Vistana Villages Timeshare Offer

[AWW]

We just received an offer from Sheraton/American Express for 3 night stay at Vistana Villages. The offer consists of 3 nights in a 1-bedroom condo, $100 in cash and 5,000 Membership Miles for the price of $129. Of course, you are required to attend the 90-minute timeshare presentation which is made clear on the invitation. In doing a search it appears that there have been many variations on this offer and I wonder if anyone has attended one of these presentations recently. We would have no intention of buying into the timeshare. Since we live in FL now, we no longer visit Orlando for more than a long weekend.
This seems like a good deal but wonder if there is high-pressure involved which would make us regret accepting this offer. Any input would be welcome!

AWW

 

[MiaSRN62]

This seems like a good deal but wonder if there is high-pressure involved which would make us regret accepting this offer.

AWW,
My 3 experiences (1994-2000) with Sheraton Vistana in regards to the timeshare sales presentation was that it was indeed high pressure. We had such a distasteful experience in 2000, that we went right over to Disney and bought into DVC. The salesman we had in 2000 at Vistana, stalled and stalled. He got irate when we wanted to "think about it". We actually went to the meeting interested in buying more time----but he quickly made us very anxious to get out of there with his rudeness. He stretched our tour to close to 2 1/2 hours (was supposed to be 90 min). He wouldn't take "no" for an answer and wouldn't give us our measly $50. For us, the stress definitely wasn't worth the $50 or even if it was $100.
Good luck in your decision.

 

[heart4dis]

I've hung around on the boards for a while and have seen various posts about these timeshare pitches. Some folks just breezed through (not actually having any money anyway they weren't tempted) and others have complained about taking MORE time than 90 minutes and/or the incredible high pressure to the point of being disturbing. If the cheap price is very important to you, brace yourself for the worst; otherwise, it may not be worth it. We've actually considered these offers ourselves, but I haven't taken the plunge (yet?)...

 

[Muffy]

We went to one at the Vistana. We breezed through and left right at 90 min. We were firm about not buying a timeshare. We did get 10,000 starwood points.

 

[zalansky]

We went also and I think alot has to do with who you get as your salesperson. We were pressured, bigtime. We said no many times and they kept passing us off to another person who would try and make us another offer. We swore we'd never do it again, even for a discounted rate on their rooms - which are really nice. Our 90 minute presentation went 3 hours somehow. And we had a 18 month old with us at the time, not fun.
We didn't go right to DVC and buy, however, we DID buy DVC this past week.
They are so much better at selling at DVC, no pressure at all.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

I own Vistana Villages, and I have gone to soooo many of these presentations at Vistana Resort (called OWNERS UPDATES for us owners!) over the past 8 1/2 years that I have owned.

Here's my opinion...I can definitely seeing it being a VERY hard sell. But you guys have to be EXTREMELY firm about not buying, and after listening to the salesman's spiel, tell them SORRY, YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED. When they ask why, tell them you don't have the cash. Don't let them offer you a million different options of buying, just tell them you simply do not want to waste any more of THEIR time, as well as yours. If you stick to that, you should be out of there in 90 minutes.

We go to this update everytime we go...we ended up buying at 3 of the updates (we planned to before we went, though). But otherwise, it's a breeze.

It also REALLY helps to have an anxious toddler running around the room that you have to pay attention to. Most times they practically KICK us out!!! LOL.....

But I would take the deal, that's an awesome price for an awesome resort. GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Here's my opinion...I can definitely seeing it being a VERY hard sell. But you guys have to be EXTREMELY firm about not buying, and after listening to the salesman's spiel, tell them SORRY, YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED.

Just wanted to add Kim. We were actually very firm. When we told them there was absolutely no way we were making a decision that day and we wanted to leave (it was about 2 hours at this time), our salesman left (told us he'd be back) and made us sit and wait for him for close to 30 min ! He needed to release us so we could get our money and he figured he'd make us wait another 30 min-----a little passive agressive on his part. We had noone to turn to at that point.
We didn't want to just walk out because we figured we wouldn't get the money. Very bad experience.

 

[AWW]

Thanks to everyone for their replies! Right now I think we will pass on this offer. The more I think about it, I really don't want to deal with attending this presentation. We have until Feb. 17 to decide, but right now I don't think we will sign up for it. We have reservations (Priceline) at Gaylord Palms in March so that should be fine for now! Thanks again.

AWW

 

[jeff968]

AWW, you should go for it. We did the tour at VV (and many other resorts) and it is a great way to save some serious money and stay at a great resort. I've stayed at many resorts and the Vistana Villages was definately one of the nicest ones. In addition to the great stay rate they usually give you cash or attraction tickets and free food for doing the tour. We always do our tour first thing in the morning (7:00/7:30 am) so we can get it behind us and enjoy the rest of the day (and have a free breakfast). Yes, they want to sell you a timeshare but all you have to say is no. Don't get caught up in the "fuzzy" math they do and tell them now is just not the time. i always get out in 90 minutes (unless the wife starts to get into a good conversation about something else) and we are off to the pool. remember, just say no. It's no big deal and have a great time. You can also ask for an upgrade to a two bedroom or extra nights if you need them when you book. Good luck.

 

[MiaSRN62]

remember, just say no. It's no big deal and have a great time.

I believe just saying no works most of the time......but we're proof it did not work for us. So the "no" tactic does not always work---we lived through that. It's probably a 50/50% you'll have a decent experience if you want to chance it. Because I agree, VV has a good reputation as being a very nice resort.