BBB issues warning on local timeshare exit business

The Better Business Bureau today issued a warning about another local timeshare exit business.

Springfield-based MRC Group is at least the third area timeshare exit business called out by the BBB since August.

In its latest consumer warning, the BBB alleges MRC Group failed to honor contracts, led misleading sales presentations, provided lackluster customer service and failed to issue requested refunds. Consumers who reported MRC Group to the BBB said they netted losses between $500 and $8,900. Thirteen people reported losing a total of $54,080, according to a news release.

Citing a letter a customer received in October, the BBB indicated MRC Group has been dissolved. The letter stated the company’s client files were transferred to Brentwood, Tennessee-based Dunn Law Firm.

MRC Group’s phone number listed on its website has been disconnected, and a call to Dunn Law Firm this morning went unanswered.

MRC Group, according to the release, had been owned by Michael Baggett.

On its BBB profile, MRC Group has an “F” rating with 14 complaints. The complaints, however, are marked as closed during the past 12 months. The profile indicates MRC Group is not accredited by the BBB, a private consumer nonprofit.

“This further illustrates the perils of working with timeshare exit companies demanding upfront payment for their services,” said Stephanie Garland, regional director of BBB’s Springfield office, in the release. “If they do not deliver on the promises they make during their presentations, consumers open themselves up to losing a lot of their hard-earned money.”

The BBB earlier this year issued warnings about Vacation Consulting Services LLC, The Transfer Group LLC and Last Resort Fee LLC.

Vacation Consulting and The Transfer Group are among Springfield-area companies named in a lawsuit by Wyndham Vacation Ownership Inc. alleging damages to its businesses.