Timeshares Are Out

According to industry statistical data, it's reckoned that 3,000,000 North Americans sit through a timeshare sales presentation each year. It is also calculated that 250K actually buy their own timeshare each calendar year. But is a timeshare truly a fair deal for the average holidaying family? . 

In any discourse of timeshares, many people could be reminded of the South Park episode where the boys ' elders went to a timeshare weekend. The thoughts of others may wonder to the episode of Family Guy, where the neighborhood attended a timeshare sales show and Peter took the empty box instead of the valuable awards offered to him. 

Let's face it, the timeshare industry has been the subject of many jokes over the years, and has had more than its equal share of bad PR over time. However are the feedback fair? 

Industry Criticisms 

When this industry was younger, the feedback were more than fair. In the early days of this industry, underhand firms would sell timeshares on resorts that had yet to be built. After a successful sales season ( yes, this industry is seasonal, closing most sales from June to Aug ), the sales company would abscond with the money and purchasers would be out their investment. 

Recently, the resort industry has been made to clean up its sales practices by both govt and clients. But even today, some timeshare selling firms are still getting into hot water. 

In October of 2008, Pennsylvania's Attorney General filed a suit against a Florida timeshare promoting company for fraudulent advertising practices. It has to be stressed that this suit wasn't against the industry, nor its sales offering, but instead against individual selling firms for fraudulent sales practices. 

But Are Timeshares A Quality investment For Most Holiday makers? 

Honestly, the solution to that question is that it relies on the goals of the purchaser and the categorical details of the individual timeshare transaction. 

"Purchasing timeshare can be the neatest thing a vacationer has ever done, but it can also be a massive mistake," said Lisa Ann Schreier, owner of ( timeshareinsights.com ). As a former timeshare salesman, she has great understanding of this industry. Schreier continued, "With the medium cost of a timeshare in America being roughly $13,000, it's critical that folk understand exactly what timeshare is and whether or not it's right for them before they make a purchase decision." 

On the one hand, a timeshare is alluring in you can get access to a half-a-million buck apartment ( $13,000 x 52 weeks ), for a standard buying price of $13,000. But the bargain price is not a deal purchase for each consumer. 

What it reduces down to is this : if you can take the same week for vacation each year, and you need to go to the same destination year-after-year then a timeshare might be a great vacation investment package for you. 

But, if you can't be assured that you will have the same week each year, or if you are keen on the destination, but would not want to be tied to a particular vacation spot, then you shouldn't purchase a timeshare. 

Of course, there are resorts that offer diversifications on the straight same week, same location offer ( some resorts have multiple locations ), but you'll need to make sure that your timeshare plan makes that kind of offer, and get it in writing before signing the check.

Transfer Smart can help you get rid of timeshares you no longer want. They have been helping people for years and they are just waiting to hear from you!