Is it worth it to sit thru a presentation to get a cheap hotel rate?

[RamseyTrio]

Hi there -

Do you guys think it's worth it to sit through a presentation of a hotel just to get a cheap rate there?

We're planning our next trip for Oct. '04 and are trying to go as cheaply as possible on our hotel. In my search I've noticed a few nice looking places offering $25/night rates but you need to do the 90-minute presentation one morning.

Thanks!

 

[crazelion]

I would not sit through a timeshare presentation just for a cheap rate when I can look at hotelkingdom.com which has excellent rates without doing a timeshare presentation. Also if looking for a cheap rate you can also do priceline.com to get a cheap rate rate.

 

[4greatboys]

No way! There are plenty of specials on rooms....check out the discounts here on the Dis front page and try mousesavers.com I have not heard anything but horror stories from people who did these. Very high pressured sales. For us it would just not be worth it.

 

[vhoffman]

We sat through a time share preserntation in Mexico once years ago and it all but ruined our trip! We weren't promised anything so lucritive as a free hotel stay, just free breakfast and a "gift". The presentation was only supposed to take an hour. However, we made the mistake of allowing them to drive us to the location. Essentially, we were their prisoner from then on. We spent over 7 hours at their mercy and finally I flagged a cab to take us back to our hotel, for $50! So we'd wasted a whole day of vacation time. But it didn't stop there. They somehow found out our phone number and wouldn't stop calling us, asking us why we didn't want the timeshare, they'd put a whole day into dealing with us, etc. they called us at all hours, including 3 am! We tried taking the phone off the hook but they called the hotel and asked them to check on us since we weren't answering the phone. The last day they threatened to call the Mexican police since we essentially backed out on our deal (we never signed anything!). They said they'd settle for $300 to cover their cost of dealing with us. Well, we never paid them one red cent and left, but with a bad taste in our mouths. We complained to the hotel after getting back home ( a Westin property), but basically got the run around. Perhaps our timeshare experience was especially bad, but I've never heard of a good one. You're going for a good time. Don't let the lure of some deal or prize turn your trip into a nightmare!

 

[ncbyrne]

IF you are intentionally planning more than one day of no parks or special daytime activities, a time share presentation that includes a special perk (MORE than just a good hotel price) might be worth it. However, that's rarely the case, and the Kissimmee/Lake Buena Vista has many, MANY resort/hotels to choose from at very low rates. If price is a determining factor, you can get excellent prices a decent properties thru Priceline or Hotwire, and not have to endure a high pressure salesman.

 

[Robinrs]

I've done it PLENTY times and it never bothered me.

I guess because I'm sort of deaf to the spiel they throw at me and well before the presentation is over they truly give up on me!

I did them three times this year already with no problem.

They can be an annoyance but just like with anything it depends on if it worth it to YOU.

BTW, I think my picture is up at all of the places now with a sign under it that says "BEWARE of this person!!"

 

[jann1033]

we did once before and never again as they were very rude once they knew we were not buying ( had not gone in with that decision premade by the way).

just a warning about priceline..I have used them a few times in the past with good success but this time the website was not working ( would not change my information on the page I was viewing) when I called the number it said to call if you were having aproblem to see if they could get me aroom that way little witch on the other end would not listen to anything I tried to tell her claimed the site was working fine ( duhhh no it wasn't) and when I finally asked for a supervisor hung up on me! so much for customer service. I figure how good are they going to be if they charge something wrong when they are so impossible when money is not yet involved. Once before I had called and got the same reaction when , although they say you ge the lowest rate, I really had not ( at check in there was a better rate ). I thought at the time I'd give them another chance but never again!

 

[powellrj]

I really think its the hotel chain that you use. We did Marriott a few years ago and would do it again in a heart beat. Our rate was $149 for 3 night and 2 tickets to Universal. It was a suite with free breakfast in the morning. It was very low pressure and we were told when we went in that if we weren't interested they would stop then and we were free to leave. We made to trip on the afternoon of a sea world day and really didn't mind it at all.

