Global Timeshares ,Vacation Property Network, time share resale fraud Orlando Florida

My problem is with the time share resale industry. I am beginning to wonder if there is one credible company out there. In particular, our issue is with Global Timeshare Sales alias Vacation Property Network alias M&R Marketing of Orlando, Florida.

When I was first approached by GTS/VPN, I had owned my timeshare unit about 12 years. With job changes and other life events, my family hadn't used our unit for over 7 years [still making the annual $650 maintenance] and forfeiting the time accrued. I was indeed a motivated seller. Then, the salesman told me my unit was worth $21,000 to a client of his! Almost two years later, $3,345 out of pocket, and a lot of phone tag [song and dance], and still no results!

These are very slick sales people, who prey on honest albeit nave people, promising that they have anxious buyers who are going to offer twice the value of our property. Once they secure my contract fee, I never hear from them again, as my records prove.

These predators need to be taken off our streets, before they steal more money. Our credit card company [Bank of America] couldn't do anything because they said they didn't break any laws. I believe there is a God and there is a hell. I also believe that if the law of our land doesn't catch up with them first, there will be a place set aside for them in hell. Meanwhile, for everyone else out there.. caveat emptor [Latin, Let the buyer beware.] I just wish that we researched better before we shelled out so much money. Westgate Lakes [week 3] time share for sale, CHEAP!

Brief summary:

On December 27, 2006, Oscar Tribeck of Global Timeshare Sales made the initial sales call. He said that he had a buyer for our timeshare, offering $21,600. I immediately agreed to the offer, however, Oscar stated that under Florida state law, they couldn't solicit to sell our property until we were listed as a customer first. He then asked for a listing fee of $1,350 before he could send the information to the closing department. Oscar required payment immediately before the sale was lost to another seller. I was suspicious and did not want to give our credit card information over the phone until I had discussed it with my husband, David. We decided to go ahead with it but were unable to reach Oscar until January 19, 2007, being told he had been on sick leave.

At that time Oscar said the prospective buyer was still interested, but we need to move NOW. He passed me on to his boss, Dylan Bailey, for the closing of our deal. Payment of $1,350 was made by submitting our credit card number, and Dylan advised us to anticipate receipt of an authorization form and 26 pages from the Title department, which we were to sign and return. The closing for our sale to be expected in 45-60 days.

We signed and returned the paperwork upon receipt, then waited in good faith for the results. After 2 months, we started calling Global Timeshare Sales for the status of our sale. Many attempts, but Dylan wasn't ever in the office when we called. When we finally did succeed in contacting him, his response was that they were still investigating the buyer's credit background.

Out of frustration we contacted Bank of America on August 29, 2007, to initiate an investigation of credit card fraud against Global Timeshare Sales. The credit card representative recommended that we draft a letter, create a log of events, and include the results from the last contact with Global Timeshare Sales.

On August 31, 2007, I called GTS for said status report. We were connected with a Tony Smith, representative of Vacation Property Network. Tony said that he had a new buyer, who is offering $23,500. Again, the offer was accepted. Tony then said that the listing cost would be $3,345, to which I replied that we already had paid $1,350 for this service. His response was that he represented VPN not GTS, even though they both share the same office, phone, website, etc. Tony pointed out that this wouldn't cost us anything since the selling price increased by $2,000. Tony subtracted the original $1,350 from our cost, leaving a balance of $1,995.

To close the deal, Tony transferred me to his boss, Jerry Ryan, for payment. Same routine, Jerry said to expect the authorization form and 26 pages from the Title department, which we were to sign and return - closing expected in 45-60 days. The paperwork was received, signed and returned, and we again waited in good faith but to no avail.

On December 27, 2007, I finally reached Jerry Ryan, only to find out the sale fell through again. He claimed that they never received the signed authorization form from us, and that the closing department had tried calling us 11 times and sent mail twice! "Now what do we do?" I asked. Jerry transferred me back to Tony Smith for yet another sales lead!!!

After playing phone-tag with Tony for another 2 months, on February 6, 2008, we asked for the head office manager, Michael Jones. Mr. Jones said he would investigate the matter and call back within the half-hour, which he has not even as of today's date!

One of the features or selling points for GTS/VPN is that they advertise your property on the web "to over 500 million people". Our original sale was never on the website because they already had a buyer, or so they said. The current listing is on their website, but it expires March 3rd. However, if you search for our property in the way that most people would, through E-bay or Google, do not expect to find it. Without the exact website address, it is impossible to locate. GTS/VPN obviously doesn't pay a search engine company to upgrade their search ranking.

Upon further investigation, I found out how they really attract potential buyers, which is by offering, discounted tickets to Disney World at tourist high-traffic areas in Orlando.

The bottom line is, Global Timeshare Sales/Vacation Property Network have misrepresented themselves!! They are seeking and succeeding in doing business in a most disreputable manner, and need to be stopped! We are herewith requesting a full refund of $3,345 to our credit card account.

Your timely attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated - thank you.

Dave
Marseilles, Illinois
U.S.A.