If you could ask a question of a Timeshare Executive, what would that question be?

[TUGBrian]

If you happened to sit down with a VIP in the Timeshare Executive world and got to ask them a question, what would it be?

Very curious to see what the TUG community can come up with on this, though I am sure I can guess a dozen or so right off the top! =)

Adding video link to the original post!

 

[Terry D]

I would ask them where they think the industry will be in five years. Will there be more consolidation, more Trusts, will weeks be phased out for points, etc.

 

[dioxide45]

I would be interested to know what they think about their sales practices and if they really know what goes on on the sales floor? I suspect several of the CEOs just turn a blind eye even though they know the lies that are spewed out to make a sale.

 

[davidvel]

How do you sleep at night?

 

[TUGBrian]

I would be interested to know what they think about their sales practices and if they really know what goes on on the sales floor? I suspect several of the CEOs just turn a blind eye even though they know the lies that are spewed out to make a sale.

This was in my top 5! (sofar I have 17)

 

[klpca]

Why don't they offer better deed back and/or onsite resale programs? The common situation where people feel like they are stuck with a timeshare forever devalues ownership, in my opinion. It seems to me that a more robust deed back program - after a certain number of years (10 years/ 20 years?) would encourage people to take the plunge and purchase a timeshare.

 

[davidvel]

I would be interested to know what they think about their sales practices and if they really know what goes on on the sales floor? I suspect several of the CEOs just turn a blind eye even though they know the lies that are spewed out to make a sale.

Any question to them would truly be wasted, especially one like this. No executive would ever acknowledge any untoward practices, including the blatant fraud in every presentation.

 

[davidvel]

Why don't they offer better deed back and/or onsite resale programs? The common situation where people feel like they are stuck with a timeshare forever devalues ownership, in my opinion. It seems to me that a more robust deed back program - after a certain number of years (10 years/ 20 years?) would encourage people to take the plunge and purchase a timeshare.

No one buying has a concept of the future, just dreaming of "pre-paid" discount vacations. They are told it is a great investment and will be great for their families in the future. The last thing they would ever do is talk about how they will want to escape the brilliant purchase in 10/20 years.

 

[TUGBrian]

deedback/solutions also high on my list!

 

[b2bailey]

To an Exec at Marriott Timber Lodge, Lake Tahoe --
How can the week you sold me 20 years ago for $1x,xxx be worth
Zero today?
(I just deeded it back because the M.F. increases have outpaced rental value of week.)

 

[Daytripz]

Why, if the DVC model is so successful, don’t they emulate it? Sell 30 year contracts. Keep the value high.

 

[dioxide45]

Any question to them would truly be wasted, especially one like this. No executive would ever acknowledge any untoward practices, including the blatant fraud in every presentation.

Perhaps, but it puts them on the spot. Instead of just shitting on other questions here, why don't you come up with some of your own?

 

[Tia]

deedback/solutions also high on my list!

The one resort we used to own takes deed backs for just the real high season Christmas- March in the USVI, they are now days an independent resort managed by Capital . The delinquencies are pretty high last I knew, they do rent on various sites online to make up income.

 

[The Colorado Kid]

Why don't Platinum/Gold/Silver/Garbage seasons have varying maintenance fees that reflect their value?

 

[ScoopKona]

Why don't Platinum/Gold/Silver/Garbage seasons have varying maintenance fees that reflect their value?

I know the answer to this one -- because building maintenance doesn't care about the seasons. Neither does the county tax collector.

 

[The Colorado Kid]

I know the answer to this one -- because building maintenance doesn't care about the seasons. Neither does the county tax collector.

Respectfully I am interested in the timeshare executive's answer

 

[ScoopKona]

Respectfully I am interested in the timeshare executive's answer

That's what the last timeshare executive (the one who helped create the Hyatt system) told me.

 

[montygz]

The No. 1 issue is creating a path for owners to end their ownership.

So many developers have built an industry on high-pressure sales designed to prey on people who make bad decisions.

The timeshare industry also has created an entire shadow industry of exit scammers, rental scammers and the like.

They could work on fixing some of this.

 

[ScoopKona]

The No. 1 issue is creating a path for owners to end their ownership.

So many developers have built an industry on high-pressure sales designed to prey on people who make bad decisions.

The timeshare industry also has created an entire shadow industry of exit scammers, rental scammers and the like.

