Anyone heard of Owners Advocate?

[Bigdaddy117]

I bought a timeshare in August from Westgate Myrtle Beach. A big part of the deal was Interval Internationals Get Away weeks. You are buying discounted weeks that other members have put out for rent. As of yet we have not been able to book anywhere, at any time. I'm trying to prove breach of contract and am working with a company called Owners Advocate. I signed on Nov 1st and they sent me a package to start cancelation. So far Westgate still billed me November 20th. The Owners Advocate has a AAA Better Business Bureau rating. Has anyone heard of or dealt with these guys. BTW this forum seems more fair and unslanted then some of the other ones.

[jeffrey]

Never heard of them but I would think twice, three times and then again before I would use them. They break the basic rule of NO UPFRONT FEES - they charge $299 to $999 for their services which should be a huge red flag. Upfront fees is like throwing more of your hard earned money away.

Other timeshare forums do not say good things about them with them self promoting on the sites - that is never a good sign either. My advice would be to stay away from them.

[Bigdaddy117]

Jeffrey, I've allready signed on with them as of 10/30/08. So far, so good. I spoke with The Owners Advocate today about Westgate continueing to bill me. They said they are in the middle of preparing my case wich will be sent to Westgate, Federal Trade Commision, and The Attorney General of SC. They said my case should be sent out by 12/15/08. In the mean time, the owner of the company reviewed my contract and pointed out to me a clause that direct withdrawl can be cancelled by written notification. Westgate has now broken the law. Long story short, I called Westgate and told them this and they said they would stop payments coming out of my account and credit me last months payment.
I'm going to give you guys a blow by blow account, and if it works everyone on this forum should call them. Don't do it yet, let me be the guinea pig. - Wish me luck

[jeffrey]

They have some pretty bad reputations for spamming on other timeshare forums -- and I'll restate again, upfront fees with timeshares is a disaster waiting to happen no matter what anyone says.

[sanleong]

I had being doing some research about The Owners Advacte and to tell the true, I rather prefer to lost the timeshare and ruin my credit than give away 1000 bucks more.... I read the contract of this company and there is no reference in it that will actually compromise them to end your contract... what they promise is that they "Generate the required documentation to effect the termination of you timeshare".... Can someone explain to me what does this mean? Also there is a line in the warranty paragraph that mentions that they will end the contract....but they don't specify if this reference is for your "timeshare contract" or the contract with them (The owners Advocate)... Another funny thing is that when I asked them to clearly specify "Timeshare Contract" they refused to do it.... So...
$500 upfront... $499 when they complete the documentation....does this sound fishy enough for you? It did for me....BigDaddy117! where a you now?

[sean@timeshareadvocacyint]

I agree with Jeffrey. Would you pay up front to sell your house or your car. No, of course not. There are too many companies out there that are preying on the emotions of those who have been scammed. I used to work in the timeshare industry in sales and I can assure you that 6 out of 10 owners that I met with had fallen prey to this type of scam. My job was to convince you to purchase points if you were a fixed week owner or more points if you already owned points. Either way, the answer to solve your problems was to buy more points. Timeshareaide will give you more information.

[azeporo]

BigDaddy
Just wanted to follow up. How is it going? Were they able to help? How much upfront did you have to pay?

[Birdie]

I was taken by some timeshare resellers last year. Bastards took $1500 of our money, and did nothing. My credit card company would not remove the charges because the crooks sent them 'paperwork'... stuff that I could have made myself on my laptop. They also had no signed contract, but that didn't bother Discover. I got totally screwed. There's a certain group of people in Dunedin FL that I hope roast in hell.

Anyway, my husband begged me to give the owner's advocate a try. I scoured the net, looking for information. Couldn't find much. I did find the BBB report; it was clean a few months ago, and is still clean today.

So, we took another leap of faith. So far, the owner's advocate has sent us forms to send to the credit card companies to stop charges and remove charges made by Wyndham, a list of commonly-used sales techniques that are illegal, took a statement from us for an affadavit, and other stuff that I can't remember. They also asked for a scan or fax of our contract for them to read. We did remove our social security numbers before providing that to them, but they did not mind. They have indeed sent our affadavit and complaint to Wyndham, because Wyndham is calling us nonstop (we let the answering machine have it), and they sent something to us via certified mail; we haven't picked it up from the post office yet.

Basically, everything seems to be pretty professional, with one exception... I can't manage to get anyone on the phone. I have questions, but all I can do is leave a voice message, and my call is not returned. This is the first sign of fishiness, although they have kept in touch, more or less, via email. I just can't have a thorough discussion via email!

I know this is my first post here, and I know many of you will be skeptical. But I will try to remember to post from time to time to let you know what's happening, whether you believe me or not. I'm not in the habit of lying, but there's nothing I can say here to convince anyone. I just hope that my story, however it turns out, will be informative. It'll either inspire folks to try the owner's advocate, or expose the owner's advocate as ripoff artists.

I really can't afford to lose another $1000. But DH was quite insistent. I hope my money isn't lost, but if it is, and I tell folks here and can keep 100 other people from wasting $1000, then I guess my loss would be worth it. At least, that's what I'm telling myself.

[Bigdaddy117]

Sorry I haven't updated in a while. So far Owners Advocate has gotten Westgate to stop billing me. My case seems to be stalled. Someone emailed me their case is going the same way. I was also having trouble getting through to Owners Advocate, but as I was writing this they called me with an update. When they do call back they are very helpfull.The update was that my case and several others were sent to the South Carolina Attorney General. Westgate is stalling and they are hoping for a resolution soon. My question for Maggie R is when did they get you out of your contract? Anyway, as soon as I get news or updates I will post. I like what Birdie said, We'll either be the Owners Advocates biggest fans, or expose them for more lies. Obviously I'm hoping it works out.

[Jill T]

I am new to this site, but this is the most promising news I have come across. The resale companies are as dirty as the timeshare companies and I just can't afford to keep this money pit. I will look into the owners advocate further and will let you know if I hire them.

[LadyLove]

Hey Guys,

I have signed up with The Owner's Advocate and everything so far so good. I am in a dispute against Wyndham. It took Owner's Advocateless than1 week to prepare and send my paper work. Right now the resort has 30 days to respond. To my response the resort has been trying to contact me. So hopefully this matter will be over soon. I will keep you posted but so far everything is so far so good.

[brently]

I am new to this forum and contacted owners advocate today talked to a Karin, I have been taken twice in the past trying to get out of my wyndham resort time share also. Any good or bad about OA is appreciated as i am doing my due dilengence to make sure i do not get ripped off again.

[jeffrey]

I will say this time and again - NO UPFRONT FEES - you're just asking for trouble if you avoid this advice and any reputable company will accept payment after the deal has been concluded.

[MsCy]

Hello,
Does anyone have any updates on the Owners Advocate yet? I know that they say 60 to 90 days. I would like to have a discussion with some people that have actually finished the process. I am tempted and so far the information on the discussion boards seem very helpful. I know that you shouldn't pay for things upfront but in this case, I would rather take the chance.

[caroline]

I "upgraded" with Wyndham Smoky Mtns but had to take more points to get there. Now my monthly payments total $999.27. That's more than my house payment. I called Wyndham Financial and they offererd no relief but told me how to stop my bank draft. I have mixed emotions about my credit rating...I can save the $1,000/mo for something if I need to. What can I expect to happen since I've stopped payments and to those of you who had success w/the Owner's Advocate....did they keep your credit from being ruined? Should I worry about the credit? Thanks so much....

[Martin]

Has anyone used The owners advocate for canceling your contract with Royal Holiday. Did you get any money back?

[jeffrey]

I would be very careful with this company and read the fine print. Here is a statement from the company from a complaint on another site (bold emphasis mine):

As clearly stated by the terms of the contract between The Owners Advocate and the above mentioned client, The Owners Advocate is to compile and produce the necessary documentation in order for the client to pursue a contract termination between the client and his/her Timeshare Company. These services are in addition to the various free services that were provided to the client from The Owners Advocate. In regards to The Owners Advocate’s refund policy, if these conditions are not met, the client is then entitled to a refund. In the above client’s case, all required terms of the contract were met, thus, no refund was provided.

In this response they clearly state that you are paying for documents, not to get rid of your timeshare.

[galofurdrims]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this but I have read all your posts and i must say, they have been very helpful. I was just wondering if those people who've worked with The Owners Advocate got anywhere with them? My hubby and I are considering them but we want to be sure we dont "throw away our hard earned money" AGAIN! your posts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

[spring09]

Hello everyone,

I have followed this thread for a while though this is my first post. I, too, have hired The Owners Advocate. They started working on the cancelation of my timeshare contract for more than two months now. They handled the case and responsed to questions politely, professionally until recently I found it is so hard to get hold of any of their staff at TOA. No calls returned, no email replied. I feel I am completely stuck.

Does anyone know how to make the credit card company take their obligation to protect consumers and put the timeshare purchase into dispute ? I was rejected after I filed billing error regarding my purchase of the timeshare.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Vera]

Beware of any upfront fees--beware of a business that does not operate from where it claims to operate--beware of anyone who used to work for timeshare companies--beware of a company whose employees use fake names.

[jeffrey]

This is a note I received from a reporter looking into Owner's Advocate:

What I find particularly interesting is that the Better Business Bureau in CA told me that they have had 1,600 inquiries nationally about this company this year alone, and 1,900 last year. The media person I spoke to, says this is an incredibly high volume for one company.

I think this shows that you should stay as far away as possible.

[timesharejunkie]

This is just another one of the many scams that are out there. Don't waste your money.

[ADominici]

Do not use this company!!! I wasted $1000 on them and recieved forms from them via online within the first couple of weeks. It has been almost one year now and this company has not done anything. the would not answer my calls, would hang up on me, did not follow up, and always had an excuse for my mis-treatment as a consumer. I ended up getting harrassing calls from creditors as The Owners Advocate promises wont happen, and I spent another $1000 in getting a different creditor to help me with my time share. It is still on my credit report. the Owners Advocate then claimed that my success was due to them when it had nothing to do with them. My success with getting my case closed with my time share was due to me going through a different company.
Note*** I recently got a call from a reporter since I reported the Owners Advocate to the BBB and the reporter is claiming they are a fraudulant company and are all using Allias names. Someone working for them left the company and is reporting them as a non-existant company that is stealing consumers money!!!!!!!

[jeffrey]

OK, Now I have no hesitation in telling you to absolutely stay away from this company (although I think I made it clear before it wasn't worth it). They have been writing false positive good reviews for the company on this website using different usernames from the same person. I would take all positive comments made in this thread about this company with a huge grain of salt and not waste your money with them.

[timesharejunkie]

OK, Now I have no hesitation in telling you to absolutely stay away from this company (although I think I made it clear before it wasn't worth it). They have been writing false positive good reviews for the company on this website using different usernames from the same person. I would take all positive comments made in this thread about this company with a huge grain of salt and not waste your money with them.

It's a bad sign when a company has to make up fake accounts to try and sell you on it.

[justfun]

Jeffrey,

I'm at a lost now on how to get out of my timeshare after reading this post. I did a search on Owners Advocate after talking to Karin from Owners Advocate and stumble onto this post. I thought I had found my answer to this trap. When talking with her she had guaranteed that if we didn't get out of our contract with Westgate Resorts, the $999 was refunded. What, another to good to be true scam?

I'm leery now of signing up with this Owners Advocate and losing more money.

[jeffrey]

Jeffrey,

I'm at a lost now on how to get out of my timeshare after reading this post. I did a search on Owners Advocate after talking to Karin from Owners Advocate and stumble onto this post. I thought I had found my answer to this trap. When talking with her she had guaranteed that if we didn't get out of our contract with Westgate Resorts, the $999 was refunded. What, another to good to be true scam?

I'm leery now of signing up with this Owners Advocate and losing more money.

I do not trust this company at all due to the amount of spamming they have done in these forums. Having false accounts making up good reviews of your company is not what I consider ethical business practices and shows they have no problem making things up and deceive to make themselves appear better.

If they really are as great as they say and will refund the money, make the following proposition with them. Place the money into an escrow account which you will pay for and as soon as you are rid of the timeshare, they will get their money. That way if they don't, you're guaranteed to get your money back.

Take any "guarantee" with a huge grain of salt. All these companies will make that claim, but once they have your money, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to get it. You want to see that guarantee in writing in the contract clearly and easily spelled out - something you will rarely find (if you can't understand the guarantee 100% due to all the wording, it's worthless)

My advice would be to stay away from them.

[spring09]

Jeffrey,
First of all, thank you for your support to us timeshare VICTIMS ( not an exaggerated word being used here).

Regarding the Owner's Advocate's advertisement everywhere, I have asked one Rep at the company before I retained the company to cancel my timeshare contract. I , too, noticed their ads even displayed on the forums that seemed to have strong hostility against TOA. The answer was: They paid for Google advertisement. As a result , when people do Google-searching for " TIMESHARE something". TOA's aids would appear wherever the word TIMESHARE comes up.

[Kate M]

Hello, my name is Kate Morgan and I proudly work for The Owners' Advocate. Every day I assist frustrated timeshare owners in getting rid of their timeshare money pits. Many people come to us in anger after being taken advantage of by timeshare companies and the resell companies. We guarantee our services - 100%! The fact that we have had so many inquiries to our BBB site is because we refer callers to this site on a daily basis.

I welcome questions, comments and constructive criticism.

Kate Morgan
The Owners' Advocate
866-644-7776 x 250

[jeffrey]

Kate,

Can you please explain to everyone why your company has been making multiple accounts praising your company pretending to be individuals that were working with your company in these forums? It's something that I don't personally appreciate and this deceptive practice is something that should concern anyone that might have interest with your company. I would also like a personal apology from your company for doing these things in these forums.

[timesharejunkie]

Thank you Kate for coming here and offering to answer our questions. You state that "We guarantee our services - 100%!" Please post the standard contract that your company uses that shows exactly where that guarantee is listed so we can see it for ourselves in writing and not have to take your word for it since we have all learned that what people in the timeshare industry say has little meaning if it isn't written in the contract. Thank you.

[Kate M]

Everyone on this forum knows of the pitfalls of timeshares, and it is frustrating for me to know that I work for a company that is trying to effect change while having to read negative posts on this forum. No one likes bad press and it was our thought to create false counteractive good press - wrongly, yes. For these actions, I do apologize, and hope you can except my apology.

The Owners' Advocate exists to assist timeshare owners who feel financially trapped in their timeshare. I believe strongly in my company and I hope to positively contribute to these forums in the future.

[jeffrey]

I'd really hoped that you were sorry for creating false accounts, misleading the readers here and falsely pretending to be average consumers that benefited from your service, but I can now see that obviously this apology is coming only because you were caught and there is absolutely no sincerity behind it.

As you said in the apology: "it is frustrating for me to know that I work for a company that is trying to effect change while having to read negative posts on this forum. No one likes bad press and it was our thought to create false counteractive good press - wrongly, yes."

The problem with this as we both know is that you started to make the false accounts and hyped your service before anyone besides me questioned your company. This wasn't a one time reaction to a few posts, but a long term policy at your company from what I could see when I discovered you were creating false accounts. I didn't just have to take down a couple of posts after people started to question your company, but false posts at the very beginning of this thread where the only person questioning your company was me because you charge an upfront fee which is always a red flag in my opinion. You weren't only posting to counter activate negative posts - you systematically decided to create false accounts from the beginning. Since you are fully aware of this and so am I, your apology rings extremely hollow and self serving. I have no doubt that the only reason any of this is taking place is because you were caught - there was never any reflection at your company that deceiving the readers here was a bad thing.

Actions speak a lot louder than words - especially in the timeshare industry. You had no problem deceiving people on this forum, only apologized when caught and then made up a false excuse about why you decided to lie. Then after all this you believe that we should trust your company. Why?

[Vera]

Very good work Jeffrey! The truth about this bogus company is starting to come out! Spread the word!

[justfun]

Kate,

So many of us have already been taken by the Timeshare Industry. I, and so many others are smart enough now by doing our research on companies that boast about helping these victims. We just don't want to be taken again!

I'm watching this post carefully because I have contacted your company to see if they can help me. In doing so I did a search on if anyone had heard of Owners Advocate. This forum came up from bigdaddy's post. I'm glad I found it. There have not been many positive things said about your company other than your website itself. Plus I haven't read anything outside your website saying that Owner's Advocate was great and got them out of their contracts with the timeshare company.

I'm not ready to jump it the fire just yet. I've looked over your contract and it's not stated clearly that if you do not get the client out of their contract with the timeshare company you would get 100% of your money back. It does state that you would get your money back if the services stated in section one wasn't completed, such as compiling a case file and documents to the timeshare company stating that you want out of your timeshare permanently.

Jeffrey has mentioned that if the upfront fees were to be put in an Escrow account until the case was settle that would be a step in the right direction.

It's May now, and it's been 6 months since BigDaddy's case had been filed and it looks like nothing has really happened. Plus the comment that Adominci made makes me even more leery to throw my $1000 away.

It’s too bad that your company has done some questionable actions in not being truthful. I think all we really want is the truth, not just more lies.

[jeffrey]

My apologies to those of you who have asked Kate a question. Unfortunately she will not be able to answer as I decided to ban Owners Advocate and their computers from this site after yet another attempt to game the comments. Feel free to instant message me if you have any questions.

[nikmol]

Hi.

I found the board while researching on the TOA.
Just wanted to check if anyone has got any result by using TOA?

Thanks,
Nik

[frontal]

Is the owners advocate real or are they a scam? A lot of people posted that they were happy at the start of the process and then haven't written whether they actually got rid of their timeshare. Are any of the people that wrote earlier now timeshare free?

[Bigdaddy117]

Ok guys, 1st you shouldn't ban Kate M from the threads because this is your only chance to question her. 2nd what is the Timeshare's Trap suggestion on gettting out of a timeshare. You haven't given the posters a clear action to take. Check the BBB website, the last time I checked The Owners Advocate still has a A- rating. Everyone has dealt with timeshare company's and everyone knows the runaround you get from them. So The Owners Advocate has a tough job in front of them. In the reviews on the BBB, people state they have gotten out of their timeshares with The Owners Advocate. The Owners Advocate has gotten my payments to stop. That's $329 a month. It's been about 7 months since the process started. I've saved $2300, minus the initial $1000 I put out on The Owners Advocate. So far I'm ahead $1300 on a timeshare I was swindled into, and I have an organized plan of action and paperwork to back me up if The Owners Advocate turns out bogus. I'm not out yet, but I'm a leg up and more educated on the process of getting out of this timeshare. Jeffrey, please give us a way to get out of our timeshares if you think The Owners Advocate is bogus. Don't just point fingers, come up with a solution.

[jeffrey]

Ok guys, 1st you shouldn't ban Kate M from the threads because this is your only chance to question her..

I agree with you and that is why I let her post even after I had found that the Owner's Advocate had been creating false members to promote their site. They promised to stop. Unfortunately, the Owner's Advocate continued to create false accounts even after being caught and therefore were banned

2nd what is the Timeshare's Trap suggestion on gettting out of a timeshare. You haven't given the posters a clear action to take. ..

That is not true. This entire site was created to help show people that found themselves in a timeshare trap their options. If you look at the front page (http://www.timesharetrap.com), there are a number of actions that timeshare owners can take to try and get out of their timeshare. While doing these may not be easy and all may not work, saying that this site doesn't give clear actions timeshare owners can try is not true.

My job in creating this website is to help people not lose even more money on timeshares that they don't want. Paying an upfront free is a huge red flag and should make anyone with a timeshare have a second thought due to all the scams out there. I don't know if Owner's Advocate is good or not -- that is why this thread exists. I am just voicing my cautions to those as I see it -- and the way they have tried to make themselves look better by creating false accounts along with an upfront fee is one of those things that makes me uneasy. Simply my 2 cents...

[Flawed]

Hello,

I've been reading through the site and I usually don't post in forums because I have a hard time getting my thoughts out on paper as I have so much going on at one time in my head, but here, I felt compelled to put in my two cents. I hired TOA back in October of 2008, they sent me the paperwork fairly quickly. I filled out everything I was supposed to and spoke with a person named Adam who said that we had a good case. My story in short I paid them $1000 over the course of 4 months. After about 30 days I stopped paying on my timeshare as instructed. I received 1 phone call in November from Westgate Lakes and at that time I told them that I had gone with TOA and I told her my story. The lady from Westgate said Ok once I gave her the address and number to TOA and that was the last I've heard from Westgate. My payments were only $368 per month so I've roughly saved $3312 minus $1000 to TOA. I know it's been a while since I've started with them but it feels good to not have that TS payment of so much hanging over my head every month. Oh and my credit has not been tarnished by this at all in the past 9 months, I've checked. I am pretty upset about the length of time this is taking but they're saying that Westgate is causing the hold up. They did however send me the Yearly Dues bill in Jan but I just fowarded that on to TOA and I haven't heard a peep from westgate.
Another gripe that I have is that TOA billed my bank account $31.52 cents recently so I emailed them about it and their response was:

"Thank you for your recent enquiry into the charge of $31.56 assigned to your account. During a recent internal accounting audit it was brought to our attention that several clients had not been charged the transaction fee associated with their purchase. This is not a fee related to services provided to you by The Owners Advocate. Our monetary agreement with you for services has not and will not change. This is strictly a transaction fee charged to you by the merchant account provider (in this case Pay Pal). We have no control over this charge and are merely passing the fee along to you on PayPal’s behalf. These fees are typically 3% of the total purchase price of goods and/or services and are charged by every company on any transaction made with a credit card as part of affording you the ability and protection associated with a credit card purchase under the Far Credit Billing Act (FCBA).



We apologize if this charge came as a surprise or inconvenienced you in any way and we again thank you for your patronage. If I can be of any further assistance please contact me directly.":confused:

Copied and pasted from my inbox and I'm currently in talks with Paypal to see if this practice is allowed. I thought that charge was supposed to go to the merchant not the consumer. But then Paypal is a beast in itself.

I for one have never had trouble getting in touch with TOA by phone or email. Maybe that depends on the attitude you have when contacting them. Would you want to call back an *sshole? Me neither, not if I've already told him what I had to tell them.
The paperwork they have you fill out does take some work and it's not just a thing where you say "Hey I was ripped off, here's a thousand bucks fix it" No you have to do some work and a majority of human beings are well....Lazy.
What do I know huh?

I'm just saying that I'm happy with them so far even though there's been no completed resolution.

One question though, if this site is so pro "don't get ripped off anymore," why are a majority of the advertisements for the supposed sellers and buyers of timeshares who....rip you off?:confused:

That little quick episode with Kate seems real suspect too!
Kate comes on says "sorry for lying to you, we were caught!"
Then she's banished forever. Did that just really happen?

If I'm not banned I'll keep this forum on my favorites and report back whenever I hear something new. If anyone wants to know anything feel free to contact me through this board and I'll do my best to get back to you.


:o This post has not been proof read so please excuse any errors, I don't feel like reading what I just wrote :o .

[spring09]

Hello Flawed,

Thank you for your posting.

Regarding that $31.56, I am in the same boat with you . I just emailed TOA today, have not hear back from them yet.

[resorter]

I found this forum while looking for more information about The Owners Advocate and they have a page on their website about timesharetrap which says:

The truth is that Jeffrey Strain is paid by companies who are in direct conflict with The Owners' Advocate. He will stand to lose a portion of his advertising base and, therefore, income if proponents of The Owners' Advocate voice their opinion on his site. Timeshare resellers and those supporting the unethical practice want nothing less than to see The Owners' Advocate disappear but their attempts at sabotage are very thinly disguised and are being met head-on by The Owners' Advocate and its supporters.

Would you mind addressing this issue and whether it is true or not?

[jeffrey]

Would you mind addressing this issue and whether it is true or not?

Not at all. I do have advertising on this site and all my websites. The income from this advertising allows me to write about personal finances full time rather than as a part-time job. While this site does earn some money, it's very small compared to many of my other sites and is certainly not one that makes a significant impact on my income.

The advertising on this site is delivered by Google Adsense and I don't control the ads that appear. None of those sites that appear pay me directly. Google uses an algorithm that looks at the subject I'm writing about to decide which ads appear. I do not pick and choose these myself and have no advertising agreement with any of the advertisers that appear. It's all done through a third party system at Google.

The Owners Advocate quote you provided implies that I am beholden to these advertisers as they are paying me and therefore I wrote what I did about The Owners Advocate. I guess the best way to show how ridiculous this theory is that I am beholden to these advertisers is that The Owners Advocate is one of the advertisers that shows up. If I really was "paid by companies who are in direct conflict with The Owners' Advocate" one of those companies is The Owners Advocate and I find it hard to believe that they are saying that they are in direct conflict with themselves (although I could be wrong). If it was true that my writing was influenced by what advertisers Google put up and refused to tell my true opinion, then I would have never said anything negative about The Owners Advocate since they are one of those companies that indirectly pays me.

