Take the Pledge - no more presentations!

[ampaholic]

On another thread here: http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158236
it has been discussed that the very act of attending a developer presentation is in itself a small act that perpetuates the current "system" of timeshare sales.

I believe this is "true" and therefore in front of you all, I pledge to never attend a developer presentation - even if they offer me a shiny bauble or a show ticket (well unless it's Wayne Newton of course )!

You are my witnesses. Feel free to pledge here yourselves.

 

[strandlover]

I pledge to never attend a timeshare sales presentation unless...

... I am compensated a minimum of $200 cash up front (no plastic) so that I can leave precisely after one hour.

 

[Passepartout]

Easy there, 'Grover'. Sometimes these 'presentations' are actually 'updates'. Sometimes the incentive is to get something that honestly should be included- like mandatory valet parking or internet.

While I dislike true high pressure sales presentations and have walked out of my share- even leaving the promised incentive-, I will attend those that offer insight to the recreational opportunities in an unfamiliar area.

If I see other people I recognize as attendees, I don't hesitate to talk up TUG- and resales- and mention prominently that there's a legally required rescission- or cooling off period if everything in their shiny new contract isn't exactly as promised.

The above said, on vacation, the room phone is unplugged and notes shoved under the door are roundly ignored. I have long said that without developer sales, there wouldn't be resales, so some attendance is necessary.

No pledge from me. But don't expect to see me socializing with the body snatchers either.

Jim

 

[Gophesjo]

I'm in, Amphaholic

I'm with you - I'm taking the pledge too.

That said, I also was thinking just this morning that if the developers hadn't sold units at full freight up front to have funds to actually pay for the land and buildings, I wouldn't be able to pick up units now for only the promise I make to pay future operating expenses through the MF's I pay. So, maybe the issue is more complicated than I imagined when I started that other thread.

I like the latest posts in that other thread about the Hawaian and other developer that give no incentives for those who tour, and so then are able to sell at a much more reasonable price. I LIKE that business model.

What do you suppose the actual development cost for the average 2 BR 2 BA unit is? If it is $125,000, is $ 3,000 - 3,500 a reasonable average upfront price for a week's use of that unit?

 

[presley]

Isn't it a bigger loss for them if we attend, take up their time and their incentives and then don't buy?

 

[mrpickle]

What if we think outside the box?

Isn't it a bigger loss for them if we attend, take up their time and their incentives and then don't buy?

What if we took the first offer and signed it and made sure we could recind it!
We would be out in less then the 90 minutes and have our gifts and go along our merry way!
Merrily recinding that is!

I'll have to try it in March!

Ken

 

[e.bram]

I pledge to go to every presentation I can take the freebie and NOT buy!

 

[ronparise]

What do you suppose the actual development cost for the average 2 BR 2 BA unit is? If it is $125,000, is $ 3,000 - 3,500 a reasonable average upfront price for a week's use of that unit?

Im willing to give them $200000 (remember they are furnished) and even double that for marketing and profit. or about $7500 a week as long as I can trade in my "used" week and if they set up a "used timeshare" showroom where I can shop these used weeks too...just like the car dealerships

 

[Ron98GT]

I pledge to never attend a developer presentation

Never say Never.

 

[mrpickle]

What an awesome Idea!

Im willing to give them $200000 (remember they are furnished) and even double that for marketing and profit. or about $7500 a week as long as I can trade in my "used" week and if they set up a "used timeshare" showroom where I can shop these used weeks too...just like the car dealerships

Such insight!

 

[ampaholic]

I pledge to go to every presentation I can take the freebie and NOT buy!

figures :ignore:

 

[ampaholic]

Never say Never.

Well, I did say "unless there is a Wayne Newton ticket involved"

 

[Talent312]

I'll never attend another TS presentation, unless the inducement is...
An month-long stay at a villa in Tuscany or Clooney's place on Lake Como.

 

[MOXJO7282]

I pledge to go to every presentation I can take the freebie and NOT buy!

I go with the thought that if they offered me a deal I can't refuse I would buy but they haven't done that in almost 8 years.

Even now I go and make a proposal to the sales person. Allow all my Marriott units into the DC program and I will buy 2k points. I honestly would but they've yet to take me up on that offer so its kinda of like e.bram where I go get the freebies and don't buy.

 

[e.bram]

I think ampaholic is a shill for the sellers, trying to save the developers some money, knowing that TUGGERS(members and guests)won't buy, just mooch the freebies and worse than that ,spook the rubes.

 

[e.bram]

Talent:
My sister has a villa in Tuscany(Panzano). I get bored after one day. A month would make me stir crazy.

 

[Talent312]

Talent:
My sister has a villa in Tuscany (Panzano). I get bored after one day.
A month would make me stir crazy.

I s'pose its possible...
I can't imagine tiring of the vineyards, the olive groves, the hilltowns...
Its my idea of heaven on earth. Its where I hope to go when I die.

 

[ampaholic]

I think ampaholic is a shill for the sellers, trying to save the developers some money, knowing that TUGGERS(members and guests)won't buy, just mooch the freebies and worse than that ,spook the rubes.

:hysterical: leave it you to think like that :hysterical: yea, I don't want tuggers at the presentations cause they "spook" the rubes, and then how can I get good deals on eBay unless the rubes get taken in at the presentation and then get tired of them and sell them for pennies on the dollar to PCC's.

Next you'll be saying I support PCC's :annoyed: cause they help the rubes get them listed on eBay.

Troll.

 

[Rent_Share]

You've got my pledge - DW and I have been to two, both DRI and she will never go again . . . .

and btw e.bram just likes to stir the pot . . . . .

 

[theo]

In this particular matter, I ALWAYS say NEVER...

Never say Never.

I have never attended a timeshare developer presentation, not even momentarily.
I would never attend a timeshare developer presentation, not even momentarily.
I will never attend a timeshare developer presentation, not even momentarily --- regardless of the offers of trinkets, tickets, baubles or cash (...or even all of the foregoing combined). Period, amen.

 

[pedro47]

We are taking the pledge.

 

[e.bram]

Theo is areal stoic!

 

[Numismatist]

I pledge. After the first mistake, never again.:annoyed:

 

[IreneLF]

I've done it twice.
It made me feel so dirty. (time #2 -- we left/were told to leave after 9 1/2 minutes with $250 in vouchers for a boat trip we wanted.)
Even so, I swore I'd never do it again.
And I won't.

 

[VivianLynne]

Got to love Wyndham's sales staff.

I went to an Owner's Update about 10 years after I brought. Spent most of the time answering their question "Why have you never been to an Update?". Kept saying I was enjoying my vacations and was there a problem?

What was throwing them for a loop was, most of them knew me from my many visits to the resort (by sight) and maybe by first name. :hysterical: