Timeshare Presentations: Scams or Opportunities
by Dana Sanders
Timeshare presentations are tricky animals. They can
either be an excellent method of obtaining expensive vacations for nothing
more than a couple of hours of your time or they can turn into pricey
burdens on your budget. Depending on your approach, timeshare
presentations can either work for you or against you - the trick is making
it worth your time.
Many travelers find themselves in a budget situation where
they have more time than money. Before you plan your next vacation, seek
out timeshare presentations in the area. Often, these companies offer
hefty incentives for attending their presentations. These incentives can
range from free nights at luxury resorts to expensive electronics or gift
certificates. Many families choose to attend these presentations to
offset the cost of expensive attractions, such as Walt Disney World theme
parks or Universal Studios. Quite often, timeshare companies entice
attendants into their presentation with free or deeply discounted
attraction tickets. Others choose to take long weekends at luxury
resorts, often within driving distance of their homes. When choosing
timeshare incentives that deal with free or discounted hotels or resorts,
think carefully about your proximity to the property. If the gift is four
nights at a Caribbean resort in exchange for sitting through a timeshare
presentation and you live in New England, the freebie may not be worth
your while. However, evaluate your need or want based on your desired
vacation spots. If you are planning a vacation to Hawaii, then the
presentation that offers a free weekend in a beach-front hotel may prove
quite interesting.
Before you embark on your vacation, search out interesting
timeshare presentations that offer incentives appropriate to that area and
your interests. Many timeshare companies require reservations or only
offer presentations certain on certain days of the week. For this reason,
you should contact the company and let them know of your interest in their
property and the dates you will be in town to attend the presentation.
This is an excellent opportunity to find out exactly what the presentation
entails, an estimated time of the presentation, and the details of the
incentives. The best way for you to escape unscathed with a positive
experience of your timeshare presentation is to know what you're getting
before you attend. Be leery of incentives that revolve around sweepstakes
or contest entries. The best timeshare presentations to look for are ones
that will provide you with something more than a chance to win a prize.
Other people choose to use timeshare presentations as a way
to view properties they may be interested in purchasing. Usually, the
presentation gives you an in-depth tour of the grounds, amenities, and
properties available. Many individuals interested in purchasing a
timeshare may wish to attend these presentations as an introduction to
different types of properties in the area of interest, and the incentives
are perks of the deal. The salesmen will be proficient in their job and
may weave a convincing tale. Be warned before you sign any paperwork -
these timeshare companies often grossly overcharge for their properties.
If you are genuinely interested in purchasing a timeshare, take the time
to review the secondary market. Often, timeshares can be purchased from a
current owner for thousands of dollars less than buying the same timeshare
at the presentation.
The most important way to make sure timeshare presentations
are an opportunity instead of a scam is to discuss your options before
attending a presentation. If your main reason for sitting through the
sales pitch is the incentive at the end of the talk, then keep that in
mind. The salesmen are often talented individuals who can convince all
who sit through their pitches that the best way to vacation is a
timeshare. Far too many people feel pressured into a purchasing a
timeshare when they have no need nor budget for a timeshare. If you are
interested in purchasing a timeshare, remember the consequences of
purchasing from a high-pressure salesman.
To find more information
about timeshare presentations, just log on to the Internet and visit
locations such as
www.atimesharesz.com/dir/timesharepresentations to do a thorough
search.
If you conduct the proper research and remember your
expectations and budget, you can easily turn a timeshare presentation into
an excellent opportunity for budget-friendly vacationing.
