When providing valuable timeshare advice, the most common approach is attempting to be as specific as possible, because that is the way the industry works. This is true of many business strategies, and this sector of the real estate industry is no different. Timeshare advice can be excellent when applied to certain situations, but horribly misguided in others.

Attempting to sell a timeshare may be great advice if there are many buyers are looking for a specific property, but this is rarely the case. The timeshare advice of trying to sell only works in unique circumstances, and these cases are few and far between.

Overarching timeshare advice may be what is sought, but the answers only apply if certain criteria are met. Understanding this truth is one of the most important pieces of timeshare advice to follow when dealing with the industry. The advice is only as good as the understanding of the specifics of the situation.

If success and financial help lay in the details, providing specific timeshare advice for unique situations is perhaps the most noble cause an expert can undertake. Providing timeshare advice that seems like a cure-all to a desperate timeshare owner can have devastatingly negative consequences.

This article is meant to help those who are caught in these specific situations with these circumstances only. Even if these criteria are met, it is still advised that one seek the counsel of an experienced company that provides timeshare advice for little cost. Nothing can compare to the personal touch an experienced timeshare expert can provide when dealing with timeshare troubles.

This all being said, these pieces of timeshare advice can be life savers and can provide real insight into the industry you are dealing with. Timeshare advice should always be taken with a grain of salt, but if these situations apply to a specific consumer, a lot can be gained from listening to timeshare advice tailored to what you are going through.

Most experts advise against purchasing a timeshare. However, a great piece of timeshare advice for those first entering the industry is avoiding the presentation. If a consumer is serious about buying a timeshare, research should be done on their own, without the pressures of a presentation that can be filled with quick sales pitches and underhanded schemes.

There are many theories when it comes to finally getting out of the timeshare contract. While you were likely told by timeshare salesmen that selling is easy and can be done for a profit, it is highly likely that this is untrue. In reality, the timeshare market is flooded with sellers and contains very few buyers. Selling a timeshare is highly unlikely, and finding a profit is virtually impossible.

If an owner needs to get out of a timeshare contract, their best best is legally cancelling it with the help of a timeshare service company that understands the industry and has a long history of success. A highly regarded timeshare aid company can fight back against an imposing timeshare company and can cancel the contract relatively quickly, releasing the owner from ever-increasing hidden fees and maintenance costs.

Selling a timeshare is actually not the best timeshare advice out there, because many owners will find it infuriating and difficult to accomplish. Timeshare salesmen make selling sound like a great chance for a profit, but this process is almost certainly going to end in a net loss for the owner. The major difference between a quality sell and a negative one is the length of time it takes to accomplish it due to the continued costs. It is incredibly difficult to sell a timeshare, and great advice is pricing the ownership low to entice a buyer quickly.

Every business expert seems to have an opinion when it comes to the timeshare industry, and this timeshare advice comes from many different sources. These experts within the industry can be consumer advocacy groups, timeshare attorneys, and professional timeshare aid companies, all with their own form of timeshare advice. The unfortunate problem is that a lot of this timeshare advice comes with a bias, as these organizations often have something to sell you.

Timeshare attorneys may tell you that your timeshare company is being very serious when they send threatening letters attempting to coerce payments for their hidden fees. This timeshare advice is not completely true, as many threatening letters are sent out without any real merit or legal action behind them. This timeshare advice is provided because the timeshare attorney is trying to sell a timeshare owner on the need for their services, which are only necessary in the most serious of situations.

However, consumer advocacy groups often do not have this serious bias when it comes to providing timeshare advice, for they have no ulterior motive. Because these groups and online organizations do not provide any products or services, they have nothing to sell you. This timeshare advice can prove to be the most trustworthy, because while they may have a negative view of the timeshare industry, this perspective comes with serious merit.

The timeshare industry is a cold and dark sector of the real estate market. Consumers struggle with timeshare ownership constantly, as rate hikes often make the payments nearly impossible to keep up with. Furthermore, many of these payments are not known to the consumer at the time of the signing of the timeshare contract, which usually takes place at a high-pressure sales meeting. Timeshare salesmen lure consumers in with promises of easy ownership, benefits that are over exaggerated, and false claims; this includes the idea that timeshares can be an investment that helps the consumer’s financial situation.

