Notes from Recent Sales Presentation

[del2327]

I read an article a few years back before I found TUG where they talk about the psychology of timeshare salespeople.

Basically, they said, NOBODY goes into these presentations intending to buy. Everyone is just there for the free gift. And yet, through hook and crook, the timeshare sales people are able to convert enough people to more than cover their costs of all those gifts and their salaries.

So I wouldn't feel bad at all about saying no to the salesperson. The fact is that they are able to give such expensive "gifts" (more properly called bribes) because they sell a product that has very high margins and quite frankly is very hazardous to the average buyer's financial health. And they already know ALL, not just a few, of the people coming in the door have no intention of purchasing. And they still manage to sell enough units to make themselves and their management and shareholders a good chunk of money.

I definitely don't feel bad. We're actually quite good at saying no at the presentations. This time, it was just more in my face and the more she expressed her feelings and tried to mae us feel guilty about attending presentations if we didn't intend to purchase, the more annoyed I became and it hardened my position that we would not be buying. And certainly not the 5,000 points they wanted to sell us at a list price of what I think was about $14.42 . Yes, I know the price could've dropped if we'd expressed any interest and they were willing to defer the purchase and the associated maintenance fees until Jan 1, 2022, but it still wasn't going to happen. I even asked the salesperson what we would gain by moving up from Presidential and she couldn't articulate a meaningful benefit that would justify the cost. Besides, if I thought there was any material benefit to our moving up to Chairman's level, I'd contact the broker we used to purchase resale points a few years ago.

 

[Luvtoride]

I definitely don't feel bad. We're actually quite good at saying no at the presentations. This time, it was just more in my face and the more she expressed her feelings and tried to mae us feel guilty about attending presentations if we didn't intend to purchase, the more annoyed I became and it hardened my position that we would not be buying. And certainly not the 5,000 points they wanted to sell us at a list price of what I think was about $14.42 . Yes, I know the price could've dropped if we'd expressed any interest and they were willing to defer the purchase and the associated maintenance fees until Jan 1, 2022, but it still wasn't going to happen. I even asked the salesperson what we would gain by moving up from Presidential and she couldn't articulate a meaningful benefit that would justify the cost. Besides, if I thought there was any material benefit to our moving up to Chairman's level, I'd contact the broker we used to purchase resale points a few years ago.

I wouldn’t be offended unless they were truly rude to us, which has never happened. I can deal with annoyance for us not buying but as long as they respect that we are long time loyal (chairman’s club) owners I’m fine with the way we are treated.

I sometimes laugh with my wife afterwards at the weak strategies some salespeople use to try to get us to buy...like the one in St Thomas a few years back who said we were MR “points poor” and we needed to buy more weeks to be able to use to convert them to MR points (ok that may have been 2 devaluations ago). Lol.



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[csalter2]

L

I wouldn’t be offended unless they were truly rude to us, which has never happened. I can deal with annoyance for us not buying but as long as they respect that we are long time loyal (chairman’s club) owners I’m fine with the way we are treated.

I sometimes laugh with my wife afterwards at the weak strategies some salespeople use to try to get us to buy...like the one in St Thomas a few years back who said we were MR “points poor” and we needed to buy more weeks to be able to use to convert them to MR points (ok that may have been 2 devaluations ago). Lol.with



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They actually say this stuff with a straight face.

 

[tahoe]

Good luck Marriott. Timeshare market may face significant headwinds if current stock market trend continues.

 

[BigDawgTUG]

We attended a MVC "Roadshow" today in Newport Beach. We were told by our rep that benefits in Chairman's Club would be improved (see below) and a new "Ambassador" benefit level level would be created on top of Chairman's Club. I have placed Ambassador in quotes as they are still playing with the name, but many want to mimic highest tier of Bonvoy Rewards. Chairman's Club threshold would be increasing to 17,000 and Ambassador would be at 22,000. Existing Chairman's Club would be grandfathered.

She provided a level of specificity in new, improved Chairman's Club that I had not seen before. Here is what she told us: Reservation window from 13 months to 14 months; Last-Minute Reservations Point Discounts from 60 days and 30% to 90 days and 35%; Extended Banking Deadline - no change; Trade for Marriott Rewards Points from 75% to 100%; and Guided Tour Excursion Credit from $100 per traveler to $200 per traveler. Again, this was very specific. In the past, it was mostly talk about how they needed to improve Chairman's Club to make people want to purchase into that benefit level, but never any specifics as to how those benefits would be improved.

