European holidays are set to rocket with prices spiraling out of control, as there are only so many beds for heads and who is set to make the most from this?
The cold calling timeshare companies, with there lure of a cheap 7-night stay in a luxury resort, and all it is going cost you is a few hours of your stay while they promote why their timeshare system is worth purchasing.
While these cheap holiday deals can seem like an incredible bargain, remember that very few things in life are ever free. In exchange for the deal, you are required to attend a timeshare presentation. This requirement is mentioned when you book your promotion holiday.
Typically the company offering the promotion explains exactly what is required of you. In all cases you will attend a sales pitch and sometimes take a tour of the timeshare resort as well.
It is also important to note that not everyone is eligible for the promotional holiday.
The qualifications vary by company, you may need to be married or in a relationship, you almost always need to be over the age of 25 (or in some cases over 30) and have a joint income upwards of 25k per year.
Additional requirements may be imposed and should be stated upfront before you book your promotional holiday.
If you fail to attend the presentation, or otherwise don’t fulfill qualifications you have previously confirmed, then you’ll have to pay full price for the accommodation.
A few hours may not seem like a big deal if you are getting a significant discount, but most people who attend a timeshare presentation report that it was a lot more than they bargained for.
Firstly be prepared for very high-pressure sales pitch at the presentation.
Some of these tactics include:
Keeping You for Longer Than the Allotted Time. Many visitors report being kept for hours, or even full days, at presentations that were supposed to be a few hours.
Creating a False Sense of Urgency. Explain how you can benefit from owning a timeshare and tell you that you must act now this offer is only for TODAY.
Arguing Aggressively Against Objections. Timeshare salesmen have an answer for everything and they always have a counter for any excuse you might come up with.
Inflating the Investment Value. Timeshare sales reps often significantly overstate the benefits of owning a timeshare and the value of the timeshares they are selling.
Avoidance About Cost of Ownership. The focus during presentations is on the low costs of ownership and you never hear upfront about any of the restrictions or additional fees to use.
Bombarding You With Multiple Pitches. Before you are able to escape, you will need to deal with multiple sales pitches, as well as the “managers,” who use different, highly aggressive tactics to get you to buy.
These are just some of the high-pressure tactics employed by timeshare marketers. In fact, many people on various online complaint and scam message boards report that as a result of the high-pressure tactics that they faced, they bought timeshares despite their clear intent not to.
While you may believe that you can stand up to the pressure, you won’t really know until you’ve dealt with the sales professionals whose sole job it is to get you to buy a timeshare – even if you don’t really want one.
Purchasing tips…
Consider whether you’ll be able to use a timeshare year after year?
Are your holiday plans sometimes subject to last minute changes, or do they vary in length from year to year?
Does the timeshare have flexible use plans? Are you -and will you be- in good enough physical and financial health to travel to your timeshare?
Document Review…
Oral Promises. what’s spoken might not be written.
Don’t act on impulse or under pressure.
A good offer today usually will be a good offer tomorrow.
Legitimate businesses don’t expect you to make snap decisions.
Be sure you understand all aspects of the purchase and carefully review all materials before you sign.
If you feel a timeshare is not for you, remember you upheld your side of the agreement by attending the presentation and listening and a polite thank you, but no thank you is enough.
For more information regarding this article or assistance in any other timeshare related issues please contact the TCA on 01908 881058 or email: info@TimeshareConsumerAssociation.org.uk