Universal Marketing Solutions review: Fraud 53

I too also contacted by Universal Marketing Solutions with the same deal with 4 weeks bonus to close the sales. After reading blogs of Universal Marketing Solutions postings, it's kind of suspicion since they can just rent the weeks to profit it all. I am trying to cancel the contract and get my money back with a fee of $2096 that already charged to my credit card. I am already listing with them to sell the Timeshare. Now they want
money for rental also? The finance manager named Jay Dixon is guarenteed the sales, but I don't really believe that. Any one has any thoughts on the matters?

I was very suspicious too, and then I googled them and stumbled across this blog! My story: I contracted with Universal Marketing Solutions to sell my Timeshare at Tahitti Village, Las Vegas Nevada back in July 2008. My husbnd has stage 4 cancer and we no longer have an income. I begged the salesman not to take advantage of me as we desparately needed to sell and clearly vulnerable. I told him I was duped by another company (fortunatly I got my money back) and very leary of people wanting the fees upfront. He said it was for a title search and for their administrative fees. He promised me that there were 3 buyers interested.When it wasn't sold by the 120 day gurantee period (around November 2008), I began seeking a refund as promised by the contract. When I FINALLY would get a return phone call the Customer Service rep would explain that they had a buyer in the approval process and all I needed to do is wait another 30 days. January came around (past the 30 days) and then a guy, Greg Fusca, calls saying that the buyer is approved and has made an offer of $21, 000.00 and all I need to do is pay $499 for each of the four bonus weeks that were enabled through "Central Marketing Firm". He was not exact in his definition of what it was I was providing the "Upfront money". I told him I needed a couple of days (of course that was no problem for him) and I began doing some investigating. Tahitti Village, a Condolidated Resort, says there was no such thing as a "bonus week" in their contract with me, especially four weeks other than the ones I would have banked with the company, and I have none banked. I googled "Central Marketing Frim" and have found no such company and then I googled Universal Marketing and am finding the worst of my fears...they apparently are frauds. I plan to persue with filing a complaint to the DA, the BBB (which probably doesn't bother them) and whom ever else. I wish that bocabill@comcast.net would call me back. He is one of the bloggers who has responded to many others who are inquiring about UMS. He actually left his number for someone to call him because he says he knows how to get the money back. Universal Marketing a nothing but single celled ###. I even had a guy named Mark Hicks call me back and tell me about his Uncle, who died of cancer! He said he knew how hard it was for my husband and I and he would never do that (be dishonest about the contract) to me. He said he would help me out and get the property sold for me so we could pay our bill and get out of debt. They prey on the most desparate people like myself who would do anything to make they're abismal financial situations improve. Can you imagine taking advantage of a family who is in such a tragic situation as ourselves, and preys upon us like vultures. If bocabill reads this or anyone else who knows how I can get my money back, please send me a note. monsauret@comcast.net. Thank you!

Thank you, thank you, one all all for your postings. I have been contacted several times in the last two days by a guy named David Costello, with UMS. He started the conversation by asking if I was interested in selling my Wydham Points in Myrtle Beach and said he has a buyer willing to pay top dollar for my points. I told him I am on SS disability, scheduled for a third back surgery. I have a family member with stage 4 lung cancer, and one family member is unemployeed. I don't have funds to give them upfront to sell my points. Besides it sounds weird that I have to pay to sell. He has sounded so convincing each time, I was "thinking" of selling. I did some searching and found this site and these posts and I will be telling him "NO THANK YOU". I am sorry you have all had such a bad time with this company, but you SAVED me from them. Feel good knowing you are helping others.

Not certain of what to do...this would be the second time we give a "deposit" for an amazing selling price of $34, 000 for a 3 bd / 3 bth time share - Westgate, Kissimmee - Orlando, FL - one week both apts or two weeks split. The selling price, at these times, sounded tooo high...but what the heck - before giving the credit card number to UMS mgr Jay Bernarnd, I asked for time to check them out - Universal Marketing Solutions and a site www.creativehomemtg.com. We are required a deposit of $999. I read all these stories and think this is another scam or rip off. Does anyone have a reliable source that a timeshare like this can be sold? nelsos2000@gmail.com

I just eeceived a contract from Universal Marketing Solutions but decided to open your web page and THANK YOU for answering my gut feeling about this. They claimed to have two thousand dollars down on a twenty-one thousand three hundred offer but still wants a credit card number to pay for title search and something else and it would be returned to us. I say THANKS BUT NO Thanks to them . A very big THANKS to you

I got my refund from Universal Marketing Solutions today after following the advice given to me from Bocabill. Anyone seeking a refund from these people needs to contact the company's lawyer, Andrew Cove, at [protected]. The legal assistant who handled my case was Tiffany Eaton. After speaking with her, she took my information and emailed me the same day with a confirmation number of my refund. She indicated that it would take 24-72 hours for the credit to show up on my card. This was on Wednesday 1/27/09. The credit appeared on my card statement on Saturday morning. Thank you Bill for your assistance. This is the way that I recommend dealing with these people, as I never once was able to get them to answer their phones and I never received any return calls after I had left messages.

I Too have been contacted by ums telling me that they had a buyer.
they said they were waiting for a deposit, and financing. Now they have called saying that another company had 14 buyers waiting, and they too wanted a deposit. but they don't offer a money back guarantee. it's only for 120 days, and an additional 9 weeks to list it.I don't think any of these places ever sell anything. And like all the other people getting scammed, I too was never contacted until about a week or so after calling them. I'm bailing out.

I have been contacted by UMS and have received the same story that I have been reading from others that have posted on this complaint board. They have a buyer for me and getting even more than the initial asking price! Imagine that, someone offering more than the asking price in these economic conditions. I had them fax me a copy of the contract, which I just received, and I notice that you only get your up-front money back when the timeshare sells. So...if it never sells you can kiss your money goodbye. I'm glad that I have been reading other people's comments because it is going to save me $1, 396. They aren't getting any of my money. I will offer to sell it to UMS for $2, 000 less like someone else suggested and will probably get hung up on also.

Our story is like the others posted above. My husband was contacted this after noon by Jay Dixon with Universal Financial his contact number is [protected] in Boca Raton, Florida. Jay also said he is associated with Creative Home, Mtg. He stated he had a buyer for our time share and all we need to do is give him our credit card number. This would be to cover the title search, transfer fees and administrative fees total cost of $900.00 to $1300.00, however, we would get this back when the sale was complete. I went to the internet and also phoned the BBB in Palm Beach County and they have never heard of either company. They have no information on either place. After searching for more information on the internet I found this page. It makes me feel better knowing we didn't provide any information to these crooks before checking them out. I sincerely, hope others will be as cautious and not get caught up in thier traps. People like this needs to be put in the nearest prison and kept their for trying to SCAM honest people out of their good hard earned money. It's hard enough these days without scumbuckets taking advantage of trusting people. They need to be run out of the country.

I was contacted by this company and asked if we were interested in selling our time share and any unused weeks we might have. I told them we did have a time share. Tom Ford called me soon thereafter and said that they had a lot of buyers and had oversold timehsare and needed to purchase some to sell. Also would line to purchase the unused weeks we might have. The cost to sell the unused 2 weeks was $1200 with a return of $5200 and $1398.48 to sell the property. I have since been contacted by a company and told that this is a scam and directed to this web site. I am contacting the Attorney, Andrew Cov and the Dept of Ag in Flordia.

I just got off the phone 5 minutes ago from these guys that keep calling me from Universal Marketing Solutions.
THANK YOU FOR THIS BLOG.
I received the same story as all of you did. I told Mark I'm not going to pay for something before it sells. Marks supervisor got on the phone and said that we'll charge your credit card and it comes with a 120 day guarantee. And if you don't believe me, just call your credit card company and they'll refund your money back. I told them the last time I paid for something up front, such as for a timeshare broker to rent out my weeks, , , it turned into a scam and I'm not going to fall for it again. The broker never rented out my weeks and so I lost $300 for a ### rental broker.

Paying U.M.S. first is a scam.
Imagine you owned a car dealership paying your car salesman a $3000 commission for selling something he hasn't sold yet. It would be like him saying "Hey boss, I have someone coming in tomorrow to buy the Porsche, , , will you pay me my $3000 commission now?"

Same with Home Realestate. A commission/fee first before you sell yor home! Will never happen.!

