RCI Innovations Inc.

As I said before, RCI Innovations didn't charge my card when I returned the contract with the amendment. So there's nothing to dispute. They are avoiding my calls, so there will not be a deal for me this time! I didn't expect it, based on the offer they provided, but as I've said before I'm willing to work each caller and it paid off once. I'm very careful to have an appropriate exit.

I appreciate the concern there has been for engaging in this risky action, and I don't recommend it for most people. It requires a lot of though and analysis before signing docs.

I just got called by an automated system offering to list my timeshare for $499, the number was 603-214-3339. Now they are using automation to more efficiently call us!

RCI Innovations said they had a French-American buyer who wanted to buy my timeshare. I was not sure about this so I had an experienced salesman talk to RCI and he couldn't find anything wrong with them except the fact that they were charging too much for the title search. I even have a bill of sale and a promisary note from them. I ended up believing that they really had a buyer. Now, I'm trying to get in touch with them and all I get is a recording.

mariannem70 wrote:

RCI Innovations said they had a French-American buyer who wanted to buy my timeshare. I was not sure about this so I had an experienced salesman talk to RCI and he couldn't find anything wrong with them except the fact that they were charging too much for the title search. I even have a bill of sale and a promisary note from them. I ended up believing that they really had a buyer. Now, I'm trying to get in touch with them and all I get is a recording.

That's their modus operandi .... once they get your money all your calls go to voicemail unanswered.

I've been following this thread with great interest...and it pains me that so many of you have been taken in my this company and other companies with similar MOs. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE heed the great advise of some of the people who have already written in here as well as myself...if a company calls you unsolicited and tells you that they have a buyer for your timeshare DO NOT BELIEVE THEM, REPORT THEM, DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THEM.

After being taken once, and then learning about Red Week, I always ckeck out all these "wonderful promises of buyers with high offers for my timeshare". I must admit the sales presentations are getting better- but they all come down to paying a high upfront deposit (fee) to secure the deal! When it sounds to good to be true- watch out!!

Similar - they had a buyer from the defunct TSLuxory Group. My charge for RCI Inovations was made to MKVProcessing Consoltants and I cannot get them to refund the money - no reponse to phone, FAX or certified letter.

I was charged the card and when the contract arrived it looked like every other listing contract - so I cannceled it immediately. My Credit Card now has it in dispute.

Can anyone tell me if they heard of Timeshare Market Pro- Davie, FA or Nationwide Resorts Inc- Delray, FA. (closing company)? All the other upfront scam companies would not send you any documents upfront, but Nationwide Resorts Inc. sent me a contract, but once again they want money for closing costs/check only now??? Also, does anyone know a phone number to call for more info. I have called the Citizens Services number in FA, not alot of help. The Attorney General Fraud number no longer works?

danellk2 wrote:

Can anyone tell me if they heard of Timeshare Market Pro- Davie, FA or Nationwide Resorts Inc- Delray, FA. (closing company)? All the other upfront scam companies would not send you any documents upfront, but Nationwide Resorts Inc. sent me a contract, but once again they want money for closing costs/check only now??? Also, does anyone know a phone number to call for more info. I have called the Citizens Services number in FA, not alot of help. The Attorney General Fraud number no longer works?

A big red flag would pop up for me if I couldn't find a contact number .... all they want is your upfront fee, contract or no contract. You can file an internet complaint with the attorney general in the state the scammers are located.

The Attorney General's phone number can be found on the State of Florida's website. Again, and I can not repeat this enough...DO NOT PAY UPFRONT FOR ANYTHING.

Has any one actual used First Choice Advocates? They are not listed by the Better Business Bureau.

Think we have all been taken in by the Time Share Gypsy. May the gods strike all of them dead.

RCI Innovations appears to be a scam. I haven't been able to contact them since paying them. Also didn't see our timeshare listed for sale after the "buyer" fell through. If anyone knows a good way to recover funds from these thieves, RSVP.

garyt158 wrote:

RCI Innovations appears to be a scam. I haven't been able to contact them since paying them. Also didn't see our timeshare listed for sale after the "buyer" fell through. If anyone knows a good way to recover funds from these thieves, RSVP.

