Time Share nags

[LisaInNc]

I was at a Wine festival and a time share was offering 3 night at Virginia Beach for 99.99 with a time share presentation. I jumped at it since we love, love, LOVE the beach and the hotels are expensive. The worst hotel on the boardwalk is 99.99 a night. We are getting a decent hotel on the ocean in the summer.

I can easily sit though the presentation.

Here is what is cracking me up. These people are nags. I got email after email reminding me to book my nights. When I did I got a letter confirming it about 2 days later. A phone call to follow up that I got the letter. Then several calls reminding me of my dates. These people are uptight.

I m guessing in this economy no one is buying time shares on the beach . I won't be either but I will be loving my mini cheap vacation. It comes with 2 30.00 dining certificates. I have my restaurant.com certificates all set and we are going to have a blast really cheaply.

Lisa

 

[cglaura]

I was at a Wine festival and a time share was offering 3 night at Virginia Beach for 99.99 with a time share presentation. I jumped at it since we love, love, LOVE the beach and the hotels are expensive. The worst hotel on the boardwalk is 99.99 a night. We are getting a decent hotel on the ocean in the summer.

I can easily sit though the presentation.

Here is what is cracking me up. These people are nags. I got email after email reminding me to book my nights. When I did I got a letter confirming it about 2 days later. A phone call to follow up that I got the letter. Then several calls reminding me of my dates. These people are uptight.

I m guessing in this economy no one is buying time shares on the beach . I won't be either but I will be loving my mini cheap vacation. It comes with 2 30.00 dining certificates. I have my restaurant.com certificates all set and we are going to have a blast really cheaply.

Lisa

Not to be debbiedowner, but you do realize how much you are wasting their time by having no intention of buying, right? I mean, unless I read it wrong, it's not like you are on the fence or anything. You have absolutely no intention of purchasing anything?

Not sure how you can feel right about doing this to someone just trying to earn a living

 

[TiggerTails57]

Not to be debbiedowner, but you do realize how much you are wasting their time by having no intention of buying, right? I mean, unless I read it wrong, it's not like you are on the fence or anything. You have absolutely no intention of purchasing anything?

Not sure how you can feel right about doing this to someone just trying to earn a living

I'm sure Lisa is thinking about it.......right?

 

[wahooker]

Their entire business model is based on that. They use high pressure sales tactics, and every lie in the book to pressure people into buying... even those who walk in with no intention of doing so.

I'd rather deal with telemarketers, Car Salesmen and Politicians.

 

[Purseval]

So consider the nagging part of the price you pay for cheap entertainment and let the folks do their job. Also consider that virtually every timeshare sale is to someone who had no intention of buying when they walked in the door, which is why they keep giving away the freebies.

 

[tkitty]

My DD now owns 2 time share properties that she had no intention of buying. She just went for the perks they offered!
Hey, I've gone on some great time share vacations with her, including an OKW
week last year.
Be strong!

 

[austinosphere]

With their success rate of turning people who "weren't going to buy but were there for the free X" into buyers, they are MORE THAN HAPPY to fork out the small reward for those people who gave HOURS of their time to sit through one of their super high pressure presentations.

They offer the prizes because that's the way they get people to sit - people that OF COURSE think they're just going to get the prizes without buying.

And then they make them buy (they're very good at it).

I personally find them to be heck so....

 

[Handbag Lady]

Be prepared. Be very prepared.

 

[seashoreCM]

Not to be debbiedowner, but you do realize how much you are wasting their time by having no intention of buying, right? I mean, unless I read it wrong, it's not like you are on the fence or anything. You have absolutely no intention of purchasing anything?

Not sure how you can feel right about doing this to someone just trying to earn a living

The comment that goes well with your remarks is: "too bad, so sad."

The salesman can request to dismiss you from the tour early while still giving you the items promised in the brochure.

I have been on some of these timeshare tours in years past and have offered to go on a self guided tour so as to save the salesman's time. Just once the salesman took me up on that; the rest of the times they insisted on escorting me.

There is an agreement spelled out in the brochure. You agree to spend the time (90 minute? Two hours?) not including the free breakfast with the sales people. The sales people agree to give you a courteous tour and the item(s) or prize(s). The brochure specifically says, "no purchase necessary."

Oh, by the way, if they are rude then they have broken their side of the agreement. If they keep you beyond the time specified, then they have broken their side of the agreement.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[Purseval]

Oh, by the way, if they are rude then they have broken their side of the agreement. If they keep you beyond the time specified, then they have broken their side of the agreement.

OK, so you're at the tour. You look at your watch and tell them time's up, you're leaving. They tell you to go ahead and leave, no gift for you. How rude of them What exactly do you think you're going to do about it, threaten to sue them?

