Wow. I didn't know people actually did this!!

[Disney1fan2002]

Disney1Fan2002, my sister owns at "The Cove" on Cape Cod and I know of another couple too and they have traded several times to Boardwalk and OKW through Intervale International, don't give up hope!

WOW! Really???? Because that is where we own! Does she have a Prime fixed week? we could only afford the Prime float, all the fixed weeks are from Memorial Day through Labor Day (summer is GOLD on the Cape)

After trying for years to trade to Disney, I was finally told by a MS rep from II that we did not have a high demand week, so trading to the more popular resorts would be extremely difficult.

The Cove is a nice resort, and it gets good reviews on a page I went to that had people rate resorts, but because all the units are only 1 bedroom and sleep 4, it really doesn't offer much trade wise.

I can see if your sister has a fixed summer week, a summer week on the cape, she could probably trade Donald Trump for his Manhattan penthouse! LOL

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

My husband and I first did the DVC tour on our honeymoon to WDW because they were having FastPasses as incentives, so we did it...little did we know we would walk out as potential owners! We ended up buying after we couldn't stop thinking about it!

 

[Dean]

I'm somewhat in the middle. I do feel it's tacky and dishonest to tour simply for the perks alone. But I am in agreement that it's their game and they set the rules and if you follow them honestly, no reason to feel badly. I've done many timeshare tours but never simply, or even mostly, for the perks. I must say that even then a couple of the sales people were less than nice. Here are a few of our stories though many people have far more egregious examples than I do I'm sure.

• In HI at the Embassy on Maui, we had committed to tour. When we actually agreed, we thought we were just getting discounted tickets but soon found out it was in regard to a timeshare tour. We went to the tour then they tried to send us away because we hadn't been on the island long enough. After about 10 minutes and the realization that we owned a number of timeshares all bought resale, they got us out of there fast. I actually wanted to do the full tour and especially see the 2 BR unit but it was not to be.
• At the Embassy on Kauai, we did the tour to find out more about the system (since we didn't get the info on Maui) and to see the 3 BR. While it was fairly short, maybe 50-60 minutes, the lady was professional and friendly.
• I had actually promised my wife only one tour for the trip but she wanted to do the Kauai Embassy and she wanted to see Hanalei Bay, which we did. I told them we wouldn't buy at the booth and when we arrived at the sales presentation. Once they realized we owned a number all bought resale, the guy said "You've commited to a 90 minutes tour". I agreed that we had and that I truly wanted to see the resort (which was totally true). We did the tour, which was exactly 90 minutes and he did things exactly as he should have. When we finished, we sat down then he excused himself. When he returned, he proceeded to tell us how we had wasted his time and kept him from a potential sale with another customer. While in a sense he was correct, we had been totally honest along the way and he could have cut us lose at any point had he so chose. They set the rules and we followed them. He went on to tell us that we could walk into any resort and ask for a key to see a unit, they all did it. I must say my experience has not been such. On one occasion I was denied access to the grounds just to look around the pool and common areas (before 9/11) and on another it took me 2 separate trips to the resort and an hour wait to do so.
• I also did an impromtu tour of One Napili and Alii Kai II, both with an open house format which I really enjoyed.
• We went to a resort we own at in MX in 2002. We were invited to an "owners update" which I knew was code for a sales tour. I had warned my wife but since we owned there and bought resale, we thought we might pick up some tips. We did the tour and got the basic info then the guy excused himself. He was less than honest on much of the info or else he was an idiot or thought we were. What he apparently did was to go look up our contract with the idea of finding out how much we had paid. He couldn't find it at first then he realized we had bought resale. We hadn't mentioned it, not to be secretive, it just hadn't come up. He proceeded to tell us we couldn't add on through the resort, OK, I'd buy resale if I wanted more points. Then he tried to tell us we didn't get the benefits of being an owner like the minor discounts. My wife and 18 y/o daughter were getting upset and I was laughing. When we left a few minutes later they both cornered me and wanted to know why I was laughing. I said "because you were believing all the bull he was telling us" as I knew it all to be hot air. And we got many discounts including meals, spa and activities that week.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

To me, this makes no sense unless there is a slight interest in the TS. Even if you're not buying, maybe just touring the places is your idea of fun. Other than that, if a couple spends 2 hrs on a tour (including driving there and back) and makes $90 they're only making $22.50/hr plus they're actually paying for a room and either paid for airfare or gas to get them to the location. This doesn't seem like easy money to me.

