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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.

The timeshare industry has also acquired the reputation of the used car industry in terms of the selling tactics they employ. It often begins with an invitation to a presentation offering you an expensive gift. When you actually attend, it turns out to be a high-pressure sales session reminiscent of a used car dealer who doesn't want you to walk out the door unless you sign a paper. And the "expensive gift" often turns out to be a mere gimmick. And people have to go through the trauma of sitting through the presentation which goes on for two hours. But as per the law, people are supposed to be informed about the length of the time they have to sit before receiving a free gift. Also, they must be informed about the physical condition of the facility. The timeshare companies are also legally prohibited from misrepresenting the market value of the timeshare property. They are also not to misinform you about the resale or exchange potential of the timeshare property.

The law also prohibits timeshare companies from omitting any oral promises that were made before the purchase of the property in the written contract. Likewise, they may not include any kind of fees that were never mentioned orally. The rules may vary from state to state. Some states also have a "cool-off period" (usually of two weeks) to allow you to cancel your contract should you change your mind.

But these rights aren't the only matter to consider. You should also ask yourself questions like: is this particular timeshare the perfect fit for you? Did you or someone you trust go on location to inspect the facility? Have you checked for complaints by previous owners at the Better Business Bureau? Have you had the opportunity to talk to current owners of the timeshare property? And what are your plans for the timeshare: do you plan to rent it out, or to resell it? How often do you think you will visit this vacation site before you want to go somewhere new? All of these answers should be clear in your mind before coming to a decision on whether or not to buy a timeshare property. You don't want to put money down on a unit that isn't truly your dream vacation destination!