[2015] Working on Vacation (or sales presentation freebies)

[carl2591]

anyone wear the TUG t-shirt to a tour?? We did one at Massanutten and got out of the deal REAL quick.. They do the breakfast thing at the indoor waterpark so most of the "UP's" are there eating breakfast with their salesperson..

I made it a point to walk around the breakfast bar chatting with folks and going to the juice bar with the tug t-shirts on.. A couple of the sales people commented on it as in "We know about Tug.."

I guess our sales guy decided it was better to cut us loose and get back in the sales line to get the next "UP" coming through the door.

""UP's are what tour "people" are called by salespeople cause the office will call your name and you go out to meet the next tour people.. They say "Carl you are up. go make the sale!!" " :hysterical:

 

[Sandy]

anyone wear the TUG t-shirt to a tour?? We did one at Massanutten and got out of the deal REAL quick.. They do the breakfast thing at the indoor waterpark so most of the "UP's" are there eating breakfast with their salesperson..

I made it a point to walk around the breakfast bar chatting with folks and going to the juice bar with the tug t-shirts on.. A couple of the sales people commented on it as in "We know about Tug.."

I guess our sales guy decided it was better to cut us loose and get back in the sales line to get the next "UP" coming through the door.

""UP's are what tour "people" are called by salespeople cause the office will call your name and you go out to meet the next tour people.. They say "Carl you are up. go make the sale!!" " :hysterical:

Yes, I wore my TUG t-shirt in June at the South Beach resort. I wore it to the presentation, around the pool, and at the gifting office. I also spoke to a few folks coming out of the presentation gifting office in an attempt to make them aware of resales. I don't know if I "saved" anyone, though.

 

[dominidude]

Yes, I wore my TUG t-shirt in June at the South Beach resort. I wore it to the presentation, around the pool, and at the gifting office. I also spoke to a few folks coming out of the presentation gifting office in an attempt to make them aware of resales. I don't know if I "saved" anyone, though.

Sandy:did they get you out of the sales pitch any quicker?

 

[Sandy]

Our pitch was really quite pleasant. The rep came to our unit, so we did not have to go to the big room. I actually learned a few things from his presentation. I believe I posted this earlier in June of this year when I returned. I recall that it took about an hour or so. Not a problem because we were not going anywhere at the time.

I only had to go to the office to get our gift. That is where I ran into folks who were coming out. I wore my shirt around the pool and talked to a few people. Most people really don't want to hear about the good deal you got, but may be embarrassed by how much they paid versus how little you paid.

 

[dominidude]

Most people really don't want to hear about the good deal you got, but may be embarrassed by how much they paid versus how little you paid.

I've run into that situation myself.

 

[jasenj1]

Williamsburg Plantation Tour Report

The wife and I did a tour at Williamsburg Plantation yesterday.

The starting offer was $24,990 for a 2/2 with a $700 MF and their "Gold Card" membership which is II.
The manager dropped that down to $9990 with half price maintenance fee ($370) if we let them use the unit for two years to sell Las Vegas units, and I think he threw in an extra week each year.
The final person offered us "the same thing" for $4500 but we could never visit the home resort. We live about 1/2 hr from Williamsburg Plantation so we would never stay at WP.

After the presentation I looked on eBay and there were two WP units available for $1.00.

I actually thought $4500 and $370 MF was a decent deal. If you compare that to $1 off eBay and a $700 MF then, if I've done my math right, the deal they offered would become cheaper than the $1 eBay deal after about 10 years.

The goodies that got us in there were a free iPad mini 2 (16GB) and a couple "free" vacations. Even if we never use the vacations, we got a $250 toy for our time. That works out to about $40/hr/person. A fair trade, IMHO.

- Jasen.

 

[glenmore]

Presentation at Wyndham Old Town Alexandria

We are here for a 5-day stay thanks to a rental. Attended the presentation as non-owners. Received a $150 Amex card after a hard sell. Out in 75 minutes.

