Help! Timeshare Closing Services Lost Our Check!

[No1HawkFan]

I recently purchased points at OKW through The Timeshare Store, Inc. and Timeshare Closing Services was the closing agency. The transaction went smoothly and TTS and Timeshare Closing Services contacted me throughout the entire process.

The Timeshare Store, Inc. did offer Timeshare Closing Services to be the closing company as they said they have the most experience with the Disney closings. They said, however, that I was free to use any closing company I chose.

I'm sorry to hear your transaction hasn't gone as smoothly as it should. I am sure that Timeshare Closing Services will get your issue resolved as soon as possible.

Any others that had a good exerience with Timeshare Closing Services?

Please post if your issue gets resolved or let us know if it doesn't.

 

[amyah]

Hello everyone,

First of all, thank you to everyone who has responded to this thread. Being that this is the first DVC contract we have purchased, it was very nice to be able to turn to a community of DVC owners who have been through the process before.

Now for the update on our situation...As I posted last night, we had confirmation from the issuing bank they would stop payment on the first check that was lost and then provide Timeshare Closing Services with a Declaration of Loss affidavit for them to return. Upon receipt of the signed Declaration of Loss affidavit from Timeshare Closing Services, the bank would then re-issue a second check.

Timeshare Closing Services promptly completed and returned the affidavit and the bank has re-issued a second check. As I type, my husband has put together another packet consisting of our closing documents and new cashier's check, and has taken it to FedEx for delivery tomorrow.

To compensate for our troubles, Timeshare Closing Services has credited our closing documents the full amount of their services. Being that we did not specifically request any additional compensation, I truly believe the posts here on the DISBoards prompted them to take further action to make their wrong, right.

I know others have posted they too haven't had the best experience with this closing company, and although I did not know we could have gone through another company, my husband was aware we could have, but he felt confident in the recommendation from Pat (of The Timeshare Store) of using Timeshare Closing Services. In the future, if we are in the position of purchasing an additional DVC contract, you can bet we will do our own research on which closing company to use.

All in all I feel Brenda Smith at Timeshare Closing Services has acted on this situation in a timely manner and has thus far tried to mend the problem. Obviously we still haven't closed, however, so I don't know if I'll be quite at ease with everything until the deed is in our name.

I never intended for this post to generate any animosity towards either Timeshare Closing Services or The Timeshare Store. I was truly just seeking the advice of others who might have been put in a similar situation. From my understanding there has already been numerious inquiries at Timeshare Closing Services of others checking on the status of their file. Although what happened to us is an extremely frustrating and unfortunate experience, I want to believe it is an isolated incident and that everyone else's paperwork is in order.

Thank you again and I'll be sure to post when everything has officially closed!

Take care,
Amy

 

[Greysword]

LOL! Ok, so many of our fellow DISers called them, mentioned your issue, and basically let Timeshare Closing know that their service was in jepordy (by the act of calling and inquiring about the status). This propmpted them to get their head out of their keesters and do something Disney-like for you.

I love it when money talks!! heehehehe

Oh, here is their Better Business Bureau link:

http://www.orlando.bbb.org/newsearch2.asp?ComID=07330012001492

 

[JimMIA]

From my understanding there has already been numerious inquiries at Timeshare Closing Services of others checking on the status of their file. Although what happened to us is an extremely frustrating and unfortunate experience, I want to believe it is an isolated incident and that everyone else's paperwork is in order.

I was one of those who contacted Timeshare Closing Services to 1) alert them to the controversy here on this board and suggest that they take whatever measures were necessary to fix it, and 2) to check on the status of my own pending closing.

First, let me be quick to say that all of my dealings with The Timeshare Store and Timeshare Closing Services have been cordial, professional, and efficient. If anything, they have both been ahead of this newbie most of the way.

I sent an email to TCS last night, with a copy to Pat at TSS. Very early this morning, I received a very professional response from Nancy Minigh at TCS acknowledging the problem, advising me they were in the process of straightening it out, and reassuring me that my closing was proceeding normally. Shortly thereafter, I got a nice email from Pat at TSS telling me the matter was resolved.

It's a shame you had to go through all of this, Amy. This whole resale process is frustrating on its best day, and the last thing you needed was more stress in the last leg of it. But hopefully everything is back on course now and you guys can enjoy a great vacation in October.

Good luck.

 

[LauraLea]

Amy,

I was one of those that called today. Per the USPS tracking system, I knew they signed for my pkg on Monday. This our first contract as well and my first phone contact with the closing company. I was pleased with the way my inquiry was handled today. They were very pleasant, prompt and professional in answering my questions.

I did not mention your incident, but was prepared for a long wait for a response due to the volume of phone calls they must be receiving today.

I am so glad this has worked out for you!

