A tip for timeshare renters...

[LisaMM]

Something I learned today...

Did you know that if you live in certain states, by law, you cannot be required to attend a timeshare presentation when staying at a timeshare rental resort? I called the place that does the Cypress Pointe condos to see if I could get a better rate if I attended a timeshare presentation. (I live in Ohio; I'm not sure what other states this law includes.) So, the good news is, no one could pressure me go to a timeshare presentation if I chose to stay at a certain resort. The bad news is, I can't necessarily get the best rate, even if I'm willing to go to one.

Thought that was interesting, so I'm passing it along.

--Lisa

 

[Sunbeamblue2002]

Hello,

First off thats good to know. However when did Ohio pass that law? I have never heard that before and I have lived in Cleveland all my life. Also have you stayed a Cypress Pointe yet? When you called did you get to make requests or not also. Getting ready to confirm my ressie and was just wondering.

Sunbeamblue2002

 

[Sunbeamblue2002]

Oh yea PS you can still go on the tours and stuff because I get calls all the time. Also got tons of free show tkts in Vegas and they knew I was from Ohio.

Sunbeamblue2002

 

[disneysteve]

I wonder if the resort is still obligated to give you the same rate if you don't attend the presentation.

 

[disneymom3]

Minnesota is apparantly one of those states that has this law too because we are always on the list of "this rate does not apply if you live in....."

Although, I know I have gotten these kinds of deals in the mail, so maybe it is just certain restrictions. Don't know. I have never wanted to try as DH would be VERY uncomfortable at one of those high pressure deals and I never want to take the chance that we'll end up at a bad one. (Have heard some are good, but you never know!)

 

[LisaMM]

I think that's correct. They told me that they couldn't give me the very cheapest rate but they could give me a "discounted" rate. I'd get the discounted rate just for calling them but I wouldn't get a cheaper rate even if I decided to go to the presentation on my own. I know they give some extras away at some presentations -- like Disney tickets -- I don't know if they can offer those to me, but I think so.

 

[LauraC]

I have a question about renting a week from another timeshare owner. We will be paying the annual maintence fee for my father's timeshare and spending a week at the Westgate Lakes in Orlando. Do we HAVE to attend any type of presentation? I plan on refusing any "free breakfasts" and that type of thing because I've been forewarned that those would be opportunities to be harassed by salespeople, but I've also heard something about a "mandatory maintenance report"?

Can we just ignore all of that since we are not interested in any free tickets, breakfasts, etc., and have no desire to purchase?

 

[Lisa P.]

There's no such thing as a mandatory maintenance report or any other kind of mandatory sales meeting when you have not accepted it as part of the terms of your stay. If you are staying as your father's guest, there's no requirement. Don't sign a refusal - just say no thanks. Don't waste your time debating the issue. You're there for a restful vacation. Hope you have a good one!

 

[wendypa]

Just to add here, I booked Cypress Pointe thru hotelkingdom and never once was approached for the presentation during our stay.
When my mother called to book directly thru cypress pointe, they quoted her a much larger nightly rate.
I think i got a great deal, and had no one bother me at all to attend.