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A Guide To Staying Away From Timeshare Scamst

Over the years, the timeshare business has developed a reputation for being one of the most scam-filled industries out there. Although most timeshare offers are legitimate, scams and shady deals flocked the market so much that people started generalizing and taking the business as a big fraud. Also not helping the industry’s reputation are timeshare brokers and agents who use hard-sell tactics and other sales practices that aren’t necessarily illegal but definitely unethical.

Sales Pitch Warning: Most sellers often persuade people to listen to their entire pitch by offering extravagant prizes to those who will be staying. Among these “prizes” are free vacations, cash rebates or new cars and appliances. It pays to read the fine print, because often the free gifts aren't what they seem, or you will actually have to pay some kind of hefty fee to qualify to win. There have been reported cases in which the free boat offered by the agent turned out to be a toy yacht. Another scenario includes timeshare owners being convinced by sellers to purchase another property with the promise that their old one will easily be resold, when in fact the broker has no intention of even attempting to resell the old unit.

Spotting Hard-sell Tactics: Hard-sell tactics are described as sales practices that employ pressurizing methods like being aggressive, hardnosed, and confrontational. Some popular approach sellers use in the timeshare industry include, suggesting very attractive discounts that you can only avail if you sign a contract right on the spot and attracting consumers’ pride by stating that the latter might not be the ring kind of person for the deal. The key to avoiding these kinds of deals is to recognize the seller’s intention in his words..

Whether he raises his voice or comes off as a brownnose, never agree to sign anything on the spot. Take the information home with you, read the contract at your own pace (or have someone else more knowledgeable do it for you), and come up with a decision only when you have read it top-to-bottom. Should you opt to make the purchase, have every detail be put in writing, and compare the contract with the initial offer. And before signing your name, make sure you have seen the actual property. Photographs in a glossy brochure don't count. Remember that most of these agents are hardcore sellers who don’t care about other’s welfare as long as meet their quota.

There are cases when new timeshare units are offered to consumers even before the property is developed. If financing for the property’s construction falls through, it might never be built. It’s wise to use an escrow service to hold your money for you until you’re sure that the development will push through.

Finally, a poorly maintained property takes the fun out of vacations, so make sure the contract clearly states the maintenance and renovation duties borne by the company. That way, you can take legal action should management cut corners on upkeep.

By: Jessie E

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