Many potential timeshare owners are dazzled by charts and data during timeshare presentations. The impressive metrics they present often convince the potential buyers to purchase timeshares, persuading them that timeshare costs are less than comparable luxury hotel accommodations over time.  Many timeshare companies show an escalation in hotel costs due to inflation — at least they have in the past — but they usually do not to include a consistent rise in maintenance fees as part of their price comparisons.

Regardless of what information is conveyed in the timeshare presentations, there is evidence to support their claim that timeshare owners may save money over the long run depending on their vacationing habits.  In order to do so, timeshare owners must vacation at their time share annually without fail.  It’s a spend-money-now to save-money- later type of mentality.  It’s truly the best way a new timeshare owner can justify the type of savings that were discussed in the timeshare presentations.

However, there are some factors to consider if you own a timeshare for the first time.  Although presentations show that the cost of a hotel room always goes up, hotels may actually lower prices during a recession to bring in business.  On the other hand, it is rare that maintenance fees go down when you own a timeshare. This type of situation definitely changes cost comparisons between hotels and timeshares.

So, arm yourself with knowledge if you’re thinking about purchasing a timeshare. After the presentation is over, ask them to explain just how the annual increase in maintenance fees figure into their equation. Remember, charts, data, and people can be misleading.