Westgate Sexist?

[HookdonWDW]

Now, I admit, I've never been a fan of Westgate timeshares, but when I read this on E-Bay, I was once again SOOO glad that we bought DVC!!

Qualifications For the FREE DISNEY Ticket Tour At Westgate Vacation Villas There is no cost or obligation to purchase anything. No one is excluded from the tour Or resort ownership, however, the following requirements must be met in order to Receive your free tickets gift: 1. Married couples and single women over 30 qualify for the promotion. 2. If married, both husband and wife must attend a 90-minute sales presentation together. 3. Husband and wife must speak fluent English, Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic. 4. Couples must be between the ages of 25-60, single women must be 30 or older 5. You must have a valid driver’s license or passport for identification and a combined gross annual income of at least $40,000. 6. You must bring a major credit card as proof of your credit worthiness 7. Residents who live within a 50-mile radius of Westgate Vacation Villas in Kissimmee, Florida do not qualify for this offer. 8. Guests staying at Westgate Resorts through other promotions are not eligible for this offer.

Apparently Westgate is fine with 28 y/o men, getting a free gift, but not 28 y/o women. ... of course, they're still apparently more than happy to take your money if you'll let them...

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

My mother is in her early 70s and lives a couple hours south of Orlando, in a 55+ community. She has a neighbor who regularly (once a year, anyway) goes to Orlando to attend some timeshare presentation or other for the cash gift. She will lie about her age, occupation status, future plans, whatever she can get away with... I know because she asked my mom to go along, but told her all the things she would have to claim to get the money. My mom declined. I think they were offering $90 at the time.

So far as I am concerned, these places are sheisters, attracting the same sort of clientelle. If they wish to be "selective" (read discriminatory) to attract the specific demographic they desire, I guess I get some satisfaction out of knowing that there are equally "selective" (ethically selective?) people playing the game for their own benefit.

That's why DVC is so nice - it is up front and WYSIWYG! There is just no comparison to other timeshares.

 

[Chuck S]

Actually, if I read the offer correctly, single men are completely ineligible for the free ticket(s)?!! Now THAT is sexist.

 

[Caskbill]

Actually it appears Chuck is correct. The offer excludes ALL single men, and all single women under 30.

Interesting as my brother, who is a comfirmed bachelor, is over 30, and owns points at all 6 DVC resorts and something like 6 -8 (I can't keep track) other timeshares including Marriott and Hilton.

Of course a free ticket to Westgate would be a waste on him. There's no way he'd purchase into a resort like that. Me neither.

 

[HookdonWDW]

Wow... glad someone can read better than me!! Thanks for pointing it out Chuck. It's even more ridiculous than I first thought!

 

[Dean]

This is the norm in the timeshare world. Some are worded differently than others but the generalities are almoust universal. Some are more upfront than others so just because they don't spell it out for you to see doesn't mean they don't follow these type of rules and more, believe me, they all do to some degree. Income levels vary from $40K, $45K, $60K, $70K and $75K that I have seen. Some will not allow a single person to tour for the gifts at all. While I understand the sentifment, I can't see forcing the companies to offer discounted tours and gifts to large groups of people that on average will be unlikely or even unable to buy. Besides, with Westgate's reputation, they are doing anyone a favor that decides not to tour with them.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Dean
...(snip).... Besides, with Westgate's reputation, they are doing anyone a favor that decides not to tour with them.

Having stayed there just once (in October, 1999), I absolutely agree!

 

[KNWVIKING]

What a joke. We spent a week there a couple years ago and it was soooo bad it actually became histerical. It became almost a game between us to experience the next fiasco. When we got home I e-mailed a long, very descriptive letter of what transpired during our stay to the resort manager. Few weeks later I get a response. He apoligizes and states that the NEXT TIME I stay if I have any problems I should contact him immediately.

Fool me once,shame on you,fool me twice,shame on me.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I do own at Westgate. It is handy for trading (much cheaper than using DVC to trade although the two timeshares cost me about the same...I can trade 1/2 of my Westgate for a unit that would take more points than I have with DVC).

Anyway...when I purchased DVC was just getting started and was too expensive for me and my good buddy. Just on a lark we toured Westgate...buddy argued them downto a good price and we bought 50/50. However they would only sell to us if we pretended we were in an intimate rather than a platonic relationship. No problem, we did it...we have some amusing pictures that go with the purchase because of that. However up until I bought him out they consistently refused to recognize me as an equal entity on the deed. It was highly entertaining and occasionally annoying. Guess it wouldn't have been if I'd had a falling out with my friend.

At that time they emphasized selling (never mind touring) to couples.

I have to say that my last two trips to Westgate were disappointing... The prior trip I got a bad condo location. This last trip the condo location was good but I had laryngitis. Fortunately my host (sales rep) hated his job so he was very good to me. I'dve sent a letter commending him but he was attending interviews at other locations even over the course of my week.

I don't think Westgate works well for people who plan to spend more than 50% of their days at theme parks. I find that its great for the purpose of relaxing by the pool, shopping, sightseeing metro Orlando and maybe hitting a park every other day.

 

[Lisa P.]

They are also able to restrict gift offers to only people from certain countries. Apparently, they make out their list of restrictions based on historical data regarding who are most likely or least likely to purchase a timeshare. Anyone may tour, but only certain market groups are offered incentive gifts to tour.

Many timeshare resorts that we have visited do offer a seemingly secure environment. Singles traveling with friends or single parents traveling with children may really appreciate the floorplans.

During a visit to a Fairfield resort near Washington DC this year, I was offered a tour without my DH present, since he wasn't with us on that trip. This was a first for me. However, the salesperson said they are seeing many more women buying timeshare alone, with their own funds and signatures, whether they are married or single. Guess this trend hasn't caught on so far with single men.

DVC doesn't list restrictions but then, they don't offer incentive gifts either.

 

[Dean]

Lisa, I wonder if it's because of the materials they have printed or the languages their staff can speak as to what groups they offer to tour. I'm also certain that DVC has some "guidelines" as to who they do cold calls or postcards to. I think those that have gotten postcards for VB have posted something about this but don't recall for certain or specifics.

 

[Lisa P.]

I wonder if it's because of the materials they have printed or the languages their staff can speak as to what groups they offer to tour.

I'm sure that enters into it. I do recall a controversial news article referenced on TUG a while back. The offsite tour promoters were questioned by the media after some tourists complained that they were denied the option of touring for incentive gifts because they came from certain countries. There were very seldom buyers from those countries, despite a pretty substantial number of touring families.

It was apparently legal for them to exclude these folks from the gift offer as long as they didn't exclude them from touring for free. Certainly added to their already poor image.

I'm also certain that DVC has some "guidelines" as to who they do cold calls or postcards to.

Probably. Direct soliciting outside of their home state is restricted and regulated, depending on where DVC has registered with each state to sell. That's a bit different from direct soliciting from a DVC booth in FL or on HHI, in person. However, DVC has had some kinds of guidelines in the past.

I have seen Magical something-or-other offers at the DVC website - discounted nights at a DVC resort with a sales tour. These used to require a certain family income, married spouses to attend the tour, or singles okay, etc. But the discounts weren't as substantial as those at other timeshares. I don't recall ever seeing gift incentives offered. So they probably didn't need to get too restrictive - there's not much marketing expense to those offers. They're just filling offseason rooms at lower rates. Just a thought.