As I have stated many time, my main concern is that The Owners Advocate charges an upfront fee and this is a huge red flag when it comes to trying to get rid of your timeshare. They also made a number of false accounts all originating from the same computer -- when I found this out I deleted those as I consider them to be false testimony since it was coming from the company and not real individuals. When I asked them to stop, they continued so I banned them since I don't have the time to play those type of games. My opinion is simply my opinion. Take it for what you think it's worth.

[nikmol]

Hi.

I have decided to try out TOA (filled out the papers during the weekend).
After I checked on the BBB webpage and also been in contact with Kate, then I decided that I can try it.
I hope that I'll be able to recover the money I paid (we realized that the sales people had exaggerated all the benefits way to much when the sold the timeshare to us).
But it seems like there is a fix fee of $999 and then they also charge a percentage of the money they manage to recover.
I'll keep you updated with my progress.

/Nik

[Daddio]

We signed up with TOA in March. They sent the paperwork, we filed the paperwork. I stopped the automatic payments with my bank, because it's MY bank account, but the servicer is sending me collection letters now. Then this weekend we got a lawyer-letter representing our timeshare to TOA telling us that the contract is legal and can't be broken, and that they will pursue us in court and report our delinquency to the credit reporting agencies.

I promptly emailed TOA asking about it, and haven't heard anything for 2 days. I also asked about the $31.56 charge that I DIDN'T authorize, and got a template email from Heather that it was a transaction fee and had nothing to do with them, but it was a fee from Paypal and they were passing it along.

I called and got Heather on the phone and asked her when and where I had agreed to pay her transaction fees. She replied, "Oh, it's in your contract." I pulled up my contract and asked her where it was. She didn't know, because they are "all a little different." I told her my contract specifically says "for a flat fee," and she said she would pull my contract and call me back.

Hmmm..... I have a Paypal account, and when I sell stuff and people pay me Paypal charges ME the transaction fee because it is MY account. I paid TOA with a VISA debit check card, and if there had been any disclosure of a 'transaction fee' I would have mailed a check.

I hope that I haven't been scammed again, I'm already way pissed about the timeshare spanking. I have decided that they can just take me to court and ruin my credit, I don't care, I won't give those timeshare blood-suckers another dime!!!

Just my feelings on the subject...

[Daddio]

My response from Heather:

Tim,

After reviewing your contract with TOA, it is clear that the transaction fee was waived. I apologize and have refunded your account $31.56 which will post in 12-24 hours. Please call me if you have any father questions. Thank you


Sincerely,
Heather McConnell
Assistant to David Humphrey
The Owners' Advocate

I was expecting another fight, maybe this will work out after all.... we'll see. I didn't respond because I didn't have any 'father' questions...:)

[spring09]

Thank you for the update.

I inquired TOA regarding that $31.56 transaction fees and got the same template email response as well. I have not got a chance to ask further yet. It is nice to know that you get the refund. As least, there is something good to us besides the stress and frustration that timeshare has brought us.

[Daddio]

Secondary update:
I was contacted by Taylor from TOA today, she said that everyone has been getting their standard lawyer-letter to intimidate. She stated that TOA is not a litigation firm, but that they deal in contract cancellation. She also claimed to have a 100% record of contract cancellation. She asked me to forward the lawyers letter to her to place in my file and said don't worry, they can't report us for non-payment because it is in dispute. The only thing they COULD report on my credit is that it is in dispute.

I was impressed that they did finally get back to me with an answer, I just didn't like that it took 3 days. So far, so good with TOA.... I'll keep updating even if its a month or so apart. =)

[spring09]

Hopefully, things will turn out well as TOA has promised us. Good luck to you with the timeshare cancellation !!!

[sean@timeshareadvocacyint]

I have been wrestling with writing this article due to the fact that The Owners’ Advocate website owner has really been aggressively watching every move I make. For the last 5 months, David Humphreys, who claims to be the owner of The Owners’ Advocate, has been in touch with my partner stating that we have been illegal in every move that we have made.I have been silent and have not brought up the issue, but yesterday while doing some online research I noticed that there is a Timeshare Advocacy International dot org site that is now appearing. If you look at the site it is owned and operated by The Owner’s Advocate. Let me tell you that when we first started, David Humphrey’s called my partner at the time and threatened legal action if we did not change our name. He stated that he owned the word “Advocacy”. He additionally stated that we plagiarized his site and wanted us to change everything. I did agree that our wording was close to theirs, so we changed everything.

The part I really find funny is David was so demanding that we change our name, but then he goes and buys and advertises the same name site as our company name. Is this a double standard? Then there is an issue I have with a writer that The Owners’ Advocate uses for the majority of their articles. She is supposedly an investigative reporter, but every article is supporting The Owners’ Advocate and bashing everyone who has tried to get into the industry. What I find really interesting is her latest article she lists two companies as legit, us and of course The Owners’ Advocate. Ms. Bond has been in question for some time, here is a forum entry that questions her intent. The writer of that post is correct in stating that TAG (Timeshare Accountability Group) has nothing on their site. That has been that way since our company started in the middle of January. Makes you wonder??? The last thing I have to say about TAG is, normally when you write an investigative article, you do some investigative research like Mark Silverman who is a writer for the Timeshare Examiner. Read his articles when you have some time…

The other issue I have is that nowhere on The Owners’ Advocate site do they state who the owner is. I only know because of the call David made to my partner. I believe in total transparency and believe that is appearant by my website and blog articles. Just who is running The Owners’ Advocate, and why did they need to start a website URL with our company name?

The last thing I will mention about The Owners’ Advocate is that they have also purchased sites that will come up with advertising when you put in “timeshare advocacy international” without the .com. What on earth is going on? I understand advertising, but when you purchase a domain name because you want to capture some poor timeshare owner who is desperate for help, that is weak. It is time that timeshare owners get together and voice their opinion of what is going on. Remember, David chastised my partner for our use of the word “advocate”. Since then, they have mirrored everything we have done. They mysteriously have a so-called timeshare expert on allexperts.com. The only thing she ever really says is, “you really need a third party company like The Owners’ Advocaye to assist you.” Read Kate Morgan’s articles and you be the judge. That is not help, that is just an attempt to bring people to your site.

See if I am correct. Google “Timeshare Advocacy International” and see for yourself. You will see his company listed with their phone number, but with smoke and mirrors. The person looking for help is not looking for his services, they are looking for our company and being blindly persuaded to go to The Owners’ Advocate.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe that competition is good and needed. I also believe that if you are an advocate, you should act like one and have nothing to hide. Any and all thoughts welcomed!

Just thought you would find it interesting. Try to find who the owner is on the site. If you go to mine, you will see exactly who I am and my ugly mug.

[spring09]

Hello,

Recently, I was charged $31.56 credit card transaction fees (derived from a flat fee of $999 stated in my contract with the Owner's Advocate). After contacting Heather, I got the following response.

"Sorry for the confusion. We ran your credit card through a merchant account provider called PayPal. Anytime a credit card is run the merchant account provider charges a fee. All businesses operate under these parameters. This is a one time charge. Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation."

When I questioned back on July 2, I got no more response. Does her explainatin sound reasonable or acceptable? I know When I bought a TV of $999 at BESTBUY, I only paid for its cost plus tax. I did not pay any credit card transaction fee. The merchant was responsible for that.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

[jeffrey]

As far as I'm aware, the mechant should absorb that expense. I believe it is against the terms of the credit card company for merchants to pass that charge onto the consumer, but since this is going through a third party (paypal) I'm not totally sure what the rules are. I would contact your credit card company and ask them - explain exactly what they said the charge is for and ask if that is against their rules. It certainly is not standard for companies to do that.

[spring09]

Jeffrey,

Thank you for the response. I appreciate it. I am going to make it clear with my credit card company, and PayPal as well.

[nikmol]

Here are some updates for my timeshare cancellation process.
After I signed up with TOA I got in contact with Taylor at TOA.
When is said that it wasn't for sure that I would get my money back from timeshare company, then we decided the put the TOA process on ice (since it wasn't worth to have all the money we put in wasted). So then I contacted Kate and she said that they claim a success is only that they get the contract cancelled, not to get the money back.
But we went so far as the first step (paid the $499 fee and got all the documents, that's when I found out that we might not get the money back). I also got an extra fee, I haven't checked with them yet about that part.
But if they can't give me a good explanation of that part, I'll contact BBB (since they should be in the BBB's list).

[nikmol]

I have one first recommendation for you who wants to try to cancel you timeshare.
This only works if the timeshare company has misled you in some way (I don't think it works if it's only because of financial problems that you want to cancel).
Write down a testimony about what they promised during the sales (also if they misled you etc.). Send this testimony to the timeshare company and demand that they should cancel you timeshare because of misleading information during the sales.

[Flawed]

Hello, Just reporting in. I got an email the other day as follows:
Good Morning,



We have some great news. I just received a phone call from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation in the state of Florida. They have requested all our clients’ information/case files for our clients whose timeshare resort is either located in Florida or purchased within the state of Florida. Additionally, they have requested that we fill out an individual complaint form for each client. Attached you will find your complaint form, please print it out, fill in any information (if you can not remember or have any information its ok to leave it blank and I will fill it in for you), sign and date it and send it back to (**********) as soon as possible so I may again submit your information.



This is very exciting news! We have been able to make great progress in South Carolina, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Hawaii and are hoping to do the same in Flordia .



Thank you for your cooperation in this matter!







Sincerely,

Krystal Miller

Client Services Coordinator

The Owners' Advocate




Attatched was a PDF file for me to fill out and it started:

STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION
DIVISION OF FLORIDA CONDOMINIUMS, TIMESHARES, AND MOBILE HOMES
BUREAU OF COMPLIANCE - TIMESHARE SECTION
Uniform Timeshare Complaint Form Instructions
Complaints must be submitted in writing to:
DBPR – DFCTMH
Northwood Centre
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1032

Basically letting the state of Florida know my intent and asking them for help. I completely forgot about my $31andsomechange charge and I never got back to heather about it, but I will now.
Echoing a previous post, you won't get your money back or contract cancelled if you weren't "Dupped" into purchasing a timeshare and as far as getting your money back, It was optional whether I wanted them to try to get my money back or not. It didn't cost anything extra from TOA, not unless I get my money back and at that point TOA wants a percentage of that. TOA told me that it is "Possible" to get my money back but not certain. At this point I'm happy with not paying the $300+ every month, I'd like the money don't get me wrong but I won't miss it.

And sean@timeshareadvocacyint I believe you may have just been Strong Armed and are being taken advantage of by TOA. What can you do but adapt and hang on. :) Walmart:) does it all the time.

I'll keep you guys posted if something else comes up.

[spring09]

I got the the same email from the Owner's Advocate regarding submitting individual complaint to Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. I was NOT excited at all after five months I have hired TOA.

In Dec.2008, I was talked into buying an Orange Lake Resort timeshare in Orlando. I found out later, many facts concerning the timeshare purchase had been left out or misrepresented. It was only a few days past the rescission period. I did not know I had this period because I was made an impression the sale was final. I tried to cancel the timeshare myself, it was not successful. Since I paid in full of this timeshare purchase with my credit card, the CC Company did not want to put it into dispute; I am facing monthly financial charge now. I am hoping the timeshare contract can be cancelled with TOA’s help, I can get refund, the credit card issue will be resolved, which is what I was told when I signed up the contract with TOA in Feb. Five months has passed. I saw little progress with my case handled by TOA :confused: . It has been very frustrating. On June 18, I , myself, filed the complaint to Florida Attorney General office. To my surprise, the AG in the State of Florida does not handle timeshare complaints. However, they promptly directed me to Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation‏. After I mailed my complaint form to this division, along with the information that I have hired TOA, I got their response on June 25, quoted here :

“Dear Complainant:
Thank you for contacting the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshare, and Mobile Homes regarding your concerns. This letter serves to inform you that we are in receipt of your complaint and that the issues are important to us. Please be assured that we will address each issue in your complaint, and we will be keep you appropriately informed as we move through the process...

Please remain confident that your complaint is receiving the attention it deserves. Once it has been reviewed, an investigator will be assigned who will then be in touch with you by both letter and telephone. Our goal is to assist you to the best of our authority and in a manner that is both timely and efficient.

Thank you again for the opportunity to be of service to you.

Sincerely,

Shelia Fields, Administrative Assistant II
Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, & Mobile Homes
BUREAU OF COMPLIANCE
400 W Robinson St, N908, Orlando, FL 32801 407-317-7226, 407.317.7230 (Fax)"


I am not sure if this is a coincidence with the email from TOA which came to me on July 10. At least, we saw some movement with Florida cases. I am planning to file my complaint to BBB in Florida, as well. I searched their website found some useful information. I believe if general public interest is involved, or in certain cases involving a large number of consumers, such as a class action, it definitely helps cancellation of the timeshare contract. This is possibly how TOA runs their business.

[spring09]

Hello,

Has any of you received a response from Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation after TOA filed the individual complaint for us?

If you got your timeshare contract cancelled with the help of this department or TOA during the past six months, please respond.

I just wished to know if we still have some hopes :confused: Let's help make us, poor Florida timeshare owners, feel better with any good news from any of us.

Your update would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[Shiny]

Hello to everyone. I am a new member of this nice forum. This is my first post here.

I hired The Owners Advocate (TOA) in May 2009. They charged me $999 and promised to cancel my timeshare contract with Westgate Resorts within 90 days. Nothing has happened so far.

I agree with other posters that TOA Customer Care do not answer phone calls at all. I also find out the following negative facts from BBB's search result and TOA's website.

1. TOA recently moved their office from Santa Barbara California to Nashville TN. They did not notify any client. Why?

2. BBB downgraded TOA rating to C-

3. BBB's three reasons of TOA's poor rating:

---> length of time business has been operating
---> 8 complaints filed against business
---> 2 serious complaints filed against business

3. TOA is not the BBB accredited business any more.

4. Scott Davidson is just a fake name (alias). The real name of TOA's founder and president is David Humphrey.

I hope that TOA is a legitimate and ethical business. However, I become skeptical and worried that my $999 may be a waste.

Please check out TOA's updated website and click on "About Us". TOA talks about "Banning BBB". Sigh ..... Please share your thoughts and advice. What shall we do?

[Shiny]

I just receive an email reply from Krystal Miller. Her signature line shows that she has a new title as "Director of TOA Resolution Group", instead of Customer Care Coordinator.

Although TOA advertises its guarantee of "100% refund if the timeshare contract is not canceled", I have very serious doubt about TOA's refund.

Krystal interpreted "the $999 charge" as TOA's cost of preparing and mailing letters to the timeshare company, federal trade commission and the specific state's real estate division. That's all they can do for us (the TOA clients).

Krystal also acted in somewhat sneaky manner. She would not talk about the "timeline" of how long will take TOA to achieve the contract cancellation. In other words, she and TOA keep the clients hanging in the air for the indefinite period of time.

Westgate's lawyer sent letters to TOA clients on June 26, 2009 with accusation agaisnt TOA. The letter stated "You (TOA) have deceived your clients with your false and completely unattainable promise to relieve them of legal obligations arising under contracts they have signed. Your actions and misrepresentations are tantamount to fraud. You are a charlatan, not a lawyer, and you should not be victimizing these people with your false promises".

My biggest fear is that TOA may lead all of us (TOA clients) into the deeper and bigger troubles.

I don't know whether I shall retain an attorney to file a lawsuit against Westgate, so that the contract can be legally rescinded through court's judgment. There is an attorney asks for $2,500 retainer.

Any advice? Thanks.

[spring09]

I fully agree with what Shiny has said. I have noticed all those changes as well. I feel we are given an indefinite period of time. Can anybody else share your valuable experience with us ?

Shiny, did the attorney you talked to guarantee your timeshare cancellation? If so, it may be worth trying. It all depends on how much you can get back from the timeshare/resort, I think.

I've contacted quite a few agencies myself, including AG in my own state of Michigan, and state of Florida, they all suggested me retaining a private attorney.

[spring09]

Just wondered if it is practical that timeshare owners /victims stand together and hire a class action attorney to fight against the dirty industry, especially, the timeshare companies in the state of Florida.

When I did Google searching, there was plenty of information about the class action attorneys. Does anybody know how to proceed?

Thanks.

[spring09]

Hello,

More than a month has passed after TOA filed individual complaints for us to Department of Business and Professional Regulation in the state of Florida.

Has anyone heard back from this agency? Please share with us if you have any update.

Thank you.

[ddfree]

Hello,
I'm new at this, so I'll keep it short. My husband and I were in the same situation as Spring09, where we wanted to cancel our timeshare with Bluegreen, signed up with TOA, paid, and heard nothing from them for months. Well, just last week, I received a voice message from Taylor, person assigned to our case, said, "Congratulations! your contract with Bluegreen will be terminated." I immediately followed up with email and she informed me that I will be hearing from Bluegreen around October to sign papers to officially terminate the contract. I can't wait...

[e.klingenberg]

I am considering using The Owner's Advocate to help me get out of my timeshare. I have not signed anything with them but I have had a couple conversations with a member of their team. I am skeptical because I have been burned once in the past and by the timeshare organization themselves. I own with Silverleaf...My husband and I just had another baby and can no longer afford the monthly payments. If anyone has any suggestions or comments about their experience please let me know.

[jinx5]

This is my first post to this site. I too had contacted Owners Advocate back in January after searching the Better Business Bureau and finding nothing negative on them. I was unable to find a CA business license for them. I spoke to Karin at TOA and she emailed me the contract. I have been hesitant to pay another $999 that I currently do not have to waste and so have not signed up with them yet . I recently got back on their site and noticed it had been changed significantly and also shows a Tennesssee corporate address now. I have been in contact with our timeshare company Diamond Resorts since last November and they are unwilling to work with us at all. Is TOA legit? I really need some help here. If the account is in dispute doesn't that mean TOA has helped some? Can someone please update this forum if you have had success with TOA. Thanks

[spring09]

I signed up with the Owners Advocate in February. They seem to be working on my behalf, have no outcome so far. I simply do not know how long it should take to get my timeshare contract cancelled.

This is my first post to this site. I too had contacted Owners Advocate back in January after searching the Better Business Bureau and finding nothing negative on them. I was unable to find a CA business license for them. I spoke to Karin at TOA and she emailed me the contract. I have been hesitant to pay another $999 that I currently do not have to waste and so have not signed up with them yet . I recently got back on their site and noticed it had been changed significantly and also shows a Tennesssee corporate address now. I have been in contact with our timeshare company Diamond Resorts since last November and they are unwilling to work with us at all. Is TOA legit? I really need some help here. If the account is in dispute doesn't that mean TOA has helped some? Can someone please update this forum if you have had success with TOA. Thanks

[cheesecake_1]

I don't go on forums. However, I visited yours when I was researching my options on getting out of timeshare. After having this experience I feel that all you good people need to be forewarned by someone about this scam. I tried to go and report these guys to FTC.gov, but they only take reports from US citizens, and I am in Canada, which is playing right into hands of those crooks from Owners' Advocate.
I found them online, got interested, filled the box with my email for getting more info, they called back within like 1hr. I asked couple of questions, but the guy kept interrupting until all I could do is listen, and he kept saying "does that sound good?", I could squeeze a little UMHo in between and in the end he said that he will be sending me some forms for looking at, and if I agree to go with them then I sign and fax them over. All seemed good, he gave his name and phone number. UNTIL I receive this horrible email,
Qoute:

"Date: Tue, 6 Oct 2009 19:25:15 -0500
Subject: The Owners' Advocate
Dear CLIENT:

Congratulations on retaining The Owners' Advocate, (TOA, LLC), the only agency in the country specifically committed to providing assistance and resources to consumers battling fraud and misrepresentation within the timeshare industry. We have opened a Case File in your name (CLIENT) and you have now joined the ranks of hundreds of consumers who, with TOA, LLC’s help, have successfully disputed and cancelled their timeshare contracts.

In order to begin this process, we must receive your signed Agreement for Services and payment within 5 business days. If payment is not received within 5 business days, we will charge your down payment to the credit card information we have on file. If payment is received within 5 business days, we will not charge your credit card.

Please print and sign page four “Signature Page” of the attached Agreement for Service and include it with your payment.

Payment Options:

Personal Check/Certified Check/Money Order:

Please mail two payments of $550.00 each. One payment shall be dated for today and one should be post-dated two weeks from today. This will allow ample time for us to prepare and present your formal complaint to the resort.

Please mail all payments to:

The Owners’ Advocate
ATTN: Accounting Department
7984 Coley Davis Road, Suite 101
Nashville, TN 37221
Wire Transfer:

Please wire your first payment of $550.00 to TOA, LLC using the information below at your personal bank. Two weeks from today, please wire the second payment of $550.00. This will allow ample time for us to prepare and present your formal complaint to the resort. Please provide the sequence number when wiring your payment so we may confirm receipt.

All payments should be wired to:

Routing # ***********
First Tennessee Bank
Memphis, TN
ABA# **********
Further Credit to TOA, LLC
Account # ***********

Note: If you would like to pay your balance in full, your documents will be sent to the resort immediately upon completion. This allows us to place the resort on notice sooner and will assist in expediting the cancellation process.


Upon receipt of your signed service agreement signature page and payment, you will receive immediate email confirmation. Included in that email will be a list of information we require from you in the form of an ”Instructional Checklist”. Additionally, you will receive a “Consumer Protection Package” which contains education and resources to navigate you through your personal credit protection and credit card dispute process. It also contains information pertaining to any collection efforts by your timeshare resort.

Note: If you provide us a faxed copy of your signed Agreement for Service and verification of payment (wire transfer, photocopy of your personal check/certified check/money order), we will send your Instructional Check List and Consumer Protection Package immediately.

We look forward to pursuing your contract cancellation.

Sincerely,

The Owners’ Advocate Team"

You can clearly see from this email, that after first moment I picked up the phone and had a talk with them I WAS TRAPPED ALREADY, they are already threatening me with credit buro! Talking about people trying to pressure you into paying money upfront, these wolves have a system that they dont even ask: you talk to them--you owe already!
Good luck to you all!

[louise33]

I signed up with the Owners Advocate in February. They seem to be working on my behalf, have no outcome so far. I simply do not know how long it should take to get my timeshare contract cancelled.

Hi, this is my first post. I wish I had stumbled on this site before I parted with my cash for TOA. But after reading all the posts, there is still no cut and dry answers to TOA. Are they legit, or are they not? There seems to be plenty of unfinished stories on here.

I too have signed up to them. I've just received all my paperwork to complete which is really complicated. Has anyone completed this paperwork? It seems there is a lot of letters in it which seem to be directed to the bank ot credit card company. I know if I was to send them to my bank, they would look at them and think...what the hell!!!

Can anyone help on here? Has anyone had a positive outcome with TOA?

[fedup8181]

Hi, First time poster!

I am doing a lot of research for cancelling my timeshare... I inquired to possibly use the Owners Advocate Group, but don't think I'm going to. What I am wondering and would really like clarified, does every Mexican timeshare contract have to have a rescission option listed/stated on it?

Also, if anyone has truely found a good lawyer or any other resources, please let me know!! Thanks!

[plmcinto2]

Hi!
We are finding out the hard way that this is probably not a legitimate business. We have sent them $999.00 (Pay Pal) dollars with the understanding that they will return the money if they were not successful. We have heard nothing from them. It has been over 90 days; I called the office two weeks ago and the voice on the other end said that the case had been turned into the Federal Trade Commission or some such agency and they would let us know when they know something. I intend to call again on Monday. to contact with any further questions and all the voice on the other line says is that it has been It is a Mexican timeshare. We are novices in this area and believe that we have been taken for a ride by Timeshare Owners Advocate. I will report them to the government agency for consumers, but I am under no delusions that anything will be done. I just wish I knew how to get out of the contract. I will also contact Pay Pal since I did have some success with them not too long ago.

