Why More Consumers Don’t Buy Timeshare, Part 2

I’m reading a terrific book for the second time, “Watch This Listen Up Click Here: Inside the 300 Billion Dollar Business Behind the Media You Constantly Consume.” Fascinating book, I highly recommend it.

Chapter 15 is titled, “Why Honda Hates the Internet . . . and Those Who Haunt It.”  The first two paragraphs read:

“In the dark ages of the early 1990s, before Web sites such as Edmunds.com began publishing the invoice prices of cars for all to see, dealers maximized their profits by shrouding the deal. It wasn’t an especially daunting task, as most new-car buyers involved a welter of variables including trade-in value, interest rate, different loan terms, and a bevy of fees. In the old way of moving metal, salespeople practice psychological tricks on “ups” (as customers who strolled into the showroom were called) to stoke their excitement for the car, and employed numerical legerdemain on the “four-square” worksheet used to negotiate a typical car deal, starting with the sticker price and working down and angling to squeeze more from the back end, such as in higher finance charges.

“Once the Internet pulled away the cloak, a car shopper could find the invoice price, add the requisite 2 or 3 percent profit, and make an offer, take-it or leave-it. Today, more than four out of five of Ford’s US customers have gone online before going into the showroom. Most come to the dealer with a spec sheet showing just want they want and what they’re prepared to pay for it.”

Sound familiar? The first paragraph details exactly what happens when customers enter a timeshare presentation at a resort in 2009. The second paragraph sums up, clearer than anything else that I’ve seen, why more people don’t buy timeshare–at least from the developer.

The first company who clearly unveils the “sticker price” of the timeshare, is going to win the timeshare wars.  Who is smart enough to step up to the plate?

———-

Lisa Ann Schreier, The Timeshare Crusader, is the author of Surviving A Timeshare Presentation, and Timeshare Vacations For Dummies, and blogs for Holiday Group.

Why More People Don’t Buy Timeshare, Part 1

As “The Timeshare Crusader,” I’m very careful not to appear to have a bias for or against any timeshare company, any type of timeshare, any exchange company, etc.

However, there is one thing that I will admit to having a strong bias for and that is vacations–specifically, timeshare vacations. As many of my regular readers know, I used to be a timeshare salesperson and sales manager. And I truly believe and still believe in the product.

I’ve always been a very analytical person, so one of the things I never understood was the very small number of Americans who own a timeshare. Timeshare has been around for more than 35 years, and according to the latest statistics, less than 7% of Americans own a timeshare. It is clear, though, that more than 7% of Americans go on a regular vacation. So why the discrepancy? Why is it that so few Americans who could benefit from timeshares actually own them?

Here are three reasons:

Perception

Yes, it is true that the timeshare industry has left a bad impression in many consumers’ minds. The media are quick to point out the terrible investment potential of timeshares, while being very slow to point out annual hotel price inflation. However, the vast majority of timeshare owners report that they are very satisfied with their timeshare, and the media seem to miss that story altogether.

Selling Techniques

Anyone who has survived a three- or four-hour, high-pressure sales presentation knows how horrible they can be. After six years of working in sales and four years working for consumers, I still don’t understand why timeshare resorts continue to employ these high-pressure “you have to buy it today” techniques, when they clearly don’t work for the vast majority of consumers.

While a select number of timeshare companies seem to understand that today’s consumers don’t respond well to such techniques, the vast majority of them still rely on those techniques. And to its discredit, the primary market timeshare industry has managed to keep a lid on a legitimate secondary market for timeshares. My educated opinion is that the times are finally changing, and once consumers know that there are reliable sources to purchase timeshare from other than developers, and that there really is no such thing as a “used” timeshare, a lot of developers will be left scratching their heads while looking at empty sales rooms.

Lack of Advertising

Before I got started in timeshare, I was an advertising person . . . and a good one to boot. I was a media buyer/planner/copywriter for some of the Chicago area’s largest products and services.

And while my experience was in the “dark ages” (i.e. before the advent of Internet advertising), and we relied on radio, newspapers, television, magazines to get the word out, everything we did was telling the story of the product or service in question, and making a call to action about that product or service.

The timeshare industry, however, almost never uses the actual product in their advertisements. Instead, consumers are bribed with a discount vacation offer or free attraction tickets, and once they’ve bitten on the bribe, they are told that they must listen to a 90-minute timeshare presentation.

