Free Tickets

[NADINENURSE]

AM I NUTS I actually plan on attending a timeshare for 2 free tickets, I and hubby have a free day w/o kids,limited budget,and want to get free tickets. What does anyone think of this ? Will we survive ? How can 90 minutes, more so 2 hours, actually be that bad

 

[csmommy]

Do tell more! I don't think your nuts, but if you bring the kids that will get you out faster! I also live in NY, can you give us more info like where, & what type of tickets?

 

[Mickey527]

I did that once. BIG mistake. They got me there and kept me longer than they promised. I told them I had to leave and they wouldn't give me the stuff they promised until I heard the whole speech. Ishoudhave been more vocal and made a big stink, but my biggest mistake was showing a small bit of interest. I think if I had acted bored they would have let me leave.
I signed on the dotted line, and the next day heard on the news that the company had filed bancruptcy. No one would answer my questions as to what that meant for me.
I finally did leave after 4 wasted hours (they said 90 minutes) with 2 one day passes. They could be use at only one park, no hopping, and could not be turned in for an upgrade.
I then spent anoter 2 hour at the library writing a letter telling them I wanted out. Then to the Post Office to send the letter certified.
I might do it again if the offer of "gifts" is right, but now that I own at DVC I have no reason to purchase anywhere else.

 

[Cebhfhionn]

Hi,

Mickey527 is absolutely correct! They tell you 90 minutes and end up keeping you there for much longer than that.

We actually ended up buying a timeshare down there, not from that tour but at the same place. Long story......I wouldn't say that I don't recommend it because I absolutely love it.

However, if I had to do it again, I'd suck up the extra bucks that I had to spend because my time is valuable and I wouldn't want to spend it listening to a sales schpeel when I could be having a great time the park.

My advice, cut a few corners somewhere else so you don't have to lose any of your family funtime!

 

[jlcbshaw]

We also have been through one of their "90" minute tours. I felt like a castaway from Gilligans Island. It took nearly 4 hours and that was with kids, but I also showed some kind of interest. However, we decided not to buy into the timeshare. After we made our decision they kind of treated us like crapand they wanted us out as soon as possible. Having said that, I guess if you go in acting like you are not going to buy into the timeshare no matter what, you could possibly get out in the "90" minutes. We enjoyed the property, but just thought that we needed to wait before buying into the program. We also received phone calls from them for about a year afterwards asking us if we where ready to join. So be prepared.

 

[JenniferW]

I guess it depends on your level of comfort whether it is worth it or not. I would rather get a second job at McDonald's for the day instead of going to a time share talk! I find it VERY uncomfortable, have been once. They tend to be hard sells, and usually take longer than they say. I know that you can't get something for nothing and the something they get is your time and for me it's not worth it, but there are people who will do all the deals to save some money here and there so it's just a preference.


Jenn

 

[Mortlives]

The Unofficia Guide contains an indepth horror story on this subject. The people were not interested, and it still took them 3 hours to get out of there, whilst holding onto a fussy infant.

I understand that DVC is the exception to this, very low key, and they let you leave when you want. If you want something free, that might be the way to go. I'm sure there's a bunch of people who've been that can confirm or deny.

Ciao,
Mort.

 

[brittsmum1998]

DVC doesn't offer anything "free" other than possibly a lunch (at least thats how it was a couple years ago) . We did the two hour tour last year at Ron Jons it was actually painless only because we told them upfront we were DVC members and only there for the tix and the discounted rates for a few nights. We spent the rest of the 90 minutes talking about family, Orlando, etc. We really lucked out. they didn't even make us wait around for the "third" signature. If I were you, study up on the DVC boards and tell them you are more interested in DVC or that you are members. By the way, I highly recommend the DVC tour anyways. Kim

 

[buzz2400]

We did it to get free tickets to DQ. Big mistake. They kept us longer than they promised. When I said I was interested they passed me along to someone higher up. He went through the sales pitch, I told him I still was not interested. Then they became very rude to us. I will never do that again. There are so many places where you can get discounted tickets.

 

[jgates]

My understanding is that Florida law prohibits them from keeping you any longer than 90 minutes. Does anyone have that statute? I think if you throw it in their face - they basically have to give you what they promised and let you out of there.