[StopTheScams]

Hi
I'm new to this site and I have been reading everyone’s comments on TOA. I just signed up with them because they are the only company I could find enough info on and people that have worked with them. TOA does not use PayPal you have to send them a check or money order. Also they don't charge $999. Plmcinto2 if you didn't really use TOA and you're from a competing company it's not right to post things that are not true. There are people on here looking for real information about a company that might be able to help them out of the mess these timeshare industries have put them (and me) in. Anyway, I will keep everyone posted on how this works out for me. So far so good :)

[LMiller]

We too are working with Owner's Advocate and were told that the resort was contacted this week. I should be receiving copies of paperwork sent to the resort and am to forward any correspondence with the resort to TOA. Fees have been paid and if this works we will be forever grateful. I understand others have been able to do this on their own through PROFECO but, not knowing how to proceed, we decided to toss in more $$ and hope to get through this. We had already decided to simply not pay the balance and see deal with the consequences. Our TS is in Mexico. Several posts on other sites have indicated some nasty phone call/letters will be it - I can deal with that.
Has anyone here actually heard from their resort that the contract has been cancelled?
Good Luck to us all!

[raptijo]

It took some time, but i read through all posts on this thread.
We may need to group together and hire an attorney.

It is amazing that not one person on this thread since dec 2008 has had success with TOA.
Scary for me since I also hired TOA and paid the $1100 fee.

I also will say 'so far so good'. I spoke to Taylor today for 30 minutes to discuss the details of the process. In the end, I made it clear that I would not agree to cancel the contract unless i recieved an acceptable refund of payments (initial investment ~$15K) made to purchase the TS. I have nothing in writing.
My main concern was that if the contract was cancelled, I would not have the timeshare any longer and would essentially lose my 'investment'. I paid in full so I dont have loan payments. This scenario results in a payback period for my 'investment' of 30 years (investment/annual maintenance fee).
NOT ACCEPTABLE!

I plan to call TOA tomorrow or Monday again to ask a major question that maybe one of you may be able to comment on:
If the contract is cancelled (and I have paid in full), who gets the property deed? I am afraid I will lose the deed and be out 1100.
REAL BAD SITUATION!

I just started this process with TOA. TOA may be in for a fight because I will not accept their BS if they only cancel my contract. TOA said that it was likely that the TS company would not retain an attorney to fight a 15k dispute. BS? or not?

I intend to return to this site to hopefully get some good news about TOA. I think its good news that the State of Florida seems to be involved.

[LMiller]

We're in with TOA and hoping for the best but all these posts make me wonder if we've made yet another bad decision. Our "paperwork" has just been sent to the TS. (purchased in Mexico but TS offices in CA)
Two questions:
1) Has ANYONE had success with TOA? Confirmation through them or the TS company that their TS contract has been cancelled?
2) Has ANYONE simply walked away from their contract? We made downpayment but balance isn't due just yet. We're ready to lose the DP. Credit may take a ding but we're recently retired and won't be making any credit purchases and we're not big credit card people so we're not worried about the credit score - we can deal with nasty phone calls and letters - just don't want to end up in a Mexican jail!
I hope TOA is ligit, lots of people have hung their last shred of hope on them. BTW, PayPal wasn't an option when we signed up earlier this month...glad now that it wasn't.

[keister]

I joined this forum today because of the problems i'm having with my TS in Mexico and trying to contact TOA. I contacted TOA Nov.24 thru their website, received a phone call 10 minutes later, received an email with a contract i was suppose to sign and send along with $550.00 within 48 hours. No credit card or Paypal, only cash,cheque, money order or wire transfer and i'm in Canada so i was a little leary about it. I've emailed them 4 times and phoned the toll free number on their website. The emails were returned "undeliverable" and no response with the phone call. I went to the BBB, Memphis TN website this pm to check out TOA. They have B- rating, are not registered with the BBB and one of their "offices" doesn't exist. It sounds pretty bogus to me. I found a Mexican law firm, Gonzalez & Gonzalez that claim they specialize in cancelling TS contracts. I'm going to check them out, can't be any worse than TOA.

[spring09]

As TOA's senior (over 9 months ) client, I would say they probably change the initial fees and Paypal service. When I signed up with them, I did pay $999, was even charged $32.50 Paypal transaction fees.

Hi
I'm new to this site and I have been reading everyone’s comments on TOA. I just signed up with them because they are the only company I could find enough info on and people that have worked with them. TOA does not use PayPal you have to send them a check or money order. Also they don't charge $999. Plmcinto2 if you didn't really use TOA and you're from a competing company it's not right to post things that are not true. There are people on here looking for real information about a company that might be able to help them out of the mess these timeshare industries have put them (and me) in. Anyway, I will keep everyone posted on how this works out for me. So far so good :)

[spring09]

Dear all,

I am writing with the hope to hear from any of you. Although I know this forum has more people viewing, yet has fewer people to respond, I am still hoping we may help each other in order to get through the frustration that TS brings us.

I received a property tax bill from resort last week. Since my TS cancellation is in process with the help of TOA and I do not owe the resort anything except this payment so far. What consequences will I confront if I do not pay this bill? Does it violate IRS law because it is a tax payment? Please feel free to advice me in a private message or post here.

Thank you in advance.

[JacobIII]

I have intimate knowledge of this company. In my opinion, this is simply a clever way of taking advantage of Timeshare owners who already feel victimized by alleged misrepresentation by the Timeshare Sales Staff. They try to give the impression they are a law firm to get unsuspecting Timeshare companies scared. They charge fees to the Owner's who are already strapped for cash because they purchased a timeshare they couldn't afford. All they do is send a "form letter" to the Timeshare company and use the threats of forwarding the complaint to the Federal Trade Commission or Attorney General, etc. (But guess what....You can do that yourself without their help) The timeshare companies which I work with think The Owner's Advocate is a joke. The Resorts won't even acknowledge even if they have the owner sign a "limited Power of Attorney" Some people may believe by signing a "Limited Power of Attorney" the companies have to discuss the matter with who the "power" is given to. They can if they want, but are not obligated to. They are worthless (again only my opinion)

You might as well wait for a Timeshare Resale Company to cold call you and tell you that they have someone ready to buy your Timeshare; All they need is Money up front to get the transaction started. The fact is, they don't have anyone who wants your timeshare they just have bosses who want your money. Dealing with these guys is about the same as dealing with The Owner's Advocate. This is a very smart way to exploit the desperate and get someone's hope up.

[StopTheScams]

Hi guys,
I know it’s been a while since I have posted anything. Sorry about that. I would like to keep you guys posted on what has been going on with me the TS resort and TOA. So far my affidavit has been sent to the resort and I have received a letter back from the resort in response to my affidavit. After I had a chance to calm down and read the letter from the TS resort very carefully, I noticed more BS and was able to comment on every single paragraph in their letter to me. I sent my response to TOA and they told me that they would respond to the TS resort and if I wanted I could send that letter right to the resort. I ended up sending my letter right to the resort and they basically said that we should not have gone by any verbal representations only what was written in the contract.
What I can't understand is how the hell do these ppl get away with this crap? They have sales rep feed you BS, don’t go over the contract in detail, lie about what is written in the contract and then tell you that you should only go by the contract.
Anyway it has only been a month since I have signed up with TOA and for now I say so far so good. Regardless of how this goes I have decided that the TS Company will not get another dime from me. If my credit ends up taking a hit then so be it. I hope TOA comes through and my credit doesn’t take a hit. But I am just about done with the TS resort and I will NOT pay them anything.

[Shiny]

I just receive an email reply from Krystal Miller. Her signature line shows that she has a new title as "Director of TOA Resolution Group", instead of Customer Care Coordinator.

Although TOA advertises its guarantee of "100% refund if the timeshare contract is not canceled", I have very serious doubt about TOA's refund.

Krystal interpreted "the $999 charge" as TOA's cost of preparing and mailing letters to the timeshare company, federal trade commission and the specific state's real estate division. That's all they can do for us (the TOA clients).

Krystal also acted in somewhat sneaky manner. She would not talk about the "timeline" of how long will take TOA to achieve the contract cancellation. In other words, she and TOA keep the clients hanging in the air for the indefinite period of time.

Westgate's lawyer sent letters to TOA clients on June 26, 2009 with accusation agaisnt TOA. The letter stated "You (TOA) have deceived your clients with your false and completely unattainable promise to relieve them of legal obligations arising under contracts they have signed. Your actions and misrepresentations are tantamount to fraud. You are a charlatan, not a lawyer, and you should not be victimizing these people with your false promises".

My biggest fear is that TOA may lead all of us (TOA clients) into the deeper and bigger troubles.

I don't know whether I shall retain an attorney to file a lawsuit against Westgate, so that the contract can be legally rescinded through court's judgment. There is an attorney asks for $2,500 retainer.

Any advice? Thanks.


Greetings to every one in this thread. I revitalize my August post and add update. I flew back to Vegas twice over the past 4 months and retained the lawyer as mentioned in my earlier post.

TOA provides good templates and mails letters for the clients (all of us). However, TOA has no legality to move forward on behalf of any client. The timeshare companies actually laugh and call TOA as "internet scam". My contract with Westgate Planet Hollywood Tower LLC shall be canceled pretty soon though the legal channel. Yes, I wasted $999 on TOA!

I've learned the painful lesson and would like to send my candid feedback to all of you. Please don't let TOA continuously playing and dwelling on your complaint. Instead, seek for legal assistance which is the best and lawful way of getting yourself out the timeshare contract ASAP. Please be aware of the statute limitation and clock is clicking fast.

Best Wishes,
Shiny (a timeshare victim since May 2009)

[StopTheScams]

Hi Shiny

I'm just wondering how you found a lawyer. When I tried to find a lawyer in the state of FL who would help me with this problem I was told that it wouldn't be worth it. They told me that they would write a letter for me for $500 and that’s all they could do. This so upsetting to me. I just can't understand how they get away with this. So far it has been a month with TOA. I really feel like they are my only hope. How long ago did you purchase the TS?

[red_doll]

Everyone on this forum knows of the pitfalls of timeshares, and it is frustrating for me to know that I work for a company that is trying to effect change while having to read negative posts on this forum. No one likes bad press and it was our thought to create false counteractive good press - wrongly, yes. For these actions, I do apologize, and hope you can except my apology.

The Owners' Advocate exists to assist timeshare owners who feel financially trapped in their timeshare. I believe strongly in my company and I hope to positively contribute to these forums in the future.
Hello, my name is Kate Morgan and I proudly work for The Owners' Advocate. Every day I assist frustrated timeshare owners in getting rid of their timeshare money pits. Many people come to us in anger after being taken advantage of by timeshare companies and the resell companies. We guarantee our services - 100%! The fact that we have had so many inquiries to our BBB site is because we refer callers to this site on a daily basis.

I welcome questions, comments and constructive criticism.

Kate Morgan
The Owners' Advocate
866-644-7776 x 250

[red_doll]

all of this does not make sense at all, and I am beginning to think that everyone is full of it. All any of want is a answer to a question that we all fell into. How do you get out of a situation that is burying you in deep???? did I miss something with the statement Kate M made about TOA.. I have a hard time believing that someone would recant so quickly just to get good responses.

[red_doll]

I agree with you on telling the truth about TOA....if you have a good response please post it. I agree with "stopthescams" please just be honest, it did not cost me 999.00 either. In fact it cost less than most because my mom and I got into 3 timeshares so they were very kind and worked with us. Now we signed up in Oct of this last year but I have no complaints save one...they don't always get back to you in a timely manner. I do however get a response. I still would like to know about the success stories!

[SCM]

Never heard of them but I would think twice, three times and then again before I would use them. They break the basic rule of NO UPFRONT FEES - they charge $299 to $999 for their services which should be a huge red flag. Upfront fees is like throwing more of your hard earned money away.

Other timeshare forums do not say good things about them with them self promoting on the sites - that is never a good sign either. My advice would be to stay away from them.

Have you ever heard of, Timeshare Advocacy International, LLC or timeshareaide.com ?

[SCM]

If anyone can give me info on Timeshare Advocacy International, LLC that would be great. Once again they require payment up front.

[StopTheScams]

Hi SCM timeshare advocacy international does the same thing TOA does. I also tought about using them but I couldnt find enough info on them so I didn't. Who do you own with?

[SCM]

Club Navigo/ Grand Seas Resort, I'm afraid its not looking good on finding an out from the lies I was foolish enough to fall for.

[StopTheScams]

I know how you feel. I have been beating myself up for over a year for falling for it. The only thing that makes me fel better is that I am not the only one who has fallen for the scams of the snake salesman. The worst part is that they get away with what they do and something needs to be done about it.

[red_doll]

I am so tired about the worries that come with timeshare BS- I just want out, if that means taking a chance on TOA, so be it. It should be against the law for timeshare sellers to sell empty promises. I don't even care about getting the dang money back, I just want out. :mad:

[red_doll]

If anyone from TOA is reading this, please prove these people wrong.

[red_doll]

Timeshare Trap is owned, operated and moderated by Jeffrey Strain, a freelance financial writer who lives in Japan. He owns various websites and has written numerous articles offering his advice on financial investments. Yet he is somewhat of an oxymoron when it comes to TimeshareTrap.com He claims that he has "no affiliation with any timeshare companies and therefore can give you the plain truth which is that for 95% of people, a timeshare is a terrible financial move." However the site itself is, for Jeffrey Strain, a financial move providing him ample profit. But where does the profit come from? It comes from all the timeshare resale companies that pay him to advertise on his site in the hopes of ensnaring the very people who come to him seeking sound advice and who have been scammed time and again by these very companies. It makes his claim that he is in no way affiliated with any timeshare companies rather fraudulent as it is these timeshare companies that are keeping him and Timeshare Trap in business.

Recently, several clients of The Owners' Advocate posted commentary asserting their satisfaction with the company's services and confirming its legitimacy. However, Mr. Strain quickly and wrongly accused these clients of being "shills", an internet term for phony forum posters who write reviews just to boost a company's credibility. He verbally assaulted them, then removed all positive posts and offered a slew of his own negative, unfounded responses. In an effort to fight back, an over-zealous staff member of The Owners' Advocate began posting portions of client testimonials on Jeffrey Strain's site. Mr. Strain's response to this attempt to rebut his unwarranted negativity was to ban all posts that supported The Owners' Advocate.

The Owners' Advocate contacted Jeffrey Strain directly and requested an open line of communication and fair consideration of positive commentary. The company invited Mr. Strain to research The Owners' Advocate thoroughly, as doing so would verify its legitimacy. The company even offered to share proprietary information with Mr. Strain under the condition that he offer proof of his unbiased position and that he in no way profits from companies in direct conflict with The Owners' Advocate's mission. His total lack of response from the point of such request speaks loud and clear.

The truth is that Jeffrey Strain is paid by companies who are in direct conflict with The Owners' Advocate. He will stand to lose a portion of his advertising base and, therefore, income if proponents of The Owners' Advocate voice their opinion on his site. Timeshare resellers and those supporting the unethical practice want nothing less than to see The Owners' Advocate disappear but their attempts at sabotage are very thinly disguised and are being met head-on by The Owners' Advocate and its supporters.

[tiffanyrdailey@rushmore]

We are using The Owners Advocate. We have 2 timeshares we are trying to get rid of. One is Oak Plantation Resort and the other is Westgate. I think we started the process in June of 2009. By September we did get a reply from Oak Plantation and the paperwork to hand it back over to them. Of course I was hoping for some money too. We still haven't turned it over to them, hoping to still sell it for atleast $2,000. We have owned it since 1999. We have used it every year, but have traded it alot. The Westgate thing is taking forever. We did have it paid off then in April 2009 we got talked into buying additional bedrooms for every other year. I can't believe we did this. So I talked to TOA last week and they are in the waiting mode to hear back from Westgate. I'm ready for this all to be over. As much as I don't want to just hand these back over without any payment for them I think it might be the thing to do, as it is just to hard to get anyone to buy them from us. I don't want our kids to have to deal with this mess.

[StopTheScams]

I think your best bet is to hand it over to them. Don't wait for someone to buy because no one will. The resale market for timeshares is horrible. Don't waste you time just get rid of it. Also I don't know this for sure but If I am not mistaken your children will not have to deal with anything. They didn't sign for it so it is not their responsibility. But you should talk to a lawyer about that. All I know is that when this is over with, I never want to hear the word timeshare again!

[johnfoss]

Hi Folks,

Yesterday I read this entire thread. I too was once again looking for any businesses online that could help people rid themselves of their timeshares without taking advantage of the "suckers" we are all known to be.

So I found The Owners' Advocate and started looking over their site, as I've learned that every business I have (so far) come across in my search for timeshare extraction has been out for your money, just like the people who sold it to me (or my wife :)) in the first place. Why shouldn't they? We've proven ourselves to be gullible. We're on vacation (in most circumstances) and agree to have a minimum of 90 minutes of our time wasted by a flowery sales pitch for a multi-thousand dollar "investment", and we said 'yes' without doing any of our own research! What's wrong with us? Bad us. Let that be a lesson to us.

In summary: I'm still looking. The Owners' Advocate is for suckers. Again, that us, so beware! Read on for the details.

In reading over the Owner's Advocate site, one of the first things I noticed was a Better Business Bureau logo with a "not" symbol over it. Very bad sign. Clicking this took me to a two-page explanation of why the owner is not happy with his local BBB (this was in Santa Barbara; is that where they are now?). Anyway, that was an even worse sign.

For confirmation, I went looking around for peoples' personal experiences with this company, which led me here. This thread started in November 2008. How many people, since then, reported a successful conclusion to their transactions with The Owners' Advocate? ZERO.

Got that? zero is the key number. Now several people have reported getting their payments stopped, but beyond that all seems to be in a state of stasis with an unknown outcome. Since The Owners' Advocate is not a legal firm, I have a feeling these people will eventually start being hit by collection agencies, have credit report damage, and most likely still owe all the money they have not yet paid, with interest and/or penalties. But by then The Owners' Advocate will probably have moved again and may not be available for comment.

But people from The Owners' Advocate have commented in this thread, and on these forums. To the point of being banned, but apparently they're back:

Timeshare Trap is owned, operated and moderated by Jeffrey Strain, a freelance financial writer who lives in Japan. He claims that he has "no affiliation with any timeshare companies and therefore can give you the plain truth which is that for 95% of people, a timeshare is a terrible financial move."I don't know the exact percentage, but I'd say it's 95% or better for everyone *here*, and 100% for my wife and me. And I didn't need his help to figure that out.
However the site itself is, for Jeffrey Strain, a financial move providing him ample profit. But where does the profit come from? It comes from all the timeshare resale companies that pay him to advertise on his site...I would offer you the benefit of the doubt by kindly pointing out that he has explained this earlier in this very thread. He subscribes to Google AdWords, so he has no control or choice of who the advertisers are. But you already knew this, because I'm pretty sure you are also "Kate" who has posted here in the past, before being banned?

Anyway, For anyone who would like to read Jeffrey's version of things, just focus on his posts in this thread. They all make sense and are much more plausible than what you've written in here.
Recently, several clients of The Owners' Advocate posted commentary asserting their satisfaction with the company's services and confirming its legitimacy. However, Mr. Strain quickly and wrongly accused these clients of being "shills"...Nobody here has posted anything about a successful conclusion of being rid of their timeshare with The Owner's Advocate. If they had, why would Jeffrey remove their posts? Only reason I can think of is that their IP address identifies them as someone from TOA. You would say he has business interests to the contrary, but he has already explained the source of the ads here. It allows him to offer this service to us, the downtrodden suckers.
In an effort to fight back, an over-zealous staff member of The Owners' Advocate began posting portions of client testimonials on Jeffrey Strain's site. Mr. Strain's response to this attempt to rebut his unwarranted negativity was to ban all posts that supported The Owners' Advocate.And you're probably next. Though you do not appear to be over-zealous, you are an employee of The Owners' Advocate, are you not? Why not tell us your actual, real name then? Mine is my username. And where do you work (city?).

The rest of that post goes on to say that The Owners' Advocate has not been given the chance to speak up for itself. But reading through this thread it seems otherwise. The posts in there that are from admitted employees are not filled with facts. In fact, they repeat themselves with the same unsubstantiated claims made in earlier posts in this same thread. Thousands of successful terminations of timeshare ownership? Could you get just one of them to tell their story here? Someone who is not an employee pretending not to be? Just one would be great.

Or is your company all about preparing a set of paperwork, then hoping things "turn out" in a year or more, after the creditors can be stalled no longer? This remains to be seen, as far as this thread is concerned.
If anyone from TOA is reading this, please prove these people wrong.Seriously. Why not you?

And BTW, Jeffrey, you are my hero. Thanks for operating this forum and being on our side. You're a rare breed. To everyone else out there we're just a bunch of two-legged money trees.

CURRENT SCORE:

- The Owners' Advocate: $1000 per customer, paid in full. Give or take a bogus $31.00 PayPal fee (if PayPal were charging you this fee, wouldn't it be charged to you in the first place?)

- Their customers: Out $1000 each. In some cases they are no longer being charged, but nobody has reported being "out" of their contract

- The rest of us: Ready to stop being a sucker? Evidence suggests you aren't. Stop making stupid choices! Any online business that has an "anti Better Business Bureau" link on their homepage is trying to tell you something. Listen!

My solution? Unknown. In the current poor real estate market, we're going to continue paying the fees for now, and trying to get good use from our SVC points. Which is tough. We have until March 31 to travel or our points expire. Somehow we missed the deadline to bank them. Why do you have to bank them 4 months in advance? Oh yeah, because they make the rules. But I digress. We will wait until the market isn't such a pit, and then probably end up giving it away. If we can.

[jeffrey]

Timeshare Trap is owned, operated and moderated by Jeffrey Strain, a freelance financial writer who lives in Japan. He owns various websites and has written numerous articles offering his advice on financial investments. Yet he is somewhat of an oxymoron when it comes to TimeshareTrap.com He claims that he has "no affiliation with any timeshare companies and therefore can give you the plain truth which is that for 95% of people, a timeshare is a terrible financial move." However the site itself is, for Jeffrey Strain, a financial move providing him ample profit. But where does the profit come from? It comes from all the timeshare resale companies that pay him to advertise on his site in the hopes of ensnaring the very people who come to him seeking sound advice and who have been scammed time and again by these very companies. It makes his claim that he is in no way affiliated with any timeshare companies rather fraudulent as it is these timeshare companies that are keeping him and Timeshare Trap in business.

Recently, several clients of The Owners' Advocate posted commentary asserting their satisfaction with the company's services and confirming its legitimacy. However, Mr. Strain quickly and wrongly accused these clients of being "shills", an internet term for phony forum posters who write reviews just to boost a company's credibility. He verbally assaulted them, then removed all positive posts and offered a slew of his own negative, unfounded responses. In an effort to fight back, an over-zealous staff member of The Owners' Advocate began posting portions of client testimonials on Jeffrey Strain's site. Mr. Strain's response to this attempt to rebut his unwarranted negativity was to ban all posts that supported The Owners' Advocate.

The Owners' Advocate contacted Jeffrey Strain directly and requested an open line of communication and fair consideration of positive commentary. The company invited Mr. Strain to research The Owners' Advocate thoroughly, as doing so would verify its legitimacy. The company even offered to share proprietary information with Mr. Strain under the condition that he offer proof of his unbiased position and that he in no way profits from companies in direct conflict with The Owners' Advocate's mission. His total lack of response from the point of such request speaks loud and clear.

The truth is that Jeffrey Strain is paid by companies who are in direct conflict with The Owners' Advocate. He will stand to lose a portion of his advertising base and, therefore, income if proponents of The Owners' Advocate voice their opinion on his site. Timeshare resellers and those supporting the unethical practice want nothing less than to see The Owners' Advocate disappear but their attempts at sabotage are very thinly disguised and are being met head-on by The Owners' Advocate and its supporters.

I have already addressed this earlier, but will again for clarity sake. I caught TOA spamming the forums (numerous "satisfied customers" all from the same ip address at their offices) and called them on it. They were not happy about being caught and exposed and when they continued, I banned them. What they have written on their website is a patently false account of what happened which should give people even more pause to deal with them.

Again, I have no affiliation with any timeshare company and due to the way google ads work, TOA ads even show up on this website which pretty much counters all their argument.

[smoky]

New to the forum. Very interesting thread. As a timeshare sucker..I mean owner, I get cold calls. The minute I hear the word "timeshare" come out of their mouths, I hang up. I have a Westgate red floating week in the Smoky Mtn. Nice place. High fees. Can't give it away. But I'm not a sucker anymore. :D

[StopTheScams]

There is one person here who has been able to get out of one of her contracts. I am still waiting and it looks like my next step is a class action lawsuit. I spoke to a lawyer and many unhappy owners at the same resort as mine. Something needs to be done about these timeshare companies. It's just not right that they get away with everything they do. They have so much money and high priced lawyers to help them. Don't people care about anyone but themselves anymore? These companies are so greedy!!! All we are to them is money. They make me sick !

