Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Timeshare Fraud: Simple Steps to Avoiding it

Like any other type of investment, it is possible that your investment in a timeshare might end up being a scam or fraud. It can be mentally and financially devastating if this happens. It could take some time to recover from the backlash of timeshare fraud. If you have already been victimized by one of these notorious scams and frauds, you certainly can understand the trauma they cause for their victims. That dream vacation you might have been planning for a very long time ended up becoming a nightmare instead.

If you think you are the first person to ever be scammed in a timeshare fraud, think again. There are many more victims, maybe numbering in the hundreds, who have fallen prey to the unscrupulous actions of some companies. Timeshare properties, are, however, one of the safest ways people can go to many popular vacation destinations. How would you like to embark on a journey to some of the world's geographical wonders? What about enjoying a romantic beach resort getaway? These experiences sound exciting, but they are examples of the marketing tactics that scammers use to tempt people to think about purchasing a timeshare.

In cases of timeshare fraud, this is their first victory in setting a trap for you. However, this does not mean that every timeshare company who uses this tactic would be a scammer. The essence of that is to be precautions and not get impulsive about it in the first go. Always think and rethink before making a decision on buying a timeshare. Restrain yourselves to the maximum. One of the important criterion is selecting a right timeshare company.

As a rule of thumb, always go with large, well established timeshare companies who have been in the business for years. In this way you know their history very well and their reputation in the market. They are less likely to fraud a person than a new or a small company. This is applicable when it comes to the resale of your timeshare property.

You can sometimes avoid a timeshare fraud because the catchy marketing tactics used by the scammers often serve as a warning. Some of these companies may tell you about a gift that you have won, but the only way you can get it is by attending their free presentation. Once you fall into their trap and attend the presentation, you find out that it's just a gimmick. Then, they begin using pressure selling techniques, and they won't let you leave the presentation unless you sign a paper like those used car dealers who say "we will sell you this car at this price, but only if you buy it today".

They might tell you the property is only a five minute walk from the beach, but the reality is that it's 15 minutes away. Sometimes the property might not even be the same one they described in their presentation. They're able to take advantage of the fact that people won't go to Florida or Carolina to see the property before they purchase it. The property might not even exist at all, in some rare cases. This should teach you to read the fine print in any invitation you receive. Never give in to their pressure, and don't sign anything, either.

Consulting an attorney before you sign any contract or papers is always a much better idea. See if all the company's verbal promises are being carried out, or not. Before you buy, do some homework by finding out the going rate for timeshare properties in the location you're considering. Ask the timeshare company for the contact information of some of their previous customers, then make sure you call those people. Ask them to tell you everything you want to know about that specific timeshare company and their properties.

If you are interested in timeshare properties and want to find out more about Timeshare Fraud, you should check out We Own Timeshares. Meet and connect with timeshare owners on this Timeshare Ownership Forum social network. It is free to join and you can create your own profile in minutes. Share experiences and reviews of different timeshare locations and start asking questions in the forum to find out how others have avoided fraud with their timeshare properties. Visit today.

Timeshare Cancellation Through Donation

Donating a timeshare is a very popular plan of action for most timeshare owners. When someone is looking for a way to cancel a timeshare contract they will usually try to find a way to donate the property. They simply want to get out of paying the regular maintenance fees and random special assessment charges. So they figure that if they donate the timeshare they can free of it and not have to worry.

Most of the time owners will attempt to resell their timeshare. They will look into how they can sell a used timeshare and more often than not they realize that it is not the best way to end their timeshare ownership. They find to their surprise that reselling a timeshare can be nearly impossible. So once they have eliminated the option to sell their timeshare they look towards giving it away for free in an attempt to get rid of paying the fees.

Now when you research into donating a timeshare you will also be surprised to find out difficult that can be as well. It is just about as hard to sell a used timeshare as it is to donate it. There are a few reasons for this but the main one is simply that most of the charities that you might think to donate your timeshare to can't afford to own one. The same way you are finding the financial cost of ownership draining a charitable organization would be unable to pay the regular costs of ownership, not to mention a special assessment charge.

It would simply be a big drain on the charity to have to find a way to put a timeshare to use. Either by actually using it for their own purposes or finding a way to create a profit from renting it out or somehow selling it, the charity would have to be able to do something with it. The charity may have the resources to actually be able to rent it or sell it with some sort of financial gain, however, this situation is very unlikely.

Another big reason why it is nearly impossible to donate a timeshare is that most charities that actually will accept a timeshare donation will probably not accept yours. The few organizations that will accept a timeshare donation really only take in the very luxurious high end quality timeshare units. They are only interested in a timeshare that is probably actually worth something, a unit that they could easily rent out for a profit of some sort after paying for the cost of ownership. The average timeshare owner unfortunately does not have one of these valuable timeshares.

After exhausting the few timeshare removal options most owners become very frustrated and upset with their timeshare situation. They look for ways out, sadly many of these frustrated owners are taken advantage of by scammers who promise them that a buyer is ready and waiting for their timeshare. These owners really just need a secure way to get out of their timeshare contract and financial obligations. Thankfully there are such timeshare relief services available that will get a timeshare owner out of their contractual obligations once and for all. So if you are an owner who needs to escape your timeshare fees it is important to remember that your main focus should simply be to cancel your timeshare contracts.

