Another presentation - this time Nashville

[jp10558]

Well, I really need to stop having my mom or her friend come with me, but they discounted 3 tickets to the Grand Ol Opry on Friday and our friend really wanted to go. IDK why they asked me just after the New Orleans one where I didn't buy, but they asked no questions and just pushed the presentation and discounts so I guess fine, we'll see how annoying this one is.

At this location they handed out some photocopy about random stuff they're promoting this year - which of course is a lot of bullcrap. But I have to ask - does ANYONE have any idea what the heck "Panorama" is that they claim gets rid of RCI exchange fees? I know they just make stuff up, and are pushing their aps (not going to download - they have horrible ratings in the play store for TravelUp and Vacation Sidekick that they're pushing.

Anyway, I'll report back after Monday's presentation. But if anyone has a clue about Panorama I'd be interested in what they heck they're doing.

 

[dioxide45]

I've found that they don't care if or when you toured before. They just want warm bodies in chairs in the sales floor. We've done presentations two days in a row. They ask, we attend. I negotiate for a better incentive than they come with the first time around. Sales seems flabbergasted as to why we would be there when we were just at a different one the day before, but oh well. That is for their marketing peeps to figure out.

As for Panorama, it is just another name they throw out for the FOMO. It is nothing more than the different companies and such that help facilitate exchange outside of RCI. Sign up for an RCI based travel club like All Resort Store or Armed Forces Vacation Club? They are part of Panorama. It means nothing to the average owner.

Wyndham marketing must have a list of talking points that they rotate through to try to convince people to sign up for a presentation. I even heard one last month about Voyager and how I needed to be converted over to that system off whatever system I was on. All just to try to get me to go to a presentation.

 

[Pennytx]

I've found that they don't care if or when you toured before. They just want warm bodies in chairs in the sales floor. We've done presentations two days in a row. They ask, we attend. I negotiate for a better incentive than they come with the first time around. Sales seems flabbergasted as to why we would be there when we were just at a different one the day before, but oh well. That is for their marketing peeps to figure out.

As for Panorama, it is just another name they throw out for the FOMO. It is nothing more than the different companies and such that help facilitate exchange outside of RCI. Sign up for an RCI based travel club like All Resort Store or Armed Forces Vacation Club? They are part of Panorama. It means nothing to the average owner.

Wyndham marketing must have a list of talking points that they rotate through to try to convince people to sign up for a presentation. I even heard one last month about Voyager and how I needed to be converted over to that system off whatever system I was on. All just to try to get me to go to a presentation.

May I ask
How often do they up the offer? Any suggestions please
I’m great at saying “No” so walking doesn’t bother me a bit

 

[dioxide45]

May I ask
How often do they up the offer? Any suggestions please
I’m great at saying “No” so walking doesn’t bother me a bit

Only once did we settle for the first offer and that is because I didn't really try to get anything better. I suspect we would have if I'd tried. I will often hym and haw at their offer of gifts and say how I got better at so and so resort. I've often walked away from their best offer telling them I had to ask the wife first. Then I come back and take them up on that best offer. You just need to be willing to walk away.

We've also walked away only to have them call us the next morning on the room phone to get us to attend.

 

[Pennytx]

Thanks
Truly appreciate the advise

 

[Rolltydr]

IDK why they asked me just after the New Orleans one where I didn't buy, but they asked no questions and just pushed the presentation and discounts so I guess fine, we'll see how annoying this one is.

To each his own, but I’ve found that the annoyance is far greater than any reward they may offer. I haven’t attended in 5 years and am now on the do not call/do not sell list. My vacations, especially check-ins, are so much nicer now.

and are pushing their aps (not going to download - they have horrible ratings in the play store for TravelUp and Vacation Sidekick that they're pushing.

Just fyi… I think if you will try the Club Wyndham app, you’ll find it much easier and more functional than the Wyndham website. There are several threads where people have seen errors in availability and/or problems booking on the website but the app has functioned very well since its introduction. I totally understand your reticence to try a Wyndham IT product but I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised if you’ll give this one a trial run.

