These companies offer to “relieve” you of your timeshare ownership but beware – many of these companies are scams!

The most widespread scam is from companies who offer to buy, sell or rent your timeshare for an upfront fee. This fee can be called an “appraisal fee”, a “title search fee”, “marketing fee”, “advertising fee” or “prepaid closing costs”. No matter what the fee is called, if anyone asks you to pay a fee upfront before they provide any services… JUST SAY NO!

The latest “relief offer” comes from companies that (for a fee, of course…) promise legal assistance in deeding back your week to your Association. Keep in mind that your Association must approve the transfer. Associations that are willing to allow owners to deed back generally have programs that you might qualify for that could save you money.

Other companies offer to “buy” your week (again, for a large fee that YOU pay THEM!), but what you sign is simply a power of attorney allowing them to sell or rent your week on your behalf. Title remains in your name and you are still responsible for your maintenance fees. Unfortunately, these are the weeks that you see on eBay for $1. They don’t have to sell your week for a good price, since they’ve already made $2,000 - $3,000 in upfront fees! Remember, the old adage of “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” is still a good rule to follow!

Before you fall prey to one these companies, call Grand Pacific Vacation Services first. We are committed to helping you make the most of your ownership, and can walk you through rental and exchange options that may help you retain your ownership. If you decide, due to a change in circumstances, that your ownership no longer fits your lifestyle, we can assist you in determining what resale programs are available and other alternative programs that you may qualify for.

For more information, call Grand Pacific Vacation Services at (888) 477-6967.

Grand Pacific Resort Management values its owners and supports efforts by the American Resort Development Association Resort Owners Coalition (ARDA-ROC) to help timeshare owners navigate through the secondary market. While some entities are legitimate resellers or rental agents of timeshare inventory, others are not. For additional information, owners may wish to visit ARDA-ROC’s Timeshare Resale resource Center at ardaroc.org/roc/resource-library/default.aspx?id=2645.

Mary Dieckmann
Vice President of Resort Operations
Grand Pacific Resort Management