Last week, we talked about some of the bottom-feeders of the timeshare cancellation industry that prefer to hunt on social media for prey. Nearly anyone can set up a lead generation business online and Facebook makes it even easier to do so. The simple fact that predatory agencies have an ability to target and communicate with most timeshare owners at any given point in time is concerning to say the least. Online promotions and ads for timeshare relief can be extremely luring for unhappy owners. Especially when they’re desperate for a way to escape their timeshare agreement.
When you think about it, most expensive decisions are rarely made without much thought. Buying a house or even a car is hardly ever a weekend activity. Even planning a family activity isn’t something most can do in a couple of hours. But the timeshare industry operates differently. To most consumers, limited-time-offers alter their intuition. It’s one of the reasons why so many people let timeshare sales teams talk them into an unhealthy $20K+ purchase to begin with.
When a remorseful vacation owner comes across a promising social media ad for a solution to their timeshare problem, it can be appealing. But it’s not always enough to convince them. Most have learned their lesson and will avoid making another impulse decision. While high percentages of online users make small Facebook purchases here and there, it’s highly unlikely they’ll ever hand over thousands of dollars for a vague solution on social media.
Money and Influence Control Exit Market.
At the end of the day, the aggressive nature of the sale is what eventually persuades timeshare owners to pay for an exit strategy. While social media is a good tool to capture attention, follow-up sales tactics are what usually seal the deal. This requires a plan of higher complexity. One that usually involves multiple conspirators, timeshare owner information and a digital presence that is far greater than a Facebook page.
This is why it’s important to understand that the exit industry – especially in the aftermath of the Coronavirus – is a whole different ball game. Far too often, vacation owners are led to believe that someone is finally listening to them; that someone can help – but this is a dangerous time to be taking a company’s word for it without verifying the information. Millions of people are desperate for an income right now.
Truth be told, thousands of criminals scour the timeshare marketplace. They’ve already proven to be willing to tell you anything in order to convince you to hand over a few thousand dollars. Today, timeshare owners are more vulnerable than ever. Especially those facing financial difficulties. The more money these companies make, the more they’ll flood the marketplace – and advertisements that speak to a need are hard to ignore.
How Did Timesharing Get to This Point?
Limited offers and broken promises is why the timeshare industry has turned into a gold mine for greed-filled predators. This is why so many former timeshare employees continue victimizing vacation owners, even after they’ve been let go by the resort. Whether they turn to Facebook on their own or join a larger group of conspirators for leads, they’re looking for a fast return. It’s what they know best.
Fortunately, a lack of resources (like mentioned last week) keeps most greedy salespeople from gaining much traction. It’s the cunning crowd you need to watch out for. They usually protrude a convincing fasad and possess an authority that’s predicated on success or fame. Don’t let them play you for a fool and hold onto your money. During this pandemic, it’s important you make the best decisions for you and your family.
In most cases, it’s easy to find holes in a sales pitch or identify poor character traits. All you need to do is look. Now that we’ve covered the least of your worries, let’s see how damaging lead generation websites can really be.
Generating More Leads With A Better Presentation.
In last week’s article, we took some time to explain how relief companies pay a third party contractor for lead generation. Whether they’re former timeshare salespeople or online influencers, exit companies enjoy spreading out their nets. The problem with this is lead generators act as if they’re managing the process when they’re not. Some even go to great lengths to act as if they’re delivering results for vacation owners. In reality, they’re simply selling data to a number of third party vendors that know you want to get out of a timeshare contract.
Some of the companies we’ve come across over the past few months put a lot of money towards eliminating doubt. Lead generation sites do everything they can to get timeshare owners to trust them. Whether that be creating videos about timeshare ownership or paying for likes, shares and reviews; they’re cunning in their ability to persuade. As the internet continues to evolve, it’s concerning to see consumers manipulated by fabricated notoriety and aggressive sales tactics.It’s almost as if we’re losing our ability to think for ourselves anymore.
Nonetheless, if you plan on shopping in the timeshare exit realm during this time, we urge you to proceed with caution. One contact form submission can eventually turn into a bombardment of phone calls and emails. No matter how good some of these guys and gals seem, it’s important that you don’t simply give them a chance because they have 5 star reviews. Do your due diligence and make sure you’re not causing yourself further frustration.
How to Inspect Timeshare Relief Websites.
First and foremost, you have to know who you’re contacting. If an individual is offering the solutions, then research them. View their online profiles and look at their work history on Linkedin. Take the time to ensure the person is trustworthy with a solid reputation. This is the easiest way to identify former timeshare salespeople. If there are lapses in their work history or life, then that should raise questions, right? It’s not like you’re simply buying a pack of toilet paper here.
There are also some simple ways you can inspect the website for red flags. If there are third party ads and links to other websites, it’s a good sign the site is more focused on revenue. One of the best things you can do is hover your mouse over the “submit button” on one of the website’s forms to see where the link goes (in the bottom left of your browser). You can also inspect links by right clicking on them.
Online pages that redirect you through a series of tracking parameters or to an entirely different website are no bueno. This absolutely confirms the “provider” is not actually supplying the service. Lead generation sites are more than likely sending your personal information to someone else. When you’re unable to confirm competency, it’s not worth your time. Submitting your information only creates further susceptibility and gives nearly anyone a chance to charm you with what you really want to hear.
How Access To Your Data Can Be Costly.
When you think about it, selling a service you don’t actually provide is extremely shameful. Nothing about this promotes reliability. It’s like talking to a phony mechanic about your car for hours; then having no problem with him selling the work to the highest bidder. Maybe he even lets them all take a stab at it. If you’re acting as if you provide relief services – or even lying about credentials you don’t exactly have – then it’s wrong. Most people would probably reconsider the transaction, or at least ask a few more questions, if they knew lies were involved.
With that being said, it’s important that you understand some of these websites can be very deceiving. If you look hard enough, you can tell if someone is chasing opportunity or has bigger motives. A lack of ethics is typically traceable by means of in-person or online interactions. Somebody that’s willing and able to help vacation owners is going to be able to prove they’re consistently doing just that.
When the passion or competency isn’t even evident, how can they actually guarantee or promise you anything. These lead generation sites simply paint a facade so they can collect your data and cut ties. Whoever they’re in bed with usually takes over the communication from there. This typically begins with renting opportunities, then resale programs, ending with an overwhelming amount of cancellation options. By this time, most owners forget who they contacted to begin with. In the meantime, these websites are using earnings to broaden their nets. Phony review sites do the same.
What You Pay Lead Generation Sites For.
The more relief programs that a vacation owner signs up for, the more the lead generator earns. It’s a disturbing transaction that takes place across a number of online industries. But this is how the timeshare industry works. The longer an owner remains under contract, the longer all parties make money. Sadly, this cycle continues for many owners. During this pandemic, we can only hope it doesn’t get worse.
If you’re considering getting rid of your timeshare then it’s important that you don’t simply settle for who you think the best option is. Oftentimes, the companies that owners initially find are those spending the most on advertising and marketing. Take the time to inspect review platforms and research different blog topics to see what the company is really all about. If you’re unable to find consistency anywhere then you have to cross them off your list.
When you fall into a scam, you could be waiting for a resolution for months, assuming the financial burden would be gone, only to find out you’re still under contract. On top of that, you’ve lost thousands more only to worsen the problem. Getting out of your timeshare is a big deal. It’s not something you can take lightly. Finding a company that’s been in business for more than three years and following the remaining steps on our infographic will really help you with this decision. Lead generation sites are only the beginning.
