Advice Needed! Friend wants me to take a Timeshare Tour Trip with her for $500 pp

[bbump]

My friend purchased a $1000 vacation package for 2 people including airline vouchers, hotel (Barcelo Resort) & 1 theme park ticket.
She had 2 people back out already & has asked me to go with her in Feb 07.

The catch.... she told me we have to sit through a timeshare presentation.

I thought the $500 per person seemed pretty steep for 3 nights as a timeshare deal & that I could probably book air & hotel seperately for less and ditch the timeshare talk.
She told me she cannot get her $1000 back.

I searched the web on this hotel, and it doesn't look like a glitsy resort at all.... pretty basic looking place.

She isn't married, so why would she be selected to take a tour??
This doesn't seem right to me.

I said I would probably go with her, but I do not want to spend more than $500 (which still sounds a little steep to me)

I also don't want to waste alot of time at the presentation.

Any tips or advice for this trip.
(She is excited because she has never traveled outside of her homestate before)

Thanks sooooo much!!!!

 

[mjbaby]

This is setting off alarm bells for me, too. It's not that she's single, since single people are asked to do timeshares too (but if someone is married, then both spouses must attend) but this seems reallllly spendy and off to me. I'd say "no" but then be as supportive as possible of my excited friend. I'd also probably hold my tongue as someone so excited probably doesn't want to hear about potential problems.

 

[GoofyGolferGirl]

This doesn't sound right to me either. I have been on a few of the timeshare trips and they were all free. They say the presentation only last a couple of hours, if you are not careful they will last all day! Tell them you don't have any money and start timing them when you arrive. I wouldn't do it again even if it was free! Good Luck!!

 

[robinb]

The price aside ($1000 for what she is getting does sound like a lot!) my best advise for a timeshare presentation is:
(1) Be aware of how long the presentation will last. Time your salesperson and be prepared to walk out when the time is up. Most say the presentations will last 90 minutes.
(2) Tell the salesperson in advance that you are not interested in buying and you are only there to fulfill your agreement.
(3) Practice saying "no". Do not be afraid to hurt the feelings of the salesperson.
(4) Do not rely on the transportation provided by the timeshare people. Have your own car and own way out.
(5) Do not combine a meal (like breakfast) with the presentation. That just gives the salesperson another 30 minutes FREE to soften you up and try to sell you the timeshare.

 

[nbodyhome]

Did you agree to it before she spent the $1000.00? If not, I'd not go - you aren't obligated. I am surprised they'd take her as well, they tend to prefer married couples (maybe the timeshare is hard up).

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Also be aware that when you say "no", the time share person will go to a "manager", and then come back with another, lower offer. They will make you feel like dirt when you don't take it.

The entire presentation, the person will be telling you about their family, etc., so you will personally feel like you are taking food out of their mouths if you don't buy a time share.

It's just a tactic -- don't feel guilty and absolutely time them! There is a legal limit to how long they can keep you there. I would tell them from the outset that you are aware of the time limit, and are adamant about not making a purcahse.

 

[Debbie Jean]

I've stayed at this hotel... it's a Radisson on International Dr. They offer 2 types of accomodation... the less expensive which is what I assume you will receive with your friend's offer is "motel style", i.e. outside corridor.... the more expensive is "hotel style" with inside corridors. The difference in furnishings is enormous... we spent one night in the less expensive, which was very tatty, and paid to upgrade and was well worth it. For more on the differences, search the threads on the DIS or check out reviews on www.tripadvisor.com.

The accommodation is not worth the money and while the pool is OK but there is no way this place can be classed as a "resort". Her price includes airfare, but I bet you could put your own deal together with air at a much nicer hotel, too. And it wouldn't include a timeshare presentation!

 

[bbump]

Sadly, she already paid the $1000 and cannot get her money back (she had to cancel her first reservation because one of her friends backed out and re-book a February date & pay a change fee)
Basically, she wants me to go with her because she feels very overwhelmed since she has never traveled by air before.

I don't think it is a good deal at all.
The only reason why I am considering going is so she doesn't have to travel to Florida by herself.

I don't think I should be obligated to go to the Timeshare because I am not related to her at all. I am just worried about them "tacking on additional fees" to the "package" if I do not attend.

I cannot even see how a Salesperson can push her for a sale due to her income level and being single.
I won't have my hubby with me, so they shouldn't be able to put the pressure on me either.

Keep the tips coming! I apreciate your advice!!!

 

[robinb]

The entire presentation, the person will be telling you about their family, etc., so you will personally feel like you are taking food out of their mouths if you don't buy a time share.

I actually had a salesperson at the Hilton Timeshare at Waikoloa Village on the Big Island tell me that! She was very, very mad at us that we set up a timeshare presentation (it was raining and my DD was enjoying the free kids club) when we had ZERO intention to purchase. She said, gesturing to the photo on her desk, that she works hard to put food on the table for her young son and that we took a potential sale from her. We toasted her when we used our $100 voucher at the very, very expensive Japanese restaurant on property. I came thisclose to reporting her to her manager, but I chose to take a Hawaiian "no worries" attitude and enjoyed myself and my meal instead.

 

[nbodyhome]

I'd still not do it. If she was paying for the $1000.00 and just wanted company, then maybe (though I'd probably book the Pop Century and stay there instead) - very little is worth a timeshare presentation to me.

It's unfortunate - she could have stayed on property, had Magical Express (which I am assuming you aren't getting transportation included), early entry, etc. You said it included 1 theme park ticket - so does that mean you are getting one days worth of tickets? So you'd need to spend even more if you want to go to the parks.

 

[HM]

I'd suggest she look at getting her credit card company to cancel the charges. This does not sound like a trip that should take place.

 

[Pumbaa_]

How does your husband feel about you going on this trip?

I agree with the others, it is a pretty expensive trip to have to listen to a spiel. Don't go out of guilt, if you are not interested, just tell her you are not interested. This may just be an unfortuante expensive life lesson for your friend