Great WRMN Interview

Thanks to Chuck France at WRMN in Elgin for a TERRIFIC interview. We'll have the audio up on the site within a week or so.

Timeshare License Information

We've been telling people for years to only do business with reputable persons and organizations. I've also been saying for a long time now that it is perfectly acceptable to ask to see the timeshare salesperson's license before doing business.

Here is a list of states and the required license to sell timeshare.

Alabama-Real Estate License
Arizona-Real Estate License
Arkansas-Real Estate License
California-Real Estate License
Colorado-Broker License
Connecticut-Real Estate License
Delaware-Real Estate License
District of Columbia-Real Estate License
Florida-Real Estate License
Georgia-Real Estate License
Hawaii-Real Estate License
Idaho-Real Estate License
Illinois-Registered to an Existing Developer Registration
Indiana-Real Estate License
Iowa-Real Estate License
Kansas-Real Estate License
Kentucky-Real Estate License
Louisana-Registered as a Timeshare Interest Person OR Real Estate License
Maine-No License Required
Maryland-Real Estate License
Massachusetts-Real Estate Licence
Michagan-Real Estate License
Minnesota-Real Estate License
Mississippi-Real Estate License
Missouri-No License Required
Montana-Special Timeshare Sales License
Nebraska-Real Estate License
Nevada-Timeshare Agent License
New Hampshire-Real Estate License
New Jersey-Real Estate License
New Mexico-Real Estate Associate Broker or Qualifying Broker License
New York-Real Estate License
North Carolina-Real Estate License
North Dakota-No current sales activity being conducted
Ohio-Real Estate License
Oklahoma-No License Required
Oregon-Real Estate License
Pennsylvania-Timeshare Salesperson License OR Real Estate License
Rhode Island-Real Estate License
South Carolina-Timeshare Salesperson License
South Dakota-Timeshare Agent License
Tennesee-Timeshare Salesperson License
Texas-No License Required
Utah-Registration as a Timeshare Salesperson
Vermont-Real Estate License
Virginia-No License Required
Washington-Timeshare Salesperson License
West Virginia-Real Estate License
Wisconsin-Timeshare Salesperson License
Wyoming-Real Estate License

I'll be looking into the differentiation between a Real Estate License and Timeshare Salesperson License in the next month and report here on the blog.

In the meantime, Illinois, Maine, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia---get going on some licensing requirements.

RCI Membership Fees

I've been bombarded lately with e-mails and calls from consumers asking about RCI membership, actually the correct term is "subscription" fees.

The Annual Network Dues and Subscription Fees are US$124.

Unfortunately, I hear from consumers who have been charged more, sometimes significantly more by the resort. On top of that, outrageous "Administrative Fees."

Very simple...if you're asked to pay anything more than the standard RCI fees, DON'T DO IT. And then call RCI and tell them.

Remember, people have the power to start some positive changes.

Stay In A Timeshare Before Or Instead of Buying

Just finished checking out EV Rentals...they have hundreds of Last Minute deals at timeshare resorts around the country (and some outside of the country). Prices are great...$349 for 7 nights in a studio, $379 for 7 nights in a 1-bedroom and $399 for 7 nights in a 2+-bedroom. (plus taxes).

Best of all (for most people) is that there is NO timeshare sales presentation required. You will most assuredly be asked to take a timeshare presentation (and be bribed with money or tickets or some combination) but it is NOT a requirement.

Recent statistics clearly indicate that more and more people are staying at a timeshare before event thinking about buying one. Smart move!

Take A Deep Breath...and Begin

Breathe in and hold it...OK, I'm officially announcing that I am in fact starting a new book. Both "Surviving A Timeshare Presentation..." and "Timeshare Vacations For Dummies" have been out for some time now and I've been asked over and over again about a new edition.

Along with new information and updated stats, I've learned MUCH in these past years as I've been honored to meet with both timeshare professionals and timeshare owners who have been a huge source of knowledge and insight.

And so the journey begins...this will be an e-book...saves everyone time and money...unless I get a huge cash offer for a print book.

Feel free to e-mail me with ideas and suggestions...this book will feature a large section of helpful tips from people.

And breathe out...Chapter 1...

How's This For A Timeshare Bill of Rights?

I originally wrote this almost four years ago...I've made a few minor edits...

The Preamble to The Timeshare Consumers’ and Timeshare Salespersons’ Mutual Bill of Rights

In Orlando, and in all jurisdictions where timeshare sales presentations occur, the timeshare consumer and the timeshare salesperson, long at odds, have expressed a desire to come to an agreement in order to prevent miscommunication and/or abuse of their respective powers.

Therefore, it is resolved by both the timeshare consumer and the timeshare salesperson, including the timeshare resort and the broker, that these Mutual Bill of Right be adopted this, the fourth day of July, two thousand and six.

The articles shall make valid and shall be for all intents and purposes “the law” that governs the relationship between the timeshare consumer and the timeshare salesperson.

The Timeshare Consumers’ and Timeshare Salespersons’ Mutual Bill of Rights

1. The consumer shall have the right to not be judged as poor, rich, a mooch, stupid, too old, too young, owners of too many weeks of timeshare or anything else IF AND ONLY IF said consumer does not judge the salesperson as a thief, a liar, stupid, too old to communicate, too young to know anything or anything else…until at least 15 minutes into the presentation.

2. The consumer has the right to request another salesperson if the salesperson tells them that they need to hurry up and decide if they want to buy because they have a 12:00 tee-time IF AND ONLY IF the consumer doesn’t tell the salesperson to hurry up and get on with it because they have another timeshare presentation scheduled at 12:00.

3. The consumer has the right to ask if the salesperson is licensed if in fact the presentation is taking place in a jurisdiction where a license is required IF AND ONLY IF the consumer is prepared to prove to the salesperson that they are gainfully employed and earn more than $50,000 per year.

4. The consumer has the right to call the salesperson a liar to their face if they use the words FREE, PERFECT, ALWAYS and/or NEVER IF AND ONLY IF the salesperson has the right to call the consumer a liar to their face if they use the excuse “we’re buying a house”, or “we don’t vacation”.

5. The consumer has the right to check the salesperson’s math and call them on any errors they may find IF AND ONLY IF the salesperson has a right to check the math on the $250,000 mortgage that the client said they just signed.

6. The consumer has the right to walk out on the timeshare presentation (without the gift offered as a bribe by the marketing company) at any time if the salesperson disrespects them IF AND ONLY IF the salesperson reserves the right to keep the consumer for 3+ hours if the consumer disrespects them and/or sits silently and not answer any of the salesperson’s questions.

7. The consumer has the right to not purchase anything at any time during the presentation IF AND ONLY IF the decision is made on solid information and not on some “pact” that was made prior to walking into the sales center.

8. The salesperson has the right to ask the consumer to purchase 3 or 4 times IF AND ONLY IF the salesperson does not utter the phrase, “Buyers are liars…liars are buyers” at any time.

9. The consumer has the right not to believe the “fact” that the timeshare they can purchase today for only $10,000 will be worth $20,000 in 10 years IF AND ONLY IF the consumer doesn’t tell the salesperson that they are still paying $40 for a good hotel room just like they were doing 10 years ago.

10. Finally, the consumer and the salesperson both have the right and the responsibility to spread the truth about the timeshare industry, in an attempt to bring positive changes.

The Mutual Timeshare Client and Salesperson Bill of Rights

We'll be reposting this very requested "Bill of Rights" tomorrow!