Resort presentation-is there a way out?

[ciociania]

Hi guys. 7 weeks to WDW trip with DH and three kids (15, 5, 3). I was all set with hotel reservations at BVS for a pretty decent price of $69/night, when someone from Fairfield Resorts called today and put some ideas in my head. They offered 4D/3N deal for$119 total, w/$30 meal voucher and $30 back after 2 hr presentation, taking part in which was a requirement. My questions are:
1. Have anybody else heard of Fairfield Resorts and their programs?
2. Is it too good to be true? $119-$30-$30=$20/night?
3. If so, is there any way to get out of that presentation? I mean, if I refuse to go, could they charge me a higher rate for the room?
4. They offer rooms at Windham Orlando, Ramada Plaza, Sharaton (don't know which one) and Holiday Inn Mikki something... Did anybody stay in any of these hotels. Are they any good? They are probably very far from WDW...
Any input will be grrrrreatly appreciated.

 

[Belle1962]

Fairfield is a legit timeshare operator http://www.efairfield.com/

Yes they can charge you a higher rate if you default on the terms of the deal (i.e. the tour) but there is an old post on how to deal with timeshare presentations--will try to bump it for you. Just remember--they can not hold you past the amount of time they indicated (usually 90 minutes). They will require both husband and wife to attend--either bring the kids with you--which they discourage and they will ask you to put them in their "child care" area.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

I'd echo Belle1962's views, for the most part. The Fairfield, part of the Marriott family, is pretty legit. I've sat through a few timeshare speeches for free tickets. Just be firm, and don't be sold. They will try some pretty high-pressure tactics to get you to buy. Also establish ahead of time what amount of time they expect of you. When you sit down with them, look at your watch and politely tell them the clock's ticking.

The only thing that bothers me about your post is the existence of Ramada Plaza on your potential hotel list. I've heard horror stories about Ramada Plaza Resorts, an Orlando company that has a reputation of being the foulest of the Timeshare people. Robin Leach got sued (and lost) for his involvment with this firm. There's actually a web site out there called www.rprsucks.com for folks to share info and try to get refunds.

From what I can see, Fairfield isn't involved with RPR, the Ramada is just one of the hotels they offer (and it's an ok hotel). But take heed: If you smell RPR, back away. And if you stay in the Ramada, and someone at a booth turns on the charm and asks to talk to you, run very fast.

Pat

 

[jbthi]

We took one of these deals from FF in Mar. They put us up at the Wyndham on International Drive for 4 nights, gave us 2 tickets to WDW that were for 2 days each (non hopper but with a plus for water parks, etc.). I think we paid $199, but maybe it was $299.
The hotel also charged us a service charge ($8? a night). I figured they probably don't do this for all guests, just the ones put up by FF. Did'nt care for the hotel, would never stay there again. The sales presentation from FF was the worst we had ever had. We own 7 timeshares including DVC so we have sat thru many presentations. FF was the rudest we have ever been to. We knew enough so they couldn't tell too many lies but they did manage to get in a few. When I questioned them on this, they said they guessed it all boiled down to whether we trusted FF or not. Silly comment Guess who didn't buy.

 

[DianeV]

I would ask them to put me up at their timeshare. After all that is what they are trying to sell so what better way to check it out? I dont like those presentations that put you up at a cheap hotel.

Yes if you default on the presentation they can charge you the full rate and will.

 

[safekids]

I agree with DianeV, if they want you to buy then first you have to try. We are doing the same thing. We are staying in a 1700 square foot, 3 bedroom, 3 full baths, 2 full kitchens, 2 living rooms condo for $100 a night. If we do not come the the 90 minute presentation we will be charged $200.00. I've been to these before, they are very high preasure presentations, just be firm and stick to your word. If you give them any impression that you might even slightly think about it, they will turn up the heat.

 

[HM]

Fairfield timeshare ARE NOT part of the Marriott family of timeshares.

You must take the tour if you are to get the "deal". And in MHO doing so with Fairfield is NOT worth it. They are a HARD SELL company. I did a tour with them in Williamsburg and left in tears, it was so bad. We did stay in a very nice hotel (we were one of the lucky ones...some customers waiting with us were put up in a Motel 6) and the meal vouchers worked well, but the tour was h*ll.

