Timeshare Owners Complain on Companies with Unsound Business Practices

The wide spread of timeshare resale business practices throughout the world have threatened the timeshare community. The victims were complaining the said companies to the Better Business Bureau and to their respective Attorney Generals.

Recently, there were a total of 17 companies subpoenaed due to deceptive business practices. Orlando, Florida timeshare owner Ken Holstein was called up and was offered to sell his timeshare. The company that gave an enticing sales pitch is a Daytona Beach, Florida-based company, Seabreeze Advertising Corp.

The salesperson gave a hefty price tag for his timeshare that increased his interest in selling it. The representative was offering $15,500 which is doubling what he paid for $7,000.

He was asked to pay an advance of $884 for the advertising services and the referrals would follow.

Yet still, even when the reductions were active, nothing happened to his timeshare.

Instead of waiting, Holstein sold his unit for $4,000. He’s entitled to get a part of $884 which he paid upfront that they have agreed upon in their terms and conditions. Yet the company refuses to pay back.
With the help of the Better Business Bureau, they were rated as F. SBA Corp., had 51 complaints filed in BBB for the past 36 months.

Holstein has regretted doing business with them.

Attorney General Bill McCollum of Florida said that SBA Corp. has 31 consumer complaints.

Florida Attorney General Office Sandi Copes said that an ongoing investigation is looking out for these unscrupulous companies.
SBA Corp was called up by NBC’s I-Team. But the company did not return any calls.

Here are a few tips on how to protect yourself from these deceitful reselling companies.

Be wary of too-good to be true offers. This is a tactic where most people are trapped first.

Salespeople say that a timeshare is always in a hot market which in reality is not. Timeshares are hard to sell. There is few or almost no market for it.

Upfront fees are a big no no. A payment must only be settled right after the unit is sold. Otherwise, they might just get it and disappear.

Contact the timeshare licensing agencies to determine whether you are dealing with a true timeshare broker. Research on the company’s history as it might have received a lot of complaints. This is one smart way of transferring your timeshare.