Beware Timeshare Trial Programs

Timeshare trial programs are being used as a selling point to get uneducated vacationers interested in timeshare ownership. Many people have never heard of a timeshare trial program and might think it’s a good deal. It’s really just another attempt to lure you into buying a timeshare. Don’t fall for it.

Timeshare developers have found that 60% of the people who purchase a trial program can be more easily persuaded to buy a full timeshare. When they sell a perspective customer a trial program they include a mandatory presentation in the purchase. Then they make sure that the trial period is an easy, relaxing, all-around-wonderful experience. At the mandatory presentation they apply all their slick sales tactics and Bam! they get an easy sale.

If you are planning a vacation please be aware that you may be approached by a timeshare developer or salesperson. They might offer you a lot of great prizes, such as free accommodations or even money. No matter how great it sounds, say no thank you. It’s just another sales tactic to get you to purchase something you will have to pay on for the rest of your life. -- M. Beddingfield

Timeshare Owners Bear Cost of Others Misfortune

We all know that the economy is bad. Some people are having trouble paying the expenses of their primary home and putting food on the table. Vacation ownership is at the bottom of their list of priorities. People are abandoning their timeshares. They don’t have the money to pay on the ever-increasing maintenance fees and mortgage costs. This is causing a trickle down expense for other timeshare owners.

A deeded timeshare owner is responsible for covering the additional debt caused by other timeshare owners walking away from their responsibilities.

A deeded ownership in a timeshare means that you and all the other owners share the maintenance costs of the facility. When one owner walks away the cost goes up a little bit for each other owner. When several deeded owners choose to abandon their responsibilities, then the cost is exponentially higher for all the other owners. As the cost continues to rise, more owners will not be able to pay their bills.

This looks like a vicious circle that will only continue to get worse as the market struggles to fight off the depths of the current recession. So here is yet another reason not to buy a timeshare. -- M. Beddingfield