Timeshare Tips

Eric and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary with a trip to Wisconsin Dells. We love the perks of vacation ownership, i.e. our timeshare. We have our choice of apartment-like accommodations around the world that usually include a kitchen, whirlpool tub, and laundry. We make vacation a priority for our family and we love every minute of it.

On the flip side, we learned a few tricks since our purchase almost 6 years ago.

1) Research the resale market before paying full price from the resort.

2) If you are on a points system, travel Sun-Thu to squeeze the most vacation out of your timeshare.

3) Avoid member updates, member surveys, free tickets & dinners, etc. All of these equal "sales presentation" (even if you already own.)

4) When the member services person wants to book your member survey, just say no. When she offers a $50 dinner voucher, just say no again.

5) When the parking pass person wants to drop off your free gift, see #3 & 4.

6) When the concierge asks if you've been offered a $50 dinner voucher, see #3, 4 & 5.

7) When the phone rings, do not answer it and see #3, 4, 5 & 6.

8) If you don't waste the sales office's time, they won't waste your hard-earned vacation time.

9) Relax and enjoy

10) Review this list before any timeshare experience lest you fall prey to a hungry salesperson.

All kidding aside, we had a blast on our vacation. We played in the indoor water parks, slept in, watched TV, lounged around, ate, shopped, and discovered Culver's frozen custard. (If there is ice cream in heaven, it will be a Culver's Bananas Foster sundae.) The only thing missing was Noah, who enjoyed his week at home with Mom Mom & Pop Pop.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net