Zipping up Flame Suit - possible controversial comments
I have been browsing at least three
DVC forum boards for the last 3 months regarding DVC, and purchasing.
I have only seen one really negative comment on the Dis regarding TTS which had any merrit in all that time (IMHO). It was an unfortunate incident in which the buyer ended up wasting about 2 months on a contract that he eventually had to walk away from, the issue was regarding the seller in the process of divorcing, and the notorization of the documents. TTS MAY have been able to be more proactive for this client, and it perhaps did fall through the cracks, but going from that thread, I believe TTS did step up to the plate, just a little late (maybe). The disboards allowed this thread and discussion, it was not censored to my knowledge. I also read on another board about a 'non negotiable' contract that was for sale by someone at TTS, but its debatable whether or not you would consider this bad service.
I do think that if people have problems with a resell company, they certainly relay it back here on this board. Overwhelmingly, the comments about TTS are very, very positive. I will also say, I have never heard anyone say anything bad about Jaki and ****, a competing resell company that is not a sponsor on this board. The Dis allows us to give them glowing reports, and non of my positive comments about this resell company have ever been edited.
I think it VERY, VERY important to use a good broker when buying resell for the first time. Its a learning process, and if you learn it from somebody you trust, its a safe way of doing resell. I would highly recomment Jaki and **** or TTS for first time buyers, I would tell friends to AVOID GMAC if its your first time purchase.
Here is where I am going to say some potentialy inflamitory comments. Please remember this is just my opinion based on observation of resell threads in the last few months, ymmv.
I dont believe GMAC is a very good company for a newbie to deal with. Here is the basis for my dislike. In the past few months I have seen MORE THEN ONE newbie trying to purchase a resell contract that gets ROFR'd. The person states 'my broker thinks it will get through', its always a very bargain basement dollar deal, and it gets eaten by Disney. They then quickly get another contract from GMAC, and the offer is more reasonable, and they make it through ROFR. My personal opinion - the broker is getting two commisions for the price of one, Totally taking advantage of the buyer.
You can argue that the broker is just trying to get the buyer the very best deal, but I dont agree with that point of view. I think they are taking advantage of a first time buyer. Why put together a deal that has a very limited chance of making it through, unless the buyer specifically requests - I want the best deal possible and I dont care if I have to try two or three contracts? Does the broker say that to the newbie, its a heck of a deal, but it probably wont make it? NOPE. They tell them they think it will make it.
GMAC also has hidden costs -- the buyers fee of 195 or whatever it is - TTS and Jaki and **** dont have any buyers cost. Also, this is a beauty - when you pass ROFR, and you move on to Estople, Gmac will ask you, do you want a FULL title search? If you do, its going to cost more... (WHAT????)
Also, GMAC does not keep you as informed of the process along the way, many people have no idea when or if they have passed rofr. I have also heard of contracts that were 'forgotten' to be faxed, or somehow misplaced. And right now there is a Dis user who is asking questions because her ROFR contract, the Final contract, and her original DVC all have different spellings of names, and they are worried it will cause problems down the road with member services. I have no idea if the company she is dealing with is GMAC, but I will say- I bet you dollars to donuts she is NOT dealing with Jaki and **** or TTS.
I understand, (and I could be wrong) that GMAC is the company that Disney refers DVC members too if they want to sell their DVC ownership. I would never in a million years sell my DVC through GMAC. Why? because they dont really care about 'fair market value', they just want to move contracts. The 'buyers fee' often gets saddled on to the seller. If you look at the ROFR thread maintained by Donald, the very cheapest deals are GMAC, thats not good for the seller.
Who is GMAC good for? They are great for the DVC VET who is looking to get the best deal possible in purchasing resell. (And there is nothing wrong with that either) The Vet knows the ropes, is willing to risk several ROFR's, knows the process, and when to call to follow up on the sale. The Vet knows what the market is at, and can decide themselves if the contract is likely to pass, borderline, or a steal of a deal. The buyer actively makes the decison and the risk factor themselves, not relying on the broker to 'guide them'. They know to force the buyer fee on to the seller in the contract, and any other concerns.
Like I said, this is just my opinion, and I have not been around for very long. But, I have read just about every resell thread out there in the last few months, and these were the observations I made from them. YMMV
through the Timeshare Store and have been very, very happy with their sales and service. We've never met our agent personally, but have recommended both him and the Timeshare Store to many folks. 
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