Consumers rightly feel that if timeshare is so good, why do developers feel the need to bribe people?  Why not simply advertise the timeshare for what it is and what it does?  Consumers are smart–smarter than many advertisers give them credit for. Consumers feel that the industry is hiding something and so are hesitant to buy the product. But they’re not hesitant to take the developers up on their bribe. That’s why each year, more than 3 million Americans go to one or more timeshare presentations and enjoy the free gifts, but less than 10% purchase the timeshare.

So what is an interested, perhaps confused, consumer to do? By all means, take the developers up on their offers. Eat their bagels, enjoy the discounted vacations, and have fun at the attractions or dinner shows. Ask questions. Find out for yourself the difference between fixed weeks, floating weeks, and points. Compare prices. Then educate yourself, work with a consultant, read books, talk to other owners, and make wise choices for yourself.  And if you find that the secondary market is the way to go, congratulations.

But hurry, because I feel the bagels, discounted vacations and attraction tickets are on their way out . . . along with the dinosaur sales managers, nosebleed price drops, and gold pinky rings.

———-

Lisa Ann Schreier, The Timeshare Crusader is the author of Surviving A Timeshare Presentation, and Timeshare Vacations For Dummies, and blogs for Holiday Group.

March 2009 Q & A

Q: We’ve been reading up on timeshares the past few months and what we’ve seen sounds pretty good for what we’d get. But I have to ask, why does timeshare seem to have a bad reputation with some people? –Chris in Denver

A: Chris, terrific question. Timeshare can be a wonderful product for some people. All sorts of benefits to them, as I’m sure you’ve already discovered. The bad reputation comes from the less than upfront way they continue to be marketed–some developers don’t just advertise or market them, they bribe people with “free gifts” and other things rather than extol the many benefits of timeshare. And after the consumers are lured in with the bribe, they are subjected to 90 minutes, 120 minutes, or more of a timeshare pitch, at which point they are asked to make a decision because “the price is only good for today.” As you know, this is a silly at best, demeaning at worst, way to purchase anything. It’s best to consult with a timeshare advisor to make sure you are getting the right product. Happy vacationing!

Q: Recently I attended a time share presentation and I have to say it was not what I expected. Very high pressure selling that made me uncomfortable. Can you tell me some good sources where I could find out what I want to know rather than just what someone wants me to hear? –Marleen in Springfield

A: Marleen, fortunately, there are a few sources that are in the business of educating savvy consumers such as yourself. Here are three resources (and one shameless plug) that I recommend:

1) Get yourself a subscription to TimeSharing Today (www.tstoday.com). It is a great magazine that has tons of useful information and great articles.

2) Become a member of the National Timeshare Owners Association. This group is dedicated to helping owners and potential owners. You’ll learn a lot and possibly get some great contacts as well.

3) Talk to Holiday about your specific timeshare needs. They have a great deal of different types of timeshare available and will help you decide which is best for your needs.

4) Here’s the shameless plug. Work with me at www.timeshareinsights.com. I offer four different Modules. Module 1 helps people decide if timeshare is right for them. Module 2 helps people find the best timeshare for them. I don’t sell or represent any timeshare, so you can be assured that my advice is totally unbiased. If you e-mail me and mention this blog, I’ll honor a 50% discount on either of my Modules for you (and other readers) until May 1st of this year. Hope this helps.

Q: How do you think the current economic situation will affect the value of timeshares? Is it time to sell? –Kathleen in Minneapolis

A: Kathleen, without knowing your specific situation, I cannot give you specific advice, only my opinion. If you are using your timeshare, then by all means don’t sell. If you are having trouble using it, but can rent it, then don’t sell. The value of timeshare has always been a tricky question. You buy it from the developer at $20,000 and immediately the “value” of it drops by more than 50%. Or you purchase it from Holiday Group, for instance, at thousands less and the “value” remains the same. Selling is always an option, as long as you go into it with a clear head. You are not going to make money on it. Whatever you do, don’t ever pay anyone a listing fee to sell your timeshare. If you’d like more detailed, personalize advice, drop me an e-mail and ask me for Module 3. Don’t fret . . . there are always options.

——-

Lisa Ann Schreier, The Timeshare Crusader is the author of Surviving A Timeshare Presentation, and Timeshare Vacations For Dummies, and blogs for Holiday Group.