Because of the nature of the industry, timeshare advice is highly sought after and should always come with a grain of salt. In fact, a lot of timeshare advice that truly offers insight into the industry involves particular situations. Timeshare owners deal with different companies and types of ownership, so often the timeshare advice is not made up of overarching rules. However, there are a few rules within timeshare advice that can work for consumers no matter the specific situation.

Perhaps the most quintessential piece of timeshare advice is knowing and understanding the numbers behind the timeshare contract. Comprehending the hard data involved with the timeshare industry goes a long way towards making a sound financial decision. This is true for many situations in business, but is especially important when dealing with the timeshare industry.

The timeshare contract is often complex and is comprised of confusing legal language not commonly understood by the average consumer. If you do not understand the numbers behind this document, another great piece of timeshare advice is having an expert review it. Having someone well-versed in finance will often reveal the true nature of vacation ownership, and just as often advise consumers to stay far away from it.

Perhaps this is the most important timeshare advice of all, and is almost universally agreed upon by financial experts. Timeshares are absolutely not physical purchases, and should never be considered an investment. The problem with this business is that is affiliated with the real estate industry, perhaps the most appreciating asset one can purchase. However, timeshare advice from financial experts reveals that is this not the case with vacation ownership. The purchase of a timeshare should be considered much like a hotel room. The consumer is paying for a vacation accommodation, not making an investment. Understanding the math is always sound timeshare advice, and may prevent you from making a catastrophic financial mistake.

The timeshare industry has become so notoriously filled with fraud and resale scams that perhaps the greatest timeshare advice of all is avoiding this potential money-trap at all cost. Consumers file for bankruptcy due to timeshare ownership constantly, showing the negative way this industry has affected the public. The financial burden the timeshare contract places on consumers is rarely worth the vacation time. Hidden fees, maintenance costs, and rate hikes are extremely common experiences when owning a timeshare, and these add on to already enormous annual fees. Common timeshare advice is to avoid all of these money traps by simply going with a traditional vacation process.

However, if you are determined to deal with the timeshare industry in a meaningful way, you should do your research and seek out as much expert timeshare advice as possible. The only worse thing than engaging in a timeshare contract is doing so without any insider knowledge. The internet has provided a method of gaining timeshare advice from experts in the field like never before. Instant access to free information and timeshare advice makes it so that there is no excuse for being uninformed in this day and age.

Timeshare contracts and companies vary greatly, and there is different appropriate timeshare advice for every situation. The specifics of a particular situation should usually guide your personal timeshare advice, and consumers are encouraged to ask questions with as much detail as possible for a quality answer. However, there are a few rules that are generally true for the entire industry, and this kind of timeshare advice is perfect for any consumer. There are a few tips that always seem to work out for consumers when dealing with the timeshare industry. While there are always exceptions to the rule, this timeshare advice is solid for nearly any situation.

This timeshare advice is very disappointing to many consumers, but there is a reason it is listed first. Perhaps the greatest rule of the timeshare industry is avoiding the timeshare presentation at all cost. The majority of timeshare contracts are signed at timeshare presentations where consumers are blindsided by harsh sales tactics, bullying, and misrepresentation. These presentations are often much longer than advertised, many running as long as 5 hours or more, where consumers are pressured into making a purchase that many eventually regret.

Timeshare presentations are so alluring because they usually offer a fabulous prize for attending them. However, the majority of consumers not only advise against attending, they also say that they would never again go themselves. These presentations can be dreadful experiences, where attendees may also be served alcohol, further impairing judgement. This piece of timeshare advice is almost universally accepted in timeshare circles, lending credence to its truth. If you are really thinking about purchasing a timeshare, do thorough research, seek expert timeshare advice, and do it from the safety of your own home. Never attend the high-stakes timeshare presentation.

To be clear, the best timeshare advice when it comes to your financial health is to avoid purchasing a timeshare altogether. This advice is in no way an endorsement of buying a timeshare. However, if you do decide to opt for timeshare ownership, do so upfront and with cash. It is very common for a timeshare company to offer financing if you are unable to pay the large fees at the outset of your ownership. However, timeshare financing is often very pricey  and timeshare companies will do everything they can to collect.

