Timeshare

Hawaii's timeshare industry is booming. Every major chain on every island is adding units as fast as they can build them, while the stand alone hotel is becoming a thing of the past. All day long, prospective owners tour the one bedroom model for the new Hokulani tower, the latest timeshare development by Hilton Grand Vacations in Waikiki. Dan Dinell, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Hilton Grand Vacations, says timeshares have been a big success story for Hilton. "The Lagoon tower went up in 2000" explains Dinell. "That was followed by the Kalia tower because of the demand and most recently the Grand Waikikian in 2007 and now we're building on Kalakaua."

The Hokulani is going up at the corner of Lewers and Kalakaua, where there used to be an Outrigger Hotel.

The move from hotels to timeshares isn't just happening in Waikiki. Over the past decade, there has not been a single stand alone hotel that's gone up anywhere in the State.

Dinell is also Chair of the Hawaii Chapter of ARDA, the industry trade association, and says every hotel is expanding its timeshare divisions. Dinell sized up the tourism shift this way, "Currently there are over 10-thousand timeshare units. It's about 13 percent of the mix. When you see what's coming on down the road it's all timeshare units as well."

From Waikiki's Trump Tower, to the westside's Aulani, new projects court return guests. Since 2000, the State lost 8-thousand hotel rooms to timeshares or condos and that's driven hotel room rates up to an average of 230 per night statewide.

That's the second highest rates in the country, but first time visitors don't mind the price of paradise.

Visitors we spoke to in Waikiki say, "About reasonable. A little less than Australia would cost us" and "For my opinion, it's same as like in Las Vegas."

Timeshares run the gamut- from about 30 thousand for a week's ownership in a one bedroom unit at the Hokulani... to 400-thousand for a share of a 3 bedroom penthouse in Hilton's Grand Waikikian.

Hilton already has another timeshare tower in the works on the grounds next year. Hotels say since tourism always has its ups and downs, it's insurance to expand the ownership, repeat business market.

Original Article: http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/21752790/timeshares-on-the-rise-hotel-rooms-down

A bid by the time-share industry to block unhappy owners from dumping their properties by selling to companies that don't plan to pay the often-hefty annual dues ran into trouble Friday in the House Regulatory Affairs Committee. An eleventh-hour amendment to what was otherwise seen as an innocuous “glitch bill” (HB 7025) would make it illegal for time-share owners to transfer their properties to buyers whom they know or should “reasonably know” do not have the “ability, means or intent” to pay all annual assessments and taxes on the property.

Jason Gamel, a lobbyist for the American Resort Development Association, the time-share lobby, said such sales were a problem that is currently “plaguing” the industry as vulture buyers try to take advantage of rock-bottom resale prices, which have collapsed since the global economic collapse.

But the proposal drew strong pushback from Timeshare Closing Services, an Orlando re-sale company an Orlando company that provides closing services in time-share sales, says it handles more than 1,000 resales each month. William Stander, a lobbyist for the company, accused time-share developers of trying to trap buyers into keeping their properties so they must continue paying annual dues “because that’s the income stream.”. He said his client would never buy another time-share unit under the proposal, given the penalties and “incredibly vague” language in it.

Stander also noted that time-share owners always have the choice of foreclosing on delinquent time-share buyers.

“Why isn’t that good enough?” Stander asked. “Because they’re (time-share units) are available for a penny on e-bay. They don’t want to take these things back. They want you to be stuck in it forever.”

Committee Chairman Doug Holder, R-Venice, was clearly not happy with time-share industry lobbyists bringing the issue up in a last-minute amendment to legislation that has been around for weeks.

“I can appreciate the comments that have been made that this is necessary. However, it was so necessary that it was brought to us last night,” Holder said.

Committee members have temporarily postponed a vote on the legislation this morning. Industry lobbyists have been huddled up since, trying to smooth out differences.

UPDATE: After the huddle: A hand-written amendment to remove the “reasonably know” standard and then a unanimous vote. Sausage-making in action.

