HGCV preview presentation- Hawaii availability?

[Willywilkes]

Went to BI last Jan on a preview offer, really liked it, avoided buying, but payed $100 down to go back on another preview offer.

Finally ready to consider travel again, and so is everyone else! Called yesterday to talk through pricing on upgrading to a actual timeshare unit instead of staying in a hotel room. Wasn’t ready to book but asked about general availability in Sept/October. Salesperson looked up for the presentation appointments and said right now there are none available on either island for the entire month of September. She did say however that Hawaii has been slow to open and they are releasing new appointments in waves. She said that she feels confident they aren’t fully booked for sept previews but she said the only option is to just keep calling back.

Anyone here have any insight into when releases might happen for the presentations? Better day of week? Better time frame to call?

Also, if we return to BI we are very very interested in booking a 2-bedroom unit package that she was able to tell us about, but it would certainly be based on availability. With so many people not being able to travel last year, do you think I have any chance of finding availability? If not, we might try Oahu with the standard hotel room this time around.

Finally, we are interested in buying resale at some point, is it okay to use that as the reason we won’t pay retail prices during our presentation or is that considered bad form? I know not to believe any benefits they claim of buying retail, but wasn’t sure if it’s better to not even get into that.

 

[LynnHilton]

Hello, @Willywilkes, and welcome back again to this discussion forum provided to all for free by the Timeshare Users Group (TUG).

Like you, this is the first place that I come to with questions about timeshares, just as you did in January 2020. I see you got a lot of great responses to your questions at that time.

I decided to become a paying member of TUG to help support the group's ability and willingness to be an excellent source of timeshare info.

Although it's not required, I encourage you to consider becoming a paying member of TUG as well, especially since you plan to buy timeshare resale at some point; one of TUG's most valuable roles is providing guidance and information about buying resale.

 

[GT75]

Anyone here have any insight into when releases might happen for the presentations? Better day of week? Better time frame to call?

Honestly, no. I have no idea on how that works because we only see what is in HGVC inventory.

Finally, we are interested in buying resale at some point, is it okay to use that as the reason we won’t pay retail prices during our presentation or is that considered bad form? I know not to believe any benefits they claim of buying retail, but wasn’t sure if it’s better to not even get into that.

You can do that especially if you don't like the salesperson.

 

[DEROS]

I believe it is a game the sales department play. i.e. to make it look busier than it really is.

My advice is to not say anything to the sales person other than small talk. The more you talk, the longer they will keep you in the presentation to do a sale. Also, If tell them that you are buying from the secondary market too soon in the presentation, they will cut off your presentation short with no "gift". You broke off the presentation by announcing you are not interested in buying from them, so they are not obligated to give you the "gift". The last time I was in the presentation in LV, in small print it says something to the fact of must be present for the entire 1 hr presentation.

Quick story: I got lucky in the LV. I was ready to take the 1 hr tour for a "owners update", aka let me convince you to upgrade your timeshare sales pitch. However, before we could get started, the "Manager" grabbed our sales person, did a quick private chat, and then my sale person apologized to me, said that the "Manager" double book, and the other couple was anxious to go on the sales tour. The sales person said that we can book another tour for a different date and time, however the salesperson still gave me the "gift", since they broke off the presentation. I believe the "Manager" looked up my account up, saw that I bought in the secondary market, and knew that I would be wasting his sales person time.

 

[giowop]

I believe it is a game the sales department play. i.e. to make it look busier than it really is.

My advice is to not say anything to the sales person other than small talk. The more you talk, the longer they will keep you in the presentation to do a sale. Also, If tell them that you are buying from the secondary market too soon in the presentation, they will cut off your presentation short with no "gift". You broke off the presentation by announcing you are not interested in buying from them, so they are not obligated to give you the "gift". The last time I was in the presentation in LV, in small print it says something to the fact of must be present for the entire 1 hr presentation.

Quick story: I got lucky in the LV. I was ready to take the 1 hr tour for a "owners update", aka let me convince you to upgrade your timeshare sales pitch. However, before we could get started, the "Manager" grabbed our sales person, did a quick private chat, and then my sale person apologized to me, said that the "Manager" double book, and the other couple was anxious to go on the sales tour. The sales person said that we can book another tour for a different date and time, however the salesperson still gave me the "gift", since they broke off the presentation. I believe the "Manager" looked up my account up, saw that I bought in the secondary market, and knew that I would be wasting his sales person time.

This is outstanding! Sign me up for that experience!!!

 

[Blues]

We're going to the Grand Waikikian in HHV in a month. Just got an email offer to schedule a "Membership and Portfolio Review" for 40000 HH points. Yeah right, not even any cash. No thanks. But, at least on Oahu, it doesn't appear that they have any shortage of spaces.

