Doing business in the timeshare industry is an anxiety inducing prospect, whether you are purchasing a timeshare or trying to escape from one. In the world of timesharing, there is a dizzying array of unethical practices and people waiting to either take your money on your way in, or charge you listing and/or appraisal fees with no results because of a virtually non-existent resale market. While there is an endless supply of timeshare sales crooks ready to take your money to advertise your timeshare, the options in the industry for legitimately getting rid of a timeshare are few and far between. With the numbers of resale firms and timeshare collecting companies skyrocketing, it's hard to distinguish the good from the bad and trust that the company you choose actually has a great record for taking care of their customers needs, and doing what they initially promised to do beyond taking your money.

One of these companies, We Collect Timeshares, is one of those businesses promising their clients the sun moon and stars, but after all is said and done; those lofty hopes come crashing back to earth. Sadly, it's a track record that is all too familiar. The owners, Jonathon Gibbs and Christine Schade, have a history of business practices that are less than stellar or honest. At one time, they were part of a global telecommunications resale program that initiated a new operation in Australia. The launch of business began October 27th, 2004. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) filed proceedings less than a month later on November 15, 2004 claiming alleged breaches of the pyramid selling scheme provisions of the Trade Practices Act of 1974. Two directors, Mr. Jonathan Gibbs and Ms. Christine Schade of Gibbschade Pty Ltd were among those named in the action. The charges state that Gibbschade participated in, promoted and induced or attempted to induce persons to take part in a pyramid scheme in contravention of section 65AAC of the Act and were knowingly concerned in and/or aided and abetted those contraventions.

In order to comply with the Federal Court requirements, the parent company asked the Directors to step down and out of the company; a request which was seconded by a branch of the government of Australia who also asked them to leave—the country. Now these two Directors are turning their attention to the timeshare industry; a business industry that is so fraught with dishonesty it inspires such colorful nicknames as Crimeshare, the Timeshare Trap, Timeshare Nightmare and so on. The Timeshare Consumers Association has a webpage (located at http://www.timeshare.org.uk/scams.html dedicated to exposing the scams in the industry simply because so many crooks have learned that people trapped in the timeshare industry are beyond desperate to get out. With a smooth line, and lots of promises, the charmers take money to list, rent, sell, trade, or otherwise relieve your timeshare burden, either by using it to generate income or to ridding you of it once and for all. We Collect Timeshares is a company offering to help distressed timeshare owners, but with no known vehicle for actually moving the timeshare out of one name and into another. They still ask for that upfront fee, and offer nothing more than an empty guarantee that they will in fact do something with the timeshare that's beneficial to the timeshare owner wanting out of it. Their website has no real information and simply guides the reader to call. The owners' names, the employees, or even their method of business is nowhere to be found. Shouldn't upstanding and proud business owners stand by their service? One would think so. Furthermore, legitimate businesses cherish their upstanding reputation and maintain close ties with the Better Business Bureau. This company has no relationship with that national service which seems to further indicate a business of less than honorable standing. *

The warning to be cautious in the timeshare industry stems from genuine concern. Extensive research and study of the trials and traumas caused by the sharks in the timeshare waters exposes a trail of victims in their wake, and our goal is to help reduce those casualties. For instance, a gentleman who had tried for a number of years to sell his timeshare received a call from an interested party. They came to an agreement wherein the purchaser would send a cashier's check for $10,000 by courier, and pick up a cashier's check at that time for $5,000. The exchange was supposed to allow for closing costs and to reassure the timeshare owner by receiving money ahead of time that would cover the cost of the $5000 cashier's check. By the time the courier service arrived, the gentleman had already begun to have second thoughts. His suspicions led him to his local bank where they confirmed that the $10,000 cashier's check was fraudulent. Fortunately, he'd paid attention to his gut instincts telling him something was fishy in the deal, but we're fairly certain many people have fallen prey to this scam.