Timeshare companies have massive legal divisions that are very good at making their clients pay their large and ever-expanding fees. Financing your new timeshare is a great way to start out in a hole with your timeshare company that only gets worse over time. One piece of timeshare advice that nearly any expert would agree with is avoiding financing options if you do decide to buy a timeshare.

There is so much talk online about not being taken in by a timeshare scam that one often wonders if there is an honest company out there at all. Much of this advice about avoiding a timeshare scam is very valid, and there is little hyperbole involved. There is indeed rampant timeshare scamming everywhere you look. This all begins with the timeshare companies, which many call the biggest global timeshare scam of all time. 

The timeshare presentations are filled with half-truths and sales pitches that many consider to a scam in and of itself. Once the contract is signed, hidden fees emerge that owners cannot afford to pay, so the legal document upon which ownership is based is considered to be a timeshare scam. Finally, when owners decide they want to sell a timeshare, they learn the market is horribly depressed and there are very few buyers out there. Owners are lucky to sell a timeshare at half of its original value, making the “investment” theory perhaps the most blatant part of the entire timeshare scam process.

Without an ability to sell the timeshare, the financially desperate owners decide they need help in selling their timeshare. This part of the industry has so many scams it can be downright frightening. Timeshare resale scams plague the market in all areas of the country. Because owners are so desperate, they will give a large sum of money to a timeshare resale scam artist, who then takes the money and does nothing to help the owner sell their unwanted timeshare. So many of these companies are considered scams that it is perilous to even attempt to sell a timeshare at all. Furthermore, by attempting to sell, an owner is taking up precious time while still legally responsible for the ever-increasing fees involved in the contract.

If all of these timeshare scams weren’t enough, timeshare attorneys and other timeshare aid companies can be involved in scams as well. In recent days, there have been several reports of timeshare scams being conducted by individuals claiming to be timeshare lawyers and receiving money for posing as such, pretending to facilitate a timeshare transaction. Even legitimate timeshare attorneys are considered by some to be a scam, as they charge a massive amount of money for their services, which many experts claim to be unnecessary. With the seemingly endless amount of timeshare scams in the industry, it is no wonder why owners can often feel alone and powerless. The question is not how one can tell if a company is a timeshare scam, it becomes how can one find a company that is not a timeshare scam?

These three principles are a great way to determine whether or not a timeshare company is a scam. Against such a mightily powerful industry, struggling owners absolutely should seek timeshare help from legitimate organizations, but discovering one that is not a timeshare scam is not easy. The first and most important aspect of this search involves verifiable claims and promises. If a company is able to provide concrete guarantees that are transparent in nature, they will likely follow through on these promises, because they are explicit in the contract.

Furthermore, companies that provide real, accurate information are much less likely to be timeshare scams. Beware of businesses that claim they can sell your timeshare with ease, because this is simply not possible. Selling a timeshare is a very difficult process, and a company that is providing services in the interest of their clients will tell them the truth.

Finally, a contract should help both the consumer and company, and there should be specific clauses that protect you if things go sour. This consumer protection indicator is a great sign that the company is not a timeshare scam. If a business is really looking out for you enough to tell the truth and offer you options, you can be assured this is not a timeshare scam, even if a company like this is rare and difficult to find.

The modern world has connected the public like never before. We are able to digest an immense amount of information and advice in a very short amount of time. This has revolutionized the way we are informed of news events, political activities, and business fluctuations. One area that has been particularly affected is the financial and business world, as we are able to receive updates in nearly real time. The “information age” has opened the floodgates for nearly anyone to offer advice or insight on a particular subject. While this has many benefits, the drawbacks are obvious as well, for much of this advice is can be offered without evidence and presented as fact. Wikipedia, for example, is an incredible tool with a vast amount of valuable information about virtually any topic one can think of. However, any person with access to the internet can make changes to whichever page they like. This double-edged sword permeates the entire internet, and this is especially true of advice offered to consumers.

