Tips on handling timeshare presentations

[stlrod]

I own Marriott and have never been pressured. However my wife and I went to one in Branson one time and it was the presentation from down under (not a reference to Australia.) When the salesamn went to get the manager for added pressure, I told my wife to just agree to anything I said. After a couple of pleasantries with the manager about our kids, their kids, etc, I told then we just discovered my wife was pregnant with our third child (big lie) and that as parents, the two of them could probably undersatnd that this was not the time for us to take on additional unnecessary obligation. Magically, they said they understood and let us go.

 

[Dara]

This is our first visit to WDW and the Timeshares sound wonderful to me even if I don't end up buying anything. Who knows I might learn something new. However, what I would like to know is how many Timeshares in the area is there, and what is everyone's favorite? I'm leaning towards Blue Tree Resort. Can anyone give me their opinion on this one and others. Thanks. The reason I'm leaning this way, is cost and number of bedrooms. We have 2 teenagers, 15, and 16, boy and girl. Most of the resorts in WDW seem to only have 2 double beds and not many 2 bedroom suites, or if they do, do high in cost.

 

[nancycels]

we've gone to marriott's for years... we own in the northeast, but almost always trade for
orlando. one thing u want to know, u may want to buy in another area and trade back in.
we own a studio, although red time zone, so its prime exchange. we bought it for around
4000. its deed and title, we always manage to exchange for a 2 or 3 bdrm when we go to
orlando... so we kick in the exchange fee... no big deal! we like cypress harbour, but saw
Grande Vista this year, and wd love to go there another year! maybe i'll write and see
about a presentation! anyone know what they usually offer? thanks!

 

[nancycels]

my favorite excuse is that i'm starting med school next yr! lol... i work at a med school/univ hospital, so its
plausible...kids starting college next yr is another... then there's the time we told them we
had 8 more foster kids... <g> whatever works!

 

[Janann0565]

Lisa P.'s responses were great -- I'll keep some of those ideas for myself!

We have done the timeshare presentations a few times, and have never had a problem. Here are a few suggestions:

-- Bring a calculator, so that you look ready to challenge every dollar figure that is thrown at you.

-- When they tell you that the cost of hotel stays go up every year, tell them that the cost of property taxes and homeowner's association dues at the timeshare go up every year also.

-- Tell them you have stayed at a number of time shares, and know how the whole things works (which is true for my situation). This throws off their emotional, "wouldn't you love to go to Hawaii" sales pitch.

-- Ask about all the hassles and expense of RCI or II membership dues and exchange fees, and how many hours it will take on the phone to get the exchange you want.

-- As Lisa P. mentioned, talk about what a cheap deal you can get on a resale.

Attending time share presentations is definitely worth it. Do the math to figure out how much you are "earning" per hour by attending the presentation. It makes it much easier to get through it!

 

[CarolA]

I did a Marriott presentation in Hilton Head one time and actually enjoyed it. The place was beautiful and they were really nice. I did not buy but at least considered it. I also did DVC and eventually bought there via a resale. I don't think I would do some of the others due to the pressure I have heard about, but I would do Marriott again.

Also, in some states you can void the contract within 24 hours. If you are thinking of buying you might want to find out the laws in the state you are looking at. I have no idea what the Florida law is.

 

[Robinrs]

I think it truly depends on the person. I work with a very obnoxious sales staff and have become absolutely deaf to any and all spiels.

I took a tour in 1999 and sailed through it. I agree, don't talk small talk, keep your eye on your watch and quote the Florida law. I tell them that it's 90 minutes, stand up and start towards the door. The look I get is usually one of exasperation. I figure they get all their profits from the one or two people they hook that day but it will never be me.

 

[StilesMom]

Jimi - We have stayed at the Fairfield Cypress Palms twice, which is the sister resort to Star Island, and we'll be checking into Star Island in three weeks. My inlaws are Fairfield owners, so lodging doesn't cost us anything. We did the presentation ourselves in September and there was absolutely NO PRESSURE to buy! Of course, we went in and were upfront.... we are here because of the promotion and never intended to buy because the inlaws own so many points that they have 4 weeks of vacation per year and always invite us along. We also were very familiar with the program they were trying to explain already. Basically, what they told us was..... look, these properties sell themselves so our policy is NOT to pressure anyone into buying. In fact, after we met with our rep we were asked a few questions by her manager and one was whether or not we felt pressured. Of course, the rep will still be required to go through the entire presentation. Ours included a tour of a unit and a short (10 min) movie. It only lasted about an hour and to us, it was worth what we got in return. I wouldn't hesitate to do another tour here at all. Enjoy your vacation!!

