Resale Time Share Tricks and How to Beat Them

If you've ever considered a time share, then no doubt you've heard of resale timeshare scams and the woes they can cause people.

In fact, these scammers can do everything short of keeping you hostage to try to make you buy. In general, the industry impressions are certainly negative. How do you avoid getting taken advantage of by getting roped into a timeshare scam, then?

It's a pretty good bet that you shouldn't even get involved in the first place. Timeshare companies are notorious for saying just about anything to get you to come to their "presentation," only to then keep you hostage until you eventually drool, your eyes glaze over, and you sign on the dotted line. (At least, that's what they hope is going to happen.) You've seen the advertisements: "free tickets and complementary hotel accommodations for three days and two nights at a beautiful resort. For this, we just want you to take a small tour of our resort. Give us your feedback, and enjoy your stay!"

I'm sure that almost all of us have heard something to this effect over the years.

However, the person you're talking to during that "luxurious stay" is there to take your money and then sell the rights to your actual tour to some other company. Don't be surprised if your reservation and the things you were promised simply disappear, never to be seen again.

What about that "upgraded" room you paid for? Well, it might be gone or not have existed at all.

What about that "90 minute tour"? Well, that's usually really about six hours long, and it's not a tour at all. Instead, it's hard-core negotiating reminiscent of a hostage situation.

Don't believe their numbers, either. Usually, they're grossly overinflated, and the company touting those numbers is often a fly-by-night operation that's not going to be in business for long.

If you work up the courage to say "no" the first time, they aren't can let you go at that. Instead, they'll press harder and bring in someone called a "closer." This "closer" is going to throw in a price that's less than half of that quoted in the first offer, to try to make you think you're getting a deal.

If you muster up enough courage to tell the first salesman "no", they'll look at you like you're stupid and bring in a "closer". The closer will then throw another offer at you that is usually less than half the price of the first offer to make you think you're getting a deal.

If you somehow are brave enough to tell them both no, another person will then be sent to the table to take a "survey" of how you were treated. Part of the "survey" is to offer you another price that's like a third of the first price you saw.

While not all companies that use timeshares are shady, the vast majority are. It's best if you don't take one of their tours because they usually aren't that great of a deal anyway. However, if you do, be sure to hold your ground. Make them understand your point of view. If you don't want to buy, then don't. Don't ever allow anyone to pressure you into buying something you don't want or need. You'll feel terrible if you do.

Hope these tips will help you avoid timeshare resale tricks and scams!