[deb1209]

I signed up and paid our money Jan of 2009. approx. 1 - 2 weeks after our timeshare deal, I also saw the Better business rating of AAA, so here we go, all seemed great in the beginning, I follow all of their instructions and get all proper papers notarized, etc and mail out all to the resort in Mexico.
TOA assures me this will be settled in 30 - 90 days, well here it is over a year and no refund or closure of this timeshare mess, the resort has our money and TOA has our money, and we are left holding the bag, I email someone there every month, just to check in, and they keep assuring me, the case is still active and they have not lost a case yet. It sure would be encouraging to hear from one or two of their satified customers, anybody out there ?

[deb1209]

We signed up with TOA Jan 2009, we filled out all forms and mailed them to Mexico, but am still waiting for this mess to be over, I email someone at TOA every month, just for any update , but they keep telling me there are so many cases and they are handles in the order received. Our resort has our money and TOA has our money and we have nothing to show for all this, when I signed on I was assured a 100% guarantee that we would get all our money back and the contract would be cancelled. When I ask what is happening someone keeps telling me TOA has never lost a battle. Why doesn't this reassure me ? Any other stories or anyone out there had any success with TOA ?

[spring09]

I signed up with TOA in Feb. 2009. As you can tell, it has been almost a year. I, too, get the same answers from TOA each time when I inquired my case status. Yes, " Our resort has our money and TOA has our money". we are left in a worst scenario. :(

We signed up with TOA Jan 2009, we filled out all forms and mailed them to Mexico, but am still waiting for this mess to be over, I email someone at TOA every month, just for any update , but they keep telling me there are so many cases and they are handles in the order received. Our resort has our money and TOA has our money and we have nothing to show for all this, when I signed on I was assured a 100% guarantee that we would get all our money back and the contract would be cancelled. When I ask what is happening someone keeps telling me TOA has never lost a battle. Why doesn't this reassure me ? Any other stories or anyone out there had any success with TOA ?

[StopTheScams]

same here but because I am not a deeded owner yet the resort was about to do a charge off on my account and cancel my contract. This would have been very bad for my cerdit. I had to pay them, now I dont now what to do.

[spring09]

Yes, Please join us and fight against Orange Lake Resorts scams. Justice should be done !!!

[janedoe]

Can someone post the contract TOA has you sign and the documents they send out so I can see what they really are doing for clients?

[janedoe]

I joined this page last night because I read an outrageously hysterical comment about a guy thinking he was going to get his $15000 investment back from his timeshare and would take nothing less....buddy you are living on another planet let me tell you...be happy to get out of your contract and walk away and maybe your money back from some resale companies IF they are still in business you arent gettijng that 15000 back in this lifetime!

[timesharesrscams]

I'm interested in more info on the Class Action against Orange Lake. What outcomes are expected?

[StopTheScams]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[drcee]

I became a TOA victim…err, customer, in November 2009. They did take my money, they did send me some Xerox forms to fill out and send to the timeshare company. They then went “POOF”, and I have received no further information from them unless I call and demand information which never comes.
Their “flat fee” is now $1100 US. That is, unless a credit card company is involved for which they want another $499. Finally, for any “monies recovered” TOA wants 25% of the first $2000, 20% from $2001 to $5,000, 15% from $5001 to $9999 and 10% over $10,000 up to a max of $2,500.

So much for an honest flat fee. What else worries me is that they admit to providing false info on some WEB blogs. Their “flat fee” is also admittedly bogus. If they will lie to us once or twice, are they to be trusted or may they be in reality just another internet confidence scam?

DrCee

[StopTheScams]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[red_doll]

you guys are all full of it!!!!!!! I bought a dang timeshare, can't get out it, was lied to by everyone I talked to and all you can do is bad mouth me.....nice! I found TOA and if it doesn't work so be it. I don't see you guys helping any and as far as I am concerned everyone that is on a website can write anything they want and make it look good. All I ever asked for was help... and I do not work for TOA... but maybe after this I will call them and tell them that if they make it work for me, I will be their biggest advocate. and just because we don't see any positive results on here doesn't mean it isn't working.

give me a break and help not hinder

[red_doll]

all i did was copy and paste!

[jeffrey]

@ red_doll -- being a bit over dramitic aren't we? I didn't say one negative thing about you and certainly didn't bad mouth you in any way - I simply explained that the "copy and paste" you put into the forum was untrue and explained what really happened.

The problem is that nobody that has been posting in this forum thread who has paid The Owners Adviocate has been able to get rid of their timeshare that I am aware of. I've said it numerous times and I will say it again - don't pay upfront fees.

[red_doll]

it was not your post jeffrey that I was referring too, it was the other person who seems to think I work for TOA. You have a lot of fans on here and apparently they were not lied to by the timeshare system, and I am glad for them. I on the other hand just wanted help, and just so you know, I can't give these timeshares away. Century 21 in Florida was the one who gave me TOA number. I understand that you have a lot of people on here that need answers and yes we get dramatic, I for one already am kicking myself for falling for this BS. The question is,,,,why is TOA the only company out there offering help. And yes I did pay upfront for their service, but they didn't promise to sell it for me. All the companies that you have on your homepage require an amount of money to sell the timeshares. TOA gave me a very good deal with 3 that I co-signed with my weenie head mother. As for my quote,,, I still don't know that it is true or not. I am just frustrated and I am getting tired of people saying that I am stuck. You seem to know a lot about this stuff and the average American doesn't understand the reason timeshares take advantage of us. Why not help!

if and when TOA comes through for me, I will post on here;





@ red_doll -- being a bit over dramitic aren't we? I didn't say one negative thing about you and certainly didn't bad mouth you in any way - I simply explained that the "copy and paste" you put into the forum was untrue and explained what really happened.

The problem is that nobody that has been posting in this forum thread who has paid The Owners Adviocate has been able to get rid of their timeshare that I am aware of. I've said it numerous times and I will say it again - don't pay upfront fees.

[red_doll]

was this legitimate?



Hello,
I'm new at this, so I'll keep it short. My husband and I were in the same situation as Spring09, where we wanted to cancel our timeshare with Bluegreen, signed up with TOA, paid, and heard nothing from them for months. Well, just last week, I received a voice message from Taylor, person assigned to our case, said, "Congratulations! your contract with Bluegreen will be terminated." I immediately followed up with email and she informed me that I will be hearing from Bluegreen around October to sign papers to officially terminate the contract. I can't wait...

[spring09]

I wish ddfree could provide us the final result. It is Feb. 2010 now. If only he/she could confirm his/her TS contract did get cancelled with TOA's help.

red_doll , I fully understand your frustration. Believe me, I have the same felling about damned TS. I was seeking help/advice everywhere, am not successful. I understand it is not easy for those who own timeshares to offer help. If these people had a better idea, they might have already got rid of their timeshares.




was this legitimate?

[jeffrey]

red_doll I can guarantee that virtually everyone that comes to this site has been lied to numerous times from the timeshare industry. That is exactly why they have found this site. They come here so that they don't get lied to again. TOA has some pretty questionable business practices with the way they spammed these forums. If you really have such a great product, then there is no reason to spam. If you really have a great product, there is no reason to force people to pay upfront. You are an adult and can make your own decisions, but they definitely do not have a positive track record from those3 that have been in this thread a long time and decided to go with them.

I would be very wary of one time posters in this thread - anyone can post and just because someone says they got rid of their timeshare with TOA doesn't mean that is the truth. I would rely on those that have been in this thread a longer period of time and have documented their struggles with TOA -- they give a much more reliable account of what it is like working with TOA.

[gravediggerRC]

MUST READ !!!

I am in the timshere trap since June 4th of 2008. I have done many things but none of them worked so far.

My hospitality instructor that works in the industry for over 30 years told me to try these ways to get rid of it:

1. There are organizations that will buy time share units, look for them on the internet. They usually will only pay a portion of the amount you paid for them and will leave a balance. That is one option. There are several of them, explore for them on the internet.

2. If you made a downpayment for the timeshare in cash, you may negotiate with Wyndham to abandon the unit and they will keep the down payment amount. You are out the front money, but they can then add it back to the inventory and re-sell it.

3. If you used a credit card to purchase the unit, you may be able to work with the credit card company to reverse the entry and get it cancelled or at lease reduce the burden.

4. If you signed a promissory note and it is not on a credit card, ask Wyndham what happens if you default on the note and turn the property back to them.

5. Contact the collection agency (get the mailing address) and send them a note telling them not to contact you again. They MUST STOP per the consumer credit legislation.

6. Contact the Attorney General's office for the state in which you reside and ask them for assistance in cancelling the contract. They may be able to help you.

7. Tell them you will report them to the Better Business Bureau and actively pursue the complaint for taking advantage of a student with no income and little potential to pay for the purchase. It is patently unfair.

8. Check for age and income limitations that would have prevented you from being able to afford the purchase. If they aggressively pursued you despite active knowledge that it would be a hardship, you may be able to pursue that as a defense.

9. Last, if your family uses a lawyer regularly, get him involved on your behalf. He may be able to break the contract.

Give these a try. Let me know the success. It will take some of your time and a lot of phone calls.


I tried most of these and still nothing. I am still getting statments from Wyndham Vacation Resorts but no phone calls. I am not sure if I got anywhere.

What you guys think about visiting headquarters of Wyndham for example and provide them with a masive strike. Or even better, lets go to our resorts and place few FOR SALE signs here and there. We are the owners, right? I seriously think that timmeshere companies will pay us or canel our contract just so we disappear. THIS COULD BE IT !!!

About The Owner's Advocate... I asked them for help and they said they guarantee it 100%. They also said that it will take from 3 to 6 months to process. The price was $1,200 and they said they have lowered it just for me because they feel sorry for what happened to me.

P.S Anyone know how BigDaddy is doing?

[spring09]

Actually, I have tried most of what gravediggerRC mentioned above, including AG in the state where I live and AG in Florida (where I purchased TS), FL BBB, FL Department of Business and Professional Regulation. What I got was the advice to seek private attorneys. Even some of the attorneys I contacted feel it difficult to build up the case to fight against fraudulent sale's practice.

Of course, I did not forget TOA. I paid them $999 in Feb. 2009. It's been a year so far. I got nothing from them. You can tell how frustrated I am .

Maybe class action lawsuit is the only way for us to get out of the TS. There is a group of us are working on that. If you are interested in joining, please send me a private message.

[barfly]

Yes it is true. They are also a bunch of scammers. They are not lawyers and are basically just laughed at by the resorts. Their guarantee is worthless. If you paid them, you have lost your money. If you want a chance at recovering your money from TOA and David Humphrey, I would suggest getting in touch with the bankruptcy court and file a claim. I have searched the internet for several months trying to find ONE REAL person who was helped by TOA. I have come to the conclusion that there aren't any. If you are a Wyndham owner, you may even want to see if you can make a deal with them in return for your testimony against TOA. Wyndham currently has a lawsuit and court injunction against TOA. I'm sure that they would like to hear from TOA clients. In the lawsuit, Wyndham alleges that David Humphrey was fired by Wyndham for forging buyers signatures. Certainly doesn't sound like a man of integrity or who has the intentions of helping people. Act now if you want any chance of recovering your hard earned money.

This information is absolutely factual and is a matter of public record. Just thought this info might help some people on this forum.

[bsmotors]

We have the same problems in the UK with the Timeshare Consumers Association they have been recommending lawyers for years and taking a cut from the lawyers firms they recommend, then when it all falls through, they wash their hands. They use to push all their clients to a resale company called Timeshare Computer Link.

They scammed me with a claim against Sunterra called Vogas, still waiting for my compensation.

Dont pay money up front.

[barfly]

I guess it's all over but the crying. The Owners Advocate has taken down their website and are no longer answering the phone or emails. All the assurance they gave their clients was nothing more than a ploy to gain more time before they abandoned them. Looks like David Humphrey is trying to get away with consumers hard earned money. I would suggest filing a complaint with the Tennessee Attorney Generals Office

Attorney General - Tennessee
Consumer Affairs
500 James Robertson Pkwy
Nashville, TN 37243-0600

He is currently spending a lot of money defending himself against a lawsuit by Wyndham and my guess is that it is the ripped off clients of TOA that are footing the bill. For there to be any chance of restitution for the victims of this scam, you must act immediately.

[spring09]

Here is what I found "Wyndham Vacation Resorts, Inc. v. TOA, LLC et al"

http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court-tnmdce/case_no-3:2009cv00899/case_id-45849/

Just do not know what's going on.

[barfly]

Just do not know what's going on.


Yes, you do know what is going on. They stole your money.
Have you tried to call TOA?
Have you gone to their website?

I will tell you this, they are operating their scam under a new name, Professional Timeshare Services. They claim to be out of Arizona, but the LLC is registered in Delaware. When they first put their website up, their contact info was the exact same as TOA. David Humphrey, owner of TOA, seems to be the only one laughing all the way to the bank. I'm quite sure Wyndham might work something out for their owners who were clients of TOA and are willing to testify. The court date is set for December 2010. Humphrey is using your hard earned money to defend himself.

[MsBeasley]

was this legitimate?

I paid TOA $999 to get me out of a contract with Bluegreen and now I have a foreclosure on my credit report. I filled out all paperwork as required and even faxed some of the papers over and over to TOA, not sure what happened to them, now what can I do since my credit is ruined!!! I will contact the credit reporting agencies and try to clean it up but I sure do not feel too confident in getting it cleaned up. I cannot believe that I went thru life having enough sense to refuse to purchase a timeshare for 60 years and then screwed up double time with Bluegreen and TOA.

[Greg Slominski]

I paid TOA to perform the contract cancellation services they 100% guarantee.

Here's what my attorney fees bought...

TOA did not provide regular progress updates of my case. After the projected completion date passed I eventually solicited a reply. TOA said they were under a gag order and prevented from contacting their clients.

It seems dubious that an company representing individuals' legal contract matters could be restricted by a gag order from contacting their own client base.

All e-mails to TOA bounce back. Phone calls cannot get through. Their website is down.

This is not exactly what I expect from a 100% guarantee but it is quite an education into the convoluted scams that abound in the shady realm of timeshares. Alice and Wonderland hold no surprises. Everything about time shares is pitiful after you've been ripped off by the resort AND the company you pay to rectify the first injustice.

gs

[barfly]

I paid TOA to perform the contract cancellation services they 100% guarantee.

Here's what my attorney fees bought...


gs


You never paid any attorneys fees. Did an attorney ever actually get involved in your case? If you hired an attorney, you should have been able to be in direct contact with them. There are many such programs like TOA, where they promise you the world, but deliver nothing. If you want help getting out of your timeshare contract, you need the services of a qualified attorney. There are a couple of companies out there that offer to help people that want out of their timeshare contracts by using an attorney. I'm assuming the cost is more than the $999 charged by TOA.

People who have any hope of recovering any funds from TOA, must file their grievances ASAP. Time is not your friend.

[neo]

I recommend everyone who has done business with TOA to contact the FTC and the Attorney General of Tennessee IMMEDIATELY! I drove past their office today and it is empty. Has David jumped ship? It looks like he is trying to do this under a different company name (should that be plural?). I will find out later if they have fled TN all together. I know his brothers Matthew and Stephen, who were wrapped up in this mess, are still in Nashville. I can easily find out if David is still here. Oh, BTW, they never had an office in California. Those sales folks lied to each and every one of you in the beginning. They were in a house in Nashville.

This has been going on since April of 2008. There is no telling how many people they got under contract up until they puled the plug (a week or so ago?). I do know at one point they had around 800 clients and had only settled 100 cases. Many of those cases were "quick claims" and hurt people's credit. Many of them were from Mexican companies. That means 700 people at $999 a contract were spinning their wheels. That was in Feb of 2009. How many people did they get after that? It was probably in the neighborhood of 2000. At $999 a pop that is $1,998,000? Wow. Just, wow!

We have to act now to prevent this from happening to other innocent people. David is now using a different company name and I have a hunch it isn't just one company. He might be splintering the sites to catch more fish. I hate that it has happened to all of you and I wish I could have helped stop it. It is now up to YOU to get the ball rolling. The FTC will listen to your complaints. We need as many of you as possible to CALL THEM NOW if we are going to stop this. If you are reading this and are under contract with TOA, call the FTC right now! TOA's office is empty. They may have taken your money and run. CALL, CALL, CALL!!!!! You have people on your side that have information that will help build a case against this man and that organization. Please help stop this from happening again.

Search for the FTC and on their homepage there is a link to file complaints.

[Figment98]

I recommend everyone who has done business with TOA to contact the FTC and the Attorney General of Tennessee IMMEDIATELY! ... It is now up to YOU to get the ball rolling. The FTC will listen to your complaints. We need as many of you as possible to CALL THEM NOW if we are going to stop this. If you are reading this and are under contract with TOA, call the FTC right now! TOA's office is empty. They may have taken your money and run. CALL, CALL, CALL!!!!! You have people on your side that have information that will help build a case against this man and that organization. Please help stop this from happening again.

Search for the FTC and on their homepage there is a link to file complaints.

I submitted the FTC complaint tonight and it is actually very easy. The FTC has a user-friendly "wizard" that guides you through the complaint process online: www ftccomplaintassistant.gov/.

EVERYONE PLEASE SUBMIT THE COMPLAINT TODAY SO THAT WE HAVE A CHANCE TO RECOVER FROM THEIR FRAUD. Thank you for all the information shared in this forum and for those who have provided this "breaking news" to the rest of us. Best wishes to all.

[Figment98]

If you want a chance at recovering your money from TOA and David Humphrey, I would suggest getting in touch with the bankruptcy court and file a claim.

Does anyone know how to do this?


I should also note that their website has been taken down, their emails bounce, and the phone numbers all say that they're being "upgraded". I hope I'm just being cynical, but the website and phone both say they would be back up today and they're not...not a good sign at all. :(

[MsBeasley]

I just talked to a person at the phone number listed on their website which is 877-762-5941 and was told that someone will be getting back to me within 24 hours. The website is up and running and is very impressive, looks as if they will do a good job for all of us, we will see!

[neo]

toa.me is no more... the website is the same as it was. Why is their office empty? I still recommend you call the FTC. There is something wrong here.

[barfly]

Just called TOA and they tell me that they have never heard of David Humphrey. These people take the cake. They even have a warning about this website. People should use extreme caution when dealing with this company. They are nothing but a band of thieves looking to take your money. We can put a stop to this by all filing a complaint with the FTC, as well as, the Tennessee AG's office, and the BBB.

I think this whole situation with TOA is about to get interesting.

Warning: It looks like TOA has registered its corporation in the state of Delaware. TOA is still under a court injunction from Wyndham. At one point, Professional Timeshare Services was using the same TN address as TOA. It would seem that they are in someway connected.

[barfly]

Just did a quick search and found out that "The Owners Advocate, LLC" is now "Owners Advocate, LLC". The new business was started 2/26/2010 and incorporated in Delaware. It's quite interesting that they claim to have no knowledge of the "owner", but make ridiculous claims on their website about how many contracts they have canceled for people. Not bad numbers for being in business for only about a month. They are also using the very same testimonials. I am also aware of dozens of clients who had requested a refund from TOA, were denied, and who then proceeded to lose their timeshare to foreclosure. All the while being told by TOA that everything was going smoothly.

Bottom Line: This company is a complete fraud and the people involved should be in prison.

[barfly]

The website is up and running and is very impressive, looks as if they will do a good job for all of us, we will see!

You have got to be kidding me. Just because you think they have a nice website, that means that they are going to do a good job for you. They will do nothing more than take your money. If you are an unfortunate new client, you will find this out for yourself very shortly. Quite simply, they are NOT lawyers and can't help you with your situation. And if you think that you will get your money back if they are not successful, think again, you will NOT. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the truth hurts sometimes.

[barfly]

Here's another very interesting point.

I just had my assistant call TOA to verify some info. Here is what she was told. Contrary to when I called and they had never heard of David Humphrey, my assistant was told the owner was indeed a David Humphrey. We both spoke with a guy named Ron. Also, the address that they have listed on their website is NOT theirs. It is the address of the registered agent who filed their corporate papers.

Oddly enough, my assistant tried to set up an appointment at their office. When she tried to confirm the address, they hung up on her twice. Anyone who does business with this company is asking to be scammed.

Harvard Business Services, Inc.
16192 Coastal Highway
Lewes, Delaware 19958
USA

[barfly]

Does anyone know how to do this?


:(

Try calling this number
Phone: (615) 736-5584

[jeffrey]

David,

Can you please tell all the people that have been on this website who paid Owner's Advocate to get out of their timeshares (some who have been waiting over a year with still no results) when they will get out of them or how they can get their money back?

[neo]

David,

How many cases did you have? How many cases did you close? Of those that closed, how many had a mark on their credit as a result of the process? Please provide proof of those numbers. Is there an IRS investigation on The Owners Advocate?

Look, if David has nothing to hide, here is what should happen: Anyone on here who has had an open case with The Owners Advocate and if you believe your case should have been closed by now, you should file a complaint with the FTC. If there is nothing to hide and David is telling the truth about the timeshare companies standing in the way then the FTC will find that out. That way nobody has anything to worry about. One way or another the FTC will get involved and get to the bottom of it. If it is the timeshare companies that are to blame, the FTC will take care of them (which could result in people getting out of their contract). So, please, call the FTC and let's find out who is really telling the truth here. That is, unless The Owners Advocate would be willing to provide refunds to everyone who had a case that could not be closed for whatever reason for an extended period of time. That would be fair also.

How does that sound to you David? If you have nothing to hide what is the harm in people filing a complaint with the FTC? I am just trying to help these people. Aren't you?

As a side note, you are actually threatening litigation on a forum? That is rather funny. Ludicrousness aside, are you really going to sue someone who informs people of their rights and instructs them on who to call? I mean, isn't that what you are complaining about with the Wyndham lawsuit? I was concerned about why The Owners Advocate was not answering the phone and why their office was empty. I think that is reasonable, don't you?

Did you not close 100 cases in Jan or Feb of last year? Did you ever have an office for The Owners Advocate in California? Did you not have your sales people in a house in Nashville telling people they were in sunny California? Was the address to that house 5318 Tidwell Hollow Road, Nashville, TN 37218? Didn't you then move to offices in Bellevue, TN? Are your offices in Bellevue now empty?

These people are hurting because they paid $999 (in some cases over a year ago) and have no closure. I think it is fair for them to start complaining. I think it is fair for them to bring in outside authorities and have those authorities investigate what has happened to their money. Don't you think that is fair? Wouldn't you want to know? If there is no wrong doing then sit back and let this process happen.

[Figment98]

I want liars exposed and I want the consumer to win. I will accomplish this or die trying.


David - thank you for your fight against the timeshare companies. I think this is one thing that everyone on this forum can agree about - we want to see the unethical practices used in the timeshare industry exposed and stopped. We want the consumer to have rights even though we are "the little guy". For your efforts there, I thank you and everyone at The Owners Advocate who has worked tirelessly to make a difference.

Regarding the rumors about TOA, I think many of the people on this forum were just looking for some answers. What Jeffrey asks seems fair. It was just so disheartening to hear that TOA stooped to the level of the timeshares (re Kate's post), and it eroded some of the trust that many of us have placed in you. I think it would be great if you could share some of the success stories (the "proof" you mentioned), and better yet, get those people to share their stories here. That's what we've all been struggling with - we haven't been able to find one person who has completed the process successfully (cancel, received money, and no credit impacts), despite all the claims on TOA's website to the contrary. In the absence of good information, people fill in the blanks with rumors (which may or may not have had malicious intent), but for the majority of the people reading this thread, we just want to know that we haven't been scammed again.

I would welcome the information that you have to share, and I sincerely hope that the rumors prove to be false. As for the lawsuit, I'm incredibly sorry to hear the dirty tactics that WVO has used against you - no one deserves to go through what you're dealing with, and it takes a lot of courage to take a stand like that. You should be very proud of that. But I'm wondering if there's more that we can do. Someone on the forum had mentioned a class-action lawsuit against a particular timeshare company. Has that gotten any traction? Perhaps that would be the way to effect change within this corrupt industry.

While there may be a few exceptions, the majority of people on this thread do not have an agenda and just want to better understand what is happening to them and what their options are to move forward. We're all looking for the same answer, and we just want to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Thank you for being willing to address the rumors and answer questions - again, I sincerely hope they prove to be false, and I sincerely regret the cost you've paid in this fight. May your friends be close and your family be strong through it all. And regardless of whether we agree on other things in this forum, we all want to see the timeshare industry start taking accountability for their actions and stop using such unethical and deceptive sales techniques and business practices. Thank you for the effort you and others with The Owners Advocate have made to advance that fight. I hope that we can all continue to make steps forward and get out of this mess in one piece.

