In Reply to: Timeshare Question posted by Karen B on Saturday, 10. December 2005 at 15:43 Bali Time:
People posting about good results from timeshare. Despite what many people say and believe, the concept itself is not a scam. But like any business transaction involving a substantial amount of money and commitment, it pays to do your homework and not allow yourself to get carried away. I have never bought into timeshare, for one thing I don't want to be locked into holidaying at the same time and place each year [yes, I know there are options, but that can get difficult], but I have two [separate] friends who have had timeshare in Bali fot years and have been happy to use it.
The young people in the street "doing surveys", or seeing if you have "won a prize" don't fool anyone. We all know what they are trying to achieve, just like we know we are not getting a genuine Omega or Rolex for a few dollars. And if we go to the Peninsula or somewhere for a sales presentation, we know that the sales person is going to do his/her best to convince us to buy, with a "never to be repeated" discount offer. And if that doesn't work, we know that a more experienced closer is going to "move in for the kill". But the final decision is ours and if we don't want to get involved at all, then all we have to do is firmly say "No" to start with, just like we do repeatedly in Bali to all sorts of "wonderful offers".
There have been a number of posts on this Forum from people who have redeemed prize offers, without any commitment on their part, including someone who got a free holiday on the Gold Coast.
It just pays to be careful, just like we need to be when we are considering buying such things as a house, car, business or insurance in Australia.