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 price.
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/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.
Copyright 2005 by Dana Sanders. All rights reserved.
- About The Author: Dana Sanders - Visit http://www.atimesharesz.com/getaways.htm
for featured low-priced vacation getaways at popular destinations across
the U.S. Looking for information about timeshares? Go to http://www.atimesharesz.com.
A Timeshares Z is a timeshares and vacation, resort and condo rentals
and resales directory.
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