By now you surely realize that there was never any "buyer" in the first place. That was just the baited hook placed in the water to get you to bite. You bit --- and you got hooked and were reeled right in.

These types of parasites are in the business of TAKING your money. They have no intentions of ever returning a dime to you. Your only real hope at this point (...and it's ONLY a hope) is *IF* you paid by credit card *WITHIN the past 60 days*, in which case you can still file a written dispute with your credit card issuer. Even then, your chances of recovery are frankly still slim. Nonetheless, good luck.

I submitted a claim through Capital One and they temporarily reversed the charge. Capital One says that unless the merchant (RCI Innovations) resubmits the change within 45 days they will consider the case closed and re-bill my account. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get our money back?

Mariannem,

When a consumer timely disputes a charge on a credit card as you apparently have done the issuer of the credit card (Capital One in this case) places the dispute with a group within the bank called the "Charge Back Unit". This unit will determine whether or not a product or service was provided by the vendor. The "Charge Back Unit" is not concerned with the quality of the product or service but rather with whether a product or service was provided. They do this by contacting the vendor for verification.

If the service was not provided the bank will charge the transaction back to the vendor and notify you that the charge has been removed. The problem for you and others who pay up front fees to a vendor is that a service was provided if nothing more than placing an ad for your timeshare on an obscure web site. The charge back unit is not investigating whether there was criminal fraud but rather whether the service promised was provided.

If you think the vendor committed criminal fraud you should report the alleged crime to your local police department with supporting facts. Most police departments have a unit that investigates credit card fraud. Local manpower resources and the strength of your facts will determine whether a criminal case is opened. Next you report the crime to the criminal investigation unit of the credit card company. Their first question will be whether you reported the crime locally. If it appears you were merely duped by a salesman's rhetoric and that a service (webb ad) was provided the case will not be investigated

If the bank fails to act on your dipute or you are not satisfied with the action taken you should report all facts in writing to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Inquiries from the OCC get prompt attention from banks.

I am not hopeful that you will be successful but good luck.

Go to www.ltrba.com and click on file a complaint. Then file a complaint in the State you live in, the State they are calling you from, the State the timeshare is in. Don't stop until you get some action.

Agreed Judi. It is imperative that consumers and consumer advocates like myself keep pressing anyone and everyone (FTC, Attorney Generals, media outlets, etc.) to stop these people from what they are doing.

I will put this out there...what these companies are doing is not "exactly" illegal, but it sure as heck is deceitful. Consumers need to be aware of what exactly is being done and together, and ONLY together can we force some positive changes.

tsauthor wrote:

Agreed Judi. It is imperative that consumers and consumer advocates like myself keep pressing anyone and everyone (FTC, Attorney Generals, media outlets, etc.) to stop these people from what they are doing.

I will put this out there...what these companies are doing is not "exactly" illegal, but it sure as heck is deceitful. Consumers need to be aware of what exactly is being done and together, and ONLY together can we force some positive changes.

I beg to differ concerning the legality of many upfront fee scammers' that outright lie to potential clients that they have a buyer already lined up to buy their timeshare and ALL OTHER lies told to prospective clients in order to get that upfront fee, which is all they WANT. This is beyond deceitful, this is criminal and that's why the FL AG is going after them.

"This is beyond deceitful, this is criminal and that's why the FL AG is going after them. "

Jayjay, to your knowledge, how many scammers to date have been locked up in Florida by the AG for deceit or lying in connection with a timeshare transaction? Probably none as the consumer fraud statute dealing with timeshares is very ambiguous.

Humans alone among the primates are capable of reasoning and when someone offers something that seems too good to be true logic should suggest further investigation. The best way to beat the upfront fee folks is by not giving them upfront fee money ever. More power to the AG but in the end it is up to the consumer to use a little common sense!

Until the Attorney General puts these people in jail they will continue to do what they do best and that is to scam people. When you make 4.2 million dollars and are fined $161,000 and you close the business that sounds like a nice retirement to me. There is never a reason to pay an upfront fee. If you have and you want to file a complaint go to www.ltrba.com and click on file a complaint. File the complaint in the State you live in, the State the scumbags are in and the State your timeshare is in. Tell them you want these scumbags to do their time-share in jail.