Advice on time share presentation please---Update:I went and SURVIVED!

[torinsmom]

So, I gave in to greed and agreed to do a time share presentation for Westgate Resorts. We are in Orlando right now and they were giving away 2 free Blue Man tickets just for doing the tour. The guy made it sound very easy, around an hour for breakfast and an hour for the tour, after which I get the tickets. He said it is not high pressure, but I know it probably will be. No way am I buying a time share, but we really wanted to see Blue Man and didn't want to spend $180.

So...any tips on how to get the salesperson to give up on me quickly? DO I just tell him I agreed to the tour to get the tickets and have no interest in buying? Or should I say I already own a timeshare(I don't, but I don't mind fibbing ;-))

Marsha

 

[raysnkaysmom]

You can be up front and honest with him...they are used to it, and most of them appreciate it...but the sad part is...it's part of their job to make you stay the whole time

 

[torinsmom]

I don't mind hearing their spiel or even touring the property. I just know I cannot afford to buy and besides I can get a better deal staying at Priceline hotels(We are staying at Hyatt Place Universal for $30/night) I hear they can be pretty mean when people say no, but I am hoping being single woman will change that somewhat. DS14 decided he will stay back at the hotel and I am driving instead of taking their free transportation, so I won't get trapped there for transportation reasons. We are going to Disneyquest tomorrow, and they don't open until 11:30. With the timeshare thing supposed to start at 7:30, do you think there is any hope?

Marsha

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I don't mind hearing their spiel or even touring the property. I just know I cannot afford to buy and besides I can get a better deal staying at Priceline hotels(We are staying at Hyatt Place Universal for $30/night) I hear they can be pretty mean when people say no, but I am hoping being single woman will change that somewhat. DS14 decided he will stay back at the hotel and I am driving instead of taking their free transportation, so I won't get trapped there for transportation reasons. We are going to Disneyquest tomorrow, and they don't open until 11:30. With the timeshare thing supposed to start at 7:30, do you think there is any hope?

Marsha

I've done several, and I"m in the minority it seems that they dont' really bother me. I think it's worth it for the 'gifts' I get.
Hopefully you'll get a cool person, I've only had one pushy person who was kinda rude at the end, but so what.
I'd guess to say you'll be out of there by 11 at the very latest Enjoy the free breakfast, just take it as a 'sight see' approach and tell them thanks but it's not in the cards this trip. Single mom, single income. Your son is waiting for you...bye bye

 

[johnsontrio]

Print out some of the completed timeshare resales on ebay or TUG and show them to the salesperson. Do a little reading in advance so you know what you are talking about. Once he realizes that you know you can get the same exact product for pennies on the dollar, he will move on to another prospect.

Stay firm. Tell him you are exploring the resale market and will call him if you decide to buy from the developer.

 

[redrosesix]

Print out some of the completed timeshare resales on ebay or TUG and show them to the salesperson. Do a little reading in advance so you know what you are talking about. Once he realizes that you know you can get the same exact product for pennies on the dollar, he will move on to another prospect.

Stay firm. Tell him you are exploring the resale market and will call him if you decide to buy from the developer.

Excellent advice

Since we've already bought a timeshare resale, we're considering doing a couple of the presentations, if only to decide whether we'd like to exchange into a resort in the future.

 

[Mickey527]

