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.

Timeshare fraud is a common topic in the real estate industry because it happens to be so widespread and timeshare owners are often confused as to whether or not they are actually victims of it. Timeshare fraud can come in many forms, and sometimes timeshare companies are not even the perpetrators. Timeshare resale companies are the hottest trend in timeshare fraud today, affecting timeshare owners all across the United States and the world as owners try desperately to sell their unwanted timeshares. Timeshare fraud is rarely clear and often difficult to prove in open court, increasing the confusion consumers have about this common practice within the timeshare industry.

If an owner or consumer wonders whether or not they are a victim of timeshare fraud, they have likely been exposed to it on some level. While some timeshare fraud is quite blatant, the great majority comes in a legal gray area that only legal experts and insiders understand. A large portion of this misunderstood timeshare fraud comes in the form of the timeshare presentation. These timeshare sales meetings occur when a timeshare company offers a prize or “gift” to a consumer in return for attending a timeshare presentation.

Sometimes the offering of a prize, insinuating that the consumer has won something, is a level of timeshare fraud in and of itself. These consumers did not win anything. They were in fact chosen based on a certain list that the company compiles in order to lure consumers into the timeshare presentation. By telling the consumer they have won something, this is borderline fraud, and at the very least dishonest.

The timeshare presentation can be fraudulent in many ways that the consumer may be slightly aware of, but they do not know that any formal law has been broken. These presentations are often much longer than advertised. At times, the attendee will be berated and pressured into signing the timeshare contract, which is the entire purpose of the presentation in the first place. If the presentation was advertised as three hours yet lasts five, is this not timeshare fraud? While not as serious as other offenses, this can be categorized as misleading consumers for a profit, which is the very definition of fraud.

The more serious timeshare fraud that occurs that these presentations involves the misrepresentation of timeshare ownership in order to convince consumers to sign the contract. This timeshare fraud is very serious and extremely common at presentations, and is actually a large reason why so many contracts are signed. Perhaps the most common lie told at the presentation is that timeshare are investments that can be sold easily and at anytime for a profit. This is a complete falsehood, and any salesman who tells an attendee this is guilty of a level of timeshare fraud because it simply is not true.

Timeshares are absolutely not investments and can be incredibly difficult, if not impossible to sell. Owners who attempt to sell their timeshares can spend years trying to do so, as the market is filled with other sellers and very few buyers. Sellers are lucky to recoup even half of what they originally paid for their timeshare at the time of signing. This does not even take into account all of the fees paid to the timeshare company over the course of ownership. Timeshares are not investments or easily sold, and if this lie is told at the presentation in order to convince anyone to sign a contract, they have become the victim of wholesale timeshare fraud.

There are many types of timeshare fraud, and some are more easily recognized and proven in court. However, even the obvious “timeshares are an investment” fraud may not be easily used against a company due to a lack of evidence. It is always good to look out for signs of timeshare fraud and document any suspected wrongdoing. No timeshare owner knows exactly when they might need to use it.

“Timeshare scams” is one of the most highly searched terms regarding this section of the real estate market, and for very good reason. Timeshare scams are common, widespread, and claim more and more victims every single year. With the high level of timeshare scams occurring across the nation and the world, one would think that the timeshare industry is becoming weaker. Unfortunately, this is not the case, as the timeshare industry is actually expanding rather than shrinking. Furthermore, timeshare scams become more prevalent as the industry grows, leading more and more consumers down a financially destructive path.

With the huge number of timeshare scams that have popped up in recent years, the Federal Trade Commission and FBI are finally starting to take notice. Many believe that this has not happened soon enough, but the problem with many of these timeshare scams is that it is had to prove that fraud has taken place. The amount of physical evidence is actually miniscule despite the fact that timeshare scams are common knowledge to the consuming public. While it is certainly true that organizations are starting to realize and safeguard consumers against timeshare scams, one should not think that they are safe from becoming a victim, because more and more become just that every single day.

While timeshare companies are involved with scams, this is not precisely what we are speaking of here. Timeshare presentations can be brutal experiences that consumers would not dare to try twice. Many attendees are lied to, bullied, and pressured for hours on end in order to receive timeshare contract signatures. These underhanded tactics involve timeshare fraud because many are told lies about the nature of the industry and timeshare ownership itself. Consumers are told that they will be able to sell easily and transfer ownership without incident should the timeshare become financially burdensome on the owner. Nothing could be further from the truth. This timeshare fraud can certainly be viewed as a scam, but can be very difficult to prove once the contract has been signed. This is a very common timeshare scam, but there are others that plague all corners of the industry.

