Why do people buy timeshare, and why do owners stay members despite rising fees?

Timeshare is now often viewed by holiday experts and financial advisers as an outdated, restrictive option that rarely stacks up financially. So why did so many people buy timeshare in the first place — and why do some owners still stay members today?

The original appeal of timeshare ownership

Even if timeshare looks like a poor deal now, it did solve a genuine problem for many holidaymakers in the 1980s and 1990s.

Do you remember the “Holidays from Hell” stories on the news? Many Brits would book a dream break, only to arrive and find a building site or accommodation that was nothing like the brochure promised.

Against that backdrop, paying a large upfront sum to a timeshare resort could feel like a way to “lock in” a reliable standard and avoid nasty surprises.

But the travel industry has moved on. Today you can check independent reviews on TripAdvisor, compare prices, and book with far more confidence. You can even stay in some timeshare complexes via sites like Booking.com — often for less than owners pay in annual fees.

Timeshare touts and constant pressure

Anyone who holidayed in Spain, Portugal or the Canaries in the 1990s will remember the timeshare touts who stopped people on the way to the beach. These commission-only OPCs simply did not know when to give up.

They were paid well for getting holidaymakers into presentations, and many did not care how they achieved it — including lying, offering “free” car hire, bribing with cigarettes and duty-free alcohol, and more. Some even used fake scratch-cards to convince people they had won a prize.

Plenty of people eventually gave in and agreed to a tour. But that often didn’t end the hassle. Once you’d attended one presentation, you could be seen as an easy target, with more touts pushing you towards yet another resort.

A polished sales process that worked

It can seem baffling that intelligent people could go from a firm “no” to signing on the dotted line so quickly. But many timeshare companies used a highly refined sales process designed to get results.

It has been widely reported on, and typically involves a sales agent building enough trust to get honest answers about what’s gone wrong with your holiday — then using those answers against you during the presentation.

Nothing was said by accident. The salespeople were not your friend, and their priority was commission, not your best interests.

If many customers could see how they were spoken about after the sale — and how some teams viewed them as easy prey — they would feel deeply disappointed and upset.

Why timeshare owners keep their membership

It’s human nature to defend past decisions, even when we suspect we got it wrong. Admitting a mistake can feel embarrassing — and no one wants to feel like a fool.

For many timeshare owners, rising maintenance charges and other changes arrive in small steps, spread over years. That can make it harder to spot how much the deal has shifted — or to notice that non-members may now access similar resorts for less.

There’s also the effort involved. Challenging a resort can take time, persistence and confidence. For some people, it feels easier to accept the situation than to face conflict.

Many owners don’t realise they may be able to leave

Many timeshare owners assume their contract is set in stone. When they realise they paid a lot to join and that annual fees can cost more than a like-for-like holiday each year — or when ongoing maintenance becomes unaffordable — they may regret signing up.

While you can relinquish a contract, the reality is that professional assistance is often needed.

For anyone who bought timeshare in Spain in 1999 or after, consumer laws may also mean your contract is illegal. Not only could you be able to exit the agreement, but you could even claim a large amount in compensation.

Who can you trust for timeshare exit and claims?

For owners who want to leave their timeshare and pursue compensation, there’s another major hurdle: trust.

Unfortunately, fraudulent claims companies are numerous. The fear of losing even more money to scammers is a very real concern — and it’s another reason many members end up doing nothing.

It’s important to work with a company that is both honest and capable of delivering results. Without that confidence, there’s little incentive to take action.

There are practical ways to do your checks. Start by reading reviews on TrustPilot or Google reviews to get a clearer picture of the experiences that other consumers have had.

You can also use comparison sites and consumer associations that offer free guidance. Video reviews from real customers can be another helpful sign when you’re researching.

If you would like confidential advice on your options as a timeshare owner, contact our friendly advisers at the Timeshare Advice Centre today.