Opinion: Not Desperate Enough to be a Crook?
November 4, 2009 — Sometimes I wish I was a crook or didn’t have a conscience because I’d be a lot richer than I am today. I’m one of the ones that got laid off early this year when timeshare sales went south, and it’s been rough finding a job that pays anything close to what I was getting before. But if I was a crook, no problem, I could just join up with one of the bogus resale or vacation club outfits (or start my own) and get rich as Croesus.
There’s an article in the Palm Beach Post from Oct. 30 about the proliferation of timeshare scams, especially resales, since the “troubles” started, and some of those people really need to be in jail the way they’re ripping people off. Here’s some of what it says:
Since January 2007, the Florida Attorney General’s Office has received 7,325 timeshare resale complaints, peaking in September with 629. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has received more than 3,345 such complaints.
Florida Attorney General’s Office spokeswoman Sandi Copes said the agency has at least six active investigations into timeshare companies, all related to allegations of deceptive practices.
Usually by the time investigators find out about the unscrupulous telemarketers, they have moved, Velez said.
“They will have spinoffs, then another and another. Sometimes, they will start with one room, and they may end up with 15. I see it all the time. I have seen their books where they are making $50,000 to $100,000 a week in disgusting dirty rooms with blacked-out windows. Some are nice, but nine out of 10 are hiding in some dark, deep corner of a plaza,” Velez said.
There’s a lot more information in that article and all of it makes me disgusted, you’ll just have to read it yourself. [Link provided by editor]
Us in the business have always known what a rip-off most of those resale companies are that charge upfront fees like that and we complain about them, but I guess some of them are crying all the way to the bank if that article is any indication. Even the big resale companies that can afford to be lawyered up are ripping people off, IMO, they’re just better at it. So that’s why I say I wish I was a crook sometimes, or didn’t mind ripping people off.
But I’ll just keep selling a solid timeshare program where people get value for their money, as soon as I find a new ts home that is. Maybe I’m just not desperate enough to go that far south.
Thanks for the opportunity to vent.
Signed, “Anonymous by necessity”
Orlando, FL
NOTE: We invite you to write to us. Clear, brief letters on a single subject are most likely to be published. Those selected might be edited for spelling and brevity. Please include your full name for publication, and a phone number or email contact in case there are any questions about your letter. If you wish for your name to not be published you must tell us so, and your wish will be honored. However, we must be able to confirm the source of the letter for our own knowledge and to protect others against possible fraud or malicious intent. E-mail your letters in e-mail or MSWord.doc format to info@insidethegate.com
Related posts:
Email This Post
