Marriot called with a vacation deal? legit? worth it?

[daisy1234]

We just got a call from Marriot...they offred a vacation deal at their newest timeshare locations. Priced from 199-399 at several locations. Prices are based on location and time of year. Most are for 4 nights. They sid that there would not be a high pressure sales pitch as they do not want o ruin our relationship...anyway...should we book a honeymoon getaway...or is this far from a budget trip when you add meals and airfare???? Any thoughts? Also...I am assuming it is legit?

 

[Disbug]

We did it for Spring Break last year. If it is through Marriott or Marriott Grand Vacations, it's legit. They probably want to sell you a timeshare? Only thing is there are restrictions on when you can go so get all the details up front. Also you both have to attend the sales presentation on the date and time they pick. Make sure you get one that doesn't interfere with your vacation plans.

We were offered a free upgrade if we booked our trip before Dec 31st... we couldn't make it until the next Spring so we had to pay the upcharge for the larger room. (2 bedrooms instead of 1).

Have fun, they have beautiful properties!

 

[kellydizfan]

They had called us over a year ago. We were going to do it at either Aruba or a hotel that had a pirate ship water area in Orlando. We made a deal with them as I couldn't do it before a certain date because I didn't have any vacation time left during their travel time. They extended it for me but I couldn't get my husband to go for it. It was a really good deal. I could kick myself for not doing it. I had forgotten about it until this thread. If you could do it, I would say go for it. We look at the Marriott Time Share in Kauii (sp?) in 2007 - would have loved to do it but didn't have the money to invest at that time. We ended up selling our DVC contracts a couple of years ago.

 

[maggiew]

We got the same call. It was to a timeshare in California. It looked really beautiful. I thought it might be a nice getaway for DH & I. But I am afraid of the timeshare pitch.

Maggie

 

[HM]

Don't be afraid of these deals if Marriott is offering them. They are legit and they really are not a hard sell company. We took advantage of a couple of these type offers and stayed in really nice places, had very easy sales pitches and walked out without buying or being hounded (unlike when we tried this with Fairfield Timeshares....nightmare!!). We eventually did buy a Marriott timeshare on our own volition and contacted one of their reps about what deals were available.

 

[Purseval]

You can probably stay somewhere else for a lot less money. Tell them you already booked a vacation with someone else and ask if you can just take the tour, and what incentives they offer if you do.

 

[bettymae1121]

I'd look up the actuall property and see what rates they are charging for the same dates being offered over the phone. That will tell you if it's a deal or not. If they are offering the same price for standard reservations online, you may as well do that and save yourself the time share presentation. I'd also research airfare to make sure that's in your budget, saving $100 a night on your hotel is great, but does you no good if airfare is running $1000 per person!

 

[maggiew]

The deal I was offered was $269 for a 4 night stay. Hard to beat that. I don't think we could stay for less elsewhere.

Although, as I said before, we didn't take the offer because I was afraid of the timeshare talk. I've read horror stories (although, not necessarily from Marriott) and DH would kill me if I got us involved in something like that.

Maggie

 

[casselsshopper]

We did this for the Marriott at Myrtle Beach about a year and a half ago. They are right. The sales pitch was not high pressure at all. The guy was really nice and knew we weren't going to get one.

 

[MaryKLady]

It sounds like a deal to me. I figure a nice hotel room after all the taxes would probably run you about $100 a night....so you're getting a free night. Plus it's a timeshare so you'll have something resembling a kitchen so you can same money that way.

And don't be afraid of the sales pitch. We have a timeshare and do these offers when we can...I like the gift cards in particular Just remember they will try to build a personal relationship so you'll "feel bad" to cut them short or say no....trust me, there's nothing personal about it. They are perfectly aware people do it just for the goodies.

Go for it and have a great time

 

[minniebeth]

Marriott Vacation Properties (timeshares) are beautiful! We've been to quite a few and they are awesome. I'd definately look into the deals!

 

[MrsPete]

The deal I was offered was $269 for a 4 night stay. Hard to beat that. I don't think we could stay for less elsewhere.