 

[paxsarah]

they have horrible ratings in the play store for TravelUp and Vacation Sidekick that they're pushing.

AFAIK the Club Wyndham version of TravelUp doesn't have its own app. There is a preexisting travel company based in the UK called TravelUp (why did Wyndham decide to use a name that already existed? No idea, but they did) and at least in the Apple app store, the only Travel Up app is the unrelated UK company.

 

[jp10558]

Well, my report back is aside from getting asked "why did you do this one" to which I said they check in person kinda signed me up because the people travelling with me wanted the discounts / free stuff and didn't let me get a word in ... they basically chatted with me about some survey stuff and didn't try and sell me anything. After 60 minutes we stopped chatting about random stuff (the second woman wanted to tell me about new age spirituality and some meditation guru which is a new one for me) we left and I got my tickets and coupons. And another soda.

 

[JohnnyO]

Did you have to put a $40 deposit down to guarantee your attendance at the presentation/owner update? The reason I ask is we were asked to do it (Anaheim Peacock Suites) and they were supposed to refund it. We got moved through right to gifting after the basic group presentation. But they didn't refund the $40. We called a week later and they said it takes a few days. Never happened so I disputed the charge on my CC and they immediately refunded me. Lesson is be sure they refund the deposit before leaving gifting.

 

[dioxide45]

Did you have to put a $40 deposit down to guarantee your attendance at the presentation/owner update? The reason I ask is we were asked to do it and they were supposed to refund it. We got moved through right to gifting after the basic group presentation. But they didn't refund the $40. We called a week later and they said it takes a few days. Never happened so I disputed the charge on my CC and they immediately refunded me. Lesson is be sure they refund the deposit before leaving gifting.

We've had them take no deposit, $40 and $60 at different times. The first tour we ever did with Club Wyndham was in Clearwater and they didn't refund the $40. It took a couple calls to get it take care of. All the rest since have been refunded automatically and I usually see the pending refund amount online with my bank the same day. Though it takes a couple days to post.

A couple times I told them I wasn't going to give them a deposit. They seemed to be able to move on without it. Then there was the time I came back down to the desk to sign up and didn't bring by wallet. Same thing, they just insisted I go or they could get in trouble. I was literally coming back down to sign up, so obviously I wasn't there to screw around.

 

[jp10558]

Did you have to put a $40 deposit down to guarantee your attendance at the presentation/owner update? The reason I ask is we were asked to do it and they were supposed to refund it. We got moved through right to gifting after the basic group presentation. But they didn't refund the $40. We called a week later and they said it takes a few days. Never happened so I disputed the charge on my CC and they immediately refunded me. Lesson is be sure they refund the deposit before leaving gifting.

I didn't have to in Nashville, but I did in New Orleans. No issue with the refund in New Orleans - Amex already e-mailed me it was refunded.

 

[chapjim]

Well, my report back is aside from getting asked "why did you do this one" to which I said they check in person kinda signed me up because the people travelling with me wanted the discounts / free stuff and didn't let me get a word in ... they basically chatted with me about some survey stuff and didn't try and sell me anything. After 60 minutes we stopped chatting about random stuff (the second woman wanted to tell me about new age spirituality and some meditation guru which is a new one for me) we left and I got my tickets and coupons. And another soda.

That right there's funny! Zen Wyndham!

 

[Floridaman76]

RE: deposits for updates.

Just remember, you never have to do an update. Ever. (unless you are in discovery)

You also don't have to give a deposit. If they try this, tell them you under no circumstances will leave a deposit. Phrase it in a way that if they want you there, there's no way they are getting a deposit. If they persist, tell them something to the effect of "then I will not be there, and you will not get your commission for signing me up".

