Marriott Grande Vista rude presentation

[llp479]

So sorry you were subjected to this. Contact MVC directly, not just the online survey. What really makes no sense to me is that the sales rep can sell you ANY MVC property, not just Grande Vista. He should have used the opportunity to tell you about other properties, some do have pool slides, and the MVC program as a whole. Who knows, you might have been interested in another property? To belittle you was unprofessional and unwise on his part.

As a MVC owner of two resorts, including Grande Vista, I urge you to make Sr. Mgmt at MVC aware of your experience. Who knows, with Marriott's commitment to customer service you may even get some type of compensation for your time.

 

[Dean]

Marriott could care less that this guy was rude. All they care about are his numbers and whether he's doing anything that's going to get them sued.

In general, I don't feel that is true at all. No more than you could say the same about DVC. And to be clear, I think DVC is TOO low key. IMO, their approach cost the members the other slated off site projects including CO, NY and Newport Coast.

 

[mj2vacation]

In general, I don't feel that is true at all. No more than you could say the same about DVC. And to be clear, I think DVC is TOO low key. IMO, their approach cost the members the other slated off site projects including CO, NY and Newport Coast.

I don't think that it has to do with low key, I think Disney struggles whenver it ventures too far from the mother ship. Vero and Hilton Head were less succesful than they would have hoped.

My biggest disappointment with DVC is the lack of resorts.

We also own several Marriott's and love them.

FYI, if you are going to loook at MVCI, call Marriott Direct. The site reps are hit and miss, the reps at Direct are a cut above the norm.

 

[Eric95403]

Your sarcasm was unnecessary

T-K....DVC may have more flexibility, I will not argue with that. I just don't like the idea of wasting people's time and playing the "confused wife" all the while knowing your intentions are to just get out of the presentation and get your cheap room rate. It happens all the time, I am aware of it. No wonder why these "sales people" get a bad wrap. Look what they're dealing with some times.

I know this topic was started w/ poor sales tactics by the Marriott rep. Marriott is known though for very easy going presentations. We don't own in Florida, we own in Lake Tahoe...ah beautiful Lake Tahoe ...anyway our sale went smoothly. We could have left at any time, but we knew we wanted to purchase. I feel sorry for those who go to these presentations and get the vise put to them. It gives all TS reps a bad name. Until this topic, I have never heard of a bad presentation at a Marriott.

 

[kidsister]

As a woman, I can understand your feelings re the jeckle and hyde salesman. Unfortunate that he chose to belittle you like that...and how stupid: we all know who has the final say re spending money on a timeshare!!!

But I have an idea. I like Lark's idea of just closing down BUT I think there is a better way: Pull out a little tape recorder (voice recorder) and set it on the table. If the salesman balks say that you've learned in your business to ALWAYS tape business discussions.

I seriously doubt that you will have anyone belittle you if they know they are tape BUT if they do, like in your sitch when your h came back, you could rewind and play it for your h who would 'call the man out'.

I learned the hard way that taping these types of interviews, bus discussions, meetings with lawyers or insurance people.....it just helps to make a tape. I had a lawyer sic a collection company on me for $18, 000. I wrote back that I had reviewed the tape, and that it seemed clear he had accepted a CC payment as 'paid in full' and that I had the FULL tape (in which I had been threatened into signing something) and would be glad to enter it into evidence in Court....never heard from them again.

So that is my tip for the day.....
Peace out.

 

[JandD Mom]

But I have an idea. I like Lark's idea of just closing down BUT I think there is a better way: Pull out a little tape recorder (voice recorder) and set it on the table. If the salesman balks say that you've learned in your business to ALWAYS tape business discussions.

I like it!

 

[Dean]

I don't think that it has to do with low key, I think Disney struggles whenver it ventures too far from the mother ship. Vero and Hilton Head were less succesful than they would have hoped.

IMO, and I've said so a number of times, is the very reason that they were unsuccessful IS because DVC is so low key. They weren't aggressive enough in getting non owners in and they weren't aggressive enough on the sales side. While I like it personally, I think this approach has cost us more resorts. Now there were other reasons for VB and HH, namely the locations which are sub par from a sales and general demand standpoint. Remember that for Newport they had an announced plan, final architectural plans in place and that Marriott has made it a very successful resort. For CO, there was a contract in place for an existing hotel with the idea of adding a DVC component.

 

[genealle]

Sounds like Marriott needs a new crew. Ours did lie to us and said we could tranfer MGV into DVC if we wanted to. WRONG! Our fault for not reading the fine print but what an unethical thing to do!

Please! Report them: http://*******.com/7e2yy

"To file a complaint regarding an issue involving a condominium or cooperative; a mobile home park; a timeshare; a yacht and ship broker and/or salesperson; click on the Division of Florida Land Sales, Condominiums, and Mobile Homes, in the box below"

Florida DBPR is very agressive in policing real estate fraud.