Do you have a timeshare-related question for Lisa, “The Timeshare Crusader”? Click here to send your question.

When the Numbers Just Don’t Add Up

Lately, I’ve been getting e-mails from consumers about offers that seem too good to be true, and of course they are.

The offers come directly from the developer, and state that for a limited amount of time, they are running a special. Existing owners will be able to upgrade their ownership and lower their annual maintenance fees and taxes at the same time.

Wow! What a great deal. Or is it?

Of course, it’s not a good deal.

What the resorts are offering is not quite what it seems to be. Here’s several versions of what is behind these offers:

-The resort is offering to pay your annual dues this year (or take it off the “top” of the new price) if you purchase more of what they are offering you . . . except you get hit with much larger annual dues the following year.

-The resort is claiming to reduce your annual dues by “taking back” what you own, only to see you own the same thing on an every-other-year basis . . . leaving you with half of your ownership.

-The resort is claiming to give you the equity you already have in your property and “change it” in some way to some “better” system . . . only you find out that the price of the “better” system has been vastly inflated and you, again, own less than you originally did.

Let me be clear here: If the maintenance fees are going down, you own less of the property, pure and simple. If you have a quote from a painter to paint your house for $1,200 and he calls back and tells you that the price has gone down to $600, he’s either talking about inferior paint, or has reduced the number of surfaces he’s going to paint.

What sounds on the surface to be a great deal often isn’t when it comes to the games that some timeshare developers play with unsuspecting owners. Beware!

February 2009 Q & A

Q: Greetings. I was wondering whether I should purchase a deeded timeshare or a non-deeded timeshare. I went to a presentation that was selling deeded timeshares and they said that’s the way to go. What are the differences between the two kinds and which you recommend? Thank you. –Greg in Charlotte

Greg, great question. While I hesitate to make blanket endorsements prior to knowing my clients’ individual needs and wants, I would say that deeded is the way to go for most people out there. Deeded timeshare is more often than not, deeded in perpetuity, meaning you own it forever and have a full “bundle of rights” with that timeshare. What that means is that you can sell it, rent it and will it, in much the same way you can with any deeded property. Of course the downside to the deeded type is the same thing–the forever part as it pertains to annual fees. In general though, I prefer deeded, as a non-deeded timeshare is nothing more than a long-term rental. Happy travels!

Q: We have friends who own at an “all inclusive” timeshare in Mexico and say they love it, but I’ve read that all inclusive is not always the ideal choice. Your thoughts? –M. in Oregon

M, all-inclusive timeshares can be great for some people. It really all depends on what you and your family want in a vacation and the costs involved. If you are going to use your all-inclusive timeshare most of the time, as opposed to exchanging or trading, it may be worth the extra money. However, the costs of an all-inclusive timeshare can be prohibitive and they often increase far more dramatically than the costs of other, non-all-inclusive properties. Check to see what the history of the all-inclusive fees has been over the past 5 years and then track your expenses over the same period to see if the property would make sense for you financially. Have terrific vacations!

Q: We’ve been looking into buying a timeshare, but need to “test drive” a few first to see how we like it. What’s the best and cheapest way to try out a timeshare without having to buy one first? –Sherri in Texas

Sherri, I would venture to say that you would enjoy staying in timeshares as opposed to hotels. The biggest thing to test drive is how easy it would be to actually use the timeshare, not stay there. That presents a problem because until you own a timeshare, you can’t know how easy or difficult it would be to use. By use, I mean make reservations, search for exchanges, make exchanges, etc.

Many resorts offer what are called “trial programs,” after you say no to the salesperson and sales managers at presentations. However, the cost of most of those programs is almost equal to what you can pick up a great timeshare for through Holiday. Drop me an e-mail and I’ll be happy to offer you a 50% discount on MODULE 2, which is designed to find the best type of timeshare for you. Armed with that information, you can then call Holiday and get a great deal. Looking forward to assisting!

Lisa Ann Schreier, The Timeshare Crusader is the author of Surviving A Timeshare Presentation, and Timeshare Vacations For Dummies, and blogs for Holiday Group.

Do you have a timeshare-related question for Lisa, “The Timeshare Crusader”? Click here to send your question.

Busting Some Bad Guys

I had the distinct pleasure of busting some bad guys yesterday, or at least attempting to bust them.

