How Do You Get out of a Timeshare Presentation?
Did you agree to attend a timeshare presentation in exchange for a gift or discount? You may have heard horror stories about aggressive salespeople and presentations that stretch for hours, or sometimes even days. If your vacation discount depends on whether or not you attend the presentation, plan to keep your guard up so you can resist buying a timeshare no matter what. In this post, we’ll help you prepare. We’ll show you what to expect during a timeshare presentation and how to say no to a timeshare salesman so you can escape without signing a deal.
What Is a Timeshare?
A timeshare is an agreement in which you own part of a property. It involves paying a certain amount up front, yearly maintenance fees and other various costs. In exchange, you get to access the property for a given amount of days, usually at the same time every year. When you’re not at the property, someone else is vacationing there.
Owning a timeshare has a lot of disadvantages that salespeople don’t mention during the presentation. Many timeshares involve a lifetime agreement and continuously increasing maintenance fees. They also depreciate over time. In other words, timeshares usually aren’t a good value despite what a salesperson says. It’s not uncommon for buyers to regret their decision to purchase a timeshare days or sometimes years after the sale.
What Is a Timeshare Presentation?
A timeshare presentation is typically a 90-minute-long sales pitch, but it could go on much longer, even if it’s not what you were told. The goal of the presentation is to get you to buy a timeshare. During the presentation, salespeople will use different tactics to play with your emotions and break down your defenses. You might watch a video of satisfied timeshare owners, take a tour of the resort and listen to a sales pitch in a presentation room. You’ll likely encounter multiple salespeople during the presentation.
Some timeshares require you to bring a spouse. If you don’t bring your spouse, skip the presentation or fail to follow through with other terms of your pre-booking agreement, you won’t get the gift or vacation deal, and you’ll have to pay the full price for your accommodations. All of the requirements should be stated before you book your vacation and agree to attend the presentation.
What Happens During a Timeshare Presentation?
You’ll meet several salespeople throughout the presentation, and they will all play a unique role in the pitch. For example, you might first meet a “greeter,” who will take your personal information and try to make you feel comfortable. Next, you may be assigned a “tour guide,” who will act like your best friend and do what they can to gain your trust. This person will show you the most luxurious parts of the resort, and ask you questions such as where you like to travel and what you desire. That way, they can tailor their pitch to suit your needs and share your information with other team members.
When you make it back to the presentation room, salespeople will try to close a deal using high-pressure tactics. If they fail to persuade you, they’ll transfer you to a “manager” who will offer incentives and irresistible discounts — whatever they can do to make a sale.
There are a number of different sales strategies you can expect to encounter during a timeshare presentation. Not everyone you meet will aggressively try to sell to you. Part of the game is trying to earn your trust, so you feel comfortable buying a timeshare and guilty if you don’t make a purchase. Salespeople use a range of tactics to make it as difficult as possible to say no, such as:
- Keeping you longer than you expected: You may be told the presentation will only last 90 minutes. However, many vacationers find that timeshare presentations last much longer than what they’re told. Sometimes a presentation can go four to six hours, and in extreme cases, eight hours or longer without any breaks. Part of this tactic is to make you feel uncomfortable or rude for getting up and leaving in the middle of a presentation. It also forces you to invest more of your time in the pitch, which may make you feel more inclined to buy. If the presentation drags on too long, you’ll start to feel hungry, tired and willing to sign anything just to escape.
- Creating a sense of urgency: Salespeople may try to sell a timeshare using fear. They might tell you to buy before it’s too late, or that they’ll need an answer before you leave the presentation. They’ll highlight the benefits of owning a timeshare, and leave out all the risks. One way to resist this tactic is to remind yourself that you should have time to make such a big purchase. If a salesperson is not willing to give you time to make a life-changing decision, is it something you really want to commit to?
- Arguing aggressively: Timeshare salespeople have been known to argue to no end and find a way to counter your reasons for not wanting to buy a timeshare. For example, if you say you can’t afford a timeshare, they might try to offer something you can afford. Just remember — it’s all part of their strategy, and let logic rule over emotion.
- Using guilt to persuade you: Salespeople might try to make you feel guilty for saying no. They might tell you they won’t get paid if they don’t sell a timeshare, or that it’s wrong of you to accept a gift without making a purchase. Recognize this tactic as a form of manipulation, and remember that you don’t owe them anything.
- Lying and omitting information: Salespeople may be told to say whatever they can to close a deal, even if they provide misleading or false information. They might talk about the investment value of a timeshare, and magnify the benefits of owning a timeshare. They likely won’t talk about restrictions or fees during the presentation. The truth is, a timeshare is not an investment, no matter what a salesperson says. The best way to recognize lies is to educate yourself about the timeshares beforehand.
- Bombarding you with pitches: You’ll most likely encounter several salespeople during the presentation, and they’ll each have their own tactics to get you to buy. One might tell you you’ve wasted their time in hope you’ll feel bad and want to please them, while another will try to accommodate your needs. As a whole, they’ll overload you with information in hope the high-pressure environment will push you to purchase. If you feel overwhelmed, pause for a moment, take a breath, and remember what it’s really all about.
