Just wondering what are the developers offering you to take a timeshare tour and presentation in orlando and other places in the United States. Last and best offer in Gatlinburg I received was $125 and a dinner for 2 to tour Crown Point.
I find timeshare tours fascinating. I am a psychologist by profession, and I find it very, very useful to see persuasion and manipulation techniques up close like that. In one class that I teach, we spend a full week each semester analyzing how persuasion works, and I often use my experiences at timeshare tours as examples..... I am not saying I won't ever go to a timeshare presentation again, nor do I criticize anyone who enjoys them, because I have enjoyed so many great presentations, and I used to get most of my timeshare education from them. Hey, that's SCARY. :hysterical: ....
Well, I haven't seen that many timeshares salespeople, so I don't think I have a large enough sample to make many generalizations. The one thing I have noticed is that the long-time salespeople are very, very comfortable with lying, while the newer salespeople are often embarrassed if you catch them in a lie. I'm not sure whether the salespeople become more comfortable with lying as they get more practice at it, or if the only the pathological liars keep working at the high-pressure sales positions while the normal people quit (or at least go to a resort that doesn't require bald-faced lying.) It could be a bit of both.judyS: Your comments are most interesting! What other characteristics do you find in a timeshare salesperson? Are they money-oriented? Selfish? Like the high life? Wear flashy jewelry? Divorced more than once?....
Yeah, on a recent tour I went on, the guy spent most of the time bragging about his teenage daughter, who apparently was an aspiring classical musician. She even had a website and everything. :rofl: Another salesman a while back mostly complained about how he hated the company he was working for and was only working there still because his pension would be vested if he stayed a few months longer......
One of the most memorable timeshare tours was at Vistana in 1999, when the young timeshare salesperson started talking about his lousy relationship with his girlfriend. I was bored to death. :zzz:....
It's on topic! I would have talked about non-US tours, but I haven't done any in years.This is a bit off topic (meaning I am not going to refer to Orlando or USA).......
BUT, I learned the hard way... If you take a TS tour that requires them to take you there via a Cab. Make sure you have it down in writing that they must provide the return Cab ride at their cost. I omitted this and they stranded me at the place and I had to hire my own cab to get back...![]()
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How much was cab fare? I'd be a bit worried about relying on the resort for transportation. I might do it if my husband was with me, but not if I were alone.
We were offered $450 in Puerto Vallarta....
... We unplugged our phones at the Marriott Grande Vista when we went last month, and that will be our normal routine from now on. ....
The MO we started following the last two TS's is tell the agent upfront we are not purchasing. We say "I want to let you know upfront that we will not be purchasing today. We are here only for the 'gift' and possibly to learn more about the xxxxx <fill in the blank ... your resort, your system, etc.>. " On our upcoming tour (next Monday), we may add "We are also discussing filing bankruptcy with our attorney. We blew a our life savings on buying timeshares retail and travelling like kings. Also, the housing/credit crunch also taken its toll on us : ( "...I like presentations because it gives me a chance to learn more about the company and their system of exchanging. The salespeople are just trying to earn their money so I understand the pressure. But hey...when they call me and invite me for "education", I tell the salesperson upfront..."I was invited for education, not for a high pressure sell pitch, so educate me on why I should buy one of these things".