Bad timeshare sales practices - ok?

Ask the Timeshare Crusader / November, 2012

I don't feel that you answered the reader's question in last month's newsletter. Are you seriously saying it's OK for sales people to force somebody against their will?

I'm sorry if I didn't make myself clear. It is absolutely not OK for a salesperson or anyone at a timeshare resort to force someone against their will to do anything, nor is it OK for them to hold a driver's license.

For years, I have been writing about my feelings regarding the timeshare industry's marketing and sales practices. Just in case anyone has missed those writings, here is a summary: THEY STINK AND ARE INEFFECTIVE.

If you find yourself in a situation where you feel you are being held against your will, forced to do something, or have your driver's license being held "hostage", GET UP AND SEEK THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE RESORT. Don't make a scene and don't settle on speaking with someone in charge of the sales office.

I would have thought that by 2012, the industry would have moved on and I would not get daily e-mails from consumers who were confused, harassed, and just mystified by a timeshare sales presentation. Unfortunately, that's not the case. The resorts who still employ such archaic tactics need to be brought to light and stopped, pure and simple.

After you get the situation resolved, take to the Internet, take to social media, and follow up with the head honcho of the resort or company. Be succincnt and be detailed. If more people take action after the fact, these companies may be forced to stop these horrible tactics.