I received one of those postcards addressed to people who were fed up with their timeshares (as if I’m fed up with my timeshare). The postcard offered a solution and made it quite clear that they were going to be in my area for a few days to make “an immediate offer” on timeshares.

It turns out, of course, that this company wanted me and other consumers to hand over the deed to our timeshares AND $3,495 in an attempt to get us out of the “ever increasing annual fees.”

While I agree that annual fees have, in many cases, increased, and that it can be difficult to obtain a decent trade through both RCI and II due to too much inventory available to renters, the story that this “Mr. Charles” spun for us contained many out and out lies. Among them:

*  You cannot quit-claim your timeshare deed

*  Resorts charge 10% of the purchase price to change the name(s) on the deed

*  Less than 3% of timeshare owners are able to sell their timeshares

Amazingly enough, this company was able to convince one unsuspecting person to give up her deed and the “discounted price” of only $3,200.

When the local news media interviewed another couple who did not fall for this “offer,” Mr. Charles and several of his fellow workers came running out of the hotel lobby and insisted that their “offer” and story were valid.

While sane consumers would never fall for this with any other kind of deed, they seem to fall for these “offers” when they concern timeshare. All the more reason for consumers to band together and demand that the industry (all of the industry) enforce more ethics and let people know the truth, both good and bad, of the product and the industry.

Until then, keep reading this blog and find out how to educate yourself.

Lisa Ann Schreier
The Timeshare Crusader
Blogger at HolidayGroup.com
Author of Surviving A Timeshare Presentation, and Timeshare Vacations For Dummies

January 2009 Q & A

Q: My wife and I love to travel and have talked about purchasing a timeshare. The ones we have looked at were expensive, but we make pretty good money so that’s not really an issue. The problem is that with the economy the way it is right now, I’m not sure a timeshare would be a good investment. What are your thoughts? Thanks! –Anthony in New Mexico

A: Anthony, how nice that money is not the issue! Actually, money or no money, you should never think of a timeshare as a real estate investment. A timeshare is nothing more than a (mostly) pre-paid vacation plan or a vacation insurance policy. Understand that there is no such thing as a “new” or “used” timeshare as you are used to in terms of automobiles, etc.

The biggest secret about timeshare that the developers don’t tell you is that you don’t have to buy from them! Although I come from the developer side of the business, I have to say that 99.9% of the time, I advise consumers to purchase from a reputable reseller, such as Holiday. There are just not enough compelling reasons to pay inflated retail prices. If you’d like help guiding you through the vast assortment of timeshares out there, drop me a note and ask for MODULE 2. Have a great holiday season!

Q: I’m interested in two different timeshares, but can buy only one. One of the timeshares is with RCI and the other is with Interval International. Which of these exchange companies would you recommend? –Sylvia in Chicago

A: Sylvia, hello from a fellow Chicagoan. I moved down to Florida 11 years ago and seeing your weather lately, I remember why! But as for your timeshare question, it really depends on what your vacation needs are. RCI is not better, I.I. is not worse, or vice-versa. And I’ll bet you didn’t know that you have more choices than just those two! Without knowing more about your specific situation, I would be doing you a great dis-service by giving you a pat answer. Drop me a note and ask about MODULE 2, “Finding the Best Timeshare For You.” Happy Holidays.

Q: I have some friends who own a timeshare that they enjoy. I’ve talked about it with them, but the one factor that has kept me from buying is, what if I want to sell it in the future? I’ve heard timeshares can be very difficult to sell and I don’t want to be stuck with a timeshare if I no longer want one. –Vic, San Diego

A: Vic, while it is true that some people have trouble selling their timeshare, much depends on what they paid for it originally and what they expect to get for it. Regardless if I agree with it or not (I don’t, by the way), timeshares depreciate in [i]perceived[/i] value over the years. However, there is always a residual value to them . . . unlike a box of hotel receipts that you would have if you never purchased a timeshare.

Let’s look at some basic math. Assume you purchase a resale timeshare from Holiday for, say, $2,500 with annual fees of $400. Let’s say you use it once a year for 10 years. You will have paid a total if $6,500 (plus exchange fees and possibly a modest annual fee increase) for 10 years of vacation. If my math is correct, that comes out to about $93 per night. And if you sell it for even as little as $1,500 that you’ve still had better vacations AND $1,500 in your pocket that you wouldn’t have if you had stayed in hotels.

Vic, if you like to vacation, it’s almost impossible to go wrong with the right timeshare! Happy travels.

