Did we get an honest salesperson, or was he telling untruths?

[rickandcindy23]

This salesperson at Marriott Horizons had very new information for us that we were amazed to hear:

He said we could lockoff a unit every year and get the 110,000 Marriott points as well, every year. This is different from anything I have ever heard before.

He also said you can take a studio or lockoff, then exchange into a two bedroom that only has two bedrooms, like St. Kitts, then you can use that unit to exchange into something harder to get, like a two bedroom on Maui.

So he is saying we can use a week we got in exchange through II, then we can use the exchanged week to get ANOTHER exchange.

Are these things true? I caught him in a few little lies, but these two things he said just didn't sound right.

This is supposedly the top salesperson in Marriott. So I AM SURE you guys know him.

 

[Dave M]

I assume he was telling the truth about the points. That would be in your contract, or don't sign.

Once you exchange with II for that St. Kitts week, you can either (1) use it or (2) cancel it and request another exchange. But there is no advantage such as he suggested.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Dave M., this guy makes me mad! He told us that he owns at Horizons in Orlando and uses his week to trade into St. Kitts, because all they have at St. Kitts are 2 bedroom units. So he trades that one bedroom or studio, then he trades the St. Kitts for something else. That way, he is not using a studio to trade anymore and has the trade power to get better stuff than just his one bedroom or studio could pull. He demonstrated his "ability" to do that by logging into his own account.

What a liar, supposedly the top salesperson at Marriott.

Then he asked why we took the tour if we weren't going to buy. I am going to write to the head office about this because he lied to me several times.

As far as the points are concerned, at first he was telling the truth about them; he said if you give up your usage for the year, you get the points instead. Then when it looked like we weren't going to buy, the story changed completely to getting both points and weeks every year. I know it's not true because he said the truth earlier in the session.

The worst thing any salesperson could ask, he asked: "Why did you come here today if you weren't interested?" Could it be that I finally said yes to the THIRD phone call since we arrived here on Friday night? Could it be that the gal on the phone said it didn't matter that we attended last year, when I was using that as an excuse to skip it this time?

Until timeshare has a better way of selling, I guess the enticements of $175 will always look pretty good to us. But I have to admit, it is experiences such as these that remind a person how miserable these presentations can be.

GEESH!

 

[jasfan]

No truth to what he said. You have to give up your entire unit to get points, and you normally can only do this every other year. Additionally, you will not trade a studio at Horizon's for a 2BR at St. Kitts unless it is within the 59 day flexchange window, or off-season with unheard of luck. A studio has more limitations on trade power, so the St. Kitts 2BR wouldn't even show, unless within the flexchange window. At least you didn't sign, and now have to undo that!!!

 

[gmarine]

I would call the sales office and speak to a supervisor about this salesperson. He is obviously lying to many people and most wont be smart enough to verify the info they are given.

 

[Robert D]

You're assuming that Marriott actually cares that this guy is lying to potential buyers. From what I've seen, they (as would most other developers) could care less as long as this guy is closing on a lot of sales. I just assume that everything they tell me is a lie unless proven otherwise. Good thing is you get the last laugh when you get your $175 and walk out.

 

[Dave M]

I misread your OP, Cindy. He wasn't telling the truth about points either.

There is no way to get Marriot Rewards points for giving up the use of only a portion of a unit. To get points for the year, an owner must give up the use of the entire unit (master and lockoff). That requirement is 100% clear in all Marriott written materials on the topic.

However, there are numerous Marriott resorts where an owner can get points every year. And Marriott often changes the every-other-year requirement to an every-year option for existing resorts.

 

[dioxide45]

No truth to what he said. You have to give up your entire unit to get points, and you normally can only do this every other year.

Actually this has been changing. They are moving to a lot of every year option to exchange for MRP to help entice buyers to buy and sell more units. From reading on here, this appears to be happening at more resorts and I don't doubt Horizons Orlando isn't one of them.

 

[dioxide45]

The worst thing any salesperson could ask, he asked: "Why did you come here today if you weren't interested?"

This is something that they try to use. You you were provided an incencentive with no obligation to buy. You receive calls the day after you show up to take a tour and trying to get out of not going to the presentation is almost more preasure than the sale. I am sure the person signing people up receives a commission or bonus based on their numbers too.
You wouldn't have gone had they obligated you to buy, since they offered you the incentive with no obligation, the sales persons question doesn't deserve an answer in my opinion.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I was relating this story to another TUGger via private emails today. She owns at Cypress Harbour, where we are staying.

She and I were wondering why a Marriott salesperson would ever feel they have to lie to make a sale? It seems that the Marriott name and reputation wouldn't deserve to have lies attached.

The points thing was very confusing, and it always is, whenever I hear about any points systems. But he made it more confusing because he compounded it with lies. He could always say I misunderstood, if I made a telephone call, but I asked him three times if we could have both points and half of the unit each year, not just half the points, either. He kept saying, "Yes, you see, you just don't understand the system........." I felt like saying that I understand more than he thinks. Rick was amazed at the "exchanging of an exchange" sales ploy. I had never seen that before. He was demonstrating it as we sat there. But he probably owns St. Kitts, not Horizons (he said he traded a Horizons studio for a St. Kitts two bedroom, then he was using that two bedroom for exchanging elsewhere. So he probably lied about owning Horizons, too.