No way guys.
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I was just contacted today 2/27/08 on my cell phone! I have no idea how they got my cell number, but this guy Carig Halgus from Universal Marketing Company in Delray Beach, Fl. said he saw "my ad" on www.vacationpropertytrader.com and I commented "really, I haven't listed my property on any website...and he says: "sorry to be the bearer of bad news", HA HA LOL. Now after finding this website, I'll be sure and not fall for any of their scams. He said he would put my information into his database and that he would see what "investors" he could come up with to buy my property and call me back with in 30 mins. Well, I hope he does call back, because I'm gonna have a great time telling him "NO WAY"...Thanks to all of those that have posted on here, and sorry to the ones that got taken, but look at all the blogs because there is a number posted for an atty for their company to get your money back!

i dealt with ums over this past year and can not believe they are still operating business.i complained to the bbb, consumer services and the attorney general of florida who all have active files. after all this i did finally get my money back and all i can say is never, never give your credit card # or if is to late for that never, never sign that contract.

Well, I'm one of the dumb ones who fell for their line. Only my 4 weeks of banked time was going to get me $2500 and would cost me a fee of $2395. I was also going to have my property sold as soon as it would close, probably in 4 or 5 weeks.
I need the money alot more than I need the time share so I agreed. Six weeks out and I started doing what I should have done early on-get online and check them out.

I am wondering if their are any lawyers out there who know the answer to this.. If an employee knowingly is involved in a scam, are they financially liable or are they guilty of breaking the law? Seems to me the legal system should be looking at the whole group at UMS. Can we get together to get them thrown in jail if not have to personally pay back funds they defrauded?

I just called the attorney listed above, Andrew Cove. One of his secretaries answered and said that while they do represent UMS, they have been directed to only give out an email address for UMS. That gives UMS another layer to ignore customers...or should I say victims.

Personally I think anybody with a question should call Mr Cove..maybe he will not be real happy with his client, no matter what retainer he is getting.

SO GLAD I found this site and checked them out. I spoke with a Kurt who called on my cell phone yesterday inquiring if I wanted to sell or rent my timeshare. Gave him my resort and number of BR and baths etc. He called me this morning and said he had a renter who also wanted my banked week with II as well and they would pay more than I was asking . and for $398 for each week which is charged by the resort for a guest pass etc. OR I could pay $796 for a LIFE TIME use of their company to rent or sale my Timeshare in the future. Of course they wanted my CC number up front to start the process and the contract. I said I need ed to check themout.He was very convincing and eloquent in his speech...THANKS TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR INPUT. I will not call him back.

I had been wary of this compny. They contacted me too. I asked for the contract and it was very vague. Thank goodness I looked them up! They had wanted $1, 399.00 from me too for the title search. I have just emailed Colin Tolmodge back with all my findings and a big NO THANK YOU!

Just called Andrew Cove's office and got the same junk...email UMS. I emailed Jennifer Kirk (jkirk@universalmarketingsltns.com). I told her I was going to file a legal suit if they did not return my funds and she emailed me right back and told me that according to my contract, the money would not be refunded until the sale of the property. She did add that someone would call with an update.

I seriously doubt that b/c no one has called me from that company since they got my money...a year ago. I have been trying to get my money back for months now to no avail. I wish I would have seen all this stuff last year before I gave them the money.

anyone no any other way to get around this mess and get money back?
Chad
chad.gonzales@dfps.state.tx.us

I called Andrew Cove's office two days ago. Same thing...call UMS. Jennifer Kirk emailed me back and said Andrew Cove no longer represents them. What a mess. What can anyone believe. They are so convincing. Its a sad world when people have to resort to this kind of con to get money. I guess it shows how desperate some people are to make a buck. I got sucked in Jan 27 and have not slept a night since.

For those who have gotten money back did you have to retain a lawyer to do that?

