CONSUMER FYI: Timeshare sellers warned about online timeshare resellers

 CALGARY- Trying to dump that timeshare property you rarely use? Sellers are being warned not to be duped by online timeshare resellers.

Calgary’s Beth Benson was looking to get rid of her timeshare membership, and found an internet company offering to sell it for her. She paid them $800 up front, but two years later the membership still hasn’t sold. Benson has been told she has to pay the company more, to have them actively look for buyers.

“It’s always a new reason why it’s not selling and then they try to get me to buy something else,” Benson complains. “‘Oh well we’ll help you sell it, but we’ll put it on this part of the website, but it will cost you $300 dollars to do it.’”

The Better Business Bureau says this is a common problem, and when companies ask for money upfront, that can be a red flag.

“There’s a lot of companies out there who will not charge you upfront fees either,” explains Sandra Crozier-McKee. “They take your commission once your property’s sold, which is a more normal way to sell property. So find a company that will do that.”

The Canadian Resort Development Association says it’s very difficult to sell any form of timeshare.

“Be very, very cautious and hesitant about companies that require upfront fees in any way shape or form, regardless of what they call those fees,” suggests Jon Zwickel.

He recommends checking with resort managers, developers or owners’ associations, who may be able to put up postings on bulletin boards, websites or in newsletters. There are also licensed resellers in some areas that work exactly like a real estate agent, who work for a commission with no upfront cost.

Click here for more information on the laws of timeshare sales in Alberta.
 

With files from Tony Tighe