Under what pretence was the money taken for both the consumer and the admin department ?

As you can see, I have done some house-keeping.

Please keep on track peeps

A Merry Christmas to all our visitors and members and in particular all the members who have stayed strong and loyal over the last 9 years. And if your tired of the turkey and mice pies already, grab a seat and have a read of these funny Christmas stories -


The Saga of the Christmas Loser

Late home after a night out, a youngster attempted to climb into his home down the chimney.  He did not to want to wake other residents in the Judson Center social services agency; also he had broken his curfew and wanted no trouble.

In best Santa Claus mode he climbed onto the roof and let himself down the chimney; unfortunately he was too large, and he became stuck.  The 17 year old began moaning and was heard and rescued.  Fire fighters and police officers from the City of Royal Oak, Michigan, USA, had to pull him out.  The youth suffered from minor scrapes and bruises.


How They Forecast a Cold Winter

One day in early September the chief of a Native American tribe was asked by his tribal elders if the winter of 2011/12 was going to be cold or mild.  The chief asked his medicine man, but he too had lost touch with the reading signs from the natural world around the Great Lakes.

In truth, neither of them had idea about how to predict the coming winter.  However, the chief decided to take a modern approach, and the chief rang the National Weather Service in Gaylord Michigan.Christmas Funny Stories and Jokes

'Yes, it is going to be a cold winter,' the meteorological officer told the chief.  Consequently, he went back to his tribe and told the men to collect plenty of firewood.

A fortnight later the chief called the Weather Service and asked for an update. 'Are you still forecasting a cold winter?' he asked.

'Yes, very cold', the weather officer told him.

As a result of this brief conversation the chief went back to the tribe and told his people to collect every bit of wood they could find.

A month later the chief called the National Weather Service once more and asked about the coming winter. 'Yes,' he was told, 'it is going to be one of the coldest winters ever.'

'How can you be so sure?' the chief asked.

The weatherman replied: 'Because the Native Americans of the Great Lakes are collecting wood like crazy.'


Two Idiotic Reactions to Freezing Weather: [Don't try these at home]

1) This is a true story about John Porter, from New York State, USA, whose pipes in his home froze one winter.  Anxious to unfreeze them, Mr Porter backed his car up to an open window so that the exhaust would warm up the house.heat a two-gallon can of petrol

A little while later and Porter, his wife and their three children had to be rushed to hospital suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.

2) George Gibbs, from Columbus, Ohio, suffered second-degree burns on his head.  This is what happened one freezing cold winter morning.  Unable to start his car, George diagnosed the problem as a frozen fuel line which he thought he could correct by running warm petrol through it.  He then tried to heat a two-gallon can of petrol on his gas stove in the kitchen.  Ah.....


Yarn of the Seat in Stand

Freddie and John were fortunate enough to have a season ticket to watch Chelsea. They could not help noticing that there was always a spare seat next (B14) to them and they had a friend who would love to buy a season ticket, especially if all three could have seats together.

One half-time Freddie went to the ticket office and asked if they could by buy the season ticket for B14. The official said that unfortunately the ticket had been sold. Nevertheless, week after week the seat was still empty.

Then on Boxing day, much to Freddie and Eddie's amazement the seat was taken for the first time that season. John could not resist asking the newcomer, 'Where have you been all season'.  Don't ask he said, the wife bought the season ticket back last summer, and kept it for a surprise Christmas present.


Try Before You Buy!

Myra was going to the Christmas office party but needed a new party dress.

In the clothing store she asked, 'May I try on that dress in the window, please?'

'Certainly not, madam,' responded the salesgirl, 'You'll have to use the fitting room like everyone else.'


Mirror Image - Christmas Fable

On Christmas Eve, Nathan thought it would be nice to buy his wife a little gift for the next day. Always short of money, he thought long and hard about what that present might be'

Unable to decide, Nathan entered Debenhams and in the cosmetics section he asked the girl, 'How about some perfume?'  She showed him a bottle costing £75. [$150USD]

'Too expensive,' muttered Nathan.