If you didn't know this already, they get a certain amount of money per person they sign up to do an update. If nothing else, this will motivate them to drop the deposit nonsense. "

So always negotiate for the most money you can get ($175-$250).

I've done several in the last year SOLO too (no wife), even though they are on property. You just have to convince the person signing you up to do it. I will take as low as $125 if it's just going to be me, but will under no circumstances take less than $175 if it's me and the wife. Most of the time I can get from $200-$250.

At the last update I did in Nashville, the guy asked me: "you did 8 of these in the past year, why?". I pulled out the $125 AMEX they gave me, and said, that's why. That's the only reason.

Don't be an easy mark. Get your money, get out. Be courteous unless they are not.

 

[jp10558]

RE: deposits for updates.

Just remember, you never have to do an update. Ever. (unless you are in discovery)

You also don't have to give a deposit. If they try this, tell them you under no circumstances will leave a deposit. Phrase it in a way that if they want you there, there's no way they are getting a deposit. If they persist, tell them something to the effect of "then I will not be there, and you will not get your commission for signing me up".

If you didn't know this already, they get a certain amount of money per person they sign up to do an update. If nothing else, this will motivate them to drop the deposit nonsense. "

So always negotiate for the most money you can get ($175-$250).

I've done several in the last year SOLO too (no wife), even though they are on property. You just have to convince the person signing you up to do it. I will take as low as $125 if it's just going to be me, but will under no circumstances take less than $175 if it's me and the wife. Most of the time I can get from $200-$250.

At the last update I did in Nashville, the guy asked me: "you did 8 of these in the past year, why?". I pulled out the $125 AMEX they gave me, and said, that's why. That's the only reason.

Don't be an easy mark. Get your money, get out. Be courteous unless they are not.

I'm not currently doing it to try and get money - I probably will skip them - next time I'm making my travel buddy who wants the discount to go (as a non owner they're probably even more eligible)...

 

[Floridaman76]

I'm not currently doing it to try and get money - I probably will skip them - next time I'm making my travel buddy who wants the discount to go (as a non owner they're probably even more eligible)...

I know a lot of people avoid them, but to me, I can usually find an hour on a random morning to make $200 for an hour of my time. I've heard it all, and they aren't getting another dime from me, but I get it, it's so banal.

 

[JohnnyO]

Wyndham Oceanside Pier DP:

We were offered $160 for OU. Got $200 Cohen Restaurants gift cards which includes 333 Pacific in Building. They had offered an additional free wine tasting tour with a free bottle of wine but we don’t have time. Short trip. So no thanks. So we settled on the $200 and two mini bottles of wine.

Had to put down a $40 deposit. We went ahead with it since they gave us more.

We checked in and manager recognized us and said hello welcome back. We had breakfast burritos and went to sit down with the group. We got pulled out right away. A nice young gentleman brought us to the sales room. We finished our burritos at his desk. Chatted a bit. Said if we didn’t have any questions then we could go. Back in our room 15 minutes.

He had 2” paperwork on us and our history at WOP. Asked when we bought resale. 2007 just after they opened as FairField.

 

[Lilphish]

I was just at the Nashville location, and they had a girl by the front door that tried to stop me. I told her no thank you and proceeded to walk out. A guy runs out and chases me down telling me that a wristband is mandatory. I asked him why nobody was wearing them, why there were no signs enforcing it, and that it wasn't needed by the pool areas. I ended up just dropping the argument and then of course he proceeds to try to get me to an owners update meeting. He said, "Don't worry, it's only a survey." I said, "Great then have them email it to me or send it to me online". After 5 minutes of back and forth I finally left, went to the room and immediately unplugged the phone. Then the next morning they called my cell and woke me up. I'm really tired of having to deal with this every single time. I'm going back there again soon and dread it. I shouldn't have to feel that way. Anyone have a way to get of that situation quickly?

 

[WyndhamBarter]

Anyone have a way to get of that situation quickly?

Just say "no thank you" and keep walking. After the second "no thank you"
I simply start pretending the person assaulting me does not exist.

