Many companies have purposely and even inadvertently used unethical sales tactics. Many people have become victim to companies focusing only on bringing in new customers and padding their pockets. Timeshare companies are no exception, with some using unethical sales practices to get more vacation homeowners. Here are some tactics that you may have fallen for. Knowing what the most common ones can help keep you from being a victim.
1. Unethical sales practices: Hidden fees are the first example
There are a lot of fees associated with owning a timeshare. But an ethical timeshare company isn’t going to hide this fact nor the amount of the fees from potential buyers. It is in the buyer’s best interest to ask, but these things are easy to overlook if you don’t know what to ask. If you were a victim of hidden timeshare fees, Contact ACA Group About Timeshare Cancellation to get things sorted out.
2. Selling data without permission
To make money, many companies will sell customer and potential customer data to generate more profits. If this is not made clear to consumers, who cannot opt out of selling their data, then it’s unethical. This practice violates individuals’ privacy rights and erodes trust between businesses and their customers, ultimately damaging brand reputation and customer loyalty.
3. False info about the company
Companies should not be misrepresenting themselves to consumers. Not being forthcoming about the company’s ownership, location, origin story, and values are red flags and common unethical sales practices. Claiming to support or not support a cause when the opposite is true is another problem. Nowadays, people want a company’s values to resonate with their own, and purposely misrepresenting itself to take advantage of a particular demographic is unethical.
4. Skipping contract commitment disclosures
Although it is the consumer’s burden to read any contract thoroughly before agreeing and signing it, an ethical company will make them aware of what commitments are in the contract. Failing to do so can lead to lawsuits and a loss of brand authority and confidence with consumers.
5. Lack of transparency in sales is unethical
Timeshare companies have to be transparent. When hosting events, disseminating promotional items, and pursuing potential buyers. Hiding the times and lengths of meetings, the parameters of promotions, and other pertinent information is not the right way to do business. The rules and terms of engagement should be clear and known by all. Hiding certain information may keep a steady stream of new customers, but it will do nothing for retention.
6. Misrepresenting promotions or products
This is also known as false advertising or the bait-and-switch approach. It’s never okay to have a company say one thing and find out later that what you thought was reality is not. For instance, advertising deep discounts without showing the original price is one famous way of misrepresenting products.
7. Scare tactics are unethical sales practices too
Fear-driven marketing works, but it’s highly unethical. In this scenario, a business advertises its products as a solution to consumer fears, and people make purchases thinking they’re avoiding the unpleasant.
If you’ve ever fallen victim to any of these tactics, the good news is that you likely won’t again. The more you know, the more likely you will not fall prey to these advertising traps.
Have you ever come across these unethical sales practices? If so, how did you respond?
#2 is interesting because how would one know that an entity was selling their info?
I assume all do it, and haven’t signed up for any new platforms in years.
I got an Instagram account before FB bought them. I never had and never will have a FB account.
When I got the IG account, I did not have to give my birthday.
Years later, FB says I have to give up my birthday.
Forget it! I’m locked out until I do. I don’t care.
I’ve learned that a company sold my info when I got suspicious emails and followed up. But you’re right that often we won’t know what’s being done with our info, which is scary as heck!
Thank you, Christy, for sharing these unethical business practice. I’ve been experienced most of these, which is becoming more frequent. We need to keep on guard with business transactions.
As the internet and social media grow, so too do the unethical methods, unfortunately. Thanks for your feedback, Linnea
So often the fear factor is “Hurry, this offer is only good for 14 seconds…”
Right! And sometimes there’s a countdown clock. It gets the heart racing and some folks have FOMO (fear of missing out)