The young lady returned with a smaller bottle for £50.  'Oh dear,' Nathan groused, 'still far too much.'

Growing rather annoyed at Nathan's meanness, the sales girl brought out a tiny £10 bottle and offered it to him.

Nathan became really agitated, 'What I mean', he whined, 'is I'd like to see something really cheap.'

So the sales girl handed him a mirror.


An Amusing and True Funny Story At Christmas

A seven-year-old boy was stopped by police in northern Germany while trying to plough snow with a front loader he borrowed from his parents' business, authorities have told Will and Guy.  Officers on patrol found the boy atop the 3.5-meter-tall [11.5-foot-tall] excavator after he had cleared the street in the town of Reinfeld and was driving back to the parking lot. The child noticed the police car behind him and stopped immediately.

'He opened the door, got out and admitted immediately that he did not have a driving licence,' the police report said. When asked why he had begun ploughing, he said his father had complained about the state of the roads. He saw the key in the ignition of the vehicle and set off.

Police retrieved the key to the loader from the child and returned it, and the boy, to his mother.


The Tale of the Traditional Christmas Pudding

Martha decided to move with the times and try the delights of microwave cooking.  Whereupon, her devoted husband Archie went out and bought her a brand new top-of-the range Sharp Microwave oven.

Christmas approached and Martha got out her Christmas pudding recipe and assembled the ingredients.  She proceeded along traditional lines and even got the each member of the family to stir the mixture 'for luck'. When Martha consulted the microwave's manual for the cooking time, she could not believe that ten minutes would be enough for a traditional Christmas pudding.  Consequently she decided to substitute her normal cooking time of 50 minutes.

As Martha was in the lounge watching her favourite T.V. programme she did not see the pudding spitting in the microwave oven, nor did she hear the mini-explosions.  When she finally extracted the pudding from the microwave after nearly an hour of cooking on 'High', it smelt of burnt sugar and looked like a ball of tar.  Naturally, the Christmas pudding was a disaster, so much so, that Martha could not even prod it with a fork.  In fact the black ball stuck to the bottom of the bowl and Archie had to get a screwdriver to prize it from its base.

In a fit of pique, Martha threw the shrivelled Christmas pudding to Togo her St Bernard puppy.  After a few days she could see the funny side, and Togo loved his new indestructible toy, which amused him until the next Christmas.


Amusing Christmas Turkey Story

Sarah new young bride calls her mother in tears. She sobs, 'Richard doesn't appreciate what I do for him.'

'Now, now,' her mother comforted, 'I am sure it was all just a misunderstanding.'

'No, mother, you don't understand. I bought a frozen turkey roll and he yelled and screamed at me about the price.'

'Well, the nerve of that lousy cheapskate,' says her mum.  'Those turkey rolls are only a few dollars.'

'No, mother it wasn't the price of the turkey.  It was the aeroplane ticket.'  "Aeroplane ticket...." What did you need an airplane ticket for?'

'Well mother, when I went to fix it, I looked at the directions on the package and it said: "Prepare from a frozen state," so I flew to Alaska.'

Apologies to our visitors and members today for the in-operability of the site. The database had crashed and corrupted.

Everything is now fixed and working fine.

Thank you for your patience

Tom I think most of those people get publicly shot down anyway on the forum.

Hows the weather out there ?

James Assi Jariv, 62, of Las Vegas, Nev., has been charged, along with seven others, in a four-count indictment alleging conspiracy, wire and mail fraud, and money laundering, was announced in an FBI press release dated Nov. 16, 2012. Jariv was arrested Thursday along with Alexander Jariv, the 25-year-old son of James Jariv; Thresa Lloyd, 42; Varda Jariv, 72; and Jiwon Jariv, 33, all of Las Vegas; and Leon Avedikian, 43, of Los Angeles, Calif.

