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Encore Packages

griffinhouse

TUG Member
Joined
May 10, 2006
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Location
Northville, Michigan
Husband and I booked an Encore package from the sales office at Shadow Ridge in October 2010.. We were there last week and was quite surprised by 2 things--1) even though we already own 2 weeks there were not given one of the new refurbished units and 2) learned this week that we did not receive our night stays for the 6 nights we were there. If this was the case we should have been told this upfront when we purchased the package. Seems that the sales office is seen as a "wholesale group" and thus not qualifies for general Marriott benefits. Will never purchase another encore package--not worth it.
 
Whenever I have purchased an Encore package it was clear that the nights would not count for Elite credit, which is logical. Encore packages are a super deal if you plan to purchase when you use it, but otherwise they are just OK. That is the idea behind offering them.
 
Unfortunately no one ever mentioned that to us when we accepted the offer. They should at a minimum make that clear when selling them. We would have never accepted the offer if they had. Lesson learned I guess.
 
We just stayed at HL in Orlando and the Mrs. wanted the encore so we did it. I didn't expect elite night credit. I crossed that bridge on a preview package. The preview package price is WAY better than the encore price.

The sales pitch ended up being different when I said I read TUG and try to follow what the pros talk about. It made it easy at the end when he said I wouldn't recommend you buy at this time. lol

he had some interesting things to say about the TUG website but I don't know the right forum to post them in but I saw this one and figured I could add to the discussion.
 
he had some interesting things to say about the TUG website but I don't know the right forum to post them in but I saw this one and figured I could add to the discussion.

Well then, what did he say about TUG?
 
The wife and I have an encore package we have to use as well. However, we are now expecting and our newborn will be nore more than 6 months old by the time it expires and it is on Kauai. I think we are hosed. The only glimmer of light I can see if that I may be able to talk Mariott in to allowing the other half of the owner of my our week to use it. I wonder if Marriott will allow it.
 
Well then, what did he say about TUG?

It was an interesting 90 minutes for us.

Right away I was like I am from TUG and think I know how the basics work and we have been to Ko Olina Beach Club a few times so we don't need to see anything.

At first he was like well you guys are the easiest since I don't need to explain anything and you know how it works. I guess I agree.

What I found interesting, it was a young guy, good sales person, that made this comment that I will always remember.

The people on TUG are unhappy they can't trade Branson, the cheapest week in the system, for a week at Marco (Island I assume).

So the points system, which he admitted wasn't rolled out well but is an excellent program, caused some heartburn with owners.

So Marriott wanted to "level the playing field" with the points system.

You buy an equity share so Marriott can take the building freeze off. He said the TS division was making lots of money but the hit was the Ritz Carlton stuff in Hawaii. I think I had read that.

The thing he told me about that I don't remember seeing here was the "getaways" I think they are. He logged into his account and showed some good deals for the week, better than a Friends and Family rate for example.

But using TUG and Redweek, we got a Ko Olina 2BR OV for $1895. I told him if me can make the numbers work I would buy right now, but I don't see how they could. He could not make the numbers work but only asked how long can you get a week at KO Olina for $1900.

I also said I thought I read something about how hard it is to sell points. He skillyfully didn't answer but I was under orders not to argue to much for the Mrs. so I didn't tell him that he didn't answer my question but just saying "it is easy".

So at the end he was like it doesn't make sense for you to buy at this time.

One thing I want to know but didn't ask is how many points is a Ko Olina week and what would be the maintenace fees on those. He said .40 cents a point.

So it was a nice meeting and I just don't see how the numbers add up.

I spend $1900 a year and go to Ko Olina and I keep MY capital to do with it what I want and STILL go each year. So sure I save a few hundred a year on the difference between my yearly fees and the cost to rent, but I like holding onto my capital assets in these uncertain times.

It was a fine meeting but just his comment about TUG and upset they can't trade and take them with a grain of salt. I find the community here excellent and just wish I could contribute more. I am basically reading stuff only.

With the dollar coming to the end of its life span, hold on to your capital is the name of the game. When we get a financial system reset, then we will see what opportunities are out there. I think gold and silver are better than a TS at this point.

Sorry if this was not a good summary. He did say over 50% of owners joined the DC (points system) but didn't have exact percentage.

Congrats on the baby news, good luck!
 
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I booked an Encore at Hilton Head for next summer. When my wife and I were about to walk away from the DC spiel without buying, the sales manager came by and offered the Encore for a pretty nice price. At the time he said we could choose which property we wanted (Grand Ocean, Barony or Surfwatch) and all I needed to do is contact him with our selection and dates.

Well, I informed him of our dates but we were "assigned" Surfwatch. While I don't have a problem with this property per se, it was my third choice. I've sent many messages to him directly requesting that the property be changed but not one of them has been answered. I can see already that this is setting my mood for the return sales pitch.

Not cool.
 
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