Although, as I said before, we didn't take the offer because I was afraid of the timeshare talk. I've read horror stories (although, not necessarily from Marriott) and DH would kill me if I got us involved in something like that.

Maggie

You're probably not going to find anywhere else (decent) for $67/night. Go ahead and do it. I've done several of these with Marriott, and here's what I can say:

You'll check in, it'll be a nice place, you'll have fun.

When you go for your timeshare presentation, you should know what's going to happen because EVERY DETAIL of THE ACT is designed to make you want-want-want that timeshare. You should know the script. They're good at it.

Your timeshare presentation will be on the last full day of your vacation. This'll have given you enough time to have some vacation fun, but you'll be anticipating going home the next day, and you'll be thinking that you'd like to come back. In short, this is the prime time to grab you.

You'll have a light breakfast (or snack or lunch, whatever's time-appropriate) and you'll chat with the salesperson. He or she is fishing at this point for information to use to try to sell to you: Have you enjoyed your vacation? Isn't this a perfect location? Do you have children? Hint: If they've told you it's a two-hour presentation, they don't count your snack time as part of that two hours.

Then they'll introduce you to the concept of timeshare vacations. They'll explain the concept of "anyway dollars". The idea is that you're going to spend on vacations anyway -- it makes sense to spend on something you'll own instead of renting hotel rooms constantly. They'll show you that you can stay in a condo instead of a hotel room, and they'll make it sound like you can do it for the same price. Keep in mind that they're being a little "soft" with the math here. Don't forget that to buy into a timeshare you need your DOWN PAYMENT and your MAINTENANCE FEES and sometimes TRADE FEES. They tend to gloss over these fees. They also emphasize how hotel rooms will go up in price, but if you "buy in", you'll be locked into today's prices (except for the maintenance fees, of course). They'll basically try to convince you that you cannot afford NOT to buy into this timeshare. At this point they're working on your head.

They'll emphasize their company's good features. I really do think Marriott has the best product. Their lock-out timeshares allow you to "split" your week into two weeks, which is a major point in my opinion. They'll talk about how you can trade your week for a different resort. They'll explain that this is deeded real estate that you'll own forever (unlike some companies, which expire on a certain date), and you can even pass it down to your children with no additional downpayment. They'll talk about summer weeks vs. fall weeks. These are nice features, and since you're new to this concept, you should listen to them.

During this talk, ask whatever seems appropriate, but don't argue with their fuzzy math. They have a slick answer for it all, and it doesn't matter anyway. Discussing it at length will only extend your presentation, and this isn't the fun part. Listen and agree.

In the future, when you go back for a second (or third, or fourth) presentation, you'll want to START by telling the people that you already know all about how wonderful timeshares are, and perhaps that you already own one. Let them think you're 100% sold on the timeshare thing. This will speed you through the "here's the idea" portion of the presentation.

Once they've -- in theory -- convinced you that you can have this timeshare for the same cost as a regular vacation every year, then they'll say it's time to go see the place. This is the part where they try to sell your heart -- they're working on your emotions now. I have teens, so they'd talk to me about how few years I have to vacation with my kids, how I want them to go away with great memories of family vacations, how they'll enjoy bringing the grandchildren here one day to the same places they came as kids.

They'll want to either take you in their van or a golf cart. REFUSE. Drive your own car. You do not want to be dependant upon their transportation. They'll balk. You're not supposed to buck the system, go against their script. Smile sheepishly and explain that it's just one of your little oddities. You just DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE in someone else's car. You feel anxious and nervous. You'd not be able to concentrate on this wonderful place they're about to show you if you knew that you had to ride with someone else. You're very embarassed to admit it, but it actually is more of a paranoia, a phobia. Your heart is racing at the very idea of riding in someone else's car. You may not be able to go see the condo at all -- and, oh, you did want to see it! They'll give in, but they won't like it. They don't want you to have any control, and they want you to feel that they're serving you, catering to your every need.