[Niceguy Eddie]

I'm here to stand next to David. I have watched all of this unfold and we all just need to get a grip here. Have any of you tried to get out of your time share on your own? Was it easy? The fact that The Owners' Advocate even got one client our of their contact should give you some indication that they are on your side. Otherwise, why would they work to help ANYONE?

David is a good man who cares deeply for the people who share this world with him. Then there are people like Neo who just want to spit fire and venom. Neo is a disgruntled ex employee who is just jonesing for some sort of revenge. He is leading you on an attack against the person who is trying to help you! He is trying to use all of the TOA clients as tools for his revenge. The classic statement of a dictator, "If you aren't doing anything wrong, we should be able to watch your every move." Sound familiar (neo)? He is scaring you into standing by his side while David comes on here and asks for your help.

Read what David wrote. Pay close attention to the WVO tactics and ask yourself if you would give those wolves the opportunity to dig deeper into your lives. David is on your side.

[MikeMarriott]

I just want to know who Stellar Advocates is as well as Professional Timeshare Services? Just a couple of the questions that have been avoided.

[barfly]

David,

How many cases did you have? How many cases did you close? Of those that closed, how many had a mark on their credit as a result of the process? Please provide proof of those numbers. Is there an IRS investigation on The Owners Advocate?

Look, if David has nothing to hide, here is what should happen: Anyone on here who has had an open case with The Owners Advocate and if you believe your case should have been closed by now, you should file a complaint with the FTC. If there is nothing to hide and David is telling the truth about the timeshare companies standing in the way then the FTC will find that out. That way nobody has anything to worry about. One way or another the FTC will get involved and get to the bottom of it. If it is the timeshare companies that are to blame, the FTC will take care of them (which could result in people getting out of their contract). So, please, call the FTC and let's find out who is really telling the truth here. That is, unless The Owners Advocate would be willing to provide refunds to everyone who had a case that could not be closed for whatever reason for an extended period of time. That would be fair also.

How does that sound to you David? If you have nothing to hide what is the harm in people filing a complaint with the FTC? I am just trying to help these people. Aren't you?

As a side note, you are actually threatening litigation on a forum? That is rather funny. Ludicrousness aside, are you really going to sue someone who informs people of their rights and instructs them on who to call? I mean, isn't that what you are complaining about with the Wyndham lawsuit? I was concerned about why The Owners Advocate was not answering the phone and why their office was empty. I think that is reasonable, don't you?

Did you not close 100 cases in Jan or Feb of last year? Did you ever have an office for The Owners Advocate in California? Did you not have your sales people in a house in Nashville telling people they were in sunny California? Was the address to that house 5318 Tidwell Hollow Road, Nashville, TN 37218? Didn't you then move to offices in Bellevue, TN? Are your offices in Bellevue now empty?

These people are hurting because they paid $999 (in some cases over a year ago) and have no closure. I think it is fair for them to start complaining. I think it is fair for them to bring in outside authorities and have those authorities investigate what has happened to their money. Don't you think that is fair? Wouldn't you want to know? If there is no wrong doing then sit back and let this process happen.

I see you have responded to every post except this one. C'mon David! You are the greatest spin doctor in the industry. You are that rare breed that actually think it's OK to steal peoples money.

Were you not fired from Wyndham for forging signatures? Yes or No. It's a very simple question. I feel quite certain that a company the size of Wyndham would NOT fabricate that you were forging signatures. If untrue, such actions by Wyndham would have left them extremely exposed to violations of employment laws, as well as, one heck of a major lawsuit. As far as I can tell, David never filed a claim.

David, you claim that all clients are and always have been taken care of. You are ABSOLUTELY LYING, and you know it. I know dozens of people that are in a far worse situation now, then from before TOA and you got involved. Are you saying that you are not aware of the Bluegreen owners who almost had their timeshare foreclosed on and their credit ruined, all the while being told by TOA and you that everything was OK and proceeding as normal. If not for the services of an attorney, these people would have been royally scammed by you. BTW, these people were also denied a refund and TOA basically laughed at them. Does this sound like a scam to you David?

Now talking about scams and the possibility that you are a scammer, let's look at some of the facts:
1) February 14, 2008 - terminated from Wyndham for forging signatures
2) Soon after being fired you started a company TOA, but instead of using your REAL Name, you decided to use an alias, Scott Davidson. It was only after you were exposed, that you put your creative spin why you used an alias. This is most definitely a sign of a scammer and NOT an honest person.
3) You claim to have started the company in California, provided an address in California, and told people you were located in California. The reality is you NEVER had offices in California. Does an honest company do that?
4) You claim you are no longer involved with TOA, but when asked who the owner was, the TOA employee told us you, David Humphrey, was the owner. I would suggest doing a better job of training your employees not to divulge information you wish to remain secret.

I'm sure TOA has a FEW clients that they were able to help, but that doesn't excuse the hundreds (I have personal knowledge of MANY cases where the client was ignored and TOA accomplished absolutely NOTHING with regard to their services.) of clients who have been scammed by you and TOA.
Has anyone EVER gotten a refund from TOA based on their guarantee? I certainly don't know of any.

Not sure what address every one is using to file their complaints with the attorney general and the FTC, but David, I'm sure is going to make it very difficult to find him. A little research on the Internet and I was able to come up with this:

HUMPHREY DAVID S.
5318 TIDWELL HOLLOW RD
NASHVILLE TN 37218
USA
(615) 730 5405
(David, How's the horse club treating you?)

Until I can find a VALID physical address, that is the one that I am going to use.

You claim to really want to help people. How about giving us the actual address to where TOA is doing business now. The address listed on the website is a mail forwarding service and NOT the offices of TOA. If a company is not a scam, why do they have to hide their location.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE be very careful before doing business with TOA, David Humphrey, and / or any other company he is affiliated with.

This whole situation is starting to make me feel ill.
I gotta go to the restroom and take a "Humphrey":eek:

[barfly]

Posted by David Humphrey:
Secondly, the FTC does not enforce it only supplies information to the enforcement agencies. So, even your attempts to "help these people" are misguided. In fact, I would say you are disguising your motives rather poorly and it is clear to all who read this that you are maliciously misdirecting peoples anxiety at me instead of the real issues. By the way, complaints by consumers against TOA or any company they believe has treated them unjustly should be filed with the TN Department of Consumer Affairs.

The spin doctor at work again. It must really suck having an ex-employee exposing your dirty secrets. Maybe when your children (you brought them up in an earlier post) get a little older they will be able to read all about their Dad and the many people he ripped off. I can most certainly see why you would want to discourage anyone from filing a complaint with the FTC. You are correct that the FTC is not an enforcement agency, but rather an agency that collects complaints and puts them in a database that is accessible to other consumer agencies. Don't be fooled by Mr. Humphrey. File your complaint with the FTC, the Tennessee Attorney General, and the BBB. I can assure you that if enough people complain about this, action WILL be taken against TOA. I know of about 18 complaints that have been submitted in the last 3 days alone.

You ripped people off David and you continue to lie about it!

[barfly]

Posted by David Humphrey:
All of the questions relating to TOA, LLC DBA The Owners Advocate are public record. We started in CA, moved to TN, still as a CA based company.

Can you provide a physical address of your offices in California? If so, can you provide verifiable proof that your organization actually was physically at that location?

It would seem that supplying this simple info would go a long way in verifying the integrity of your claims.

[barfly]

posted by David Humphrey:
You are clearly trying to undermine and slander my reputation and I will not stand idly by while you try. You are helping no-one with your misinformation.


That's funny. You didn't need anyone to undermine your reputation. You did that all on your own with all the smoke and mirrors surrounding who you really are, and where you are located. Regardless of Neo's past association with you, he is not the one that left hundreds of clients in the dark. I have read the Wyndham lawsuit in its entirety and from what I can see, they have a strong case against you, but then again, I am not a lawyer. As far as I can tell, you seem to be defending yourself in this matter and judging from your solicitation for a free attorney, I may be correct. If that is the case, you will be crushed. I still will NEVER understand how a person who claims to be helping people, thinks it's OK to steal consumers money.

Your a real piece of work David!

Why would anyone choose to do business with this company when they are so evasive about simple corporate info. Most notably, the name of the owner and the physical address. Also, we are all still waiting for verifiable proof of your claimed office in California. I won't be holding my breath.

BTW, the attachments you included don't prove anything. If that is your proof, you are in even more trouble than I imagined.

What about the dozens of people I can produce that believe that they were scammed by you and TOA? You could have done the RIGHT thing and refunded their money. I know most were not even asking for a full refund, but yet they were all denied. WTG David!

I can't see how anyone who reads this would decide to do business with TOA or any of David's other companies.

[barfly]

Posted by David Humphrey:
Professional Timeshare Services whom people have tried to link me to is NOT MY COMPANY. However, I have investigated this company as I do all new "competition" and have found them to be absolutely legitimate. They had posted my Nashville office address on their website when they first came out and that raised a red flag for me immediately but that became a non-issue after I spoke with the owner.


Let me get this right. A company who you claim not to know, PTS, opens up and advertises on its website that it is located, (drum roll please) at the exact location of TOA. Why would a legitimate company post a false address? They wouldn't, only a scam company would. There is no defense for such actions. I guess you forgot that a few months ago you told people that you were starting other companies to hide from Wyndham and that this was one of them. It must be really hard to keep up with all your lies. Just like you will not be deterred by Wyndham, the people who you have cheated will likewise not go away. Not until at least they have been given a refund or you have paid the price for your transgressions.

I have just sent a link to this thread to a friend that is an attorney. He says if what I am telling him is true, there would be a very good case against David Humphrey, TOA, and its employees, for racketeering under the RICO statutes. I will update what I find out from the attorney in another thread so we can include everyone who wants to be included.

[barfly]

Originally Posted by David Humphrey View Post
I want liars exposed and I want the consumer to win. I will accomplish this or die trying.

I know A LOT of consumers that would feel like they won if you would refund the money they paid you. How about it David? Well we both know that's never going to happen unless you somehow develop a conscience.

David has already shared with us the great lengths that Wyndham has gone to in order to stop him.

I said it before, and I'll say it again, call the attorneys for Wyndham and offer that you will provide any information you can about your dealings with TOA in return for your release from the timeshare contract.

My guess is that they will be more than happy to accommodate you.

Here is the info for Wyndhams Attorney:
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell, & Berkowitz, PC
Baker Donelson Center
Suite 800
211 Commerce Street
Nashville, TN 37201
Phone:615-726-5600
Fax: 615-726-0464

[gc1]

David

if TOA is no longer, what has happened to all the customers who have active disputes? who is handling that now? How are they going to get the contracts cancelled?

[barfly]

posted by David Humphrey:
NO. Wyndham fired me because I threatened to expose their deceptive sales practices. I tried to find a lawyer to sue them for terminating me but could not afford one.


No David, Wyndham fired you for forging signatures. Once again you have proven yourself to be a complete and utter LIAR!

Posted by David Humphrey:
You must be joking. How can anyone on this forum take you seriously? You are saying that because a company is large, they wouldn't lie and in the same sentence you mention one of the biggest sellers of lies in the timeshare industry?? WYNDHAM TELLS LIES FOR A LIVING! But you believe them?

The spin doctor is at it again. This is not about Wyndham. All I was saying is that it would not be worth it for a company as large as wyndham to fire someone for such a serious act if it were not true. They could have simply made up another reason for your firing that wouldn't leave themselves so exposed. The fact that they DID fire you for forgery, and you did nothing about it, speaks volumes about what really happened.

Poste by David Humphrey:

Now you're just making up stories...I provided proof that my company delivers what it promises. Where's yours? I am on this forum being truthful and helpful when I have no reason to be. I am not anonymously throwing out wild accusations to damage someones reputation. CLEARLY YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY LYING!

Be careful what you wish for David. I will be more than happy to supply Jeffrey with the names of dozens of people who feel that they have been ripped off by the services of TOA. David, YOU ARE THE ONLY LIAR.


Posted by David Humphrey:
You must be in the TIMESHARE INDUSTRY. Those "facts" are about as accurate as consumers being able to sell or rent their timeshare for a profit!
Sorry if the truth hurts David. Are you so stupid that you think this info is not available on the internet and has been for quite some time.
1) Absolutely TRUE, call the Wyndham attorneys to verify.
2) Absolutely TRUE
3) From all the info I have gathered, this seems to be TRUE. You can EASILY prove me false by providing your physical address from when you were in California. Seems easy enough, but we both know you will not provide that info because it simply does NOT exist.
4) Absolutely TRUE. I was personally told that info yesterday, from an employee named Ron.

Posted by David Humphrey:
How would you know anything? You have nothing to do with me! You don't know what you're talking about and you're clearly here on a mission to undermine my credibility and those that work tirelessly against a corrupt industry!
Obviously I know more than you think. ;)

Posted by David Humphrey:
That is all public record. I have never been difficult to find. That's my home address and phone number. It's listed in the white pages. Again, you are making yourself the fool here as you attempt to slander me. Do you work for Wyndham?
You have been difficult to find David, or should I call you Scott. Enough said. The fact that you try to justify using an alias speaks volumes about your integrity. If you had any integrity, you would honor the refund requests from your "former" clients, but we both know you laughed at the notion of that happening.

Posted by David Humphrey:
industry built on lies, corruption, and evil people willing to say and do anything to keep their ill gotten gains. Sound familiar "barfly"?
Yes, actually sounds very familiar. It sounds just like you and TOA.:eek:

The moral of this thread should be, "Don't get Humphreyed"

[red_doll]

I'm here to stand next to David. I have watched all of this unfold and we all just need to get a grip here. Have any of you tried to get out of your time share on your own? Was it easy? The fact that The Owners' Advocate even got one client our of their contact should give you some indication that they are on your side. Otherwise, why would they work to help ANYONE?

David is a good man who cares deeply for the people who share this world with him. Then there are people like Neo who just want to spit fire and venom. Neo is a disgruntled ex employee who is just jonesing for some sort of revenge. He is leading you on an attack against the person who is trying to help you! He is trying to use all of the TOA clients as tools for his revenge. The classic statement of a dictator, "If you aren't doing anything wrong, we should be able to watch your every move." Sound familiar (neo)? He is scaring you into standing by his side while David comes on here and asks for your help.

Read what David wrote. Pay close attention to the WVO tactics and ask yourself if you would give those wolves the opportunity to dig deeper into your lives. David is on your side.

I am with Niceguy Eddie, I am going to stand behind David and that is all there is to it. I have never had a situation like the timeshare BS happen to me and I am sick of it. I believe in what David started and I know that this will be a victory in the end. Don't give up David, keep your head high and know that this Nevada girl is in your corner. This is all a waiting game with the timeshare companies and I will wait and be patient. :D

[jeffrey]

David,

My guess is that for most of the people that have given money to The Owner's Advocate, all they really care about at this time is how can they get their timeshare trap resolved or get their money back from TOA. Some of them have been waiting over a year. You say it takes time. What is a reasonable time period to wait in the worst case scenario? 1 year? 3 years? 10 years? Telling them to be patient with no time date is unrealistic.

Can you provide a contact at TOA that all the forum members can call so that they can get their situations resolved? I think that simple act would go a long way to making people here feel a lot more at ease.

[red_doll]

David,

My guess is that for most of the people that have given money to The Owner's Advocate, all they really care about at this time is how can they get their timeshare trap resolved or get their money back from TOA. Some of them have been waiting over a year. You say it takes time. What is a reasonable time period to wait in the worst case scenario? 1 year? 3 years? 10 years? Telling them to be patient with no time date is unrealistic.

Can you provide a contact at TOA that all the forum members can call so that they can get their situations resolved? I think that simple act would go a long way to making people here feel a lot more at ease.

I am guessing that the timeshare companies can wait as long as they want. It is we the people who are scammed that have problems waiting and tend to give up to soon. I started in oct of 09 and am willing to wait as long as it takes. As for talking to people, what if David did give you a name and number and that person talked to as many people as possible, would you discredit that person? I know that when this works for me I will be the first to say ,,,call me. Would you discredit me and say that I worked for TOA?
Someone already has stated that I am... which is very funny considering I would like nothing more than to help people like me.

i still haven't seen any other HELPFUL tidbits on here to help the everyday person.

[barfly]

you guys are all full of it!!!!!!! I bought a dang timeshare, can't get out it, was lied to by everyone I talked to and all you can do is bad mouth me.....nice! I found TOA and if it doesn't work so be it. I don't see you guys helping any and as far as I am concerned everyone that is on a website can write anything they want and make it look good. All I ever asked for was help... and I do not work for TOA... but maybe after this I will call them and tell them that if they make it work for me, I will be their biggest advocate. and just because we don't see any positive results on here doesn't mean it isn't working.

give me a break and help not hinder

We actually have tried to help you, but you don't want to hear it. You go on and keep supporting David. If you are an ACTUAL client and not a shill, you will soon learn the same lesson many others have. If it's worth it to you to through away some more money on your timeshare, there is nothing anyone can do to help you. After reading all this, if you choose to do business with this company, you should probably have your head examined.

[red_doll]

We actually have tried to help you, but you don't want to hear it. You go on and keep supporting David. If you are an ACTUAL client and not a shill, you will soon learn the same lesson many others have. If it's worth it to you to through away some more money on your timeshare, there is nothing anyone can do to help you. After reading all this, if you choose to do business with this company, you should probably have your head examined.

what the heck is a shill? :confused: Yes actually I am a client and will continue to stand behind David and or TOA. Besides, I don't like you very much, you are the one who keeps bashing the company. Actually going out of your way to do so. That makes me wonder.

[barfly]

Posted by Red Doll
i still haven't seen any other HELPFUL tidbits on here to help the everyday person.

Are you kidding?
Using false names, hiding the actual location of where they do business, fired from wyndham for forgery, not to count the numerous lies about their services and success rate. The more you write, the more you seem like a shill for TOA. People around here are NOT STUPID!

[red_doll]

Posted by Red Doll
i still haven't seen any other HELPFUL tidbits on here to help the everyday person.

Are you kidding?
Using false names, hiding the actual location of where they do business, fired from wyndham for forgery, not to count the numerous lies about their services and success rate. The more you write, the more you seem like a shill for TOA. People around here are NOT STUPID!

need I say more? David posted his name, what is your name? One more time, what is a shill? you are starting to piss me off with your allegations. you keep bashing me, why? ummm i am a friggin nail tech genius! oh by the way, there has not been One helpful tidbit on here. why do you think people keep asking?

[MikeMarriott]

I've always been told timeshare owners are not the brightest of all people. Here is a guy admitting to using different personal names, company names, and addresses and you have his back. I will save this thread for my scrapbook.

[barfly]

what the heck is a shill? :confused: Yes actually I am a client and will continue to stand behind David and or TOA. Besides, I don't like you very much, you are the one who keeps bashing the company. Actually going out of your way to do so. That makes me wonder.

I guess you don't find it helpful when someone posts their REAL experience with this company. If you paid them, you might as well kiss that money goodbye and if you really want out of your timeshare, you need to hire an actual attorney. Let me ask you this Red Doll, If you wanted to sue someone who you feel has ripped you off for thousands of dollars, would you hire someone who is not an attorney to fight your case. Unless you were a complete moron, you would not. Again, I am only trying to help you. And BTW, you can support David all you want, but the fact remains he is doing absolutely NOTHING for you. As stated earlier, I can provide Jeffrey with dozens of consumers who got screwed by TOA.

[barfly]

I've always been told timeshare owners are not the brightest of all people. Here is a guy admitting to using different personal names, company names, and addresses and you have his back. I will save this thread for my scrapbook.

Some people would rather be ripped off than helped!

[red_doll]

Some people would rather be ripped off than helped!

And you wonder why actual people don't post on here about success.

[red_doll]

I guess you don't find it helpful when someone posts their REAL experience with this company. If you paid them, you might as well kiss that money goodbye and if you really want out of your timeshare, you need to hire an actual attorney. Let me ask you this Red Doll, If you wanted to sue someone who you feel has ripped you off for thousands of dollars, would you hire someone who is not an attorney to fight your case. Unless you were a complete moron, you would not. Again, I am only trying to help you. And BTW, you can support David all you want, but the fact remains he is doing absolutely NOTHING for you. As stated earlier, I can provide Jeffrey with dozens of consumers who got screwed by TOA.

what is a shill?

[MikeMarriott]

1 who posts fabrications about the company he or she works at I believe.

[red_doll]

1 who posts fabrications about the company he or she works at I believe.

A person paid to endorse a product favourably, while pretending to be impartial; An accomplice at a confidence trick during an auction or gambling game; To promote or endorse in return for payment, especially dishonestly; To put under cover; to sheal
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/shill

and as I have told you, I am a mother, wife and nail tech. I don't have anything to do with timeshare anything. I just wanted out and I hired TOA. I can't give this timeshare away and Century 21 in FL was the one who gave me their number. As he said, "there is no market for timeshares anymore" and " there is no way I could help you" ...

[red_doll]

David

if TOA is no longer, what has happened to all the customers who have active disputes? who is handling that now? How are they going to get the contracts cancelled?

I did talk to a live person and everything is going through. Nothing has been dropped.

[red_doll]

First of all, it does take time. What is a realistic expectation? Well, in my experience it depends on the resort. The bigger resorts like Wyndham and Westgate have massive numbers of complaints to work through. They don't "roll over". 6-12 months is very realistic. During that time most owners stop paying and keep pestering the resort to act. It takes perseverance. It really is a battle of wills. TOA provides the encouragement and tools to strengthen the will of the defrauded consumer. The truth is the consumer's greatest weapon.

The resort has nothing to gain so it will eventually cut its losses. However, during that time when an owner is disputing the resort, the owner needs education and guidance to ensure that Consumer Protection Laws don't get violated. That is where TOA comes in handy.

What any scammed timeshare owner needs to understand is that resorts get complaints everyday and they are ready for you. They have teams of people they give legitimate titles to like "Director of Consumer Affairs" who are really a secondary sales force and they've heard it all. They try to scare owners with legitimate grievances into believing they have no recourse.

It is a scary experience for most consumers to stand up and cry bullsh-t. Most have no idea what their rights are and most call the very place that lied to them, the resort, for help. It's a sordid industry.

I can say that working with resorts like Silverleaf, and Grupo Mayan just to name 2 is a pleasure. They understand they have issues on their sales force and with the help of TOA the typical release time is 30 days or less.

As far as how existing clients can get their timeshare trap resolved I was under the impression that they were to be contacted but I am not sure how. Also, for legal reasons I need to keep myself from violating the Judges order even accidentally which is why I am not affiliating myself with TOA right now.

Hopefully, an owner or client of TOA will post on here to let everyone know if a) they've been contacted and b) how?

I was contacted by email and my new contact person is Ava, I was also able to get a hold of my new contact person and talked about my case.
Here is the information I now have:
Customer Service Email cs@myconsumeractivist.com Telephone 1-866-326-7597Customer Service Direct Fax 1-800-627-4961

I hope this helps anyone who was wondering about their contract with TOA. At first I didn't look in my spam and that is where I found the first contact. :)

[barfly]

I'm sorry, did you actually suggest people lie about TOA to "cooperate" with Wyndham in exchange for a release from their contracts? How noble of you. Forget standing up against fraud and misrepresentation...let's tell people to make a deal with the devil and screw righteousness and justice??

Well my fraudulent friend, you just tipped your hand like most criminals eventually do. I now have your identity and understand why you joined this blog only days ago intent on destroying my credibility and the credibility of The Owners Advocate.

"John C Haggar" from Vacation Register International, Inc DBA Timeshare Sales Today is "Barfly". Here is a guy who is so "honest and credible" that he had to change his company name:

"Timeshare Sales Today launches new website and name

Timeshare Sales Today - 3/11/2009

Vacation Register International, Inc is now doing business as Timeshare Sales Today. We have made this change to better serve our clients with all their timeshare needs. Vacation Register International, Inc. has registered with the State of Florida to do business as Timeshare Sales Today. Timeshare Sales Today, and all of its logos and trademarks, is owned by Vacation Register International, Inc. Timeshare Sales Today and Vacation Register International, Inc. are not affiliated with any other company or entity. Again this change in no way affects our existing clients and we will continue to aggressively market and advertise all timeshares in our inventory. We at Timeshare Sales Today feel confident that all of our clients will agree that we are leading the way, with our easy to use website, innovative timeshare search functions, and various website enhancements, in timeshare resales and rentals. If you have any further questions regarding this change, please contact us toll free at 1-888-226-1055 or use this form."

