Timeshare Beware - Why You Should Not Buy a Timeshare

By Grace Garcia

Owning a timeshare can be an ideal way for you and your family to bond and have fun together especially on holidays or on a summer vacation. A week a year using your timeshare can give you a great deal of experiencing a slice of heaven here on earth. However, what if this paradise you thought is going to turn into a financial purgatory in the long run?

A lot of people are enticed with timeshare promotions. In fact, they claim they have fallen in love with the offers. But as love can make one blinded from the truth, timeshare owners are often deceived by the beauty of the resort not minding the flaws that comes with it. Now, let me cite you these flaws to help you in your purchasing decision.

1.Increasing Maintenance fees. Over 4.8 million people have wonderful vacation retreats yet why do so many want to get rid of their timeshares? Well, the arising timeshare complaint is all about the hefty maintenance fees that are increasing year after year. Aside from these maintenance fees, special assessment fees can poach thousands of dollars from the owner's pocketbook.

2.Lifetime Contracts. Along with the hefty fees are contracts that many times require a lifetime commitment from the timeshare owners. What does this mean? Continuous financial liability. Do you know anyone who'd like to pay for something forever? Moreover, if they do not pay, their past due fees will be subject to corresponding penalties. These lifetime contracts do not end even if the owner passes away because these deeded contracts are inherited by their children and grandchildren including the financial liability.

3.Governing Documents are subject to change. Timeshare developers have governing documents that can change in the sole discretion of the developers, allowing them to add, delete or modify the terms and conditions without even asking the approval of the owners.

4.Hard Time in Scheduling. If owners plan to use their timeshare, they should book up to 2 years in advance before their planned date of visit. Too often, even they have booked two years ahead, they still are not able to use them. Truth of this matter is that resorts don't have financial incentive to accommodate owners as they concentrate on bringing more potential buyers and selling them timeshare intervals.

Now, from increasing maintenance fees to lifetime contracts, governing documents you don't have any authority over plus having a hard time in scheduling your visit, would you still opt to buy a timeshare?
There are already many timeshare owners of the 4.8 million that are jaded and have been trying to get rid of their timeshares. Why would you add yourself to that list?"

Grace Garcia is a former timeshare owner. The timeshare nightmare she experienced has now become her driving force to take action thus, she is now promoting awareness to people about how the financial obligations of timeshare ownership outweighs their benefits. Ms. Garcia finds it unfair and an injustice for her and for other people to suffer lifetime financial obligations brought about by owning timeshares. Seeking the help of a company called Timeshare Relief, she finally achieved her goal to get rid of her timeshare permanently along with the financial burden that went with it.