Enjoy the walk-through. It'll be a very nice place. Lovely pools, restaurants, nice condos with kitchens and washer/dryers. Note that every detail is designed to make you want to buy: "This is YOUR kitchen, YOUR master bedroom." They've already determined whether you have children or other family, so it'll be, "Once you have kids, this'll be perfect for them." Every detail'll be just for you. Expect some name dropping; John Travolta likes to play golf here, etc., etc. This property is so easy to trade; you'll be able to trade for condos in Australia, Ireland -- your choice!

Since you're driving, you'll be able to determine when it's time to go. You're anxious to go back and talk price!

So you go back to the timeshare presentation spot. You walk through some displays that emphasize the age, stability, dependability of the Marriott company -- and that does matter. I don't want to own a timeshare with anything but a major company.

Finally you sit down with the money man to discuss price. This is the first time it's going to FEEL like hard sale. He'll explain that the price is XXX, and -- lucky you! -- you've come in just before the first section is completed. In only a few weeks the price is going to go up! And if you buy now, you'll get some nice things. Perhaps airline tickets, perhaps a free week this summer, something nice. If you allow the conversation to go on and on, they'll begin to discuss financing. Understand this clearly: YOU WILL WANT THIS PRODUCT. No matter how strong your resolve, a part of you will be mentally going through the contents of your bank account, figuring how much you have in savings . . .b

Here's what you must do at that point: Open your purse and bring out print-outs of the same property on RESALE. Resale prices are a fraction of the company's asking price. Ask them (sincerely, not in a sarcastic manner) why you should pay XXX to them when the resale price is only X. They'll point out that it's more difficult to find a prime week on the resale market, and they'll point out that the resale market owner won't give you the nice freebies that they're offering. They'll also point out that resale owners won't give you financing. You can ignore all because the reality is that timeshares on the resale market tend to sell for 10-25% of their original asking price. No nicey-nices are worth an extra 75-90%

When they see that you realize the resale market is out there, they'll look like deflated balloons. At that point, they know that you're well-informed, and that although you do like their property, they also know that you can get it for a fraction of the price. They know you're a lost cause. They'll put out a few more half-hearted attempts, but they're really thinking of that other couple who just walked in -- fresh meat! They aren't going to waste more time with you. They'll stamp your materials (or whatever they're doing now) and let you go.

The week after, they'll call you again to see if you've thought about the timeshare any more. They've put money into you, and they want to recoup that. You can't blame them for that.

Hard and cold facts:

Resale makes so much sense that I cannot even comprehend the idea of buying from the developer. Resale's only downside is that you have to search for the right option for you, and that might take time. But so what? You don't have a timeshare now, and you're not suffering. What if it takes you a year to locate THE PROPERTY you want on resale? To save that kind of money, you can do it. The economy makes right now a GREAT TIME to buy on the resale market.

A timeshare is in no way an investment -- not in the sense that it'll make you money. You will never make money from this deal. It's more of a pre-purchased vacation.

You'd be nuts to buy from anyone except one of the big developers (Marriott, Hilton, etc.) You need to know that this group'll be there in 10, 20 years.
If you decide to sell later, it's hard to sell a prime week and it's essentially impossible to sell an off-season week.

You should decide ahead of time whether you want a timeshare that uses weeks or a timeshare that uses points. Both systems have their good points. Also, some timeshares give you a vacation every summer, while others give you a vacation every other year.

There's a great book out there -- Timeshare vacations for Dummies (or something similar to that -- that would be helpful to you.

You should anticipate your family's needs over the next decades; for example, right now we love having two bedrooms . . . but it won't be long 'til our children are gone, and we'll enjoy being able to "split" the one-week two-bedroom into a two-week one-bedrdoom (Marriott lets you do that).

Don't buy with the vague idea that "this will trade". UNDERSTAND the process and the fees involved in trading. Understand BEFORE you buy.
If you want to trade your timeshare, you MUST have a prime location -- otherwise, no one else will want to trade with you.

This is a luxury; you don't finance luxuries. If you cannot afford to pay the downpayment, you can't afford the timeshare.

My personal thoughts:

You shouldn't buy a timeshare to which you cannot drive.

