Time Share Tour: Is the Free Gift Worth it?

It’s the travel season again, and as more and more people start planning and taking their vacation time, you have a greater chance that you will be asked to take a time share tour. Some of us are asked when we are in popular vacation destinations (for example, Disney World, Las Vegas, Miami or Mexico). Others are invited to go to a special presentation in their home towns and are given a video time share tour.

There are some advantages and disadvantages to agreeing to take a time share tour. Keep these in mind before accepting (or declining).

Advantages:

• Prizes: Depending on the location (and how many units they need to reach their quota for this month), after taking the time share tour, you may get a nice gift. Some of the gifts are free theme park or tourist attraction tickets, electronics (I got a DVD player for sitting through a 60 minute time sales pitch), cash or raffle tickets.
• Vacation ideas: Even if you don’t want a time share, the tour will give you plenty of ideas on when and where to take your next vacation.
• A time share: The salespeople are going to try hard, so you may just end up buying one.

Disadvantages:

• It’s your time: The sales pitch may only take 45 minutes, but if you don’t agree to buy one right way, it could take even longer before you finally walk away with your prize.
• Pushy salespeople: They are just doing their job, and remember, their job is to get you to buy.
• A timeshare: Yes, it is under advantages too, but going on a time share tour may give you an investment that you didn’t plan or budget.

The next time you are asked to take a time share tour, make sure that you weigh the pros and the cons before agreeing to the terms.