bfree
TUG Member
I have not been to these boards for about a year. At that time marco was just starting to be released from marriott. How did the sales go, Is the next group out from marco island yet. Is it for familys or older adults
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marco island
- Thread starter bfree
- Start date
Swice – what was the problem with your sales experience? I was in Marco last July and although the model was not open my sales experience was first rate. The sales person was not pushy and actual was very accommodating with some follow-up questions I had after I got home – I wonder how things have changed.
I'm not sure how to link you to a previous threat... so I've copied:
We attended the Marco Island Crystal Shores presentation Monday morning.
Background: We had watched this project for more than a year before sales began and we were planning to buy and called for the information as soon as it became available. We were not expecting a "cheap deal," but were shocked at the prices, so we opted not to buy several months ago through Marriott Direct. We had planned a long time ago to visit the Marriott Hotel this past weekend since it was fall break for our local schools.
We had appointment for the 8:00am presentation on Monday morning. The offer was 15,000 MR points or $100 certificates to use at local businesses or Marriott restaurants (could not be applied to restaurant charges we had already incurred at the hotel). We opted for 15,000 points.
The "presentation" was in the hotel bar next to the lobby. Sales people sitting around with their notebooks. No sales center yet. While not a big deal to us, we did note that there were no refreshments at 8:00am... no juice, doughnuts or muffins (would have been nice to keep our children busy since there was no children's room).
The one interesting piece of information we were able to learn is that "Mr. Marriott" didn't like the unit interiors and he has ordered them to be completely re-done according to our salesperson. He supposedly didn't care for the urban loft look of the units that we've all seen (I completely agree). He reportedly wanted something more "warm and beachy."
Salesperson was nice and admitted that we knew just as much as she did. However, my problem came when "Tom" came over to the table. I'm starting to feel like these timeshare presentations are becoming like a dreadful car buying dance... where the nice sales person turns you over to the pit boss. Tom bordered on being rude and asked, "what can I do for you since you've obviously visited most of our properties." In fact, he peppered the conversation with remarks like that to send us a message, "why are you wasting our time."
They were trying to sell me a "Gold" season week at $33,000. I asked about the possibility of an internal trading system. He said very abruptly, "I don't know anything about that, there is no internal trading system, you have to go through Interval." I explained that I was concerned about buying a "gold" week and how it would trade in the future if Marriott goes to an internal system. He challenged me on it... right up to the point of arguing with me... that the season doesn't matter, "each week is weighted." I replied that since "Gold" at Marco is summer months, I may have a hard time trading my "gold" into a summer week anywhere else. He wanted to know where I heard about an internal system, I told him on the internet chat boards and then I asked, "don't you read those to know what your customers are saying?" His response, "I don't need to read those gossip pages, I work here, I know what's going on."
To recap: We have one week at Myrtle Beach and we have said over and over again how glad we are that we bought it. We've been to Myrtle Beach once and gotten excellent trades since (along with accomodation certificates!). We have touted our timeshare experience to others. So were are happy customers. We will probably buy another week in the future, but obviously we have to consider work vacation time, children summer camp activities, swim team meets, etc. We were told when we bought that we should attend presentations to get the latest information, but I'm getting the impression that Marriott doesn't want owners to do that anymore.
I have a photo of the site where the timeshares are being built, but I'm not sure how to post it here. Part of the former Radisson Hotel is still standing I'm told because it is closer to the water than present/newer zoning laws allow and was grandfathered in. I'm sure the project will be nice. By the way, the Marriott Hotel was absolutely perfect.
We attended the Marco Island Crystal Shores presentation Monday morning.
Background: We had watched this project for more than a year before sales began and we were planning to buy and called for the information as soon as it became available. We were not expecting a "cheap deal," but were shocked at the prices, so we opted not to buy several months ago through Marriott Direct. We had planned a long time ago to visit the Marriott Hotel this past weekend since it was fall break for our local schools.
We had appointment for the 8:00am presentation on Monday morning. The offer was 15,000 MR points or $100 certificates to use at local businesses or Marriott restaurants (could not be applied to restaurant charges we had already incurred at the hotel). We opted for 15,000 points.
The "presentation" was in the hotel bar next to the lobby. Sales people sitting around with their notebooks. No sales center yet. While not a big deal to us, we did note that there were no refreshments at 8:00am... no juice, doughnuts or muffins (would have been nice to keep our children busy since there was no children's room).
The one interesting piece of information we were able to learn is that "Mr. Marriott" didn't like the unit interiors and he has ordered them to be completely re-done according to our salesperson. He supposedly didn't care for the urban loft look of the units that we've all seen (I completely agree). He reportedly wanted something more "warm and beachy."
Salesperson was nice and admitted that we knew just as much as she did. However, my problem came when "Tom" came over to the table. I'm starting to feel like these timeshare presentations are becoming like a dreadful car buying dance... where the nice sales person turns you over to the pit boss. Tom bordered on being rude and asked, "what can I do for you since you've obviously visited most of our properties." In fact, he peppered the conversation with remarks like that to send us a message, "why are you wasting our time."
They were trying to sell me a "Gold" season week at $33,000. I asked about the possibility of an internal trading system. He said very abruptly, "I don't know anything about that, there is no internal trading system, you have to go through Interval." I explained that I was concerned about buying a "gold" week and how it would trade in the future if Marriott goes to an internal system. He challenged me on it... right up to the point of arguing with me... that the season doesn't matter, "each week is weighted." I replied that since "Gold" at Marco is summer months, I may have a hard time trading my "gold" into a summer week anywhere else. He wanted to know where I heard about an internal system, I told him on the internet chat boards and then I asked, "don't you read those to know what your customers are saying?" His response, "I don't need to read those gossip pages, I work here, I know what's going on."
