How to avoid a timeshare tour

So you want to get out of the timeshare tour?

So, you've gone on the internet and found some really great deals for vacations.  Some have ridiculously low prices. Some give you incentives to book.  But then you look at the fine print and find out that in order to get these deals or incentives, you need to go on a 2 hour tour, and the theme to Gilligan's Island starts playing in your head.

The first day of your vacation begins and you are dreading wasting your time listening to some sales pitch, when you'd rather be out at the theme parks, or at a show, or golfing.  So, what do you do? Start figuring out how to get out of the time share.

It seems that there are a lot of good ideas out there, but many people don't read the fine print of the advice.

Watch the clock

The first thing you want to do is keep an eye on your watch.  They said 2 hours, and since they are wasting their time, you better waste theirs.  There is no better way to start your blissful vacation with a bit of vengeance. Instead of enjoying the amenities of the vacation resort and using that time to learn about the area that would bring you and your family a fuller vacation experience, keep looking at the clock and ask "Are we there yet?"

Interrogate the salesperson

As the representative of the resort, the salesperson must know everything that has been said about the property.  Make sure you let them know that there were people complaining on the internet!  You're not on vacation, you are at war, and you will not loose this battle!  The sales person is not trying to show you any of the benefits of spending your vacation at their resort which they actually know about, they are slyly discounting any of your concerns that you have based off of comments of someone you don't even know is real.

Be overly cautious

Remember, the world is out to get you.  You are trapped in the Matrix and anyone outside of your group is potentially an agent trying to make you do what you don't want to do.  So be manipulative to get around the system.  Provide fake information and get fake credit cards and IDs to try to outsmart the system.  Don't worry about remembering your fake story, or that the truth will come out, you are a special operative who is well trained for these types of missions.

It's all about the numbers

The timeshare tour is a sales pitch.  You are there to get out of the pitch and collect your reward for outsmarting the sales person.  You are not interested in investing your money in this investment.  You are on vacation!  You will handle this the same way you handled buying a house.  Just like you did not have any intention on making your house into a home for your family and friends to live, this property they are trying to sell you is an investment deal and not a vacation property that you can look forward to enjoying now or at any time in the future.

In Closing

Hopefully, you picked up on some of the advice that is out on the internet about avoiding the timeshare tour.  Hopefully, you will ignore that advice, because although it might get you out of the tour faster, it may also disqualify you from the reward gifts you were "promised", including : Free or discounted hotel stays, show or theme park tickets, visa or gas cards, or any of the other "thank you" gifts for taking the tour.

What's worse is that you start your vacation out with a non-vacation attitude.  Unless you're idea of a vacation is like the movie, Total Recall, a vacation should be relaxing, and the tour can be part of that experience.  So here are a few helpful hints that will actually help you avoid the perceived TIME shared in the tour.

1. Do keep an eye on the clock if you have plans.  Find out beforehand what is the minimal requirement time for the tour.  Most tours take longer if the sales person thinks they have to work harder to sell you, often becoming long-winded.  So set an alarm and pay attention to the sales person.  If they feel that they have gotten through the "pitch", you may be able to leave sooner.
2. Do your homework, but keep it unbiased.  The internet can be a great asset or a great liability for everyone.  Keep in mind that there are more complaints about companies on the internet than testimonies.  Think about all the good experiences you've had with your supermarket, your bank, and how many times the power company kept your lights on during the storms (not just when they went out)- how many times have you written a positive report online where people would see it?  Realizing that there are positive reviews for a company that are kept silent answers the question on how these companies stay in business.
3. Being positive does not mean you are gullible.  Studies show that truly positive people can say "no" and are more confident and clear about making decisions. Don't fall into the trap of lying about your situation.  If you are, or want to be, a person who helps someone else in need, you might be surprised about how many others feel the same way.
4. Treat the tour as a part of your vacation.  A guided tour through the zoo, a historic park, or museum usually brings more depth to the experience.  The same can go for a timeshare tour.  You can learn about the property amenities, area events, and the best places to eat.  The charm of most vacations is learning those local secrets that you don't find on the pamphlet, and who knows, you might find out how to get some more deals while you are there.
5. Envision the vacation property as you would when touring a house that you would like to make a home.  Rarely do people buy every house they are shown, but take a combination of imagination and intelligence to make the decision if the house can be a home they can afford and cherish.  
6. A final recommendation comes from one of our Facebook fans.  Book early and try to arrange for the earliest tour time to get it over with.  When it gets to the point of making the decision to buy, asking for the paperwork for your attorney and accountants to look over will not hurt.  This is not only a way to comfortably say "no", but if you are interested, it is is the wisest way to say "yes".