My husband and I bought our first Timeshare with Monarch Grands Vacations 15 years ago.  We could not afford it, but we succumbed to the brow beating, exhausting 6 hour manhandling and the clincher- promises that we could use the points to exchange them and travel anywhere we wanted.  As our "home resort" was Las Vegas, this was a great selling feature and did turn out to be true.  What was not disclosed was the deception and fraudulent claims by the exchange company, Interval International.  They did/do not have vacation rentals available and you pay large sums each year and spend hours upon hours on the telephone to be told that. I tried for two years to get a unit in Lake Tahoe for winter and they ended up giving me one in the Nevada desert!  It cost me time and money to undo that fiasco.  I have dealt with RCI and they are much better, although they, too have limited inventory.  I have found through my research that the Timeshares are renting out their property for regular use, thus it is not available for owners or exchange.  We compounded our headaches two years ago by purchasing a Timeshare with Sunterra.  They hooked us with the promise that we could transfer our points from the first timeshare to them each year, thus giving us more flexibility for travel (and we would not need an exchange company).  On paper it is great, however, the other promise they made, i.e. that 'we could call ahead to the resort on our way there and get a room", has made this benefit nul and void.  With Sunterra most resorts are on a one year waiting list- worldwide.  Dealing with them is difficult as you must first go through a switchboard in India that does not relay messages to anyone.

Now, for tips.  You do not need to sit through 6 hours of presentations.  Set your alarm watch.  At the end of the time they designated, when your alarm goes off:

1. Thank the presenter for their time

2. Tell them you will consider their offer

3. Ask for whatever gifts you were promised

4. Leave!  They cannot deny you these and you must be firm.

Tip 2 - Check out on EBAY or anywhere on the Internet before you think of buying a timeshare.  There are lots of places to buy-great deals and lots of red flag dialog going on about what to look out for.

Timeshares are great for the amenities- we do like the luxury, but have learned now how to reap the benefits.  Research, research, research.