Comments on: 8 timeshare sales tactics—and how to resist them during a pitch

By: Laurie

Laurie — Mon, 20 May 2024 16:46:15 +0000

Thank you for this information! I’ve always said no to these presentations, but recently almost got scammed into one! I entered a contest at a ski resort for 3 free nights and months later, I get a call saying I won. They just need my husband to get on the call (um what?) and agree to the terms, including a $100 refundable hold on our credit card and a 90 min “tour” of the facility. It sounded fishy, so I told her my husband wasn’t available until tomorrow, and then did some googling. That’s when I found the awful reviews saying everyone “wins” this raffle, as you find out when you arrive to a room full of other “winners”, now trapped in a timeshare presentation. Reviews said the “90 min tour” turned into a 4 hour near hostage situation, with threats that the sales people would not refund the $100. One review said the salesman shouted in her face when she insisted she was done and not buying, and implied she was a moocher for wanting the free stay she was promised. The location and resort were so much fun, there is no reason they should have to use cult tactics like this and fake “contests”…unless the timeshare deal is so awful a financial decision, so lucrative to a greedy owner, it’s legal theft. So disappointed in this resort. My husband doesn’t even want to go skiing there again.

By: Drina Cantin

Drina Cantin — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 02:03:51 +0000

My ex husband an I (before we got married) got roped into one of these time share group pitches for the promise of Chris Angel magic show tickets. We had rode his moms 08 sporty Harley Davidson to Las Vegas for the weekend. We wanted to see one of the shows or do something Vegas is famous for other than gambling. We wanted to do something that happens in Vegas and would stay in Vegas. This time share conference turned out to be it. It was for a new hotel they were building about 3 miles from the hotel we were staying at. We had to sit through a 120-minute sales pitch and walk the property for preview of their incredible family resort. It was mesmerizing to say the least… The property and the view of the Nevada desert was breath taking, the explanation of how the time share works and all the perks (the sales pitch) was perfect, the location was great, we lived in Hurrican Utah so it was only a 2 hr drive to the hotel, we went every year for NASCAR and it was only a 30 min drive to the track, and the monthly payment was doable… We were sitting in the closing office going over the contract, when the sales guy asks for our IDs. He then says “oh did you just got married, you haven’t changed your name or address yet.” (He said as a fact not a question) We were both like we’re not married. I said “We just got together in May.” This was in June. The guy was like oh well then who has better credit? My ex was like you can’t put in both our names? The guy said it was for married couples. They didn’t mention that when they made their pitch about free Chris Angel Tickets for attending the conference or during their pitch to sell the time share!!! He said I can put it in one of your names and you both can still come enjoy room and property. My ex was like I don’t want to be responsible for the payment by myself. So then looked at me, I was like I don’t have a job yet. I just moved to Utah and my ex says very loud that’s right you don’t have a job, You were just gonna let us get this time share and make me pay for it, while you reaped the benefits? Um, No, I would pay half when I get a job. (I had 30day to get a job per court order inorder to take my daugter with me) I said very quietly. He then stands up and starts screaming at me, I’m a gold digger (he worked at a machine factory making airplane parts, he wasn’t rich by anymeans and all his money went to his mom, I was digging in the wrong mine shaft, cause this one only had dirt.) I’m and idiot who probably couldn’t even get a job because I have no skills (Before being laid off, due to down sizing, which is what gave me the opportunity to move to Utah I worked Accounts receivable for a car dealership and was offered a job at Uhal as Accounts recievable, which I turned down to move out there.) Not that this has anything to do with time shares. In the end they wouldn’t even give us the free Chris Angel tickets, because we weren’t married so we didn’t qualify… He walked out, refused to take the shuttle back, so we walked the 3 miles back to the hotel. Then he spent the night on the little Harley we rode out their… I’ll never go to another time share confrance again, for anything free!!! On brighter note, there are companies that you can pay to get you out of a time share…

By: Drina Cantin

Drina Cantin — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 17:20:30 +0000

In reply to Chris. In San Diego, California there are companies that specialize in getting people out of time shares. I don't know what their cost is, but my ex husband's cousin worked at one and when she talked about it I kinda felt like it was a sales pitch, too. She got paid commission for how many people she got to come in an sale their time share or how ever they sold their service...

By: Catherine

Catherine — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 18:34:11 +0000

In reply to Susie.

Absolutely, Susie — timeshares are not bad! My in-laws are members of two different ones, and they take full advantage of them. It’s just important to know what you’re in for during a timeshare pitch so you’re not persuaded into something that won’t work for you.

By: Susie

Susie — Sat, 22 Jan 2022 18:39:53 +0000

Thank you for this posting! I know a few people who have timeshares and they enjoy them. But my parents had 2 (they are in their 80’s now), and they ended up spending $5k to sell them. I’m sure they may not have known the best route for selling, but in this time in their life they just wanted out. Selling timeshares isn’t always easy. I didn’t want to “inherit” the timeshares, because I saw that my parents STILL had to pay timeshare fees and expenses, even though the timeshares were paid off. If you can’t go every year, then it’s a waste of money. And yes, you can trade or pay extra to go to resorts that are not in that specific location, but that limits where you can go each year. Like you said, I’m not against timeshares, but it is a bigger commitment than the salespeople tell you. All of that said, I’m considering visiting a timeshare promotion in Orlando with my kids this summer. Ready for the sales pitch at the end …. 😉

By: Catherine

Catherine — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 19:39:09 +0000

In reply to Chris. Hm, I haven't had to do this personally. I do know there are some companies that will help but I haven't heard about how reputable they are. I think some facilitate selling your timeshare to other buyers. Sorry I can't be of more help!

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 20:46:19 +0000

So informative and practical Catherine. Any advice for those of us who already own a timeshare and want to get out?

By: catherine.art

catherine.art — Fri, 02 Aug 2019 16:17:26 +0000

In reply to Louise. Time share pitches can be a great way to save money on travel and activities - but only if you manage to not be persuaded into buying if you don't actually want to buy.

By: Louise

Louise — Fri, 02 Aug 2019 08:19:41 +0000

I’ve not been abroad since I was a kid but I remember my mum and dad getting approached about time shares ALL the time whenever we went!

Louise x

By: catherine.art

catherine.art — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 23:50:24 +0000

In reply to Jenna. I'm so glad you can joke about it together! My husband still gets FURIOUS whenever the time share pitch in Hawaii comes up in conversation.

By: Jenna

Jenna — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 22:46:19 +0000

Lol. My husband and I have sat through two of these pitches- the last one 10 years ago in Disney world for some upgrade perks. We still joke about it now- ten years later.

By: catherine.art

catherine.art — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 21:29:35 +0000

In reply to Amanda. Anytime, Amanda. Thanks for reading :)