Kaylene Norris is a timeshare advisor for Transfer America, a company that helps timeshare owners experience the Timeshare Freedom they need. Kaylene provides information about how to cancel a timeshare safely and securely without the hassle and worry of trying to sell. She has made it her personal mission to help timeshare owners get the information they need to make more informed decisions when it comes to buying timeshares, renting timeshares, or selling timeshares. For information about Transfer America, visit http://www.transferamerica.net.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kaylene_Norris

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Consider The Risks Before You Buy A Timeshare

There are both risks and rewards involved in buying a timeshare, largely depending on which timeshare company you choose to purchase one of these properties from. There are many people out there who have had nothing but enjoyment from their timeshare properties while others have seen their dream vacation property turn into a nightmare and a money pit due to the fraudulent machinations of scam artists. Buying a timeshare should be done with a great deal of caution and an awareness of the potential risks. Think carefully about the benefits as well as the risks as you consider buying and of course, always read the fine print before you sign anything.

Timeshares may be either deeded purchases or arrangements with no deed; these are essentially a long term lease which does expire eventually rather than an actual purchase. Deeded timeshares involve an actual deed of ownership which may be passed to heirs in a will and all of the rights of ownership. In either case, the price of the timeshare is determined by the amount of time the buyer has the right to use the property as well as the time of year that they are allowed to use it.

Buying a timeshare is an important decision and is one not to be rushed into. Read over any documents and contracts very carefully, making sure that you understand all of the terms and conditions spelled out therein. Never sign anything unless you completely understand what you're agreeing to. You may want to have your lawyer look the contract over before signing and you should definitely speak to someone who owns a share in the property. Before you buy a timeshare, keep the following points in mind:

-Check into the licensure of timeshare resale companies. You can inquire about this with the State Department, who will usually maintain records about the company's history as well. Be extremely cautious when dealing with an unlicensed firm - your degree of risk will be much higher than with a licensed company.

-A timeshare is meant to be a vacation property rather than an investment; you may not necessarily receive a good return on your investment if you resell.

-If you are buying a right to use timeshare watch out, if the sponsor declares bankruptcy, you may lose your rights.

-If you are buying a timeshare in a property where the facilities have not been fully installed take a written commitment from the seller that they will be finished in a specific amount of time.

-Any claims made by the seller about the returns on the investment in timeshare should be questioned because the future value of a timeshare depends on many factors.

-A timeshare should not be an impulse purchase. Read over all associated documents and consider the matter carefully before you decide.

-Especially if the seller makes any promises to you orally, ask to get it in writing; in fact, get everything in writing.

-Try to find out whether the exchange program will be guaranteed or not. Sometimes it isn't. So make sure to find it out before buying. Buying a timeshare without an exchange program is not worth the money because you will get bored going to the same property every year and also you will not have the flexibility of schedule if you don't have exchange facility.


If you are interested in timeshare ownership and want to learn more Timeshare Information, you should visit We Own Timeshares. Meet and connect with timeshare owners on this Timeshare Ownership social network. It is free to join and you can create your own profile in minutes. Share experiences and reviews of different timeshare properties and begin asking questions in the forum. Visit today.

Buy A Timeshare And Benefit From North Myrtle Beach Rentals

Timeshare rentals and ownership are becoming increasingly popular and North Myrtle beach rentals are just one place to try a timeshare out. However, why should you spend your time at North Myrtle Beach in South Carolina?

North Myrtle Beach is unsurprisingly a place of 9 miles of great, beautiful beaches. But when you get bored of the beach you will find amusement parks, well over 100 golf courses, shopping and over a thousand ways to dine. Given the beach and ocean, there are a multitude of different water sports to try as well as plenty of different types of fishing opportunities and riverboat cruises. Nightlife is not forgotten either as there are some great live theatre performances as well as the usual casino you would expect to find. Extend your area slightly and you’ll find plenty more to do. Visit and you will soon discover why this location has been named the “Grand Strand”!

You may wish to visit this resort and just rent or perhaps purchase a timeshare there. If you are thinking about buying a timeshare, this is a good place to get one as it is a highly desirable location. However, because of that, prices will be higher as the demand is there. Don’t forget if you do buy to ensure you take precautions against a fraudulent transaction. Given the location, if you do decide to buy a timeshare, then North Myrtle Beach rentals will certainly be possible and perhaps make you a profit over and above your timeshare ownership fees.

Wyndham appears to have a few timeshares available around the North Myrtle Beach area and “Peppertree By The Sea” certainly has some timeshare accommodations available for rental. Other websites you can try are Visitor’s Connection, Redweek Timeshare and Defender Realty.

Two popular choices for example are the Ocean Bay Club that is on the seafront (so no good if you are looking for a quiet vacation!) and offers spacious and elegantly designed accommodation. Or perhaps Fairfield Wyndham Westwinds will suit you with their excellent facilities including your own balcony looking out across the sea. These apartments rent out from between $60 and $200 a night.

So, if you are looking for a good location to buy a timeshare and help fund the investment, then North Myrtle Beach rentals is a good place to begin with.

If you need more information about all aspects of worldwide timeshares, visit our website, or ourtimeshare blog.