 

[mittelst]

IMO, and I've said so a number of times, is the very reason that they were unsuccessful IS because DVC is so low key. They weren't aggressive enough in getting non owners in and they weren't aggressive enough on the sales side. While I like it personally, I think this approach has cost us more resorts. Now there were other reasons for VB and HH, namely the locations which are sub par from a sales and general demand standpoint. Remember that for Newport they had an announced plan, final architectural plans in place and that Marriott has made it a very successful resort. For CO, there was a contract in place for an existing hotel with the idea of adding a DVC component.

Yikes! I never knew they were that close to acutally building the CA and CO resorts. Had they followed through, I wouldn't be the firm fence-sitter that I am. I have rented and stayed at BCV, OKW, and most recently HHI. A couple of non-FL resorts would definitely push me over the edge!

 

[JandD Mom]

Forgive me, but what are the other resorts you are talking about? I know Marriott's Newport Coast villas was originally supposed to be DVC, but what are the other resorts you are talking about?

Thanks!

 

[DVC-Don]

I'd do like we do here with difficult customers. I put a tape recorder on the desk, turn it on and say "Well, let's get started".

 

[ArthurAmish]

We did the Marriott Grande Vista timeshare presentation in June. We found a pretty good rate on the internet to stay there, including Sea World tickets. So, we really weren't under any obligation to do the presentation. However, at the check-in desk for the Grande Vista, their timeshare desk asked if I would be interested in the presentation. He offered me $200 instead of the normal $100 in "Marriott money." I asked him if I could use this against my present stay, he told my I could. That did take some talking with several different people to get accomplished, but it did work. I spent half of the time at the presentation (probably 30 minutes) disputing whether I should receive $200 versus $100. We did tell him we owned at DVC Beach Club, and he basically laughed at me like we were idiots. I've taken probably 7 of these timeshare presentations over the years, and this guy was not at the bottom, but toward the bottom in how I would rank them. I would defintely look at your watch when the presentation starts, note the time, and make sure the salesman sees you note the time. I basically had to get up and walk out at the end of the 90 minutes. I wouldn't say the salesman was particularly rude, but was demeaning to our family and was definitely quite full of himself. I would be happy to pass on his name if anyone is interested - I wonder if he is the same guy who was referred to at the start of this thread. I do agree that you have to go in to these expecting some of this behavior, discuss your "plan" with your spouse, and stick to your guns. I always tell these people I would never buy anything this expensive without thinking about it for a few days.

One caveat - don't let this ruin a whole day or two of your vacation. I have been so upset at some of these presentations that all I could think about the rest of the day (or two) was this jerk of a salesman. That's not worth it!

I also would agree that one of the reasons we proceeded in buying DVC is their low pressure approach. Two add-ons later, we are very happy with our purchase.

 

[JandD Mom]

Actually Arthur,

We spent 10 minutes arguing about the start time. Our appointment was 1:30 pm, and we arrived at 1:29 (I noted it on my cel phone). Because they could not find us in their computer, we waited 10-15 minutes before anyone came to greet us. When the sales rep came to greet us, we then waited another 10 minutes or so for him to find us chairs to sit in. Then after DH told him we just bought DVC, we waited another 10 minutes with him out of the room talking to his sales manager, and reviewing the entire computer file to determine if I had asked to cancel (which I had, but it was not noted in their computer records). He then came back and accused me of lying when I said they would not allow me to cancel.

Our argument was our appointment began at 1:30 and we were on time. We were giving MVC 90 minutes of our time. If they wanted to spend 1/2 hour or more making us wait, that was their problem not ours. HIs argument was that we were on a "meter" and the only time that counted was the time he determined was presentation time -- not the time he spent arguing with me over how long the presentation would be or the time he spent trying to find a place to meet with us. While he was belittling me, I did tell him that no, the presentation was over at 3 and that was it.

What was most interesting about this guy is he kept saying to me "well if you want to argue about what time you started, this does not count toward the presentation time."

Incidentally, that all took place in front of the reception area, and both he and I were asking the staff to contact the sales manager. The sales manager, of course, was unavailable.

 

[JandD Mom]

I just exchanged PMs with Arthur and we both had different salespeople. It is disappointing that Marriott has more than one of these guys at this location.

 

[DW_Fan]

Last week we went to a local Bluegreen Vacation Club presentation. Thier "pre-show" pesentation was very well done, and we were impressed that it seemed to be very similar to DVC.

