Thursday, March 31, 2011
10 Reasons To Buy A Timeshare-#6
In terms of planning your vacation you fall into one of these four categories: 1) Long-Term Planner 2) Short-Term Planner 3) Let's Try Something New 4) I Like Routine I am well aware of the exchanging problems that many owners experience on a yearly basis and I'm not going to whitewash them. However, if you fall into one of these four categories, you are in luck. Long-term (1 year or more) planners are likely to get what they want in an exchange, provided they own the right product. Short-term (90 days or less) planners will be rewarded with a plethora of options due to other owners not understanding the system or cancelling. Staying away from requesting a specific resort, or even a specific area, the "let's try something new" people will find thousands of resorts that offer great vacation experiences. Sure, Hawaii, Myrtle B each, Sanibel Island, Newport Beach and Vail may be tough to get into, but how about Texas, Minnesota, New Mexico or Indiana? And you dyed-in-the wool "we only go to the Wisconsin Dells every year the 2nd week of July people?" Wonderful! Get a fixed week at your reosrt and voila---no reservations necessary.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
A Clarification
I was told today by someone that I trusted that some people had voiced their concerns about working with me/publishing articles that I write because in their words, "she's very controversial." Let me be clear here: 1) I do NOT make up anything 2) I strive to continue to learn and get better at this timeshare thing 3) I am NOT anti-anything with the exception of liars and people/organizations who hide their heads in the sand 4) I look for solutions 5) I am a team player 6) I am grateful I hope this clears things up for everyone. Onwards and upwards!
10 Reasons To Buy A Timeshare-#5
You want and feel you deserve "more" and "better" in every sense of the word. More speace, more amenities, more luxury, more choices than you knew you had access to, better value, better service, better experiences.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Timeshare Deregulation
Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, the State of Florida is SERIOUSLY considering major de-regulation of timeshare and seller of travel regulations.
This is happening at the same time that there are almost monthly busts of timeshare related companies occurring.
WHAT exactly is Florida thinking?????
Get on the phone, start writing e-mails and STOP this before it gets any further.
If this continues and the deregulation is allowed to happen it could very well mean even more fraud, even more ripoffs and the end of the light in the proverbial tunnel.
This is happening at the same time that there are almost monthly busts of timeshare related companies occurring.
WHAT exactly is Florida thinking?????
Get on the phone, start writing e-mails and STOP this before it gets any further.
If this continues and the deregulation is allowed to happen it could very well mean even more fraud, even more ripoffs and the end of the light in the proverbial tunnel.
Keep Speaking Up
I've had the pleasure of speaking with timeshare owners for quite some time now.
You know what I've found out? People like to vacation and people like their timeshare.
There's just too much confusion about how to use them and growing aggravation about the price increases associated with them.
To that end, I've always advocated that timeshare owners speak up and ask questions. Ask questions before you buy, ask questions after you own, ask questions about the fees, ask questions about your options and always stand up for your rights.
If you already own a timeshare, make certain you know when the yearly HOA meeting is an get yourself there or at least exercise your proxy. Get to know who is on the Board of Directors or run for the Board yourself.
Does your resort have a newsletter? Write then and ask that they put in some really important information about the timeshare instead of the fluff.
Ask really good questions about exchanging. The resort won't tell you about your options unless you ask. Despite what you may have been lead to believe, RCI and II are not your only options for exchange. That's not saying anything bad about the "big two", but you need to know about the "little guys" as well.
If you haven't bought a timeshare yet, by all means do your homework and realize that buying from the developer is not your only options. If you were in the market for a car, you wouldn't go to only one dealer, would you? Of course not. With the current economic situation most people are in, it makes no sense at all to spend $15,000 or $20,000 or even more on the basis of only spending two hours with one salesperson who doesn't even know the other options out there.
To use the car analogy again, don't let the salesperson talk you into a pink SUV that gets 15 miles per gallon before you know what you want. You want a silver two-seater convertible. And if the salesperson continues to show you the pink SUV, get up and walk out.
The traditional timeshare industry is facing some tough times right now as you may have heard. Years and years and years of bribing clients with the "3 day/2 night mini vacation with 2 dinner show tickets for only $99" have finally caught up with them. And while I don't wish any misfortune on anyone in the industry, part of the reason those ploys no longer work as wel as they used to is becuase consumers are getting more educated, asking more questions and not settling for what the salesperson is pitching them.