 

[4407mark]

Short answer - No - it isn't worth it. Crazelion and 4greatboys said it very well.

Longer answer - I sat through one four years ago and swore I would never do it again - wasted four hours of my vacation time and got 50 Disney Dollars (that made DW happy) but it my view, that didn't cover my time (especially vacation time). On the other hand, we became DVC members in 2000 and that was probably the best three hours I ever spent and it has paid off for us each time we go.

Bottom line - only presentation I would ever sit through is DVC. No pressure, very informal, guide was very low key, explained everything, answered every question, and was just wonderful overall.

 

[Kevenswife2]

I asked my DH the same question. I'm always trying to save money, and my upcoming trip was no exception. He said he was not going to waste one of his mornings on a timeshare presentation. I think I'd rather pay a little more or stay in a little bit less elaborate hotel than have to sit through a timeshare and waste my morning too.

 

[LIFERBABE]

We've done one presentation in Vegas and it was High Pressure. We are just too nice and didnt want to be rude and we paid for it with our time. I think we spent 21/2 hours in that one for some cheap show tickets. Now every time we go to Vegas we tell them we are from Henderson, NV (local resident) and they leave us alone! LOL Never Again!

In Cancun we did 2 in 1 day! The first one was not so bad, but I did not enjoy eating our free bfast with the guide! We received a blanket and a bottle of tequila (still have it) along with the breakfast for that one.

The second one was a horrible experience in which they promised us a rental car for the day to see Cozumel. (about 1 hour drive away) When we said we were not interested, they did not want to give us the car and by the time they did give it to us we drove for and hour and missed the last ferry to Cozumel.
After that experience I vowed never to do another presentation again. We only had 3 nights there and I regret the time wasted.

Even with my DVC purchase, I didnt care what they were passing out, and although I've heard several times that they are low pressure, I didnt want to luck out and get the one guide that wasnt, so I did all my research online and made my purchase by phone! That's how shell shocked I still am!

I run from negativity and going to a timeshare presentation can get negative real quick! I can get ugly if cornered, but it takes a while for the ugly to wear off which is not conducive to a family vacation.

If you go, go on the last day of your trip so a bad experience won't ruin or put a damper on your vacation. You can just talk about it on the way home. I hope yours is a positive experience.

 

[HM]

I think it totally depends on who you are working with. I would recommend doing it if you work with Marriott. They are very low pressure. We did three sales presentation over the course of several years and did eventually buy (HHI) and each experience was great. We also did a timeshare deal with Fairfield in Williamsburg and we won't be dealing with them again....very high pressure and downright mean in the end. So I won't recommend them at all.

-HM

 

[Puffy2]

NO.

 

[WhispyPixie]

no..no..no.....been there done that wont do it again! I hate hard sells!!

 

[mom1in99]

Consider this: Most are for off-site hotels. Is this bad? It depends. We almost always drive, so we have a car. I enjoy staying off-site. It's considerably cheaper. Do your research and you will find very nice hotels at very nice rates without boring hard sell presentations. Check out hotelmartusa.com This site is awesome. I've used them to book 3 of our trips in the last 6 months. They have great rates, some even include tax (it'll tell you). No hidden fees (some presentation resort prices have an extra resort charge of $2.50 a night or way more!) Also, consider staying where they provide a free continental breakfast. We stayed at Homewood Suites by Hilton on Parkway Blvd. Took us 5 minutes to get to Disney (this included buckling kids in car seats). They had a hot (eggs, bacon or sausage, pastries, cereal, pancakes, etc) breakfast every morning. Soft drinks and juice all day for free. Plus had a light meal (free) and free beer and wine Mon thru Thurs from 5pm to 7pm (or something like that). Our rates for July were $61 a night. We would have spent close to $20 a day for breakfast, plus saved on a couple of dinners.

