AVOID TIMESHARE SELLERS AND TRAVEL CLUBS AT ALL INCLUSIVE RESORTS

Resort Travel Clubs/Memberships is a Time Share in Sheep’s Clothing!!

A growing annoyance we are seeing for our clients has been the sometimes relentless attempts to get them to the timeshare presentation. Many of these cautions apply to the onsite re-booking programs, as well. I would love to be able to wrap you in a bubble and protect you from them- but since I can’t, I will offer you a few things to think about before you attend one.

1) Attendance is NOT required. They may offer all sorts of incentives for you to do so- perks or free excursions- decide whether this is a good use of 3-5 hours of your vacation time. The “perks” change, if you do not sign up.

2) If you do go- do not succumb to the pressure of signing on the dotted line to get a special offer. Once you return from the euphoric vacation bubble, I can almost guarantee that if you decide it is something you want- you will be able to negotiate a much better deal on the resale market.

3) They do not disclose everything- I know- what a shock! They rarely mention that you will be required to pay $120-200 per person/per night when you check in to cover the all-inclusive amenities. This is on top of what you are already paying for the reserved resort time, as well as the upfront cost.

4) We spent a lot of time choosing just the right destination and resort for this trip- who knows what your need will be over the next ten years. Do you really want to be locked into one experience to justify the investment?

5) The prices they show you to use for comparison (and make you think you paid too much) are called rack rate- and rarely used. These resorts regularly offer 40-60% off, with no strings attached. Once you are working with a resort directly, there is no one to help advocate for you. You are on your own.

6) Resorts consistently throw travel agents under the bus to undermine us, in order to sell you a time share. They often use alcohol. This is a part of every all-inclusive. Their tactics are strong and they will be persistent. The information that they give you is consistently incorrect and quite frankly, untrue.

7) Last, but certainly not least- U.S. Federal Trade Commision Alert:

If you sign a contract outside of the United States for a timeshare or vacation plan in another country, you are not protected by U.S. Contract Laws.