Lisa Ann Schreier

Timeshares have always intrigued me but have always confused me at the same time.  It seems like everyone we know has one and have really enjoyed their experiences. But I had so many questions and there are so many different types of timeshares and programs and point systems out there, how do you choose? It’s a pretty big commitment. I decided to take these questions right to the expert to make an educated decision.

Lisa Ann Schreier is a former timeshare salesperson at several of Orlando’s top timeshare resorts, Lisa now dedicates her time to educating consumers about the product and striving to be a catalyst for positive change in the industry.  She is the author of two best-selling books…”Surviving A Timeshare Presentation…Confessions From The Sales Table” and “Timeshare Vacations For Dummies” in addition to the co-author of the college level textbook “Timeshare Management-The Key Issues For Hospitality Managers.”

DTM: What is a Timeshare?

LS: In the simplest terms, a timeshare is owning your vacation accommodations as opposed to renting them. A timeshare is simply another vacation accommodation alternative.  Another way of thinking of it is that when you purchase a timeshare, you are purchasing your future vacations at today’s prices.

DTM: Why is a Timeshare a good option for families?

LS: Timeshares can represent a good option for families because more often than not, they have use of larger vacation accommodations and these usually include a kitchen.  Space, more facilities, more amenities, generally overall “nicer” accommodations both within room and throughout the resort.

DTM: How do Timeshares work?

LS: In the United States, most timeshares are deeded.  So you own a piece of property for a portion of the year.   You can then use that timeshare property at your home resort (where you purchased) or at other affiliated resorts throughout the world.  There are two (2) major exchange companies…RCI and Interval International and several smaller exchange companies out there.  You can exchange or trade your timeshare (subject to certain rules of course) to another timeshare.

DTM: What are some tips for choosing which Timeshare to buy?

LS: With more than 6,000 timeshares out there, this is a key question that consumers need to figure out before purchasing anything or even before sitting down in front of a timeshare salesperson.

a)  Do you plan on using the timeshare more at the home resort

or more to trade?

b)  Are you a spontaneous vacationner or do you generally plan?

c)  How much are you currently spending per year on your vacation accommodations?

d)  Do you plan on vacationning in the foreseeable future?

DTM:  What are some things you should now about when you go into a Timeshare pitch?

LS: As a former salesperson, I can tell you that I wish more people knew the basics before they sat down in front of me.  Actually, I wrote my first book, “Surviving A Timeshare Presentation…Confessions From The Sales Table” while I was still a salesperson (I’m not one now.)

a)  You will be asked to purchase TODAY

b)  Stay away from anyone who uses the words “free”, “perfect”, “always” and/or “never”…free and perfect don’t exist and always and never are extraordinarily long periods of time

c)  There is no such thing as the “best” timeshare

d)  Be sure to get all the costs associated with the timeshare, there is more to it than just the purchase price

e)  There are alternatives to purchasing at the resort from the

salesperson

f)  Don’t be rude…if you have signed up for a timeshare sales presentation or pitch, you are getting something for your time (free or discounted attraction tickets, dinner shows, cash, etc.) so let the salesperson do their job…however on the flip side if someone is being rude or disrespectful to you, or pressuring you to the point where you feel uncomfortable, get up and walk away…no free gift is worth that kind of treatment

DTM: What programs are the most beneficial and give the best extras?

LS: This really depends person to person.  Some of the larger brand-name timeshares (Marriott, Hilton, Starwood, Disney) do offer some great perks. However, it is imperative to buy the timeshare that has and does what you want/need…in sales terms don’t buy the sizzle, buy the steak!

For more information on Lisa or to order any of her books or services, go to www.timeshareinsights.com

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Tags: ask the expert, Interviews, timeshare info, timeshares

This entry was posted on Friday, January 1st, 2010 at 11:24 pm and is filed under Interviews, Travel Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.