Advice offered online that relates to business should always be examined with a skeptical eye, and this is even more important in regards to the timeshare industry. While the advice may be put forth by a knowledgeable consumer with deep experience and insight into a subject, it could also be from an individual who has a vendetta against or personal issue with a company. Furthermore, this advice could be offered with a hidden motive to sell, as many salesmen have been known to leave fraudulent reviews in favor of a company in order to make the concept more palatable to consumers. This is a very unfortunate occurrence, and it occurs far too often, much more so than many think.

While this is true of all business information, this is particularly relevant in timeshare advice. The entire industry is based on sales, and a good deal of these sales occur at timeshare presentations where consumers are lied to, bullied, and pressured into signing a contract. This sets the tone for the entire industry, even down to the timeshare advice that is posted on the internet. Any written material should be taken with a grain of salt in order to ensure one is not being fooled into accepting timeshare advice that comes with an ulterior motive.

There are a few general rules when seeking timeshare advice online, and this can be true of reading any information on the internet. Making sure to keep these tips in your mind will allow you to sift through timeshare advice much more effectively, helping you in your research rather than detracting from it. The internet can be amazing tool where you can access insightful timeshare advice from reputable sources, but one must take care to place heavy weight on the quality of this information.

As we mentioned earlier, timeshare advice online should be taken with a grain of salt, and the source of the information is the greatest indicator of quality. There are websites which make no profit from the consumer forums they provide, and these are perfect places to start when looking for timeshare advice. Since the organization has no motive or means to profit from certain reviews, you can trust that there is a lower level of bias. Once the website is shown to be objective, pay attention to the tone of the actual reviews or advice. The source deals with both where the information is located and the voice behind it as well. You will often be able to tell if this is legitimate timeshare advice or a sales pitch in written form.

Finally, fact-checking is absolutely essential when seeking timeshare advice. Reading one review and taking it as truth is often a mistake, and research should be thorough. Did many consumers have this same experience or offer similar advice? When searching for timeshare advice, you will often be able to see trends emerge. These trends offer much more valid timeshare advice than a singular review. Asking a specialist or one with experience within the industry is also recommended. This double-checks the timeshare advice from actual customers and those who have dealt with the industry beforehand. Timeshare advice can be found nearly everywhere, and it is up to the reader to make sure that this information can truly help.

Timeshare owners, who are often financially stressed, find it difficult to believe that they have a voice against the massive timeshare industry. Many are surprised to learn that their own timeshare reviews are absolutely necessary for change within the industry. In difficult economic times, timeshare scams have multiplied, making this awareness and change all the more important. Countless families have recently fallen prey to timeshare companies by getting involved with these bad investments, believing timeshares to be a solution for their financial troubles. Many of these families could have been saved from further turmoil by reading valuable timeshare reviews.

Timeshare owners are encouraged to submit as many timeshare reviews as possible to many different websites, in order to help warn others against the dangers of timeshare ownership. The internet has become the primary source for news and information, and those considering purchasing a timeshare will almost certainly read user-submitted timeshare reviews. Those who have experienced timeshare ownership firsthand can offer the deepest insight into particular resorts as well as timeshare companies in general. Furthermore, every timeshare review takes valuable internet space away from timeshare advertisements and other biased sources. The more factual information available online, the more healthy the consuming public becomes.

While it is true that timeshare owners are doing a great public service by posting timeshare reviews online, there are benefits to the witerr as well. Well-written, thorough timeshare reviews can become a powerful force for change. After being spurred by another timeshare owner’s words, more owners will share similar experiences. A collective group of timeshare reviews on a prominent website can uncover an illegal practice or evidence of timeshare fraud. In these cases, especially if the website is dedicated to consumer activism, a formal complaint will be filed. Not only will these timeshare reviews hurt the company’s bottom line, but a complaint could be picked up by the FBI or Federal Trade Commission. These organizations have made timeshare fraud a priority, and many of these cases began with one owner submitting a timeshare review. 