Do you have a timeshare-related question for Lisa, “The Timeshare Crusader”? Click here to send your question.

Keep Speaking Up, Timeshare Owners

I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with timeshare owners for quite some time now. Last month, I was in Phoenix working with Dial An Exchange on the first of their Timeshare Educational Sessions. Earlier this month I hosted Holiday’s webinar on RCI Points and then spoke to the Florida Timeshare Owners Group in Venice.

You know what I found out? People like to vacation and people like their timeshares! There’s just too much confusion about how to use them and growing aggravation about the price increases associated with them.

To that end, I have always advocated that timeshare owners speak up and ask questions. Ask questions before you buy, ask questions after you own, ask questions about the fees, ask questions about your options, and always stand up for your rights.

If you already own a timeshare, make sure you know when the yearly HOA meeting is and get yourself there or at the very least exercise your proxy. Get to know who is on the Board of Directors, or run for the Board yourself.

Does your resort have a newsletter? Write them and ask that they put out some really important information about timeshare instead of who the new PBX operator is.

Ask really good questions about exchanging. The resort won’t tell you about your options unless you ask. Despite what you may have been led to believe, RCI and Interval International are not your only options for exchange. That’s not saying anything bad about the “big two,” but you need to know about the “little guys” as well.

If you haven’t bought a timeshare yet, by all means do your homework and realize that buying from the developer is not your only option. If you were in the market for a car, you wouldn’t shop at only one dealer, would you? Of course not. In these trying economic times, it makes no sense to spend $15,000 or $20,000 on the basis of spending two hours with a salesperson who generally doesn’t even know the other options out there.

To use the car analogy again, don’t let the salesperson talk you into a pink SUV that gets 15 miles per gallon before you know that’s what you want. You may want a silver two-seat convertible. And if the salesperson continues to show you the pink SUV, get up and walk out.

The traditional timeshare industry is facing some tough times right now as you may have heard. Years of luring clients with the “three-day, two-night mini-vacation and two dinner show tickets for only $99″ have finally caught up with them. And while I don’t wish any misfortune on anyone in the industry, part of the reason such strategies no longer work as well as they used to is consumers are becoming more educated, asking more questions and not settling for whatever the salesperson is pitching them.

Over the years, I’ve been accused of being anti-consumer because I came from the developer’s side. Then the tide turned and the industry saw me as anti-developer because I counseled consumers. The truth of the matter is I am anti-nothing! I am pro-timeshare, pro-consumer, pro-free market and most of all pro-vacation.

So speak up, ask questions, question the status quo . . . and don’t forget to have a great vacation now and then!

December 2008 Q & A

Q: “I want to sell one or two of my five timeshares for top dollar, but not as low as I see advertised with Holiday. There are so many to choose from and I just don’t know where to start. Do you have any recommendations or companies in mind who could possibly get this done?” –Reggie

A: Reggie, the truth is that there are too many companies out there willing to scam your money from you in return for a promise of a quick sale. Don’t fall for them! NEVER pay anyone a listing fee to sell your timeshare for you. Nine times out of ten, they are only interested in the listing fee, not selling the timeshare.

My first recommendation would be to rent out the timeshares in question for a few years and get some money. Hopefully, you didn’t buy these timeshares under the assumption that they go up in value, because they generally don’t. That shouldn’t be the motive for buying a timeshare.

Timesharing Today is a wonderful publication out of New Jersey where you can advertise your timeshare for rent or for sale. They charge an advertising fee, not a listing fee.

Q: “I own three timeshares, which gives me 3 weeks at the end of the year to add to the 4 weeks I already deposited with RCI. I’m thinking about trading some of the weeks for a cruise. What do you recommend?” –Imitiaz

A: Wow! Seven weeks to use. I don’t suppose you would give me one, would you? Kidding aside, I’m not a big fan of trading your timeshares towards cruises, whether using RCI Weeks, RCI Points, or ICE. More often than not, you end up getting a value of, say, $350 for your week, and you and I both know your weeks are worth more than that.

Many timeshare people will tell you that you can trade your week FOR a cruise, when in fact, you end up trading your week TOWARD a cruise. By the time you add up the charges for food, drink, entertainment, and other extras, you can get a better deal yourself, without giving up your week.