Diane, we too toured a Bluegreen vacation club. I read all I could about TS's (not Bluegreen specifically) so I was prepared for the worst. It was an awesome presentation, the only complaint I could muster was the coffee was pretty bad. Awful, actually, but the rep even seemed embarrassed about that and tried to make me another cup. On PRESENTATION time no less! The package made a lot of sense, and we would have purchased BG instead of DVC had they had any onsite properties - staying offsite was the kicker. BUT, what was awesome was that you got your points, just like DVC, but you could also pay cash for any number of nights, and the two bedrooms were just $69 a night at any of their resorts, and the 3Br's just $79. They had the living room, full kitchen, full baths, master bath, etc like Disney, although I don't think they had any studios. PLUS, through RCI, we would have been able to purchase an unlimited number of weeks (outside our points) for just $199 at any of the RCI properties. I wish Disney had some perks like those.

Also, to the poster that said they had to leave and meet a 'closer' who offered them a discount - that sounds like it may be illegal. When we were 'closing', our rep gave us our bottom dollar, then said, "that won't be your price, let me call our sales manager to give you our special", and it was a deep discount. When we said we just couldn't buy immediately (as was required for the special) and had to talk it over she seemed disappointed but was very nice, and said she needed to tell us we could absolutely not have the special once we left, because they told us it was only for signing now, and if they let us have it later that was fraud.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

"PLUS, through RCI, we would have been able to purchase an unlimited number of weeks (outside our points) for just $199 at any of the RCI properties. I wish Disney had some perks like those"

What they forgot to tell you is those weeks are usually off time, short notice and you can't be picky, they actually go as low as 99.00 a week, it can be a good deal, we have gotten lucky and were able to add a room to our week at our timeshare in St. Maarten for my inlaws for $169.00!! But its not like you can call and say hey, I want to go XYZ, bookit!!

 

[lark]

Diane, we too toured a Bluegreen vacation club. I read all I could about TS's (not Bluegreen specifically) so I was prepared for the worst. It was an awesome presentation, the only complaint I could muster was the coffee was pretty bad. Awful, actually, but the rep even seemed embarrassed about that and tried to make me another cup. On PRESENTATION time no less! The package made a lot of sense, and we would have purchased BG instead of DVC had they had any onsite properties - staying offsite was the kicker. BUT, what was awesome was that you got your points, just like DVC, but you could also pay cash for any number of nights, and the two bedrooms were just $69 a night at any of their resorts, and the 3Br's just $79. They had the living room, full kitchen, full baths, master bath, etc like Disney, although I don't think they had any studios. PLUS, through RCI, we would have been able to purchase an unlimited number of weeks (outside our points) for just $199 at any of the RCI properties. I wish Disney had some perks like those.

Also, to the poster that said they had to leave and meet a 'closer' who offered them a discount - that sounds like it may be illegal. When we were 'closing', our rep gave us our bottom dollar, then said, "that won't be your price, let me call our sales manager to give you our special", and it was a deep discount. When we said we just couldn't buy immediately (as was required for the special) and had to talk it over she seemed disappointed but was very nice, and said she needed to tell us we could absolutely not have the special once we left, because they told us it was only for signing now, and if they let us have it later that was fraud.

First, the "it's fraud if we let you have it later" is unmitigated bullcrap. It's sales technique, through and through.

Second, if access to RCI's discounted weeks and last minute deals is something you desire, there are far far chepater ways to get into RCI than paying for bluegreen through a developer.

Third, a point I cannot emphasize enough, NEVER buy a timeshare through the developer. Just don't do it, ok? There is absolutely no reason ever to do it, except in some super-rare cases.

 

[JandD Mom]

First, the "it's fraud if we let you have it later" is unmitigated bullcrap. It's sales technique, through and through.

Lark is correct. To be fraud there has to be an intent to deceive. There is no violation of any law to offer someone a discount and continue it after a sales presentation. There is also no law against having unadvertized specials. In fact, they can offer you a zillion points for $1, even though they sell their points to everyone else for $1000 per point, and that's just the way it is.

If what they told you were true, car dealers would be out of business.

 

[Dean]

Third, a point I cannot emphasize enough, NEVER buy a timeshare through the developer. Just don't do it, ok? There is absolutely no reason ever to do it, except in some super-rare cases.

I would agree to a degree. I think there are times when it is appropriate but usually when you're getting more than the sum of the parts. Maybe it's a brand new resort in pre construction prices as Marriott tends to do. Or you want a specific week/unit. I have bought maybe 20 timeshares over the years. After 10 years, I bought my first from a developer last year. Marriott in developer sales AND I converted two resale weeks to points trade weeks in the process. I will make my second developer purchase upcoming where I am converting fixed weeks to BG points.

 

[Dean]

Yikes! I never knew they were that close to acutally building the CA and CO resorts. Had they followed through, I wouldn't be the firm fence-sitter that I am. I have rented and stayed at BCV, OKW, and most recently HHI. A couple of non-FL resorts would definitely push me over the edge!

The NY and CO were never officially announced so any info is merely rumor. The rumor for CO was DVC had a contract for an existing hotel in CO with plans to add a DVC component. Apparently they were in negotiations with a NY option around times square but never reached a contract. There were also rumors in HI interest but I never heard anything more specific.