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

I am the person DISFLAN is referring to who answered someone's questions regarding doing a tour for cash rather than tickets. I am also the person who had the NERVE to mention that the breakfast was more appetizing than the lunch they offered.

Everyone has the right to their own opinion. We have our reasons for why we do them, but I don't feel like we owe DISFLAN or anyone an explanation (I actually started to type one out before and then deleted it).

The one thing that disappoints me about these boards is that posters can be soooooooooooooooooo judgemental. I person will ask a simple question or make a simple statement and whoaaaaa.....

Have a Great Fourth of July everyone!

 

[OneMoreTry]

It is definitely more tacky to put someone down for accepting a free perk, than it is to accept the free perk.

The salespeople who offer the perks are the wolves, not the other way around. Open your eyes everyone. They KNOW that no one intends to buy from the outset. If people were rushing in to buy, they wouldn't need to offer the free perks.

The timeshares' intent is to sucker people in, offer something "irresistable," and get people to buy something they can't afford. If I had the time, I WOULD go around and take all the offers just to spite those cheats.

I hope you all feel good about yourselves for not accepting the free perks. You're obviously better than everyone else.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

It is definitely more tacky to put someone down for accepting a free perk, than it is to accept the free perk.

The salespeople who offer the perks are the wolves, not the other way around. Open your eyes everyone. They KNOW that no one intends to buy from the outset. If people were rushing in to buy, they wouldn't need to offer the free perks. Duhhh!!

The timeshares' intent is to sucker people in, offer something "irresistable," and get people to buy something they can't afford. If I had the time, I WOULD go around and take all the offers just to spite those cheats.

Well, like I said in my post, other than DVC TS's have absolutely no interest to me at all. I don't believe I'm personally putting anyone down, nor are most of the posts on the tread. I explained why they don't work for me. My parents for years would go to RV shows and new construction open houses even though they weren't planning on buying for at least 10-15 years. I would rather watch paint dry. When I go to WDW I always spend plenty of time resort hopping, because I love the theming. Other people might think thats a waste of time. To each, their own. For me to do something I have absolutely no desire to do, $90 isn't enough to compromise the day. I honestly don't care how other people spend their time on their vacation, and seriously hope that everyone does what makes them happy as long as it doesn't infringe on the quality of other people's vacations. And of course, how can we just throw the word tacky, and vacations around in the same sentence? Do we see what people wear on vacations these days??? I think we cheapen the word tacky to use it in any other application.

I hope you all feel good about yourselves for not accepting the free perks. You're obviously better than everyone else.

I don't know if 'better' is the right word. As a fan (follower?) of Donald I just have certain insights into the workings of the world that certain 'cattle' or fans of Mickey can bring to the table.

 

[CarolA]

I don't feel it's dishonest. The timeshare sellers KNOW that they are not going to sell to most of them so if they don't like it, they don't have to do it. It's probably cheaper then a lot of other ad methods and if you sell one a day....

What I find more dishonest is the sales tour yourself. They say 90 minutes.... I have heard LOTS of stories of 4 hours and being abused by salesperson. (One salesman told a friend of mine that if she would get off her fat behind, not the word he used, and get a job her DH could afford the timeshare!)

My peace of mind and time are worth a LOT more then those folks are paying.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

My inlaws always toured never bought until- The salesman mentioned Grandchildren.
So now each year they can invite one adult offspring plus spouse and kids.
Grandparents get to see grandchildren on a vacation each year.

Salesmen got to get you there to hook you.

 

[Tarheel Tink]

I have always remembered with affection a Disser who after the promised 90 minutes wanted to leave the presentation because it had barely started and was going to apparently take several more hours. They refused to let him leave and would not let him use the transportation they provided. He merely took out his cell phone and called the police in front of them stating that he was being held a hostage by timeshare people; immediately he was given his free gift and transportation!

 

[DisFlan]

Okay, this is my take on this subject to this point:

1) Unbeknownst to me, there's a whole subculture of people touring timeshares. For whatever reason.

2) Most timeshare salespeople are the dregs of the earth.

3) My opinions have been taken as a judgment. They are not. They are genuine surprise.

4) Speaking for myself (and NOT judging anyone else) I could not, in good conscience, schedule multiple/repeat tours with no intent to buy and accept money/gifts/meals for them when I know the cost will be charged back to people who bought into the timeshare. Smarmy salespeople, sleazy tactics and "everyone does it" are not, for me, a valid excuse.