Note: Our "excuse" for not buying (which is legitimate) seemed to be very effective. Although we weren't pressured to buy.... our rep did try to point out the advantages of owning a timeshare. Well.... our situation really stumped her because she could think of NO reason why we would need to own ourselves if the inlaw's points were always available to us. So..... if you don't mind telling a little white lie... go with our "excuse"... it worked.

And whatever you do... if you want to get out of there on time... DO NOT mention DVC!! There was one couple at a table near us who was questioning the timeshare vs. DVC and that conversation seemed to last forever!! So... don't go in thinking you're going to use the "but I'm buying DVC" excuse because they have a very effective answer for that one!!

 

[disneygals]

Dara,

You should check out www.tug2.net to learn about timeshares. I own at the Vistana and bought a resale. There is also a Disney Vacation Club board here that you might want to check. With the exception of Disney, possibly Marriott or Starwood, you are always able to get a better deal with resales.

Vivienne

 

[Kenbar]

I have voluntarily attended timeshare presentations for 20years in Europe just to get the free goodies usually day trips or free attraction tix. Some of the better closers have an answer for anything you say so do,t try to out logic them. Example: at one resort during a pause where no progress was being madedue to me continually saying that I couldn't afford it, The guy lit a cigarette and said
Closer "I wish I didn't smoke"
Me " Yeah me too"
pause
Closer "Smoke many?"
Me "Two packets a day"
Closer "tell you what" (dumps half cigarette) We'll both pack in right now" You will save £5 a day, £35 a week, £1,750 a year. Now you can easily afford these two weeks"

The only time I attended one in Florida I was with my partner but being unmarried we had different surnames and she didn't have any address ID to prove that we lived together so they wouldn't even start the tour.LOL. We had some fun then by pretending that we wouldn't have needed a sales pitch and that we had come to buy 2 weeks in the prime time. "Even got the bankers draft in my pocket." "however if thats your attitude towrds your customers then we had maybe better look for another company to give our money too. "
The closer was furious watching his commission walk out the door

Ken

 

[hawt1]

Here are our list of excuses, all true...

Tell them you can rent a week at a two bedroom on www.skyauction.com - RCI's clearinghouse per se for under $400 tax included.

Also, we have used the resale line and quoted what we paid for our last resale - $1500 for a 3 bedroom five star resort in orlando.

Tell them you can buy their resort on ebay.com for much less.

Tell them that, quite frankly, you have stayed at nicer places and that this is your last budget trip - normally you stay at higher end resorts.

Just say no...several times. Don't even entertain all of their attempts to bring you into the conversation. IF you are familiar with timeshare, they will try to sell you on points stating that they are more flexible (blah, blah...). Just keep saying no - unless you are interested. In which case, remember the part about buying their unit resale for much - much less!!!

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says................................We did our first one at the Westin on Maui. Beautiful place. Not much pressure at all, of course I showed no interest in all the great places he showed us. On the entire presentaion he only got one little " wow" from me, when we saw pictures of glass bottmoed huts ,in a lagoon in Thailand. I think he got a clue right away as they offered pastries, drinks etc. at the beginning and I said no, I don't want to owe you anything! After 55 minutes, we sat in the room to discuss pricing. He left for a minute, probably to set up his next appt!!! When he got back he simply asked if I had any interest in looking at the pricing, I said no, and we were "released" in one hour! Still don't know the price.

 

[travelitis]

We went to 2 presentations at Westgate properties, neither of which were in the least high pressure. Had the first one been anything other than extremely laid-back we wouldn't have returned. We didn't take the kids with us, and I'm glad we left them in the childcare, because they had a blast. When we said we weren't interested they asked if we needed driving directions anywhere, had us quickly sign a paper, and told us to have a great time at NASA. We could barely pull the kids out of the childcare center.

Cmama, most of the sales they get are from people who go there thinking there is no way they are interested. They'd love to fill the place with people convinced they don't want to buy. Any prospect is better than none. The person who books this thinking they might be interested is rare at best.