I have done Marriott tours a couple of times (they are not hard sell) and eventually bought from them (a couple years after our last sales presentation).


-HM

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by HM
Fairfield timeshare ARE NOT part of the Marriott family of timeshares. -HM

HM,

My pardons. Thanks for the correction and the education. I'm trying to research this right now, but do you know if these folks are at all tied in with Ramada Plaza Resorts? Based on your reply that they were NOT affiliated with Marriott (I assumed, bad assumption), and my concerns with RPR, I've just been running some internet checks cross referencing the two. Can't find anything, not yet anyway. But I've been through a row with RPR, and if they're in bed with Fairfield, then I'd say stay the hell away.

Pat

 

[Lisa P.]

We love owning and using our Fairfield timeshare points. Very nice resorts, excellent locations, flexible program. We bought resale after researching it well and didn't fall prey to a sales pitch. The reality has easily exceeded our moderate expectations.

However, Fairfield's history with the "hard sell" has been a problem.

No timeshare (not even DVC) is completely immune to the possibility of dishonest sales tactics or heavy pressure. The salespeople are paid on commission. Some companies are definitely worse than others. Fairfield seems to be cleaning up their act with a great increase in internal auditing. It really comes down to who you end up having, sitting across the table from you.

We've been to quite a few timeshare sales pitches. Don't sign anything, not anything, at the sales tour. Give yourself time to learn more, independently, and think it over a while, if you like what you see. Be prepared to say no and mean it. Get ready for a hard sell and be pleasantly surprised if it's not that way.

If a pressured pitch or an unusually hostile person (they're in every line of work out there!) would ruin your vacation, or even that day, then don't accept the offer. Don't set yourself up that way. JMHO.

 

[laceemouse]

We own another t/s which we trade through RCI. We just bought DVC also. Staying in a timeshare is great, sitting through a hard sell presentation is awful. We havestayed at some Fairfield resorts and they were nice, but when anyone calls to offer me stuff to sit through their presentation, I say NO!

 

[lawgs]

all the Fairfields we ever traded into through RCI were not what we would call "well maintained".....perhaps people who trade in are "placed" in these "units" ...since most of the time the resort "assigns" the room upon check in....

that being said....Fairfield is now owned by Cendant...which in turn controls RCI and we also suspect there is some connection between RCI and Skyauction

so in the time share industry there seems to be quite a web beneath the surface that most are not aware of...

we have been happier with our exchanges since we have started to "book" our own on the net through RCI 's website ( not having to "hope" a vacation counselor from RCI can find what we want ) thus we put our "exchange fee down" when we have something we know about not before they come through for us on an "ongoing search"


on the RPR note, we were called in january by another company called RTA and yes we did buy a package from them which in retrospect was quite a deal...

however, one of the options they offered us was 3 days/2 nights in williamsburg ( no mention of timeshare presentations )

when we tried to book it for our recent trip to williamsburg
all of a sudden there were hoops we had to jump through

1. could not book it for tuesday or friday night arrival ( we had to change our flights to accomodate this, luckily it was with SWA )

2. when it was finally booked we were told we would have to put a $100 deposit down

3. when we asked why the $100 deposit we were told it was to secure our "booking" ( which was through another company altogether Always Travel in Williamsburg )

4. when we did make our "confirmation" through Always Travel we were told we would have to sit through a 90 minute presentation at Williamsburg Plantation

5. when we said we were not told this in our initial offering, we come to find out the company responsible for the promotion in williamsburg was not RTA but RPR ( thus we were slammed from RTA to RPR without knowing it and did try to fight it but was told we would lose our accomodations if we did not "follow through".

Since we had everything planned and could not change it, we did go....LaQuinta INN accomodation ( not really that bad with a nice continental breakfast 150$ value based on the "tax" we had to pay), a next day tour of Williamsburg Plantation ( affiliated with Berkshire Group ... Vacation Village, Massanuten etc ) ...we did not BUY but did receive in addition to our "stay", 2 tickets to busch gardens (90$ value ) and our $100 deposit back. We then spent the next week at Powhatan Plantation which we purchased through Skyauction for 250$ which was much cheaper than if we had exchanged using our RCI timeshare by about 350$. So we did have a nice time in Williamsburg/

In addition to this we have 5 days 4nights in Orlando (Confort Suites ??) 4days/ 3nights Branson and for our aggravation with the above they "threw in" Daytona or Cocoa Beach for 4days/3nights for future use but they are all through our original contact RTA so we should not have any further problems. To RTA defense, they did apologize for the "inconvenience" saying they had now pulled ouf of dealing with RPR and the Williamsburg offer since they were having so many problems with it.

