Our Harborside Sales Presentation Experience

[GrayFal]

@dioxide45 has the restaurant at the pointe/ pool area reopened?

 

[Ken555]

Do Harborside guests continue to have the privilege of the Atlantis facilities and attractions?

That’s the primary reason to visit!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[dioxide45]

@dioxide45 has the restaurant at the pointe/ pool area reopened?

Not yet. Still under renovation. They are activly working on it.

 

[TolmiePeak]

How do you continue to get invites to these things? Don't they have on record that you never buy anything from them?

 

[CPNY]

@dioxide45 has the restaurant at the pointe/ pool area reopened?

no

 

[dioxide45]

How do you continue to get invites to these things? Don't they have on record that you never buy anything from them?

They have a record. A real long one. It is not my business to know the why.

 

[dioxide45]

I did learn that Anthony's survey offer on your receipt for a free app for taking the survey seems to be bogus. It is just a Microsoft 365 forms that provides no redemption code at the end.

Okay. I was wrong about this. It took a day to get a coupon via email. We may not be able to use it.

 

[billymach4]

I would like to go again. Don't think Mrs cares for visiting.

 

[dioxide45]

I would like to go again. Don't think Mrs cares for visiting.

Before our stay at Harborside we stayed two nights in the Royal Tower on Bonvoy Points. We actually much prefer that. You just take an elevator down and you are at Atlantis. Harborside is nice enough, but it makes for a more exhausting trip having to take the shuttle or walk over to Atlantis and then back at the end of the day. Then you have to walk to mostly overpriced restaurants. You can take the grocery shuttle for groceries, but those are overpriced too. You can pack some of your own, but that seems to be more effort than it is really worth. We are having a great trip, but I think next time we would spend more time at the hotel and less nights at Harborside. This time we did 2/7. Next time it might be 5/4. Five nights at the hotel to take advantage of Bonvoy book four get the fifth free on points. Then four at Harborside.

 

[dioxide45]

Do Harborside guests continue to have the privilege of the Atlantis facilities and attractions?

If it wasn't included, there would be absolutely no reason to stay here.

 

[TolmiePeak]

I would like to go again. Don't think Mrs cares for visiting.

Can't Mrs just bring noise canceling headphones and tell them not to bother her?

 

[Troyrissa]

Which buildings have renovated 1 bedroom premium villas?

 

[dioxide45]

We were in building 4. We had the larger 1 bdrm (i.e. the master portion of a 2 bedroom). There was still carpet in the living room (which was the same as the bedroom). There was no vinyl flooring. The cabinets, counter tops, and tile appeared to be older.

I asked the front desk at checkout and was told hat buildings 3, 4, 5 and 6 have had renovations completed. 1 is currently under renovation. Then 2 and 7 would be next. Apparently only the model unit in 7 is renovated. We had two units this stay. Our first with no AC was in building 2. It wasn't renovated. Old green sofa. The unit we moved to was in 3. It had the new sofa and window coverings. Though it still had carpet in the living room and the light over the kitchen table was the same as the one that was in building 2 and different than the model unit in 7. Our unit in 3 also didn't have the modular headboard/nightstands in the bedroom. So it seems that the design has changed some as they have progressed through the renovations.

 

[BradC]

Why are you here wasting our time if you're not going to buy today?

"Why are YOU here wasting MY time if you have no new, compelling information to share?"

I'm always fascinated by the disconnect between the people signing me up for the owner's update, and the salespeople doing the owner's update.

 

[dioxide45]

"Why are YOU here wasting MY time if you have no new, compelling information to share?"

I'm always fascinated by the disconnect between the people signing me up for the owner's update, and the salespeople doing the owner's update.

You would think that they would work in tandem, but they seem to work in silos. Marketings goal is to get bodies through the sales floor. They are incentivised to sign up as many people as possible. They don't really care if they are good prospects or not. Then sales tries to sell to them. I guess it is no different than knocking on doors in the old days. The more doors you hit, the more sales you will make. Hit more doors, more sales. Fewer doors, fewer sales. The investors don't like to see declining tour flow.

