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List Of Questions To Ask At A Presentation

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For someone without Marriott ownership, or for someone that is a "Week" owner that hasn't paid much attention to the new program, can someone post a list of questions and follow up's that can be posed during a presentation that can force the sales rep to provide accurate answers, or catch them in a misrepresentation so that we can get them back on track?

Thanks
 
I'm wondering myself. My wife signed us up to go tomorrow. When the system was announced, I checked here from some info/insight...but some time has passed and now I'm going to the presentation tomorrow. Anything I should look out for?
 
For someone without Marriott ownership, or for someone that is a "Week" owner that hasn't paid much attention to the new program, can someone post a list of questions and follow up's that can be posed during a presentation that can force the sales rep to provide accurate answers, or catch them in a misrepresentation so that we can get them back on track?

Thanks

I'll post from the perspective of a weeks owner who may not be caught up on the whole thing.

When you go to a presentation, the salesreps probably have several goals in mind. First, they will want you to enroll in the program. Second, they will want you to buy trust points. Third, they will want you to buy the "encore" package if you turn them down.

In terms of enrolling or not, that's a pretty personal decision. In my view, the biggest disadvantages of the points system and where you are most likely to get misrepresentations from salespeople are:

  • You can only trade down. The points Marriott gives you for your week and season will be less than the average points in your season (which represent the "fair value" of what you own). It will not affect booking at your home resort, which you can book as a week, but it affects exchanging to similar resorts since you'll often not have enough points to get a "like for like" exchange. This topic has been discussed extensively so I'll refer you to this thread as well as this one. It could be useful to go with this in your hand, just in case they tell you that your point allocation is equitable...

  • This is not a points system in the traditional sense but rather a points exchange. As such, if you cannot do an "instant exchange," you will be asked to give up the rights to your week and waitlist for the exchange (like a "deposit first" in II). There is no ability to keep your week and home resort reservation while waiting for a points exchange (no "request first" ability).

  • "Points are not Points" - the points you get when you convert your week (aka Legacy Points) are exchange points. Developer points are trust points. Trust points are more valuable since they can book trust inventory directly as well as exchange inventory. Your points are only good for exchange inventory. Much more on this topic in this thread.

  • Resale weeks after June 20 cannot enroll - no exceptions. Some reps have been telling people that if you enroll a subsequent buyer can re-enroll in points for a fee. That story is simply false.

In terms of discussing a Trust Point purchase with a sales rep it is important to understand that:

  • They are not cheap. Financially that purchase is hard to justify if you account for the opportunity cost of paying all that cash upfront.

  • Ask them what happens upon an eventual resale. Marriott places such restrictions on resale points that make your purchase worth much less on the resale market.

  • As stated above Trust Points are superior Legacy Points. You can combine trust points with legacy points but it will only be good for exchange inventory, not trust inventory. Only trust points can book trust inventory directly. So if they tell you to buy 1000 points to add to your Legacy Points and you can use all those points to book trust inventory directly, that's not true.

As for the "encore" package which they will offer if you leave without buying, it's basically paying for a week vacation with the option to use that dollar amount for a subsequent developer points purchase. The rental price is relatively low, but not bargain basement, and it requires attending another presentation. Some salespeople have represented you get more options than what you actually get. See this thread.
 
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I think someone posted they were told at their presentation that if they didn't join that day.......they would not be allowed to change their minds and join at a later time.......and were asked to sign such an acknowledgement. I don't know if anyone else has been told this or if it's true. It sounds pretty farfetched to me. But if it is true.......then it doesn't seem wise to go to a presentation unless you are absolutely certain you either want to join or don't want to join.
 
I think someone posted they were told at their presentation that if they didn't join that day.......they would not be allowed to change their minds and join at a later time.......and were asked to sign such an acknowledgement. I don't know if anyone else has been told this or if it's true. It sounds pretty farfetched to me. But if it is true.......then it doesn't seem wise to go to a presentation unless you are absolutely certain you either want to join or don't want to join.

Just get up and leave - take the doc with you. Tell them you'll be glad to consider signing after you have your lawyer look it over.

What are they going to do? Go Godfather on you, put a gun to your head and say "either your signature or your brains will be on this document in 60 seconds?"
 
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I wouldn't assume that a sales Rep. KNOWS the correct answers! I wouldn't go to a presentation anyway, but certainly not with the goal of getting accurate Info.
 
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I think someone posted they were told at their presentation that if they didn't join that day.......they would not be allowed to change their minds and join at a later time.......and were asked to sign such an acknowledgement. I don't know if anyone else has been told this or if it's true. It sounds pretty farfetched to me. But if it is true.......then it doesn't seem wise to go to a presentation unless you are absolutely certain you either want to join or don't want to join.

I would think you were referring to legacy week owners who are eligible for and looking to join the points system. In that case, everything I have read has suggested that these owners have until (I believe) December 31st of this year to enroll. I am confident that it is not as stated where someone has to join at that moment or "never again". Additionally, once enrolled, weeks owners decide each year whether or not to elect points in exchange for their weeks.
 
Just get up and leave - take the doc with you. Tell them you'll be glad to consider signing after you have your lawyer look it over.

What are they going to do? Go Godfather on you, put a gun to your head and say "either your signature or your brains will be on this document in 60 seconds?"

They're making an offer you "can't refuse" right??

Maybe they'll leave a horse head in your bed if you don't choose to sign up...
 
They're making an offer you "can't refuse" right??

Maybe they'll leave a horse head in your bed if you don't choose to sign up...

:hysterical:
 
I think someone posted they were told at their presentation that if they didn't join that day.......they would not be allowed to change their minds and join at a later time.......and were asked to sign such an acknowledgement. I don't know if anyone else has been told this or if it's true. It sounds pretty farfetched to me. But if it is true.......then it doesn't seem wise to go to a presentation unless you are absolutely certain you either want to join or don't want to join.

I've been going to the tours since 2002. Usually two a year. Outside of picking up 15k points this is the highlight of the tour. It wouldn't be the same if they didn't say that.

My usual answer is "well if you won't give me this deal tomorrow then I'll just call the corporate sales dept when I get home." Then ask the rep if they can get you the number for that office.
 
In that case, everything I have read has suggested that these owners have until (I believe) December 31st of this year to enroll.

This part should also be clarified because it is ambiguous...

From the Q&A on the enrollment website:

Q:I originally purchased my Marriott Vacation Club week(s) as an external sale through the secondary market. Would the benefits of enrolling be different for me?

A: If your external purchase closed prior to June 20, 2010, it is eligible to be enrolled with the Marriott Vacation Club Destinations Exchange Program. The enrollment fee for one externally purchased week will initially be $1,495, and enrolling multiple externally purchased weeks will initially total $1,995. This offer is expected to be available only through December 31, 2010. Once you enroll your week(s), you will gain the annual option to elect Vacation Club Points, and you may also add the option of trading your week(s) for Marriott Rewards points if the week(s) you purchased externally are eligible for Marriott Rewards trade. You also will gain the benefit and convenience of the annual single-use fee (Club Dues).

Personally, I read this as the enrollment fee may go up on Dec 31. I don't interpret it as the enrollment window closing on Dec 31, although you could make that interpretation if you read it that way.
 
I've been going to the tours since 2002. Usually two a year. Outside of picking up 15k points this is the highlight of the tour. It wouldn't be the same if they didn't say that.

My usual answer is "well if you won't give me this deal tomorrow then I'll just call the corporate sales dept when I get home." Then ask the rep if they can get you the number for that office.

LOL!!!:hysterical:

I will definitely use that one on my next tour!
 
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