Tips on handling timeshare presentations

[Belle1962]

If you've EVER taken advantage of a reduced rate for lodging but had to endure a sales pitch in return do you have any advice for others who are considering it?

Let's start a thread with tips on handling timeshare presentations.

I will start:

1. Do not ask any questions. The sales people will take this as an indication you are really interested and off they go with their "pitch". They will also see this as a sign of 'weakening" and increase their presssure.

2. Bring your children--even if they offer onsite babysitting. (It's easier to make an escape with a misbehaving or bored child than on your own). Tell them (I'm sorry but we're not comfortable leaving our children in a daycare situation)

3. Watch the time. Once their "allotted"/"what they told you" time is up, politely inform them you have another appointment and need to leave. If necessary, "arrange" an interruption (phone call, etc.)

 

[mudd]

Just say no thanks.

 

[Jimi]

Thanks so much for this info. I have had mixed feelings about where I'm staying at in December - the resourt looks great and from what I've read it great. But to get the reduce rate...I have to do the presentation. I've never done one before and I'm a little nervous...but I know we can't afford it we just built a house. Were staying at the Star Island Resort and Country Club via Hotelkingdom.com the rate at the resort website was$285 I get it for $59.90 by doing the presentation...quite a difference. I feel like I could tolerate a lot at that rate...it's not like I'll be dealing with again while I'm there...Will I?

If you know anything about this resort...post it.

Thanks again it was helpful...and I've printed so dh can read.

Jimi

 

[MollyBelle]

This was a very helpful Q & A, and one I am interested in as well...we have reservations at Marriott Grande Vista in Sept., and we know several people who've "endured" the spiel, and still loved the resort, but I am wary! Has anyone else had experience with either this place or another of Marriott's Vacation Club properties (my sister-in-law & husband) are members and they RAAAAVE about it... I just want out of the presentation as fast as humanly possible -- it's taking up my Disney time - ha! (we're staying at ASMu the first 3 days and Marriott the last 4)--any comments appreciated! Thanks~

 

[imgointoDis]

Whatever you do, avoid the sales pitch at Westgate! They were absolutely the most rude people I have ever encoutered! Talk about high pressure!!! I was wondering if I was going to come out alive!!!!!

 

[Belle1962]

Another tip: If they give you a choice of days do the LATEST date possible in your trip. (That way they'll keep being nice to you during your stay until you finally say "NO")

Just saying "NO" does not always work--sometimes it is NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO.
Sometimes you have to get as high pressured as them: say NO and mean it.

 

[Lisa P.]

1. Look online for the cheapest resale prices you can find for that resort, print them out and bring them with you. If you show them to the rep, say that you think the resale price is outrageous and you're sure they will have to wait YEARS before they'd ever get that much money back!

2. Ask what time the rep has on their watch, when you first sit down together. Mention that you have an appointment (in 100 minutes or whatever) to meet others at a theme park (they don't need to know it's Goofy) and you DON'T want to be late. Smile, of course.

3. Start the meeting with negative comments about anything you found unsatisfactory about the place, if there were any. Mention that the location is not your very first choice.

4. Mention at the outset that you never, ever, EVER buy anything that costs more than $200 without talking it over, OVERNIGHT, so there WILL BE NO SALE THAT DAY as an FYI. Smile.

5. If they say that you'd only be able to return to their wonderful resort by buying, say that you like trying a new place in Orlando with each trip.

6. Unless it's something you want to say, for a purpose, don't make small talk. They ask a lot of open-ended questions so that they can try and gear the sales pitch to hook you. The less they know about you, the better. (Ex., they ask, "What kind of work do you do?" "That's personal" then look away.)

7. If (um, when) they ask what kind of vacation you like, say "relaxing, no pressure." You might even say (if it's true) that sometimes you just prefer camping in the back woods.

8. Prep your children... no "oooh, ahhh" if they see a big screen TV, a double jacuzzi tub, the main pool area or the playground. Let them know this is ONE time when you WILL permit them to tell you that they are bored or want to leave, right in the middle of an adult conversation.

9. Guard your own expressions (neutral) when you tour... don't nudge your spouse or smile or wink when you see something you like. No "oooh, ahhh" from the grown-ups either. Just wait until you are away from the rep. When asked, "What do you think of the resort/rooms?" ...answer, "they're like you'd expect, this area seems to have a lot of very nice resorts."

10. Don't tell them you would ever want to exchange outside of Orlando. They will waste time lying to you about where you could "easily" trade "whenever you want." Why would anyone want to go anywhere but Orlando!?!?!!

11. Mention the great local deals at suite hotels and how interesting it will be to see if rate bargains stay steady for a few years if there's a recession.

12. IF they keep pressing the sales pitch after you have said no and AFTER your tour time commitment has been met, tell them that you appreciate their time in showing you around but your decision has been MADE and you don't want anyone to waste any more of their precious time. If that doesn't work, smile and tell them that they have seen your gentle "no" but they really won't want all the other nearby touring guests to hear your frustrated, emphatic "no," do they?

