Remember to Skip the Alcohol Before Attending Any Timeshare Presentation

I passed a billboard last week that took me a minute to understand.  Big bold letters called out:  DTWD.  My much more savvy teenage daughter pointed out that it meant “Don’t Text While Driving.”  Cute.  Of course, I can’t get the hang of texting while I’m sitting at my desk, but that’s ok.  I like the play on the slightly tired slogan, “Don’t Drink and Drive.”

Anyone who has ever imbibed a little too much alcohol at a party and later tried to remember exactly what happened the night before understands why.  Alcohol limits inhibitions.  It impairs our judgment.

More than one timeshare owner has reported free-flowing spirits before and sometimes even during the sales pitch, only to find themselves with a contract they don’t remember signing.  Not long ago, a hidden camera videotape revealed one company’s sales pitch included serving alcohol.  It’s not illegal, but it’s definitely not wise for the consumer to partake.

Don’t ever buy any time share if you’re offered alcohol prior to or while signing anything.    That’s a good rule of thumb – any company that encourages you to alter your judgment may very well not have your best interest at heart.

You’ll regret your purchase and may have to call Timeshare Relief to get rid of your timeshare for you.

Thinking About Buying a Timeshare? Get Relief Another Way

Over the past five to eight years, the timeshare industry has suffered an influx of customer complaints that stem from timeshare owners being unable to get relief from their timeshare contracts. Certain business practices within the timeshare industry has led to this virtually non-existent resale market. Now, with a mature world-wide-web, potential timeshare buyers are getting scared out of the market, while timeshare owners are looking for ways out.

Until the past few years, timeshares were still considered lower-cost alternatives to owning luxury vacation homes that few middle class families could afford. However, in a bad economy where families are looking to cut out any non-essential bills, timeshares have been the first on their lists to cut. They soon discover that selling a timeshare is much more difficult than buying. In many cases, timeshare contracts obligate these owners in perpetuity.

One of the industry’s biggest fears is losing timeshare owners. In order to prevent losses, many preventative measures were drawn up to lock owners financially to their units with nowhere to run. For timeshare resorts, the name of the game is volume. Resorts and developers are motivated to sign and to keep as many owners as possible to a single unit to boost revenue and profit through the residual nature of annual maintenance fees.

Schedule rules, such as booking a year in advance, stymie an owner’s ability to stay at the resort. Yet, they make timeshare units available for presentation to potential new buyers. Contracts effectively in perpetuity require the payment of maintenance fees forever. These businesses practices demonstrate just a couple of ways timeshare operators tip the scales in their favor.

The more consumers could sign to a single unit, the more money the resort makes in annual fees. A lot of times, owners have to deal with the frustration of late or over bookings not because they didn’t follow the guidelines, but rather, because the resort oversold their unit space.

Don’t Find Ways to Justify a Timeshare Purchase

Once you step onto a timeshare resort that you like, you’re mind is going to think about buying a timeshare there.  Whether you love the location, the architecture, the amenities, activities or service, it’s amazing how quickly that little voice in your head starts to justify a purchase.  Our advice: Silence the voice; Fight the urge.

There are a few justifications that we’ve heard over the years that do not make any sense over time:

“It will FORCE us to go on vacation”
If you have to feel forced on vacation, that force will feel like a heavier and heavier weight as maintenance fees rise and special assessments come in.  You’ll want to be forced out soon.

“We’ll use this timeshare forever!”
Just like gym memberships, diets, money-making opportunities, feelings go away over time and the stark reality of paying for something whether you use it or not will be left.

“It will save us money over time”
If you are a dedicated user of timeshares, this may be true, but you could save that money that you use to buy the timeshare and invest it elsewhere.  Then, take vacations as you choose.

“We can give it to our children when we don’t want it”
Believe us when we say that your children will not want an old, out-of-style timeshare by the time they’ll be ready to inherit it…and they certainly will not want additional bills!

So, when you feel the urge to buy a timeshare, let it pass.  For many of you, you’ll be much happier over time.