I'm being dragged to Transfer Smart

[David LS Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close David LS]

Hi, All:

Research mode, here. My relative is dragging me to a meeting w/these TS people who have convinced her that she needs to "transfer" her 3 Hawaii timeshares and she'll never, ever have to pay fees or owe for the weeks again. They are asking for her deeds, etc. It all sounds sunny. I have read that they (transfer companies) can be good for buying from, but what about transferring to? We have tried to sell w/no success. I am skeptical - should I be? What am I up against? Thanks in advance.

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

As long as she is not requiring you to bring your checkbook, what is the problem?

&

Is her googler broke?

Google Search for "Transfer+smart+complaint"

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

The usual deal is that they will take away your timeshares, but they want a fee of a couple of thousand or more usually for some worthless vacation club.

Maybe that sounds good, but some of these opportunists are really scamers who never really transfer the timeshares, so your relative could be out the fee and still end up with the timeshares.

Better bet is to have them register here and offer the timeshares free on our freebies forum. Note also that Hawaii timeshares are usually a bit more expensive to transfer. If the freebie offer doesn't work- there is always the classified ad here that will transfer the timeshare and only when it is complete do you pay a fee for the transfer.

Never trust anyone in timesharing that wants money before the sale/transfer is done.

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

Never trust anyone in timesharing that wants money before the sale/transfer is done.

People are so accustomed to doing that on real real estate, that for some it appears appropriate.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

usually the meetings end up with the owner paying the company anywhere from $2000 to $3500 PER Ownership to get out from under their responsibility.

As Tony said, tell them to list it here on our "Freebie Board" Freebies - Timeshare Forums and here Bargain Deals and offer to pay the closing/transfer fee.

Also consider contacting this company FREE: Liquidate Your Unwanted Timeshare for assistance with no upfront fee.

Glad you found us before your relative made an expensive mistake.

[David LS Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close David LS]

So, let me understand...

I think I have it...so these transfer companies work with people who want to give away their timeshares with the person giving away the timeshare paying the transfer costs? And, if I used the freebie section here, the individual taking the timeshare would pay the transfer cost instead (reread posts - looks like may relative would pay that)? I assume Givebacktimeshare.com is the same?

[David LS Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close David LS]

As long as she is not requiring you to bring your checkbook, what is the problem?

&

Is her googler broke?

Google

Googler broke? Do you mean why doesn't she just try and sell it there?

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I think I have it...so these transfer companies work with people who want to give away their timeshares with the person giving away the timeshare paying the transfer costs? And, if I used the freebie section here, the individual taking the timeshare would pay the transfer cost instead (reread posts - looks like may relative would pay that)? I assume Givebacktimeshare.com is the same?

Not exactly - if I were to buy your timeshare, the closing costs might be $300-500 dollars - the company that solicited your relative wants $3500 and they won't even actually take ownership - they list it on ebay for $1 and then charge THAT person $500-600 to transfer the ownership.

I do not know "giveback" but most of these companies make their fees upfront whether they sell it/transfer it or not.

As for JLBs "googler" post - it is not serious. - he wants you to click on his search link

[vacation_family99 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close vacation_family99]

Jlb is suggesting to google transfer smart to read how people are saying it is a scam. Click on the link in his post to see the results!

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Jlb is suggesting to google transfer smart to read how people are saying it is a scam. Click on the link in his post to see the results!

Thanks for the clarification for OP

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

I see everyone has cleaned everything up.

But, to say it one more time . . . they are going to ask for money, normally $2000-$4000, saying they will take over the timeshare. Some do, some execute a power of attorney, and some don't do anything, leaving the owner still stuck with the obligation legally.

The legitimate scammers then unload them on eBay for a buck, if they can.

I get something in the mail or an email from one of them almost every day, so they are either harvesting public records, or someone harvested public records, or someone is selling lists.

It is because the timeshare industry itself has never properly addressed how to handle owners who want out, that there has always been a place for resale scammers. The industry has only been interested in taking the big money upfront. The problem being that if those who sold, resold, they would have to deal with the lies told to sell.

It is a shame than in 40 years an industry would not have policed itself, or consumers would not have insisted on it, or regulators would not have recognized the need for further regulation.

Scam begets scam.

[rikkis_playpen Diamond Club Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close rikkis_playpen]

Amen...

I see everyone has cleaned everything up....

Except the timeshare industry in general!

It is because the timeshare industry itself has never properly addressed how to handle owners who want out, that there has always been a place for resale scammers. The industry has only been interested in taking the big money upfront. The problem being that if those who sold, resold, they would have to deal with the lies told to sell.

It is a shame than in 40 years an industry would not have policed itself, or consumers would not have insisted on it, or regulators would not have recognized the need for further regulation.

It is a shame.. For what is in truth a fantastic concept, and one that should always translate into a great product- the unending greed and deceitful marketing tactics of some of the developers continue to threaten to destroy the future of timeshare.. You'd think at some point, someone who actually believes in timesharing would come to power in this industry and realize that for a business model to have a chance at long term prosperity- it is the product itself that must be the focus.. Not the smoke and mirrors tactics that are so commonly used to create impulse sales, and in reality disgust far more potential buyers than they ensnare..

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

Wow! Did I say that? It sounds like me (now).

The truth is the truth, regardless of how many choose to ignore it, try to explain it away, justify it because it provides them a living, or try to defame and criticize those who point it out.

Some try to govern their conduct in such a manner as to leave things better than they found them, even if it means ruffling some feathers, and some prefer the safe road.

I had an acquaintance who sold timeshares, and who bought a couple resale or from an association, or something, so I thought we might see eye-to-eye on the topic, but the one time we dared to discuss it, he blew up and I had to leave. We never talked about it again.

Until . . .

. . . in the two years prior to his death, he begged me to get rid of them for him. I did, in a manner of speaking.

When the student's ready, the teacher will be appear.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Today when I came home from work - there in my mailbox was a letter - From "Transfer Smart"

All I have to bring with me is a spouse, deed and maint fee bill

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

I just got a look at today's mail and I got one too. I guess they are buying old lists, because I no longer have any timeshares in my name.