She did not communicate to us what benefits would be afforded the new Ambassador level.

 

[alohakevin]

And then “ Super Ambassador “ then “ Super Duper Ambassador ” and coming soon ” Super Double Duper Ambassador “ no need to add value to existing levels to motivate people just dilute by adding a higher level.
So taking this at face value if you want to purchase 1000 or 1500 points do you still retain your grandfathered level or does it place you at a level lower based on new tier point requirements?

 

[bazzap]

And then “ Super Ambassador “ then “ Super Duper Ambassador ” and coming soon ” Super Double Duper Ambassador “ no need to add value to existing levels to motivate people just dilute by adding a higher level.
So taking this at face value if you want to purchase 1000 or 1500 points do you still retain your grandfathered level or does it place you at a level lower based on new tier point requirements?

Who knows?
Well noone until MVC corporate make any official announcement.
I would be disappointed if they chose not to offer grandfathering with any new level(s) introduced, but I certainly won’t be concerned about any changes until any announcement is actually made.

 

[Dean]

Who knows?
Well noone until MVC corporate make any official announcement.
I would be disappointed if they chose not to offer grandfathering with any new level(s) introduced, but I certainly won’t be concerned about any changes until any announcement is actually made.

I think it extremely likely they're grandfather the current tiers but IF they add a top tier, I doubt anyone is grandfathered unless they meet the minimum requirements.

 

[bazzap]

I think it extremely likely they're grandfather the current tiers but IF they add a top tier, I doubt anyone is grandfathered unless they meet the minimum requirements.

Yet is that not what MVC did 5 years or so ago now when for owners at the then top level Premier Plus (requiring 13,000 points) they were grandfathered to the new higher level Chairman’s Club (requiring 15,000 points)?

 

[Dean]

Yet is that not what MVC did 5 years or so ago now when for owners at the then top level Premier Plus (requiring 13,000 points) they were grandfathered to the new higher level Chairman’s Club (requiring 15,000 points)?

To a degree but what they did was divide it up IIRC, not just add a new higher level. That's quite different than increasing the current level slightly AND then adding an addition Tier on top IMO.

 

[bazzap]

To a degree but what they did was divide it up IIRC, not just add a new higher level. That's quite different than increasing the current level slightly AND then adding an addition Tier on top IMO.

I guess we will find out for sure at some point, although many were told this new higher level would have been introduced several months ago now.

 

[Dean]

I guess we will find out for sure at some point, although many were told this new higher level would have been introduced several months ago now.

The next year should be interesting, that's for certain. But with more specific information it is taking on the air of a more finite period when we will know more.

 

[Nonnie Capurro]

The next year should be interesting, that's for certain. But with more specific information it is taking on the air of a more finite period when we will know more.

It's so frustrating because the salesmam told us the last time we purchased more points that we had reached the highest level and would always stay there no matter how many changes in the future. I love the program but will be very upset if they aren't true to thier word.




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[Old Hickory]

And they only give the Glengarry leads to closers.

Thanks. A bit of laughter is needed in this thread.

 

[Steve Fatula]

It's so frustrating because the salesmam told us the last time we purchased more points that we had reached the highest level and would always stay there no matter how many changes in the future. I love the program but will be very upset if they aren't true to thier word.

You're saying you believe what timeshare salesmen say, when you have been on TUG? The saying here is when timeshare salesmen lips are moving, they're lying. Or maybe you are kidding.

 

[Dean]

It's so frustrating because the salesmam told us the last time we purchased more points that we had reached the highest level and would always stay there no matter how many changes in the future. I love the program but will be very upset if they aren't true to thier word.

Obviously a timeshare salesperson does not have that kind of power and one should have known that if they had been on TUG and most would have anyway. They may have believed that but it's not contractual. The entire program could go away if they decided they wanted to do so.