Two others were taken into custody Friday, at which time the indictment, returned under seal October 24, 2012, was unsealed. They are Ronald Frank Muise, 50, and Michael Derek Muise, 27, both also of Las Vegas.

Varda Jariv made her initial appearance Thursday. The remaining defendants are expected to make their initial appearances later today in either Las Vegas or Los Angeles.

The two conspiracy counts carry a maximum imprisonment of 20 years in federal prison but because the wire/mail fraud involved telemarketing that involved 10 or more victims over the age of 55, federal law provides for an additional 10-year sentence in addition to the sentence imposed for mail or wire fraud.

“The IRS is committed to investigating those individuals who engage in corruption and money laundering,” said Bernard Butler, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. “Working with our law enforcement partners, IRS-CI is committed to unraveling complex financial transactions and money laundering schemes. We will continue to aggressively pursue those who victimize the elderly.” (FBI press release)

According to the indictment, the Jarivs and other co-conspirators used a number of different named companies to conduct their telemarketing timeshare resale scheme targeting timeshare owners throughout the United States and Canada. The timeshare owners were allegedly solicited to pay advance fees in exchange for the Jariv companies providing willing buyers for their timeshare properties or points, when in fact, the defendants did not have buyers for the timeshare owners’ interests and did not market or sell the property.

The Jariv companies were registered in various states, including Texas, Nevada, California, Illinois, and Washington, and conducted business at multiple addresses in Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle, according to court records.

The defendants allegedly used mailing addresses or “virtual office suites” in Las Vegas, Houston, Chicago, and Seattle for receiving money from timeshare owners via the U.S. mail or commercial interstate carriers like FedEx, all the while maintaining call center offices in Las Vegas, Houston, Chicago, and the greater Los Angeles-area from which the defendants, using telephones and e-mail, contacted and communicated with timeshare owners, in an alleged scheme to defraud the timeshare owners of money.

The defendants and their employees falsely represented that they had buyers for the timeshare owners interests (either timeshare weeks or points) and solicited fees, ranging from hundreds of dollars to several thousand dollars from each timeshare owner, the indictment indicates. The defendants allegedly falsely represented that the fees were fully refundable at closing and were used to secure the owners’ place in an acquisition involving corporate buyers, as well as to pay for legal expenses such as title searches, estoppel letters, and closing costs.

The indictment alleges closings were not scheduled, purported sales did not occur ,and no payments were made to timeshare owners for the sale of their property, nor have there been payments by corporations (or other buyers) to the Jariv companies for the purchase of timeshare properties.

The defendants and employees of the Jariv companies did not devote their resources to marketing the timeshare owners’ properties and simply pocketed the advanced fees paid by the timeshare owners with a sizeable percentage of the money used to pay telemarketers, according to the indictment. The balance of advance fees was allegedly kept by Jariv and his family members to be deposited into bank accounts controlled by them and frequently transferred to personal bank accounts or other unrelated corporate bank accounts.

According to the indictment, between February 1, 2011 and January 31, 2012, the defendants would and did victimize approximately 1000 victims living in Canada and throughout the United States including the Southern District of Texas and deposited into eight bank accounts approximately $6,925,137.04 in fraudulently obtained timeshare owner funds. Approximately $5,945,433.04 in victim funds were retained by, and subsequently transferred into, other accounts controlled by the defendants.

The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by U.S. Secret Service and IRS-CI, with assistance by the FBI Las Vegas Field Office and the San Francisco Office of the Environmental Protection Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Martha Minnis and Katherine Haden are prosecuting the case.

We are reminded that indictments are only charges and the subjects are all considered innocent unless and until, proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law

Most, if not all, the spam that gets through is a human registration. Spam bots post large quantities of posts and we have never really been hit by them.

The only thing left is to set captcha on all postings which is a REAL annoyance to members or moderate all posts which I dont really have the time to monitor.

It's a fact of running a site that these little buggrs get through

Not legal at all. Who's selling what ?