The real reason "John" changed his name was because of the overwhelming consumer complaints about his company ripping consumers off. Complaints to the BBB, the AG and the FTC. No wonder he is so familiar with how to report scams. HE IS A LIVING SCAM.

Now it all makes sense. John C Haggar AKA Barfly is in the timeshare industry. He promises consumers he can sell or rent their timeshare...for a fee. He is the worst kind of predator in that he takes advantage of consumers looking for legitimate help and rips them off yet again and has the audacity to use words like "honesty and integrity" on his website.

He is a complete and utter LIAR and professional SCAM ARTIST. He is a con man. He is exactly what he accuses me of being and now I know why.

Go to the Rip Off Report and punch in Vacation Register International, Inc and you'll see why they changed their name to Timeshare Sales Today. Punch that in too and they are already getting complaints with their "new name".

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! If you don't believe me...ask him yourself! But be ready for a boatload of bullcrap. This guy lives and breathes it and is the very reason The Owners Advocate went into business in the first place. We help people get justice against people like John Haggar and companies like Timeshare Sales Today.

Check with his ex-partner Michael who says John is the most pathological sociopath he has ever met. God, I love it when the TRUTH comes out! It always does!!

To report John if you have been ripped off by Timeshare Sales Today or Vacation Register International, Inc contact the Florida AG or the department of business and professional regulation.




Now I will set the record straight. Yes, I am John Haggar and I am the owner of Vacation Register International, Inc. dba Timeshare Sales Today. No, I am not associated with Vacation Register, Inc., Vacation Registry International, Inc., or any other timeshare company. When I first started Vacation Register International, Inc., I had a partner. My partner owned Vacation Register, Inc. They were 2 completely separate corporations with a completely different management and structure. I bought my partner out a few years ago and have been 100% owner ever since. Personally, I NEVER had anything to do with Vacation Register, Inc. and never profited one penny from their operations. They were however, one of the reasons why I got in the business. The reason for the partnership back in 2003 was because my partner had the phone system and the office space. That was the complete involvement of my partner in Vacation Register International, Inc up until the time I bought him out. If you want to talk about integrity in the industry try this on for size. How many resale companies do you know stopped taking ads over a year ago but still provide customer service and present their clients with offers? The answer is Vacation Register, Inc. The number of complaints filed against them may seem like a large number, but it only represents a tiny fraction of their overall client base. Hopefully I've addressed this part enough. All this corporate info can be found on sunbiz.org

All the information about my company and the article quoted, appear on my website. On the contact us page, it clearly states that we are Vacation Register International, inc. dba Timeshare Sales Today. The name Timeshare Sales Today is owned by Vacation Register International, inc. If I was trying to hide from any agencies, I sure made it easy for them to find me.:D See David, that's called transparency. BTW, the address listed on the website is our ACTUAL address (I'm sure that's a unique concept for you David). It's a really nice setup, in a major strip center. We welcome walk-ins.

Let's talk about the Ripoff Report on Vacation Register International, Inc:
Read it. We brought the person an offer for $21,000, which she refused. Obviously, you can't make everyone happy. That was back in 2006.

The ripoff report on timeshare sales today brings me to my next point. The complaint itself was odd because at the time that the person said we called, we were no longer offering our advertising program. We were not taking ANY new ads for the sale or rental of timeshares and we would have never told someone that there was a buyer, unless there was. The fact is, we have not taken on ANY new advertisements for the sale or rental of a timeshare for quite some time. It clearly states that on our website.

So, we weren't selling ads. What we did do is offer 2 options for timeshare owners who's timeshares were paid off and the maintenance fees were up to date. I'm not going to elaborate because I don't want this to seem like I am touting my own company when in reality this is about TOA. Enter TOA and David Humphrey into the picture. He told me that they could get anyone out of their timeshare contract and that they had a 100% success rate. Wow, that sounded great and I thought this could be a way for us to help timeshare owners who still had a mortgage on their timeshare. Boy was I ever wrong. We sent over 30 clients to TOA, paid $1000 each, and got nothing but a bunch of unhappy people. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I believe I had to refund about 7 clients. Guess how much was refunded by TOA. Yep, you guessed it, $0. Not to be unfair, they did have 1 client who, other than the poor customer service and lack of communication, wanted to stick with TOA because they told him they were very close to closing his case. Well in one way they were. The client then received a letter from their resort informing them the timeshare would be foreclosed on by the end of the month. We have since paid for, out of our pocket, the services of a lawyer to help this client. It's only because of the false hope given to this client by TOA and David Humphrey, that it may be too late to help them. WTG TOA!:mad: As a company owner, it is my duty to stand by my clients and help them. Instead of abandoning them like David, I found them help through an attorney. If they ask for their money back, I will give it to them.

In summary, over $30,000 paid to TOA, not one person helped by TOA, Not a single penny refunded by TOA.

I think I've addressed everything, but if I missed something I'll post it later. My guess is that Red Doll is David's wife:eek:


Here is what I'm willing to offer to prove what I'm saying is true. I will supply the following information to Jeffery, as well as, answer any questions he may have. I honestly just don't want to see anyone else scammed by this company. It should be crystal clear by now how I have so much knowledge of TOA and why I am so upset with them

*The names and phone numbers of over 30 clients that TOA did basically nothing for and provided NO refunds.
*My tax returns to show that I have never been a part of Vacation Register, Inc.
*All complaints, as well as, all the resolutions filed against me or my business with the BBB, Florida AG, and the Fl Dept of Ag for the last 12 months

Jeffrey, just let me know if and how you would like to do this.

[red_doll]

Now I will set the record straight. Yes, I am John Haggar and I am the owner of Vacation Register International, Inc. dba Timeshare Sales Today. No, I am not associated with Vacation Register, Inc., Vacation Registry International, Inc., or any other timeshare company. When I first started Vacation Register International, Inc., I had a partner. My partner owned Vacation Register, Inc. They were 2 completely separate corporations with a completely different management and structure. I bought my partner out a few years ago and have been 100% owner ever since. Personally, I NEVER had anything to do with Vacation Register, Inc. and never profited one penny from their operations. They were however, one of the reasons why I got in the business. The reason for the partnership back in 2003 was because my partner had the phone system and the office space. That was the complete involvement of my partner in Vacation Register International, Inc up until the time I bought him out. If you want to talk about integrity in the industry try this on for size. How many resale companies do you know stopped taking ads over a year ago but still provide customer service and present their clients with offers? The answer is Vacation Register, Inc. The number of complaints filed against them may seem like a large number, but it only represents a tiny fraction of their overall client base. Hopefully I've addressed this part enough. All this corporate info can be found on sunbiz.org

All the information about my company and the article quoted, appear on my website. On the contact us page, it clearly states that we are Vacation Register International, inc. dba Timeshare Sales Today. The name Timeshare Sales Today is owned by Vacation Register International, inc. If I was trying to hide from any agencies, I sure made it easy for them to find me.:D See David, that's called transparency. BTW, the address listed on the website is our ACTUAL address (I'm sure that's a unique concept for you David). It's a really nice setup, in a major strip center. We welcome walk-ins.

Let's talk about the Ripoff Report on Vacation Register International, Inc:
Read it. We brought the person an offer for $21,000, which she refused. Obviously, you can't make everyone happy. That was back in 2006.

The ripoff report on timeshare sales today brings me to my next point. The complaint itself was odd because at the time that the person said we called, we were no longer offering our advertising program. We were not taking ANY new ads for the sale or rental of timeshares and we would have never told someone that there was a buyer, unless there was. The fact is, we have not taken on ANY new advertisements for the sale or rental of a timeshare for quite some time. It clearly states that on our website.

So, we weren't selling ads. What we did do is offer 2 options for timeshare owners who's timeshares were paid off and the maintenance fees were up to date. I'm not going to elaborate because I don't want this to seem like I am touting my own company when in reality this is about TOA. Enter TOA and David Humphrey into the picture. He told me that they could get anyone out of their timeshare contract and that they had a 100% success rate. Wow, that sounded great and I thought this could be a way for us to help timeshare owners who still had a mortgage on their timeshare. Boy was I ever wrong. We sent over 30 clients to TOA, paid $1000 each, and got nothing but a bunch of unhappy people. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I believe I had to refund about 7 clients. Guess how much was refunded by TOA. Yep, you guessed it, $0. Not to be unfair, they did have 1 client who, other than the poor customer service and lack of communication, wanted to stick with TOA because they told him they were very close to closing his case. Well in one way they were. The client then received a letter from their resort informing them the timeshare would be foreclosed on by the end of the month. We have since paid for, out of our pocket, the services of a lawyer to help this client. It's only because of the false hope given to this client by TOA and David Humphrey, that it may be too late to help them. WTG TOA!:mad: As a company owner, it is my duty to stand by my clients and help them. Instead of abandoning them like David, I found them help through an attorney. If they ask for their money back, I will give it to them.

In summary, over $30,000 paid to TOA, not one person helped by TOA, Not a single penny refunded by TOA.

I think I've addressed everything, but if I missed something I'll post it later. My guess is that Red Doll is David's wife:eek:


Here is what I'm willing to offer to prove what I'm saying is true. I will supply the following information to Jeffery, as well as, answer any questions he may have. I honestly just don't want to see anyone else scammed by this company. It should be crystal clear by now how I have so much knowledge of TOA and why I am so upset with them

*The names and phone numbers of over 30 clients that TOA did basically nothing for and provided NO refunds.
*My tax returns to show that I have never been a part of Vacation Register, Inc.
*All complaints, as well as, all the resolutions filed against me or my business with the BBB, Florida AG, and the Fl Dept of Ag for the last 12 months

Jeffrey, just let me know if and how you would like to do this.


The ironic thing is that I came on here with my screen name because I didn't want anyone to know how stupid I felt. My first name is Kim, I will tell you that much, but I am married to man who I live with in Nevada.

I must be really getting to you and I find that very funny. If I knew all the facts about Time share, which I don't, I would gladly argue with you. Because of you however, I will find out as much as I can about timeshares and what they do to people like me. I am sure that Davids wife is getting a chuckle on this one. To all the people reading this, it is not fair to them for you to accuse me of something that is false. What are they thinking when they see that you keep accusing me of something I am not guilty of. Would you like me to give you a manicure? Maybe that would make you feel better....:p YOU DO remember me telling you that I was a nail tech, correct? I really think you need a manicure!

[Niceguy Eddie]

I'm sorry, did you actually suggest people lie about TOA to "cooperate" with Wyndham in exchange for a release from their contracts? How noble of you. Forget standing up against fraud and misrepresentation...let's tell people to make a deal with the devil and screw righteousness and justice??

Well my fraudulent friend, you just tipped your hand like most criminals eventually do. I now have your identity and understand why you joined this blog only days ago intent on destroying my credibility and the credibility of The Owners Advocate.

"John C Haggar" from Vacation Register International, Inc DBA Timeshare Sales Today is "Barfly". Here is a guy who is so "honest and credible" that he had to change his company name:

"Timeshare Sales Today launches new website and name

Timeshare Sales Today - 3/11/2009

Vacation Register International, Inc is now doing business as Timeshare Sales Today. We have made this change to better serve our clients with all their timeshare needs. Vacation Register International, Inc. has registered with the State of Florida to do business as Timeshare Sales Today. Timeshare Sales Today, and all of its logos and trademarks, is owned by Vacation Register International, Inc. Timeshare Sales Today and Vacation Register International, Inc. are not affiliated with any other company or entity. Again this change in no way affects our existing clients and we will continue to aggressively market and advertise all timeshares in our inventory. We at Timeshare Sales Today feel confident that all of our clients will agree that we are leading the way, with our easy to use website, innovative timeshare search functions, and various website enhancements, in timeshare resales and rentals. If you have any further questions regarding this change, please contact us toll free at 1-888-226-1055 or use this form."

The real reason "John" changed his name was because of the overwhelming consumer complaints about his company ripping consumers off. Complaints to the BBB, the AG and the FTC. No wonder he is so familiar with how to report scams. HE IS A LIVING SCAM.

Now it all makes sense. John C Haggar AKA Barfly is in the timeshare industry. He promises consumers he can sell or rent their timeshare...for a fee. He is the worst kind of predator in that he takes advantage of consumers looking for legitimate help and rips them off yet again and has the audacity to use words like "honesty and integrity" on his website.

He is a complete and utter LIAR and professional SCAM ARTIST. He is a con man. He is exactly what he accuses me of being and now I know why.

Go to the Rip Off Report and punch in Vacation Register International, Inc and you'll see why they changed their name to Timeshare Sales Today. Punch that in too and they are already getting complaints with their "new name".

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! If you don't believe me...ask him yourself! But be ready for a boatload of bullcrap. This guy lives and breathes it and is the very reason The Owners Advocate went into business in the first place. We help people get justice against people like John Haggar and companies like Timeshare Sales Today.

Check with his ex-partner Michael who says John is the most pathological sociopath he has ever met. God, I love it when the TRUTH comes out! It always does!!

To report John if you have been ripped off by Timeshare Sales Today or Vacation Register International, Inc contact the Florida AG or the department of business and professional regulation.

John C Haggar
6450 Tanglewood Dr NE
Saint Petersburg, FL 33702-4744

(727) 528-8183 or his cell 727-647-3682

HO LEE COW! It looks like we have a troll in the woodpile. Or is it a shill?

John's on here trying to drum up business! Way to get to the truth, David.

[barfly]

HO LEE COW! It looks like we have a troll in the woodpile. Or is it a shill?

John's on here trying to drum up business! Way to get to the truth, David.
Now that's funny. The fact is, I'm NOT the one who brought up my company and never would have. But now that it's out, it sure does make it a lot easier to expose David and TOA. As I stated earlier, I sent many clients to TOA, NONE of whom were helped. I have already stated the information I am willing to supply.

I am able to supply information concerning TOA and their ability to help consumers. I guess my clients were the unlucky ones. Man, what bad luck, 0 cases closed out of 34. That should tell you all you need to know. Isn't that what this forum is all about. Helping People. You want verifiable proof of the lies of David Humphrey, I can supply it. FYI David, ever since the day I was born, I've had or used just one name John Haggar. Can you say the same David?

BTW, I can also provide Jeffrey a copy of the Wyndham complaint and injunction against TOA. I guess the judge had it in for you too.

How about you David? Any info you want to supply to prove your statements?
Lets start with a REAL easy one.
*Copy of a lease or canceled checks showing you had an office in California.

How about this David? How about doing the right thing by refunding me just a mere 1/3 of what I paid you on behalf of my clients. That would roughly be a little more than $10,000. I can't see how you or anybody else could possibly find that unfair. David, just to show you that I'm not such a bad guy(just don't like being ripped off), I'll give you a tid bit of advice. Now remember, I am NOT an attorney, but I would think that if you had one, they would tell you that during your lawsuit with Wyndham, it might be a bad idea to be posting on the Internet.

[barfly]

posted by David Humphrey:
I'm sorry, did you actually suggest people lie about TOA to "cooperate" with Wyndham in exchange for a release from their contracts? How noble of you. Forget standing up against fraud and misrepresentation...let's tell people to make a deal with the devil and screw righteousness and justice??
I NEVER suggested for anyone to lie about TOA. I was simply trying to give people another option to get out of their timeshare. They could simply call the attorneys for Wyndham and tell them their situation and that they have first hand dealings with TOA concerning their timeshare. No one ever said anything about lying. I'm sure they would be content about hearing the TRUTH. This would do absolutely nothing to prevent other consumers from pursuing a case against wyndham, or any other timeshare resort, but it could help some people get out of their timeshare (which is all they really want), and at the same time maybe prevent more people from losing their money to TOA.

0-34 DAVID!!! 100% VERIFIED

[barfly]

To Niceguy Eddie and Red Doll:

If you were a client of mine who was sent to TOA (something I would be sorry for), you would either have ALL your money back, or you would have an attorney helping you. It would be your choice, and no you wouldn't have to pay any more money. I felt it was the best way to handle the situation. On the other hand, David and TOA have refused all refunds that I know of. Has anyone ever received a refund from TOA? I've never heard of it and them claiming to have a 100% success rate, would mean they have never needed to.

With such a success rate, I am simply and utterly befuddled how NONE of the clients that I have first hand knowledge of got out of their timeshare with the help of David or TOA. Let me repeat that for Niceguy Eddie and Red Doll, NONE of the clients that I have first hand knowledge of got out of their timeshare or received a refund for that matter. In case you forgot the score:
Consumer got what they wanted:0 TOA got paid:34

[red_doll]

To Niceguy Eddie and Red Doll:

If you were a client of mine who was sent to TOA (something I would be sorry for), you would either have ALL your money back, or you would have an attorney helping you. It would be your choice, and no you wouldn't have to pay any more money. I felt it was the best way to handle the situation. On the other hand, David and TOA have refused all refunds that I know of. Has anyone ever received a refund from TOA? I've never heard of it and them claiming to have a 100% success rate, would mean they have never needed to.

With such a success rate, I am simply and utterly befuddled how NONE of the clients that I have first hand knowledge of got out of their timeshare with the help of David or TOA. Let me repeat that for Niceguy Eddie and Red Doll, NONE of the clients that I have first hand knowledge of got out of their timeshare or received a refund for that matter. In case you forgot the score:
Consumer got what they wanted:0 TOA got paid:34

I wish I knew more about timeshares right now and how they work. if you say that you help people, why haven't you said something before? Why tonight? Why can't you just say " this is who you call" and "this is what you do" . when I started all of this, I had no idea and so far TOA has walked me through everything. I wish I did know someone from there personally. I am tired tonight and don't feel like arguing with you anymore. Just know that when this works and by god I hope it does, I will post the results. I wish I had never ever heard about time shares. :(

[barfly]

I wish I knew more about timeshares right now and how they work. if you say that you help people, why haven't you said something before? Why tonight? Why can't you just say " this is who you call" and "this is what you do" . when I started all of this, I had no idea and so far TOA has walked me through everything. I wish I did know someone from there personally. I am tired tonight and don't feel like arguing with you anymore. Just know that when this works and by god I hope it does, I will post the results. I wish I had never ever heard about time shares. :(

Ok Red Doll, I'll tell what. Here is some help. Yes, you can give your timeshare away, but in MOST cases it will cost you. If you are indeed an timeshare owner in need of help, you can call me on the phone. I promise I will not try to sell you a thing. I am at the office 8-10 hours a day. That's your best bet, or can can feel free to call my cell phone. If you decide to call the office, which I hope you do, just ask for me and let the receptionist know its Red Doll. Again, I will talk to you about your timeshare. I really have no interest in discussing TOA, other than what I have said on this forum. I will not try to sell you on any of our services. After speaking to me on the phone, you will have no doubt about my integrity.

The fact is David was perfectly content with me when he was taking my money. Heck, besides me writing him checks, the extent of my knowledge of David Humphrey was a 5 minute phone conversation and a couple of emails. And yet somehow the great spin doctor claims he is doing the right thing, and somehow I am the bad guy. Once again, he took my money, helped no one, and basically said #%& you. On top of that, I have had to pay for an attorney to help these people or give a refund. BTW, I found this thread only after being ripped off by TOA and decided to post my experience.

[barfly]

Spoken like a true salesman. Case closed.

You are quite a piece of work David. In the post I clearly stated I WOULD NOT try to sell her anything. She was asking for help and I offered to give it to her. Again as stated in my post, I will not sell Red Doll anything. It must really scare you to think that I might talk to one of your clients and SHOW them the truth about you and TOA.

David, you wouldn't know the truth if it hit you upside the head.

Here are some examples of your lies and you still have failed to honestly address them.

1) You were fired from Wyndham for FORGERY! Forgery David!! This fact can be verified. Spin it all you want, but you were fired for forgery.
2)Still waiting for any verifiable proof that you EVER had an office in California. It will never be produced because you lied about that too. This should be one of the easiest of all to prove. Can't prove it, can you?
3)Probably the most baffling info of all is the fact that you used a fake name, Scott Davidson when you first started in the business. What honest person does that? It was only when you were exposed that you admitted it. Needless to say you attacked the person who exposed you.

Guess what David, you are a scammer. Like the old adage, if its walks like a duck, talks like a duck, it probably is a duck. Quack a little louder David, I can't hear you.

It is absolutely amazing that you still think your actions are acceptable. YOU screwed over MANY people. If you plan on defending yourself against Wyndham the same way you have defended yourself in this thread, you are in for a BIG disappointment.

Why do you refuse to answer some basic questions?

Tell these people how much money I paid you and how many of the clients that I sent you are out of their timeshare. Let me refresh your memory, it's over $30,000 paid and ZERO cases closed. So again, you took the money, provided NO real service, refused all refund offers, and then to top it all off, you come on here saying that I am a scam. You did not seem to have any problem with me when you were cashing my checks. It was only after you screwed the clients and I asked for a refund, that I became the bad guy. The fact is that I tried unsuccessfully to remedy this situation with you privately, but you basically told me to F$%$ off. It must really suck having the truth exposed about you and your company, and in order to defend yourself you have to fabricate the truth. Unfortunately for the unsuspecting consumer you are very good at LYING!

Heck, you even had on your website a warning about this forum and attacked Jeffery, the owner. You main goal is to discredit anyone who tries to expose the truth behind TOA. There is evidence of this all over the internet.

All I want is a refund!

[Niceguy Eddie]

Ok Red Doll, I'll tell what. Here is some help. Yes, you can give your timeshare away, but in MOST cases it will cost you. If you are indeed an timeshare owner in need of help, you can call me on the phone. I promise I will not try to sell you a thing. I am at the office 8-10 hours a day. That's your best bet, or can can feel free to call my cell phone. If you decide to call the office, which I hope you do, just ask for me and let the receptionist know its Red Doll. Again, I will talk to you about your timeshare. I really have no interest in discussing TOA, other than what I have said on this forum. I will not try to sell you on any of our services. After speaking to me on the phone, you will have no doubt about my integrity.

The fact is David was perfectly content with me when he was taking my money. Heck, besides me writing him checks, the extent of my knowledge of David Humphrey was a 5 minute phone conversation and a couple of emails. And yet somehow the great spin doctor claims he is doing the right thing, and somehow I am the bad guy. Once again, he took my money, helped no one, and basically said #%& you. On top of that, I have had to pay for an attorney to help these people or give a refund. BTW, I found this thread only after being ripped off by TOA and decided to post my experience.

That is quite the offer, John. It reminds me of the time some guy tried to sell me a pair of speakers that his "boss" didn't know anything about. He was going to give me a good deal because he just wanted to get rid of them. He had an invoice and everything!

The truth is, your web site is a virtual shell game. Time share resale? You may as well have a banner on your web site that reads, "We specialize in confidence work." You claim to have people interested in buying everything up to and including Wyndham points! Time share resale is the bottom of the barrel. It is filled with people who really want to make a lot of money selling time share but can't hack it at the resorts. So you, and people like you, go after the low hanging fruit and victimize people who come to you for help.

Your agenda here is not to help people. You are just trying to settle a score you think you have with David. Then you have the balls to run a time share re-sale pitch on this forum.

Thanks but no thanks.

[barfly]

That is quite the offer, John. It reminds me of the time some guy tried to sell me a pair of speakers that his "boss" didn't know anything about. He was going to give me a good deal because he just wanted to get rid of them. He had an invoice and everything!

The truth is, your web site is a virtual shell game. Time share resale? You may as well have a banner on your web site that reads, "We specialize in confidence work." You claim to have people interested in buying everything up to and including Wyndham points! Time share resale is the bottom of the barrel. It is filled with people who really want to make a lot of money selling time share but can't hack it at the resorts. So you, and people like you, go after the low hanging fruit and victimize people who come to you for help.

Your agenda here is not to help people. You are just trying to settle a score you think you have with David. Then you have the balls to run a time share re-sale pitch on this forum.

Thanks but no thanks.

Once again Eddie, I was not the one who mentioned my company and I'm not sure how this even compares to a guy selling speakers out of a van(and the spin goes on). I'm sure if you bought speakers out of a van, you had to pay some money for them. Seeing as how you seem to be a little slow, I'll tell you again. I will not try to sell Red Doll anything, or ask her for any money. I don't know how else to explain it. I will never ask for, charge, or collect any money from Red Doll. I still don't think you are going to get it so I'll even do this. If Red Doll is interested in any of our services, I will give her the service for free. That's right FREE! Absolutely no risk! No, she won't have to pay anything to me, ever. That's right FREE! No upfront fee, and no fee at the end. Red Doll would have absolutely nothing to lose. What more could a timeshare owner ask for?