We first toured Grande Vista in Orlando, and we loved it . . . but once the magic of the timeshare presentation wore off, we realized that it would've been stupid for us to buy into a golf community. We don't golf. The salesperson told us that golf communities increase in value fast, and they trade well, and at that moment we said, "Oh, yes", but back home we faced the truth: WE DON'T GOLF. Why should we pay upkeep for a golf course on the vague promise (the vague and unrealistic promise) that we might sell for more one day? It wasn't a good fit for us.

Also, we decided that we really wanted to be on the ocean.

Even if you have NO INTENTION of buying a timeshare, go ahead and do the promotion. You may well decide that this isn't right for you NOW but it will be right SOMEDAY, so you're not wasting their time and money. You have no business buying a 30K product on the spur of the moment anyway. You really should tour a couple other properties before settling on the one that you'd want.

 

[LisaInNc]

MrsPete beautiful walk through of the process!!!

Lisa

 

[daisy1234]

Wow...thanks everyone!!! Only problem is that we plan not to have a car??? I think we nay just have to check it out...the properties are the newest ones and they look awesome!

 

[dis-happy]

You're probably not going to find anywhere else (decent) for $67/night. Go ahead and do it. I've done several of these with Marriott, and here's what I can say:

You'll check in, it'll be a nice place, you'll have fun.

When you go for your timeshare presentation, you should know what's going to happen because EVERY DETAIL of THE ACT is designed to make you want-want-want that timeshare. You should know the script. They're good at it.

Your timeshare presentation will be on the last full day of your vacation. This'll have given you enough time to have some vacation fun, but you'll be anticipating going home the next day, and you'll be thinking that you'd like to come back. In short, this is the prime time to grab you.

You'll have a light breakfast (or snack or lunch, whatever's time-appropriate) and you'll chat with the salesperson. He or she is fishing at this point for information to use to try to sell to you: Have you enjoyed your vacation? Isn't this a perfect location? Do you have children? Hint: If they've told you it's a two-hour presentation, they don't count your snack time as part of that two hours.

Then they'll introduce you to the concept of timeshare vacations. They'll explain the concept of "anyway dollars". The idea is that you're going to spend on vacations anyway -- it makes sense to spend on something you'll own instead of renting hotel rooms constantly. They'll show you that you can stay in a condo instead of a hotel room, and they'll make it sound like you can do it for the same price. Keep in mind that they're being a little "soft" with the math here. Don't forget that to buy into a timeshare you need your DOWN PAYMENT and your MAINTENANCE FEES and sometimes TRADE FEES. They tend to gloss over these fees. They also emphasize how hotel rooms will go up in price, but if you "buy in", you'll be locked into today's prices (except for the maintenance fees, of course). They'll basically try to convince you that you cannot afford NOT to buy into this timeshare. At this point they're working on your head.

They'll emphasize their company's good features. I really do think Marriott has the best product. Their lock-out timeshares allow you to "split" your week into two weeks, which is a major point in my opinion. They'll talk about how you can trade your week for a different resort. They'll explain that this is deeded real estate that you'll own forever (unlike some companies, which expire on a certain date), and you can even pass it down to your children with no additional downpayment. They'll talk about summer weeks vs. fall weeks. These are nice features, and since you're new to this concept, you should listen to them.

During this talk, ask whatever seems appropriate, but don't argue with their fuzzy math. They have a slick answer for it all, and it doesn't matter anyway. Discussing it at length will only extend your presentation, and this isn't the fun part. Listen and agree.

In the future, when you go back for a second (or third, or fourth) presentation, you'll want to START by telling the people that you already know all about how wonderful timeshares are, and perhaps that you already own one. Let them think you're 100% sold on the timeshare thing. This will speed you through the "here's the idea" portion of the presentation.

Once they've -- in theory -- convinced you that you can have this timeshare for the same cost as a regular vacation every year, then they'll say it's time to go see the place. This is the part where they try to sell your heart -- they're working on your emotions now. I have teens, so they'd talk to me about how few years I have to vacation with my kids, how I want them to go away with great memories of family vacations, how they'll enjoy bringing the grandchildren here one day to the same places they came as kids.