Consumer experiences with the timeshare industry are overwhelmingly negative, but positive timeshare reviews can be just as valuable for consumers. Knowing if a timeshare company is actually advertising a wise investment can help many families during these stressful economic times. If utilized properly and researched thoroughly, timeshares can, albeit rarely, produce a profit or provide a quality vacation experience. Not every member of the timeshare industry is a scam artist, and some do not want to see their clients suffer. Even though positive timeshare reviews are rare, they do happen, and these companies deserve to be recognized. If a timeshare company has allowed an owner to get out of a burdensome contract or has made concessions due to a particular set of circumstances, these reviews are extremely important. If one has had a positive experience with a resort or company, the internet community wants to hear that timeshare review more than anything, because they are indeed quite rare.

Negative timeshare reviews are far more common, because far too many families fall into a deadly financial trap than can swiftly cause bankruptcy. Positive timeshare reviews are extremely rare because in this industry, profit is often more important than the consuming public. However, positive and negative timeshare reviews can both provide deep insight for other timeshare owners in similar situations. Negative timeshare reviews are more common, but equally important, because they serve as a warning towards your fellow consumer. This warning can save a family years of financial hardship, as well as an uphill battle against a powerful company. Furthermore, an owner may feel at a loss, powerless in their position. Even if the timeshare review is a heated rant, other reviewers may offer solutions to the very same problem. Likewise, these discussions can become something much more as similar timeshare reviews gain momentum, exposing cases of fraud throughout the industry and affecting real change. 

Nearly all timeshare owners seek to sell a timeshare eventually. This can come from lifestyle or family changes, but it nearly always arises out of financial burden and hardship. The great majority of timeshare owners seek to sell a timeshare because of the massive hidden fees and high maintenance costs, including property taxes.

However, as many timeshare owners soon learn, this process can be extremely difficult. Many owners first seek to sell their timeshare, as they were promised a great return on their investment by representatives at the the timeshare presentation. However, this is very far from the truth, and owners quickly realize how difficult it is to actually sell a timeshare.

If the timeshare cannot be sold, owners want to simply get out of their timeshare contract. This can actually be more difficult than selling a timeshare. Timeshare laws are in place to protect the industry, and the key to these laws is the timeshare contract. These contracts are legally binding and are nearly impossible to break without the help of an outside source.

So what exactly are your options as a timeshare owner? There are a few routes that owners take when they want to get out of their timeshare. All have their benefits and drawbacks, and only you can decide what is best for your family. The first step is simply deciding you finally want out of a timeshare. 

As mentioned earlier, selling a timeshare is a very difficult undertaking. Timeshare representatives mislead customers at presentations to get consumers to blindly sign their contracts. In reality, the market for timeshares is flooded, for so many owners are seeking a way to sell a timeshare. When selling a timeshare, you must first accept that you will not turn a profit on your timeshare.

Timeshare owners must then learn the market and price their timeshare accordingly. Timeshare owners must note that in order to sell their timeshare, most have to be priced at about half their original value. Unfortunately, this does not guarantee success, and a timeshare buyer is extremely rare. 

This is an interesting option for those who are seeking to sell  a timeshare. Often, the owner is more burdened by hidden fees and maintenance costs than anything else. The market for timeshares is so depressed that there is very little value in selling, so why not do some good by donating the timeshare to charity?

This can be a viable option to get out of a timeshare. However, many charities are very aware of the dangers associated with timeshare ownership. Many timeshare donations are refused, and the owner is still stuck without a way to get out of their timeshare. 

This is often the last resort by timeshare owners when attempting to get out of a timeshare. However, it is often the right one. The timeshare industry is massive and not beaten easily, but timeshare advocacy groups and attorneys know all the keys to help you finally get out of a timeshare.

This may seem like giving up to many timeshare owners, but nothing could be further from the truth. In reality, this course of action often leads to success in getting out of a timeshare, even though it is a long and difficult process. If you have exhausted other options and decide you finally need real help getting out of a timeshare, find the right organization and let them help you fight back against the timeshare company. 

Consumers are often very desperate when they seek timeshare advice. The industry is so massive, and those offering timeshare advice come from a variety of different sources. Some of these sources truly offer great timeshare advice, and many do not. Unfortunately, fraud and deceit have become rampant in the very industry that was created to help timeshare consumers.

