This week’s Letter from America is not the one originally planned by Gay Hart-Brewer, as usual Irene Parker sends draft copies in advance to the company involved in the article. In this case the company contacted the person concerned with the dispute and we may just have a result. So first a little extra from Europe.
Inside Timeshare has had a number of enquires about Resort Management Direct, this has nothing to do with the running of your resorts, they are in essence what is known as a flybuy company. See the article from March 2016 which explains a flybuy in detail.
http://insidetimeshare.com/what-is-a-flybuy/
Basically a flybuy is a cheap discounted holiday offer which provides clients to resorts for the purpose of attending a sales presentation for either a timeshare or holiday club. These presentations are for a minimum of 90 minutes (if you can believe that), but will usually last several hours and involve the usual high pressure sales tactics.
Failure to attend the presentation will result in either removal from the resort or being billed full price for the accomodation, which may be a couple of thousand pounds. So the moral of the story is beware the cheap deals.
The new “fake” law firm Martin Zabala Abogados, based out of Madrid, is still contacting Palm Oasis owners and stating they have been “APPROVED” by the court in Las Palmas to act for owners of Palm Oasis. They are now using a Spanish mobile number which unfortunately our reader has missed a couple of digits but we publish what we have as it will provide you with at least the start: 0034 6936710
Remember, COURTS DO NOT APPOINT OR APPROVE ANY COMPANY TO CONTACT TIMESHARE OWNERS.
Anfi have again this week been on the receiving end of two more sentences from the Court of First Instance in Maspalomas.
In the first case, the client has been awarded over £26,000 plus legal interest, with their contract being declared null and void. The same court on the following day declared another contract null and void with the client being awarded 15,738€ for the purchase price plus a further 15,951€ as double the deposit paid within the cooling off period.
Two very happy ex-timeshare owners and a costly two days for Anfi.
Inside Timeshare has also been handed a verdict from the Audienca Provincial of Palma de Mallorca, this case goes back to 2016 and involves no less than eight clients of Marriott Resorts.
The court found against MVCI Management SLU and MVCI Holidays SL, for breaches of the timeshare law 42/98. The total amount awarded by the court is 357,481€. when we get the court papers translated fully we shall publish it here.
Now for this weeks Letter from America which has been revised in light of the news that the company had contacted the author.
Seniors (and others) Driven into Timeshare Foreclosure
By Gay Hart-Brewer for Consumer Protection Week
State of Residence: CA
I made a YouTube that was posted above to warn the elderly and the young to be aware of predatory timeshare sales tactics, appearing to be widespread in the timeshare industry, with the exception of Disney Vacation Club.
March 4 – 10, 2018 is Consumer Protection Week
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/national-consumer-protection-week
The Federal Trade Commission has asked us to:
- Plan an event
- Write about it
- Blog about it
- Spread the word
I understand I am supposed to say “alleged” and “in my opinion” but my husband Ed and I know what we were told when we invested in a timeshare. Supported by lawsuits, Attorneys General investigation, Better Business Bureau and internet complaints too numerous to mention, I will offer our devastating timeshare experience as a lesson for all Tuesday if our differences are not resolved.
“You signed a contract,” in essence endorses and encourages the actions of these agents employing tactics that are predatory and criminal. They don’t even deny the lies. When a timeshare agent tells an outrageous lie, instructing the member to call him or her to accomplish something the agent knows full well can’t be accomplished, the member is told, “It doesn’t matter what I said. All that matters is what is in the contract.” It’s a sordid partnership between the sales agent and corporate.
This type of white-collar crime is known as fraud for profit, as defined by the FBI.
Fraud for profit: Those who commit this type of mortgage fraud are often industry insiders using their specialized knowledge or authority to commit or facilitate the fraud. Current investigations and widespread reporting indicate a high percentage of mortgage fraud involves collusion by industry insiders, such as bank officers, appraisers, mortgage brokers, attorneys, loan originators, and other professionals engaged in the industry. Fraud for profit aims not to secure housing, but rather to misuse the mortgage lending process to steal cash and equity from lenders or homeowners. The FBI prioritizes fraud for profit cases.
The actual article scheduled for today has been pulled because someone from the timeshare company reached out to me yesterday, after months of insufferable agony over this dreadful experience.
Part II of What is Elder Abuse will air February 27, Tuesday, with or without my YouTube, depending on if the timeshare company will do what is right, just and honest. We pray it will be a positive article about a positive outcome.
Timeshare bait and switch must stop. Social Media is here to stay.
We may be elderly, but we will no longer be victims.
Thank you Gay, we all hope that the outcome for you is a good one.
Inside Timeshare once again thanks all contributors and readers who contact us with information, it really does help others to avoid many problems. As usual, we repeat our warning, before engaging with any company that has contacted you or that you may have found on the internet, check them out and do your homework. This due diligence will save you more than just money.
If you need help in looking for the information you need, contact Inside Timeshare and we will help you find it.
Have a great weekend.
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