The infamous owner update - do you go?

[HitchHiker71]

Like others, when I was "new" we went to a number of the updates. Now, we only go if they are forecasting bad weather and they are offering a decent amount of $

Same with us - we went almost every trip for the first couple of years of ownership - from 2018-2020 - basically once the pandemic hit - we stopped traveling for obvious reasons - and then when we restarted - we just weren't as interested in tolerating the lies and ridiculously false claims. My wife has less patience than I do, she's actually gotten up and walked out at the last couple we've attended because the salesperson was outright lying in a condescending manner. So these days we seldom attend updates. I used to attend because I wanted to keep tabs on new deceptive strategies as it relates to my Wyndham forum moderation responsibilities - but after a while the lies are all the same - they just take on slightly different flavors to so speak. If the weather is bad and we could use a nice gift card or have a specific ask for some other bennie then we'll still go on occasion - but these days it's just not worth the headache really.

 

[jp10558]

I've only gone when I was required to because of a discounted trip, or 2 times when my family wanted (my mom basically) what they were offering. After that, I realized that she's an adult and can go herself for the benefits. I doubt they'd say no. But she always says no when it's her time lol. The incentives just aren't worth it to me either.

 

[geist1223]

Patti has said no more "updates." It does not matter what they offer. We have not attended in update in our numerous trips (8 or 10) over the last year. In Cabo she told the folks she would rather be dead than attend an "update." We are happy with our 3 Systems and the amount of Ownership we have - Worldmark, Cabo Azul, and Royal Solaris.

 

[billymach4]

Omg yes. They ran my credit even though I kept saying I wasn't buying anything! Marriott never does this.

They must have your PII ? You need to lock down with the credit bureau's.

 

[dougp26364]

Omg yes. They ran my credit even though I kept saying I wasn't buying anything! Marriott never does this.

I keep my credit reports locked. It’s a PIA when I do actually need to apply for credit, but it’s stopped a couple of identity theft attempts.

 

[billymach4]

I keep my credit reports locked. It’s a PIA when I do actually need to apply for credit, but it’s stopped a couple of identity theft attempts.

Yes indeed. In this current world and age of scammers locking credit is a must. Take it a step further and lock down your ability to open checking accounts with chexsystems.

ChexSystems.com Consumer Page

www.chexsystems.com

 

[ScoopKona]

Yes indeed. In this current world and age of scammers locking credit is a must. Take it a step further and lock down your ability to open checking accounts with chexsystems.

Good advice.

Mine has been locked ever since I no longer needed loans to buy real estate. It's particularly useful in shutting down "store credit card" offers.

"Would you like to sign up for a Lowe's card today? You'll save 5%!" (Or is it 10%?)

I can't.

"What do you mean you can't? It only takes five minutes!"

Yes, and the application will be denied because it takes a notarized letter from His Holiness the Pope to unlock my credit.

"Wait? You know the Pope?"


The most useful thing about these credit locks is the letters they send when someone tries to open a line of credit in my name. "Oh, really? Bank of Oklahoma? Car loan? I don't even know anyone there."

 

[SmithOp]

I had to lift a credit freeze for 24 hrs last week to get a new Alaska ATMOS credit card.

It was easier than trying to convince my wife to attend an OU. I just refer the body snatchers to her.

 

[rapmarks]

I have not gone for at least a dozen years.
Last time we went, I got the line, where would you like to travel.
I said Sioux Falls
The sales woman left for a long time and I thought I had her stumped
She came back and said the good news was we could stay in Lead, South Dakota and visit family in Sioux Falls , only 390 miles apart.
I get invited every time I check friends in at Christmas Mountain and I say no.
But I recently met a tugger after she did the tour, she got a $200 Visa card and only spent 50 minutes.
I started thinking I could give my Handiman that card and he could buy plants for the area he is working on.
But I doubt I will do it when I check in sept 5.

 

[tnort5]

We hadn’t been to one in probably almost 20 years. Decided to attend one recently to hear what they said was new. It was nothing but a sales pitch. They got us in the door with a lie about a new web site and tried to sell us more points with lies about new programs. I don’t think there was any bit of truth through the whole meeting. They should treat their long time members better than that.

 

[JohnPaul]

We go every chance we get and we get a lot of chances as we own a ton of timeshares and travel a lot. We will stay 15 nights this year in 1 bedroom units at Worldmark using Wyndham Rewards points we get at presentations. In addition I got 2 nights in hotels including a $500 night at Caesars Republic at Lake Tahoe.

We have twice this year done Hilton experiences in Manhattan where got a terrific dinner with drinks at an upscale restaurant and tickets to a popular broadway show (of course, in exchange for a presentation).

We once took 2/3 of the points we got from a Hilton presentation that lasted 10 minutes and stayed a night at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills where we got upgraded to a $2500 a night suite.

We will be staying at the Waldorf Astoria New York where 150,000 Hilton Honors Points (an amount I sometimes can get for one presentation) gives us a nearly $2000 room.

 

[JohnnyO]

We wouldn't be caught dead going to an HGV OU unless they offer us millions in HH points.

 

[dougp26364]

We wouldn't be caught dead going to an HGV OU unless they offer us millions in HH points.

