What does it take to sell timeshares?

I see ads in the paper for timeshare sales reps.

Loving the timeshare experience, wishing I could own more (and better weeks), and think its so much better than the hotel experience, I think that may be a good part time (?) job - selling something I actually believe in. Nothing against sales people, but stereotypically the best salesperson is the one who can stretch the truth the most; get people to buy something they don't want or need.

What does it take to be successful?

sammy said:

What does it take to be successful?

Click to expand...

Being able to sleep at night knowing that your company is charging way too much for its product . . . and that some (many?) people who buy timeshares cannot really afford them.

IMHO they are in the same category as car sharks in most cases.

[Message deleted. Personal attacks are not permitted on these forums. Dave M, BBS Moderator]

sammy said:

Nothing against sales people, but stereotypically the best salesperson is the one who can stretch the truth the most; get people to buy something they don't want or need.

What does it take to be successful?

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I think that is what it takes to be successful, because if you were totally honest, you would advise all of your customers to buy RESALE!

It takes the ability to lie with a straight face

Timeshare Von said:

. . . and that some (many?) people who buy timeshares cannot really afford them.

Click to expand...

This is not the fault of the salesman. Even in high-pressure sales tactics, the person always has the ability to walk out the door.

dioxide45 said:

This is not the fault of the salesman. Even in high-pressure sales tactics, the person always has the ability to walk out the door.

Click to expand...

We will have to agree to disagree on that point.

I've seen and be party to too many sales pitches that have gone the "you must be a moron to not see the value in this" route . . . or "don't you want to give your kids what your parents couldn't afford to give you?"

When they break down the purchase to compare it to the cost of vacations over 15-20 years . . . and then reverse that back into the cost on a per month basis . . . that is all about showing that even those who are marginally capable of affording it can "plan and budget" to set aside just $100/month for their family's future.

It's a pathetic sales technique that is all too commonly used. It is the very reason why probably every state in the union has a rescind policy and a window during which sanity can re-enter the thought process.

Yvonne