article on timeshares

[Lauren Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lauren]

Hi everyone,

I'm a reporter for The Canadian Press, a news service that serves print, online and broadcast outlets across Canada. I'm working on an article about timeshares -- in particular how to weed the bad deals out from the good.

I'm looking for some first-hand accounts from those who have run into problems buying and/or selling timeshares. Are there any red flags you recognize now in hindsight? What sort of advice do you have for others?

If you'd like to share your cautionary tales with me in the next day or so, please email me at lauren.krugel@thecanadianpress.com and perhaps we can set up a phone interview. Bonus if you're a Canadian!

Many thanks,

Lauren Krugel
Business Reporter
The Canadian Press

[M. Henley Class President Find all posts View Profile Close M. Henley]

Typical I Guess

Only the bad and the ugly? Why not give (in fine print of course) success stories?

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

For the warning, I was going to say that if the timeshare salesmans lips are moving, there is your warning

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

I guess I would suggest to the poster that she check out a few of the posts here, find what she feels are interesting cases or discussions, and then PM the parties involved and ask the questions she has directly to them.

[rikkis_playpen Diamond Club Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close rikkis_playpen]

Ouch... She may not like these responses!

We are asking her to do some homework, and then write a balanced article that provides info about both the good and negative aspects of timesharing.. What reporter wants to do that!

Just another example of why I really love being part of this venue!

It's not filled with publicity whores willing to feed the negative stereotypes just to see their name in print...

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

I am looking for a new furnace and A/C, furnace is 18 years old, A/C is 17. Both work, but think it is time to upgrade. So, I always research the heck out of everything (a lesson learned after buying a timeshare ). Consumer Reports ratings are years old, so I google 'furnace reviews' and find a site. All that show up are the people that are complaining. You figure that thousands of any model are installed, and 50 people come to this site, not to brag, but to complain.

This timeshare forum is not like that. Here we share ideas, tips, destinations, items to take with on trips, travel insurance information, everything but furnace reviews. We get the positive and the negative opinions. The positive come from those that have learned to use their timeshare systems, the negative come from those with recent dealings with the salesman.

So, if the reporter is looking for people to reply to her to give their opinion, it may be swayed one direction. Based on this group, it would be positive, or those that have had problems would give her all the negatives. If she researches, sees what is written, talks to those posting the positive and the negative comments, she could get a very good article. Otherwise, maybe she will be able to help me find a furnace.