If you aren’t going to use all of your weeks for resort vacation, don’t lose them! Rent them out or roll them over to next year, if you can. If you’re going to rent them, by all means control them yourself. Don’t give them to the resort to rent out for you, because you have no control of what they charge and no way to find out if they were really rented out at all. Happy vacationing, Imitiaz!

Q: “Which weeks are high season, and what are the other weeks?” –Gladys in California

A: The answer, Gladys, is that high season varies from region to region. High demand season in Colorado may well be in the winter; i.e. skiing months. In other places, Missouri perhaps, the winter may be the low-demand season. Be careful though: some resorts in places such as Orlando, Las Vegas, and Hawaii will proudly announce to the world that they are “all high season, all year around.”

Wrong. Even within year-round, high-demand areas, there will be “better tradeable” weeks than others. While RCI still relies on the “Red, White, and Blue” color charts, I find I.I.’s Travel Demand Index a much truer glimpse into what really qualifies as “high season.”

Q: “I recently received a Bonus Week from Interval International. Can I rent this week out to someone else?” –Edward

A: First of all, I.I. calls them Getaway Weeks. I don’t want anyone to be confused about the correct terminology. The answer is, YES! You can purchase a Guest Certificate for whomever you want to give the Getaway Week to. Whether you are going to charge them more money than the actual cost of the Getaway Week is entirely up to you.

Do you have a timeshare-related question for Lisa? Click here to send your question.

It’s Not the Economy . . . Well, It’s Not All The Economy

I’m writing this the day after the market went up 900-some points, and so far it’s down again more than 277. At least writing this takes my mind off my retirement fund woes . . . for a bit.

As some of you know, I was quoted in a recent article in the Orlando Sentinel. The article was about the layoffs that a major independent timeshare, based in Orlando, was about to start. The president of that independent timeshare talked about the credit crunch and said that this had “come on like a heart attack,” but assured everyone that things would turn around quickly. Being the contrarian that I am, I disagreed on both counts.

This credit crunch as it applies to timeshares did not “come on like a heart attack.” It was caused by years and years of slick timeshare salespeople convincing consumers earning $35,000 that 15% or 16% or even 19% interest rates were “OK,” and that they could easily get a home equity loan or line of credit that would lower that 16% note. Then, when Mr. and Mrs. Average Consumer bought the timeshare and defaulted on it several weeks or months later, the banks that the timeshares were dealing with started clamping down.

Some thoughts:

• First of all, if you are earning $35,000 per year, you should NOT be buying a timeshare from the developer. You can’t afford it. The salesperson won’t tell you this, but I will. As some good friends of mine (I wish) sang some years ago, “You can’t always get what you want.”
• The timeshare industry should have changed its outdated and antiquated marketing techniques years ago. Had they done that, they would not have been in this mess. And this mess is much deeper than just banks clamping down. Luring consumers earning $30,000 or $40,000 to a “resort overview” by promising three nights at the resort for only $199 is just plain insane. There is absolutely no reason for that consumer to purchase the timeshare from the developer.
• Why is it that the timeshare industry, at least from the developers’ end of things, is allowed to keep consumers in the dark? The Internet is a wonderful thing. It enables people to get useful–and some not so useful–information about almost anything. If you want to research a car, a blender, a camera, or an insurance company, there is myriad information out there for you to use to make good judgments. Not so much with the timeshare industry. There are exceptions, but for the most part, timeshare developers have had carte blanche to be less than forthright about their products and services. In my opinion, one of the best things about this current economic mess is that the public will start demanding more information about timeshares.

These are not “fun” times, economically speaking, and I would not encourage anyone to purchase anything they truly cannot afford. So how does timeshare fit into this picture?

Consumers have always vacationed, and always will. In fact, I’d venture to say that nowadays, we need vacations more than ever. Buying smart, buying with the right information, buying resale, makes more sense than ever before. If you could go back 10 years and someone offered you an annual one-week vacation for only $3,000, plus $300 or $400 per year for “updates,” would you have jumped on that offer? Of course you would have. The $3,000 would have been paid off, and instead of wondering how you were going to vacation this year or next year, you’d already be planning.

The good news is that, thanks to timeshare resales, the price hasn’t really gone up. Three thousand dollars for 10 or 15 or 20 years of vacation? Sign me up! And sign me up for a vacation somewhere that I don’t have Internet access, so I can’t check on how the markets are doing every 15 minutes!

Happy Vacationing!

« Previous Page — Next Page »