5) I'm happy and relieved that the only timeshare we own is DVC.

I'd also like to thank the people who sent me several "cordial" PMs. I hadn't realized that the emotional import of this subject was somewhere in the vicinity of nuclear vulnerability, a cure for AIDS and the Last Judgment. Now I know. Thank you for enlightening me.


DisFlan

 

[Dean]

Okay, this is my take on this subject to this point:

1) Unbeknownst to me, there's a whole subculture of people touring timeshares. For whatever reason.

2) Most timeshare salespeople are the dregs of the earth.

3) My opinions have been taken as a judgment. They are not. They are genuine surprise.

4) Speaking for myself (and NOT judging anyone else) I could not, in good conscience, schedule multiple/repeat tours with no intent to buy and accept money/gifts/meals for them when I know the cost will be charged back to people who bought into the timeshare. Smarmy salespeople, sleazy tactics and "everyone does it" are not, for me, a valid excuse.

5) I'm happy and relieved that the only timeshare we own is DVC.

I'd also like to thank the people who sent me several "cordial" PMs. I hadn't realized that the emotional import of this subject was somewhere in the vicinity of nuclear vulnerability, a cure for AIDS and the Last Judgment. Now I know. Thank you for enlightening me.


DisFlan

Don't worry about it. Touring timeshares repeatedly simply for the perks is a pretty low thing to do.

 

[ColoradoBelle1]

DisFlan...
I think your only error might be that you believe that if the TImeshares were sold without offering any freebies to get people to come to the presentations, that the timeshare would cost the actual buyers LESS.

And this isn't true. The 'cost of sales' is indeed figured into the cost of the timeshare. And in places like Orlando there are so many timeshares that increasingly costly 'gifts' are offered to lure people into presentations.

But lets say you and 1000 disers went to the presentations and refused the freebies...it would not lesson the cost of a timeshare to anyone else.

DVC doesnt' offer these freebies per se. DVC feels it can get buyers to buy by having the kiosks available to advertise in the parks. It works. But notice for SS that they do offer incentives to those of us who already own DVC. Do you think that if we refused the incentives: oh no Disney, please keep my 100 bonus points..that they would reduce the cost of DVC to anyone?

Timeshare sales are based on getting people snagged by telling them this is a onetime offer...that if they don't buy NOW the price won't be the same the next day. Even if you tell them you are opposed to high pressure sales tactics, the salespeople will continue to use them because statistically, the psychology of the timeshare sale is proven that more people will buy with this method than not. It really is a shame, cause I wouldn't buy with a high pressure tactic even if it was almost free.

The salespeople only get a commission IF you buy. And if enough people don't buy, then the salesperson is thought to be not very good. So the salespeople tend to get angry when, after they spend a certain amount of time,you don't fold and buy the product....Because they know that if you have time to think it over that you won't be back.

I don't know how much longer the tactics will continue because now with internet access almost everyone can say: hey guys, you are offering me this week for $40,000 and I see here on my computer that a resaler is selling the same week for $2500. I think Ill buy from them! Thanks!

Well, I have rambled when I just wanted to say that the free offers for attending the presentation come out of the built in costs of the timeshare. Even if no one took the gifts, the prices wouldn't change...the developer would just make more money.

 

[cruise-o-matic]

I have always remembered with affection a Disser who after the promised 90 minutes wanted to leave the presentation because it had barely started and was going to apparently take several more hours. They refused to let him leave and would not let him use the transportation they provided. He merely took out his cell phone and called the police in front of them stating that he was being held a hostage by timeshare people; immediately he was given his free gift and transportation!

 

[cruise-o-matic]

Don't worry about it. Touring timeshares repeatedly simply for the perks is a pretty low thing to do.

ditto....I too think it is kind of tacky.

My parents used to do this about evey time we'd go to Myrtle Beach. In those days, they'd wind up with cheap piece of crud, like a cheap b/w tv or a roll of dollar coins.

When we go on vacation, we want to have fun or kick back and relax. Our vacation time is precious to us enough that we'll spend extra to have a rental car so that we can have a couple of extra park hours before heading to the airport. Going to a TS presentation and then getting grilled by a sleazy salesman for a few bucks is not my idea of fun. But, to each his/her own.....

 

[DisFlan]

Colorado Belle-

I assumed that most timehare sales costs are charged to the fees, assessments or dues that timeshare members pay each year. The developer may cover them at startup, but they'd want to shed this cost as soon as possible.