I do the time share tours alot when I am down in the area alone. My family laughs at me but who cares. I usually get $175 cash, never did any for tickets. When I was there in April they were offering $50 and it isn't worth the time for that little. My sister who lives in Clearwater and I went once and did the tour at the same time since we don't live together. We had a great meal that night with some of the money we made on the tour.
I am bringing my son down to Orlando next week to look for jobs and I am planning on doing a tour for a few day passes. I have an AP but he doesn't have any tickets, so while he is at an interview the first day I am going to do a tour for tickets.
Here are some hints that work well when I go on a tour.
The state of FL says they can't keep you more than the 90 minutes. BUT... the 90 minutes does not start with breakfast. The tour guide will sit down with you and question you as to where you work, what you earn where you go on vacation and how much you spend on hotels, etc.. to try and get info on you to use later when he is trying the hard sell.. Then when you are done they will start the tour. I usually go in and tell them I don't want to eat, just to get the tour over with and go on with my day. I tell them when we sit down that I am leaving at the 90 minute mark and look at my watch when they begin. I don't have a timer on my watch but I have seen others set their watch for the 90 minute time. When my sister went with me she had a paperback in her purse and read the book while she was eating and told the guide she could start her talk after breakfast, she couldn't digest while talking. I was at the table next to her and almost did a spit take with my OJ.
I always tell them I am not interested in buying, just there for the money. I guess they think they can sway me but I own DVC and would never think about buying elsewhere.
If the guide sees that you are not going to budge they will try the big guns. The manager will come over and try to lower the cost, and sometimes tell you you are crazy or stupid for passing up the wonerful deal they are giving you. Be ready for it and it is laughable.
If the 90 minutes comes and the guide makes no move to get your paperwork done so you can turn it into the cashier for your "gift" simply stand up and in a loud voice start going on about how you did your tour and gave them the time they asked and you would never buy here, your timeshare is better, or whatever you need to. I did have to do this once but should have known better since others have written about how mean the tour people are at this particular resort which shall remain nameless. The manager will come over quickly to shut you up and give the tour person the permission to get you out of there.
Try and sign up for an early slot since there are more people coming later and they will just want to get rid of you and hopefully get a sucker the next time so they can make a sale that day. If you do the tour late in the day they will work on keeping you as long as they can to make the sale.
I always have a car when I am in Orlando so I drive there myself, and can leave when I am done. Don't let them make arrangements to pick you up at your hotel because they will not be as quick to take you back after they "pay you off" You will have to wait till they have enough people to fill the bus and that might be hours.
Sound like alot of trouble for some tickets or cash but it really isn't, otherwise I wouldn't bother.

 

[torinsmom]

Good idea about the breakfast. I think I will grab a bagel at my hotel and tell them I already ate and want to get the tour started and over with. I'll let them know I need to be out of there by 9:30(I'll get there at around 7:30) to pick up my son and get him somewhere(where to say??) I want to be as pleasant as possible, but also want to get out of there!

I read somewhere not to bring a checkbook and to bring a credit card that is close to the limit, so that is what I will do!

Marsha

 

[Bluestars]

We did a timeshare presentation once. They caught us off guard as we were walking to DL along Harbor Blvd. We did get some subway sandwiches to eat and a ride in a limo. The presentation was good and we really like the person doing the presentation. We felt horrible about saying no at the end. I know some people think it's worth it, but my husband and I will never do it again.

They did try to hard sell at the end. The manager came up and told us that the presenter needed to earn a living and things like that. To us, it just wasn't worth it. I felt badly about wasting their time just to get the disney dollars.

The only way I would ever do it again is if I was broke and I really needed the gift. I know everyone is not bothered by it, so more power to the people who can sit through it.

I've heard the Blue Man show is terrific. I hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[Janet Hill]

Print out some of the completed timeshare resales on ebay or TUG and show them to the salesperson. Do a little reading in advance so you know what you are talking about. Once he realizes that you know you can get the same exact product for pennies on the dollar, he will move on to another prospect.

Stay firm. Tell him you are exploring the resale market and will call him if you decide to buy from the developer.

This will only cause them to go over the many benefits of buying from the developer vs the resale market. It's certainly not going to stop them. They love to engage people in conversation - yes even about the resale market. My husband and I just don't converse with them. We just nod and agree with everything they say. Let them put down the offer and then say no as you get up from your chair.

The first Westgate tour we did we had to wait in the lobby for 15 minutes for the gifting desk to open as we were done before it opened. Of course the last Westgate tour we did the salesperson told us we weren't the type of clientel (sp?) staying at their resorts anyway.

 

[torinsmom]

UPDATE:

So, I went this morning and survived without losing any money, LOL. I got there about 8:15, signed in and waited about 20 minutes for my name to be called by "my" salesperson. I told him I didn't want breakfast(True, b/c I had some lingering motion sickness this morning), so we moved on to the actual presentation. I'd say we spent about 20 minutes talking about the benefits and such. Then we went on the tour, which took about another 25 minutes or so. Then went to another building to talk about price. Price started at about $34K for a 3/2 unit, and I laughed at the $500/month price. That is almost as much as my mortgage and I use that 12 months a year, NOT ONE WEEK!