Timeshare lawyers, timeshare listing specialists, and timeshare resale agencies all promise great advice for consumers who need to do something about their contract. It is difficult for consumers to do much on their own, so seeking this timeshare advice is necessary. While many consumers have decided they just need advice for breaking out of their contract, some opt for other solutions that will hopefully derive some value from their timeshares. The most common of these alternatives are timeshare exchange programs. 

Timeshare exchange programs advise timeshare customers to trade their timeshares between members of their own service. The company is essentially a massive computerized reservation tool which is licensed as a travel agency. When a consumer signs a contract with a timeshare resort that is affiliated with a timeshare exchange company, they are allowed to join the exchange service. They are then allowed to deposit the week they own and trade with another customer’s week as long as they are a member of the same timeshare exchange program.

However, there are many limitations with the timeshare help and “advice” these programs offer. First of all, another week must be available in order for the customer to receive any help with their timeshare at all. Secondly, these programs only help customers trade an equally rated resort or week for one with lesser value. Finally, these exchanges are often very hard to come by and any timeshare help comes with a hefty price tag and hidden fees.

Most true timeshare advice does not come with the same hidden fees and deceitful tactics used to lure customers into timeshares in the first place. Timeshare exchange programs are somewhat upfront about their timeshare services by outlining an upfront membership fee and a recurring annual fee. However, the hidden fees for any real timeshare help often come out later. Any exchange comes with a fee, there are hidden deposits for reservations, and massive late fees for failure to pay before certain dates that are often unknown to customers. Instead of providing timeshare help, these companies often end up hurting customers who are already reeling.

The largest timeshare exchange programs are II (Interval International) and RCI (Resort Condominiums International.) While some exchange programs can offer real advice for timeshare value, these large companies have long been the focus of outrage by consumers. Many members view these companies as scam-artists who charge even greater fees than the timeshare resorts themselves. For any real timeshare help, consumers must use every tool at their disposal and learn as much as possible about the contract they are signing. Some companies offer true help, but many are there to trick consumers who are already the victims of fraudulent tactics and hidden fees.

Seeking valuable timeshare advice is absolutely crucial when considering such a major financial decision. The timeshare industry is massive and has a very negative reputation for fraud. Consumers often complain about being misled to believe that they were making a wise investment and a wonderful vacation option for their family. While there are certain timeshare options that could become a wise investment, the great majority of timeshares are purchased as a lifestyle luxury that most simply cannot afford. A great piece of timeshare advice is simply doing the necessary background research for your purchase.

Timeshare advice from those who have been involved in the industry or have purchased a timeshare themselves is your greatest asset. Consumers seek advice when making most major financial decisions, yet it happens much too rarely in the timeshare industry. While most timeshare advice will simply tell consumers to stay as far away as possible from timeshares, if you are truly considering moving forward, there are a few simple tips that can greatly reduce the possibility of making a costly mistake.  

1) Avoid The Timeshare Presentation at All Cost

This piece of timeshare advice seems very counterintuitive to those who have recently become interested in the subject. This is because the entire industry generates timeshare owners by offering luxurious gifts or vacations just to hear the timeshare presentation. It is a good bet that you are reading this because you have been made such an offer. If you are truly attending the presentation for the gift alone, you should become well acquainted with the hard-line sales tactics, misleading information, and intense nature of these presentations. Under no circumstances should you be pressured into making a major purchase under duress, and you must be prepared for this.

However, if you are truly considering purchasing a timeshare, the best advice is to do your homework from the comfortability of your own home. All the information you need about timeshares or a specific timeshare company is available online. Attending a timeshare presentation will not increase your knowledge of timeshares. In fact, it will likely fill your head with half-truths and incorrect notions about the nature of timeshares. The first piece of timeshare advice is to never attend these notorious timeshare presentations.

2) Know Yourself, Your Financial Situation, and What You Are Purchasing

This is a good piece of advice for any financial decision or purchase, but is especially true for timeshares. You must first decide if the decision is correct for you and your family. How often are you likely to use the timeshare? Do you truly love the location and unit? Making a rash decision without asking these questions can be devastating.
Can you really afford the expense? This includes every hidden fee, all maintenance costs, and any future developments. This is critical timeshare advice, and ignoring it gets people into a lot of trouble. Remember, the timeshare is almost always a lifestyle luxury, not an investment.

Finally, read every single word on that timeshare contract. This piece of timeshare advice cannot be stressed enough. Know exactly what you are getting yourself into. Is this a deeded or non-deeded timeshare? Is this a single unit or complex? Is this a floating or fixed time agreement? Asking the right questions, all of them, will help you make a well-informed decision.

3) Do Not View The Timeshare As An Investment

This timeshare advice can vary based on each situation, but the overwhelming majority of timeshares will never become a money-making tool. Only in a few situations is this possible, and it is likely that your timeshare purchase will become an extravagance that can wreak havoc on your finances. Do not believe the hype that timeshare salesmen preach at their high-pressure timeshare presentations. They are not there to give you genuine timeshare advice, they are there to make a profit. Timeshares depreciate in value over time and the market for timeshares is extremely depressed. If you are looking for a money-generating investment, the best advice possible is to look elsewhere and stay as far away from the timeshare industry. 

When attending a timeshare presentation, it is a very smart idea to be prepared beforehand with advice and knowledge about the industry and what you should expect. Timeshare salesmen are very good at what they do, and you have likely heard many stories about misleading and fraudulent tactics.

If you attend a timeshare presentation, it is likely under the pretense of receiving a gift or prize for attending the meeting. While likely you will receive your gift, as much firsthand timeshare advice should be sought out so you will not be pressured or worn down into making a very costly mistake. I have provided three simple tips to take as valuable advice when attending these meetings.

1) Be prepared to stay longer than advertised

The way timeshare salesmen lure consumers to sales presentations is by offering a prize for a hearing a relatively short sales pitch. At a glace, the time required for these prizes is well worth attending the presentation. A great piece of advice when attending the timeshare meeting, or deciding to attend at all is understanding that the actual time of the meeting will be much longer than originally advertised.

This is one of the main ways in which timeshare contracts are sold to unsuspecting consumers. Once the attendees realize the meeting is taking too long, too much time is invested for the gift so they simply have to sit through it. An advertisement for a 90 minute presentation can easily turn into multiple hours. A cautionary word of timeshare advice: do not let the time wear you down. If you are doing this simply for the prize, do not let hours of exhaustion pressure you and wear you down to the point that you will blindly sign the timeshare contract, which is the very purpose of the length of time.

2) Ask for details and question their claims

Timeshare salesmen make all kinds of wild and enticing claims at any timeshare meeting. They act as if they are providing valuable advice, a great opportunity that you just have to get in on. However, these claims are often completely false, if not at the very least over-exaggerated. You will be told a timeshare is a great investment, you can rent out your timeshare, and they will even help you sell your timeshare if you decide to.

The next great piece of timeshare advice: question everything they say with great cynicism. Timeshares are typically a very bad investment with high fixed payments. Renting a timeshare is a difficult process, and selling a timeshare is even more difficult. Never blindly accept their timeshare “advice.”

3) READ the contract carefully

This piece of timeshare advice seems like a no-brainer, but you would be shocked to know how many consumers sign a timeshare contract without reading the details. In fact, timeshare salesmen count on it. Very few timeshare contracts would actually be signed if consumers followed this basic advice, because they would learn how bad of an obligation they are agreeing to.

Timeshare salesmen know they are making wild and deceiving claims, and thoroughly protect themselves in the timeshare contract. People conned into signing will likely decide that it was a bad decision in the first place and want out. The timeshare contract is precisely what makes this extremely difficult. Furthermore, the payments are inflexible and the timeshare company can take legal action if the buyer cannot pay. It is good advice to read anything before signing it, but this is especially true of timeshare contracts. You will likely find that timeshares are a very bad decision for you and your family.

Remember, if you follow this timeshare advice and keep all three tips in mind when attending the timeshare meeting, you will likely come out of the presentation with only a nice gift as compensation for your time, instead of a costly, binding timeshare contract.