Over the years, I've been accused of being anti-consumer because I came from the developer side. Then the tide turned and the industry saw me as anti-developer because I counseled counsumers. The truth of the matter is that I am anti-nothing! I am pro-timeshare, pro-consumer, pro-free market and most of all, pro-vacation.
Speak up, ask questions, question the status quo...and don't forget to have a great vacation now and then!
You know what I've found out? People like to vacation and people like their timeshare.
There's just too much confusion about how to use them and growing aggravation about the price increases associated with them.
To that end, I've always advocated that timeshare owners speak up and ask questions. Ask questions before you buy, ask questions after you own, ask questions about the fees, ask questions about your options and always stand up for your rights.
If you already own a timeshare, make certain you know when the yearly HOA meeting is an get yourself there or at least exercise your proxy. Get to know who is on the Board of Directors or run for the Board yourself.
Does your resort have a newsletter? Write then and ask that they put in some really important information about the timeshare instead of the fluff.
Ask really good questions about exchanging. The resort won't tell you about your options unless you ask. Despite what you may have been lead to believe, RCI and II are not your only options for exchange. That's not saying anything bad about the "big two", but you need to know about the "little guys" as well.
If you haven't bought a timeshare yet, by all means do your homework and realize that buying from the developer is not your only options. If you were in the market for a car, you wouldn't go to only one dealer, would you? Of course not. With the current economic situation most people are in, it makes no sense at all to spend $15,000 or $20,000 or even more on the basis of only spending two hours with one salesperson who doesn't even know the other options out there.
To use the car analogy again, don't let the salesperson talk you into a pink SUV that gets 15 miles per gallon before you know what you want. You want a silver two-seater convertible. And if the salesperson continues to show you the pink SUV, get up and walk out.
The traditional timeshare industry is facing some tough times right now as you may have heard. Years and years and years of bribing clients with the "3 day/2 night mini vacation with 2 dinner show tickets for only $99" have finally caught up with them. And while I don't wish any misfortune on anyone in the industry, part of the reason those ploys no longer work as wel as they used to is becuase consumers are getting more educated, asking more questions and not settling for what the salesperson is pitching them.
Over the years, I've been accused of being anti-consumer because I came from the developer side. Then the tide turned and the industry saw me as anti-developer because I counseled counsumers. The truth of the matter is that I am anti-nothing! I am pro-timeshare, pro-consumer, pro-free market and most of all, pro-vacation.
Speak up, ask questions, question the status quo...and don't forget to have a great vacation now and then!
10 Reasons To Buy A Timeshare-#4
You want to leave a vacation legacy.
It does sound like a hackneyed phrase used by over-zealous timeshare salespersons, but the truth of the matter is that for most people, vacations are some of the most valuable time you spend with your family. I don't know about you, but I can't tell you what I received from my parents for my 18th birthday, but I can tell you every detail of the vacation we took that year.
And if I had children, that's something I would want them to experience as well. Leaving your heirs $20,000 in cash is a nice idea indeed. Which makes the greater gift...$20,000 in stuff that is designed to wear out, or a quality vacation that can be used and enjoyed and shared every year?
It does sound like a hackneyed phrase used by over-zealous timeshare salespersons, but the truth of the matter is that for most people, vacations are some of the most valuable time you spend with your family. I don't know about you, but I can't tell you what I received from my parents for my 18th birthday, but I can tell you every detail of the vacation we took that year.
And if I had children, that's something I would want them to experience as well. Leaving your heirs $20,000 in cash is a nice idea indeed. Which makes the greater gift...$20,000 in stuff that is designed to wear out, or a quality vacation that can be used and enjoyed and shared every year?
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
10 Reasons To Buy A Timeshare-#3
You place long-term value over short-term cost.
Just like a house...in the beginning, a timeshare may not save you money in the short run. But as we discussed above, if you plan on using it for awhile, you are likely to save money even when you factor in the maintenance, real estate taxes and exchange fees.
Just like a house...in the beginning, a timeshare may not save you money in the short run. But as we discussed above, if you plan on using it for awhile, you are likely to save money even when you factor in the maintenance, real estate taxes and exchange fees.
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