 

[staylor]

I suggest you go to www.biddingfortravel.com and look at the going rates for Orlando for priceline. You can probably book a fine hotel at the same rate and not have to deal with any presentations. Just a suggestion

 

[pmcpmc]

do it early in the morning like first presentation then it does not interfer with your day .
remember to say you are abusiness person who takes time to weigh up the pros and cons

 

[djm99]

I'd do it for a great hotel/resort stay. This past August we took advantage of a package with Wyndham Palms and Country Club. We stayed 8 days and 7 nights in a beautifully landscaped, clean, and roomy resort. We paid $698 for this time and it included 2-adult 4 day disney hoppers. The timeshare was EXACTLY 96 minutes. The "presentation" was harmless. We said no and continued to enjoy our day. Those 4 day hoppers at the least expensive price would be $200 a piece ($400 total). That leaves $298 for the resort stay and trust me it was worth it. I would do it again in a New York minute, but getting my husband to do again would take some convincing (he claims its worst than a staffing meeting).

So to make a long story short, look around and find a comfortable stay for your time. Also, for those interested, this package is no longer for 8 days 7 nights but you can get 5 days 4 nights with 2 free disney hopper passes for $299 per adult (2 children free) in a 1 bedroom or $349 per adult in a 2 bedroom. I don't think this package is available with Wyndham Palms Resort and Country Club, but it is available at Silver Lake Resorts. Take a look for yourself. Enjoy!! I can't wait until my return in April!!!!
http://www.travel2disney.com/disneyworldvacationpackages.html

 

[JudyS]

After several unpleasant hard sells, I've pretty much sworn off timeshare presentations, but I must say that the deal djm99 mentions is tempting!

I want to say that I've had GREAT luck with Priceline, including once getting the Swan for less than $80 a night! Priceline is not for everyone, as you do not get to pick your hotel and purchases are non-refundable, but they can be a greal deal if those restrictions are OK with you. Priceline does *not* guarantee the lowest price -- they just present your offer to their hotels. It's up to the customer to make sure not to bid higher than other available rates.

I second the suggestion to check out www.biddingfortravel.com for Priceline information.

 

[jann1033]

Originally posted by JudyS
-- they just present your offer to their hotels. It's up to the customer to make sure not to bid higher than other available rates.

I second the suggestion to check out www.biddingfortravel.com for Priceline information.

What price line says and does are two different things. example 1) I put in a bid to priceline for check in that day for $35. it was rejected. i put one in for $40. that also was rejected. got it for $45. ok not a bad deal till I got to the hotel ,( one by the way in my original $35.00 star and area catagories,)and they gave me the print out( evidently they shouldn't have as I have not gotten this same paper at any other hotels I have used priceline for ) that showed the the rate the hotel charged to priceline was $35 ( not including priceline fees)not the $45 plus fees priceline claimed and charged me. so yes priceline did rip me off and refused to do anything about it. they did not give me the best rate, the one I initially asked for . also their excuse was..."the hotel was not supposed to give you that paper so you should not have known that." so much for the" best price guarantee"
( see below by the way)
example 2)..their website was not working so when I called to make the reservation at the number listed on their site. the girl refused to help saying the site was working right.. it was not. it would not remove the offer so I could not rebid ,although I followed the directions and having used it a number of times previously knew how it worked. she was rude and abusive and when I requested a superviser said "she'll tell you the same thing" I said ok I would like to speak to her anyway and she slammed the phone down in my ear. I still needed a room so I called the hotel directly and got a room for $10 less per night than priceline claimed was not available at the first bid( that wouldn't erase) by asking the hotel for their best rate for a one week stay , same as I put in at priceline.and guess what..did not have to pay pricelines's fees either so that makes it even better!

one time could be a "mistake" but twice and they are out in my book.

So if you do not care about being lied to and never have a problem, (our rooms through them have always been good, clean, no bugs, good hotels) use them BUT you better hope and pray they never over charge you cause I can quarantee if they act like this with no money involved, you will have a tough time getting them to make good. if you want to take that chance that is up to you but I think it is important that people know how the company operates

as to what they promise:

from priceline's own site :
Best Price Guarantee
We're so confident that we have the lowest prices on Hotel Rooms that we make this promise: if you can find a lower price than the one you got on our site - we'll refund 100% of the difference!