Is there such a thing as a free gift?

If the timeshare offer seem too good to be true, they probably are. Vacationers are offered free breakfasts, activities such as horseback riding or scuba diving, or even week-long vacations just to attend a short 90-minute timeshare presentation.

They are told that there is no obligation to buy a timeshare, just to listen and learn about the great deals or investments being offered. In return, they will enjoy some free gifts to compensate them for their time and thank them for their interest. While some of these presentations are legitimate, most are scams that use high-pressure sales tactics to lure clients into purchasing high-priced, low-value timeshares.

The timeshare presentation experience normally starts out in a pleasant manner. The clients enjoy a lovely breakfast or lunch with an ocean view, tour some beautiful properties and enjoy free alcoholic beverages. It seems that the timeshare presentation will be short and informative; however, the 90-minute presentations quickly turn into 3 or 4-hour nightmares.

Throughout this stressful process, the potential buyers are offered several different packages, each package getting progressively cheaper as they try to work within the client´s budget. If the client is not getting persuaded into purchasing, they will bring in new salespeople to offer an even better deal. The aggressive salespeople do not allow the clients to leave peacefully. Some clients have even told us that when they asked to leave after 4 hours of listening to the timeshare presentation, they are told to wait for transportation to pick them up to drive them back to the resort. Another 4 hours later, they were finally released, distraught and exhausted after being coerced into signing a fraudulent timeshare contract.

During the timeshare presentation, clients are often presented with more offers of free gifts or services if the timeshare contract is signed. Common promises include such things as large discounts on airfares, cruises, or VIP service at five-star hotels and resorts worldwide. Sometimes they are offered additional points in their vacation club package that can be redeemed for international cruises or stays at other international resorts. These gifts are scams used by the timeshare sales people to close the sale. They will give certificates to the clients for them to redeem their special offers. However, when the purchasers go to use these "gifts", there are extra fees involved to redeem them, making the "gifts" virtually worthless. It would be cheaper for the clients to book the vacation as a non-owner than it would be to use their special offer. Other times, the salespeople state that the free offers are limitless; they do not expire and/or can be used for friends and family in addition to the timeshare owners. These promises are never put in writing, and when the clients try to use their certificate, they are told that this offer has already expired or only applies to the owners.

The salespeople will tell clients that their offer to receive the free gifts is only valid if they purchase now. The potential buyers do not have time to wait and think about the purchase because the offer will expire today. The salespeople are very good at convincing clients that they want to help them by offering them a great deal, and clients often feel pressured into purchasing due to these deceitful and insistent sales tactics.

Legitimate timeshare sales will not claim one-day sales or unrealistic gift offers. If the timeshare is not a scam, their offers will be the same regardless of whether you purchase today, tomorrow, or one month from now. As a timeshare purchaser, it is important that you take the time to do the research about the property in which you are interested in purchasing a timeshare. Make sure that you search for client reviews online to ensure that they are not a scam and that their offers are valid and being successfully enjoyed by their clients. A timeshare can be an enjoyable purchase if you are investing into a plan that will suit your vacation needs, and have the flexibility that your family desires. Do not feel pressured into making a timeshare purchase based on the gifts that are offered today only. Before investing thousands of dollars in a binding commitment, ensure that you are purchasing a comprehensive vacation package that will offer you the freedom to travel when and where you want.

If you have already purchased a timeshare from a company that has not lived up to their promises, and you are not able to use the free "gifts" that you were guaranteed, don´t despair. There are experts in helping clients who have been scammed and deceived into purchasing timeshares under fraudulent premises. A legitimate, professional company is a company willing to work on a contingency basis. Don´t allow these scams to continue to destroy your life and your financial status.