Ok so you’ve hit a New Year slump, the perfect way to feel better?? What’s nicer or more exciting than a wonderful holiday! Something to look forward to, so the online search begins.
It can be difficult to comprehend the amount of ‘amazing’ deals, professional sites and convincing advertisements on the internet.
But beware! Timeshare is full of charlatans who operate these attractive sites that promise the world, cheap holidays and all you have to do is…attend a presentation. If you are determined to book this online, please be careful. These showy websites can be operated from a back street, a sofa, a park bench even, as long as they have internet access and a bank account, fraudsters will have the ability to take advantage of you.
The simple advice, scrutinise the company you are going to purchase from, prior to the purchase, as soon as you press enter to ‘make the payment’ whether it be for a deposit or a total balance you are at risk. Due to de-regulation and the masses of people who are looking for a ‘good deal’, these impostors are everywhere. They may claim to be ABTA or ATOL protected, but they are charlatans and this could easily be a lie. Make sure you know exactly who you are dealing with.
If you believe you are in good hands and want to make a payment online, make sure you pay with a credit card, if you pay with a credit card you will be protected by the credit card company, you can and should (if you need to) hold the credit card company responsible for all the money you have paid and it is your legal right to do so.
Generally most people like to go on a cheap timeshare holiday knowing full well that they will have to attend a holiday presentation. Such deals are everywhere on the internet “£99.00 for 5-star holidays” etc. Most are succumbed by the cheap holiday. Nowadays in such sales presentations, the poisonous word “timeshare” is never mentioned, as they know the consumer would vanish at the mere suggestion. However in the presentation the word timeshare shall not be uttered for fear of the crowd disappearing. Instead terminology such as ‘holiday club’ or ‘points based holiday membership’ are used and unfortunately many people are hoodwinked and sold products for thousands of pounds and then difficulties begin!
Timeshare itself will not be sold online, only in these presentations, where sales people show you amazing opportunities and deals. There will be urgency behind the sales pitch and you could be pushed to make a decision.
Don’t be coerced into making a choice there and then. Some of these presentations will be full of untruths and people who are promising you everything and will not actually give you anything. They will take vast sums of money from you and you may end up in a battle to get your money back or remove yourself from the timeshare deal.
Some however are legitimate and you could be on the receiving end of a wonderful deal that will suit your needs and expectations.
Research the company, look at the reviews, delve into the wonderful world of the web and make sure you understand the company you are buying your timeshare from (or not buying as it may turn out). Understand your rights and enforce them if you have to.
If you or someone in your family is considering timeshare, take care. Educate yourself and others and make good choices.
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