offer to buy

[paults]

I finally got one of those letters about offering to buy my timeshare for cash. This offer was for my DUNDEE BAY VILLAS TIMESHARE ( this isn't another name for the BWV is it) which I didn't even know I had. "SO "I guess I'll just call the 800 # and sell it for (gee I don't know, I think I can let it go for about $30,000 . NO WAIT I'll take $25,900 CASH). I just hope they don't ask me what I paid for it back when I got it because for the life of me I can't remember.

This offer was from ERA Stroman Real Estate from Conroe,TX with a website for
WWW.TIMESHARELINK.COM

Anyone else get this lucky letter to sell what you don't have?

 

[Shontell_Crawford]

Let me guess...it was only going to cost you $499 for them to sell it for you...paid upfront....but "of course, you'll get it back at closing"....

Sound familiar? Be careful with whom you deal...

Best regards,
Shontell

 

[paults]

Hi Shontell, I havn't replyed yet but when I do I'll tell them to sell it first and then they can take $1000 out of the sale money for closing and send me the rest. How's that?

 

[Dean]

I have bought 2 timeshare through ERA Stroman, one DVC and one Marriott. I find them good to deal with though I understand it's better to buy from them than sell through them. I find they are more willing than most to stand up for the buyer and try to get the price you want. Maybe it's because they've already gotten some of the sellers money, I don't know. I'd buy from them again in a second, actually I'd call them first for many timeshares; but I don't know if I'd sell through them from what I've heard.

 

[Shontell_Crawford]

Sounds like you've got the right idea, Paults...but didn't you say you don't actually own the property - Dundee Bay Villas?

Dean, you know I'm not going to touch the comments about dealing with the other company with a ten foot pole. Public records say it all.

Glad to hear your buying experiences went well.

Kind regards,
Shontell

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Shontell_Crawford
Sounds like you've got the right idea, Paults...but didn't you say you don't actually own the property - Dundee Bay Villas?

Dean, you know I'm not going to touch the comments about dealing with the other company with a ten foot pole. Public records say it all.

Glad to hear your buying experiences went well.

LOL Shontell. Actually I wouldn't expect you to respond to that as you would be in a no win situation. I can tell you that as a timeshare buyer I like an agent that is willing to go look not only for what I want but the price I want it at and not try to talk me into giving more than I've decided. I definitely didn't find that with the regular Marriott and HH resale companies when looking for the 2 Grande Ocean units. I'd never sell or list through anyone that had an upfront fee, no matter what.

As for telling them to take the fee out of the sales price, it doesn't work because they really can't sell that easily or for the amounts promised. Many don't even try to sell much at all and just pocket the upfront money as their "profit".

 

[prncssjas]

I am just curious...does everyone who own a timeshare usually get a letter like this?

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by prncssjas
I am just curious...does everyone who own a timeshare usually get a letter like this?

Emails, letters and phone calls many times multiple in a day. They will offer you more than the developer price and unbelievable rentals. All you have to do is pay the listing fee, usually $399-499 but it can be all over the place. They can be pretty convincing, quoting names of a buyer that have already made an offer. I get 5-10 emails a week from various people wanting me to contact them about buying my timeshare. Getting the same email on different units or listing an 800 number are dead giveaways. I sometimes have fun with them and act interested but stupid, of course sometimes it's not acting, at least the stupid part. When I get the emails I usually just delete them but sometimes I'll respond with a quick sentence or 2 about what I need and end with if they are one of those companies asking for an up front free, just go straight to ........well you know.

 

[prncssjas]

Wow! That's strange...we've owned for two years now and I have never been contacted. Not that I would WANT to sell of course!

 

[OKWKirt]

Paults, I had the same experience you had with the same firm. For a couple years I would get a letter asking if I wanted to sell my timeshare in Thirston (sp?) England. I would just laugh and throw it away since I don't own one there. Finally, I called the 800 number and told them I wanted to sell it even though I didn't own one there. She laughed and said they sometimes code in the wrong resort id number. She then asked if I wanted to sell or buy and I said no. I haven't received anything since. Kinda miss those letters I could laugh at. I do have one I wouldn't mind selling and put the money into my other timeshare but I'm hoping that is one I can trade in future years for some good deals, so I will keep it.