Ever been tempted to attend a presentation?

With Lockdown coming to end and the prospect of being able to go on holiday again, you may be starting to think about this year’s much needed and well-deserved holiday.  But you will also notice an increase in holiday advertising and may even be tempted to attend a holiday club membership or timeshare presentation. They may even offer you a mini break or complimentary gift for attending. The offer of a free gift and even a holiday sounds pretty good? Especially after the year we have all had. But is there really such a thing as a free gift? And when something sounds too good to be true it normally is.

But before you do agree to attend, think of this first why would anyone put conditions on a prize before you receive it? And are you fully aware of what these conditions are before you get there? The ‘freebie’ is used to entice you into attending their presentation evening, a few hours of your time whilst they promote their Timeshare or holiday points system. This may sound like a fair deal in return for a luxury 7-night stay or iPad, however, these presentations can quickly turn into an intense sales pitch and after several hours of relentless selling, you might emerge as the new owner of a timeshare and no idea why you agreed to it.

Here are Some of the techniques employed by your Timeshare Salesperson:

• Overstating the value and benefits of Timeshare ownership and not fully disclosing the true cost to the consumer by informing them of maintenance fees and restrictions to their Timeshare. A timeshare sales agent is well versed in the art of selling and they will make you believe that this timeshare deal will fulfil all your future hopes and dreams. They will promote that package like their life depends on it, but the sad fact is that most of the time timeshares rarely provide what is promised and most owners find themselves felling disappointed with their overpriced purchase.
• Customers being kept much longer than they feel comfortable with. We often hear from people who were kept for entire days at meeting. Even some that have been supplied with copious amounts of alcohol. The time they intend to keep you there is until you sign on the dotted line and then you are free to go. It is not that anyone is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to stay, but often people feel so under pressure during these meetings they sign up just so they can leave.
• Your Timeshare Salesperson will have an answer for everything. Like we said before a timeshare salesperson is a pro at selling and they have a list of answers for every excuse you will make not to purchase. Just remember that if you did not go in there with the intention of purchasing on the day then no one should push you into doing so. Making a commitment to a timeshare or long-term holiday product is an important one financially and you should have time to go away and think about it first.

Some things to remember if you do decide to purchase a Timeshare:

• Be sure to read the small print! And you have understood all aspects of your purchase. If you are still unsure seek independent advice.
• Are you in good enough Financial Health to commit to your Timeshare? You must also include maintenance fees as an extra cost annually, these fees are also subject to yearly increases.
• Consider whether or not you will be able to fully utilise your Timeshare to benefit from it. The Timeshare payments add up and often you are not able to use the facility as much as you would like.

It is important to remember that purchasing a Timeshare should NEVER be viewed as a financial investment. Timeshare is an investment in lifestyle, in future holidays and family time together. When viewed that way it can indeed be a good investment.