My experience with U.S. Timeshare Management has been the same as reported here and in other forums. Karl Criddle called me almost every month for about a year, representing that his company was in touch with buyers who were interested in my resort. He said he worked for Executive Timeshare Marketing, but the contract they sent me to sign identifies the company as U.S. Timeshare Management. I believe Criddle is aware of the negative news about his company on the Internet, and uses a different name in phone conversations to cloak his identity. It was only when I promised payment and received a contract in the mail that I saw the real name of his company was U.S. Timeshare Management.
Once I paid them a fee, I got one single confirmation call and then nothing. They do answer their phones, at (800) 489-2444, and the secretary had been coached to deliver the same pitch that Criddle delivered. She said they had inquiries from buyers who were interested in the area, and that I should be receiving a call soon. The months go by, and I hear nothing from them.
Why did I pay them? Criddle correctly told me that buyers were not likely to buy my timeshare from an ad on the Internet. He said his company is different: they have a marketing staff that is in contact with buyers at my resort, and will work diligently to match these buyers with my property. They then pursue these people over the phone to get them to buy the timeshares in their inventory. I do not believe that is true.
They do have personnel working the phones, but they are not calling buyers. They are calling timeshare owners, like myself, who are motivated to get out of a timeshare contract. Don't be nave, as I was. These people will not sell your timeshare for you. Do not trade your cash for an empty promise.
(See other complaint about this company under category: telemarketers.)
The lesson I take away from my experience with timeshare resale services and web sites is that there are a lot of timeshare owners who feel remorse at their purchase and want to sell their time to someone. The second-hand timeshare market is flooded with good deals. Buyers, on the other hand, are hard to find. People do not buy timeshares off ads on websites. They buy in high-pressure sales presentations at vacation resorts.
If you are stuck with a timeshare you do not want, you may give your time to friends; advertise locally; or trade the time through RCI to go vacation other places. Good luck.
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