It's easy to have a (brain, mindset, value system, spidey sense, or whatever you want to call it) that the OP, and many of us have acquired, or were gifted, and find the whole thing to be a racket. OTOH, I watch my wife, an educator with a several degrees, and how she reacts to a good pitch. She is totally willing to suspend disbelief and drop any desire to question the integrity of a smooth, and believable story line. I can see how, if she had ended up with an equally gullible partner in life, she would now own a $30K Disney time share and a history of many similar really bad financial decisions, since that's just how her brain works. My future son in law is another great example. Recent grad. with some type of business degree and a successful career in "corporate branding and social media marketing". This kid is totally a mark for anybody who wants to sell him some security from stress in his life. He made a dumb decision to buy a new car, but wisely buys a cheap reliable Mazda. He is now terrified of used cars, since he foolishly tried to keep an old expensive BMW on the road, and doesn't know a wrench from a coffee stirrer. As a result he then adds a ridiculous amount to his new car payment for an extended warranty. In talking to the kid in the last few years, he will occasionally discuss decisions that make me cringe, and paint them as wise choices that will ward off a potential problem.
It's only a small anecdotal sample, but I really have no problem understanding how the time share industry can be wildly successful, and how 10-20% of folks contacted on the phone will gladly write a check for $300 to get a good deal.