Buying, Renting, and Selling Timeshares

Chicago Tribune (ie: Redweek and TUG)

May 18, 2012

in part:

However, I just learned of an organization called the Timeshare Users Group that may be of assistance to time-share owners. According to its website (tug2.net), TUG, which started in 1993, "is a family-run self-help organization providing an unbiased source of consumer-oriented information and advice on time shares and the time-share concept. ..."

TUG offers advice to owners, as well as a bulletin board for people seeking to rent or sell.

I offer this information with absolutely no guarantees or representations. I learned about this in an AARP publication and checked it out myself on the web. Readers are cautioned not to take any action (or spend any money) before consulting with a legal adviser.

Q: After talking to several "agents" that specialize in the sale of time shares (all of which I would consider scam artists), I found Redweek.com and sold my mother's two weeks (late January in Florida) to legitimate buyers, and the association gave us the name of a legitimate title company that took care of everything for $300.

Obviously, I didn't get the big money out of them that was originally paid, but I did get $3,000 for one week and $3,500 for the other, so it is possible to sell them. The advertising in Redweek.com was between $40 and $45 for a six-month listing with pictures. It is certainly better than giving them away just to avoid paying the maintenance fees.

Don't ever pay one of the "crooked" agents that call you and say they will sell your time share, and all you have to do is give them $798 upfront for advertising, which will get you a one-year listing. It will not sell and you'll be out the $798.

A: Thank you for writing. I searched Redweek.com and it appears to be acceptable. However, as with the Timeshare Users Group website, I make no guarantees or representations that this is a legitimate operation. Readers will have to find out on their own — and hopefully with legal advice.

This reader's point must be repeated: Don't give any money upfront to someone who calls you cold, whether it be $798 or (as I have heard) much larger.

benny@inman.com


R P.

Last edited by jayjay on May 18, 2012 11:55 AM


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