If you read this thread from the beginning you will clearly see that I never came on here to promote my company. I found this thread about the Owners Advocate and decided to post my unfortunate experience. I figured it would help others not get ripped off. You and David are quite the "team". David is the one who brought my company up, not me. Because I responded to David's post, you now call me a shill and accuse me of coming on here to promote my company. That's rich.
I'm sorry if you and David have a problem with me exposing the truth. I have 100% verifiable truth that TOA DOES NOT do what they claim. One would think that if you were an ACTUAL or potential customer of TOA, you would find the information extremely valuable.

So Eddy, let's just understand each other:
You support a man who started his business using a fake name. Correct?
You support a man who lied about the location of his office. Correct?
You support a man who was fired from his last job for forgery. Correct?
You show no support for the people who have been scammed by TOA. Correct?

I could go on, but people around here aren't that stupid. Just read this thread from the beginning. It was started long before I ever got here.
Hey Eddy, read this WHOLE thread and tell me, How many people in this thread have actually gotten their case closed by TOA? There are a lot of people on this forum who have paid money to TOA and have not gotten what they expected. Why would you choose to discredit me instead of the company that has obviously taken so many peoples money. BTW, what do you think Wyndham is going to do with a case once they find out TOA is helping the person. Let's be realistic, the changes at TOA are nothing more than the usual smoke and mirrors routine which comes so naturally to David and his cronies and I have no doubt that the courts will see right through his scheming ways.

[gc1]

I signed up with TOA back in May 2009, the resort is Westgate. Now I'm being told that I need to work directly with the resort. So if TOA guarantees a cancelled contract why now do I need to work with the resort to get that. I thought that is what TOA was supposed to do?

[barfly]

I signed up with TOA back in May 2009, the resort is Westgate. Now I'm being told that I need to work directly with the resort. So if TOA guarantees a cancelled contract why now do I need to work with the resort to get that. I thought that is what TOA was supposed to do?

That's what I have been trying to tell people. They don't do what they claim. It's a big scam. You paid them once, I paid them over 30 times. No results for me either.

[gc1]

so now what am I to do?
I have emailed the resort and the response I got was my contract is under review.

[neo]

gc1,

I'm very curious. What does your signed contract say about the guarantee?

[barfly]

so now what am I to do?
I have emailed the resort and the response I got was my contract is under review.

Well unfortunately, that's how the whole Wyndham thing started. First the TOA clients were left in the dark, and then they were told that they had to deal with Wyndham themselves. Sounds like Westgate is following Wyndhams lead with regard to TOA. If you would like to be included in the lawsuit I am having prepared, just let me know. Also, I've got a question for you. Did you ever receive any notice of the bankruptcy of TOA? I didn't, but I'm thinking we should have. I am looking into this with the help of a bankruptcy attorney. All I really want is my money back.

[barfly]

so now what am I to do?
I have emailed the resort and the response I got was my contract is under review.

Unfortunately, after their review process, I'm sure that they will conclude that they did nothing wrong.:mad:

[barfly]

I just receive an email reply from Krystal Miller. Her signature line shows that she has a new title as "Director of TOA Resolution Group", instead of Customer Care Coordinator.

Although TOA advertises its guarantee of "100% refund if the timeshare contract is not canceled", I have very serious doubt about TOA's refund.

Krystal interpreted "the $999 charge" as TOA's cost of preparing and mailing letters to the timeshare company, federal trade commission and the specific state's real estate division. That's all they can do for us (the TOA clients).

Krystal also acted in somewhat sneaky manner. She would not talk about the "timeline" of how long will take TOA to achieve the contract cancellation. In other words, she and TOA keep the clients hanging in the air for the indefinite period of time.

Westgate's lawyer sent letters to TOA clients on June 26, 2009 with accusation agaisnt TOA. The letter stated "You (TOA) have deceived your clients with your false and completely unattainable promise to relieve them of legal obligations arising under contracts they have signed. Your actions and misrepresentations are tantamount to fraud. You are a charlatan, not a lawyer, and you should not be victimizing these people with your false promises".



gc1, I'm not sure if you have seen this and thought I should bring it to your attention. Just out of curiosity, Did you sign up with TOA after 6/26/2009. If that were the case, they were probably aware ahead of time that they would not be able to help you, but still decided to take your money. David took my money knowing full well he would be unable to provide the service he and TOA personally promised me. What is his defense to all this? He bad mouths me. The same way he has done to anyone who tries to expose the fraud known as David Humphrey.
He is a TRUE SCUMBAG!

[gc1]

2. Refund/Cancellation Policy: should TOA, LLC fail to deliver the promised services set forth in Section 1, you
the client will be entitled to a 100% refund. Should you, the client, enter into a contract for services and request a
cancellation of services while any portion of Section 1 is in the process of being completed, you will be granted a
refund of a percentage of the total purchase price equal to the percentage of work uncompleted at the discretion
of TOA, LLC.
3. Warranty: TOA, LLC guarantees the provision of service as designated in Section 1, including the termination
of your contract. Should you, the client, not receive the promised services as set forth in Section 1, TOA, LLC will
refund 100% of your money

this is directly from the TOA contract.

I did not receive any letter that TOA has filed for bankruptcy...
I signed up in May

[barfly]

2. Refund/Cancellation Policy: should TOA, LLC fail to deliver the promised services set forth in Section 1, you
the client will be entitled to a 100% refund. Should you, the client, enter into a contract for services and request a
cancellation of services while any portion of Section 1 is in the process of being completed, you will be granted a
refund of a percentage of the total purchase price equal to the percentage of work uncompleted at the discretion
of TOA, LLC.
3. Warranty: TOA, LLC guarantees the provision of service as designated in Section 1, including the termination
of your contract. Should you, the client, not receive the promised services as set forth in Section 1, TOA, LLC will
refund 100% of your money

this is directly from the TOA contract.

I did not receive any letter that TOA has filed for bankruptcy...
I signed up in May

I tried to get a refund based on #2. I even offered to take a lot less than what I paid. I was told by David and TOA to F$% OFF! Their refund policy is as bogus as they are.

So how about it David, TOA? Can I have a refund?

[LMiller]

From the posts, TOA is doing a brisk business on our backs - yes, we are also victims of their promised timeshare contract cancellation. Customer service is great until they get your $$ then it is non-existant. Was hoping we could be one of those smiling testamonials displayed on their website. Anyone can create BS - takes suckers like us to buy into it.

I'm posting on every site I can find to "stay away from TOA". They prey on desperate people and must be doing quite well from the sounds of things. Wish I had researched a bit more before falling into their website. Guess I wish I'd researched before falling into the timeshare thing - live and learn, costly lessons.

Good luck to all of us.

[barfly]

Customer service is great until they get your $$ then it is non-existant.

Yep, that's exactly the same experience as DOZENS of others.

[LMiller]

OK - at the risk of being super gullible....anyone heard of Gonzalez&Gonzalez law firm in Mexico? They offer to get you out of Mexican timeshare with no upfront fee - when they deliver, you pay. There is upfront fee if you want them to retrieve any of your down payment but at this point the TS company can keep that, we just want out from under. Finally giving up on TOA (scammers!) and don't want to fall into another trap. Since there is no upfront fee, I wondered if they were more legit. Don't see any posts related to them. Anyone have any thoughts?...that they can share :]

[barfly]

Hey, I found TOA's new office. I always knew David was still a part of TOA. :D

http://artfiles.art.com/5/p/LRG/15/1563/HGADD00Z/dewey-cheatum--howe.jpg


After so many of us have been cheated, I thought we could all use a good chuckle.

[barfly]

OK - at the risk of being super gullible....anyone heard of Gonzalez&Gonzalez law firm in Mexico? They offer to get you out of Mexican timeshare with no upfront fee - when they deliver, you pay. There is upfront fee if you want them to retrieve any of your down payment but at this point the TS company can keep that, we just want out from under. Finally giving up on TOA (scammers!) and don't want to fall into another trap. Since there is no upfront fee, I wondered if they were more legit. Don't see any posts related to them. Anyone have any thoughts?...that they can share :]

If there is no upfront fee, there is no risk. As far as getting any money returned, that's a completely different story. The fact that they are attorneys will go a long way in helping you. TOA is simply not attorneys and can't help people. The sad part is that if you read your contract from TOA, if the lawyers are able to get you out, TOA will say it was as a result of their services. I don't believe it is possible to get a refund from TOA.

[LMiller]

TOA is history - I'll take my losses and head for the door. BTW...great TOA ad :]
I've not seen Gonzales&Gonzales mentioned on any forums here but will at least talk to them. IF they truly don't charge until they deliver, they may be worth a try. Our TS is in Mexico but, of course, they have a US office location so they can hunt us down here. So far we've paid the down payment, received some mail and nearly daily (unanswered) phone calls. We may just walk away from it - harassing phone calls and a credit ding, we can survive that. Where do all these dead timeshares go? All being resold? or just sitting empty? Are there enough gullible people out there to recycle them? This was our first and last experience. We were buying into a beautiful place, they were selling fine print. Hard lessons.

[red_doll]

TOA is history - I'll take my losses and head for the door. BTW...great TOA ad :]
I've not seen Gonzales&Gonzales mentioned on any forums here but will at least talk to them. IF they truly don't charge until they deliver, they may be worth a try. Our TS is in Mexico but, of course, they have a US office location so they can hunt us down here. So far we've paid the down payment, received some mail and nearly daily (unanswered) phone calls. We may just walk away from it - harassing phone calls and a credit ding, we can survive that. Where do all these dead timeshares go? All being resold? or just sitting empty? Are there enough gullible people out there to recycle them? This was our first and last experience. We were buying into a beautiful place, they were selling fine print. Hard lessons.

Customer Service Email cs@myconsumeractivist.com Telephone 1-866-326-7597Customer Service Direct Fax 1-800-627-4961

I call until I get someone

[gc1]

Red Doll
when you email or call, what do they tell you they are doing to get you out of the contract?

[gc1]

TOA CLIENTS, DON'T GIVE UP HOPE JUST YET!!!!!!!!!!!

Just as I was about to give up, I received a call from the resort, they are sending me paperwork to sign the timeshare back over to them.
I thought this day would never come.
Thanks TOA for making this happen

[UrWorstNightmare]

I am a former TOA client. I couldn't care less about barfly, red doll, or any other Shill posters here. I'm a REAL consumer who, after my communications with "My Consumer Activist" clearly sees that I have been a victim of fraud. DH states that he lost his website. That's funny, becuase it's still there. Why is that David? Also, I'm interested to know why it is you never informed ANY of your clients about your bankruptcy. That is a fair questions I think. Also, when I spoke to Ron at "My Consumer Activist" on Tuesday of this week, he told me that the reason the webiste was down was for "Upgrades". Funny thing David, he never not once said anything about TOA having gone belly up. Why is that DAVID? I have read every thread posted here since March 1 2010. What has been posted here, taken in concert with my communication with "My Consumer Activist" this week.....I'm afraid I have no choice but to assume I've been a vicitim of Fraud.

I may never see a dime of my $999...but I give you my word as a soldier in the United States Army, I'm going to make David Humphries my new hobby. My end state goal is to see him behind bars.:mad:

David...you cheated the wrong guy.

[barfly]

I may never see a dime of my $999...but I give you my word as a soldier in the United States Army, I'm going to make David Humphries my new hobby. My end state goal is to see him behind bars.:mad:

David...you cheated the wrong guy.

I too am a REAL client of TOA. The only difference between me and you is that you paid $999, and I paid out over $30,000. As we speak, a lawsuit is being prepared. If you would like to be included, let me know. I am still waiting to hear about if TOA and David Humphrey were required to inform their clients about the bankruptcy. I will post the answer as soon as I find out from the lawyer.

[barfly]

Also, when I spoke to Ron at "My Consumer Activist" on Tuesday of this week, he told me that the reason the webiste was down was for "Upgrades".

I called a couple of days ago and asked who the owner was, a gentleman named "Ron" informed me that David Humphrey was the owner.

[UrWorstNightmare]

That's funny, I'm in the preparation phase of my own legal Complaint (can you say Fraud in the Inducement). That, and communicating with Tennessee State and Federal authorities.

Sure....let me know what you have or what you need from me. At the very least I'll assist you. I've written off the money I lost...now I want justice.

Oh, by the way - I have others.:D

[barfly]

Sure....let me know what you have or what you need from me. At the very least I'll assist you. I've written off the money I lost...now I want justice.

Oh, by the way - I have others.:D

I've also basically written off the money, but just like you, I'm NOT going away. I have 34 plus about another 15 clients that David Humphrey ripped off. I will let you know when i have more info from the lawyer. And if I can be of any help to you, just let me know. I have acquired A LOT of information about TOA and the scumbag Humphrey!

[cds]

Long story short, scammed by TOA, LLC

In my research you can go online and find complaint forms for the FTC, BBB, Computer Crimes and file at your local police department - which hopefully will lead to the DA's office or Atty General. If any of the transaction was done by mail - my checks were - then it is a federal crime - search for mail fraud.

The TN DA's office said there were 6 complaints just like mine filed - as TOA was in TN when we applied. They are now in DE. New address, phone, email, and all new staff - much less friendly.

The more voices that complain the more likely this company can be stopped from scamming others.

[cds]

If there is a class action suit - please post.

[barfly]

Long story short, scammed by TOA, LLC

The TN DA's office said there were 6 complaints just like mine filed - as TOA was in TN when we applied. They are now in DE. New address, phone, email, and all new staff - much less friendly.


They are about to get A LOT more!

They are NOT now in Delaware. That address is just a mail drop. I'm sure that they are no where near Delaware. Find David "King of Spin" Humphrey and you will find TOA. Be very careful, David "Smoke and Mirrors" Humphrey has already registered many websites and is going to try to keep on stealing peoples money.

When you try to find out where their REAL location is, they simply won't tell you.

[truth 21]

TOA CLIENTS, DON'T GIVE UP HOPE JUST YET!!!!!!!!!!!

Just as I was about to give up, I received a call from the resort, they are sending me paperwork to sign the timeshare back over to them.
I thought this day would never come.
Thanks TOA for making this happen

Hope it works for me too.

[barfly]

Hope it works for me too.

I honestly hope it works for you too! I really do. I would estimate their success rate at around maybe 2%-3%, not the 100% they claim.

Good luck with your case.

BTW, what resort do you own.

[spring09]

Hi gc1

Just wondered how long you have been with TOA. Which resort is your timeshare in ? You are very lucky compared with the rest of us ( I know a few of TOA clients are in the same boat as me ) have been waiting for over a year :(

Thank you.


TOA CLIENTS, DON'T GIVE UP HOPE JUST YET!!!!!!!!!!!

Just as I was about to give up, I received a call from the resort, they are sending me paperwork to sign the timeshare back over to them.
I thought this day would never come.
Thanks TOA for making this happen

[spring09]

Mr.David Humphrey,

I have seen you provided some cancellation document to the forum from certain resorts. Do you have the prove to show TOA has ever helped Orange Lake Resort TS owners get their contracts cancelled? I know OLR is a tough resort to work on.

Thank you.

[red_doll]

Hope it works for me too.

I will not give up either!

[barfly]

I will not give up either!

Good luck to you too Red Doll;)

I think I need a manicure!:eek: :p

[red_doll]

Good luck to you too Red Doll;)

I think I need a manicure!:eek: :p

the next time you are in NV, just let me know!:)

[LMiller]

So, is there truly an effort out there to stop TOA? If so, how do I sign up to take part? I'm $1100 down the drain, on top of what I've sunk into the timeshare. Even if I can't get it back, I would like to see them squirm a bit :]

[UrWorstNightmare]

Ok...according to what I have been told by the legal authorities, if your transactions were conducted via the USPS then it is in fact a Federal crime. You need to contact the postal inspectors office immediately. The USPS, as I've been told, the more they get, the more visibility it gets. Postal Inspectors are far more vehement in their pursuit than any other govermental "policing" agency. If your deception falls into that category by all means don't wait another second. It's like I told the Tennessee autorities (who agreed with me by the way), Predators never eat once then go vegetarian. He'll do it again. It's time he spent some time in a 5x8 cell. Pretty boy is going to be very popular with the "locals".

[UrWorstNightmare]

When you try to find out where their REAL location is, they simply won't tell you.

I asked Ron where where he was located and he told me he was in Florida. He also told me that David Humphry was the owner.

[barfly]

First of all, I have said and provided proof that when TOA was my organization we did what we said we do. I am also certain that the new owners will do likewise. No-one has been abandoned. Any client that paid TOA for services will have those services fulfilled. If you read back through this entire thread, the transparency could not be made any clearer.

I find it ironic that after 2 years of sacrificed time, effort and energy spent helping consumers, now suddenly a few (if they are real) decide to complain or even organize a "legal" action against TOA.

Guys like "BARFLY" and "URWORSTNIGHTMARE" and anyone else who disbelieves me in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary should know that a) I have nothing to defend and you're wasting your time and b) If you could accomplish half of what you say you will against TOA, you'd already be out of your timeshare and not had to call TOA in the first place. Sell crazy somewhere else. I'm all full up here.

I'll say it one more time. No-one has been ripped off. Everyone will have their services fulfilled. Believe Wyndham's lies if you wish. The truth will become clear. Anonymous postings from names like "Urworstnightmare" and threats of legal action and jail time only strengthen my tenacity and show how uneducated and frivolous your comments are and how little they impact reality.

The reality is The Owners Advocate dared to take on a massive industry full of huge corporations. We have and will continue to be successful in assisting consumers.

Clearly TOA has impacted the industry to the point where Wyndham has used scare tactics (letters from Brenda George) to wrongfully undermine TOA's credibility to Wyndham's own unhappy owners and used the courts to temporarily disrupt TOA from providing services to Wyndham clients resulting in a backlash against TOA instead of uniting all of us against the real criminals= Wyndham Vacation Ownership.

I've done all I can to placate members of this forum. I've stated facts and provided evidence. Any conclusions you chose to draw depend on your intelligence level. Read and analyze the entire thread if you care about the truth and really want to make a difference.

To those who continue to wish ill will toward me and my efforts consider this: Wyndham has spent more than $250,000.00 trying to scare me and take me down in court. Why would I even bother fighting them unless I knew they were wrong. Additionally, I understand your frustration, but don't direct it toward me when I have offered nothing but support and assistance to thousands of ripped off consumers.

The truth needs no defense so, bring your threats and your slings and arrows. They will wither and die in the light of revelation. Maybe not immediately, but nothing worth fighting for produces absolutely positive results instantaneously. That's why it's called fighting. It means you have an opponent trying to stop your efforts.

I will persevere, I will effect change, I will prevail. But, I probably won't post here again. I don't feel like it has been productive or positive in spite of my best efforts.

You have provided no proof. So you got a few people out of their timeshares. Great! What about the hundreds of people who paid you and got NOTHING. Don't have time to further debate the issue of David Humphrey. I just wanted to quote his last post so he couldn't delete it. David, you never cease to amaze me. Below I have attached a copy of the court injunction.
Again, I'm no lawyer, but your actions seem to be in breach of the judges order. Specifically in the amended injunction.

11

12

[barfly]

I think the infamous "Kate Morgan" is really Kate Metko. Why would a company and owner that preach honesty and transparency consist of a bunch of people who don't use their real names.:eek:

That fact alone has to make you wonder.

Kate Metko
879 Dortch Lane
Nolensville, TN 37135

[jeep.rocks]

I signed up with TOA last Aug, did everything they said to do, was on top of everything, my cousin signed with them too she had bought a time share within like 4 months found out that it was a load of crap and got a hold of the owners advocates and according to her they did get her out of her contract, got it canceled, Of course that is because unlike me she hasn't been into a contract for 7 years. Now TOA has not done a single thing for me they took my $999 and I did all the work, I was the one that filled out all the paper work, paid to have things sent and notarized everything, I was the one that has been calling experian credit agency to try to get the FORECLOSURE off my credit thanks to TOA(and I say thanks to them cause I stopped making my payments when they told me that they were 100% sure that they could get me out of my contract...according to them my contract was not fully executed) .

Of coarse experian wont drop the foreclosure cause Bluegreen says that I did in fact foreclose. I have tried over and over again contacting Kate Morgan and Taylor Monroe, over the phone, internet and nothing, no one returns my calls now, about 2 months ago I did get a hold of Taylor, who reassured me once again "even though my time share was FORECLOSED and reported as FORECLOSED on my credit report, and I got a 1099A from Bluegreen stating that it is IN FACT IS FORECLOSED that they reported to the state of MN as being foreclosed, they still state that they can get Bluegreen to turn it into a Cancellation. Now why would a million dollar company that has already written me off come back and decide to turn my Foreclosure into debt Canceled, just for me for my benifit?
They wouldn't.
Now I cant get a hold of anyone from TOA, I am going to be calling the MN state attorney generals office and the FTC and FOX news and all the other news agency's where I live to tell of there scams. I get scammed by the timeshare agency now I get scammed by a so called advocate help agency. They will not give me my money back. I am also going to be getting In touch with my credit card agency on the two $499 charges to have them taken care of as fraudulent charges, hopefully after I give my credit card fraud department all the paper work they will cancel the charges...but some how I doubt it. I will be sending everyone and any one all my documented proof all my emails and conversations with anyone from TOA. If FOX News and other news channels take my case and get it out there I will be sure to send all of you here the information to were you can send all of or statements with your documented proof of TOA'S contract were it states if they fail to get you out of your contract they will give you a full refund.

DO NOT sign with TOA, even if they are not a total scam they are not a RELIABLE company to work with, one that will return calls or emails. Everything that has been done for me and my situation up to this date is stuff that I could have done without them, my timeshare would have had no problem getting into forclosure on its own with out paying TOA $999 to do it for me.

If I cant get my money back Im going to make sure they cant take anymore by doing everything That I possibly can to expose how the company works.

Oh yeah first I have to wait for TOA to respond to my emails and my messages about the MN state attorney general and the FTC and the NEWS. I really am dead serious, I put a lot of work into my case with all the papers I sent out and the contacting, state attorney general offce and FTC wont take my Timeshare issues cause I have no written proof of the things the timeshare said. MNSAGO and FTC can take peoples words for it, but with TOA I do have tons of documented emails, the contract and phone converstations to present as evidence, if they could do what is right and give me my money back and stop waisting my time and the $999 I gave them for there services that they did not meet then I would not have to go to this extent.

[barfly]

The story is the same for the 2 Bluegreen owners that I am aware of. And if you happen to own a Wyndham property, read the injunction, not only can TOA not help you, David is in clear violation of the judges order by transferring the cases to the new owners advocate.

[jeep.rocks]

yeah...we have to do something once and if I hear back from anyone after all the phone, emails I left then Ill now what I need to do, This company has pissed me off so much, All I want is my money back...thats it.

So is Kate Morgan or Taylor Monroe even there anymore? I never new that owner ship had been transferred or about them claiming bankrupsy or anything.

[barfly]

So is Kate Morgan or Taylor Monroe even there anymore?

Who knows? But its a safe bet that if they are, they are using different names.

I say we all meet in Tennessee and ask David for our refunds in person.:rolleyes::eek:

[dah3283]

I was able to get through to a Monika at what she identified as My Consumer Activist. She said they work on the tough cases for the Owners Advocate who she stated is still in business but she did not know who the owner is. She said she got my case from The Owners Advocate and had to review it and would get back with me by Wednesday of this week to let me know what the status is and where to go from here. I am crossing my fingers and will advise as to what I find out.

[barfly]

I was able to get through to a Monika at what she identified as My Consumer Activist. She said they work on the tough cases for the Owners Advocate who she stated is still in business but she did not know who the owner is. She said she got my case from The Owners Advocate and had to review it and would get back with me by Wednesday of this week to let me know what the status is and where to go from here. I am crossing my fingers and will advise as to what I find out.

She is a liar. The owner, David Humphrey, has already admitted that TOA is out of business and has filed for bankruptcy. The tactics are the same as TOA, they tell you bogus info to keep you quiet, and before you know it, they can't and won't help you and you will never see your money again..

What resort do you own?
How long were you told the process would take?
Did you read the injunction I posted on the previous page?