 

[davidvel]

"Why are YOU here wasting MY time if you have no new, compelling information to share?"

I'm always fascinated by the disconnect between the people signing me up for the owner's update, and the salespeople doing the owner's update.

As dioxide notes, it is about numbers. It would seem to us that focusing marketing would lead to higher yields, but they have been doing it longer and with massive volume, and don't think so. (Though their new MF reimbursement idea is focusing on those that can be targeted with the new ploys.)

But, there is no disconnect. Salespeople know EXACTLY how the system works. Their vitriol will be aimed at anyone that is not an easy mark that they cannot sell to, who they think should not attend if they do not intend to buy and support their Rolex obsession.

 

[TUGBrian]

so frustrated harborside is still clearly in active sales, but marriott/vistana still excludes it from their deedback program!

 

[trexmdr]

I love the time share presentations. The kids are older and doing their own thing at the resort as we bought wkorv during the construction phase. When I go to the updates I say “as you know I already have one week and I’m not interested in another.” I just keep repeating it until it gets through their “ never take no for an answer” mindset. It’s always pretty painless and a good way to kill some time. As I get older I’m no longer into seeing how much I can cram into a week like I used to.
And when I go to others timeshare presentations during the heat of the day I say”I already own at the wkorv and I love it. If I wanted another week I would buy there” rinse and repeat and eventually they get it and I get my gift.
I actually enjoy the sales pitch to see how long they last before they realize I’m a lost cause.
I love reading everyone’s experiences on Tuggs. I’ve learned so much from all of you.
With great appreciation
RT

 

[dioxide45]

Another tidbit I forgot to mention. They noticed we bought resale and said we were lucky. Too many people buy resale and end up with something that has years of past due maintenance fees. I said that is nearly impossible since one would get a resale information sheet that would show outstanding fees.

 

[billymach4]

Another tidbit I forgot to mention. They noticed we bought resale and said we were lucky. Too many people buy resale and end up with something that has years of past due maintenance fees. I said that is nearly impossible since one would get a resale information sheet that would show outstanding fees.

I would have to say "Savvy to purchase resale". Lucky to know not to buy direct from sales.

 

[Burton504]

Had to post as I might have been sucked into buying. First, it always seems impossible to get a reservation. We got a partial for week 27, the week after July 4th week, using StarOptions. We had an incredible time.
We did the sales presentation, they offered $200 and free breakfast, and they offered an EOY in a deluxe unit, "fixed flexible" so we can come this same week, in water / Atlantis facing unit with balcony in building 1 for $5500. Maintenance 945 a year. Plus they gave me 112,500 marriot points. Yea, I know, buying retail bad. But.. by buying retail, I get all the "plus,plus" of being vested in the Marriott network, right? I have to ask, this is the only resort I am aware of actually still selling deeded 1/104th of a unit, not "points" so this is a Timeshare that actually does have some "value" right? As for the units, we did the tour, and unlike most resorts, there is very little difference between the different 1 bedroom units. Not sure why anyone would waste points/money for a slightly bigger, but not functionally different unit? We could easily see us returning here every other year, and my partner is a teacher so summers are the best travel time for us. This week is also Bahamas independence so the festival and fireworks was an added pleasure! It seems I bought one of the best scenarios in the lowest "tier" (Gold, Deluxe Unit). How much cheaper can these get? Even a "free" resale takes 2k in closing and you don't have the "in Marriott network" benefits? Also, we got all the Atlantis benefits as if we were staying at the Royal. The only reason you can't go to the Cove pool is it is pretty much a "clothing optional" thing. I am good with not doing that. We did the Cascade pool and the beach behind that and it was AMAZING. Am I missing anything? Am I crazy to think I got a good deal buying a retail Timeshare?

