There is a recent column by Malcolm Berko who responds to a question about Timeshare Relief and its services. Admittedly, Mr. Berko’s knowledge and conclusions of Timeshare Relief come from “a quick scan” of the internet. Yet, without any first-hand contact with the company or any of its clients, he decides to denigrate Timeshare Relief, and turns to name-calling using terms such as “pikers”, “quicksalvers”, “quacks” and “highbinders”. We feel that Mr. Berko’s response indicates a lack of knowledge about Timeshare Relief as a company, and limited knowledge of the timeshare industry and the nature of timeshare contracts. Moreover, we feel his judgment of the character of the people within Timeshare Relief is completely unwarranted, irresponsible and ignorant at best.
Proven Track Record of Success & Business Accolades
Timeshare Relief has been in business for over 6 years now diligently helping tens of thousands of timeshare owners get rid of their timeshares. The Timeshare Relief service is designed for dissatisfied timeshare owners, most of whom have already tried and failed in their attempts to sell or give away their timeshares, and want to get out from their timeshare contracts.
Timeshare Relief has an excellent ‘A’ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Inc. Magazine has highlighted Timeshare Relief in its Inc 500 List, and the company has been recognized as a Best in Torrance award winner. Most importantly, Timeshare Relief has been very transparent in the way that we do business, inviting many prominent people in the timeshare industry to come see our operations. All of them leave impressed and understand that the service Timeshare Relief provides does help timeshare owners.
Overwhelmingly, the feedback from people who have used the services of Timeshare Relief has been POSITIVE. The negative comments found online — that Mr. Berko used to form his opinion – primarily originate from those who have not used the service. (There are those with an ax to grind as well.)
Addressing Specific Solutions and Claims
So, let’s address the solutions that Mr. Berko brings to the table by speaking to his three attorney references:
- One attorney, Mr. Berko’s daughter, states that timeshare contracts are way above her paygrade.
- Another attorney (from Florida) recommends advertising the timeshare for sale on the internet. The attorney claims that “buyers were waiting in line” to purchase. This sounds eerily like a line that shady timeshare resales companies use to entice owners to sell. What this attorney and Mr. Berko do not realize is that trying to sell the timeshare is not a unique thought; the statistics of people trying to sell their timeshares and failing are staggering.A person can look on EBay and see the number of timeshares for sale as low as $1, with no bids. Or go to some timeshare resellers and see the sheer number of timeshares for sale.
- The final attorney recommends creating a corporation, selling the timeshares to the corporation, and then abandoning it. This solution could be considered fraudulent, and could lead a timeshare owner into court. Forming a corporation for the sole purpose of dumping a liability or with the sole intention of evading a personal financial or legal obligation could expose a person to civil or criminal penalties.Besides the legally suspect nature, this solution leaves out the important step of acquiring a timeshare company’s approval of the transfer. Timeshare companies are not ignorant to this trick that would effectively cause a loss of maintenance fees and future legal issues. So, many would not allow such a transfer in the first place (Note: allowing the transfer does not waive the timeshare company’s right to pursue future legal action).
Mr. Berko’s advice is faulty and misinformed.
So, to our clients, know that we take great care to transfer your timeshare so that you never have to pay another maintenance fee or special assessment ever again. Rest assured that everyone at Timeshare Relief stands by our service. We are proud of the company that’s been built.