So, after about 3 different offers that got less and less, I still told him no. He called over his manager, who was this really made up lady who is from my state(Imagine that!) She offered me a 2/2 unit pre-construction, so gave make a great deal; I believe it was $15,000 or so, and a better deal because I was a teacher It was around $300/month. I still said it was out of my price range, so off she went. A few minutes later she came back with a deal where someone was trading their timeshare at another Westgate resort (2/2) and I could assume their loan for $8900, which was $158/month. Still too much for me, I really said anything was too much for me. Guy said he would get the closer, but then the manager came back with another trade that was $7000(1/1), so $141/month. I finally told the salesperson to get the closer as I was not able to buy at any price today.

Closer came and offered me an 8 day/7 night vacation for $795 paid over 2 years. I said no so she offered me a 4 day/3 night vacation for $395. Said no to that too, and then she release me to get my tickets. That took 5 minutes and then I had to wait 15 minutes for the shuttle to take me back to my car.

So, I left at around 11:20. 3 hours of boredom and saying no for $180 of tickets. It wasn't bad, noone belittled me or anything. I think there were 5-6 people who bought while I was in the negotiating room, so they are successful. I wonder how many people buy in at the first price though? At least I know if I ever do it, to wait until the manager gives me their last offer.

Marsha

 

[S. C.]

This will only cause them to go over the many benefits of buying from the developer vs the resale market. It's certainly not going to stop them. They love to engage people in conversation - yes even about the resale market. My husband and I just don't converse with them. We just nod and agree with everything they say. Let them put down the offer and then say no as you get up from your chair.

The first Westgate tour we did we had to wait in the lobby for 15 minutes for the gifting desk to open as we were done before it opened. Of course the last Westgate tour we did the salesperson told us we weren't the type of clientel (sp?) staying at their resorts anyway.

We went to a campground timeshare years ago. After telling the manager no for the millionth time he got all huffy and says to the salesman "just get these people their gift and let them go THESE PEOPLE CAN'T BE HELPED."

Our friends (two different families all friends) who owned at this timeshare ended up selling theirs. Said anytime they called to stay they were always told nothing was available. But they could call back an hour later tell them they had friends that wanted to come with them for the weekend and do the tour and amazingly 2 units JUST opened up.

Closer came and offered me an 8 day/7 night vacation for $795 paid over 2 years. I said no so she offered me a 4 day/3 night vacation for $395.

Anyone bought one of these offers? Seems like a good deal but I wonder if they would ever have an open unit for the time you needed?

 

[ccgirl]

Funny thing is...it sounds like the resale could be my unit. All the numbers match up. I just traded Westgate Vacation Villas for Westgate Smoky Mountain. I never had a problem getting the exact week I wanted in Orlando. I didn't get the exact week I wanted in Gatlinburg but they are not done building yet and have nowhere near as many units. Good for you for sticking to your guns! As far as the one week vacation thing, I have heard that is only certain times and a lot of people were unable to use theirs before expiring.

 

[torinsmom]

Thing is, I can get a 7 night stay for less than that through Priceline and will have no problem with choosing my dates. It may not be a condo, but a hotel with free wireless and a fridge works fine for me and my DS. They were shocked when I told them I got the Hyatt Place for $30/night. THey were all set to say that I had already spent $600-$700 for one vacation.

Really, the final deal was a good one, and I may have bitten if I could afford $140/month. The kicker would be that it would be mine when I was done paying it off. The lady said I could probably do good with referrals being a teacher, but I don't know if my school would let me put the flyers up.

Marsha

 

[GJM]

We have done them also before for tickets - I also always wonder does anyone buy them at the lst. price offered.

One timeshare presentation we went to the salesman got his boss then to sweeten the deal - He started saying something about tomatoes, don't even remember now - but as soon as he mention tomatoes, I said "I don't like tomatoes" (which I don't) - he stopped talking after that.

 

[Mickey527]

Really, the final deal was a good one, and I may have bitten if I could afford $140/month. Marsha[/QUOTE]

The $140 a month does sound good but they didn't tell you the entire deal. You still will wind up paying about $75 a month for dues. And this might be a low estimate.
I own 170 points at DVC and pay about $120 a month for the DVC and my dues is $72 a month. I have about 1 year left of my mortgage and then all I will pay is the dues each month. I can't wait.
These 170 points usually get me 3-4 stays at a studio which is enough for me, and every other year I take my family and get a bigger place.
I had 100 more points but just sold them two months ago. I could manage before but when I went on disability it got tougher. I am hoping that I can rebuy through resale once my first is paid off.
I would never think about buying somewhere other than Disney, I see the difference when I take these tours.