Jim Gibson, Meridian Media Group, LLC. you let me down.

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Scott See

Jim let me down.  He clarified things for me.  Here’s the deal.

  1. I can pay not $1164 but a discounted $764 to have them try to sell my timeshare and get me some rentals for 90 days.
  2. After 90 days, I do NOT get my money back, but they will extend my contract so they will continue to market my timeshare for another 365 days.
  3. If I sell my timeshare at the listed price, they refund me my money.

Now here are a few things that strike me odd.

I told Jim, “Let me make myself perfectly clear.  If you promise to return my money after a period of time if my timeshare hasn’t sold, we have a deal.”

To this he said that the Department of Agriculture and Commerce won’t let him do that. 

He must really think I’m stupid.  I’ve studied contract law in a b-law class, and I think you can pretty much put anything you want in an agreement so long as it’s legal.  What he really means to say is…

We want your money, and if we don’t do anything for 90 days, we want the option to continue to do nothing for you for another 365 days.  

But to his credit, he did tell me over and over, that I can call up my credit card company and contest the charge and get my money back.  If I were his merchant account company, I’d pull the plug on their account if they’re using their merchant account in lieu of a refund policy.

Here are a few good ones:

  • They have a “Priority One on points” (rather than weeks) so my sale will be quick.
  • I’ve been “pre-approved for billing.”  (I need approval to give you money????)
  • He guarantees a “bone fide offer within 90 days.”  (Or they have to keep on trying.  Or not keep on trying.)

So I reiterated that once he puts in writing that I get my money back if my timeshare doesn’t sell after a period of time, that we have a deal.  He got all pissy and I hear him tell someone in the background to put me on their “do not call” list.

Jim, I’m going to miss you.  You showed promise.

And it’s too bad.  If you Google Jim Gibson timeshare, you get two results from www.complaintsboard.com and then this blog appears.  If he’d come through for me, I could have given him some really good press. 

Scott

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Jim Gibson, Meridian Media Group, LLC.

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Scott See

Jim,

Please do send me that contract that has what you were telling me over the phone.  I really like the idea of paying you $1,164 for a quick sale, and if you don’t sell my timeshare within 90 days, I get my money back.  That’s a great deal.  If you’re reading this, please send the contract over so I can have something in writing.

Thanks,

Scott

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http://www.buyatimeshare.com/view_ad.asp?ad_id=76489

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Scott See

http://www.buyatimeshare.com/view_ad.asp?ad_id=76489

I’ll give a special deal to anyone who reads this blog.  :-D

Scott

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Meridian Media Group

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Scott See

I just got the following:

From: Meridian Customer Service [mailto:customerservice@mmgroup-llc.com]
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2011 2:09 PM
To: scott@hammock.net
Subject: MMG Sample Services -Jim Gibson

Hello,

Thank you for taking a few moments to speak with me regarding your timeshare. Selling a timeshare does not have to be a stressful event however we recognize you will need support along the way and we are committed to assisting throughout the process with all of the tools you will need to do it yourself. I have attached an outline of the services we offer as well as a sample of our advertising agreement with terms. I appreciate you taking a review of the information and ask that you contact me directly with any questions you may have. I do look forward to speaking with you and hope we can earn your business.

Sincerely,

Jim Gibson
Regional Sales Manager
Meridian Media Group, LLC.
1280 Court Street
Clearwater FL 33756
Phone: 727.230.9735 x214
Fax: 727-451-0899
Email:  customerservice@mmgroup-llc.com
http://www.timeshareadvisormagazine.com
http://supersaverrentals.com
Subscription Link: http://www.meridianmediagroup.com/tam/
Password: Magazine

with the following two attachments: 

 

________________

And I’m replying to this with the following:

Jim,

I think you may have sent me the wrong agreement.  I need the one that includes what you told me over the phone, namely that if you don’t sell my property within 90 days, I get all my money back.

Once I get that, my credit card info is all yours.

