Timeshare Consumer Group

[Jon]

gwhite1956 Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:52 am

I recently received a notice that TIMESHARE RESCUE was having a meeting in my area. I called to book an appointment, and asked a few questions about their company. They told me that they have been in business for about 3 years and have helped over 3000 people get out of their contracts. That made me feel better about attending.

I went to the meeting at the hotel. There was a team to greet me as I walked in. Then, I sat down next to other timeshare owners and listened to someone present along side a powerpoint presentation. The first slide mentioned that they have helped over 2000 people get out of timeshares. This was 1000 less than what they told me over the phone. Although this was inconsistent, I thought that maybe they hadn't updated their presentation... I wasn't too alarmed yet.

Following the presentation, I raised my hand and asked "How long have you been in business?" They looked very uncomfortable and a voice from the back of the room insisted that I only ask questions on a one-on-one basis. I felt like they were trying to hide something, so I asked another question. They were displeased with my persistence and asked that I follow them out of the room to ask any questions. I followed a guy out of the room, and he started interrogating me. He made me feel like a criminal for asking honest questions. After the interrogation, I asked him how long they have been in business. He said that they have only been in business for about five months. I told him that his information was inconsistent with what I was told on the phone. He said that what I was told over the phone was untrue. After speaking with this guy, I gathered the company's paperwork, went home, and did some homework.

I later learned from the Secretary of State website in the State of California that they have only been in business since June 26, 2007. This is three months... not five months and certainly not three years.

Therefore, I find it next to impossible that they could have helped 2000 people in that short of time... ANOTHER LIE.

Also, this company was not registered with the Better Business Bureau. This is another red flag.

I am tired of companies lying to me. The idea behind this service sounds appealing, but I refuse to work with a company that lies, especially if there are alternative companies that may be truthful. I will continue to do homework and find out which of their competitors are truthful.

If anybody has any advice, I would appreciate your input.

I recommend to all those who want to get rid of their timeshares... DO YOUR HOMEWORK and work with companies that are established and registered with the Better Business Bureau.

I would be very CAUTIOUS with TIMESHARE RESCUE.


Jon Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 2:47 pm

This is an incredible story, and thank you for sharing it with us. I think parts of it may be appropriate for a TCG article with your permission (I'll get in touch with you later). It's a shame that dubious companies like these keep cropping up to cheat consumers with timeshare woes...that's why it's so important these days to stay informed. Your advice regarding the BBB is also dead-on. Thanks again...


evicpin Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:07 pm

Bravo for your persistence, gwhite. I'll alert everyone on the blogs I visit to the emergence of this new company.


iluxtuxies Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:28 pm

Well, gwhite, I'm glad you were escorted out to be honest. Probably felt humiliating and I'm really sorry about that. But what if you'd stayed and believed their lies? You'd probably be out a whole lot more money, and still own your timeshare.

Thanks for taking the time to warn us about them, as I've noticed there seems to be an increase in the number of companies doing this kind of thing. Wouldn't surprise me if the majority of them were all in bed together....


derek Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 10:31 pm

Of course, it IS possible that this is just a new company telling a lot of lies to get its foot in the door of a really tight industry. But you raise a lot of great questions. I can't believe you were escorted out...they should have been trained better to manipulate situations like that. REALLY tacky.

Thanks for posting this, I have a lot of friends with timeshares who should know...


rita_l Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 6:42 pm

The clock is running out on these scam companies; people are getting too wise to their games. I mean, come on, how stupid is that, demanding questions on a one-on-one? Sounds like a cult, hah. Seesh. Thanks so much for the tip!


dial-a-shue Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:51 pm

Indeed, kudos on the alert, they're sure to get some more bad press soon.