Westgate - where do I begin?
First I love Westgate Lakes- it was very nice, clean, roomy, and exceptionally affordable. With that said let me tell you that Westgate Sells Associates are there to sell you a timeshare. They are not going to be polite or nice about. They can be rude and down right offensive.
I've taken their tour twice and have even come up with strategies to beat them at their own game. Oh yeah, its a game. Would this game prevent me from taking advantage of their accomodations in exchange for 90 minutes of my time - No! I'd do their presentation again and again!
Here are my tips that get us in out within and sometimes under 90 minutes:
1. NEVER EAT THEIR BREAKFAST/lLUNCH/DINNER!!!! Almost always they offer SOME KIND of meal. Your presentation time does not begin until
AFTER you finish your meal/coffee, etc.
2. If you already know what resort your touring, do some research on it!!!! Find out how much "resale" prices are off of different websites. And most importantly BRING IT WITH YOU!!! Nothing gets under their skin more than an "educated" buyer. Some will say not to buy from other resellers because you loose the resort "star" treatment!!! I simple say, "I wouldn't want to buy from a company who does not treat
ALL its owner with the FULL respect they deserve"!!!!! Just because some have since enough not to end up paying 17% in interest they should be punished!!!
3. DON'T BE AFRAID OF BEING RUDE!!!!! Some people are afraid to be rude to people who have no problems being RUDE to them!!! I have gone so far as to bring materials to read!!! A friend of mine laid her head down and went to sleep (AFTER A FEW HOURS OF BEGGING from the Salesman)!!!!!! Our first presentation lasted well over 4 hours!!! TRUST ME BE RUDE!!!!!
4. If you know for sure that your
not interested in buying (obsolutely sure) and you didn't eat their food - make it CLEAR from the beginning that you have to pick up your family or friend at the airport within 2 hours!!!!
5. If you have been thru a presentation before tell them you have!!! That way you don't have to go thru that speech of how good of an investment the timeshare is, and how much money you'll be saving.
6. If you have ANY complaints about the property (particularly if you are staying on that site). Bring a list of every reason why you would not buy from that property.)
7. Show your disinterest in your face. These people are trained to "pick up" on those interested. Let me give you an example. My first tour was at Westgate (VERY HARD SELL - if you can survive a Westgate presentation you can survive any of them), anyway, A friend of mine (who had their presentation before ours) bought a Timeshare there ( a 2-bedroom) for around $13,000. The next day, when we had our presentation, the same 2 bedroom lock out was offered to us at $7500. Because we really were not interested and the price kept getting lower. During August 03 we were offered a 2 bedroom at Westgate Palace for $5000 (we were almost tempted!!!) If you look on ebay right now I'm sure someone is selling a 2 bedroom (at Westgate Lakes) for every bit of $3000-$5,000. You do the math!!!!
8. If you are doing a timeshare at a world wide chain like Marriot or Starwood, they are usually low pressured but still do your research!!!! These are the most expensive.
9. Let them know that you are maxxed out financially (including credit cards) and have NO means for a down payment!!! NO ONE will let you leave without some kind of down payment.
10. If they get you to buy and you immediately realize (after leaving the parking lot) that you don't want it or can't afford it. Immediately send your letter to the resort within I believe 3-4 days (it could be more or less) to cancel because after that grace period - ITS GOING ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT!!!!
11. If you don't own a home yet you have to perfect excuse, Why would I buy vacation property before a home, I must prioritize and right now its not even a option!!!
12. If you have children, BRING them!!!! Children especially impatient ones (that includes about 99.9% of them)!!!! Let them cry, encourage temper tantrums, and most importantly let the toddler future track star (you know the one that keeps running away from ya) Let them do their thing!!!!
Sounds like a lot, I know but still it can be worth it, if the stay is nice. I have a friend and her husband who get a kick out of getting something for "nothing" (if time is nothing). While in Orlando last year they bragged about their $200 cash in 3 hours ($66.66 an hour doesn't sound so bad now does it!!) Their presentations NEVER went over 90 minutes. They did Tip #4 and said they had to pick up her mother at the Airport. Each time leaving with $100 bills. Another friend of mine did a presentation recently for (4) 4 day disney hoppers for $135 a piece!!!! Hope this helps! It was at Orange Lake and they said the presentation was not a hard sell!
and I kept on kicking him under the table. I'm amazed that his shins were not black and blue by the time we were finished with the tour!
