A friend of my recently came across a company called IBD Marketing and was in contact with them regarding selling an RCI affiliated timeshare unit in Orlando, Florida. After offering them a sum about 3k higher than what they had assumed they would be able to sell their timeshare for, they called me for assistance. I was unfamiliar with their organization and decided to do some investigating before giving my friend the go ahead to try to list and sell with them. My first search was a simple Google query for “IBD Marketing”, and I have to say I was mildly shocked when I realized that the first 10 listings were all negative commentary on the company, and not one of the links was to the actual company website itself! That was only the beginning of the bad omens…
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Timeshare has come a long way since the slick, fast-talking time-share salesman. While he may no longer wear a plaid leisure suit, he remains focused on the sale, and will do everything in his power to convert your interest into a hearty commission. Some salespeople talk, talk and talk, and never listen to the client - this way they can give their pitch without getting too close. There’s no shortage of dishonest tactics, some posing questions like “Don’t you think your children deserve better?” or other first-class guilt trips involving family, work, and your personal life. To avoid falling for a trick, pay close attention, never let a salesperson tell you what you want, and beware of the “puke price”.
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I have been alerted after reading on various timeshare forums of a potentially hazardous company known as Timeshare Rescue. Timeshare Rescue is one of several timeshare collection organizations, sometimes referred to as title transfer companies. These title transfer companies often appear out of nowhere, offering owners an exit strategy from their unwanted time share for a fee. These are often the only viable option for individuals who have been scammed out of their money in exchange for unusable and unmanageable timeshares that are worthless on the resale market. Unfortunately, the title transfer company landscape is just filled with corruption in a way similar to the actual timeshare industry, including timeshare resale.
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