· Having been in exactly the same circumstances with a different company but the same spiel, and having attended the presentation just to get the holiday (which we didn't take up - too many limitations), I will say this: the presentation will try to sell you holiday weeks, linked to RCI points, that you can use in RCI resorts all over the world (hence not 'timeshare'). It will portray this package as the best deal of your life, and will imply that you are one of the lucky few to have this opportunity. It will tell you that if you are interested, you must sign at the end, without sleeping on it, or the deal is off.
However tempted you are, whatever they promise, don't sign. When we went, I bought the spiel and was ready to sign, but my husband wasn't (don't go on your own unless you are very strong willed). Fortunately we didn't sign and within 24 hours we had discovered via the web that the same deal was readily available to anyone for considerably less than we had been quoted at the presentation. Why else are they so keen for people to sign on the night?
There is also a very useful, independent website run by the Timeshare Consumers Association, providing advice and information - I recommended you take a look.
Emma Windred
· A couple of weeks ago I too learned that I had "won" a free holiday in the sun, all flights paid, four-star accomodation, etc. It was not a timeshare, nor holiday village property sales. All I had to do was to attend a two-hour presentation where the representative would tell me all about these wonderful holidays. Yes, she would send written information. I could check the internet address - goldcrownresorts.com. Which I did.
The first time, this came up with a site totally dedicated to time share links. The second time, a heading about "Endless weeks". The written information never arrived. A call to the Trading Standards Authority revealed a loophole in timeshare legislation which could be exploited: all this is indeed timeshares in disguise. I decided not to attend the meeting.
Meredith Kemp