I think it is very sad that he is a top salesman.

 

[rickandcindy23]

This is something that they try to use. You you were provided an incencentive with no obligation to buy. You receive calls the day after you show up to take a tour and trying to get out of not going to the presentation is almost more preasure than the sale. I am sure the person signing people up receives a commission or bonus based on their numbers too.
You wouldn't have gone had they obligated you to buy, since they offered you the incentive with no obligation, the sales persons question doesn't deserve an answer in my opinion.

I was sure dumbfounded by the question. We were asked that question before and Rick was immediately mad, but this time, he was trying to sort out the truths from the lies while we were sitting there, and he was left speechless.

Chalk it up to another lying salesperson, though the product he sells is top-notch for sure. His name is [deleted]. So if any of you get him, be sure to ask him about exchanging an exchange (which II does for NO EXTRA CHARGE). :hysterical:

 

[Jestjoan]

Take a tape recorder...........

 

[rickandcindy23]

There were three of us, and all of us were sitting there when I asked him to clarify about the exchanging the exchange move. He was very clear about it. I told Rick I was sure he was lying, as soon as [he] stepped out of the room. It was really not a good move on his part, to lie three times.

He didn't say so many things that I have read here about Marriott. He left things out like deductible interest, free II account, and flexchange.

 

[Big Matt]

That's because most salesmen don't really understand how timeshares really work. I would bet that many have never used II.

He didn't say so many things that I have read here about Marriott. He left things out like deductible interest, free II account, and flexchange.

 

[camachinist]

Take a tape recorder...........

Most cell phones have an offline voice record feature/movie feature. MP3/MP4 via e-mail to MVCI while on site. Sit back and enjoy

Pat

 

[potchak]

That is a great idea! Wow, wish I had thought of a cell phone!

 

[AwayWeGo]

Ways To Tell.

Did we get an honest salesperson, or was he telling untruths?

That's easy. Were the guy's lips moving?

Why did you come here today if you weren't interested?

Who said I'm not interested? I'm plenty interested. I'm just not buying. As for why I'm here, your marketing department invited me.

Sheesh.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[englishowner]

Hi

when I was in Hilton Head last summer and pressurised by marketing staff to attend a presentation, the sales guy there was very curt with me once he realised I wasn't going to buy anything. I was there cos found it nigh on impossible to turn down requests to attend, also points were worth it. I like to see all new developments, but he never even showed me round Surfwatch! He was much more high pressure sell than I have ever come across before in Marriott and wanted me to sign there and then on a deal, told me if I walked away it would be gone, guess what, I walked away! Wonder if times are getting harder for the Sales folk, perhaps this is why pressure to sell is greater nowadays, with quite a few blatant lies flying around!

Lynne

 

[CMF]

Please send an e-mail to Marriott Corporate.

Please report this sort of thing to Marriott. OK . . . . pretty please.

Charles

 

[pisces311]

marriott vacation club is always changing

Being new to the TUG but reading it on my sisters timeshare for over 2 years and i decided to write myself.

I think you need to give this man a break. Marriott does offer weeks which are every other year and also every year. We own at Newport Coast, and also in Orlando and both are pretty much the same although Newport coast costs a lot more. They both do the same job. reading your comments.....
Why would a salesperson lie to get a sale... they would be fired on the spot and possibly lose their licenses due to mis-representation. Their presentations are always the same.

We were offered 50,000 a year for keeping their financing terms ( EVERY YEAR ) and also given the opportunity to lock-off our unit EVERY YEAR and carry one over or possibly 2 to the following year
YOU SAY HE OFFERED YOU 100,000+ POINTS + A WEEK TO USE IN THEIR SYSTEM.... YES!!! IT EASY.
WE GET THIS EVERY YEAR USING OUR ORLANDO WEEK AS WE FINANCED WITH THEM AND RECIEVE HUGE BENEFITS.
EVERY STATE IS DIFFERENT. our new port coast villa we paid off and i realise i lost some pretty good incetives for doing so.

you use that Marriott Visa card ALL the good reps are promoting for Marriott and charge maintenance fees, monthly payment, and anything else that pertains to the ownership using Marriott to earn the extra points.
as far as that point goes, he did nothing wrong as far as i can see.

as far as they question remains with INTERVAL.... he probably has a connection with interval as do a lot of the top representatives for all of the big companies. we have had great luck with our sales rep and keep in close contact with her as she has personally helped us withour exchanges and some extra things.

Whoever you do purchase from, make sure he/she is the best in the site as they will take care of you. why? they rely on you ( the owner ) for repeat business down the year.

As far as the points, trading, lock-off options etc... whatever they tell you, when you get the paperwork, it will be in black and white and you will initial everything. This was a reassuring for us as they watch their P's and Q's as their job is on the line and also they have to protect the reputation of the company as a whole.