Another double-dealer to look out for in the timeshare con-industry keeps changing the name of his game, but not the way he plays it. Ken LaBossiere is a well known figure in the timeshare industry. This is one guy who plays both sides of the coin, selling timeshares, and then offering to take them off your hands for a fee once you're stuck in a timeshare contract for perpetuity. One can easily follow an internet trail which offers clarity about the legitimacy of his businesses. Frankly, it appears this man can't make one business stick, and every time he's called out, the business in question gets shut down, "sold" or otherwise closes only to open in a new name sometime later. According to an article in "The Timeshare Beat" the track record is as follows: "Time-Share Collectors LLC was incorporated in Nevada on August 6, 2003. Creighton J (Jay) Nady was the owner/president and Ken LaBossiere was listed as a "member". According to State records, this corporation was dissolved on 9/6/2005. At some point LaBossiere became associated with Timeshare Solutions LLC, incorporated by Nady on 10/21/2004 (who incidentally also incorporated Solutions in Time LLC on 12/28/05). Timeshare Solutions LLC was still active as of January 29, 2006. Add to this confusing mix Vacation Solutions, LLC, a limited liability company which was incorporated 10/29/04 and revoked on 11/1/05. No member/officer names are listed online with this corporation, and as of January 29, 2006 no new registration for that name was listed in Nevada. However we have been advised that such a company exists, that it is owned by Michael and Denise Dunahay, and that Ken LaBossiere is telling people that he owns half the company" ( www.thetimesharebeat.com/2006/feb/0203-04t.htm ). In addition to that extensive history, now Ken claims to have retired after selling Vacation Solutions in December 2005. His girlfriend, Choy Min, however, wanted to continue "helping" people, so she started a new company called Vacation Ventures. The doors to the newest LaBossiere/Min adventure opened February 1, 2006, and it has all the features of the previous incarnations, the upfront fee, a vacation club and a website with little real information, no alliance with the Better Business Bureau, and no mention of any proven method for moving timeshares out of the owners names; basically all the hallmarks of a timeshare scam.

Finally, keep in mind, there are great companies out there that do the right thing, who follow through on making timeshares go away, and who nurture their relationships with clients and their professional alliances with organizations like the Better Business Bureau. The unfortunate circumstance is that not everyone does the same, such as the previously mentioned companies and individuals, who not only appear to not do what they say they're going to, but also have less than credible business histories. If you're one of many looking for a way out of the timeshare industry, these are only a few of the questionable businesses and people to be wary of. With an industry that is overwhelmed with dubious business practices, the best advice is to make sure you know who you're dealing with. Make sure you know what websites are reliable, and which are tainted by an unhealthy financial interest in one side or the other, a difficult task no doubt, but one worth the undertaking if it means safeguarding your finances and peace of mind. Don't give up hope on ever getting out of your timeshare because there are ways to get out, it just isn't quite as easy as getting in.

* We Collect Timeshares Update: Add to the previous information, recently uncovered and startling news of a state run investigation against We Collect Timeshares.  Washington State authorities filed a civil complaint on June 26th, 2007 against Jonathan and Christine Gibbs.  They were given until July 24th to respond, but apparently have failed to do so.  Rather than take action to correct any wrongs they’ve done, they simply closed down We Collect Timeshares. What action they have taken instead is to create a new company called Timeshare Freedom.  Their new website is the same vague verbiage in much need of a good editor as well as some substance.  There are NO names listed on the site.  There are no real answers.  This new company claims to have been in business for over two years.  This is simply not true.  This is just the newest disguise taken on by the Gibbs to swindle people all over again.  The Gibbs are a perfect example of why people must take care in the timeshare industry.  Even the best attempts to proceed cautiously upon exiting can be thwarted by the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing.  How many people veered out of the grasp of We Collect Timeshares, but are now in range of Timeshare Freedom? Regardless of the next name the Gibbs employ, their modus operandi is abundantly clear, and these are some industry insiders we’d venture to say are much better left alone.

Link: http://timeshareconsumergroup.org