They could work on fixing some of this.

This isn't going to happen because it is 180-degrees contrary to the interests of the developer. It was hard enough to force developers to put rescission clauses in their contracts. If it were up to the developers, it would be, "Buy only from us, no other option. And keep it until you die, no other option."

That's basically how Hapimag set the system up 75 years ago. Back then, heirs were usually happy to get the timeshare week because most timeshares were ski weeks. (The entire concept started when skiiers tried to reserve hotel-stays same week of the year, for life.) They would be passed down as skiiers aged out of the sport. There's always someone in the Alps who wants a ski week. It was only when "family resorts" started that a real need to get rid of the timeshare developed. "We're never going to Disneyworld again. How do we get rid of this Kissimmee week?"

 

[easyrider]

If they already weren't a vacation club I might ask when they plan on becoming a vacation club instead of a timeshare. I might also ask if the vacation club plans on offering a travel club. To me, the deeded timeshare is on the way out because the business model is cumbersome especially because of the foreclosure process.

Bill

 

[dioxide45]

I know the answer to this one -- because building maintenance doesn't care about the seasons. Neither does the county tax collector.

I would tend to disagree. The value of an off season week is less than a prime season week, so for tax assessment purposes an off season week should probably have lower taxes (in Florida it does). For maintenance, certain amenities may not be available in off season. Certain maintenance may not need to be done, like landscaping or cutting the grass. Also, with lower occupancy in off season they may not need as much staff to keep the resort running day to day.

 

[davidvel]

Perhaps, but it puts them on the spot. Instead of just shitting on other questions here, why don't you come up with some of your own?

I didn't *bleep* on anything. As I noted in my first post, I think the idea of getting a straight answer to these types of questions from a TS executive is a folly. Their interests do not align with owners' interests, and the things that we all want will not necessarily be what they want to maximize their profits.

One could easily go through all of the proposed questions and easily figure out a corporate speak answer without shitting on the question, just like the exec will do. The collective brain trust here at TUG certainly knows the real answer to most, if not all, of these questions.

 

[alwysonvac]

The No. 1 issue is creating a path for owners to end their ownership.

So many developers have built an industry on high-pressure sales designed to prey on people who make bad decisions.

The timeshare industry also has created an entire shadow industry of exit scammers, rental scammers and the like.

They could work on fixing some of this.

I agree.

Everything else from a timeshare perspective has changed over time except for their sales and exit practices.

The younger generation won't be so easily fooled. They are more likely to use online resources to quickly assess their latest sales purchase. Some will simply stay away due to all of the negative press found online.

 

[SueDonJ]

Why don't Platinum/Gold/Silver/Garbage seasons have varying maintenance fees that reflect their value?

I understand that you want an exec to answer this, and I'm certainly not one of those, but I know that the answer in some states will simply be, "because existing timeshare laws don't allow that."

My one question would be, "why do you include so many stipulations/restrictions in the governing docs that would allow for fairer usage among all owners, and then not actively enforce them?"

For examples I would like Marriott to implement across the portfolio the "reservation lottery" system that prohibits the same owners from booking the same highest-demand holiday periods at the highest-demand resorts every year, and, the "rotational placement" system that says if you get a high-floor placement one year then the next you'll get a low-floor placement, or if you get a sit-on-the-balcony-and-get-an-ocean-expanse-view in a designated "oceanside" unit one year then the next you'll get a lean-over-the-balcony-railing-and-look-left-for-a-sliver-of-the-ocean from another unit designated "oceanside." The former would make some allowance for all owners to at least have a chance at getting the highest-demand intervals among all those that were purchased despite some owners being simply unable to schedule their vacations at the minute a reservation window opens, or not entitled to the earliest reservation windows, or worst case not high enough in the queue the minute the reservation window opens for the highest-of-high demand times. The latter would go a long way towards reducing the number of entitled DYKWIA people that we see belly-aching at check-in, and again, ensure that all owners enjoy the best and the worst and everything in-between of all units that conform to their designated purchase.

 

[alwysonvac]

Timeshare companies make the bulk of the their money from the following
(1) Developer sales
(2) Developer financing
(3) Resort management fees
(4) Club dues and transaction fees
(5) Cash Rentals

I guess one of my biggest concerns is how do these publicly traded companies plan to increase long-term profits and growth? There is only so much you can squeeze from existing owners every year before folks start leaving in masses.