Resale scams do not involve resort companies themselves, occurring instead when a timeshare owner looks to sell ownership to a third party. Selling a timeshare can be an incredibly difficult task, and many decide they need help finding a buyer for their property. Timeshare resale scams work by a company telling an owner they will be able to sell their timeshare with ease, know how to market effectively, and have a large pool of qualified buyers. 

Owners are desperate, and transfer a large sum of money in order to sell their timeshare quickly. However, the company does nothing to sell a timeshare, and keeps the money that has already been transferred. This is a terrible timeshare scam for owners because they have now lost even more money while they are already experiencing a strenuous financial situation.

This timeshare scam occurs when an owner, in an attempt to boost the value of their timeshare, joins a timeshare exchange program. The largest and most well-known timeshare exchange companies are Resort Condominiums International and Interval International, with countless members all across the world. These programs allow members to trade or exchange timeshares with other members to allow for more diversity in vacation time and location. 

At first glance, this is a wonderful idea that could greatly benefit any timeshare owner. However, many timeshare exchange programs are considered to be scams because trading a timeshare is a very difficult process with little chance of success. If one is lucky enough to find an acceptable exchange, there are huge fees associated with any member-agreed transaction. Couple these charges with the already substantial annual fees, and you have the recipe for a textbook timeshare exchange scam.

Timeshare owners constantly deal with fraud and deceit in this industry, which has become a hotbed for misrepresentation. The timeshare business has become synonymous with misrepresentation and financial hardship, which has wreaked havoc on the financial security of families throughout the real estate market. Fraud is replete throughout the timeshare industry, but a great majority of  this misrepresentation occurs at the timeshare presentation.

Timeshare contracts are very often signed by honest consumers who are nonetheless unaware of how rampant timeshare misrepresentation actually is. Timeshare presentations can be grueling experiences where attendees are subject to several hours of misrepresentation, fraud, and immense pressure from salesmen. A large part of the effectiveness of timeshare presentations comes from the fact that these salesmen are very well trained and are able to sell the timeshare without the consumer logically thinking about the realities of the industry. However, the majority of timeshare contracts are actually sold because timeshare salesmen fully misrepresent the nature of the industry and the real estate market.

Attendees are mislead into believing that timeshares are quality investments that can lead to a large profit for the consumer. Furthermore, salesmen often claim that the market for timeshares is easy to navigate and flooded with buyers. This is the ultimate misrepresentation, as the timeshare market is actually extremely depressed, as the potential buyers are well aware of the fraudulent nature of the industry. Salesmen also speak of the ease of ownership and how timeshares offer great flexibility for family vacations. This is also timeshare misrepresentation, as these vacations are often cemented and can be very difficult to use effectively, especially with children.

Timeshare misrepresentation is undoubtedly negative for the real estate market, and for the consuming public in general. However, this is some small comfort for timeshare owners who have become victims of the timeshare misrepresentation that has become all too common in the industry.

While timeshare companies use misrepresentation to coerce consumers to purchase timeshares, owners can actually use this to their advantage when attempting to get out of a timeshare. The inherent nature of fraud and misrepresentation makes the “legal contract” that owners have signed highly suspect. While salesmen often use rhetorical devices to sell products in our society, timeshare misrepresentation has become so blatant as to bring the entire industry into question.

Timeshare misrepresentation is well-documented, and this has drawn the attention of consumer activist groups, legal entities, and the federal trade commission. Timeshare misrepresentation is so rampant and widespread that all timeshare contracts can be questioned. When attempting to get out of a timeshare contract, the greatest weapon that an owner can utilize is leverage against the timeshare company. The problem with timeshare misrepresentation is that it can be somewhat difficult to prove. It is a very good idea to document, in detail, all forms of timeshare misrepresentation experienced at the timeshare presentation. These lies constitute fraud and are a great way to build leverage against timeshare companies. Even if this misrepresentation is merely a consumer’s word, the industry has come under such fire that this may be the leverage you need to nullify the contract.

Timeshare companies do not let owners break contracts easily, but timeshare misrepresentation is truly just cause for breaking a contract, and timeshare companies know this. Furthermore, timeshare companies are under such scrutiny at the moment that they will often let an owner out of a timeshare contract if they fear legal repercussion. It is essential to use all of the weapons at your disposal when getting out of a timeshare, and misrepresentation is perhaps the most potent way to accomplish this feat. Timeshare misrepresentation is destructive and underhanded, but can be turned against the very company that has sold you a product under false pretenses.

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.