Vistana Villages

Hi, We just returned from a week in Orlando. We own eoy at Vistana Villages, and were back through a special package, where we had to take another presentation tour, where they tried to have us upgrade to an annual ownership. The resort is just beautiful. We did have some issues at check in, but we were compensated for it, I'm sure only because we refused to settle. I asked about units that are bought resale, and I was told very matter of fact, that any resales are NOT in the SVO program, and any one that buys resale, can only use this resort,or trade through II. They are not able to trade through Starwood. I thought Vistana Villages was a mandatory resort, with internal trading privileges. Has there been any changes to the program? Also, about two weeks ago, I was phoned by someone from Sheraton, offering me to purchase the other eoy week. At that time I told him I was not interested, and that I was attending a presentation in a couple of weeks, which he knew nothing about. When we went to the presentation, we were offered the week for 1200.00 more than we were offered on the phone. The resort knew nothing about Sheraton making any offers, but said there are several departments. I now want to know who to call about the phone offer, but I did not write down who called. Does anyone know what department might have called, and how I can find out? Thanks alot, Sue

susgar said:

Does anyone know what department might have called, and how I can find out? Thanks alot, Sue

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Sue,

We rec'd a call a few weeks ago on our EOY in Cancun. We were asked if we wanted to upgrade to an annual as well. I had to kindly refuse stating that since it's not a mandatory resort I felt that the resale later on wouldn't be as strong. I was told by the rep. that she didn't know that there was a difference between the resorts ( clueless I guess ).

Anyway the Department that is phoning is called the Membership Enhancement Department. The number is 1-800-808-5258.

Victor

As many here who bought resale VV can tell you - they can and do trade thru SVN. I know one that actively trades to Harborside, but I will let them chime-in. There are Vistana resorts that are Voluntary, but VV (Orlando) is not one of them.

What!!! A TS salesperson that is lying??? - what a shock!!!
Are they allowed to do that!?
It works for them if you buy and find out (or not) later that it wasn't true (via TUG), because them giving out bad verbal info is not covered in the contact. Like - they come back and say - "Oh, I thought we were taling about the Lakes/Cascades sections." or that they are not in the part of the SVO program that allows you to use StarPoints (which is true).

Victor, thanks for sharing the phone number. Robin thanks for the reply. I thought I knew that the Villages were a mandatory resort, but she was so sure of herself that I wasn't sure anymore! I really appreciate all the good information found here on Tug. Sue

susgar said:

At that time I told him I was not interested, and that I was attending a presentation in a couple of weeks, which he knew nothing about. When we went to the presentation, we were offered the week for 1200.00 more than we were offered on the phone.

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They just have a price increase in Nov 1.

I just received my welcome to Harborside email for My trip next July 4th which I used staroptions thru SVN to reserve, using a resale VV. This was on top of the confirmation I received. Buy resale and save a bunch.

I think that many of the sales executives are unaware of the mandatory/voluntary designations. Our WKORV salesperson told us in 2003 that if we bought resale, we would only ever have a week at that resort. Obviously this was incorrect.

Sheraton Waikiki and Sheraton Royal Hawaiin SVO offices

While on business travel in Oahu, I stayed at both the Sheraton Royal Hawaiian as well as the Sheraton Waikiki. The SVO Reps at both sales locations did not understand the notion of manditory and voluntary properties. I had to explain it to them. I was blown away.

It would seem to me that any decent sales rep would try to leverage a resale owners week (if they were inquiring) to their benefit by understanding how to "requalify" a resale week in the first place. At least they could pitch a new week to qualify the resale week for StarPoints (ya think).

Seems like the SVO sales training needs to be kicked up a knotch.

Instead of being treated like a "member" of SVO as a week owner I felt that I was shunned because I was an informed buyer and told them I bought my SVO week resale. In the future I won't volunteer the status of my week(s) since some of them are not properly trained on the subject.

blujahz said:

As many here who bought resale VV can tell you - they can and do trade thru SVN. I know one that actively trades to Harborside, but I will let them chime-in. There are Vistana resorts that are Voluntary, but VV (Orlando) is not one of them.

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Not sure if you're talking about me, but I've had success 5 years in a row, reserving multiple villas each year.

conkyjoe said:

While on business travel in Oahu, I stayed at both the Sheraton Royal Hawaiian as well as the Sheraton Waikiki. The SVO Reps at both sales locations did not understand the notion of manditory and voluntary properties. I had to explain it to them. I was blown away.

It would seem to me that any decent sales rep would try to leverage a resale owners week (if they were inquiring) to their benefit by understanding how to "requalify" a resale week in the first place. At least they could pitch a new week to qualify the resale week for StarPoints (ya think).

Seems like the SVO sales training needs to be kicked up a knotch.

Instead of being treated like a "member" of SVO as a week owner I felt that I was shunned because I was an informed buyer and told them I bought my SVO week resale. In the future I won't volunteer the status of my week(s) since some of them are not properly trained on the subject.

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Just returned from a stay at the Sheraton Waikiki where we stopped by the SVO sales desk a couple of times to see if we had won a "contest" they are running. We are both 30 so maybe they figured we were too young/poor to buy, but I was a bit miffed that they didn't even try to sell us on SVO. My wife thought it was funny, but I made a point to stop buy later and ask a few questions and work into the conversation that we own a couple of weeks. Sales girl looked confused and I felt better. This can go down as the first time that someone was upset about a TS sales rep NOT trying to sell them something...

Okay, I'll ask.

Formerhater - what made you stop hating?!

formerhater said:

Just returned from a stay at the Sheraton Waikiki where we stopped by the SVO sales desk a couple of times to see if we had won a "contest" they are running. We are both 30 so maybe they figured we were too young/poor to buy, but I was a bit miffed that they didn't even try to sell us on SVO. My wife thought it was funny, but I made a point to stop buy later and ask a few questions and work into the conversation that we own a couple of weeks. Sales girl looked confused and I felt better. This can go down as the first time that someone was upset about a TS sales rep NOT trying to sell them something...

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That's funny!!! I don't think you're ever too young to get approached, though. DH and I bought our first week when we were 24 and 25 years old!

According to this thread, it depends what section of Vistana Villages you own. At least one section is voluntary. Due diligence will be very important for future VV resales.