Timeshare scam?

[rogesse]

Totally ungardening I know but what do you all think of timeshare

I ask because I was accosted by a tout on Paphos seafront 2 weeks ago. I have visited Cyprus on an off since I was 12yrs and every year for the last 8yrs (expat family) and had never been stopped - what's wrong with me, too scruffy, too poor looking?

So, we thought we'd go along for a laugh. The sell was very hard and a 90min presentation turned into several hours before I put my foot down (how many apartments can you look at).

Hubby was actually quite keen and agreed to terms, but thankfully we didn't part with any money or banking details.

The timeshare concerned as called the Lion Vacation Club who operate using scratch cards - has anybody heard of them, are they legit?

any advice please

Jane

Any

[Hilary B]

If you can't find them on the 'net, I would leave them alone. Do you actually WANT a timeshare, entitling you to the use of the place for certain weeks every year? Work out what you really want, and then decide whether a timeshare will provide it. If you think it will, look for one with a good reputation rather than accept the first one to grab you by the hand and yell "we are wonderful".
Me cynical? YOU BET!

[smallblueplanet]

...I have visited Cyprus on an off since I was 12yrs and every year for the last 8yrs (expat family) ....

The timeshare concerned as called the Lion Vacation Club who operate using scratch cards - has anybody heard of them, are they legit?

any advice please
Jane

If you've family out there why are you looking at timeshare? If you want holiday property couldn't you persuade one of them to 'manage' it whilst you weren't there?

Anyway all you have to do is google for 'Lion Resorts'

Lion Resorts holiday club - Holiday Watchdog

Lion Resorts Vacation Club - Cyprus, Greece, Egypt : Timeshare Staff Recruitment - Worldwide Sales, Marketing, Management & Admin Jobs

Home - Lion Resorts Vacation Club Cyprus, Zante, Thailand & Egypt

If its what you want, shop around, get professional advice. I totally understand you wanting somewhere in Cyprus its a fab place but don't get 'pressured' out of your hard-earned cash.

[Mikey]

My parents have had a timeshare for the last 14 years, they purchased it here in this country for a hotel in Malta. They part own 3 weeks with an RCI accredited membership. RCI are pretty hot to be honest they have thousands of property throughout the world, in every location imaginable I'm not sure whether the ones you are looking at are but if they are you can be assured they are legit.

One word of caution with timeshare, do not buy one thinking you are going to save money as you are not. All it really does is ensure you take regular holidays in self catering apartments which are of a good standard. You have to pay ground rent and maintenance every year which is a couple hundred quid, you have to buy your flight tickets every time you go, and be expected to be badgered every so often to upgrade.

That said I know my parents have been glad they got theirs and we occasionally tag along for a break.

[seasprout]

Why dont you contact your local Trading Standards for advice.
That's what they are there for.

[Mikey]

Well reading through the blurb by SBP they do appear bogus, they don't actually use any affiliated companies logos which I always feel is a little suspect. I had a look through the RCI website at RCI.com, and the only properties listed on there by Lion Resorts actually belong to these guys klrhotels so I guess there is a good case for them not being legit.

[rogesse]

Thanks all -I'll not be parting with any dosh.

SBP - it was the 'promise' of hols other than Cyprus that grabbed hubby but that appears to be only for full RCI members (RCI seems perfectly respectable) - I had looked at those websites so thank you for confirming my doubts.

Mikeywills your comments are especially useful, The Lion Club claim full affiliation with RCI which I seriously doubt. I hate people trying to con me

Thanks you cynical lot! - Jane

[JanieB]

Totally ungardening I know but what do you all think of timeshare

I ask because I was accosted by a tout on Paphos seafront 2 weeks ago. I have visited Cyprus on an off since I was 12yrs and every year for the last 8yrs (expat family) and had never been stopped - what's wrong with me, too scruffy, too poor looking?

So, we thought we'd go along for a laugh. The sell was very hard and a 90min presentation turned into several hours before I put my foot down (how many apartments can you look at).

Hubby was actually quite keen and agreed to terms, but thankfully we didn't part with any money or banking details.

The timeshare concerned as called the Lion Vacation Club who operate using scratch cards - has anybody heard of them, are they legit?

any advice please

Jane

Any

From another Jane, there are superb properties for sale near Paphos without buying "timeshares". If you can find the cash you would be better off investmently buying somewhere and letting it to a local hotel or someone like Thomsons as self-catering, keeping a (specified) week or two for your own use.

As of three years ago, the offer my OH and I had was £9000 a year, and we could still use our own property.

We were really happy with this as the income would enable us to visit other parts of the world instead of being stuck with Cyprus every year and/or both.

[borage]

We bought timeshare in spain but only after speaking to someone who had experience of timeshare and owned a few weeks. My advice would be if you are prepared to buy and keep the timeshare go ahead, but look at resales as they work out cheaper. Also check out the maintenance fees as they can make the weeks expensive. If however you are thinking of buying, using for a few years and selling on, forget it. Timeshare weeks are extremely difficult to get rid of if you change your mind.