Monday, May 28, 2012
Just Say No To Timeshare Tours
Here's some humor for the day about the dreaded timeshare tour. Yes even South Park took a jab at one of those high pressure presentations where you get stuck listening to seedy salespeople pitch their timeshare offering. All so typical of those things is the "catch" that keeps you captive to them long after agreed upon.
While I must confess I am not a huge fan of South Park, haven't all of us who have owned timeshare for awhile been badgered and bothered by such kinds of salespeople? Take a tour, get xyz and once you get there you find it's difficult to find an escape route?
Sometimes the freebies attract people to these presentations. Sure the free deals sound great but believe me they are giving them out because they hope the end result is that you will buy their more often than not overpriced offering and they will make a sale.
My advice is "Just Say No To Timeshare Tours". It's the surest way to avoid high pressure and overpaying for a timeshare. Saying no is also guaranteed to make you enjoy more vacation time and less time in front of someone who doesn't want to let you leave without selling something.
The wisest and most savvy way to buy a timeshare is to buy a previously loved one. That is to buy from an owner on the resale market. You will find the best deals there and the prices are already depreciated from the high priced offerings on timeshare tours.
Looking for a reasonably priced Florida Timeshare for your family's use, enjoyment or exchange? Don't overpay and buy right! I would be happy to assist you in finding the perfect timeshare property for you to own without breaking the bank.
What's better? I promise no high pressure, honesty and integrity and no seedy sales tactics like these dudes on South Park!
I'm here to help! Feel free to contact me anytime.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Timeshare Owners Beware! Western Union Scams Are On The Rise
Western Union scams are on the rise. Timeshare owners should be aware and a knowledgeable consumer/timeshare owner so as not to get tricked by them.
Timeshare ownership is a wonderful thing but haven't we all had those phone calls about how much your timeshare is supposedly worth, how companies are willing to help you sell/dispose of them etc.?
These sollicitations mostly come by telephone and sometimes postcards. An an especially sticky one is the recent rise in Western Union telephone scheme related timeshare scams. I have heard of dozens of such incidents from various "companies", a term which I use loosely because most aren't legitimate companies at all. Multiple timeshare owners have mentioned this company to me that recently got caught.
Those folks on the other end of the phone are tricksters. They know what they are doing. They hope (and pray!) that you are unsuspecting and that they are convincing enough to lighten your wallet while you think you are selling or disposing of a timeshare. They do not call them scammers for nothing!
Why Western Union? There are several reasons.....
First, as a timeshare company, legitimate or not, it's become harder and harder to obtain a merchant account which is necessary to accept credit card payments. Credit card processing companies view the timeshare industry as high risk. Which is sad because it makes it harder for those buying and selling thru legitimate outlets to do business but as always, scammers ruin it for everyone.
Second, with Western Union virtually anyone can pick up the money anywhere at any location that does Western Union. Unless an investigation like the one I'm about to share takes place, it's highly unlikely that it would be traced.
So it is obvious why more and more timeshare scammers have gone the Western Union route.
Fortunately, there has been another bust and two more arrests in Western Union timeshare related scams here in Florida. While this one appeared to originate in Hillsborough County, investigators eventually tracked the money pickup location (via Western Union) to Volusia County.
You can read all about it here:
Two Women Arrested In Volusia Timeshare Scam
Thirteen victims and more than $20,000 later, they were caught. It is fortunate that they were caught that soon because it's often difficult to trace Western Union money pickup or ascertain who is picking it up. Thanks to some consumer complaints and good police and investigative work through several agencies, these two got busted fairly fast.
Interestingly enough, one of the two arrested was actually banned from using Western Union which is probably why she needed a partner in her latest scheme. This is far from surprising.
Kudos to the authorities for keeping up with these unsavory characters!
As always, be safe and aware as a timeshare owner. As you know, deals that sound too good to be true usually are.
A legitimate company will not charge you up front fees to sell your timeshare, regardless of what they call or term them. In a legitimate real estate transaction, as selling a deeded timeshare would be, all costs should be taken care of and accounted for at closing, never up front.
In short, if they are asking for a Western Union payment, know that those scams are on the rise and simply hang up the phone!
Timeshare ownership is a wonderful thing but haven't we all had those phone calls about how much your timeshare is supposedly worth, how companies are willing to help you sell/dispose of them etc.?
These sollicitations mostly come by telephone and sometimes postcards. An an especially sticky one is the recent rise in Western Union telephone scheme related timeshare scams. I have heard of dozens of such incidents from various "companies", a term which I use loosely because most aren't legitimate companies at all. Multiple timeshare owners have mentioned this company to me that recently got caught.
Those folks on the other end of the phone are tricksters. They know what they are doing. They hope (and pray!) that you are unsuspecting and that they are convincing enough to lighten your wallet while you think you are selling or disposing of a timeshare. They do not call them scammers for nothing!
Why Western Union? There are several reasons.....
First, as a timeshare company, legitimate or not, it's become harder and harder to obtain a merchant account which is necessary to accept credit card payments. Credit card processing companies view the timeshare industry as high risk. Which is sad because it makes it harder for those buying and selling thru legitimate outlets to do business but as always, scammers ruin it for everyone.
