Q. We constantly get fax solicitations on our company’s fax machine advertising ridiculously low travel packages. I’ve seen 7-day cruises for $249, including airfare.  Also, if I’m one of the “first 100” to call, they will throw in a free Vegas vacation. Sounds extremely bogus. The fine print states these deals “are NOT timeshares” so who the heck are these companies and should I bother wasting my time with them?

A. Not only are junk faxes illegal in many jurisdictions, but the deals they offer usually, as you say, bogus. Having said that, some of the best lodging bargains out there are indeed timeshare weeks rented directly from owners. Take a look at tug2.net, the largest online community of timeshare owners, where you can see timeshare rental offers.