Ignorance of their legal rights is one of the main reasons people fall into the traps of scams and frauds. When signing a contract or agreement, is is always crucial to be aware of your rights, and the timeshare industry is certainly no exception. This industry, like any other, is subject to unscrupulous tactics. In fact, examples are plentiful of people being tricked into the purchase of a timeshare only to find that the property is below the standard that they were led to expect. In some situations, the property might even be nonexistent. In this article, you will find tips to remember when shopping for a timeshare.

We must first understand the different types of timeshare plans. There are basically two types. A deeded and titled timeshare and the second one are right-to-use (also as called license-to-use timeshares). A deeded and titled timeshare means the buyer owns the timeshare and acquires a specific facility for a specified length of time each year, for a specified number of years (generally 40 years) and a deed. A right-to-use timeshare means the buyer has the right to acquire all the above mentioned things except the deed (i.e., title). A deeded timeshare is inheritable whereas a right-to-use timeshare is like a lease which expires after certain number of years.

People working in the timeshare industry have taken to employing shady tactics in order to hook prospective clients so that they can give them the full whammy of their sales pitch. As a consumer, your first experience with this type of a salesperson might arrive in your mail as an exclusive invitation to a presentation about timeshares. You are told that those who attend will receive an expensive gift. Of course, the minute you accept the invitation and attend the presentation, you'll be swept into a high-powered sales pitch much like you'd expect from a car salesman who is pushing you to buy. This presentation may go on for as long as two hours in sometimes pretty horrific surroundings, during which time you'll be pummeled and harassed every way possible to try and coerce you to buy. People endure the trauma because of the promised gift. Unfortunately, the gift turns out to be nothing but a gimmick, and you'll have listened to all the sales spiel to receive junk. There are laws governing such presentation which include notifying you in advance of the length of time you'll be expected to stay and the physical condition of the building where the presentation is being held. Timeshare companies are also prohibited by law from misleading you about the market value of the timeshare or the potential for resale or exchange.

Timeshare companies are not allowed, when the contract is written, to omit promises made orally before the property was purchased. They also may not include fees that were not originally discussed. Each state has different rules. There are also states which have a "cooling-off" period (typically two weeks) that give you time to change your mind and cancel your contract if you wish to do so.

Apart from these rights, one should also consider things such as do you really want to buy this particular timeshare? Did you personally check out the facility or at least have someone go and check it out for you? Did you contact the Better Business Bureau to learn if any complaints had been filed? Did you talk to existing owners in the timeshare property? Do you plan to rent it? Do you plan on reselling it? Do you plan on exchanging vacation sites frequently? The answers of all these questions should be discovered before making a final decision about buying a timeshare. Only then you will know if the unit in question truly is your dream vacation destination.