Overall, you can expect a timeshare presentation to include a lot of pressure to buy. This type of presentation takes time, effort and emotional energy. It’s hard not to wonder if it’s worth the free vacation. A timeshare presentation proves that nothing is truly free. Read on to learn how to survive a timeshare sales pitch!
How to Get out of a Timeshare Presentation
You can skip the trouble of a timeshare presentation by saying no right from the start. First, avoid any deals that offer something for free. If you get a phone call urging you to book your free trip, simply hang up and don’t think twice about it. Generally, if you want to avoid timeshares, don’t respond to offers by phone, email or while on vacation.
Also, always question who you’re dealing with. Salespeople won’t always use the word “timeshare” to describe a presentation. Instead, they might refer to a timeshare presentation as a “tour” or “gift opportunity.” If someone offers you something for free, say no and stay firm, no matter how many times you have to say it.
How to End a Timeshare Presentation Early
If you’ve already booked your vacation and have to attend the presentation to get a deal, you’re probably dreading the experience. Although the presentation will require some effort on your part, there’s no need to let it bring you down. If you know what to expect and are aware of their tricks, you can survive the presentation and get your gift without making a purchase. Here’s how to leave a timeshare presentation with your wallet intact and remain timeshare-free:
- Don’t engage with the salespeople: A timeshare salesperson will try to be your best friend. They’ll ask questions about your likes, dislikes and dreams. They’ll try to relate to you, and they might even show you pictures of their kids. Don’t fall for their trap. Resist answering and asking questions as much as possible, and simply sit and listen. The more you talk, the harder it will be to end the presentation and leave. Also, if they know a lot of personal information about you, they can use that info to try to manipulate you or make you feel guilty. If they insist you give them a phone number or email, make something up.
- Set your alarm: Set your stopwatch or the alarm on your phone for the agreed-upon time. If the presentation is supposed to last 90 minutes, let them know about 15 minutes before the “end” that you’ll be leaving soon and would like your gift. Don’t expect the salesperson to end the presentation at 90 minutes, as they’ll likely continue the pitch until they make a sale. Be ready to get up and leave without saying a word if necessary, and don’t worry about being rude.
- Leave: You can leave the presentation at any time, and under no circumstances can the salespeople force you to stay. However, if you don’t stay for the agreed-upon time, you’ll give up the gift or discount. If you feel extremely uncomfortable and realize it’s not worth your time or the gift, don’t hesitate to walk away.
- Know what’s expected: Know exactly what’s expected of you before you head to the presentation and whether you need to sit through 90 minutes or 120 minutes to receive the gift or free vacation. Even though it might feel awkward, plan to say no as many times as you need to, and be ready to request your gift when their time is almost up.
How to Say No After a Timeshare Presentation
If you’ve waited until the end of the presentation, or if a salesperson won’t take no for an answer, we’ll help you stand your ground. Here’s how to stay in control and say no:
- Don’t be afraid to say no: This may seem obvious, but the easiest way to say no is just to say no. In other words, don’t worry about sounding rude or making up excuses. Timeshare salespeople know you’re only there for the gift, and you’re not obligated to buy anything. If you say no, and they keep pushing, be persistent. Part of their job is to deal with rejection, so there’s no need to feel bad.
- Have a strategy: If saying no is too hard or you’re worried it won’t work, come up with a solid excuse they can’t argue. For example, you might firmly tell the salesperson you need to speak with your financial advisor about the investment first. If that doesn’t make them give up, say you’re not interested and walk away.
- Don’t take it too seriously: It might be easier to say no if you remember it’s a game and the salesperson is trying to win. To win, they’re going to play with your emotions. If you keep their tactics in mind, it’ll be much easier not to get swept away by the theatrics. Let them give their pitch, don’t give out too much information and remember to keep saying no.
- Close your eyes: If you feel pressured because multiple salespeople have their eyes on you at once, you might also feel inclined to please them. Close your eyes when you say no to remove yourself from the pressure.
- Avoid drinking alcohol: Salespeople might offer free alcoholic drinks as part of the timeshare presentation. Whatever you do, resist drinking as it can make it much more difficult to keep your guard up and say no.
- Cancel within 3 days: Federal law allows for a cooling-off period of three days during which the agreement can be canceled. Some states have even longer rescission periods.
Cancel Your Timeshare With EZ Exit Now
If you went to a timeshare presentation and closed a deal, and later to find yourself filled with regret, know you’re not alone. Many timeshare owners regret their purchase and feel trapped. We’re here to help.
EZ Exit Now is among the best timeshare exit companies in the country. We understand there are plenty of reasons why you may wish to let go of your timeshare, from rising maintenance costs to an inability to use the property. We’re proud to assist our clients and relieve them of their timeshare burden.
Reach out to us, and we’ll meet with you at your chosen location to listen to your story and come up with a solution that works best for you and your situation. To learn more about canceling your timeshare responsibly, quickly and affordably, contact us today.
