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Owner Referral Programs?

AJG843

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Hello all,

Our resort is evaluating internal sales efforts, specifically the offering of an incentive to owners that "refer a friend" to buy a week. Currently offering ~20% off the next year's maintenance fee to the referring owner. Curious how this compares to other Associations?
 

TomCO

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Not to question your marketing strategy; however, if someone were to give my personal information as a "refer a friend" contact..... That friendship would likely terminate really quickly.

I only own WorldMark and (despite Wyndham continually devaluing our ownership by removing long established benefits) I have thoroughly enjoyed all of my stays.
My conscience would only allow me to "refer a friend" to buy RESALE.

Just the opinion of one owner.....

Edit to add: The WM BOD threw us a bone. We got back one-night bookings. Yeah baby! Next step is noon check-out. C'mon man!
 
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JeffC

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For sold out independent resorts it may be a good strategy. Assuming existing owners are happy with their ownership using them to help sell HOA owned weeks could be a win-win. As long as the referrals are referred by the current owner to contact the HOA, not the HOA making the first contact.
 

TomCO

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To the OP,
Pardon me if I came across a bit abrasively. It's just that much too often I feel like I am treated as nothing more than a potential money trough - under constant manipulation to buy something. Whether it's people coming to my front porch weekly (with a highly visible NO SOLICITING sign on my door at eye level) , the incessant stream of marketing emails, or the ubiquitous timeshare presentation. At least I did agree to the last one!

I do realize, however, that you have a business to run and were only asking for advice. I am in full agreement with JeffC. Allow owners to make the first contact with their person and introduce the program to them. I feel many would be more receptive to this concept.
Best of luck and safe travels!

Edit - to correct typooooos!
 
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AJG843

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I do appreciate both of your responses.

Equally curious as to whether or not the group is aware of similar deals and the efficacy of them?
 

theo

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The size and / or nature of the newly registered OP's resort is unidentified and certainly no HOA benefits from unowned weeks sitting empty and paying no maintenance fees (unless of course those weeks have rental potential and an active program and effort is in place at the resort to rent out those HOA-owned weeks).

However, as someone who has long owned at several small, independent resorts with whose finances I am intimately familiar, I question the wisdom of offering "20% off" maintenance fees for owner referrals. Small places, usually older and already operating on tight budgets, with no supportive corporate "chain" deep pockets in the background, would obviously not be enhancing available operating funds by willfully reducing incoming maintenance fees.

Just a personal opinion and observation, fwiw.
 
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dioxide45

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Since it is off next year's fees, 20% discount may be good to bring in 100% of a week that is probably not paying anything.
 

bogey21

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Back in my early Marriott days I owned Sabal Palms, Heritage Club and Harbour Club, all pre-construction. At the time Marriott had an Owners' Referral Program. It was so long ago I don't remember the details but I definitely remember that they had it...

George
 

dioxide45

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Back in my early Marriott days I owned Sabal Palms, Heritage Club and Harbour Club, all pre-construction. At the time Marriott had an Owners' Referral Program. It was so long ago I don't remember the details but I definitely remember that they had it...

George
They still have the program, but I would never refer anyone to a timeshare developer for a purchase. I think the OP is talking about a sold out independently managed resort.
 

JeffC

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The size and / or nature of the newly registered OP's resort is unidentified and certainly no HOA benefits from unowned weeks sitting empty and paying no maintenance fees (unless of course those weeks have rental potential and an active program and effort is in place at the resort to rent out those HOA-owned weeks).

However, as someone who has long owned at several small, independent resorts with whose finances I am intimately familiar, I question the wisdom of offering "20% off" maintenance fees for owner referrals. Small places, usually older and already operating on tight budgets, with no supportive corporate "chain" deep pockets in the background, would not be enhancing operating funds by willfully reducing incoming maintenance fees.

Just a personal opinion and observation, fwiw.
In order for it to work the discount would need to be applied only to referrals that result in a sale. Bad debt is often one of the largest line items in a TS’s budget. Assume MF’s of $1000, 20% would be a onetime cost of $200. What’s the cost to the HOA of foreclosure; legal fees and lost MF revenue as the process unwinds.
 

geist1223

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Two of my timeshares have an Owner Referral Program. I never refer without the person's permission. Both offer different Rewards. One for if the person attends a Presentation and a greater reward if the person buys. At Royal Solaris you receive a Day of AI Fees if the person attends. If they purchase you receive one week of AI fees.
 
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