As someone who owns a couple of timeshares, I don't have the knee-jerk negative reaction. They work very well for my family.

That said, it's good to educate yourself before any meeting. Go to www.tug2.net for the Timeshare Users Group. You can look up resale ads for the Marriotts in the Orlando area to get a sense of just how high the markups are.

Not all salesman are going to be high pressure but some certainly will. You are under no obligation to suffer abuse. You may even decide you like the timeshare concept and Marriott does it very well.

Many people on the TUG board say that the best way to end a meeting is to let the salesman know that you are considering resales because of all you read on the TUG bulletin board. From what I hear, that pretty much ends the meeting. Their ideal customer is unedcated about the system.

Enjoy your vacation. I promise you'll come out of the sales meeting alive!