We were told our name would be put on a list and that we would never be invited to a Wyndham presentation again We were very polite but I guess our knowledge of timesharing was not appreciated.

 

[Carol C]

Hilton Head in Nov... stayed at Waterside by Spinnaker and my friend Helen and I attended a pitch together and were gifted as two singles. I got a $100 check written to me and she got two boat Daufuskie tours with golf cart included on that island. We each also got approached on separate outings in Coligny shopping plaza...kiosk is right by a store called Island Girl. That resulted in $125 Visa gift card each (or was it MasterCard...at any rate prefunded cards value $125 per each.) This was for touring Coral resorts. The salesman told me their newest property is allowing dogs and it almost made me want to buy! Not really...but I would like to find out if they ever do allow dogs at any of the HHI Coral resorts so I could take Buddy. :whoopie:

 

[wackymother]

Did a presentation at Wyndham Pompano Beach that took forever--three hours ten minutes--for a $125 gift card. Never again. Not terribly high pressure, but salespeople a little snippy.

 

[dominidude]

Massanutten Resort McGaheysville,Va

I just got back from this resort, got a choice of 2 free $99 activity cards or four $48 water park tickets or lift tickets.

 

[tschwa2]

If you hold off and don't say yes until a day or two after check in, you can usually get a $200 prepaid visa at Massanutten. If you need lift tickets or waterpark tickets that deal is a little better.

 

[Angela5svr]

Owner papers are marked as resale

While we were on Vacation at Newport Coast this past July my son lost his GoPro camera in the ocean. While heading home we checked into the Wyndham in Las Vegas for a stay that was free from a timeshare tour we did in Hawaii a year prior. We told our son we'd sacrifice our morning and attend a presentation for $150 to help cover the cost of replacing his camera. Immediately they could tell I was a resale buyer and I think we were out the door in less than 90 minutes.

I think I might have to start doing this more often as I'm not tempted in the least to purchase from developers. My problem is that I then come home and want to buy something more resale, so I'm currently resisting Wyndham resales right now as I can only vacation so much I just got an offer in the mail for a Westin stay for 3-4 nights in Cancun for only a few hundred dollars that my husband and I are very tempted to do.

When they pull your owner sheets the first page clarifies you are a resale owner. They know this at every meeting or update you attend. Nevada has very strict timeshare laws, so I'd you got a rep who isn't very pushy or committed to making a sale then not much can be done. You cannot have more than 2 people come to your table during tour, if so it's a state law violation and voids the contract. So you get rep and manager or rep and disco or exit in most cases.

 

[Broubal]

We live within 2 1/2 hours of Myrtle Beach, so we do quite a few short two or 3 night stays. Little to no pressure at Westwinds, with little to no gifts, the other three on the beach all have the "parking pass tango" if we are in a good mood we will say no until we get to the $100 offer, then usually an early presentation, sales staff presentation, and one on two with the Mrs.

Came back from Panama City Beach Fl mid Jan and only received $75 AMEX card and 2 vouchers for frozen drinks at the bar. He seemed like that voucher was coming out of his pocket. He started at $25.

 

[dominidude]

the other three on the beach all have the "parking pass tango" if we are in a good mood we will say no until we get to the $100 offer, then usually an early presentation, sales staff presentation, and one on two with the Mrs.

What are the names of these three Beach resorts that have the "Parking Pass Polka" with the $100 offer?

 

[Broubal]

What are the names of these three Beach resorts that have the "Parking Pass Polka" with the $100 offer?

SeaWatch Plantation, Towers on the Grove, and Westwinds listed in the order of aggressive sale resale pitches.

Recently came back from SeaWatch for Valentines day weekend jaunt..Check in was about six people deep which was unusual for that time of year. I didn't want to wait for the parking pass so I took the opening $50 Rioz Brazilian steakhouse certificate, along with complimentary breakfast at the North Tower which can be pretty good and I was out of there.