Scott

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www.meridianmediagroup.com

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Scott See

I got a call from some lady who pre-screened me and quickly transferred me to Jim Gibson.    Meridian Media Group

 

Here’s what he’s offering:

  • I can list my timeshare for $13.7K for a quick sale, but he recommends starting at $17.4K
  • He has buyers lined up to buy my two weeks listed with RCI at $1500 each for a total of $3K
  • I have to pay $1,164 upfront to cover costs
  • If they don’t sell my timeshare within 90 days, I get my money back.

Sounds Great!!!

Jim Gibson is at
866-722-8958 x 204
727-451-9735 x 204
fax 727-451-0899

Their business license # is TP4161 with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Consumer Affairs.  I assume he’s telling me his license is with the Department of Ag just to see if I’m awake. 

Meridian also publishes Timeshare Advisor Magazine http://www.vacationadvisormagazine.com/ for what little that’s worth.

Needless to say, he started asking about my credit card, the expiration date and all.  I told him that no fool gives out a credit card number to an inbound call.  He assured me it’s safe. 

I made it crystal clear that he’ll get my credit card once I see something in writing.  (And I contact my credit card company to make sure I’ll get my money back after 90 days if he doesn’t deliver.)

He mentioned they sell timeshares to European corporations who want to take advantage of the strong Euro.  I can vouch for the fact that the USD doesn’t go far in Europe. 

He says they offer buyers 4.2% financing.

Sound all like a great deal.

Except, I’m a bit concerned about:

 

He said he can’t proceed without my payment.   I told him that’s not going to happen until I see something in writing.  He’s emailing something over.  I’ll let you know what I get, if anything.

Scott

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More on Monica Reynolds of Vacation Property Services

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Scott See

I found my notes.  This is a good one.  Monica’s real estate license ID is TP4186 and TC 920271 and her address is

7005 4th St. N
St. Pete, FL  97022
800 932-0487

Now, giving me her license IDs and street address is supposed to give her credibility?  And then she lies to me?  Good try.  I’m not that stupid.

By the way, the BBB gives them an F

http://www.bbb.org/west-florida/business-reviews/timeshare-resales-vacant-lot-resales/vacation-property-services-in-saint-petersburg-fl-44001872

Oh, this is interesting, too.  I got this from the BBB site.

Government Actions

On March 22, 2011, the Federal Trade Commission filed a Complaint for Permanent Injunction and Other Equitable Relief against Vacation Property Services, Inc; Vacation Property Sellers, Inc d/b/a Timeshare Experts; and Higher Level Marketing, d/b/a Vacation Property Services; Albert M Wilson; David S. Taylor and Frank M. Perry Jr. Alleging that they engaged in acts and practices that violate the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and the Abuse Prevention Act (Case Number 8:11-CV-00595-JDW MAP) filed in the United States Districr Court Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division.

Some of the allegations against the company include:
-Misrepresenting to consumers that they have a buyer for the consumer’s timeshare property.
-Misrepresenting to consumer that they will quickly arrange for the sale of the timeshare and that the consumer must pay a fee in order for the sale to proceed and close.
-Misrepresenting to consumer that this fee will cover various sale-related costs such as title searches or document processing.

On April 2, 2011 the Judge granted a Temporary Restraining Order and the business is not currently operating pending resolution.

The matter is pending. For more information and details on the action, please contact the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov or (877-382-4357.

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Decided upon BuyATimeshare.com

Posted on May 17, 2011 by Scott See

After much deliberation, I decided to list my timeshare with www.buyatimeshare.com.  I spoke with Chris Turcotte (a.turcotte@buyatimeshare.com) and now my 50,000 points is officially listed as ad # 076489

http://www.buyatimeshare.com/Raintrees-Whiski-Jack-at-Whistlerview-Whistler/Whistler-British-Columbia-Canada/Ads/76489.htm

Chris impressed me as a straight shooter that would do a good job selling my timeshare for me. 

Christopher Turcotte
Customer Service Manager
800-882-0296 Ext: 7105
Buyatimeshare.com

I’ll keep you posted. 

