Don’t Be Fooled: Recognize These 3 Timeshare Sales Tricks
Timeshares have been available in America for almost 50 years now. At present, about 10 million people in the United States own timeshares, and that number surged a bit during the pandemic based on recent reports. Though they’re generally marketed as luxurious vacation opportunities brimming with benefits, they sometimes end up being a double-edged sword. Quite a few people have fallen victim to the tricks of the timeshare trade. Take a look at some of the common traps, so you can avoid them.
1) High-Pressure Sales Presentations
One of the most notorious timeshare sales tricks is luring people into high-pressure sales presentations. Salespeople sometimes create scenarios where prospects feel trapped and rushed to make quick decisions. In some cases, these presentations can last several hours as a way to wear down prospects. Many who have fallen victim to these forceful sales strategies have found help through https://acagroup.org/how-do-i-get-out-of-a-timeshare.
In these situations, people are invited to attend free presentations about the timeshare opportunity in question. They may even be persuaded to attend these seminars with promises of free gifts, significant discounts, and other incentives. Remember to approach such offers with a positive mindset, but always remain vigilant, particularly when considering reputable options like royal resorts timeshares, known for their quality vacation experiences. Once they arrive, they’re subjected to well-rehearsed sales pitches in which salespeople make them feel as though they’ll be missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime experience if they don’t buy into the timeshare.
That, in turn, creates a sense of urgency. Some salespeople blatantly pressure prospects into buying timeshares using measures that might even be considered bullying. Other times, they may use guilt to convince prospects to buy in. Countless people have found themselves buying into timeshares at these types of presentations only to regret it later.
To avoid falling for this trick, always lend a cautious ear to timeshare presentations. Remember that the salespeople, no matter which tactics they use to convince you to buy in, have no power over you. They can’t even force you to sit through the entire presentation. Politely decline their offers if the situation fits, or tell them you’ll think it over. If necessary, simply get up and leave.
2) Misleading Promises and Omitted Details
Another common timeshare sales trick is making misleading promises and conveniently leaving out important details. Salespeople paint their timeshares in an entirely positive. Along the way, they whitewash, or completely omit, hidden costs, restrictions, and other hurdles. Remember that if it sounds to good to be true, it most likely is.
Some of the typical misrepresentations and omissions are maintenance fees. In truth, those costs alone can add up over time and make a timeshare less affordable than it initially seems. Restrictions on available dates for booking are often left out of the presentations as well. Many people have found that they can never seem to book their timeshares when they want due to blackout dates, overbooking, and other issues. Those are only a few of the problems you need to watch out for.
To protect yourself from this trick, ask to get all the promises being made to you in writing. Be sure to read the contract thoroughly before signing no matter how pressing the salesperson is. It may be a good idea to go over the contract with an attorney or other advocate before making the decision to buy in.
3) Deceitful Upgrades and Resale Opportunities
Additionally, salespeople may try to entice current owners to upgrade their timeshares or purchase additional ones with the promise of exclusive deals and extra benefits. They may claim that upgrading will give owners access to better properties or other opportunities that seem too good to pass up. They may even tell owners that they can purchase additional timeshares at a discount and sell them for a significant profit. It’s a take on the buy low, sell high strategy.
In reality, those upgrades typically result in higher fees, longer contracts, and more financial obligations that owners bargain for. At the same time, reselling timeshares can be difficult. In most cases, those seemingly amazing opportunities are completely false, and they leave people in over their heads. To safeguard against this tactic, be sure you understand all the terms and costs associated with those offers.
Keeping Yourself Safe from Timeshare Shams
Though timeshares remain popular across the United States, far too many people have fallen victim to tricky sales tactics and false claims. Approach sales presentations with skepticism, and don’t let salespeople pressure you into making a purchase. Read the contract carefully, and don’t hesitate to ask questions or consult with legal authorities if anything seems ambiguous.
