USA Today article about Timeshares: mentions TUG (and others)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money...are-fees-sell-walk-away-donate-exit/84927468/

not thrilled that it actually suggests using an exit company...but at least it warns against paying large upfront fees!

It's a shame this article only talks about the downsides to timeshare ownership, and having "buyer's remorse." Almost any timeshare can be used or traded for a nice resort stay somewhere, if you know how.

Of course, there are some situations where a person just can't vacation or just can't afford their timeshare. Still, I'd bet there would be a lot less "buyer's remorse" if people had better information on how to get the maximum benefit from their timeshares.

But, I'm biased -- I just acquired two more timeshares in the last two days, and am hoping to get a third. (I say I am "acquiring" these timeshares, not buying them, because I'm not paying anything, other than a modest closing fee.)

A brief explanation of Exit Team's tactics. Bombard the HOA with endless legal threats and paperwork until they cave.

Sleaze balls.

JudyS said:

It's a shame this article only talks about the downsides to timeshare ownership, and having "buyer's remorse." Almost any timeshare can be used or traded for a nice resort stay somewhere, if you know how.

Of course, there are some situations where a person just can't vacation or just can't afford their timeshare. Still, I'd bet there would be a lot less "buyer's remorse" if people had better information on how to get the maximum benefit from their timeshares.

But, I'm biased -- I just acquired two more timeshares in the last two days, and am hoping to get a third. (I say I am "acquiring" these timeshares, not buying them, because I'm not paying anything, other than a modest closing fee.)

Click to expand...

We have been timeshare owners for 27 years and we have had many wonderful vacations at some great resorts. However we really aren't that interested in timeshare vacations anymore. We have always done many non-timeshare vacations as well.

We like the flexibility of staying in nice 4* hotels and all the services they offer. We never cook any meals on vacation whether we are in a timeshare or not so a kitchen is not a big deal.

People's preferences change and not everybody likes to vacation in a condo. We do like the Mexican upscale resorts because they do offer all the services. It is just that we aren't very interested in traveling to Mexico anymore.

We plan to get rid of our timeshares and do strictly non-timeshare vacations. I currently have 8 weeks at SFX to use up or I may just sell all or some of them.

John Cummings said:

...
People's preferences change and not everybody likes to vacation in a condo...

Click to expand...

True, there are many other vacation options -- RVs, upscale hotels, cruises, etc.

Still, people who bought a timeshare probably liked the concept at the time they bought. Many of them were staying in a timeshare when they did their tour. But, lots of timeshare owners have no idea how to use their timeshare. They don't even know it's possible to get better use from one. That's what I wish the article had mentioned.

TUGBrian said:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money...are-fees-sell-walk-away-donate-exit/84927468/

not thrilled that it actually suggests using an exit company...but at least it warns against paying large upfront fees!

Click to expand...

Brian, that looks to me more like a paid advertisement than a straight news article. The popup nature is the first clue. The byline, "Nicholas Clement, special for USA TODAY" is the second clue. The surprisingly appropriate sidebar ads are the third clue. Recommending only one or two companies in each category (Sub Trust, Magnify Money, Timeshare Exit Team) is the fourth clue.

Did you notice (at the bottom) that Nick Clements is the co-founder of Magnify Money, the company that he recommends, and also (at the top) the author of the article? Given that he's writing the article to promote his own company, he's surprisingly even-handed by mentioning TUG, eBay, Redweek, and Craigslist. But don't mistake this infomercial with an actual USA TODAY article.

it is possible, but its not terribly uncommon for large papers these days to use article submitted by those other than actual paid columnists etc.

it does show up as a legitimate article on usa todays page when you search for timeshares:

http://www.usatoday.com/search/timeshare/