Laura

 

[Alexander]

I just wanted to say thank you for everyone here being such a community of friends! We could all run into each other and not even know who we are, yet so many people took it upon themselves to inquire about their own contracts and in a subtle way let the closing company know they knew of a problem that a friend was having. I think it is because of all of you that Amy was able to get her problem resolved in a timely and fair manner. I just think it's really cool that everyone comes together when a friend is in need!

Congratulations Amy and Welcome Home

 

[CarolA]

I am just sitting here thinking the person who ansewers the phone must have been pretty amazed at all the calls!

I am glad they did the right thing. Charging you for a "lack of service" seems a little extreme.

 

[amyah]

I couldn't agree with Alexander's statements more! Without being able to turn to the DISBoards for advice and support, I know this situation would have been 10 times more stressful than it already was. So a huge THANK YOU to everyone here on the boards.

We can't wait until our first trip home in October!

Take care,
Amy

 

[amyah]

JimMIA and LauraLea - I'm so glad to hear you both have had good communications with the closing company and that everything is in order. Here's to a speedy closing for us all!

Take care,
Amy

 

[CharlesTD]

Wow sorry to hear of your problems with this now I am truly glad we have gone directly through Disney for our purchases. If you have this type of problem with resale is it really worth the few dollars extra you may save not in my honest opinion. I hope all goes well and enjoy your vacations for years to come after this.

 

[amyah]

Definitely going through Disney would have been less painless, but we really wanted to have our home resort at one of the Epcot resorts (either BWV or BCV) and we would have had to waitlist with Disney for that. Additionally, since we live in California and we have some fairly "odd" timeshare laws, we would have only been eligible to purchase a contract at BWV or BCV that was originally purchased by a fellow Californian. So, in our case to get BWV or BCV directly through Disney would have probably been more challenging. And we most certainly wouldn't have been able to secure a contract before wanting to make reservations for our upcoming October vacation. Anyways, I'm glad things are moving in the right direction for us and we'll look forward to calling member services for the first time!

Take care,
Amy

 

[kathleena]

Glad to hear that everything has worked out for you! I think they have made up for their error in spades! (and I'm assuming this is still their error - that they have lost the package, I didn't read all of the posts.....).

In this time, as customer service and integrity often makes or breaks a business, it's important to take responsibility for mistakes and make the customers whole and then some.

Enjoy your DVC membership!

 

[JimMIA]

Glad to hear that everything has worked out for you! I think they have made up for their error in spades! (and I'm assuming this is still their error - that they have lost the package, I didn't read all of the posts.....).

In this time, as customer service and integrity often makes or breaks a business, it's important to take responsibility for mistakes and make the customers whole and then some.

Enjoy your DVC membership!

Well...as that great American philosopher, Yogi Berra, said, "It ain't over 'til it's over."

The closing agent has made a responsible first step; let's see how the rest of the closing and "getting in the system" goes. Hopefully it will be fine for all of us.

 

[drakethib]

Hello everyone,

First of all, thank you to everyone who has responded to this thread. Being that this is the first DVC contract we have purchased, it was very nice to be able to turn to a community of DVC owners who have been through the process before.

Now for the update on our situation...As I posted last night, we had confirmation from the issuing bank they would stop payment on the first check that was lost and then provide Timeshare Closing Services with a Declaration of Loss affidavit for them to return. Upon receipt of the signed Declaration of Loss affidavit from Timeshare Closing Services, the bank would then re-issue a second check.

Timeshare Closing Services promptly completed and returned the affidavit and the bank has re-issued a second check. As I type, my husband has put together another packet consisting of our closing documents and new cashier's check, and has taken it to FedEx for delivery tomorrow.

To compensate for our troubles, Timeshare Closing Services has credited our closing documents the full amount of their services. Being that we did not specifically request any additional compensation, I truly believe the posts here on the DISBoards prompted them to take further action to make their wrong, right.

I know others have posted they too haven't had the best experience with this closing company, and although I did not know we could have gone through another company, my husband was aware we could have, but he felt confident in the recommendation from Pat (of The Timeshare Store) of using Timeshare Closing Services. In the future, if we are in the position of purchasing an additional DVC contract, you can bet we will do our own research on which closing company to use.

All in all I feel Brenda Smith at Timeshare Closing Services has acted on this situation in a timely manner and has thus far tried to mend the problem. Obviously we still haven't closed, however, so I don't know if I'll be quite at ease with everything until the deed is in our name.

I never intended for this post to generate any animosity towards either Timeshare Closing Services or The Timeshare Store. I was truly just seeking the advice of others who might have been put in a similar situation. From my understanding there has already been numerious inquiries at Timeshare Closing Services of others checking on the status of their file. Although what happened to us is an extremely frustrating and unfortunate experience, I want to believe it is an isolated incident and that everyone else's paperwork is in order.