[dah3283]

Spinnaker (Southwind Management) in Branson, Mo.
I believe August or September of 2008
When I signed up I was told they would not be surprised if it was taken care of by the end of that year, obviously that did not happen.
I am curious to find out if I actually get communication back now, I guess time will tell. I am not nieve and figure I am just pissin in the wind, but I have to try everything I can to satisfy myself otherwise I have to admit I was not only swindled by the resort but also the place that said they would help me & then I would feel like double the idiot! I am usually so carefull about this type of stuff and so right now I won't let myself believe it...LOL

[barfly]

Spinnaker (Southwind Management) in Branson, Mo.
I believe August or September of 2008
When I signed up I was told they would not be surprised if it was taken care of by the end of that year, obviously that did not happen.
I am curious to find out if I actually get communication back now, I guess time will tell. I am not nieve and figure I am just pissin in the wind, but I have to try everything I can to satisfy myself otherwise I have to admit I was not only swindled by the resort but also the place that said they would help me & then I would feel like double the idiot! I am usually so carefull about this type of stuff and so right now I won't let myself believe it...LOL

Good luck with your case. I'm not sure about Spinnaker Resorts. If they are anything like Westgate or Wyndham, TOA will be able to accomplish NOTHING for you. The fact is, you have a MAJOR legal dispute with your resort, and they have an attorney and you don't. I'll give you one guess at who will win. Heck, they can't even defend themselves against the resorts, how can they possibly defend you. Think about it!:confused:


BTW - All clients that I have spoken to have told me that they were told 30-60 days, and in some rare cases up to 90 days.

[cds]

I found out that TOA had new ownership, not via a courtesy call, email or note - but because I called them after researching their new phone #.

I was told that it are new owners, of which no one can tell me who the owners are. They told me they gave our file to a different company, had an email, no phone #. This new company so far cannot give me any solid information as to who they actually are.

If, according to David Humphy, all is well... then how come they didn't inform anyone of the changes... how come they told me they filed paperwork with my resort and they did not - confirmed 2 months later by TOA and how come they gave my file to some vague company?!

[barfly]

I found out that TOA had new ownership, not via a courtesy call, email or note - but because I called them after researching their new phone #.

I was told that it are new owners, of which no one can tell me who the owners are. They told me they gave our file to a different company, had an email, no phone #. This new company so far cannot give me any solid information as to who they actually are.

If, according to David Humphy, all is well... then how come they didn't inform anyone of the changes... how come they told me they filed paperwork with my resort and they did not - confirmed 2 months later by TOA and how come they gave my file to some vague company?!

The reason that they are vague about everything is because their scam has been exposed. The ownership of the company may have changed on paper, but the principal is still the same, David Humphrey. He has set up multiple companies over the last several months in order to further perpetrate his fraud. Common sense should tell you that something isn't right. David Humphrey is a blatant liar who was fired from Wyndham for forging signatures on documents. Yes, forgery! I have the document in my hand to prove it. If David wishes to dispute the facts again, I will post the document for all to see. Tomorrow, I will paste the information from the local AG's office in Tennessee where you should send your complaint against TOA.

In the meantime, here is the FBI office in Tennessee that would like to hear about your experience with TOA. And if you think the FBI would not be interested in this case, think again.

FBI - Knoxville
710 Locust Street, Suite 600
Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 544-0751
Fax: (865) 544-3590
E-mail: knoxfbi@leo.gov

From the FBI website:
The very heart of FBI operations lies in our investigations—which serve, as our mission states, "to protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats and to enforce the criminal laws of the United States." We currently have jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal law, and you can find the major ones below, grouped within our three national security priorities and our five criminal priorities.

White-Collar Crime
• Bankruptcy Fraud
• Money Laundering
• Telemarketing Fraud

Don't delay in filing your complaint.

[red_doll]

She is a liar. The owner, David Humphrey, has already admitted that TOA is out of business and has filed for bankruptcy. The tactics are the same as TOA, they tell you bogus info to keep you quiet, and before you know it, they can't and won't help you and you will never see your money again..

What resort do you own?
How long were you told the process would take?
Did you read the injunction I posted on the previous page?

Originally Posted by gc1 View Post
David

if TOA is no longer, what has happened to all the customers who have active disputes? who is handling that now? How are they going to get the contracts cancelled?
I did not say TOA is no longer. TOA, LLC is no longer. If you read back on this thread you will find the answer to your question.

I am no longer affiliated with The Owners Advocate as the lawsuit Wyndham filed against me has cost me my business and all of my assets including the website. It doesn't get any more real than that.

Meanwhile, I am battling Wyndham on my own and I am committed to winning, filing a counterclaim against them for putting me through all this when they are the criminals, and then rejoining advocacy full time.

Right now I am under a court order not to contact any Wyndham client directly or indirectly. This means nothing as far as guilt or innocence, it means the Judge has to take WVO's allegations seriously until the trial which is in December 2010 and as such has granted them this relief temporarily...but in doing so he has unknowingly ruined my credibility and left all my WVO clients hanging without me being able to help or talk to them...nice strategy on Wyndham's part but they will pay in the long run.

I plan on including every one of my WVO clients in the counterclaim and I will not only be asking for releases but monetary damages as well.

They just need to hang on and believe in truth. Wyndham has pissed off the wrong guy. I hate injustice and I am absolutely committed to seeing this through.
Reply With Quote

[barfly]

Just like he didn't get fired from Wyndham for forgery. He did, and I have the proof. David Humphrey is a liar and a con man. David Humphrey wouldn't know the truth if it hit him upside the head.

Red Doll, I can't believe that you can read this whole thread and still think Humphrey is looking out for you. I have 100% verifiable proof that he and TOA did and does not do what they say.

Forget about getting out of your timeshare, has anyone ever received a refund from TOA?

[barfly]

And Red Doll, I will be MORE THAN HAPPY to share the information I have and show you why I KNOW David and TOA are a scam.

Hey David,

0-34

[red_doll]

"I am rather inclined to silence, and whether that be wise or not, it is at
least more unusual nowadays to find a man who can hold his tongue
than to find one who cannot."
Abraham Lincoln

[barfly]

Hey John C Haggar, two things. One, go ahead and post your "proof".

Two, you, John C Haggar, are always welcome to come to Tennessee. In fact, when I finally have time to sue you for breaching the NDA you signed as well as libel and slander, you will be coming to court in Tennessee to face these REAL allegations.

As soon as you post your "proof" you will be exposed for the idiot that you have proven yourself to be. Anyone can allege anything in a lawsuit. The "proof" is not presented until trial. By the way, Mr. "I believe Wyndham", if I was forging documents, that's a crime isn't it? Where's the police report? Where's the evidence? And where's the conviction? Go ahead, dumb-ass, post away!

I could sue you for being a pedophile and it would be right there in a court document for all to see. Doesn't mean it's true until a jury sees evidence, hears testimony, and makes an informed decision. You're buying into allegations which are lies from a company, WVO, that lies professionally! Don't you feel a little silly? You should...

Now there you go again trying to be a comedian.
Proof = canceled checks made payable to TOA (not sure how this exposes me as an idiot, but I'm sure you'll fill us in David)

As far as suing me, bring it Humphrey! I do find it quite odd that YOU could sue on behalf of TOA seeing as how you are not the owner and TOA filed for bankruptcy. Get real dumbass. You should be saving your pennies to fight Wyndham, they are going to crush you and all your dreams of ripping more people off.

OK, now back to WHY WYNDHAM fired you. Wyndham DID fire you for forgery. If you ask Wyndham why David Humphrey was fired, they would tell you he was fired for forgery, NOT the reason he claims. Heck, the evidence is in black and white and can be found in an attachment in this thread. Now try and stay with me here Davey boy, this is not a case of law. If you wanted to dispute why Wyndham fired you, there were PLENTY of avenues available to you. You chose to accept the firing and not fight the reason.

All I was stating was a fact:
Why did Wyndham fire David Humphrey?
Wyndham fired David Humphrey for forgery:eek:

None of your smoke and mirrors will change the facts.

And talk about idiots,
Who goes on the internet and blatantly defies a judge's court order?
Yeah David, that would be you. Idiot!

[barfly]

John C Haggar of Timeshare Sales Today your rants on this forum are starting to make you look like a raving lunatic! Phone the FBI, call the CIA, Contact the AG, Call the police. Call the media! You have no idea what you are talking about! Good luck with all of that, I have been doing all of the above (okay not the CIA) for consumers WITH LEGITIMATE GRIEVANCES for 2 years. Go ahead...I encourage everyone to pick up the phone, write a letter, it will all help me prove my point.

John, all you want is your money back. You panicked when your clients received bullshit letters from Brenda George at Wyndham. You got scared and instead of standing up to WVO you threw me and my company under the bus. You could have united your clients against the fraud they were subjected to at a Wyndham presentation, instead you're all about covering your ass. You must be proud.

The clients that I sent to you wanted their money back. It had absolutely nothing about me being scared. TOA would not even return phone calls and kept the clients completely in the dark. Just out of curiosity David, what about your refund policy? The fact is, I cancelled all contracts and was denied any kind of refund.

0 Clients helped by TOA ------------------- $34,000 paid to TOA

And yes David, I am extremely proud that I have stood by my clients. Clients that asked me for a refund were given a FULL refund of all money paid to me, despite never receiving a penny from you or TOA.

[barfly]

Mr. Haggar initially contacted me via email about the fact that Wyndham had sent notices out to HIS clients undermining TOA, LLC. Here was my respectful response followed by his now easily recognizable rant:


"Mr. Haggar

I am currently under a temporary court order not to speak to any party to a contract with Wyndham or to directly or indirectly contact Wyndham or assist any customers or parties to contracts with Wyndham in preparing correspondence or communication to Wyndham. At this time, and as of November 16, 2009, I have had no choice but to comply with the court's order. Each violation would cost me $5000.00.

Clearly Wyndham got tired of canceling contracts and went after the agency (TOA, LLC) assisting consumers with that action. I am not backing down. I will go to trial in December 2010 and expose Wyndham's trade practices, but in the meantime, my hands are tied. I must respect the Honorable Judges Order. I have filed motions to dismiss Wyndham's ridiculous claims and am hoping for a ruling so I can try to rebuild my business. It is also my hope that by calling as witnesses all of the parties to contracts that were fraudulently sold, that each consumer will benefit from the stand we are taking both financially and by having their contracts canceled. We could easily roll over and disappear but I founded TOA, LLC based on a righteous cause and I attend to see it through. Now is not the time to panic and fold. Now is the time for those consumers to band together and stand up with us to effect real change. Unfortunately, I cannot contact any of them to rally them to this cause.

As it stands now, I can only say the consumers are right and Wyndham is wrong but Wyndham stands to lose a lot if I succeed. They are coming after me hard and fast and have cost me everything I worked for two years to build as well as over $75,000.00 in legal fees so far. I will soon file a counterclaim and hope to eventually recoup all my legal fees and damages. Also, as of mid August 2009, TOA, LLC consisted of only me, as my fearful former staff ventured out on their own to try various ways of assisting consumers.

My motives were and are pure. Your clients will win if they hold fast. I have attached some information that proves we are not and never have been a scam. I obviously can't help you and your clients personally. TOA, LLC, David Humphrey, Kurt Bartlett and Kay Metko (Defendants) never took a Wyndham case or assisted a Wyndham client after November 16, 2009 which was when the Judge ordered us to stop contacting Wyndham and to remove the name off of the website. I am sorry that your business has suffered as a result of Wyndham's actions. It was never my intention nor do I think it will be a permanent situation. You can save each deal and empower your customers, I just cannot help.

I also cannot refund any of the money you paid me prior to November 16, 2009 as we were not enjoined from taking Wyndham cases until then. We also have every intention of finishing those cases after we win in court. If you cannot wait until then or handle the onslaught of complaints as Wyndham slanders and undermines what we have begun, which is a movement of TRUTH, I understand. Please do not expect me to refund you anything. TOA, LLC liquidated its few assets to pay obligations prior to filing for bankruptcy protection on December 7, 2009. There is nothing left. You may appear at the meeting of the creditors and try to claim a stake of nothing or file a lawsuit against TOA, LLC which has filed a Chapter 7 no judgment bankruptcy.

If you want to speak to Wyndham's attorneys, be my guest. I have nothing to hide, nothing to lose and they cannot damage me more than they have already. Just be careful. I did not sell your clients the service. Your company did. You are liable to those clients, TOA, LLC is only liable to you, and we are bankrupt. Stand up with us and fight, don't side with the evildoers.

Best regards,

David Humphrey, President/Founder

The Owners' Advocate (TOA, LLC)

David
866-644-7776 Ext. 212


CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
This email transmission, and any documents, files or previous email messages attached to it contains information that is confidential, legally privileged and property of THE OWNERS' ADVOCATE. If you are not the intended recipient, or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you must not read this transmission and that any disclosure, copying, printing, distribution or use of any of the information contained in or attached to this transmission is STRICTLY PROHIBITED by law. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify the sender by telephone or return email and delete the original transmission and its attachments without reading or saving in any manner. Thank you!"

NOTE THE ABOVE CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE THAT MR. "INTEGRITY" HAS BREACHED IN ADDITION TO THE NDA HE SIGNED WITH TOA, LLC



Note the "Timeshare Industry predator", trying to intimidate me and threaten me. I also enjoy the things he states as "fact" of which he has no knowledge. Finally, he tries his hand at playing lawyer by giving us his Perry Mason opinion of the case, all in an effort to get me to pay him money so he can refund his panicked clients.

Why didn't he say to HIS CLIENTS...call the FBI, call the CIA, call the AG etc...about WYNDHAM"S BLATANT DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES??...because he could give a sh-t about what's right and wrong. He just wants his money or else...

Whatever dude. You bring the heat, I'll cook you dinner. No publicity is bad publicity at this point. I will take it all to expose the truth behind the sale of timeshare, not to mention your scam of a business reselling and renting...for a fee.

Special shout out to Red Doll...thanks for your posts, they keep me encouraged.

Remember folks, there are answers to all your questions in this thread including proof of releases and refunds from Wyndham.

By the way, "BARFLY", I get the feeling you drink a lot.

Alright, Humphrey, here we go!

You say that I am the predator, but I can without a doubt say that clients of mine are in a MUCH better position than clients of yours. Enough said!

I didn't tell my clients to call all the different agencies. There was simply no need for it because every client was offered their money back or the services of an attorney. If you had done the same, none of this would be happening.

If there is one piece of advice I can give to anyone reading this forum, it is this: If you want to get out of your timeshare because of fraud or misrepresentation, you need a lawyer.

And yes, I was mad when I wrote the email and I'm still mad now. I think I have a right to be. That email was initiated because not a single phone call to you was returned for over a week. You tried your very best to hide. You basically STOLE $34,000 from me. Like I said before, you had no problem with me when I was writing you checks. The problem started when you could not provide the services you promised. At that point, I became the bad guy. You make it seem as though I'm crazy for wanting a refund. Instead of doing the honorable thing, you chose to close up shop and run with the money.

BTW, since you still don't get it. I DO NOT sell or rent timeshares for a fee. And I almost forgot, weren't you one of the disreputable salespeople that sold timeshares for the resort?

And thanks for posting my number again. It is going to end up being your worst nightmare. I have talked to so many disgruntled and fed up TOA clients. I guess that's what happens when you fail to communicate with your clients and just leave them hanging.

Your proof vs. my proof = about a 2% success rate, not the 100% that you have always claimed and that your new company now claims. I found it quite interesting that according to info provided by you in an earlier post, you state that your money back guarantee goes into effect after 2 years. How long did TOA stay in business? The answer, drumroll please, less than 2 years.


I do my best to drink 2 gallons of water daily:cool:

I might add that it is especially nice the way you treat a client who paid you $34000.

David Wrote: I also cannot refund any of the money you paid me prior to November 16, 2009 as we were not enjoined from taking Wyndham cases until then. We also have every intention of finishing those cases after we win in court. If you cannot wait until then or handle the onslaught of complaints as Wyndham slanders and undermines what we have begun, which is a movement of TRUTH, I understand. Please do not expect me to refund you anything.

He actually expected the clients to WAIT until he won the court case against Wyndham. What he doesn't tell you is that the case is set for trial in Dec. 2010. That's when the trial is set for, not when it will be resolved. These clients would have all had their timeshares foreclosed on by the time this case was resolved. See, David doesn't mention or care about that. He's got the money. And I didn't even mention the fact that Humphrey is going to get crushed in this lawsuit. When he loses in court, he will say that he tried his best against a corporate giant.

Get this through your head David. Nobody cares about your personal fight with Wyndham, that's your problem, created by you. All anyone wants is the services they paid you for or a refund. Seems pretty simple to me.

C'mon David, keep posting and give the people who you ripped off more ammo to use against you!

[MsBeasley]

I did not get a phone call in the ne4xt 24 hours and I haven't heard from anyone as of today 3/8/2010!

[red_doll]

What I see are two very intelligent men who know how the systems works and you are arguing over who is right and who is wrong. Why don't you two work together and see how BOTH of you can help those of us in this trap. I understand about court orders- and barfly is lucky that he is not there. It could be that he has not pissed off a resort, but whatever the reason......guys!

Now, I am going to trust TOA because I am further now then I was 6 months ago. TOA has done everything to help me and even walked me through how to do things. I am the person who was handed a phony bill of goods and I will get past this. Both of you need to speak to your wives and get their opinions on how you are handling this brawl.:eek:

[barfly]

What I see are two very intelligent men who know how the systems works and you are arguing over who is right and who is wrong. Why don't you two work together and see how BOTH of you can help those of us in this trap. I understand about court orders- and barfly is lucky that he is not there. It could be that he has not pissed off a resort, but whatever the reason......guys!

Now, I am going to trust TOA because I am further now then I was 6 months ago. TOA has done everything to help me and even walked me through how to do things. I am the person who was handed a phony bill of goods and I will get past this. Both of you need to speak to your wives and get their opinions on how you are handling this brawl.:eek:

No argument here. I have already consigned myself to the fact that the money I paid TOA ($34,000) is gone. Throughout this process, and no thanks to TOA, I have learned a lesson on how to really help people that want out of their timeshare. They ABSOLUTELY NEED an attorney to get the job done. The clients of mine were either offered a refund, or were given the services of a lawyer. I paid for the lawyer, not my clients. My clients are now working DIRECTLY with that attorney.

If you read the lawsuit against TOA, you would realize that I would never put myself in the situation he did. His fight with Wyndham is personal and unique to HIS situation and the manner in which he conducted himself. He should be ashamed of himself for bringing his clients into his MESS with Wyndham.

Which brings me to why I decided to post here. You say that, referring to the purchase of your resort, "I am the person who was handed a phony bill of goods and I will get past this."
True, no one held a gun to your head when you decided to buy your timeshare (or maybe they did, I don't know), but that DOES NOT give David Humphrey and TOA the right to further rip you off. I am just trying to let other people know about my experience.

I guess I'm the crazy one for thinking that at least 1 of the 34 clients I sent to TOA would have gotten out of their timeshare. Well, I take that back, 2 clients had their timeshares foreclosed on, so I guess in a way, they got out of their timeshare.:confused:

[red_doll]

I am still going to trust TOA, and I won't say it again. Like I said, they have helped me more than anyone else has. I will not pay this resort for lies and they did lie to me, and my story is a long and detailed one. I am patient and I have not one problem with TOA.

[barfly]

How long are you willing to wait? At some point, you will be out of it, probably by foreclosure. I offered you REAL help, but you did not respond to my offer.

[MsBeasley]

I was also foreclosed on by BlueGreen Resort and had hired TOA to get me out of the contract that they promised they would do and not tarnish my credit. I have not received that call to advise me who is the new person taking care of my case at Owners Advocate but I sure wish someone would call me and by the way I am one of the people who talked to Scott Davidson and my last contact person was Taylor Monroe.

[barfly]

I was also foreclosed on by BlueGreen Resort and had hired TOA to get me out of the contract that they promised they would do and not tarnish my credit. I have not received that call to advise me who is the new person taking care of my case at Owners Advocate but I sure wish someone would call me and by the way I am one of the people who talked to Scott Davidson and my last contact person was Taylor Monroe.

In case you didn't know, Scott Davidson is the fake name that David Humphrey used to go by. Well, I'm not sure what you expect TOA to do at this point if Bluegreen has already foreclosed. Ask an attorney, they would tell you that there is nothing that THEY could do for you, how in the world is TOA going to do anything. Once they foreclose, it's too late.

BTW, you know make 4 bluegreen owners that I am aware of that thanks to TOA, have had their timeshares foreclosed on.

[barfly]

Hey Humphrey, your claims of a 100% success are being proven false right before your eyes. Do I need to remind anyone how LONG AGO this thread started? It was 11/30/2008. Still not a single verified TOA success from a real client on this forum.

[gc1]

Spring09

I purchased the timeshare with Westgate Resorts in March 09 and signed up with TOA in May 09. I also was skeptical with TOA until last week, when I finally received a call from Westgate that they are sending out paperwork for me to sign the timeshare back over to Westgate.
To all the TOA clients, you should also contact the resort yourself and ask them to expedite your contract cancellation. That is what I did, and it seems to have worked!!!

[barfly]

Spring09

I purchased the timeshare with Westgate Resorts in March 09 and signed up with TOA in May 09. I also was skeptical with TOA until last week, when I finally received a call from Westgate that they are sending out paperwork for me to sign the timeshare back over to Westgate.
To all the TOA clients, you should also contact the resort yourself and ask them to expedite your contract cancellation. That is what I did, and it seems to have worked!!!

WTG, gc1. Congrats!

If I understand your situation, you only owned the timeshare for about a few weeks before you decided you wanted out. If that is the case, you situation is far different than most of TOA's clients. In reality, your case should have been resolved in 60-90 days, not 1 year.

[red_doll]

WTG, gc1. Congrats!

If I understand your situation, you only owned the timeshare for about a few weeks before you decided you wanted out. If that is the case, you situation is far different than most of TOA's clients. In reality, your case should have been resolved in 60-90 days, not 1 year.

Congratulations on your success! :D

[red_doll]

Spring09

I purchased the timeshare with Westgate Resorts in March 09 and signed up with TOA in May 09. I also was skeptical with TOA until last week, when I finally received a call from Westgate that they are sending out paperwork for me to sign the timeshare back over to Westgate.
To all the TOA clients, you should also contact the resort yourself and ask them to expedite your contract cancellation. That is what I did, and it seems to have worked!!!

congratulations on your success!:D

[barfly]

hey gc1, Are you getting your deposit back from Westgate?

[gc1]

Not sure yet, if I will be getting the deposit back.
I am waiting to receive the paperwork first, then will deal with the deposit.
One thing at a time.
If I have to lose the deposit, so be it. As long as the timeshare is gone...

[red_doll]

Not sure yet, if I will be getting the deposit back.
I am waiting to receive the paperwork first, then will deal with the deposit.
One thing at a time.
If I have to lose the deposit, so be it. As long as the timeshare is gone...

I agree with you on the deposit....I just want out!:)

[jeep.rocks]

Hi all so I talked to the gentle man named Ron I guess he is the new phone operator or something, He gave me an email to send my complaints to, of which I did and they got back to me this morning and guess what they said. Apparently my file is finished and they are closing it out. After 1 year of working with TOA I finally got my timeshare Foreclosed on six months ago and apparently because I sent TOA my 1099-A they are looking at that document as the same thing as my debt being released, even though a 1099-A is a abandoned property because of a Foreclosure. It is not the same thing as a debt that is canceled and it does not show that way on my credit but according to them I cant get a refund because they "did there job" lol yeah right, that would have happened if i never met TOA and let it go into foreclosure with out there coxing me to do so and I would still be $999 up, yup I had bluegreen timeshare if your stuff goes into forclosure this is what will happen, a forclosure is the same thing as debt canceled to them. I would like people on this forum to please email me with there stories of what happened to them, i am taking this public, I am preparing documents and I am doing exactly what they said they were going to use to fight the timeshare company's per in there contract;

government agencies including but not limited to the Federal Trade Commission, the Attorney General’s Office, PROFECO, media outlets including but not limited to The Rip-Off Report, 20/20, Dateline NBC, and 60 Minutes. Along with all my news here were I live, I would suggest you people do the same If would could get this out there to the public about this stuff and save people there money, to me its worth my $999 loss to see the fail.

Im sure that the news places will have a hay day with this expecially the ones that they claim they will use.

The lady on the phone told me she cant issue me a refund, because she does not work directly for TOA they were hired by TOA to help with clients cases that came before this year. That if I want to talk to someone about a refund that i will have to get a hold of some one from TOA. The run around.

Mr. David says he will try to help me...Mr. David I hope you do but Im not going to hold my breath and not start on the documents. Mr. David if you do help me and get this taken care of I will let this forum now, but I have very little faith that you will help me.

Dont give this company or any company claiming to get you out of your TS money they dont have a legal status behind them to fight a big mulitimillion dollar company.

[jeep.rocks]

just herd from the TOA office and supposedly they dont have my case they transfered it to the new client department that takes on old clients and they cant give me a refund either because that is someone elses department. just a bunch of BS. Im going to call my credit card agency and see if i can get them to give me my money back.