checking account and change it so they cannot deduct payments anymore.

Don P. Jun 02, 2016

NEVER use an attorney that someone in the forum recommends !! If you decide to use an attorney find one where you live . The attorney scam has been going around awhile in the forums. Why would someone use an attorney that they heard about in a forum.......beats me !

Last edited by donp196 on Jun 02, 2016 08:12 AM

Alex O. Jun 21, 2016

angelar285 wrote:
If anyone needs honest guidance please let me know. I'm not an attorney but operate a non profit for owners and can answer any questions you have and recommend an honest, qualified attorney who is more than fair if it comes to that. Most times it can be handled without that step. They can't do this but this industry is so loosely regulated even the big guys ate getting away with some very serious crimes.

Hi angelar285, I recently was sucked in Wyndham Timeshare in Las Vegas. By the time we realized what we did and sent the cancelation letter we were 2 days late to cancel in Nevada but still within 10 day Florida laws. I called and they said they not going to cancel. We made a downpayment on our CC too. I'm just looking for any advise on how to fight it. Also what is the worst case can happen if I just cancel my CC and not going to make any payments, besides ruining my credit history .

Zenaida B. Jun 21, 2016

I have contacted Jim Grant -- he sent me his assessment tool, wrote the first letter to WM but he disappeared as soon as he received my full payment. Another scammer!

Zenaida B. Jun 21, 2016

Hello, Could you share how you were able to unload your Mom's Wyndham timeshare? Thanks

Paula M. Jun 29, 2016

I also sent Jim Grant notimeshare@gmail.com over $300. He emailed me lots and lots of papers to print and send Travel Advantage Network and a letter for us to send with it. All it did was make them call us more often and send emails. We paid with paypal and after the limit to get our money back, he stopped responding to us and we got absolutely no-where! He says he makes his money by getting 10% of the returned money. No! He gets his money by getting over $300.00 and emailing pdf's he has saved on his computer, spending no more than 10 minutes of his time. ANOTHER FRAUD! DO NOT USE JIM GRANT

rikkif2 wrote:
Did Jim Grant ever respond?

Paula M. Jun 29, 2016

AGREE ANOTHER SCAMMER. HE GOT OUR MONEY TOO.

Paula M. Jun 29, 2016

SCAMMER!

angelac510 wrote:
Is Jim Grant Legit? I have been in contact with him for help to get out of our contract. Just trying to figure out if he is scammer or not?

Paula M. Jun 29, 2016

NO!

Don P. Jun 30, 2016

Don't use anyone that wants an upfront fee. NEVER pay anyone an upfront fee to get rid of your timeshare .

Aurianna P. Nov 06, 2016

How can I contact you directly?

Aurianna P. Nov 06, 2016

Kathleenh352, Can you share your process? It would be helpful to know how you were able to get out.

Aurianna P. Nov 06, 2016

angelar285 wrote:
If anyone needs honest guidance please let me know. I'm not an attorney but operate a non profit for owners and can answer any questions you have and recommend an honest, qualified attorney who is more than fair if it comes to that. Most times it can be handled without that step. They can't do this but this industry is so loosely regulated even the big guys ate getting away with some very serious crimes.

Would like to speak with you directly for your advise. Please let me know how to contact you.

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