Next morning, I received the reminder call about 20 minutes before the presentation from a very nice sweet sounding lady. I told her that I wasn't up to going this morning or any morning and that we would not be attending the presentation. She quickly turned Sybil on me and told me that I had signed for the presentation and that the $50 card had already been allocated to us. I told her to "unallocate" the card as were not heading down to the presentation.

About 30 minutes later a "suit" came to the door, I answered on a very cold windy morning in Myrtle Beach, and told him to wait a moment. About 5 minutes later I opened the door and invited him in. He was wondering why we had missed the presentation. I told him that the lines were long and I wanted to get my parking pass as quick as I could and get to the room. He snickered, asked me how long it had been since the last presentation, I told him I could probably tell him who does the presentation, and what color jacket they are wearing. (I've been to soooo many of them). He said ok thanks for being honest. No more calls that weekend, maybe I'll be on the "not invited list".

 

[dominidude]

SeaWatch Plantation, Towers on the Grove, and Westwinds listed in the order of aggressive sale resale pitches.

Recently came back from SeaWatch for Valentines day weekend jaunt..Check in was about six people deep which was unusual for that time of year. I didn't want to wait for the parking pass so I took the opening $50 Rioz Brazilian steakhouse certificate, along with complimentary breakfast at the North Tower which can be pretty good and I was out of there.

Next morning, I received the reminder call about 20 minutes before the presentation from a very nice sweet sounding lady. I told her that I wasn't up to going this morning or any morning and that we would not be attending the presentation. She quickly turned Sybil on me and told me that I had signed for the presentation and that the $50 card had already been allocated to us. I told her to "unallocate" the card as were not heading down to the presentation.

About 30 minutes later a "suit" came to the door, I answered on a very cold windy morning in Myrtle Beach, and told him to wait a moment. About 5 minutes later I opened the door and invited him in. He was wondering why we had missed the presentation. I told him that the lines were long and I wanted to get my parking pass as quick as I could and get to the room. He snickered, asked me how long it had been since the last presentation, I told him I could probably tell him who does the presentation, and what color jacket they are wearing. (I've been to soooo many of them). He said ok thanks for being honest. No more calls that weekend, maybe I'll be on the "not invited list".

I was a salesperson and look at the presentations as a game to keep my sales skills sharp. They try to sell me on why I should own their timeshare, and I sell them on why I shouldnt. So far I'm winning :rofl:

 

[ScubaKat]

We've done presentations at SeaWatch a couple of times, Ocean Blvd and many Marriotts. Wyndham usually offers $100 gift card and Marriotts $175 both for "owner updates". My husband used to hate doing them but after a couple of trips he signs us up even when I am not at checkin.. Marriotts we are usually in and out in 15-30 mins after reviewing our portfolio full of eBay weeks.. Wyndham is usually less than an hour too.. Massanutten was the most high pressure we've been to. Went for the 4 water park tickets for the kids.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[lily28]

I get very low ball offer for updates from marriott. $75 usually and only $50 at Orlando. They must able to tell I only own resale week

 

[dominidude]

Marriott's Fairway Villas - Galloway, NJ

I got $75 for their owner update. They allow you to schedule the owner update any time between Mon-Fri 8AM to 4pm. So we scheduled it for a day that was rainy :whoopie:

 

[dominidude]

Wyndham Ocean Boulevard Myrtle Beach, SC

Got $100 Amex giftcard and a voucher for one free night at a Wyndham hotel (ramada, travelodge, days inn, etc).
Even though I thought I made it clear from the beginning that i would not buy, the sales person went through every sales tactic. The whole thing took 3 hrs. Still, I'd do it again 

 

[hot2trot]

I attended a presentation July 20, 2016 at Shell Vacations Legacy resort in Arizona. This is now Wyndham owned. I got $125 American Express prepaid gift card, and a certificate for a "spend a night on us". Good for a 1 night hotel stay at a Wyndham up to $100. You have to pay for the stay and then send in the certificate for reimbursement. It was a 90 minute presentation, and it wasn't bad. I usually avoid these things, but this was the second one I did at this same resort for the same incentive.

