Timeshare Sharks Inside Universal = Bad

[robvia]

I think there will be a Borat video coming soon.

Someone is going to go ballastic on them with a film crew.

First it will start out funny, kinda cute, playful.

Then full on yelling with the cameras rolling.

Just make it easy, tell the sharks to leave, even if they have a contract.

People have had enough.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

there used to be a podium right by the side entrance to Monster's Cafe', we've learned to avoid it. our stock answer of 'we live here' has never swayed them.

survey guys have been outside of Mel's off and on lately, but I like them.

Nope, the old "I live here" doesn't work for Westgate. They'll usually answer that with "Well, we have some great specials for Florida Residents!"
It's really easy to tell which are the survey guys and which are the Westgate guys, just look at their shirts! The Westgate guys have it written on their shirts. Don't the survery guys usually have one of the palm pilot things with them anyway?
Oh, and yes, Universal gets a cut from Westgate. They rent out that spot and the competition is so fierce in the timeshare business that I'm guessing that they were the highest bidder.

 

[phamton]

Don't the survery guys usually have one of the palm pilot things with them anyway?

Sometimes and sometimes they have clipboards.

 

[THEDISFANS]

It depends, it probably wasn't if you look wealthy enough, but do you look old enough? All timeshares have requirements to go to the presentations, like you have to be at least 26 and married. Only one that I know of takes single males, but the age requirement is a must. So, if you "look" young, you probably won't be approached. It doesn't matter if you look rich. Tour Hooks get paid by the tour so the more they send the better for them.[/QUOTEI

I am a single male and own two timeshares one @ Disney and one through a company here in VA. I was 24 when I bought the first one. Why would they not sell to single males???? Do you have to be married with kids to use a timeshare.???? Just because a person looks young dosen't mean anything. I am 30 and still look 24. I think if Timeshare reps didn't talk to yonger looking people they would miss out on sales.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

It depends, it probably wasn't if you look wealthy enough, but do you look old enough? All timeshares have requirements to go to the presentations, like you have to be at least 26 and married. Only one that I know of takes single males, but the age requirement is a must. So, if you "look" young, you probably won't be approached. It doesn't matter if you look rich. Tour Hooks get paid by the tour so the more they send the better for them.[/QUOTEI

I am a single male and own two timeshares one @ Disney and one through a company here in VA. I was 24 when I bought the first one. Why would they not sell to single males???? Do you have to be married with kids to use a timeshare.???? Just because a person looks young dosen't mean anything. I am 30 and still look 24. I think if Timeshare reps didn't talk to yonger looking people they would miss out on sales.

Well, I booked timeshare for a while and I can tell you that the only company that I booked for that would allow single males to tour is Sheraton Vistana. I think it's because most people tour for the free gifts and maybe they think single males are less likely to buy than married men so why waste the premium or gift on someone that most likely won't buy. If they let just anybody tour, then they would have alot of 18 year olds going on the tours, getting free tickets and it would make the price of the timeshares much, much higher for the people that are actually interested in buying them. Believe me, I wish I could have booked all the 18 year olds that approached me about wanting to go on a tour. They research this stuff and reserve the right to tour whoever they want and to give a gift to whoever they want.
You probably are an exception, not the standard.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Just because a person looks young dosen't mean anything. I am 30 and still look 24. I think if Timeshare reps didn't talk to yonger looking people they would miss out on sales.

It's called profiling and it's not necessarily right but it's how it's done. Why approach people that you know most likely won't qualify to go on a tour? Esp. in a busy location like Universal where people walk by so fast you have to prioritize on who you are going to pitch.

 

[keishashadow]

We get TS offers left & right (except for the Sheraton Vistana's that had no presentation requirement) they all went straight to the trash.

None specified that you had to be married (that would be discrimation, i'm a realtor, assume they're covered by HUD regs); only that you be of "age" AND your spouse attend if you are married...guess they don't want to hear the old - I've got to ask my spouse

Heck, a single 20 something guy's got to have more disposable income than one w/kids.

 

[m131w]

How to get out of a timeshare/ vacation services spiel.

Tell them this and only this while walking... "Sorry, I'm an employee."

Then keep walking.

 

[Metallicat]

While there at halloween week, I kept on the lookout for the t/s people thinking they would be pesky but, I was pleasantly surprised they didn't say one word to me. I was all ready for my counter attack, and I didn't even get to use it. I saw them looking over at me. maybe they figured I was too poor, or too smart. who knows?

I would have given anything to have seen someone who was actually interested in buying one of these timeshares, because I have a timeshare at Westgate that I've been wanting to get rid of. would sell it for less than half of what they are asking.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

How to get out of a timeshare/ vacation services spiel.

Tell them this and only this while walking... "Sorry, I'm an employee."

Then keep walking.

