BBB is alerting consumers of Las Vegas company First Capital Financial Services Corp., who, according to a pattern of complaints, charges consumers upward of $2,000 for timeshare resale services that fail to materialize. 

The BBB of Southern Nevada has received over 40 complaints in the past month, and the company employs an F rating for failing to respond to complaints. 

“The company told us they had a buyer for our timeshare, and that our closing costs would be refunded at the time of closing,” said a North Carolina Consumer who paid $2,400.  “Since sending the money, we have not been able to communicate with the company further.”

Consumers report difficulty contacting the company after sending funds.  Some consumers claim that after no communication, the company contacts them requesting thousands of dollars extra to finalize the sale.

The company’s phone numbers are active and allow consumers to leave messages.  The company’s website is active yet all information has been removed.  The company is not licensed with the Nevada Real Estate Division but the company’s Secretary of State license is active. 

One consumer reports receiving a full refund.

BBB Tips for Selling a Timeshare

• Use a Business You can Trust – Make sure the timeshare reseller you use is a BBB Accredited Business or at the very least has a good rating with BBB. You can check out a business’s BBB Reliability Report at http://www.bbb.org.
• Confirm Licensing Requirements – Some timeshare resellers will use fake addresses or PO boxes in order to mislead timeshare owners. Confirm where the company is located and in what states it does business. Ask if the company's salespeople are licensed to sell real estate where your timeshare is located.  In the state of Nevada, timeshare brokers are required to be licensed with the Nevada Real Estate Division.
• Get the Facts on the Figures – Find out if the business charges a commission. Do they handle the entire closing and provide escrow services? Do they charge an up-front listing or advertising fee? What does it cover and is it refundable?
• Be Wary of Upfront Fees –Opt to pay upfront fees via credit card, which offers recourse in cases of fraud.
• Don’t Fall for the Hard Sell or an Offer that Sounds Too Good to Be True – Don’t agree to anything over the phone but instead ask the salesperson to send you written materials; take the time to think it over and don’t be pressured.  Unscrupulous timeshare resellers may claim that your property is in demand and they can sell it immediately; unfortunately, these promises are often empty.