To recap: We have one week at Myrtle Beach and we have said over and over again how glad we are that we bought it. We've been to Myrtle Beach once and gotten excellent trades since (along with accomodation certificates!). We have touted our timeshare experience to others. So were are happy customers. We will probably buy another week in the future, but obviously we have to consider work vacation time, children summer camp activities, swim team meets, etc. We were told when we bought that we should attend presentations to get the latest information, but I'm getting the impression that Marriott doesn't want owners to do that anymore.
I have a photo of the site where the timeshares are being built, but I'm not sure how to post it here. Part of the former Radisson Hotel is still standing I'm told because it is closer to the water than present/newer zoning laws allow and was grandfathered in. I'm sure the project will be nice. By the way, the Marriott Hotel was absolutely perfect.
KCI
TUG Member
Not sure how to post this, but thought it should be said. If you like going to Marco Island and you just love their beach, maybe you'd be better off looking at some of the other timeshares within a stones throw from the new Marriott. Their are 4 on Marco beach that are managed by Hilton. They are all purpose built timeshares that are about 20 to 25 years old. We own at the Surf Club which is 44 units between the Marriott Hotel and the new timeshare. It's exactly the same beach, but the cost of purchasing is way less. Our week 37 cost $5000 5 years ago and you still can get a fall or spring unit for the same amount. Peak season is $15 to $20K. Maintenance fees are about $950. The Surf Club was completely renovated after hurricane Wilma and everything is in beautiful condition. No, it's not a Marriott, but you go to Marco for the beach, not the room. I'm not trying to sell anyone on the Surf Club or Hilton, but next time your at Marco go and look at the "other" timeshares. Being a Marco timeshare trades for almost anything through II. Understand I'm not knocking Marriott, I own 3 of them and love Marriott, but it's crazy to spend between $39K and $125K when you can spend $5 to $15K and be on exactly the same beach.
Steel5Rings
newbie
The Marco property is way overpriced IMHO.
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KCI- a bit off topic, but out of curiosity- when you say the property was completely rebuilt after Wilma- how did that get paid for? Were there special assessments or was there enough insurance to cover the costs?
KCI,
I agree whole heartedly with what you are saying. We just bought a summer Hilton unit on Sanibel Island.
The price was right and the Hilton has a good reputation also. Although they might not have the "glitz" that Marriott has, they do have the location. :whoopie:
I wondered about the Marco location also. I think when we go down to Sanibel in 2009, we may take a short trip to Marco to see what it is all about. If so, we will probably put ourselves at the mercy of the "used car salesmen" and listen in for 15K points
and then take a peek at the other TS the island has to offer.
I have been wondering about Marco. At first, it was being touted by almost every East Coast sales rep as the best of the best, and since the arrival of Oceana Palms, it seems it was dropped like a "hot potato".
Perhaps the change in decor has had some sales reps holding off for the time being and focusing on Oceana Palms.
Beverley ( I do love all the smiles ... can you tell??)
I agree whole heartedly with what you are saying. We just bought a summer Hilton unit on Sanibel Island.
The price was right and the Hilton has a good reputation also. Although they might not have the "glitz" that Marriott has, they do have the location. :whoopie: I wondered about the Marco location also. I think when we go down to Sanibel in 2009, we may take a short trip to Marco to see what it is all about. If so, we will probably put ourselves at the mercy of the "used car salesmen" and listen in for 15K points
and then take a peek at the other TS the island has to offer. I have been wondering about Marco. At first, it was being touted by almost every East Coast sales rep as the best of the best, and since the arrival of Oceana Palms, it seems it was dropped like a "hot potato".
Perhaps the change in decor has had some sales reps holding off for the time being and focusing on Oceana Palms.Beverley ( I do love all the smiles ... can you tell??)
Marco Island...been there, done that
For anyone with Marriott Points, I'd suggest booking a room for 2 nights on Marco Island. THEN...decide if you would like to stay an entire week there. I enjoyed spending time on Marco once when we lived in Naples Fl. We had a timeshare week to burn and were able to get into one of the Hilton affiliates.
My husband went into work a couple days...I don't think he could have kept himself entertained on the island an entire week.
We prefer Ft. Myers Beach or the Holmes Beach area on the Gulf.
For anyone with Marriott Points, I'd suggest booking a room for 2 nights on Marco Island. THEN...decide if you would like to stay an entire week there. I enjoyed spending time on Marco once when we lived in Naples Fl. We had a timeshare week to burn and were able to get into one of the Hilton affiliates.
My husband went into work a couple days...I don't think he could have kept himself entertained on the island an entire week.
We prefer Ft. Myers Beach or the Holmes Beach area on the Gulf.
I called 2 days ago to set up a tour/presentation in May to take advantage of the 15,000 points. I was amazed when the reservation person said we would be staying at the Hilton Hotel as part of our package price. I declined and accepted the 15,000 points only, as we will be staying closeby at the Eagles Nest. Imagine, sending you to the Hilton as part of a MVC presentation. Since there are really only 2 "hotels" on the island, the Marriott is apparently booked!
KCI
TUG Member
Most of it was paid for by insurance, but we did get hit with a special assessment of about $900 if memory serves. By the way all Hilton timeshares on the Island have an inhouse resale office, so it's easy to find out what's for sale during the timeframe you're interested in. Absolutely no sales pressure.
TheTimeTraveler
TUG Member
KCI... Can you tell me exactly where the Hilton in house sales office is located, or is located in each Timeshare location on Marco Island?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Transit
TUG Member
KCI
TUG Member
They have a sales person located at each timeshare. The sales people do other things such as assist in meetings, run get togethers, etc. If their office is closed, just ask at the desk as they might be somewhere else at the timeshare.