That doesn't work, either. They can reply with "We have great deals for employees as well!"

Just don't make eye contact and keep walking.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Last time there a woman approached me and for a split second it didnt occur to me that it was time share related. Her opening led me to believe it was a Universal employee just saying hello and asking how our trip was going. Then it registered and I looked her in the eye and said No, just NO! She said, OK have a nice day! It was an honest reaction even if it did come out a bit harsh, it worked so be it. I have to admit I am tired of them already.

 

[robvia]

This topic made Screamscape. I told Lance about it and now he's got an editorial on his site.
http://www.screamscape.com/html/universal_orlando.htm

He agreed with me about the sharks being IN the park free to roam. That's going too far.

 

[David R]

I experienced just the same as the guy in the post above this one.

Just this weekend, I was walking towards Dueling Dragons and one of those guys started talking to me and I said "no thanks" and he started following me for a few steps trying to start his sales pitch, I had to say "not interested" before he stopped and finally walked away from me.

I've never had any of them bother me before. Like the post said, they are either becoming more aggressive or it's the same guy who should probably just be fired.

 

[AlexandNessa]

This is starting to get some bad press, and it does make Universal look unseemly is the word I guess I would use. I realize that the timeshare sharks must pay boku bucks to be there, but is it really worth it at the expense of the park guests' experience? For the most part, we are happy AP holders, but honestly, I wish Universal would change its policy. I wish these people would be in clearly marked booths and could only talk to guests who approached them. To allow them to approach unsuspecting guests who are heading from MIB to Jaws is clearly out of line. Not to mention that their homebase between MIB and Jaws is a booth with a sign that says "Refreshments." We have been bothered several times coming out of Dueling Dragons on our way into Suess Landing as well. Enough!

Perhaps we are harassed so often because we're 30-somethings who are never seen traveling with children, and they think we either have money or too much time on our hands and want to sit through presentations.

I am getting more annoyed reading about other people's experiences and thinking about all the times our vacation serenity has been ruined because of these sharks. I can only hope that the next time this happens to anyone, a complaint is made to guest services, that time and every time thereafter. Perhaps with a plethora of complaints, Universal will actually realize the negative image these people are contributing to their otherwise good name and will reconsider selling out to Westgate.

 

[David R]

And let's not forget the credit card offers when you first enter the resort. Those drive me crazy. They see you say no to the first guy and the 2nd guy will ask you again not 2 seconds later just in case you changed your mind. And then again the same on the way out.

 

[Metallicat]

Again I say, that everyone should make a little visit to guest services and fill out a complaint against these timeshare people or credit card pushers. even if they don't bother or annoy you, do it for the other guests coming in behind you. even if they don't bother you now, they WILL bother someone else later on. so lets try and get rid of them. they have NO PLACE IN OUR VACATION OR OUR BELOVED THEME PARKS!

Universal wants to keep its guests happy and they will never know unless we start telling them.

it also go's for castmembers who are especially nice or do something special for you. let Universal know. they will pass it along to the CM that good things were said and it will make them feel appreciated. just my thoughts.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I experienced just the same as the guy in the post above this one.
Just this weekend, I was walking towards Dueling Dragons and one of those guys started talking to me and I said "no thanks" and he started following me for a few steps trying to start his sales pitch, I had to say "not interested" before he stopped and finally walked away from me.

I've never had any of them bother me before. Like the post said, they are either becoming more aggressive or it's the same guy who should probably just be fired.

Dude looks like a lady...dude is a lady.
The Dueling Dragon spot seems to be where the most aggressive sharks hang out. Same spot they got me in. For whats its worth, I have never been bothered at USO, just IOA.

Last trip visiting Guest Services to praise my VIP guide I also voiced (and wrote) my complaints about the TS people.

 

[robvia]

Well that's why everyone is talking in this thread. The suits read this board and Screamscape, so I'm sure the message has been sent.
I also think it's one person in IOA near Dueling Dragons causing all the problems. Doesn't matter, the fact that they're IN the park takes away the fantasy atmosphere and makes people say, "Let's get out of here."

 

[Amity 3]

I'm still trying to figure out why we've got hit up by them near Shrek and never seen them near the Dragons.

either way, eradicate them all.

 

[goofy!]

If any of them bother me during my vacation next week, I will be hightailing it to guest services to make a complaint.

I will make sure to get the sales person's name, so that if it is just a few aggressive people, they can be taken care of.

I am a loyal supporter of Universal, but I do not pay big $$$$ to have to listen to timeshare people. If I wanted to do that, I would have signed up for one of the presentations that fill our mailbox on a daily basis.

That said, in the umpteen times we have been there, I have never been stalked by one. I have had them say "Would you be interested in...." as I walked by, but they have always left me alone after one polite "no thanks." If they are more aggressive this trip, Guest Services will be hearing about it!