Hi all, this morn.(3/04/2009) I got a call from a Ralph at unversal marketing saying that they had a buyer for my timeshare and that these people already have seen the place and payed a down payment. The funny thing is that I did not have my timeshare listed yet as I am having problems trying to find a "honest" company to list with. I'm really thankfull for all the people that have made complaints against them as I won't get scamed for $1, 000. I do need to know if anyone out there knows of a good and honest company that I can list my timeshare with? You can contact me @...robertmolly@msn.com. Thank you, MS

I was contacted by Michael /last name removed/ yesterday asking about my timeshare. Today he called backed stating he had an offer. My husband and I are alway suspicious if we have to pay money upfront. I really appreciate all these posts so I now know. As others I wish I could find an honest seller.
TB

Today is 3/5/09 and I was just contacted by Andre from UMS. I wrote down the caller ID. After a convincing performance by this man I told him I would get back to him. He gave me the office number, toll free number and his cell number. The caller ID number was [protected]. When I called back the guy answered with hello. I told him someone called me from this number and asked who he was. He said his name was Chet. All you could hear in the background was a bunch of grown men laughing and having fun. He said that some people got a hold of their phone number and have been trying to sell timeshares from it. (then I noticed that there was no noise in the background anymore, like he jestered from them to be quiet). He said that they are actually a garbage company. I said, 'really, funny how all the guys in the background got real quiet when you started telling me about this company that is scamming people.' He didn't have anything to say after that. Then I called the other phone numbers that Andre gave me: [protected] - no one answered but it finally went to an answering system for UMS. The other numbers were: [protected] and his personal cell phone was [protected]. I did call that number, Andre answered and said UMS. I told him what I am writing here and he said that the person who had been scamming people is no longer there and that they are trying to build their way up again and be a successful business. He said that he did have a buyer for me but I should do what I need to do and go with whatever company I am comfortable with. That was actually fun to do! When he called me he was so confident! WHen I called him he got very quiet and mousey and matter of fact. I'm tired of being scammed. These people have no conscience, I don't know how they live with themselves, but our God upstairs is watching these people that side with the devil! THey'll get theres.

I want to thank everyone on this thread. I had initially been contacted in Sept. 2008 for the initial $1394 they got from me and then another $1596. When I did an initial search on the company, I could not find anything, and now I see I was not the only one. I used my Amex card and called them about the fraud charges and they not only applied the total amount back to my card, they took down all of the information so they could do their own investigation.

I had received calls from a Wayne and John Strassburg, and the phone numbers used were [protected] UMS, [protected] John Strassburg’s personal mobile #, which was disconnected and [protected] which now sends you to the UMS voice mail.

I was contacted for a "sale" of my timeshare in Beaver Creek. The offer was an excellent offer and I was ready to proceed. However, when they asked for acredit card to do the title search mu suspicions were raised. The rep promised to fax the contracts to my office for my review as I would not give a credit card to an unknown party regardless of the offer. No suprise, the contracts have yet to arrive and I doubt they will. Guess this outfit is exempt from prosecution as they are 'employing" people and have paid the appropriate fees. Glad I listened to my instincts.

Where is the DA when you want one?

This is to give you all an idea of how dumb I am... When they contacted me in Jan I was in my car and didn't realize I had 2 previous contracts wit UMS..one for renting my timeshare and the other for selling it. I remembered the one for sale listing. Anyway an email to Jeniffer Kirk got a response that bnasicially said we have your money and name on a contract..

I emailed her back and asked why the previous 2 contracts didn't cover things.. they sent a refund for the $2395 they got from me in Jan.

At the same time I was assured that my sale was in the final stages and would be complete in the next few days ( Mar 10 to 13).. Needless to say I am NOT holding my breath.

I have recently received phone calls from 2 separate companies stating Universal has sent them my information and ask if I want to sell ... Not suprisingly, they say how good they are but both want money up front. I think I am on a 'chump' list... 'hey we got a live one here, see what you all can get out of it...' Maybe Universal is getting a kickback.

I might pay a title search fee.. but not before I have a full contract to seel the property with a real name on it that I can check out and confirm., not somebody's brother or made up name but that I can take to an attorney. Just like if you sold a house.

I personally think the whole system is bogus although I know some sell properties for real. In this tight market, I figure sales are few and far between. I've told these scam artists that it is cheaper for me to hold my property than float another nickel on a ### promise

We too were scammed by these no good dirty rotten people. Of course they call around tax return time when you have the cash to pay the 1395. to do the "deed and title search" guaranteed sell in 90 days and now nothing! We can't even get a return phone call. If only we had read this in advance. I too prefaced with we had already tried listing with another agency and they assured me they had a buyer that had already put 5000 down on our property and would buy ours in the Virgin Islands for 14, 500. We were thrilled due to our daughters medical condition and need for the cash to pay off debt from loss of work etc. They are vultures that prey on the sick weak and tired. I think they look for medical bills and then tempt us with big pay offs. We certainly could buy more with our tax money that they STOLE from us. Maybe ALL of us need to contact 8 on your side or one of the news reporters to get some action to keep this from happening to anyone else. We will try to get our money back as well but it has been more than 60 days so it may be too late. Floridians at a lost!