12. Last but not least (and again, if your time commitment HAS been met), if they persist, remind them of the time on their watch, say no thanks (as you please) and just get up and leave. Once you've toured, you've fulfilled your end of the deal. Adios!

BTW, most of these techniques are rarely necessary. The tours can actually be pleasant if you are able to sense that the salesperson understands that you are just fulfilling the obligatory tour but will not be buying, period. Sometimes the afternoon tours are less pressured (the reps may be more tired) but they blow your whole day.

For the person touring Grande Vista, Marriott is known for rather LOW pressure tours, with a lot of good information sharing.
Hope this helps.

 

[BedKnobbery]

I just wanted to provide some balance regarding Westgates sales presentations....I realize that some people have had some difficulty with them re: high pressure, but I found our sales rep and the tour to be very laid back and with very little pressure. At the very beginning of our meeting, our sales rep even told us that at the end, we'd meet with a manager who would make sure we didn't feel it was a high pressure presentation.

Also as a side note, remember that no one can MAKE you stay beyond your agreed upon amount of time. I realize that for some people, it is difficult to be assertive, but the only person responsible for a 90-minute-tour-turned-3-hours is YOU. I love Lisa's advice about saying you have an appt to meet someone in the parks at X time--that will give even the least assertive person an out!!

Warmly,
Susanne

 

[lynaaron]

The most reasonable advice is if you don't want to go throught the sales pitch then don't stay at the timeshare under those conditions. It makes me cringe a little when people complain about having to endure a sales pitch when they know from the beginning that's how they are able to get a great rate.

 

[mhopset]

Keep looking at the sales person and say "no eng-lish, no eng-lish" LOL

 

[2minnies]

We visited the Grande Vista August 2000 and had a very low pressure salesperson. We scheduled our tour for our last full day, took the earliest available and would not leave our children in the play area alone. We told our salesperson we absolutely would not be purchasing a timeshare from anyone and anytime. He gave us a quick tour and we were on our way in less than 1 hour (with no pressure).

By the way, the resort is beautiful and we had a great time. Very convenient to Disney and outlet shopping at the Premiere outlet center.

 

[DawnCt]

We went to the time share presentation at Hanalei Bay Resort on Kauai. What is there not to like about Kauai? Anyway, I pointed out to the sales person that I could invest my principal and go any where I wanted on the proceeds with no commitment and no fees. Was it worth my time? Sure, we had a great dinner and they paid the first $100. One time share salesperson suggested that I do not waste my time in the future attending presentations. I told him that it wasn't a waste of my time, I don't make $100 per hour.

 

[cmaha76]

Isn't it kind of taking advantage of the company if you accept their low rate already knowing that there is no way you will be even interested in buying.

If it were me, I wouldn't feel right if there was a 0% chance of my buying a time-share.

 

[bobminter]

Originally posted by cmaha76
Isn't it kind of taking advantage of the company if you accept their low rate already knowing that there is no way you will be even interested in buying.

If it were me, I wouldn't feel right if there was a 0% chance of my buying a time-share.

Absolutely not , the company is gambling that they can sell a reluctant person and they usually do win!!

 

[bobminter]

Originally posted by cmaha76
Isn't it kind of taking advantage of the company if you accept their low rate already knowing that there is no way you will be even interested in buying.

If it were me, I wouldn't feel right if there was a 0% chance of my buying a time-share.

Absolutely not , the company is gambling that they can sell a reluctant person and they usually do win!!

 

[cmaha76]

I'm not talking reluctant here... I just think it's unfair if you have zero intention in the first place and the only reason you found and took the rate is that you know it's a "deal". Now, even if it is a slim... like 1% chance, I say have at the reduced rate.

I've had people pull their offer when I said I was not interested at all, that leads me to believe that I would have had to at least lie a little bit to get the deal.

Just my opinion...

 

[nuthut]

just say no and call 1-800-800-9100. It's the number to Disney Vacation Club. The only timeshare I know of that increases in value!!!

 

[GoldenPrincess]

Just don't go in the first place.

Why anyone would want to put themselves through this kind of torture is beyond me! Not for an annual pass and a free two week trip to WDW at Grand Floridian would I do this. No amount of "freebies" is worth it to me.

 

[kathie]

Once you have gone and end up buying is there any way out. We made
this mistake and are still paying for this thing a year later. It may be a good
thing for some, but we do not need this. Anyone with advice please let me know.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Isn't it kind of taking advantage of the company if you accept their low rate already knowing that there is no way you will be even interested in buying.

My wife and I went to one once (hasn't just about everyone) and we will never go to another.

But, first of all, they contacted us and offered the gifts to us in exchange for the opportunity to sell us the timeshare. They were hoping to take advantage of us and were quiet persistant to the point of rudeness when we said no. And quiet frankly, when we got our "gift" (a cheap car vac) we really felt it was not worth our time at all...and we weren't using any of our vacation time either!

So do I think we took advantage of the company or sales person...emphatically NO!!!!