Timeshare Sales...UP?

Apparently they are, but there's an explanation: timeshare resales are booming.

The blogosphere has been buzzing with this news lately, but Timeshares Daily has the scoop:

In a study released last week by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), research prepared by Ernst & Young, LLP, shows that sales of new timeshares increased by 6 percent in 2007 over the previous year, totaling $10.6 billion in the US alone. Although gains were less than in previous years, the sale of new timeshare from 2003 to 2007 has increased by an amazing 66 percent.

But why?

Howard Nusbaum, ARDA president and CEO, says, "The continued growth of the timeshare industry in today's economy is a direct indication of strong consumer satisfaction and demand. Vacation ownership, with its flexibility and spacious accommodations, continues to be a preferred travel choice for American families."

The problem with this explanation, however, is that is doesn't make sense. Preferred choice or not, every area of the economy is feeling the pressure from recent issues, and travel seems a likely target for cut-backs -- especially considering the price of gas. But, Jason Trembley of Sell My Timeshare has another explanation:

"As good as the numbers sound for the sale of new timeshares, the report doesn't mention the huge segment of the timeshare industry that deals with timeshare resales, and that side of the business is really booming."

Of course. It would make sense that resale numbers are up, since owners are probably dropping extraneous expenses. Those that still can afford timeshare, then, are cleaning up in the aftermarket.

Information on the numbers of people buying resale timeshare is limited because the secondary market includes individual timeshare owner transactions as well as sales consummated by traditional industry specialists. In 2005, 7.2 percent of buyers bought timeshare from an existing owner, according to an ARDA profile of vacation owners. While this indicates a resale industry in the hundreds of millions of dollars, these figures are very conservative, as the survey did not include alternative sales methods such as the Internet.

We doubt the timeshare industry will be entirely immune to recent economic difficulties, but for now it seems to be carving out a pattern all its own -- which, for the industry, is very common.

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www.timesharerelief.com

The site is now more interactive, with registration functionality and a contact form for online support.

Paradise or Dystopia?

A Forbes article this week by Lisa Smith weighs the pros and cons of timeshare ownership, with plenty of great tips along the way. Much of it is along the lines of what we've been telling you all along, but it certainly bears repeating...

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Remember, timeshare salespeople are in the business of selling. But just because they tell you that you are getting a great deal, doesn't mean that you really are. Before you buy, take some time to research the property and talk to other timeshare owners. Don't make your decision in haste and never let the salespeople rush you.

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In addition to the monthly loan payment, which comes with a high interest rate when financed through the timeshare company, the annual maintenance fee will also set you back a few hundred dollars a year. Also, if the property needs a new roof or a new sewage line, a "one-time" assessment will be levied. Some properties also charge miscellaneous fees, such as a "publications" fee if you want to view other properties that may be available for trade, and additional fees if they help you sell your property.

While a lifetime of vacations sounds great, will the management company that sold you the timeshare be around three decades from now?

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Like any major purchase, the decision to buy into a timeshare is a decision that requires careful consideration. It involves a large amount of money up front and considerable recurring costs. You should ask plenty of questions, take your time before making a decision and as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says in its Facts for Consumers, "You should know that the value of these options is in their use as vacation destinations, not as investments."

Read it here