Thursday, October 30, 2014

"Become a Member and You Don't Need a Broker!"


It might not be new or new to you, but I've just discovered the latest way timeshare owners are being preyed upon. 

There's a company that charges a membership fee in order to list your timeshare for sale. Yes, a membership fee. Not a listing fee.  Not an advertising fee. 

While that may be odd enough, a quick look at the listings clearly illustrated the need for owners to get a dose of reality when it comes to understanding the 'value' of a timeshare on the secondary market. 


30,000 WorldMark Points $60,000

2 bedroom Westgate Lakes $30,000 Exchange Resorts Condominiums

2 bedroom Marriott Cypress Harbor $32,000 Exchange Resorts Condominiums

I'm fairly certain that these prices are higher than what you'd find being pitched by the developer, to say nothing of the fact that both Westgate Lakes and Marriott Cypress Harbor are Interval Internal affiliated properties, not whatever "Resorts Condominiums" is supposed to be.

This company charges $98 for "lifetime membership" and $398 to list your timeshare for sale.  I'd like to know how long  the Westgate Lakes property for $30,000 has been listed.

Yet another example of timeshare owners being led astray.  There are legitimate secondary market platforms out there.  No, I'm not one of them,  No, I don't sell timeshare.  However, I'll be happy to point you in the right direction.

Alas, this "membership based company" isn't the way to go.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

We are a Bluegreen Vacation Club owner at Big Cedar Wilderness Club. Fully paid for and never use. Have been trying to sell but see that is fruitless. Had this idea after paying my annual fees: What if we just quit paying our club dues/maintenance fees/real estate taxes? Would they eventually take it back? Would they sue us?

Lisa Ann Schreier, The Timeshare Crusader said...

Thank you for writing, I do not recommend ceasing to pay your annual fees for any number of reasons, one being possible legal issues.

I'm curious as to why you never use it and why you say trying to sell it is fruitless.

Bluegreen is part of RCI which has more than 4,000 resorts in their worldwide portfolio. Have you talked with RCI about getting a better understanding of how to use it?

If you are set on selling, there are a number of legitimate secondary market platforms. You can e-mail me for more information.

Thanks.