An Author Wednesday Interview with Lisa Ann Schreier, author of “Surviving A Timeshare Presentation…Confessions From The Sales Table” and “Timeshare Vacations For Dummies”

“Surviving A Timeshare Presentation…Confessions From The Sales Table” and “Timeshare Vacations For Dummies” are the only two books of consumer information about timeshare written by a former timeshare salesperson.  The books are neither pro- nor anti-timeshare, but decidedly pro-educated consumer. Because the information is unbiased and independent and Ms. Schreier does not sell, buy, rent, broker, list, transfer or represent any timeshare or any timeshare company, the consumer is able to get the real story without fear of being swayed  one way or another.

Q:Thanks for the interview.  Can we begin by having you tell us a bit about yourself and how long you’ve been working in and writing about this topic?
You’re very welcome, thanks for inviting me to be part of such a distinguished group of authors.  I started in the timeshare industry in late 1998, knowing NOTHING about it. I transitioned to sales and sales management in 2000 and remained there until 2005 when The Timeshare Crusader came into being.  I now write and educate consumers on the ins and out, pros and cons of timeshare as well as striving to be a catalyst for positive change in the industry.

Q:What’s your new book about? Why did you write it?  What main message will readers take away from it?
Timeshare!  I wrote it because from the start, I thought that a two-hour sales pitch was the wrong way to both sell and buy something as important about timeshare.  People are buying it when they shouldn’t and even more people aren’t buying it because they are scared or misinformed.  The main message is that timeshare can be a wonderful thing for some people if they know what questions to ask and how to use it properly.

Q:What inspired you to write this book?
During the time that I was a timeshare salesperson, I became increasingly frustrated by the whole “2-hour sales pitch and free attraction tickets” method of selling timeshare.  I would not buy something that costly based on a two-hour sales pitch without doing some research.  When I looked to see what was out there, I was stunned to find out that there wasn’t much of anything.  I saw the niche and I filled it.

Q: What were some of the greatest discoveries, lessons or finding you came across while doing research and writing this book?
Sadly, in the beginning it was a tough road that I laid out for myself.  The traditional timeshare industry saw me as someone who was anti-timeshare (which I am not) and some timeshare owners saw me as pro-developer (which I am not.)  Thankfully, it has gotten much better now and I find myself being embraced by both consumers and the industry.

Q:What do you feel sets your book apart from others in the same genre?
Surprisingly enough, there are no other books about timeshare expressly written for consumers.

Q:What are 5 things everyone should know in your area of expertise?
1)Timeshare is not an investment

2) Its important to do your homework before buying any timeshare

3) Don’t rush into anything

4) Don’t believe everything you hear—pro or con

5) Stay away from the words FREE, PERFECT, ALWAYS and NEVER—free and perfect don’t exist and always and never are exceedingly long periods of time

Q:What does your typical day look like?
Keeping up to date with the news of the industry, answering e-mails from consumers, blogging and writing to the mainstream media about the importance of getting the right news out there.

Q:If someone were a complete newbie when it comes to the topic of your book, what are some steps they could take to dive in and get more educated in this area?  (Besides your book of course!)
Timeshare Insights’ motto this year for consumers is “Educate Yourself, Open Your Mind and Get Involved.”  That goes for owners and non-owners as well.  Talk to people who own timeshare, don’t settle for one source of information, ask questions of everyone.

Q:If you could write 1 Golden Rule to take away from your book, what would it be and why?:
Timeshare is “ownership”…there are privileges and responsibilities that come with ownership.  Educate yourself.

Q:What other resources to your book would you recommend to people to learn more about this area?
If you own a timeshare, you should absolutely belong to or even start a timeshare owners group.  I can recommend the National Timeshare Owners Group as well as the Florida Timeshare Owners Group.  Additionally, Timesharing Today has superb information.

Q:What are some of your current projects you’ve been working on in this field?
In addition to writing “Timeshare By The Numbers-A Guide For Consumers”, I’m working on an interview series with important and influential people in the timeshare industry and continuing to teach timeshare to both college students and consumer groups.  I also just started a professional relationship with Sharetime, the leading timeshare publication in the UK.

Q:Thank you for the interview Lisa. Would you like to share where we can find out on the web and how we can buy your book?
Absolutely.  http://www/timeshareinsights.com.  The books are available directly on the website and you can find out about consulting services as well.

About the Author: Lisa Ann Schreier, The Timeshare Crusader, is a thought leader known for her passion and outspoken stance on timeshare.  Believing that an educated consumer is the timeshare industry’s best friend, she writes about timeshare and related issues.  In addition to her first two books, she is the co-author of the college level text, “Timeshare Management-The Key Issues for Hospitality Managers” and is a frequent speaker to consumer groups nationwide. She is presently working on her next book for consumers, due out in 2011. She can be reached through her website, http://www/timeshareinsights.com where links to her blog, Facebook page and Twitter accounts can be found. 

Lisa Ann Schreier
The Timeshare Crusader
Thought Leader, Author, Speaker
www.timeshareinsights.com
Facebook.com/timeshare.insights
Twitter @timeshareauthor
www.thetimesharecrusader.blogspot.com