Claims to have buyer for my time share states they have a down payment on this time share so that the 1396.24 i pay will be refunded if sale does not go thru. They send out a contract which i have not signed and bill my credit card for the $1396.24 before the contract even gets to me. The lat call i got was they were doing a title search on the time share i have told them there is no title it is a lease. Called to cncel on number states all people are busy leave a message or cll back. The other number styates there mail box is fill.I want this contract cncel and my money back

Anyone up for a class action lawsuit against these ###?/

Universal Marketing Soulutions contacted my elderly mother to say they could sell her time share in Florida. She sent them $1300 on her credit card. She aslo sent Western Unions for $400 and for $300. This was in a telephone request from Zachary White at phone number [protected], who was to have represented Universal Marketing Solutions. Earlier, my mother spoke with a man named Michael along with the Regional Manager, Matt Hicks, who when she called today, Michael stated he did not know who she was or anything about selling a time share then hung up the phone on her. Michael's phone numer is [protected]. She has continued to attempt to call this company, but none of her phone calls have been answered or her calls returned.I truly have a problem with scammers, but especially those who prey on the elderly. I am certain my mother will probably never see her money again; however, action should be taken to prevent others from meeting a similar loss.
laneiman@msn.com

I'm in!

we sent universal marketing a check for 1493 back in June of 2008 to sell our timeshare in Tahitti Village in Las Vegas as of today we still have not heard anything and all the numbers we try go straight to a recording I am sure we were also scamed.

how did you people get your money back from being scammed from the Universal Marketing Solutions? We were scammed from this company for $1296.00 and we have worked very hard for our money. Everything sounded ligit. On the contract that we signed it states that we can cancel the contract but when I have tried to call the company to cancel the contract it tells me to leave a measage. Please can someone help me. rsonni4@yahoo.com

did you sign a contract with this company? We did and we are trying to get our money back.

I believe that I am up for the class action suit. I first am going to get my money refunded back. I am filing a complaint with Boca Raton Police. Dective Flecua [protected]. I asked him if he had previous complaints agains this company. Since the first of the year he has had OVER 200! Mary Clyde is very convincing and are the rest of the other people in this company. A class action suit is my next step. Does anyone know how that works?
Thanks Jersey Girl!

We also were scammed by Universal Marketing Solutions. They told us they had two qualified buyers for our timeshare and asked us register the unit with them. We gave them our credit card number and $1, 995.00 was charged to our account. Meanwhile, they contacted us again and told us they had someone who wanted to rent the timeshare for a week while waiting for the sales agreements to be processed.The people would pay us $3, 900.00 for the week and they were mailing the check on that day. They told us that the complex charges $599.00 for the renters to use all of the facilities. So, we again gave them our charge card number.

We cannot get them to respond to our calls. We are contemplating on retaining an attorney. This is definately fraud and they should go to jail.

John & Shirley Avina
Coppell, Texas
[protected]

My wife and I are in! Absolutely! They are ### and I would like a piece of them!

I dont know how class action lawsuits work so if anyone in this forum knows how please advise! I spoke with Mr Sherman at the AGs office and they were supposed to meet UMS and their attorney Andrew Cove. Many many complaints have been filed with the AGs office and the Dept of consumer affairs. I am waiting to hear from him with the results. When he calls me I will post what was said!

Oh yes I did sign a contract but was misled into signing it!

I have had a similar experience. I paid $1246.24 for them to market my Hawaii timeshare with the provisor written into the contract that if it takes longer than 120 days the marketing fee will be refunded on closing. It took longer than 120 days. No sale. If you call their "Customer Service" you get a msg saying wait. My inside cell # to 'Amber' now belongs to a student in high school. Now I'm told by "Creative Vacations" (tel. [protected]) that they are out of business. I have now been scammed by these guys, Timeshare Market Pro, Global Timeshare Solutions & Century 21 at a cost of many $1000's. Is there no consumer protection in the USA? It's so hard to get legal recourse from north of the border...