 

[NADINENURSE]

I'm gong TUESDAY !!! I greatly apprecate all the posts and opinons. Believe it or not we would like to buy a timeshare resale and don't know if i t's worth DVC or not and really do want to compare. The only way I know how is to actually go see these things or hear from those who own a time share ,so wish me luck. However, I wll take the advice of bringing along our 10 and 11 year old kids to get out faster, and the free tickets are always a bounses. Let you all know how it was when we get back 2/5/03.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Funny story -- Not Disney timeshare related though.
A couple we know well did a timeshare presentation in Las Vegas. (For a free lunch yet. Plus they had genuine interest.)
Once they decided No, the salesman was very rude to them, even insulting their taste in what they wore, and refused to give them a ride back into town! Sure transportation getting there was free. Getting back was another thing! Finally they got a ride back into town!
I've heard enough horror stories I think I would pass too. What a way to ruin a day.

 

[Cebhfhionn]

Good luck on purchasing a timeshare. We actually bought one a few years ago and I LOVE it. I don't love the mortgage payments but I do love knowing that it's there.

Yeah, 4 weeks from today and I will be THERE!!!

I just hope it warms up, ALOT!!!!

 

[Carmello1]

I took my sister to the Westgate one in Dec so she could get 2 tix at half off not free. It was 3 hours and would have been longer but I kept trying to shut the guy down This is not an idea for the meek They are very pushy! I say if you relly need the boost do it but plan on it being a long affair and be firm! Good Luck

 

[freediverdude]

I haven't had any experience, but from what I've heard, you have to go in there and sit down and just say, "You've got 90 minutes from right now", and be completely uninterested in what they're saying, and keep telling them how much time they have left and stuff like that. You have to be somebody who's completely unflappable. But still, even if you're that kind of person, it would waste 90 minutes. If it were me, if they weren't letting me go after 90 minutes or so, I'd be walking out of there, tickets or not. It wouldn't be worth 4 hours to me to stay to get the tickets. If they had the doors locked or something, i'd be on the cell phone calling the authorities, saying I was being held hostage LOL. They can't keep you there against your will.

 

[Belle1962]

I did several timehsre presentations last August--here is my review of them:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=255282

I also bumped a post on timeshare tips for you.

 

[kandj]

We toured last year and the tours were more like 2 hours. We didn't tour Westgate as I have heard they are the WORST. Last year we did like 4 tours over 2 days (we went down 2 days early). DH said he wouldnt do it again but here we are a year later and he wants to do more for the free tickets.

NADINENURSE we have 3 tours set up for Tuesday! Where are you going? Maybe we will be there together!

My tricks for keeping the time down are:

1. Eat but don't make a huge production out of it. They won't actually start talking to you until you look like you're almost done (most of the time).

2. Maintain the "we always sleep on it before making major purchases" line. They will tell you they can only offer this special deal on that day. Thats okay just keep saying that. Finally after about 3 rebuttals by your rep just look at him and say "You have no respect for the rules regarding financial decisions we have made for our family and its really starting to make me mad." or something along those lines.

3. Money is no object. Tell them you don't have any financial worries and they will quit torturing you about that special one day only deal.

4. Do not be rude to your rep. Why would you want to spend 2 hours with someone who dislikes you.

5. When the manager comes over see rule 2 to deal with him as well.

Look, these tours aren't like a day at WDW but they're not that bad if handled the right way. We look at it as a day of work. Tuesday we will be paid $300 worth of tickets for 6 or less hours of work. Not great but not bad either. As for the kids, I think the tours actually go faster without them. We will have ours but as long as we keep them into it we should be fine. I will not tell them its for the free tickets but its like shopping for real estate or a nice place to stay next year.

I hope this helps.

Kerry

 

[Kirk]

My experience is that if they believe you're not going to buy they will try to piss you off so bad you take off before you get your prize. They will also try to "bait and switch" you - tell you they no longer have that prize available and try to pass something else off that is totally worthless. It really takes some intestinal fortitude to win at this game!

 

[NADINENURSE]

I told my husband I was not nuts and that others would try this too !!! We are getting there on Tuesday and I would love to now which time shares you have made appointments at. It sounds like your tacits are worthwhile and I will attempt each one. I even printed out your suggestions to remember them when the time comes. Soo, get your fingers flying and email here or at ENADINE@WMCONNECT.COM with your timeshare locations. I also can waste 6 hours or more to save money

 

[kandj]

Kerry