 

[dansimms]

We attended a MVC "Roadshow" today in Newport Beach. We were told by our rep that benefits in Chairman's Club would be improved (see below) and a new "Ambassador" benefit level level would be created on top of Chairman's Club. I have placed Ambassador in quotes as they are still playing with the name, but many want to mimic highest tier of Bonvoy Rewards. Chairman's Club threshold would be increasing to 17,000 and Ambassador would be at 22,000. Existing Chairman's Club would be grandfathered.

She provided a level of specificity in new, improved Chairman's Club that I had not seen before. Here is what she told us: Reservation window from 13 months to 14 months; Last-Minute Reservations Point Discounts from 60 days and 30% to 90 days and 35%; Extended Banking Deadline - no change; Trade for Marriott Rewards Points from 75% to 100%; and Guided Tour Excursion Credit from $100 per traveler to $200 per traveler. Again, this was very specific. In the past, it was mostly talk about how they needed to improve Chairman's Club to make people want to purchase into that benefit level, but never any specifics as to how those benefits would be improved.

She did not communicate to us what benefits would be afforded the new Ambassador level.

The above perks would be attractive for attaining Chairman and above. I have always thought the Tour Credit could have been more generous for the top Tiers. I would also like to see the conversion rate for ALL members that own Trust Points to move to at least a 50 to 1 exchange to counter the erosion of value on the Hotel Rewards side. Another plus at the highest levels would be some kind of break on the cost for maintenance. Something closer to what the Grand Residence Owners pay. Some sort of a deed back program that would preserve more of the value would be great, as well, Owners are reluctant to add more when they know the resale value is a pittance compared to what we pay to get in and expand membership. If you knew your loss upon sale was somewhat minimized, wouldn't you be more willing to expand your ownership? For instance, if today's depreciation on the purchase is about 75 to 90%, what is that was lowered to 50 to 75%? Who says Timeshare has to be the way it has always been? At these new point levels, we are talking about six figure outlays.

 

[Nonnie Capurro]

Obviously a timeshare salesperson does not have that kind of power and one should have known that if they had been on TUG and most would have anyway. They may have believed that but it's not contractual. The entire program could go away if they decided they wanted to do so.

Not everyone knows about TUG. I hadn't heard of it until after I purchased my mvci trust points. I like the program and hope they will do the honorable thing. I would hate to think Marriott would do anything unethical.


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[Dean]

Not everyone knows about TUG. I hadn't heard of it until after I purchased my mvci trust points. I like the program and hope they will do the honorable thing. I would hate to think Marriott would do anything unethical.

Common sense should lead one to know that if it's not in writing it's not contractual and that a salesperson wouldn't have the knowledge or power. If one is going to hold Marriott to the standard that every sales person is knowledgeable, honest and ethical; they likely shouldn't participate as that's not the case across the board.

 

[Dean]

Duplicate, sorry.

 

[Steve Fatula]

Not everyone knows about TUG. I hadn't heard of it until after I purchased my mvci trust points. I like the program and hope they will do the honorable thing. I would hate to think Marriott would do anything unethical.

Your expectations are not unusual nor unreasonable at all! I would suspect most buyers are in that category. Sadly, the reality is much different. You've been on Tug since 2017, I suspect you've had limited activity. There are thousands and thousands of posts about salesmen and the things they say. If you are interested in timeshares, I would suggest reading a little more as you may find out many things, some helpful, on using your ownership.

One of the basic facts to learn on Tug is do not believe what a timeshare salesman tells you as factual (it may be). Always check/verify in the documents, on Tug, whatever.

 

[Nonnie Capurro]

Your expectations are not unusual nor unreasonable at all! I would suspect most buyers are in that category. Sadly, the reality is much different. You've been on Tug since 2017, I suspect you've had limited activity. There are thousands and thousands of posts about salesmen and the things they say. If you are interested in timeshares, I would suggest reading a little more as you may find out many things, some helpful, on using your ownership.

One of the basic facts to learn on Tug is do not believe what a timeshare salesman tells you as factual (it may be). Always check/verify in the documents, on Tug, whatever.

Tug is very informative and I wish we would have found it before we purchased all of our points from Marriott. We purchased our points in March 2012 and May 2013. The 2013 purchase was made to take us to the top level and never worry again. Guess ill keep my fingers crossed because I really don't need more points. Here's to hoping everyone finds Tugs before they buy timeshares.

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