They'll want to either take you in their van or a golf cart. REFUSE. Drive your own car. You do not want to be dependant upon their transportation. They'll balk. You're not supposed to buck the system, go against their script. Smile sheepishly and explain that it's just one of your little oddities. You just DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE in someone else's car. You feel anxious and nervous. You'd not be able to concentrate on this wonderful place they're about to show you if you knew that you had to ride with someone else. You're very embarassed to admit it, but it actually is more of a paranoia, a phobia. Your heart is racing at the very idea of riding in someone else's car. You may not be able to go see the condo at all -- and, oh, you did want to see it! They'll give in, but they won't like it. They don't want you to have any control, and they want you to feel that they're serving you, catering to your every need.

Enjoy the walk-through. It'll be a very nice place. Lovely pools, restaurants, nice condos with kitchens and washer/dryers. Note that every detail is designed to make you want to buy: "This is YOUR kitchen, YOUR master bedroom." They've already determined whether you have children or other family, so it'll be, "Once you have kids, this'll be perfect for them." Every detail'll be just for you. Expect some name dropping; John Travolta likes to play golf here, etc., etc. This property is so easy to trade; you'll be able to trade for condos in Australia, Ireland -- your choice!

Since you're driving, you'll be able to determine when it's time to go. You're anxious to go back and talk price!

So you go back to the timeshare presentation spot. You walk through some displays that emphasize the age, stability, dependability of the Marriott company -- and that does matter. I don't want to own a timeshare with anything but a major company.

Finally you sit down with the money man to discuss price. This is the first time it's going to FEEL like hard sale. He'll explain that the price is XXX, and -- lucky you! -- you've come in just before the first section is completed. In only a few weeks the price is going to go up! And if you buy now, you'll get some nice things. Perhaps airline tickets, perhaps a free week this summer, something nice. If you allow the conversation to go on and on, they'll begin to discuss financing. Understand this clearly: YOU WILL WANT THIS PRODUCT. No matter how strong your resolve, a part of you will be mentally going through the contents of your bank account, figuring how much you have in savings . . .b

Here's what you must do at that point: Open your purse and bring out print-outs of the same property on RESALE. Resale prices are a fraction of the company's asking price. Ask them (sincerely, not in a sarcastic manner) why you should pay XXX to them when the resale price is only X. They'll point out that it's more difficult to find a prime week on the resale market, and they'll point out that the resale market owner won't give you the nice freebies that they're offering. They'll also point out that resale owners won't give you financing. You can ignore all because the reality is that timeshares on the resale market tend to sell for 10-25% of their original asking price. No nicey-nices are worth an extra 75-90%

When they see that you realize the resale market is out there, they'll look like deflated balloons. At that point, they know that you're well-informed, and that although you do like their property, they also know that you can get it for a fraction of the price. They know you're a lost cause. They'll put out a few more half-hearted attempts, but they're really thinking of that other couple who just walked in -- fresh meat! They aren't going to waste more time with you. They'll stamp your materials (or whatever they're doing now) and let you go.

The week after, they'll call you again to see if you've thought about the timeshare any more. They've put money into you, and they want to recoup that. You can't blame them for that.

Hard and cold facts:

Resale makes so much sense that I cannot even comprehend the idea of buying from the developer. Resale's only downside is that you have to search for the right option for you, and that might take time. But so what? You don't have a timeshare now, and you're not suffering. What if it takes you a year to locate THE PROPERTY you want on resale? To save that kind of money, you can do it. The economy makes right now a GREAT TIME to buy on the resale market.

A timeshare is in no way an investment -- not in the sense that it'll make you money. You will never make money from this deal. It's more of a pre-purchased vacation.

You'd be nuts to buy from anyone except one of the big developers (Marriott, Hilton, etc.) You need to know that this group'll be there in 10, 20 years.
If you decide to sell later, it's hard to sell a prime week and it's essentially impossible to sell an off-season week.

