Some owners have purchased multiple timeshares because they just don’t know how to say “No.” In fact, timeshare owners are more likely to purchase another timeshare than a non-buyer. It’s hard to even begin to comprehend how many timeshares a single couple might end up owning because of this apparent fear of the word “No.” So for the timeshare owner or non-owner alike, here is your best tip on how to say “No” at a timeshare presentation:
Request a copy of the timeshare contract for your lawyer.
If you ask for the timeshare contract for your lawyer to read and review, you’ll create an impasse. Timeshare sales people are trained to never let you remove any documentation from the presentation room. It might contradict what may have been said during your visit, and the length of many timeshare contracts is enough to scare off buyers. So more likely than not, you won’t get that copy you respectfully requested.
Regardless whether you get a copy or not, you’ll probably want to leave at this point. Yet the sales process has yet to go through the gauntlet of sales techniques used at these presentations. So be prepared for these timeshare sales people to stall or change the subject away from the requested documentation.
They may ask why you need it since there is a rescission period during which you can cancel your contract. You can respond by saying that you’d be more comfortable taking the contract to your lawyer, or that for large purchases at presentation-style sales meetings, you feel that its necessary to take precautions and get your lawyer involved before committing to a decision.
Don’t worry if you don’t really have a lawyer. If you feel guilty about fibbing to the timeshare sales people, just know that you probably know someone who knows a lawyer, or happens to be one and wouldn’t mind acting as your lawyer.
The beauty of this objection is that you aren’t really saying “No” to buying a timeshare, just that you want to take the time to investigate it properly. Sales people are trained to overcome “No” responses. They may even be able to overcome the “Take the documents out of the room” objection as well, but it’s definitely not as easy a task because it’s not heard as much as “I can’t afford it” or “I don’t take enough vacations.”
So keep this tip in mind the next time you find yourself at a timeshare presentation. Remember, if you REALLY want a buy a timeshare, purchasing a timeshare in the presentation room is the most expensive place to do it. Try your best to walk out of the room as soon as you can, but be prepared to stay a while. Even the most effective objection won’t get you through quickly.