Hiltons body snatchers seem to be some of the more aggressive we’ve run into. They just don’t want to take no for an answer.
The last time they approached us I explained we had listed our only deed for sale and this was our last Hilton stay. Didn’t slow her down or discourage her for a second. As this was a phone call to our unit I ended up just hanging up on her mid sentence.

 

[JohnnyO]

Hiltons body snatchers seem to be some of the more aggressive we’ve run into. They just don’t want to take no for an answer.
The last time they approached us I explained we had listed our only deed for sale and this was our last Hilton stay. Didn’t slow her down or discourage her for a second. As this was a phone call to our unit I ended up just hanging up on her mid sentence.

We use the in our favor. They want to meet their numbers. So do we ... so bump up the offer.

 

[dougp26364]

We use the in our favor. They want to meet their numbers. So do we ... so bump up the offer.

We actually stopped being concerned about the offer. I typically say no once, if they persist I’ll say OK. If the salesman asks why we came I tell him the body snatcher didn’t take no for an answer. It always seems to piss them off, but it’s the truth. There didn’t take no for an answer. It’s their game, their rules and I gave them an easy way out.

I find it interesting how our views have changed as we’ve aged. Starting out we wanted to see and hear everything. Mid way through wild horses couldn’t drag us to a presentation unless the offer was $300+. Now on the backside we just don’t care. Unless we have things we want to do we’ll say no once, then it’s game to on.

 

[TolmiePeak]

Hiltons body snatchers seem to be some of the more aggressive we’ve run into. They just don’t want to take no for an answer.
The last time they approached us I explained we had listed our only deed for sale and this was our last Hilton stay. Didn’t slow her down or discourage her for a second. As this was a phone call to our unit I ended up just hanging up on her mid sentence.

They are. They always pounce when we walk into LV Boulevard. Once we give them our name they see it in big bold red letters. Some of them are confused by that. I tell them that is because we are banned from the sales center and they want nothing to do with us. We then get escorted to VIP check in so we can't blab about resale to the other victims in the check in line.

 

[TheHappyWanderer]

I love going. Free food and drinks, and I am the center of attention who gets to turn them down at the end.

 

[linsj]

It's hard to turn down a $300 Visa card or 100,000 Hilton points, so I usually go. I'm never so busy that I don't have the time.

 

[AwayWeGo]

I just smile, nod my head and say no

Same here.

Sometimes while nodding I add a slight head rolling motion.

Disputing or questioning anything the timeshare sellers say only lengthens the encounter, so I just let their stretchers & fibs & fabrications pass in silence. They affect me the way rain showers affect ducks.

One time, however, I managed to get a rise out of a rookie timeshare seller by explaining why all timeshares are used-used-used by the time any new owner shows up to check in. These days, I don't even bother with that. I just listen politely, say No Thanks as many times as necessary, & hang on till they give up & send me over to the freebies window.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[dougp26364]

Yesterday we were in an owners update and I heard a woman in another cubical say no with such force it made me pay attention. What amazed me is the salesman went ahead with the alternative proposal, exactly like they’re suppose to do. Didn’t phase the prospect as she just said no again just as forcefully. Then they brought in guy with the extra vacation offer (hadn’t seen that at this resort) and the no was a more subdued, “that has no value for us”, but still with a firmness that made you understand they weren’t buying. After that they got their gifts and were on their way. But it was the forcefulness of the “NO” that made me chuckle a little.

 

[TolmiePeak]

It's hard to turn down a $300 Visa card or 100,000 Hilton points, so I usually go. I'm never so busy that I don't have the time.

When I check into Marriott I get into an argument that $300 is a compelte waste of my time and if they are serious they need to offer me $500.

 

[Glynda]

No. If need be, I make it clear at check-in that I will not go to one.

 

[dougp26364]

When I check into Marriott I get into an argument that $300 is a complete waste of my time and if they are serious they need to offer me $500.

I have yet to be offered more than $300. I’m sure someday someone will report a figure north of $300.
I am amazed at the variance between resorts. The low lately appears to be $150 with the high being $300. We mostly own with Marriott. One trip it’s $150. The next might be $200 or $250. Once a year they seem to hit $300

 

[easyrider]

I had to lift a credit freeze for 24 hrs last week to get a new Alaska ATMOS credit card.

It was easier than trying to convince my wife to attend an OU. I just refer the body snatchers to her.

I'm going to have to do this sooner or later. Seems like a pita.

Bill

 

[easyrider]

Recently we talked to a Travel and Liesure concierge and told them no to the update. The problem became our next reservation that was made 13 months out at 12 am. The concierge works both resorts and I can't prove she is the cause but we ended up in a room with no view . At check in I questioned how.

The check in monitors were off so we couldn't tell if the computer reservation list had been modified . I asked for an audit of check ins for the day. The check in person asked why and I told him I thought the staff had manipulated the computer check in list. We ended up with a very nice view.

Funny thing was the original concierge told us there is a new way to reserve hard to get reservations at 24 months out instead of 13 months out. She is talking about rci and as we all know it's unlikely to ever work that way for red season in a prime unit.

Bill