More expensive perks provided to admitted non-buyers doing repeat tours means more $$ out of the members' pockets - or fewer funds to spend elsewhere on necessary projects. And I assume most of these members work as hard for their money as we do.

Dean?? Maybe you have a more definitive answer?


DisFlan

 

[crisi]

Don't worry about it. Touring timeshares repeatedly simply for the perks is a pretty low thing to do.

I disagree. Given the pitches we've gotten to attend timeshare tours, its perfectly reasonable.

The average pitch I've seen looks like this:

ORLANDO VACATION!!!! 5 NIGHTS!!!! $169 INCLUDES TWO DAY PASSES TO DISNEY OR SEAWORLD!!!!


must attend 90 minute timeshare presentation

 

[ColoradoBelle1]

No DisFlan,
By law, the developer is not able to charge the 'members' for advertising the timeshare resort for sale. Actually, in florida, this is protected by law.

You may be confused in that some of the disboarders take any expenses/comps that other dis-ers ask for when they have a bad stay, very personally...believing that it somehow comes out of the DVC budget aka our maintenance fees.

By law, the maintenance fees cover things delineated in the publicized budget. Costs to sell the original timeshare are never part of that budget.
All benies of the sale go to the developers. All costs of the sale are paid for by the developers.

Back to DVC...no matter how high or how low SS is sold for by Disney, no matter what discount Disney gives to old DVCers, Disney employees, etc.....it does NOT effect our maintenance fees which are the costs to run the resort itself.

Hope that helps clarify your concerns.

 

[Dean]

Colorado Belle-

I assumed that most timehare sales costs are charged to the fees, assessments or dues that timeshare members pay each year. The developer may cover them at startup, but they'd want to shed this cost as soon as possible.

More expensive perks provided to admitted non-buyers doing repeat tours means more $$ out of the members' pockets - or fewer funds to spend elsewhere on necessary projects. And I assume most of these members work as hard for their money as we do.

Dean?? Maybe you have a more definitive answer?


DisFlan

NO, they come out of developer advertising budget and it's usually about 50% of the sale price of a new timeshare, give or take a little.

crisi, it's your right to disagree but I stand by my statement. Doing the tour simply for the benefits on a repeated basis is tacky, IMO. But I do understand how you feel about them setting the rules and others just playing by them. I guess I also realize that these are people in a high stress job who live (and die) by the customer in front of them. Many are decent, hard working people trying to support a family. Thus someone like me who truly knows the ropes can break their week. I guess it just comes down to what's in your heart. Do remember that the ones making the promise are not the necessarily the ones affected if you take two hours of their time that they could have spent with a legitimate contact.

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

I guess I also realize that these are people in a high stress job who live (and die) by the customer in front of them. Many are decent, hard working people trying to support a family. Thus someone like me who truly knows the ropes can break their week. I guess it just comes down to what's in your heart. Do remember that the ones making the promise are not the necessarily the ones affected if you take two hours of their time that they could have spent with a legitimate contact.

I have never been on a timeshare tour. Are you saying that each couple (or individual) who attends has someone one on one as their saleperson? I always had the picture in my mind of a roomful of folks being shown a presentation by one or two salespersons. If indeed it is a one on one thing I can see how it wouldn't be particularly nice to take up that person's time. But if it's a group lecture I don't see how it really hurts any one salesman. Perhaps you can clear this up for me?

Coincidentally I just got a timeshare offer in the mail today for a resort in the Poconos. It was very much in the format Crisi mentioned. "Free Vacation, Free gas to visit, free money to spend while you're there". All in BIG LETTERS. On the bottom in teeny tiny letters it said "Must attend 90 minute Timeshare presentation". I've received many such "offers" and they are invariably worded in similar ways. Nowhere does it say "Do not attend unless you are seriously considering buying".

I am lucky enough at this point in my life to have reached a comfortable point, own DVC, and visit WDW 3- 5 times a year. But I remember when I was just getting by and had to scrimp and save to visit and stay at Ft. Wilderness. I think sometimes those of us who are a little more fortunate forget that there are others not so fortunate. Every little bit counts when you don't have much money. There are folks who really want to experience the magic we DVC-ers all know and love, but who can only afford to do so by budgeting like crazy. I can see how a timeshare tour might be worthwhile if money is really tight. Whether or not you or I would do it I don't think it's fair to make comments such as "It's a low thing to do" or "It's tacky".