LETTER FROM CHAIRMAN

January 2014

Let me start my New Year message with a wish that comes from the bottom of my heart. A wish that hopefully spurs you on towards bigger things - in life, your home and the work front. I also wish you will make a sincere attempt at taking your vacation break this year, which means making those early bird bookings, really early.

Having done that, I thought I’d share some New Year advice with prospective customers who could be on that threshold of making a timeshare decision. I’d like to start with what buyers should know about timeshare, before they sign on the dotted line.

This should come as good advice, because vacation ownership (timeshare) is an excellent holiday platform for the family and friends - in exotic destinations in the country and elsewhere in the world. Shifting the horizon further, exchange companies linked to your resort can give you “the world on your planner” – with some very exciting options. Of course, everything comes at a cost as for any "value purchase".

Here’s what you need to know, if you’re new to timeshare

• Please do your homework on the timeshare offering and the company behind it – even before you attend a sales presentation. It is important that you understand both the product and your rights as a customer. With adequate fact finding, you will be better prepared to ask the right questions and have your doubts cleared.
• In India, vacation ownership is marketed by what I call the organized and un-organized sectors. The organized sector has a self-regulated coming-together of timeshare resorts to set up the All India Resort Development Association (AIRDA). The unorganized market has independent players who may not have level playing rules on product quality and customer orientation.
• This is not to say that any resort outside AIRDA is unprofessional – you just might come across resorts that come close. But from a customer’s point of view, it’s really hard to evaluate good from bad, and harder to gain a redressal in case you want fair play on an issue that is not in your favour.
• Another thing you should do as a prospective buyer is decide if you would like to go to the same destination every year - in which case you can choose from single resort companies. If you’d like to explore new and different places each year, look for companies that can offer multiple choices. (You can accumulate three weeks in case you have an overseas resort in mind.)
• After examining the product in terms of locations, size of units and seasonality, you must scrutinize the sales contract document carefully - right down to the fine print. It helps to remember that all services offered by the seller must be in writing. Verbal assurances and freebees are added extras, and these should not be considered as part of the contract.
• As a prospective customer you should also be clear about the total cost-of-tenure on your membership with your home resort. Apart from the basic membership fee, there will be an annual service fee that is billed to you. This varies with the quality of the product, the services and is subject to increase over the years, to cover maintenance and inflationary aspects. In case the resort you have in mind lists other charges (utility fees, for example) you must clarify and compare before going ahead.

I must explain here that all AIRDA member resorts do not charge customers utility fees - many resorts in the country still do and get away with it. In line with international practice, our member resorts are committed to high standards of business ethics and consumer focus.

I always recommend that timeshare buyers educate themselves about the product, the features and offerings, as well as know what their own responsibilities are to keep the membership alive and valid. Our website – www.airda.org – is an excellent source for information – both for end customers and resort owners wanting to part of a larger ethical body.

Prospective customers can also write to us at info@airda.org for more information and a digital copy of the CODE OF ETHICS that AIRDA resort members adhere to.

As a sign off, let me welcome you to the world of timeshare. Though this message underlines some of the more serious aspects, there is a wonderful world out there, for the tourist and vacation seeker. And timeshare is one of the most sensible and exciting ways to do it.

Have a great 2014, and do enjoy yourself.

B. S. Rathor
Chairman, AIRDA