One of the things about Marriott is their integrity of protecting their prices. They don't do fake drops like other sleazy timeshares or bring the managers over to close the deal and then the other manager.

Marriott takes care of them very well, we have owned for over 5 years are are very happy with both places. I love the lock-off idea as we do exchange it from a "studio" to 3 bedroom villas in other places.
sometimes you mishear what is actually being said on the presentation and maybe recording the presentation with that TAPE RECORDER as long as the resort let you do this for your next presentation that you decide to take to save a few dollars may be a better idea for you.

So, therefore in closing, if they tell you something and it's Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Disney, it's probably TRUE.

How can you possibly keep up with all the changes from these tours you take when you go on vacation. if they tell you something,get it in writing and keep it for future records.
my advise is don't waste your time taking tours if you have no interest in buying anything.
last word.... Marriott is an excellent company to do business with, as is Disney which we are considering to purchase but don't know much about their set up. any suggestion would help.

 

[camachinist]

I take tours to scout for "friendshare"

Even if I might not be interested in buying, Marriott makes it worth my efforts to bring others to them who will.

Welcome to TUG!

BTW, we also own (developer) multiple NCV's...

Pat

 

[JimIg23]

Be careful about tape recording conversations. Some states require 2 party consent, some don't. Safest thing to do is probably advise the recorded parties that you are taping and get everyone's consent on tape...

 

[Werner Weiss]

This salesperson at Marriott Horizons had very new information for us that we were amazed to hear:

He said we could lockoff a unit every year and get the 110,000 Marriott points as well, every year. This is different from anything I have ever heard before.

The salesperson claimed you could, "lockoff a unit every year and get the 110,000 Marriott points as well, every year" — meaning that you could turn in your week for points and still get to stay in part of it (presumably in the efficiency side)?

Locking off is a usage option that provides additional flexibility for stays and exchanges. Turning a week in for points is an option instead of usage.

It's now fairly common for Marriott to offer a points option that you can choose to exercise every year. (In the past, you could usually only exercise the points option every other year.) And if you own a lock-off, you are able to exercise the lock-off option every year (with a lock-off fee), if you wish. But you can't do both in the same year.

He also said you can take a studio or lockoff, then exchange into a two bedroom that only has two bedrooms, like St. Kitts, then you can use that unit to exchange into something harder to get, like a two bedroom on Maui.

So he is saying we can use a week we got in exchange through II, then we can use the exchanged week to get ANOTHER exchange.

Two comments here...

(1) Although there are sometimes cases of someone getting an unbelievably favorable trade, such as the salesperson is describing, such trades are rare and usually involve enormous luck during the flexchange period (last 60 days). Interval International (II) works on a system of like-for-like trades. But it's sometimes possible to "trade up" in size." For example, I can see the same 2BR NCV weeks with my 1BR Ko Olina week as with my 2BR NCV week. But I can't see any NCV weeks with my efficiency Ko Olina week. All villas at NCV are 2BR, and it takes a sufficiently strong 2BR or a very strong 1BR to get a trade. (Yes, I'm sure there's anecdotal evidence of some exceptions.) Most trades into 2BR weeks at St. Kitts will be achieved with other strong 2BR weeks — and even those will involve advance planning, flexibility, and luck. The salesperson is guilty of overstating the ease of using a efficiency to get a 2BR.

(2) You can only exchange what you own. (With Marriott, an exception is the Florida Club. But, even there, you're exchanging a week that you booked through Marriott with your ownership.) So, as far as being able to take the week that you obtained through an II trade (such as a 2BR St. Kitts week) and then trade it for something even harder (such as a 2BR in Maui), that's not how II works. The salesperson is either ignorant or dishonest.

 

[JimIg23]

It is hard to believe anyone takes any salesperson word as gold. I dont think most plan to out right lie, but maybe strech the truth. One Marriott rep once told me that if I bought a gold Aruba, trading into a 2 bedroom DVC during summer would be very easy because there is always a lot of 2 bedroom DVC inventory in the summer.......

 

[m61376]

My limited experience has been what they leave out more then what they actually say. Yes, those wonderful studio for 2 BR exchanges do happen. But- they generally happen in Flexchange or off-season. Once in a blue moon someone justs gets lucky and can nab a prime 2 BR in advance with a studio. The problem is salesmanship; they make it sound like it is an everyday occurence. Lying- no, yet definitely misleading.

And carrying over one week to the next, so you can get 2 weeks back to back in Hawaii, for example. Again- it can happen. They just leave out the part that it is subject to luck by trading; they make it sound like you can just simply book the 2 weeks concurrently at your pick of weeks.

They also make that exchanging for points option sound like a windfall- give up two weeks for points and easily book a trip worth $6-8000. On the other hand, there are some Tuggers who have repeatedly utilized this option to its fullest and feel they've obtained that value.

So, I don't feel like I've been lied to. I just feel like I'm talking to a child who doesn't want to get in trouble, so they only tell you what they think you want to hear....