Now, about that time share…

I never told you about our beach trip. As Nick predicted, it was very nice. The accommodations we were given was not in any way fancy. But it wasn’t bad. We weren’t on the beach, but there was a nice pool and the place was clean and it was free – so I had no complaints.

We ate well! I got a Napoleon to bring back to the room the first night and I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. I do love them! 

The next day we did a little looking in a few store. I got a new base-ball cap and Nick a new shirt. Then we took a long walk on the beach. Nick got up each morning to see and take pictures of the sunrise – not me, I’ve already see one. We even played putt-putt for the first time since the kids were little.

Soon enough it was time to go to the dreaded time share showing. From the group of people we saw the time-share people were definitely going after the retired crowed. They called us old farts back one couple at a time to meet our salesman. Agreeable looking fellow. They served us pizza and soda. He asked us if we enjoyed traveling. I told him the truth – no. I’m perfectly happy at our home. But Nick told him we did some traveling.

Then we were off to see the places accommodations. They were really nice. I swear the baths were as large as our smallest bedroom here at home. Master had a king size bed, second bedroom had two double beds and then there was a pull out sofa. There was a lovely kitchen, new appliances, everything you’d need.

Outside were two pool, one with a lazy river. There were three restaurants on the grounds as well as a clubhouse with an indoor pool, a small gym and a lounge were you could play games and movies were shown in the evening.

As we went into a room to talk details the salesman explained to us how we could exchange our week there – a prime location, for two week somewhere else. We mentioned a few places we like, Williamsburg, VA for one. He tapped on his phone showing us that if we chose to go there we could book a week at one of their resorts for under $250 for an entire week. In addition to all that, we would be able to get between 30% and 50% off all airline tickets, hotels and rental cars worldwide.

The price for the two bedroom unit was honestly a good price. The yearly maintenance fee was reasonable and guaranteed not to rise more than 1% a year. Thinking that Mollie would love to have a place to bring all her friends at times I ask about their pet policy and he said it was easy to find pet friendly accommodation.

Nick and I shared a glance. It all didn’t sound all that bad. Even though Nick is working, his schedule is very flexible. We really can travel when we want. To be honest, it sounded like a pretty good deal. Why not?

Well, let me tell you why not. Every word the salesman told us was a bald-face lie! It’s extremely hard to get a reservation to any spot you want to go and never when you want to go. Also there are additional fees hidden throughout. See, on the weekend the ‘owners’ aren’t using them the company can rent them out for a fortune, and they already have your money.  Any discounts on air travel, hotels and rental cars must go through them so you don’t pick flight times or which hotel or probably what kind of car. That way you have no real idea if you’re getting a discount or not. The actual contract that we looked over did not guarantee that the maintenance would go up no more than 1% a year. And there was, in the contract, a strict no pet clause.

My overall advice – if you’re offered a free trip to listen to a time share proposal, go on. We got the free trip and several free meals. But make sure you look up reviews of the company so you have lots to throw back at the sales person and just make sure you last word is, NO!