 

[Mickey527]

OK, so you're at the tour. You look at your watch and tell them time's up, you're leaving. They tell you to go ahead and leave, no gift for you. How rude of them What exactly do you think you're going to do about it, threaten to sue them?

they can't NOT give you the gift, it is in the agreement. You give them 90 min of your time they will give you the gift. BUT.....
Once the 90 min mark has come you can tell the salesman who will try again to talk you into purchasing. You say no. he goes to get the manager to "finish the paperwork" That might take 10 min to 1/2 hour. Then the manager will come over and make you another offer to pay less. You say no. The manager will then say he will go and get the papers you need to turn in for your gift. That might take up to another 1/2 hour.
then the original salesman will come over with the papers and tell you where to go to redeem your gift. You then go into another room and get in line, figure another 1/2 hour.... So your 90 minutes has added another hour and a half or more.
I did at one Marriot tour have to stand up and say loudly "I have been here for 2 hours, I am not going to buy, get my paperwork done now" Everyone looked over and the manager really got me out quickly.
I also did a tour once where I showed some interest by asking questions. this was prior to my buying DVC and I didn't know much about time shares. That was the worst, they kept me there and I couldn't get out. I finally signed the papers just to get out because I had been at the place since 9 am and it was almost noon. I then went directly to the library and typed a letter recinding the purchase and then to the Post Office to send it certified. (you have 3 days to back out) they called and made a better offer but I didn't want to buy after the pressure they put on me. Two weeks later the company filed bancruptcy and they never did finish the buildings they had shown me. Whew!!!
If you are going to stay at their resort be prepared for lots of phone calls and messages and knocks on your door. They are not going to let you get away easy, you are using a room for cheap, they will try everything.
I sometimes do time share tours when I am in Fl alone, just to see what the others are offering now. Some of the resorts are beautiful, some are dumps. I own at DVC and do not plan on buying anywhere else. I tell them in advance I am not buying and sometimes I do get a shortened tour. Other times I set my watch and do the 90 min I am leaving thing.
I do not eat because while you are eating they are talking and that doesn't count toward your 90 min. If you are going to eat either talk to your family and tell the salesman you want family time and will talk to him when you are done, or bring a book. I have seen women sit and read while eating and refuse to talk. I just don't eat, the food is terrible cold cafeteria stuff anyhow.
And by doing a tour and giving up about 2 hours of my time I have made up to $250 which I use to buy something decadant for myself that I wouldn't normally buy.

 

[disneymom2003]

Not to be debbiedowner, but you do realize how much you are wasting their time by having no intention of buying, right? I mean, unless I read it wrong, it's not like you are on the fence or anything. You have absolutely no intention of purchasing anything?

Not sure how you can feel right about doing this to someone just trying to earn a living

We have done several of these and have not bought a time share. We went to the Hilton last year in Orlando. We had 4 nights for $99. The resort was beautiful but we declined. Did we feel bad. NO. They know not everyone taking them up on their offer will buy. I did not call them. They called me. They look at your income and call you in hopes you will buy. Remember you also have to sit through a time share presentation. Some are easy others like the OP are more grueling. You have to decide if it is worth it to you. So I guess each person has to decide if they feel they are "wasting some ones time" Personally I don't. I am sure when a sale is made they get paid handsomely or they would look for another line of work.

By the way Lisa have a great time!

 

[bluehen]

The only thing you have to remember is that the same timeshare (if you are interested in it) can be had for 50 to 99.99% off resale. I own two timeshares that I love...total cost $12 including closing costs. Check ebay for recent sales. That being said most timeshares are not worth a penny. I travel a lot using mostly shoulder season timeshares that I rent for sometimes as low as 1/4 the maintenance fee.

 

[Purseval]

they can't NOT give you the gift, it is in the agreement.

If you walk out on them they can do whatever they want. The agreement is that you sit through the presentation. If you decide that your time is over, get up and walk away you've voided that agreement.

I did at one Marriot tour have to stand up and say loudly "I have been here for 2 hours, I am not going to buy, get my paperwork done now" Everyone looked over and the manager really got me out quickly.

They could have also called security and had you escorted out, or called the police and had you arrested for disturbing the peace. Do you really think they are going to take the word of a tourist looking for a free gift over an established business that has been there for years and given away millions of dollars in gifts to other people who weren't so obnoxious?

And by doing a tour and giving up about 2 hours of my time I have made up to $250 which I use to buy something decadant for myself that I wouldn't normally buy.

That's right. You're giving them something and getting something in return. These are people trying to earn a living. If you're prepared to waste their time don't go acting like the world is going to stop turning if you feel they are wasting yours.

We go to timeshare presentations every visit to Orlando. We also post reports on each company here on the Disboards. Times are all over the map but it's time we have budgeted. If it goes over that's just how it goes. Sometimes you make out great, sometimes not so great but it's always worth it and we treat the people with respect.