Sales Presentation & Gourmet Breakfast

[Steve NH]

So My wife and myself are are staying in Hilton Head, Waterside by Spinnaker.
Not the fanciest resort - but an RCI Gold Crown.
Also considering it's on Hilton Head - one would expect a certain level of class all around.

We did not have a lot planned so we agreed to the "Breakfast Presentation"
Having been to dozens I thought I knew what to expect.

We were speachless when we found out that our breakfast was a bag from McDonalds containing Egg McMuffins and Breakfast Burritos.

I am serious - that - some coffee and beagles (no toaster) and donuts That was all.

At first I was embarrassed for the salesman. But he didn't seem to have an issue - In fact he even commented that they get 50 breakfasts from McD's every day, no matter how many sales presentations they have scheduled.

Well since there was only about 10 other groups there that day I felt I could take advantage of the situation and grab and extra breakfast burrito without feeling guilty.

Even today - days later I am still speechless.
Do I feel sorry for the salesman?
Should I feel insulted?

Really - here this guy is trying to sell me a 20,000+ timeshare (explaining how uppity class the timeshare is....) and her treats us to McD's....

Anyways - Just thought I'd share for those that could use a chuckle (or something)

Hey if you have an experience that beats this on please share. (Well - as long as it won't hurt too much to read it)

 

[Passepartout]

I am serious - that - some coffee and beagles (no toaster) and donuts That was all.

thought I'd share for those that could use a chuckle (or something)

Oh NO! Hot DOGs, maybe?

Thanks for the chuckle- even if it was unintended.

 

[pjrose]

Tacky, Tacky, Tacky......was this advertised as a "gourmet breakfast"?

And as noted by Passepartout, sometimes unintended typos can be funny

 

[vacationhopeful]

Usual t/s breakfasts lately have stale cheap plastic wrapped danishs from Sam's. Club.

PS. New netbook?

 

[dioxide45]

I would prefer the McDs over the plastic wrapped muffins and plain donuts that are the traditional fare at our Marriott presentations.

 

[Steve NH]

No it really was not advertised as a "Gourmet Breakfast".
I don't remember how it was phrased.

And yes I think plastic wrapped danish would have a chance of beating the breakfast buritto.

 

[dougp26364]

We haven't been to many presentations but, a breakfast burrito from McD's would beat most of what we've seen lately. Developers sales floors have really gone pretty cheap overall and, we've just taken a pass on the "food" offerings.

You're right, it is ironic that they're often trying to sell a product that's upwards of $20,000 and in some cases over $50,000 but they're serving discount danish's to suspects/prospects. I guess they think people don't notice. Maybe they most don't.

 

[vacationhopeful]

The guests do notice. It is the sales staff that is unaware of this social graff.

 

[dioxide45]

I think that they tend to offer these prepackaged breakfasts as a way not only to save money but to protect themselves from additional regulations. If they were to offer a full breakfast of eggs, sausage, waffles, etc, they would then have to have kitchen and require inspection by the health regulators. While it costs more money to provide a full spread, I think they want to avoid the other issues rather than save some extra money.

 

[heathpack]

LOL, this reminds me: many years ago, when we knew nothing about timeshares except that "they are a rip off" (our thinking at the time), we went to a Westgate presentation in Orlando to get free Universal tickets.

We ate breakfast first from a buffet spread of powdered eggs, bacon, toast, then did our tour. Which was completely ridiculous, the resort was terrible (to us), it was way too expensive, the salesman's arguments were logically tortured to say the least.

After we said no-no-no to the salesmen, the manager, the other manager and the big kahuna, they finally pulled out what seemed to be their trump card: they walked us past the buffet again, and pointed out to us the special roped off area. "See those people? Those are new owners who just bought yesterday. If you buy, we invite you back for breakfast the next day and you get to go to the special area of the buffet. That side of the buffet has WAFFLES!"

To this day, whenever someone tries to sell us some ridiculous deal, Mr. H and I will turn to each other and ask, "I wonder if this includes WAFFLES!?"

Sorry, a little off topic, it was just funny to us that a 99¢ waffle might actually be the factor to make or break a $18,000 (at that time) sale. I'm not that big a fan of the Egg McMuffin, but a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit?? Well that would be another matter altogether....