We did do alright with this promotion in spite of the aggravation of dealing with the RPR part of the offer.....just be aware if you get a phone call from someone offering you a similar deal, try to get all the "details" upfront before you sign.....

by the way, this promotion, started out at 395$ USD for just the Orlando Branson part of it....the others were add ons after we refused the first offer....and funny thing when we were passed over to "manager" the deal price became sweeter as we talked ( they really wanted to sell the package )

We probably would never respond to a telephone offering again.

 

[dsanner106]

My experience has not been too bad with the Fairfield folks, I can always sidestep the pitch and usually am out fairly quickly. RTR is another story altogether. Yes you do have to follow through with the "deal" and sit through the presentation, but I did this same thing in Orlando last year, and survived to hit MK a few minutes after the presentation, and you will too. Just don't sign a single thing and you will be fine. It is sort of like having a dentist appointment first thing in the morning, you dread it til it starts, but once it is over you are elated the rest of the day.
Drew

 

[ciociania]

Thank you all for your interesting and educational comments. I especially liked Drew's comparison of a presentation to a dental appointment; I hate those! You guys got me thinking, that it may be worth to take them (Fairfield) up on their offer if they put me in their time share. I think I can pull it off, becasue they give me 25 days to cancell the package and I could book the reservations as soon as this Friday. So if I don't get what I want, I will just cancell. (Maybe I can even get some park tickets?)And here is a question: Could they change the hotel on me in the last minute before arrival?
Belle1962 suggested bringing the kids to the presentation. Do they offer a babysitter? How does their "child area" looks like?
It goes without saying that we are not ready to buy a time share! It is not that I am against it, but we couldn't afford that at this point in our lifes. Therefore, if we are at WDW for four days, is it worth to waste 2hrs on the presentation? Thanks again for your help!!!!

 

[Lisa P.]

Could they change the hotel on me in the last minute before arrival?
Just guessing... but probably, yes, unless you paid for an upgrade. I believe the keyword is "comparable." They do seem to try to get you where they've said you'll be. The tour wouldn't have a chance otherwise!

Belle1962 suggested bringing the kids to the presentation. Do they offer a babysitter? How does their "child area" looks like?
Star Island or Cypress Palms? Either way, it's usually a room with some video games, board games, craft materials and a young woman who signs the children in & out. Having the kids stay with you tends to limit the duration of the tour - kids get restless. Just remind any older children ahead of time that "ooh" & "ahh" (if they see something they like) are not helpful to Mom & Dad.

...we couldn't afford that at this point in our lifes.
Make sure that you fulfill the family income requirement for the particular offer you've been given. It's usually $50,000 per year with Fairfield. They don't ask for any kind of proof. They may assume you fulfill this (it'd be on the confirmation paperwork you'd get in the mail).

...is it worth to waste 2hrs on the presentation?
Most people would probably say no. Depends on whether you visit Orlando regularly and relax or you tend to "commando" through the parks.

 

[Popsicle]

ciociania

Sorry if I'm repeating something that's been said already, but I would pass on the offer. If you want a lower rate for rooms and you want to sit through a timeshare presentation, there are other, more reliable venues that the wonderful members of these boards can tell you about. You may not get the vouchers, and the tickets, and all the other "perks," but you will get a terrific room (or condo) for a fairly low cost.

Hotelkingdom.com offers reservations at resorts with timeshare presentation. Another site is (somebody out there help me) www.hoteldiscounts.cc. The Embassy Vacation Club is offered, "Celebration" resort is featured, and a couple more for like $39.00 per night. TUG.net is the timeshare users group and there are always some types of presentation tours and rewards listed on it.

You will be charged the rack rate for the room if you renege on the presentation, so consider that. And while they may "offer" rooms at certain hotels, it might be your "luck" that the only rooms available when you need one are at "Flea Bay Royale."

Good Luck.