After we'd seen the presentation a 2nd time and were planning our 3rd trip there, we decided to buy. I was absolutely certain I was totally against buyng a timeshare and completely immune to any sales tactics. The 2nd time around, though, the price was $10k less, and that made all the difference. We do know someone who paid the higher price a few months after we bought and didn't get a better accomodation or more time. Yikes!

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says........................So, travelitis, I guess they finally got you!! Hope you are happy! The fact that I can get the same package at 50% off resale, or at 80% off as a cruiser!!, doesn't matter. Darn, Disnee Dad is getting a little grumpy! For the rest of you, don't ever buy into a vacation plan, anywhere, at anytime, except maybe DVC. I latter found out at the Westin in Maui, wich is a great place, that I paid less than the members association fees, to stay for 5 nights!! Just say NO!!

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says....................How could someone pay several k MORE, when the max true value for a week is around, 1K at best?? God I love math, and the fact that god lets me do it in my head!! There is no timeshare anywhere that makes economic sence, so why do they try to play it that way? If I sold them it would be " simply convienence, and you don't need to plan", we take care of it. For the next 50 years to the same place, unless you find someone from Ixugastan, who wants your week, for a week at Ixugastan.

 

[Belle1962]

For the person who had questions about Westgate.

 

[joe]

I am staying at the Marriott Cypress Harbor in September. I bought a week for 400.00 through e-bay. Can I do the timeshare presentation for tickets??? I'm already there.

Also, realize that these companies sell units to people that THINK there is 0% chance of them buying. These companies know this and they also know some of those people end up buying if the salesperson is good.

 

[travelitis]

You don't need excuses to refuse the offer, and excuses just open the door for them to overcome your objections. It's harder for them if you state no objections, really. However, one thing I said which was true was that I worked for an airline and had travel benefits. My hotel discounts were pretty decent, and they had no way to overcome that one.

Disney Dad, I would like to respond with my own math, but it's not on topic. Let's please keep to the subject of how to decline rather than discussing if I should own a timeshare or not.

 

[Lisa P.]

Originally posted by disneefamily
There is no timeshare anywhere that makes economic sence, so why do they try to play it that way?

I, for one, am really glad that there are soooo many happy timeshare owners who understand differently. That means that we are able to enjoy exchanging to more of the 3700+ resorts in RCI! And btw, you don't need to find someone from a resort you want who also wants your resort week. The exchange companies pool all the weeks that people give up on exchange and you take from the pool.

Especially when it comes to well-priced resales, timeshares can be an excellent value and the best way for some families to travel. If someone wants to know more, take a look at Timeshare Users Group - TUG and learn before you buy.

There are plenty of techniques to limiting your timeshare sales pitch. Educating yourself is key. If the following are true, try them:

• Make a note of the time, with the salesperson, as soon as you finish eating (the official start of the "90 minute" tour).
• Don't answer questions in any detail - be vague and say you've not considered it before.
• Don't make small talk.
• Let them know upfront that you only buy resales and only after considerable time to think it over and that you are just curious about the resort after learning of the tour.
• Let them know you never buy anything on credit or financing and you would need to save for a purchase anyway.
• 80 minutes into the tour, let the salesperson know that you'll be leaving in 10 minutes.
• Keep young children with you. Chat with them and ask if they are looking forward to leaving and going on with the day's plans.
• If you or your spouse are good at looking antsy or bored, don't hold back.
• Consider letting the salesperson know at the outset if you are only there for the gift. Some will choose to sign you out and move on to greener pastures. Others will be brief. Others will go through the whole spiel in hopes of a surprise but won't be as likely to push it past the 90 minutes.

If you really only want the gift, this is a quationable practice, as many salespeople are doing their jobs as a legitimate way to earn a living and may only get paid on commission. Just a thought.

 

[jbthi]

I have gone to many presentations, mostly to get the gifts, occasionally because I'm interested in the resort. I own 7 timeshares, the first purchased 20 years ago. My daughter was a supervisor for RCI for several years and plus all the years I have owned I know more about RCI than the average salesman. I have called them on many of their lies.

Above all, don't tell them you like the resort but can't afford it. They will do everything in their power to make sure you can. I always tell them it's a nice resort and the price is reasonable (even if its $50,000) It just doesn't happen to be what I like or want.