May 12

Does Dave Ramsey Not Like Timeshares?

Timeshare Advice 1 Comment »

Well-known financial radio talk show host Dave Ramsey has been very vocal about his DISLIKE of timeshares.  He recently received a question from a listener who wanted to know about attending a timeshare presentation in order to receive a free dinner.  If you like timeshares, stop reading…

Question: Diane from Facebook asks how Dave feels about the free trip and dinner while listening to pitches for a timeshare. Is it playing with fire? Dave says yes, and then some.

Dave Ramsey podcast timeshare presentation

Dave Ramsey’s advice: No, it’s playing with fire while sitting in a puddle of gasoline. That’s what it is. It’s stupid.

By the way, the place you stay and the dinner is not that good anyway. How cheesy are you? Really. Honestly. This is not like five-star accommodations here.

There is nothing good—zero, zippo—about a timeshare. Nothing. It has no redeeming value. It is one of the few consumer products that has a 97% dissatisfaction rate. It’s almost impossible to find someone who’s glad they bought one. You want to spend an entire day of your vacation putting up with some twerp that couldn’t get a job working somewhere else arm-twisting you so you get a free dinner or a place to stay? How stupid and cheap are you? No, it’s a dumb idea. Stay away from it–really.

Here’s the problem: You sit there long enough, you get lulled to sleep, you’ll wake up owning one of those things, and then you’ll be calling me. You can’t get rid of it. Nobody wants the stupid things. You’re stuck. And you did it to yourself. No. No. No. Timeshares suck. Stay away from them. Gosh, I hope I wasn’t unclear.

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Dec 29

Timeshare Relief Advice – How To Say ‘No’ at a Timeshare Presentation

Timeshare Advice No Comments »

Timeshare Relief has helped tens of thousands of timeshare owners in the last six years get rid of their timeshares.  Some owners have purchased multiple timeshares because they just cannot say “No” to the timeshare salespeople.  In fact, timeshare owners are more likely to purchase another timeshare than a non-buyer.  We cannot understand how many timeshares a single couple can end up owning.

So for the timeshare owner or non-owner alike, here’s our best tip on how to say “No” at a timeshare presentation…

Request a copy of the timeshare contract for your lawyer.

If you ask for the timeshare contract for your lawyer (who should not be readily accessible) to read and review, you’ll create an impasse.  Timeshare sales people are trained to never let you remove any documentation from the presentation room.  It might contradict what was said during your visit and the length of many timeshare contracts is enough to scare off buyers.  So more likely than not, you will not get your copy.

Regardless whether you get a copy or not, at this point you’ll want to leave.  Yet, the sales process has yet to go through the gauntlet of sales techniques used at these presentations.  So, be prepared for the timeshare sales people to stall or change the subject away from the documentation.

They will ask why you need it since there is a rescission period during which you can cancel your contract.  You can respond by saying that you’d be more comfortable taking the contract to your lawyer, or that for large purchases at presentation-style sales meetings, you feel you must take the timeshare contract to your lawyer.

Don’t worry if you do not have a lawyer.  If you feel guilty about fibbing to the timeshare sales people, just know that you probably know someone who knows a lawyer who would be your lawyer without an issue.

The beauty of this objection is that you are not saying “No” to buying, just that you want to take the time to investigate it properly.  Salespeople are trained to overcome “No” responses.  Eventually they may be able to overcome the “Take the documents out of the room” objection as well but it’s definitely not easy and not heard as much as “I can’t afford it” or “I don’t take enough vacations.”

So, keep this Timeshare Relief tip in mind the next time you find yourself at a timeshare presentation.  Remember, if you REALLY want a buy a timeshare (we wouldn’t know why you would), purchasing a timeshare in the presentation room is the most expensive place anyways.  Try your best to walk out of the room as soon as you can, but be prepared to stay a while.  Even the most effective objection won’t get you through quickly.

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May 18

Friends Don't Let Friends Buy Timeshares

Timeshare Advice, Timeshare Relief, Timeshare Resale 2 Comments »

The timeshare market had been booming until the economic crisis affected all industries.  In 2007, the timeshare industry had an all-time record in revenue with over $10.6 billion!  At that time, there were 4.8 million households that owned one or more timeshares.  As the number of timeshare owners has increased, so have the number of people who wanted out but could not find a viable alternative (hence Timeshare Relief).  These owners have some common pieces of advice for those looking to purchase a timeshare and 5 reasons not to purchase one.

1. You are prepaying for something that you might or might not use in the future.  Use your money in better ways.

2. Scheduling the use of our timeshare was a nightmare.  We had to go through the sales department to get into our own timeshare.

3. The timeshare contract seemingly lasts forever…and in some cases it is.  These are obligations that are very difficult to renege.

4. You pay maintenance fees whether you use the timeshare or not, and the fees rise every year.  Special assessments can hit your mailb0x at any time.

5. The timeshare resale market is flooded with sellers but has few buyers.

Friends don’t let friends buy timeshares. Learn from those that have experienced the pain.  The timeshare may seem like a great deal in the short term, but over time they just are not worth the hassle.

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