Second, with Western Union virtually anyone can pick up the money anywhere at any location that does Western Union. Unless an investigation like the one I'm about to share takes place, it's highly unlikely that it would be traced.
So it is obvious why more and more timeshare scammers have gone the Western Union route.
Fortunately, there has been another bust and two more arrests in Western Union timeshare related scams here in Florida. While this one appeared to originate in Hillsborough County, investigators eventually tracked the money pickup location (via Western Union) to Volusia County.
You can read all about it here:
Two Women Arrested In Volusia Timeshare Scam
Thirteen victims and more than $20,000 later, they were caught. It is fortunate that they were caught that soon because it's often difficult to trace Western Union money pickup or ascertain who is picking it up. Thanks to some consumer complaints and good police and investigative work through several agencies, these two got busted fairly fast.
Interestingly enough, one of the two arrested was actually banned from using Western Union which is probably why she needed a partner in her latest scheme. This is far from surprising.
Kudos to the authorities for keeping up with these unsavory characters!
As always, be safe and aware as a timeshare owner. As you know, deals that sound too good to be true usually are.
A legitimate company will not charge you up front fees to sell your timeshare, regardless of what they call or term them. In a legitimate real estate transaction, as selling a deeded timeshare would be, all costs should be taken care of and accounted for at closing, never up front.
In short, if they are asking for a Western Union payment, know that those scams are on the rise and simply hang up the phone!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Looking For A Friendly Place To Vacation? Lehigh Resort Club Is Like The "Cheers" of Southwest Florida Resorts!
Looking for a friendly, family oriented place to vacation? Whether it's fun in the sun or laid-back relaxation you crave on your Florida vacation, you will find that Lehigh Resort delivers on both fronts!
This Silver Crown rated resort consistently gets top ratings from travelers and one of the things that make this resort truly unique and special is it's people.
From the friendly, fun loving staff to owners and guests that vacation there each week, you aren't among strangers but friends or friends yet to be made.
One could liken Lehigh Resort Club to the "Cheers" of Southwest Florida Timeshare Resorts. It's the place where "everyone knows your name".
So forget about the beach, sand, noise and traffic! Trade the hustle-bustle of busier vacation destinations for one that will be sure to please the whole family. This resort offers lots of vacation value affordably! From it's great amenities to a full activities program, there's plenty to do and you'll love doing it in an environment where you get to know your neighbors, make friends, have a few laughs and plan to meet next year for the same kind of fun.
Want to know more about Lehigh Resort Club? Head on over to the Snowbird Journal where we recently featured the Lehigh Resort Club:
This Silver Crown rated resort consistently gets top ratings from travelers and one of the things that make this resort truly unique and special is it's people.
From the friendly, fun loving staff to owners and guests that vacation there each week, you aren't among strangers but friends or friends yet to be made.
One could liken Lehigh Resort Club to the "Cheers" of Southwest Florida Timeshare Resorts. It's the place where "everyone knows your name".
So forget about the beach, sand, noise and traffic! Trade the hustle-bustle of busier vacation destinations for one that will be sure to please the whole family. This resort offers lots of vacation value affordably! From it's great amenities to a full activities program, there's plenty to do and you'll love doing it in an environment where you get to know your neighbors, make friends, have a few laughs and plan to meet next year for the same kind of fun.
Want to know more about Lehigh Resort Club? Head on over to the Snowbird Journal where we recently featured the Lehigh Resort Club:
If you like what you read about Lehigh Resort Club, come take an armchair tour of this hidden gem of a resort and find out just how much it offers you as a new owner:
Ownership at Lehigh Resort Club has never been more affordable and provides a lot of value for the money! Contact Dawn Mathisen, Resale Agent for Lehigh Resort Club to learn more at (239) 265-7086 or dawnsellslehigh@embarqmail.com.
Looking forward to getting to know your name at Lehigh Resort Club!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Read All About It - My Recent Article About Timeshare Scams In The Snowbird Journal
Timeshare owners should be aware of the scams that are out there with respect to selling their timeshares. Unsavory characters always stay one step ahead when it comes to coming up with new ways to scam unsuspecting owners out of their money.
Especially timely and seemingly on the rise is the Western Union or Money Gram angle, which leaves a timeshare owner even less recourse than using a credit card to pay these upfront fees they get talked into.
Read all about it in the January Issue of the Snowbird Journal - The Magazine for Southwest Florida's Seasonal Residents. While you are at it, why not subscribe to the Snowbird Journal? It's always full of great articles about everything Southwest Florida. Head on over there by clicking the logo below:
Especially timely and seemingly on the rise is the Western Union or Money Gram angle, which leaves a timeshare owner even less recourse than using a credit card to pay these upfront fees they get talked into.
Read all about it in the January Issue of the Snowbird Journal - The Magazine for Southwest Florida's Seasonal Residents. While you are at it, why not subscribe to the Snowbird Journal? It's always full of great articles about everything Southwest Florida. Head on over there by clicking the logo below:
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