Mention timeshare and eyebrows be raised. Although there are many happy users of timeshare, there are many more who think it is nothing more than a scam. The extreme marketing methods employed by the timeshare marketers is largely to be blamed and they have caused many unwilling and reluctant buyers to plonk money for something they never wanted and may never be happy using. Inevitably, these people, if they did not manage to get refund, would be soon looking for ways to sell their timeshare.

These timeshare companies often promise all kinds of help to get the resort you want and promise to secure the best airfares but often over-promise and undeliver. Unable to get the resorts they prefer and frustrated with the lack of help and support, many genuine customers also begin to look for buyers for their timeshare.

To add fuel to fire, some groups of unscrupulous scammers began looking for ways to further victimise these timeshare victims by making them cough up unrefundable deposits, legal fees, upfront fees and so on with their over-promises and non-delivery.

To Sell Or Not To Sell Your Timeshare?

Before you sell your timeshare, you should seriously consider why you want to sell it. Did you buy because

1. You love travelling?

2. Do you like or don't mind staying for a week in one location?

3. You like a leisurely holiday?

4. Do you enjoy being familiar with the place?

5. You feel at home when the staff recognize you and call you by name?

6. Would you like to have the facilities of serviced apartments?

7. Would you like to have the flexibility to exchange to over 3000 resorts and condominiums worldwide?

If your answers are yes to most of the questions above, it looks like you will be able to enjoy your timeshare ownership very much. You might want to reconsider selling it and look for someone who can help you benefit from your ownership instead.

Take Note Of These Before You Sell Your Timeshare

Taking note of the following before you sell your timeshare will save you a lot of tears and headaches.

1. Be patient. It can take very long to sell your timeshare. If you're in urgent need, you will most likely need to sell at a big loss.

2. If you bought your timeshare thinking it can be a good investment, change your thinking immediately. Buying a timeshare is not unlike buying a car - it is good to use but the resale value is seldom, if ever, higher than the originial selling price. If you can sell your timeshare for 20% to 50% of the price you bought, before factoring in legal, administrative and marketing costs, it should be considered a reasonable deal. If you own a premium unit with many years left, you might be able to sell for up to 85% of the original price even.

3. Be careful. Be very careful. If anyone calls you to say they can sell your timeshare for you at the original price or better, of if they sound a little too enthusiastic, run. They are most likely scammers in disguise.

4. There are many resellers and brokers around. Take a look and compare them first before committing to any one of them. Very importantly, do not give anyone any deposits to help you sell your timeshare. The commissions and other costs of these brokers and resellers also vary so be sure to compare them first.

5. Don't bother with appraisals or valuations. It's just another way for people to make even more money out of timeshare owners. It's pretty easy to find transaction values of other sellers of other units in your resort on the internet.