When is 1-52 not 1-52?

[bjones9942 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bjones9942]

I recently had a rather unpleasant experience with one of the sellers on eBay, and have sworn to now research every single item before I sign anything - even if I *think* I understand everything that's said.

Given that, there was an eBay listing I was interested in for a timeshare listed as floating weeks 1-52, but also listed as a 'Red' season with dates that excluded their 'White' season. Initially I concluded that perhaps the 'red' season owners were also able to book the 'white' season dates (it said 1-52 quite prominently). When I received the estoppel letter I requested, it said 'High Season'. Ok, now I have three different things. I emailed the resort's management company for clarification. No response. So now I pick up the telephone and call the resort directly.

It appears that the 'Red' season owners can book into the 'White' season, but only 3 months out instead of 12. When I asked the resort how many units would be available with only a 3 month window, I was told 'pretty much none', as their 'White Season' owners have 12 months to book them.

So, here come my questions to everyone ... Is this typical? Do many eBay listings say they are one thing when reality is another? If there are significant restrictions in booking a particular timeframe can you really say the unit is 1-52?

I think the timeshare gods are not smiling on me! Perhaps it's time to take a few months off from scanning the eBay auctions

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Yes, many, if not most, eBay listings are postcard companies, and posted information is often generic and unreliable.

[Hobbitess Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hobbitess]

Yes, many, if not most, eBay listings are postcard companies, and posted information is often generic and unreliable.

And some of the ones that aren't postcard companies are unhappy owners who are unhappy in part because they never understood what they owned (probably more common in points systems but I don't doubt there are some weeks owners who Don't Get It as well). Since they never understood their ownership, they don't advertise it any too accurately.

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

Ask them if they have a bulletin board at the resort (a real one with pins and all) so that you can advertise an offer to swap your red time for your desired white week. I would think there would be plenty of white time owners who wouldn't mind visiting during peak season. I know its more of a hassle than you bargained for but, you know, lemons, lemonade, blah, blah, blah....I saw this approach at Tamarack Beach Resort a few years back.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Many timeshares keep 1 week for themselves to do repairs.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

And another when 53 weeks occur in a year.

[bjones9942 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bjones9942]

I cancelled my purchase, so thankfully I won't have to find a work-around. My current timeshare is a fixed week mid-July, so pretty much the months before, during and after aren't available for another resort (I need time to prepare for and recover from my vacations). Add the two months I'd never be able to book, and that was just too much of a restriction when I'd already compromised my 'I want to be able to drive there easily in a day'.

One more question - After cancelling I received a copy of the deed that was being filed (it was mailed to me before I cancelled). It appears they were going to file it without my signature? Can they actually do that? If they can, other than the resort and property management company, who should I notify that I do not authorize this?

Thanks!

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Many timeshares keep 1 week for themselves to do repairs.

or 2

[aliikai2 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close aliikai2]

Most States don't require the Buyer to sign

I think only Florida and Hawaii require the buyer to sign the deed, all the rest are just the sellers signatures,

If they have already sent the deed for recording, are they agreeing to cancel and let you out?

Greg

I cancelled my purchase, so thankfully I won't have to find a work-around. My current timeshare is a fixed week mid-July, so pretty much the months before, during and after aren't available for another resort (I need time to prepare for and recover from my vacations). Add the two months I'd never be able to book, and that was just too much of a restriction when I'd already compromised my 'I want to be able to drive there easily in a day'.

One more question - After cancelling I received a copy of the deed that was being filed (it was mailed to me before I cancelled). It appears they were going to file it without my signature? Can they actually do that? If they can, other than the resort and property management company, who should I notify that I do not authorize this?

Thanks!

[bjones9942 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bjones9942]

Yes, the deed was recorded after they told me my transaction had been cancelled. They emailed me and told me they'd get another deed prepared for me to sign to un-do the transaction.

First, being able to transfer a property into someone else's name WITHOUT their signature is frightening. What would prevent me from picking someone's name/address out of a phone book and transferring ownership to them?

Second, I must say that Sumday doesn't waste any time. Had this been a transaction without a hidden two months I could never use, I would have been a very happy camper. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Sumday *hid* anything - simply that sometimes there's a difference between what's in writing and what's reality. For example, when a property is listed as floating 1-52 and the resort tells you you'll never be able to book 8 of those weeks.

When this is over I'm taking a much needed break from staring at timeshare listings!