It’s The End Of The Year…Onward!
The Word From The Timeshare Crusader
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1y ago
 For my last post this year I present you with the latest communication piece that I co-wrote with ARDA, the trade association representing this timeshare industry   My detractors on one side will yell and scream and wring their hands saying that I’m a sell out and that I’m no longer a consumer advocate but a mouthpiece for the timeshare industry.  My detractors on the other side will yell and scream and wring their hands saying that they’re pure as the driven snow and claim that the consumer is to blame for all misunderstandings.  They’re both wrong. I have maintained from ..read more
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Ch…Ch…Ch…Changes
The Word From The Timeshare Crusader
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1y ago
With apologies to David Bowie, today I’m going to say something about changes. In particular, the ability of the developer to institute oftentimes major changes to the contract between you and them.  You may think that changes are not allowed. You’d be wrong. Well, partially wrong. You can’t make changes. They can. That’s called unilateral change. One party can and the other can not.  What changes can the developers make?  Where to begin!  Perhaps you purchased at a resort that was one of several properties owned by Developer X. 7 years down the road, Developer ..read more
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Cognitive Bias or Something Else?
The Word From The Timeshare Crusader
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1y ago
I read an interesting article over the weekend about cognitive biases that consumers have. The article rightly pointed out that “users filter out a lot of the information they receive, even when it could be important.” This is obviously true when it comes to purchasing a timeshare for reasons we’ve often discussed here on the blog. However, it’s even more true when it comes to owners wanting to get out of a timeshare.  Among the biases that illustrate this are: Confirmation Bias People look for evidence that confirms what they already think. People tend to search for, interpret, prefer ..read more
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A Bundle of Rights or A Smattering of Maybes?
The Word From The Timeshare Crusader
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1y ago
Back in the Dark Ages of the early 2000s when I was fresh faced and completely ignorant of the vast amount of timeshare knowledge that was necessary to fully understand it, we salespeople talked a lot about the “full bundle of rights” that came with the timeshare.  To refresh your memory, those rights were: use, exchange, rent, sell and will. In my defense, the landscape of timeshare ownership was considerably different than it is now.  I recently had the opportunity to both sit in on a sales pitch in person as well as view a training video where these rights were still being pit ..read more
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Dynamic Pricing? More Like Pull A Number Out Of A Hat Pricing
The Word From The Timeshare Crusader
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1y ago
If, like me, you attempted to/were able to purchase tickets for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s US tour next spring; you’re undoubtedly aware of the horrendous dynamic pricing structure that TicketMaster was implementing. This dynamic pricing structure resulted in nosebleed seats going for more than $1,000 and standing room only floor access going for more than $5,000 in some arenas.  It’s been a public relations nightmare for Bruce and his management who went along and even justified this to the dismay of many long time fans.  This dynamic pricing structure is very simi ..read more
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Difficult Lessons Learned From A Timeshare Newbie
The Word From The Timeshare Crusader
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1y ago
 This is a Guest Post from Kevin B. Kevin had already reached out to The Villa Group to no avail. I offered him this platform in hopes that The Villa Group would do the right thing and avoid the incidents covered in this post getting more media coverage. I still hope that’s the case.  Difficult Lessons Learned From a Timeshare Newbie       Background   Before I recount my experience purchasing a timeshare, I’d like to clarify WHY I’m telling the story.   At 50 years old, this was the first timeshare I’d ever purchased.  In ..read more
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What The Salesperson Said
The Word From The Timeshare Crusader
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1y ago
 I’ve covered this topic before, but since I keep receiving so many emails and read so many social media posts about “what the salesperson said”, it’s time to talk about it again   If you are required to attend a timeshare sales presentation, and you are required to do so if you’ve accepted any type of bribe/incentive, you’re going to talk to a salesperson. Not a vacation counselor, not someone from corporate wanting your thoughts on their new program, or anything else they may call themselves. This salesperson who may or may not be licensed, is working for the developer, not y ..read more
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An Exclusive Catered Event-Exclusive To Those Foolish Enough To Attend
The Word From The Timeshare Crusader
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1y ago
Going through a stack of mail yesterday, there it was. An oversized, 4 color glossy postcard with two photos of frankly unappetizing looking food with the following copy:  “Please Join Us for an Exclusive Catered Event!” On the reverse, there was an explanation of what attendees would receive:  A catered meal for 2: a $100 dining card plus a $25 gas voucher.  Then the exciting Topics of Discussion: *. Permanently eliminate all your timeshare obligations *  The bona fide ways to get out of a timeshare contract when it no longer suits your needs *  OR how to access GU ..read more
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Back From Never Being Gone
The Word From The Timeshare Crusader
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1y ago
The following is the text from an article by Eva Schram, writing for FD in the Netherlands that I was happy to be interviewed for. There are some interesting comments in the article from all 3 sources. I’m unable to post the translated article as a full article, but here’s the entire text: Back from never being gone: timeshares The maligned timeshare industry in the US remains very much alive, despite all the warnings and bad experiences from people in the past. Eva Schram almost fell for it herself on her honeymoon in Hawaii. What makes this business so successful? Before my eyes the radian ..read more
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Changes Abound With Marriott
The Word From The Timeshare Crusader
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1y ago
As we briefly discussed last week with Jason Gamel, changes are nearly constant within the timeshare industry. Today we look at the new Abound program with Marriott. I spoke with Lori Gustafson at Marriott Vacations Worldwide to get details and discuss recent activity within the timeshare industry.  Thanks for your time Lori. What’s your role at Marriott Vacations Worldwide? My name is Lori Gustafson and I am the Executive Vice President and Chief Brand and Digital Officer for Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (NYSE:VAC), a leading global vacation company that offers vacation own ..read more
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