 

[Willywilkes]

Thanks all, just to close out in case anyone sees this and is wondering. Called last Fri, asked them to look for availability on either island in Sept or first half of Oct. Was able to find one day with presentation appts in late sept for Kona and one in mid Oct for Oahu. The Kona one had availability to book a 1 bedroom suite but Oahu was just standard accommodations so we booked into Kona. So my first time calling back was a success, but it seems like there wasn’t “ample” availability in their system. Kona package came with a car, hope they have an “in” with the rental agencies because they all appear sold out to me

 

[Willywilkes]

Rather than start another thread, figured I’d just keep my questions going here in case anyone reads this.

We are booked in a 1 Bed in the Ocean Tower, I am trying to decide now if I want to call back and see if it’s an option to do King’s Land instead.We stayed in the ocean tower in an old hotel room on our stay early 2020, and I loved the view from the balcony - amazing sunsets, great breeze, was heaven. However we pretty much didn’t use any resort amenities and disliked how far it was to get to our car. Most of our time will more likely be out exploring the island, so I think King’s Land is better for easier access to car and free parking! But when we are in the room, I kind of want that ocean vibe and am reluctant to give it up… though also no guarantee on what type of view we are getting in ocean tower…. Any advice? What would you do in my shoes?

I know most of you reading are owners so probably don’t know, but do you think switching to kings land is even possible, or does the sales office likely only have inventory in ocean tower anyway?

Thanks!

 

[rpabalan]

Rather than start another thread, figured I’d just keep my questions going here in case anyone reads this.

We are booked in a 1 Bed in the Ocean Tower, I am trying to decide now if I want to call back and see if it’s an option to do King’s Land instead.We stayed in the ocean tower in an old hotel room on our stay early 2020, and I loved the view from the balcony - amazing sunsets, great breeze, was heaven. However we pretty much didn’t use any resort amenities and disliked how far it was to get to our car. Most of our time will more likely be out exploring the island, so I think King’s Land is better for easier access to car and free parking! But when we are in the room, I kind of want that ocean vibe and am reluctant to give it up… though also no guarantee on what type of view we are getting in ocean tower…. Any advice? What would you do in my shoes?

I know most of you reading are owners so probably don’t know, but do you think switching to kings land is even possible, or does the sales office likely only have inventory in ocean tower anyway?

Thanks!

My family and I are currently staying at Ocean Tower. We checked in yesterday after a five day stay at Kings Land. We lucked out — our two-bedroom unit is on the 3rd floor but is actually at ground level, so the sliding glass doors from the living room and master bedroom allow you to walk out to the golf course. The best thing is the sunset view — while sipping wine seated on the outdoor furniture just outside your unit.

The unit we stayed in is well appointed, although not as spacious compared to Kings Land. For example, there is barely enough space for all the kitchen appliances and dinnerware, and the kitchen sink is small. But at least it is fully furnished, including a washer-dryer-in-one unit. The limited space is to be expected as HGVC had to work with remodeling preexisting hotel rooms.

It is true that it is not convenient to get from Ocean Tower to the parking lot — it takes a minimum of 20 minutes (quicker if you get liucky catching the tram at the right time). That Is the reason I booked Kings Land for the first several days, so my family and I can more quickly do the outdoors activities elsewhere on the island (ziplining, parasailing, snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, visit to Greenwell coffee farm, visit to Kilaeua volcano). Ocean Towers allows one to enjoy the Hilton Hotel resort facilities. Nevertheless, the longer trip to the parking lot did not deter us from going to activities elsewhere on the island.

The bottom line is you need to consider what you enjoy more — easy access to sunset views or easy access to outdoor activities in different parts of the Big Island. If you stay at King Land, you will still have access to the hotel facilities (you will receive a hotel parking pass (free) at the Kings Land front desk when you check in). If you stay at Ocean Tower, you will be charged $37 per day for parking.

Whichever you choose, enjoy your stay!

 

[giowop]

This was the not-horrible sunset view from the pool area at Kings’ Land, for what it’s worth.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[holdaer]

We experienced those same beautiful sunsets from the adult pool at Kings' Land from 5/22 - 5/29.

Thanks for sharing the picture. Good times!

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

Rather than start another thread, figured I’d just keep my questions going here in case anyone reads this.

We are booked in a 1 Bed in the Ocean Tower, I am trying to decide now if I want to call back and see if it’s an option to do King’s Land instead.We stayed in the ocean tower in an old hotel room on our stay early 2020, and I loved the view from the balcony - amazing sunsets, great breeze, was heaven. However we pretty much didn’t use any resort amenities and disliked how far it was to get to our car. Most of our time will more likely be out exploring the island, so I think King’s Land is better for easier access to car and free parking! But when we are in the room, I kind of want that ocean vibe and am reluctant to give it up… though also no guarantee on what type of view we are getting in ocean tower…. Any advice? What would you do in my shoes?

I know most of you reading are owners so probably don’t know, but do you think switching to kings land is even possible, or does the sales office likely only have inventory in ocean tower anyway?

Thanks!

I did one of those packages 5-6 years ago and did pay an upcharge to stay at KL. I also added a few nights too. At the end of the day I don’t think we saved much if anything but we did have a great trip and did an overnight at Volcano National Park too. After seeing the sprawl at Ocean Tower I was glad I made the change.