 

[Ace]

My wife and I went to Grandview at Las Vegas a few weeks ago. I told her I did not want to go to the "owners update" presentation, and she agreed. (We went to one of their presentations last year before we were owners there, and we knew the drill.) When we were checking in, we were directed to that counter, and the representative started spouting off about show tickets and the like, and my wife expressed interest. She claims she did not understand this was our invitation to attend the "owners update." Oh well. We settled on a $100 gift card, but we had to make a $20 non-refundable deposit to get that. When the day arrived, we ended up with a buffet breakfast at the South Point casino next door, and it was not bad. We attended the update, and then received the $100 ($80 net) gift card.

As for the owners update? We bought our triennial one-bedroom week (RCI points) on the resale market for around $350, all closing costs included. I told them how we acquired the week (didn't tell them what we paid). The resort tried to talk us into trading that in for either a two-bedroom triennial unit, a one-bedroom biennial unit, and other various combinations. What surprised me was they were willing to give us credit for the price the previous owner had actually paid to them (and we knew what that was). The kicker? I remembered the prices from last year, and all of the "bottom line" prices they quoted this time were over a thousand dollars more than what they quoted to us last year. I doubt they raised their prices over 20% in a year. So it seems it was not really full credit for what the previous owner paid. It was still too much, of course.

 

[AwayWeGo]

How Many Points ?

The resort tried to talk us into trading that in for either a two-bedroom triennial unit, a one-bedroom biennial unit, and other various combinations.

Those various combinations include four -- 4 -- separate demand seasons at that timeshare, 1 high + 1 low + 2 intermediate.

Tho points values range from a low of 30,500 (low season 1BR) to a high of 122,000 (high season 2BR).

That means it would be interesting to know exactly how many points the timeshare sellers were offering with all those various biennial & triennial combinations.

Full Disclosure: Earlier this year we bought an eBay Grandview 1BR triennial points unit (intermediate points range), downsizing from a Vacation Village At Parkway 2BR triennial points unit, which we no longer own.

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

 

[Ace]

The weeks we were offered were in the season corresponding to 49,000 annual points for a 1BR (98,000 for 2BR). They focused on these weeks because we told them these are the weeks when we travel, and it is the same season we talked about when we went to their presentation last year (i.e., the same season I remembered the price from last year). If we had asked for prices for the weeks with the higher point values, the prices undoubtedly would have been higher. If I were to obtain another Grandview unit on the resale market, though, I would focus on the 61,000/122,000 season.

 

[hot2trot]

Went to a Diamond Resorts International presentation today (July 26, 2016). They offered me a $100 visa card and a certificate for 3 days and 2 nights at a Diamond Resort property in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The presentation was o.k. The girl really tried hard, I was surprised she actually went through the sheet of questions to ask me. They served a hot lunch - green salad, potato salad, barbeque pulled chicken and pulled pork, dripping in barbeque sauce, and a roll to make a sandwich if you wanted. Also offered soft drinks, water, coffee and tea. Then she showed me the property - Scottsdale Villa Mirage, and when we came back she continued with more questions. When she gave up, a guy came over to tell me about the sampler package which was a whopping $3000!! with all kinds of promises about where I could use it, etc. etc. I am SO glad I didn't buy one. After searching the internet I found hundreds of complaints about Diamond Resorts, and the Sampler Package which doesn't do what I was told.

The getaway is also a total joke. I can't use it for 6 months after my initial presentation, I have to make a reservation 45 days in advance, I have 12 months to use it, and it is only good for a Sunday through Wednesday check-in! In the fine print there is something about $100 deposit which will be refunded. I wasn't told any of this. I was looking forward to trying another Diamond Property as the one I am at (Scottsdale Links) is not that great. Guess that thing is worthless!

I am staying at Scottsdale Links as an exchanger (I bought a getaway from II) so I didn't have to "qualify" for the tour. I own with Marriott, and love my ownership, but wouldn't buy anything more. The tour started at 11:30 and ended at 2:00, longer than I was told, but it was fairly painless.