Some praise for DVC advisors and the system...

[TChrist05]

Hello fellow vacation club members...
My wife and I just returned from Las Vegas where we were obligated to participate in a Fairfield Resorts presentation. We knew it was going to be nothing like the DVC presentation we did many years ago. You have to be very creative, and I found that I had to say no thank you so many times, and really had to get creative at it. Finally, after 2 1/2 hours they finally got tired and realized that we were not interested since we own DVC. Were the resorts nice, absolutely. Were the studio that they have larger than DVC, yes. The main difference is the pressure they felt they had to put on you to get you to buy. In all the presentations we had with DVC before we finally bought, we never felt pressured. Makes you kind of appreciate the system that Disney has. We did get 3 nights at Harrah's, a great show and two dinners for our participation, and totally enjoyed it. I guess we just payed for it with our time.
Just thought we would share our thoughts about DVC sales presentations.
Tom & Marilou

 

[paulh]

you are only obliged to stay 90min,so you can leave after then you have forfilled your part of the contract
Paul

 

[Dean]

you are only obliged to stay 90min,so you can leave after then you have forfilled your part of the contract
Paul

Not necessarily true but I like the idea. Technically, in most cases, you're committed to complete a presentation either for a cheap stay or for the bribes they offer. They will tell you it usually takes approximately 90 minutes. If you walk out and have not satisfied them, they may not give you the perks. If you walk out and are on a discounted stay, you are likely to find a much higher bill when you check out. Essentially you're at their mercy if you want the benefit of the freebies they've promised. I've had them take 20 minutes or 3 hours depending on specifics. I know of those 6.5 hours and longer.

 

[mj2vacation]

It always amazes me what people will subject themselves to for a cheap vacation or $100 in dining. Unless I was really interested in buying, I would never go through the nonsense.

The industry finds that it works, because enough people will break down and sign on the dotted line after a few hours.

That is why DVC is so different. No discounted vacations, no big incentives to go on tour, and no need to buy today. They really lead the industry.

 

[T.E. Yeary]

There is one objection that cannot be overcome.

1. I don't have the money and I can't afford it!

Say this from beginning to end and your tour will be VERY short!!!

 

[Dean]

There is one objection that cannot be overcome.

1. I don't have the money and I can't afford it!

Say this from beginning to end and your tour will be VERY short!!!

Maybe, maybe not. Most of these type of offers require a minimum household income usually ranging from $40K to $75K. On a preview, I's suspect they've already pulled a credit report which they would be entitled to do. I wouldn't be surprised if they did this for most tours in general as well.

 

[mikayla73]

We have went to these types of presentations, never with a trip, but they give incentives like TV's or we did get $100 disney dollars once. They are VERY high pressure and they really use your own words against you, like they ask you all these questions and then they use your answers to try to convince you to buy ... "Well you said blah blah, didn't you mean it..." Drives me crazy, and even if I was going to buy, that immediately puts me off because I don't what someone that annoyed the stuffing out of me to get any commission from my purchase. I am the same way about buying a car and other stuff like that. Then they send three other people over to try to work out some "deals" for you ... yeah right! You have to buy on the spot.

We loved our DVC presentation, there was no pressure and you are even given a few days to think about buying. We didn't need it, but it was nice to know we had it. I felt no pressure to buy and felt I was given plenty of time to make decisions.

 

[JimC]

Yes, I agree that DVC, and Marriott for that matter, have taken a sensible approach to use the power of their brand and a nicely designed program to sell the product.

We attend the Marriott presentations when we are at those resorts. They offer you points or certificates to attend. I just tell the marketing people that I really have no interest to buy but a quick update to see the resort and get the gift is fine. Then I tell the sales person the same thing after we are introduced.

They usually appreciate that fact and you are in and out quickly.

 

[TChrist05]

When we agreed to take the trip to Vegas it was because my brother had done it and felt it was not high pressure....and we really wanted to visit Vegas...had never done it before...and when we were done with the presentation we never saw a point book or what we would get for the cost of the timeshare....glad we did it....and glad it is over...and thankful for the DVC.
Tom

 

[Caskbill]

Have done several of these in the past, but mostly only if we were really interested in the resort, and not just for the perks.

Years ago though, one time we got an offer for free dinner if we did the 15 minute presentation at a local hall. The presentation was for a resort in Cancun. Having never been to Cancun at the time, I was interested in finding out more information.

Of course they wanted me to buy on the spot. I said I had no idea what airfare was to Cancun and that could be a big annual factor. Also that I would not purchase site unseen for that kind of money. So I would need to buy tickets, fly down there myself, and check it out. Only then would I consider it.

They asked why in the world I would want to actually go to the resort before buying there.....

Guess they didn't get that response too often, as they obviously didn't have a canned response for it....

This was probably 25 years ago. They were slick then, and they're still slick today. We own Disney and Marriott. Just shows that a good product will sell itself.

 

[Dean]

Have done several of these in the past, but mostly only if we were really interested in the resort, and not just for the perks.

This is one of the areas where intent goes a long way, at least IMO. While I know THEY set the rules, I could not respect a decision to go just for the perks. But I always want to go, find out info, see the resort, etc. Drives my wife crazy, she hates them. But in HI, she signed us up for 2 while we were there, I was thrilled. She's usually telling me not to even think about it and we usually compromise on one that has a purposes behind it, esp for Marriott stays.

 

[drakethib]

When we agreed to take the trip to Vegas it was because my brother had done it and felt it was not high pressure....and we really wanted to visit Vegas...had never done it before...and when we were done with the presentation we never saw a point book or what we would get for the cost of the timeshare....glad we did it....and glad it is over...and thankful for the DVC.
Tom

For a free trip, 1.5 hours of my time is worth it although I ave never atteneded a presentation.

The pressure tactics wouldn't bother me.

I would say "no thank the first time", "no thanks the second time ", and "I guess we are done here today, where is my gift" the 3rd time.


No biggie.

 

[BeccaG]

Maybe, maybe not. Most of these type of offers require a minimum household income usually ranging from $40K to $75K. On a preview, I's suspect they've already pulled a credit report which they would be entitled to do. I wouldn't be surprised if they did this for most tours in general as well.

Do people actually give out this kind of personal info for a "free vacation?" I know I would not being giving out my household income but especially not my SSN for an alleged free vacation, how would you know its not a scam? I have gone on one of these trips where my in-laws own a timeshare but I was never asked for any of this.

 

[Dean]

Do people actually give out this kind of personal info for a "free vacation?" I know I would not being giving out my household income but especially not my SSN for an alleged free vacation, how would you know its not a scam? I have gone on one of these trips where my in-laws own a timeshare but I was never asked for any of this.

You don't have to give it out. It is not hard for them to know. I seem to recall some of those free stay trips tied to a timeshare tour include the fact that you represent you have a specified minimum income to attend. The next time I get one in writing, I'll have to read it for that issue. I suspect few people give out their income to them directly but they know pretty close based on info they have access to.