Before you head off on your well-deserved vacation, we want to give you a heads-up about a growing issue that is catching many travelers off guard: persistent, high-pressure timeshare and vacation club sales pitches.
Here's what you need to know:
Throughout your stay, you will likely be approached – often multiple times – by resort sales reps pitching “exclusive deals,” future stays, or so-called vacation club memberships. Some pitches will be disguised as harmless invitations to a “quick tour” or a “free welcome breakfast.” In reality, they are aggressive sales tactics designed to lock you into a long-term financial commitment many travelers regret later.
These presentations can take up four to six hours of your vacation, all while pressuring you to make an on-the-spot decision for a deal that may sound too good to pass up. However, they often come with hidden fees, rigid rules, and financial headaches for not just you but your heirs down the road.
The Harsh Truth About Timeshares & Vacation Clubs
- 95% of timeshare owners regret their purchase within 1 – 3 days. The most common reasons? Financial burden, high maintenance fees, difficulty booking, confusion, and realizing they were misled during the sales pitch.
- Timeshares & Vacation Clubs are NOT investments. Unlike real estate, they lose value the moment you sign the contract. If you try to resell, you’ll find little to no resale market – many owners even must pay someone to take it off their hands!
- Legally, you are on your own. If you sign a contract in Mexico or any other foreign country, you are NOT protected by U.S. consumer laws. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns that American buyers often have little recourse if they feel misled or change their minds later, making it imperative that you understand what you are committing to.
Sales reps will say anything to close the deal. These reps work on commission and have strict sales quotas to meet. They may bend the truth – or outright lie – about booking flexibility, resale options, and maintenance fees. Unfortunately, there are even videos of companies telling their timeshare reps to lie and tell the customers anything they need to tell them to get them to sign.
How to Protect Yourself
🚨 Just Say No. You may have to say it multiple times. Be firm, keep walking, hang up the phone, and don’t engage. If they won’t leave you alone, report it to the front desk or a manager immediately.
🚨 The Resort Concierge is the Number 1 Referral Source for the Resort’s Time Share Program. Be careful how much information you give the concierge or “guest services” desk at an all-inclusive resort, as they are often timeshare or vacation club sales members disguised as guest services. Check out our blog HERE to learn more.
🚨 Watch Out for Deceptive Names. Since “timeshare” has a bad reputation, companies have started using other terms, such as Vacation Club, Owner’s Club, Travel Program, Fractional Ownership, or Exclusive Membership. Don’t be fooled – they’re all the same thing.
🚨 Never Sign Anything on the Spot. High-pressure tactics thrive on rushed decisions. If it’s a great deal today, it will be a great deal later. Why is there an urgency for you to sign immediately? Because they don’t want you to think it through!
🚨 Ask Yourself: Is It Worth Wasting Your Vacation? A free massage or discount on an excursion isn’t worth wasting half a day in a room full of pushy salespeople when you could be out enjoying your trip!
Final Thought: Make the Most of Your Vacation!
You’ve worked hard for this getaway; don’t let high-pressure sales tactics take away from your time relaxing, exploring, and making memories. If you ever feel pressured or overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to ask for the resort manager to contact you immediately.