Unplugging the phone is essential. Don't be embarrassed to go to
the front desk to ask for things - *they* are there to help you, unlike
the weasel proxies at the 'concierge' desk.

Also, if you *want* a wristband, just keep one from an earlier stay.
The front desk will almost always add it to your coded room unlock
list without *any* interaction with the 'concierge'.

Some Wyndham locations are *much* more aggressive than others.
Say "no" politely once. Firmly the second time. Then just ignore.

 

[jp10558]

Then the next morning they called my cell and woke me up.

Use DND on your cell phone / have it block numbers not in your contacts. There's way too many spam calls in general, and this solves for all of them.

 

[Floridaman76]

Another thing you can do is this, sign up for the update on the LAST day of your stay, at the latest time you can sign up for... then no show. If they ask you to put a deposit down, flat out refuse. They will always cave.

Two can play at this game... if they call you, oops you are on a plane, or oops you are hundreds of miles away in your car

 

[Panzerman45]

Did you have to put a $40 deposit down to guarantee your attendance at the presentation/owner update? The reason I ask is we were asked to do it (Anaheim Peacock Suites) and they were supposed to refund it. We got moved through right to gifting after the basic group presentation. But they didn't refund the $40. We called a week later and they said it takes a few days. Never happened so I disputed the charge on my CC and they immediately refunded me. Lesson is be sure they refund the deposit before leaving gifting.

I just say no to the $40 now, do you want me there or not? It is always waived during the negotiation phase when I get them to give me bigger Visa/Amex cards. In the past I paid it and it was always refunded, but why take the risk.

 

[Floridaman76]

After almost a year and a half of fairly good/quick/low stress updates, I guess I have hit my limit. My last 3 have been pretty bad (Ocean Blvd in January, Nashville in April, Bonnet Creek this past weekend).

This time, just like the last couple times they were hitting hard on the "offset maintenance fees by buying more" ridiculous angle, but they update guy we had was the absolute worst at his fake math and when I called him out on it, he got visibly upset and came within an inch of insulting me by the way he "couldn't believe we didn't want to save money". After I asked him to show us how the math of us buying more points was going to save us money, he went into some completely irrational spiel about how "we will save 60% on flights and hotels and car rentals". Which of course made no sense.

Now, here's the kicker, and what brought it to an end.

He said "you have a deeded ownership, when you die, your oldest son is going to inherit this if he wants it or not, so you need to convert to access because it's a trust and not deeded, so you will not have this problem".

I know for fact this is inaccurate and this especially update my wife. I asked him how long he's been doing this, he said "2 months", I said, "look kid, i'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt that you were trained to tell people this, and that you don't know you are lying to them, but this isn't a career you want to have long term". And said, this is over, NOW.

We got our $200 ($125 Amex / $75) Tango and left.

We stayed in a 3BR Presidential in Tower 6 that I was able to get a VIP Upgrade to, plus the 50% off sale, and we had a good long weekend with some guests.

Our guests also got talked into doing a sales presentation the day before and theirs was horrible too, apparently.

This was a completely different experience than I had the last time I did one at Bonnet Creek last October, which was actually very pleasant and short.

 

[DouginSC]

I usually have to be in the right mood at check in at our resort to agree to their "owners update" while on our stay. I typically just say no at check in but we actually said yes on our last visit this past May. We walked out with $150 to Captains House Restaurant that we had never dined at before so the 2 hour, blah blah blah was worth it I guess. They also gave us the gift upfront with a little swag bag which was kind of nice. We could have walked out at anytime since they gifted us at the beginning.

 

[rickandcindy23]

$150 is not enough for the aggravation.

 

[DouginSC]

$150 is not enough for the aggravation.

It was raining the day we went and we didn't have much else to do that morning. We enjoyed chatting with the lady. She was from Russia and a power lifter. We got her Facebook and Instagram page. Ha ha!