Scott

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vacationsbuyowner.com

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Scott See

Sorry it’s been a while since I’ve posted.  I got a bit discouraged.  But I’ve got an interesting one here.  I called www.sellingtimeshare.com and spoke with Monica Reynolds, (800) 932-0487 .  I forget her name.  Of course I got the same spiel, I pay $600, they list my timeshare, and a refund policy as follows:

  • Our refund policy states this is a one time fee with a 7 day right of rescission from the date your advertisement is listed.  It is only refundable if your property is sold or rented any other way within 10% of the original price upon proof of sale or rental.

Note the “within 10% of the original price.”  That’s such a scam.  I’m sure 99% of people list their timeshare for way more than it’s worth.  And then come down in price to come close to reality.  So if someone lists a timeshare for more than 10% over what it eventually sells for, there’s NO refund.  In other words, the refund policy is WORTHLESS.  Absolutely worthless.

I point this out to her.  She said, “This is required by Florida state law.  State regulators tell us what we put in the terms and that’s what we have to do.”   I’ve been lied to, but such a brazen lie is insulting to me.  I’m not stupid.  I took B-Law in business school.  I know you can put anything in an agreement.

I asked to speak to the manager.  Albert Wilson (timeshare1979@hotmail.com)*  clarified things that only paragraph 5 is required by law.

  • Pursuant to F.S. 721.20(9)(a), the ratio of the number of timeshare interests listings for sale versus the number of timeshare interests sold by Vacation Property Services is zero for each of the previous two calendar years.  Because Vacation Property Services is a For Sale By Owner timeshare advertising company, it does not obtain, track, or keep records of sales resulting from its timeshare property advertisements.

*I think I’m wrong about the name of Monica’s manager.  This is the name in her email albert wilson [timeshare1979@hotmail.com].  So why is Monica using an email address that says Albert Wilson?

Now that I believe.  I wouldn’t not want to advertize that my company sells ZERO timeshares unless I was legally bound to divulge this telling piece of information.  ZERO.  Squat.  Nada.  You get the idea.

So Vacation Property Services can’t track sales?  That’s another lie.  Of course they can.  Wow!

Company information8-4-09 That’s the document they sent me.

 

Toll free (800) 932-0487 O Local (727) 490-5200 O Fax (727) 490-5203
Website: O www.sellingtimeshare.com O Email: info@vacationsbuyowner.com

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Give Back Time Share

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Scott See

https://www.givebacktimeshare.com/

They are very aggressive with their Google AdWords remarketing.  What that means is when I go to web sites, I see the Give Back Time Share all over the place.

I spoke with Antoine Ayers. (sp?)

They offer an Webinar to introduce their service.  20-30 minutes.  I asked if they help sell, or if they just help you get rid of the timeshare.  All they to is help you get rid of it.  I can do that with a simple letter to Raintree.

He said 95%  of the companies out there won’t take back the timeshare.

I asked for a recommendation, and he said they have a corporate account with www.timesharepartners.com  A+ rated with BBB according. He’s emailing me info on that.

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Mark from buyatimeshare.com called me again.

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Scott See

I must admit I only heard a fraction of what Mark said.  He went on and on about how great buyatimeshare.com is and how horrible everyone else is.

I did hear him say that sellmytimesharenow.com is another big player in the industry, but their focus is on owners.  Mark makes a good case that you really want to sell though a company that courts the buyers.

Another ten minutes went by of me catching up on email while he rambled on about all sorts of stuff.  I said the appropriate “uh huh” from time to time.

Then I told him I need some guarantee or money back guarantee.  He started in again.  Something about it being illegal, “they” won’t do it, the lawyers won’t do it, and on and on.  I find this a bit insulting.  “They” can do whatever they damn please.  I asked to talk to “They.”  I told him the owner can write in to the contract that if my timeshare doesn’t sell in six months for at least $5K, I get my money back.  Mark has assured me that I should be able to get this much, so why not put it in writing.  So, he said he’d fire off an email to the owner.  I told him to think outside of the box if he wants to close this deal.

I’ll let you know what he comes back with.  :)

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