Couple: Timeshare closing company takes deeds, then does nothing

Couple: Timeshare closing company takes deeds, then does nothing

By DON DARE
6 On Your Side Reporter

HARRIMAN (WATE) -- If you're not able to sell your timeshare unit, you can turn to a closing company for help. For several thousand dollars, the company will have the title transferred to its name.

However, a Georgia-based closing company called Timeshare Freedom, Inc. took thousands of dollars from a Harriman couple and they say it did nothing for them.

For years, Lucy Pistole and her husband stayed in timeshares in Colorado or Florida, but they grew tired of the fees.

In April, when Timeshare Freedom came to Knoxville, the Pistoles brought deeds to timeshares they own.

"You just turn the timeshare over to them. Then you pay them," Lucy said. "This is the consent to transfer the agreement where they were to transfer the deed."

"You give them $4,000 and the title to your timeshare?" I asked. "Right," Lucy said.

The couple handed salesman Chris Lumbanski their money. "He's the one who filled out all this paperwork. Yes, we gave him our deeds that night and a check," Lucy said. 

The Pistoles expected the closing company to honor its end of the contact.

Lucy said that hasn't happened, though. "No, we still have the timeshare. We have maintenance fees we have to pay, due November the 15th. They have our money and they have our deeds."

6 On Your Side has tried contacting Timeshare Freedom Inc. by email and by phone, but no one answers either way.

Lucy says she's called, too. "Lots of times, I would have trouble getting some one on the phone, but when I would get someone they said they're downsizing."

When the couple signed their papers, they also became members of Resorts International Access Network, or RIAN. It's a vacation club connected to Timeshare Freedom.

"This is where they actually set up people to go on vacations and things," Lucy said. "It's the same company."

Records from the Better Business Bureau show Timeshare Freedom, Inc. and RIAN have "F" ratings with dozens of complaints.

Since the Pistoles sent money to a post office box in Georgia, the post master suggested they file a police report for fraud.

However, as Lucy put it, "$4,300 is gone and we still have our timeshares." She's contacted the Federal Trade Commission and filed a complaint.

If you enter into a contract with a company, hand over a deed, pay money and it does nothing, you have a case.

If you have a consumer issue, call the 6 On Your Side hotline at 865-633-5975.