Thank you again and I'll be sure to post when everything has officially closed!

Take care,
Amy

While this was an bad error on thier part, it really does sound like they tried to make good on it if they indeed credit you the entire amount for their services.

Hopefully they credited all Fedex fee's, expedite fees, and any other fees that they have as well.

They are the people who did my closings and they did a great job for me.

 

[ColoradoBelle1]

Hi all!
I received my closing papers today by email.
Not from the same brokerage OR title company.
I was wondering if you were given the option to wire the money and fax back the docs?
I have free wiring through my bank, and was a little surprised when my email said that since the title companies bank charged them $12 to receive a wire that I should pay that charge for them if I decided to wire the money.

While I was going to simply send it by mail...since I kinda hate picking up their tab which should be deductable as cost of doing biz for them...I think after reading this thread that I may just go ahead and wire....I guess if I add in the cost of gas driving to my bank and PO....it really isn't that much of a difference

So,anyone else exercise the option to wire and fax? Any problems with that?

 

[JimMIA]

Hi all!
I received my closing papers today by email.
Not from the same brokerage OR title company.
I was wondering if you were given the option to wire the money and fax back the docs?
I have free wiring through my bank, and was a little surprised when my email said that since the title companies bank charged them $12 to receive a wire that I should pay that charge for them if I decided to wire the money.

While I was going to simply send it by mail...since I kinda hate picking up their tab which should be deductable as cost of doing biz for them...I think after reading this thread that I may just go ahead and wire....I guess if I add in the cost of gas driving to my bank and PO....it really isn't that much of a difference

So,anyone else exercise the option to wire and fax? Any problems with that?

Banks typically charge both to send and receive wires. If it is your preference to wire (as I'm doing), I'd expect to pay both charges. In your case, your saving on your end.

 

[ColoradoBelle1]

Hi Jim MIA,
I realize that most banks charge for most any service they can...as do lawyers (for postage even) and, in the old days, credit cards (the ones without the mileage rewards).

But as my momma said, it never hurts to ask. So I asked my bank, in lieu of my being such a longtime and wonderfully bankrolled customer...if they would allow me to wire at no charge, and they said yes. I think these charges should fall into the 'cost of doing business' category and be absorbed by the business, but that's just my opinion.

I just completed my closing from the comfort and privacy of my own home. Took 5 minutes. Now lets see how long it takes to get into the Disney system!

 

[amyah]

ColoradoBelle1 - Our "Instructions to Buyer" document that came with the closing papers stated the following:

"Cashier's Check or Money Order (we DO NOT accept credit card or personal checks) made payable to "Timeshare Closing Services, Inc." are the only forms of payment accepted by our company. ALL payments must be in U.S. Dollars payable through a U.S. Bank."

However, JimMIA is using the same closing company and I know from reading his posts he wired the remaining balance. I wish we would have thought to do that!

drakethib - We were credited the amount of their closing fees; signed the new papers and sent the second check for the new, adjusted amount. We footed the FedEx fee as neither my husband or myself wanted to to haggle over the $20. We felt their handling of the situation was timely and they more than compensated for their error; we were just happy things were once again moving forward.

I tried calling member services today to see if by chance they had our info in the system, but it was after business hours. Darn. I guess I'll have to wait until Monday to see if we're a go!

Take care,
Amy

 

[JimMIA]

ColoradoBelle1 - Our "Instructions to Buyer" document that came with the closing papers stated the following:

"Cashier's Check or Money Order (we DO NOT accept credit card or personal checks) made payable to "Timeshare Closing Services, Inc." are the only forms of payment accepted by our company. ALL payments must be in U.S. Dollars payable through a U.S. Bank."

However, JimMIA is using the same closing company and I know from reading his posts he wired the remaining balance. I wish we would have thought to do that!

That's hysterical. I am wiring my money BECAUSE of your problems!

Like I said, we'll all laugh about this one day.

 

[amyah]

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to post a quick update...we are officially in the system and have booked our first trip "home" to the BWV's! I called last Thursday and we were in the system (~9 business days from the date our paperwork was submitted to Disney), however there was some issue with the reservation system that day that prevented them from being able to check on the availability or book at the BWV. Anyways, I tried calling back again on Friday, but being on the West Coast I have to make sure I plan my calls to Member Services first thing in the morning as I was too late in calling them Friday afternoon. So, we waited the weekend before we could check availability, and after calling first thing Monday morning we were happy to book a standard 1BDR for the dates we will be traveling. Yippee!

Also on Monday, we received our postcards in the mail providing us with our PIN for the website, as well as our New Member Packet information. We are so excited to own a little piece of Disney magic and can't wait for our trip in October.

Take care!
Amy