Debt Negotiators – Usually a Bad Idea

Debt negotiators are often a bad idea for average consumers that are in financial trouble. There are scores of people in debt so the industry is wide open for a good debt negotiator. This can lead to problems and scams.

The debt negotiation industry was started in the 1950s when consumer and credit card debt greatly expanded. In the 1970s, consumer debt was reaching record levels and by the 1990s, credit counseling services, debt negotiators, consolidation loans and other services were being offered.

Banks, finance companies, private businesses and other entities were investing into these schemes. When the United States economy weakened after September 11, 2001, many of the businesses dropped off leaving the customer in peril.

One of the main reasons for the economic mayhem around the world was attributed to the credit crisis. Interest rate had been at record lows making it easy to offer better terms on loans, credit cards, mortgages and other contracts.

Refinancing and restructuring became commonplace for folks burdened by arrears. Debt reduction is an attractive alternative to bankruptcy. All of a sudden, the financial institutions decimated the credit markets and nobody could get money. Now, there are very few consolidation loans to be had and obtaining working capital has been difficult.

This is a problem with debt negotiation. Because of the macro economic mayhem, obtaining helpful consolidation loans is nearly impossible and further limits consumers making bankruptcy inevitable. Another drawback to debt negotiation is that sometimes companies that administer debt management plans do not follow through with the financial lenders and the customer is left hanging.

Often, they wind up in worse shape they had been before the debt restructuring. There were many stories on the national news in the 1990s where debt negotiators advertised, consumers signed contracts to restructure the debt but the debt management companies took money but did not pay the creditors leaving the consumer with a trashed credit file. There have been more regulatory actions to thwart this but many people have been damaged from this.

Debt negotiation is bad for the financial company also. Obviously, they are not getting all the money from the original contract, but the customer is not serviced very well. The initial business plan for the individual customer has not followed the proper course and the relationship is severely damaged or completely lost.

Many financial institutions are just realizing that a failed contract that leads to collection or legal action leaves a path of destruction to the business reputation.

The best thing for the credit card company or lending institution is for the customer to obtain the credit, pay it on time with very little lateness and avoid issues. The best thing for the borrower is to NOT use the credit for anything except for purchasing a home (on good terms) buying a car, or going through college on student loans.

They should only go into debt for an education if absolutely necessary! There are many grants, scholarships and work/study programs to pay for schooling. People should learn to conserve resources and protect them. Credit is only a resource and when abused, will lead to financial ruin that will cause hardship.

Tips For Surviving a Timeshare Presentation

If you have ever been on a nice vacation at a really great resort, there’s a good chance that someone has invited you to come and sit through a presentation. But not just any presentation – a timeshare presentation. Most vacationers have been exposed to this kind of invitation because they are the most likely people to actually buy. So if you’re taking a vacation soon and you suspect you will be persuaded to attend a timeshare presentation, here are tips on how to survive one (or a few):

Make sure you know what you’re getting into.

Before you take a vacation, try to research about any possible timeshare presentations that you might come across with while you’re at the resort. That way, you’ll find one that offers you the best opportunity at a schedule that is the most convenient for you. And yes, try to look for signs that it might be scam so you can protect yourself.

Know your incentive for coming to the presentation.

What are you there for, really? Is it to browse available real property for future purchase or maybe you just want to sit through it so you could qualify for the gift or discount at the end of the pitch? When you attend a timeshare presentation, make sure to keep your focus on the reason you’re there in the first place, so you don’t make any decisions that could affect your future finances.

Ask if you can afford it.

Buying a timeshare means getting money out of your wallet to pay the company that offers it. And that’s not all. There’s a regular payment you have to make over the course of many years, not to mention the fees you have to shoulder to cover for maintenance and other related expenses.

If you want to survive a timeshare presentation, don’t feel pressured to sign up for anything, especially if you feel it’s not right for you or if you don’t have the budget at the moment. Remember that there’s always a next time – the right time when you’re not only a willing attendant to the timeshare presentation but also a capable buyer.

Ask if you want it.

Never jump into making a decision you might regret later on. Remember that when you buy a timeshare, you’re actually buying a long-term investment. However, it’s not the kind of investment that functions in the same way as regular real property. Timeshares don’t appreciate over time. And since most of the advantages of buying a timeshare rides on how regularly you or someone you know takes a vacation, you might not really want a timeshare because you don’t really need it.

If you want to survive a timeshare presentation, make sure to keep this in mind.

Go ahead and take the freebie.

Even if you don’t buy or promise to buy anything, don’t feel guilty. If the folks who organized the timeshare presentation gives you a gift that is appropriate for your particular circumstances, accept it and thank them. Some people feel reluctant about accepting gifts from salespeople they don’t actually buy from but it’s perfectly okay. You’re not actually taking away a huge cost from these salespeople because the freebies are part of their marketing strategy and are already factored into the costs of producing the presentation.

The people who put up these timeshare presentations rely on the law of averages (which, by the way, is quite often on their side). That means they’re likely to recoup their investments thanks to great sales pitches and the folks who actually buy timeshares from them. So next time you get offered a gift during a timeshare presentation, go ahead and take it. Don’t worry. The salespeople will survive.

3 Benefits Blogs Present Businesses

One of the best things that you can work with online is blogs. There are several benefits to having these set up, especially for businesses that are looking to gain marketshare in even the hardest of niches. By simply pushing information forward, you will find that you can gain steady traffic and information to any website or online project. For those unfamiliar with the benefits of these sites, it’s important to look at them as stand alone marketing websites. The collateral that can be created can be unique, informational, and possess a certain amount of publicity that would otherwise be lost in today’s busy internet landscape. Consider the following 3 benefits that are presented with blogging.

Content – When it comes to the online world, no matter what you’re trying to accomplish the old adage of “content is king” still reigns true. If you want to get anywhere on the web, you have to absolutely provide unique and relevant content for others. If you can somehow bring a fresh take on any subject matter, you will gain a flood of targeted users that will not only help your business grow, they’ll subscribe to your sites and promote your brand across their social media pages.

Search Engines – Search engines love blogs, and they continue to index them at a rapid rate. Your average website might be floundering one day, but add a blog component to it, and you will get indexed faster, more often, and get serious attention that would otherwise be lost.

Authority – When it comes to marketing on the internet, one of the best things that you can do is establish authority. Whether you are trying your hand at affiliate networking, or you’re trying to sell products on your own, you can gain a sense of authority by simply writing about different aspects of your business. Showcasing to potential clients that you’re competent and know what you’re talking about when you sell something is one way to bridge the gap between potential buyer and merchant. Do this properly and you will convert more revenue than ever before.

The aforementioned benefits of blogging for business are just a few things that you should consider. There are a great deal of other benefits that come alongside the above. If you’re working on a marketing strategy, you have to use these content management devices to help build connections with others that would otherwise not manifest. Test the waters, and you will see that you can create a lasting impression on the web.