Timeshare has come a long way since the slick, fast-talking time-share salesman. While he may no longer wear a plaid leisure suit, he remains focused on the sale, and will do everything in his power to convert your interest into a hearty commission. Some salespeople talk, talk and talk, and never listen to the client - this way they can give their pitch without getting too close. There’s no shortage of dishonest tactics, some posing questions like “Don’t you think your children deserve better?” or other first-class guilt trips involving family, work, and your personal life. To avoid falling for a trick, pay close attention, never let a salesperson tell you what you want, and beware of the “puke price”.

Asking the client to buy is the final step after a good 30-60 minutes of courting. The salesperson will show a price sheet, often with a figure known as the “puke price” because it is so high, it’ll make a client feel nauseated. Shortly after this first price is shown, a sales manager will come in and let the prospective buyer know that this is the price offered to anyone that walks in off the street. The sales manager may then say, “I’m not supposed to show you this . . .” or “We have better accommodations that are going to sell fast . . .” and offer a much cheaper price, which if often referred to as the Nosebleed Drop.

This is all part of the game, and a way for the salespeople to make the interested party feel as though they are privvy to some type of special deal or bargain. It is a tried and true psychological tactic, and is a leading reason why time share sales continue to rise despite more consumer information and education. If you want to avoid the gimmicks, insist up front that you are shown one price only - if they don’t deliver on this, walk away. Always remember that no matter how low a timeshare salesperson goes, you can always find a better deal on the resale market than buying directly from the resort.

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