The Way Forward

I’ve been thinking a lot about how timeshare can and should reinvent itself. COVID has given all industries and all of us a once in a lifetime-hopefully-opportunity to reset. 

I’m under no delusions that anyone in the industry will heed my musings, but here we go:

Go Back To A Week Of Vacation 

Enough already with the seven million different point systems that the average consumer can’t properly understand or use. A week is easy to understand and easy to use. There’s no inflation. A week in 1985 is a week in 2021 and will be a week in 2034. The exception to this is DVC which has always been incredibly transparent in their point system. 

Don’t Pay If You Don’t Use It

I’m talking maintenance fees here. If the owner doesn’t use the timeshare one year, they aren’t responsible for the maintenance fees. Seems only reasonable. After 3 years of non use, the developer takes it back for a fee, provided of course it’s paid in full. 

Develop And Open Themed Resorts 

Not only will they be fun and imaginative, they’ll allow for target marketing. 

Have A Universal“Kelly Blue Book” For Timeshares 

Consumers need to know what the residual value of their timeshare is. This puts an end to the salesperson lying about increased value as well as the slimy resellers charging thousands upfront to list a week in Vegas for $163,900 as I recently saw. 

Institute A Buy Back Program Based On The Aforementioned“Kelly Blue Book” Values

I’m continually amazed that developers don’t understand the optics of not buying back their own product. It makes them look as if they’re hiding something and don’t believe in their own product. This also eliminates the entire self-proclaimed exit industry. You’re welcome. 

Name This “Kelly Blue Book” “Lisa’s Big Book Of Resale Timeshare Values”

And make it a pop/up book. Just threw that in to see if you’re paying attention. 

Develop And Institute A Universal Education And Licensing Structure

Every day I hear stories of lying salespeople. A universal education and license structure would allow for consumers to look up their salesperson, file complaints where and where warranted and deal with the bad people legally. 

Stop Marketing Those Inane 4/3 Mini Vacations Plus A $100 Dinner Certificate For $199

Has no one in timeshare passed a basic marketing class?  Timeshare isn’t cheap. Stop marketing it to people who can’t afford it. 

Make Timeshare Resorts Available Only To Owners

If a family can stay at a timeshare every single year for less than the owner pays in maintenance fees, there is ZERO chance that they’ll ever buy. Would you?

These are just some ideas. I’m sure you have your own. Let me know how you think timeshare can thrive in the coming years. 

A Word About Timeshare Sales Pitches

Rarely a day passes where I don’t receive an email or read something on social media from a frustrated consumer claiming they were bullied, strong armed or even coerced into attending a high pressure sales pitch while on vacation. 

Mysteriously, they fail to mention or even acknowledge that they accepted one or more bribes to attend the sales pitch. 

Let’s set the record straight here:

> If you accept whatever the developer is offering in exchange for your time, then you weren’t bullied into attending. These bribes can be a discounted stay, theme park/dinner show tickets, sightseeing tickets, cash or even a certificate for future travel. 

> If you’re using all or part of a trial or sample package you previously purchased, you are required to attend a sales pitch. The entire premise of these programs is to give you a taste of the timeshare and then try to get you to purchase the whole enchilada. 

> If you don’t accept any bribes, or not using your trial program, you’re not obligated to attend a sales pitch. 

> There’s no such thing as a mandatory owners’ update or resort overview. 

> The resort is legally obligated to disclose the minimum amount of time you are required to attend the pitch in order to receive the bribe. If you stay 6 hours, that is completely your fault. 

I’m certainly not condoning those slimy sales people who try to keep you at the sales center for hours on end while constantly berating you for not buying the “deal of a lifetime” or worse, lie to you about the need to upgrade. I’m also not fond of the laughably named concierge staff who hound you from the time you check in with offers of cash or tickets to attend the pitch. 

Knowing your rights and obligations will help you have a happier, less stressful vacation. Exercise your rights and abide by your obligations.