H

 

[dougp26364]

I think that they tend to offer these prepackaged breakfasts as a way not only to save money but to protect themselves from additional regulations. If they were to offer a full breakfast of eggs, sausage, waffles, etc, they would then have to have kitchen and require inspection by the health regulators. While it costs more money to provide a full spread, I think they want to avoid the other issues rather than save some extra money.

One word: Catering.

 

[Steve NH]

LOL, this reminds me: many years ago, when we knew nothing about timeshares except that "they are a rip off" (our thinking at the time), we went to a Westgate presentation in Orlando to get free Universal tickets.

We ate breakfast first from a buffet spread of powdered eggs, bacon, toast, then did our tour. Which was completely ridiculous, the resort was terrible (to us), it was way too expensive, the salesman's arguments were logically tortured to say the least.

After we said no-no-no to the salesmen, the manager, the other manager and the big kahuna, they finally pulled out what seemed to be their trump card: they walked us past the buffet again, and pointed out to us the special roped off area. "See those people? Those are new owners who just bought yesterday. If you buy, we invite you back for breakfast the next day and you get to go to the special area of the buffet. That side of the buffet has WAFFLES!"

To this day, whenever someone tries to sell us some ridiculous deal, Mr. H and I will turn to each other and ask, "I wonder if this includes WAFFLES!?"

Sorry, a little off topic, it was just funny to us that a 99¢ waffle might actually be the factor to make or break a $18,000 (at that time) sale. I'm not that big a fan of the Egg McMuffin, but a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit?? Well that would be another matter altogether....

H

I liked this one - thanks for sharing..
How many waffes do you get for $ 20.000.00 ?

 

[tahoeJoe]

After we said no-no-no to the salesmen, the manager, the other manager and the big kahuna, they finally pulled out what seemed to be their trump card: they walked us past the buffet again, and pointed out to us the special roped off area. "See those people? Those are new owners who just bought yesterday. If you buy, we invite you back for breakfast the next day and you get to go to the special area of the buffet. That side of the buffet has WAFFLES!"


H

Too funny, ROFLMAO :hysterical: :rofl: :hysterical:

 

[carl2591]

them must have been some SPECIAL waffles.. WOW that was funnny. trying to get you to buy a $18,000 week with the lure of waffles.. man these guys are more out of touch than CONGRESS...

will have to say waste,,, er westgate does or did have a decent breakfast spread.. have to admit i did not see waffles on the "tour" side.. so the owner side may be more special... roflmao

 

[Margariet]

So My wife and myself are are staying in Hilton Head, Waterside by Spinnaker.
Not the fanciest resort - but an RCI Gold Crown.
Also considering it's on Hilton Head - one would expect a certain level of class all around.

We did not have a lot planned so we agreed to the "Breakfast Presentation"
Having been to dozens I thought I knew what to expect.

We were speachless when we found out that our breakfast was a bag from McDonalds containing Egg McMuffins and Breakfast Burritos.

I am serious - that - some coffee and beagles (no toaster) and donuts That was all.

At first I was embarrassed for the salesman. But he didn't seem to have an issue - In fact he even commented that they get 50 breakfasts from McD's every day, no matter how many sales presentations they have scheduled.

Well since there was only about 10 other groups there that day I felt I could take advantage of the situation and grab and extra breakfast burrito without feeling guilty.

Even today - days later I am still speechless.
Do I feel sorry for the salesman?
Should I feel insulted?

Really - here this guy is trying to sell me a 20,000+ timeshare (explaining how uppity class the timeshare is....) and her treats us to McD's....

Anyways - Just thought I'd share for those that could use a chuckle (or something)

Hey if you have an experience that beats this on please share. (Well - as long as it won't hurt too much to read it)

Yak! How disgusting. I hate McD's and I even don't eat those items. What a disgrace to the Hilton brand! Yes, you are right to feel insulted, and yes, you should feel sorry for the salesman!

 

[DebBrown]

I guess I can thank you for the heads up. DH is always tempted by the breakfast offers as I am usually more interested in oatmeal in the timeshare kitchen.

The only presentation we've gone on in the last 10 years with at Villa del Arco in Cabo. DH wanted the "special" gold card with discounts. They did treat us to a truly gourmet breakfast. We actually had alot of fun not buying anything.

Deb