 

[dioxide45]

Harborside is a mandatory resort, so even if you buy resale you have access to other Vistana resorts. Just no access to elect Club Points to book Marriott properties. The weeks are nearly worthless on the resale market, except for a select few. This is mainly because the maintenance fees are in the stratosphere.

If you plan to go there every other year, why not pick up something free on the resale market. I know it costs $2000 and the transfer time can be slow, but it certainly has to be cheaper than what you just paid? Get a week that has more StarOptions and you can possibly lock off and use the other StarOptions elsewhere and the other side elsewhere. The main problem again with the 2BR lock offs is the annual fees.

I also don't think the unit or building is guaranteed. You may need to confirm the phase and even then the unit still floats. The deluxe may also not always have a balcony.

 

[Red elephant]

Had to post as I might have been sucked into buying. First, it always seems impossible to get a reservation. We got a partial for week 27, the week after July 4th week, using StarOptions. We had an incredible time.
We did the sales presentation, they offered $200 and free breakfast, and they offered an EOY in a deluxe unit, "fixed flexible" so we can come this same week, in water / Atlantis facing unit with balcony in building 1 for $5500. Maintenance 945 a year. Plus they gave me 112,500 marriot points. Yea, I know, buying retail bad. But.. by buying retail, I get all the "plus,plus" of being vested in the Marriott network, right? I have to ask, this is the only resort I am aware of actually still selling deeded 1/104th of a unit, not "points" so this is a Timeshare that actually does have some "value" right? As for the units, we did the tour, and unlike most resorts, there is very little difference between the different 1 bedroom units. Not sure why anyone would waste points/money for a slightly bigger, but not functionally different unit? We could easily see us returning here every other year, and my partner is a teacher so summers are the best travel time for us. This week is also Bahamas independence so the festival and fireworks was an added pleasure! It seems I bought one of the best scenarios in the lowest "tier" (Gold, Deluxe Unit). How much cheaper can these get? Even a "free" resale takes 2k in closing and you don't have the "in Marriott network" benefits? Also, we got all the Atlantis benefits as if we were staying at the Royal. The only reason you can't go to the Cove pool is it is pretty much a "clothing optional" thing. I am good with not doing that. We did the Cascade pool and the beach behind that and it was AMAZING. Am I missing anything? Am I crazy to think I got a good deal buying a retail Timeshare?

You got a better deal than I got suckered into years ago or maybe cause mine is a platinum week I paid $10,000. The MF is the same as yours though. Building is guaranteed facing the marina. Also fixed flexible 1st Sunday of the year so have been there for new years which was fun. If my week does not fall on New Years then I float it to April. You can always ask for a corner room as it’s bigger.
The fact that you have to pay $2000 in closing cost for a free resale makes your $5500 not so bad and you are not paying the massive MF of the larger units. We go every other year and visit other islands in the Bahamas while we are there.

 

[iftravel]

It’s actually not such a bad deal. For only 5k or 10k, you got what you like. It’s easy and quick and most importantly you will use it. You probably keep some perks like Abound Points (do you?) Unlike resales you have to wait a looong time and you may not like what are available right away. But always consider resale as add-on if you really like it as you are not in a hurry.

I wish most timeshare in US sell direct at this price range instead of 30k-50k range. You end up with a lot of happy owners.

 

[dioxide45]

It’s actually not such a bad deal. For only 5k or 10k, you got what you like. It’s easy and quick and most importantly you will use it. You probably keep some perks like Abound Points (do you?) Unlike resales you have to wait a looong time and you may not like what are available right away. But always consider resale as add-on if you really like it as you are not in a hurry.

I wish most timeshare in US sell direct at this price range instead of 30k-50k range. You end up with a lot of happy owners.

It is only a deluxe 1BR every other year. I don't know of many that would sell in the $30-$50K range in the US. The maintenance fees are also nearly $2000 per use year.