Watch Out for Resale SCAM Artists Bogus Resale Offers
Membership Resale Scheme — Again Beware of Resale Schemes
Should You Join a Camping Club?  

Watch out for the resale SCAM Artists:

July 1998 - Be wary of "Resale Schemes", companies that want $2-400 money up-front in exchange for a promise to advertise your membership for sale. At least one of these businesses is under investigation by the Florida Attorney General.

Members report that this same company is being identified by representatives of Travel America as a company that is "Purchasing " memberships for around $2,500. Contacts with that company reveals, however, that it is charging $200+ to advertise the sale and that it is NOT purchasing memberships.

You should note that some memberships are being offered FOR FREE on the internet - with no takers .

 

Bogus Resale Offers

(Extracted from the US Navy Wire Service)

December 2003 - Beware of people who offer to help you sell your campground membership, timeshare, recreational real estate or undeveloped property, for an advance fee. Most of these resale programs are scams.

Maryland Consumer Protection Division has heard from other states about bogus resale offers and recently was informed that such con artists are contacting local consumers. Typically, consumers receive phone calls or mailings from companies offering to sell their memberships, timeshares and recreational property, and asking for deposits or advance fees ranging from $225 to $1,600. If these companies really had the buyers they claim, they wouldn’t need to collect an advance fee from consumers because they would have no problem brokering the sale. If someone contacts you, offering to resell your campground membership, timeshare, recreational property or undeveloped property, take some precautions:

  • Never pay an advance fee.

  • Try to find a company that offers to take a fee only after the sale is executed. If there is truly a resale market, such arrangements should be possible.

  • Never submit to pressure to make a quick decision. Legitimate businesses don’t expect people to make important decisions on the spot.

  • Get references from consumers who have used the company’s services.

  • Call the Consumer Protection Division to see if any complaints have been filed against the company.

Special ALERT !

Membership Resale Scheme — Again

April 2001 - Beware of unscrupulous sales tactics of some campground membership resellers. We have had several complaints from people across the country about campground membership "Resellers". They have again started canvassing campground membership owners with an offer to sell their membership for them.

The catch is that they want money "up-front", as much as $250 - $650 and more, to list the membership for sale. This scheme seems to intensify each Spring. Most of these memberships never get sold. This is simply a grab for the "up-front" money.

Favorite targets are people who were once members of campgrounds that have gone bankrupt or are in financial trouble. The companies get lists of members or former members and use that as a list of sales leads. Victims are lured by the prospect that they might salvage some kind of value for what would otherwise be a worthless membership that cost them thousands of dollars.

The sales tactics of these companies are slick, compelling, and aggressive. DON'T GET HOOKED by the scam artists. If they are so good at selling memberships, why don't they get their fee from the proceeds of the sale?

Be alert - Contact your friends - Spread the word...

Dan Hopper, NAM

 

Beware of Resale Schemes

NAM has received at least 2-dozen questions and complaints about campground membership resale schemes.

Some campground members have decided that they no longer wish to be a member. They want to sell their membership contract with the hope that they can recover at least some of their “investment”.

Our position is that any “HONEST” organization that wants you to pay them to sell your membership will take their fee out of the proceeds of the sale.

Never give the scam artists money up-front!

Too often we get reports that companies take up-front money, even offer written guarantees, then never sell the membership.

≠

 

Should You Join a Camping Club?

Yes, if you do it for the right reasons.

What are the benefits?

Typically, there are more and a greater variety of organized recreational activities.

You are more likely to meet old friends that you have met in other campgrounds.

Make sure your membership contract specifies what happens if you decide you want to cancel your membership?

What happens if the campground goes bankrupt? (Why should you believe that won't happen?**) Get any statements you make your purchase decision on ­ in writing.

You can save money buying into a membership CG but "only" if you use your membership privileges a "lot" more than the average member; you often travel to where the affiliated CG's are; they have space available when you want it; and you like the space they provide.

Don't over estimate the actual number of days per month that you will use the facilities in the future. Especially check to see what site fees and annual dues or maintenance fees are.

Membership camping, contrary to the claims of every marketeer/promoter that we have heard, is not a way to save money while camping. When you consider all of the associated costs, it is more expensive.

Make sure YOU are one of the ones who will benefit before spending your money.

If the outfit you are considering is on the up and up, you have to ask what the benefit is to YOU and YOUR lifestyle.

You MAY be one of the folks for whom they're actually a "good deal" - but don't join for the wrong reasons.

A common life span, from birth to bankruptcy
for many of membership camping schemes
is 3 to 5 years.