You should decide ahead of time whether you want a timeshare that uses weeks or a timeshare that uses points. Both systems have their good points. Also, some timeshares give you a vacation every summer, while others give you a vacation every other year.

There's a great book out there -- Timeshare vacations for Dummies (or something similar to that -- that would be helpful to you.

You should anticipate your family's needs over the next decades; for example, right now we love having two bedrooms . . . but it won't be long 'til our children are gone, and we'll enjoy being able to "split" the one-week two-bedroom into a two-week one-bedrdoom (Marriott lets you do that).

Don't buy with the vague idea that "this will trade". UNDERSTAND the process and the fees involved in trading. Understand BEFORE you buy.
If you want to trade your timeshare, you MUST have a prime location -- otherwise, no one else will want to trade with you.

This is a luxury; you don't finance luxuries. If you cannot afford to pay the downpayment, you can't afford the timeshare.

My personal thoughts:

You shouldn't buy a timeshare to which you cannot drive.

We first toured Grande Vista in Orlando, and we loved it . . . but once the magic of the timeshare presentation wore off, we realized that it would've been stupid for us to buy into a golf community. We don't golf. The salesperson told us that golf communities increase in value fast, and they trade well, and at that moment we said, "Oh, yes", but back home we faced the truth: WE DON'T GOLF. Why should we pay upkeep for a golf course on the vague promise (the vague and unrealistic promise) that we might sell for more one day? It wasn't a good fit for us.

Also, we decided that we really wanted to be on the ocean.

Even if you have NO INTENTION of buying a timeshare, go ahead and do the promotion. You may well decide that this isn't right for you NOW but it will be right SOMEDAY, so you're not wasting their time and money. You have no business buying a 30K product on the spur of the moment anyway. You really should tour a couple other properties before settling on the one that you'd want.

You almost make it sound like fun!! Plus, I have a few counter-arguements of my own that make perfect sense (why buy a Marriott timeshare when I can stay for free at any Marriott property anyway on dh's points?) Hmmmm, the next time they call for a hotel special I'll have to look into it more closely---might be nice for a trip add-on at WDW. Thanks for the tips!!!

 

[MrsPete]

MrsPete beautiful walk through of the process!!!

Thanks!

Wow...thanks everyone!!! Only problem is that we plan not to have a car??? I think we nay just have to check it out...the properties are the newest ones and they look awesome!

Well, if the car thing's the only hitch in the giddy-up, I'd go ahead and do it anyway. At worst, your presentation takes a little longer than anticipated.

You almost make it sound like fun!! Plus, I have a few counter-arguements of my own that make perfect sense (why buy a Marriott timeshare when I can stay for free at any Marriott property anyway on dh's points?) Hmmmm, the next time they call for a hotel special I'll have to look into it more closely---might be nice for a trip add-on at WDW. Thanks for the tips!!!

It is fun. The first time you do it, it's very informative. Afterward, you'll notice that they all do the very same thing!

Do you have enough points that you can stay at any Marriott anytime? Wow. Does he travel for business to have so many points? You're right that if you can stay for free anytime, you don't need this product . . . but I wouldn't bring it up 'til the very end -- and I'd use it as an excuse to leave: "You know, honey, this is probably a great thing, but remember -- we have so many points all the time. What does this really get us that we don't already have now?"

And someday if his travel (my guess on the accumulation of points) changes, you might want their product.

 

[Seahunt]

Just wanted to add to be sure and read the fine print to make sure you meet their offer guidelines, usually under "Details of Participation/Eligibility" - for example on this offer from Marriott's Canyon Villas in Phoenix it shows "Annual income of $100,000 or more and ownership of primary residence is required".

I'm not sure what Marriott does if you don't meet the offer criteria, but I've read of people being asked to pay the difference in the rack rate and the special rate at other TS resorts when they didn't qualify. Anyone here know about Marriott?

Edited to add: Aargh, sorry guys, in re-reading my post I wasn't implying anything about anyone's income, I was just trying to make sure everyone on the DIS who's interested in one of these offers checks that section of their offer out so no surprises later....it's the old travel agent in me coming out again LOL.