What's Truth Got to Do With it?

With the staggering amount of falsehoods being printed about timeshares on a daily basis we're always a little surprised -- and encouraged -- when someone gets it exactly right. This week's honorable mention is William McNutt of the Chicago Daily Herald, whose advice could and should be distributed to anyone considering a timeshare purchase.

"It is easy to be caught up in the moment at a fancy resort with the knowledge that you will be able to visit an exotic place every year.

The sales pressure is polite but very firm, the goal is for you to buy a timeshare at this meeting without taking time to consider all aspects of such a purchase.

These plans may be good for nice family vacations but before attending any such sales talk, it behooves everyone to be aware of a few facts. These plans cost from $15,000 and more. They can be for one week at this cost, but you are required to pay 12 monthly assessments plus real estate taxes for this one week. The resale value on these is small and can be purchased much cheaper on the resale market.

Timeshares seem to be popular but none of us should make a major purchase of this sort on the spot. It is easier to say that some time is needed to consider this offer, free from pressure. Better this than to realize later it may have been a costly mistake."

Indeed, and what McNutt doesn't point out is that most consumers -- after having deliberated on the matter in the privacy and sobriety of their own homes and after completing even cursory research -- decide to pass on the timeshare. The goal of most timeshare presentations is to get you to purchase before leaving the room; a fact we should all bear in mind when exploring that territory.


The full article: Take Time When Buying a Timeshare