Timeshare Traveler Episode 50... Survival Guide for Timeshare Presentations

[Clifbell]

A lot of people don't like timeshare presentations because they can feel like high pressure situations. But they don't have to be. If you know what you are looking for and you approach the presentation as an opportunity to learn, you can survive a timeshare presentation.

I'll explain my mental approach to attending a presentations. It is important to know what you have to gain from the presentation in terms of perks. And sometimes when you say "no", you are offered a trial package so you can learn more about timeshares. Deciding on a timeshare should be like deciding on a car. Learn how timeshares work, test drive, and decide what works best for you.

If the answer is nothing works, then say no based on knowing what you want. I'll explain why I have said yes in the past and why I have said no. Those decision were right for me and hopefully it will help you to decide if timeshares are right for you.

Timeshare Traveler Episode 50... Survival Guide for Timeshare Presentations

Map of all my timeshare reviews

 

[ScoopKona]

I've never understood why people take these presentations. I have never taken one -- and the main reason I've never taken one is that no timeshare company has ever dangled anything in front of me that is worth my time. I value my time highly. And I triple that value when I'm on vacation. Yes, I suppose if a developer offered something that I value more than a few hours of vacation, I could be persuaded. But they're never offering anything worth more than a few minutes of my time.

The only thing I really care about is time -- I can always make more money. There are only 168 hours in a week. If I'm on vacation, I want them all -- at the very least I want 112 hours and 8 good hours of sleep every night.

 

[Luvtoride]

I've never understood why people take these presentations. I have never taken one -- and the main reason I've never taken one is that no timeshare company has ever dangled anything in front of me that is worth my time. I value my time highly. And I triple that value when I'm on vacation. Yes, I suppose if a developer offered something that I value more than a few hours of vacation, I could be persuaded. But they're never offering anything worth more than a few minutes of my time.

The only thing I really care about is time -- I can always make more money. There are only 168 hours in a week. If I'm on vacation, I want them all -- at the very least I want 112 hours and 8 good hours of sleep every night.

Scoop, I hear you. We have done these in the past when “the price is right”. Everyone has a different price but if we can get $300 in gift cards (real Amex cards) that we can use anywhere, for 90 minutes of our time during an early morning time slot, we will attend.


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[Ty1on]

 

[beejaybeeohio]

We have taken quite a few presentations in the past. When the weather outside is frightful, the pitch can be delightful for the rewards that it brings!

 

[dioxide45]

I've never understood why people take these presentations.

This is why everyone is different. While you may not understand why people do it, other people have no problems doing it. You might think less of those people, but why do you care what they do. Didn't you used to work as a timeshare salesperson for Hyatt?

 

[ScoopKona]

This is why everyone is different. While you may not understand why people do it, other people have no problems doing it. You might think less of those people, but why do you care what they do. Didn't you used to work as a timeshare salesperson for Hyatt?

Sure did -- Hyatt offered me what I considered a decent amount of money for my time. (But not enough to make me go back today. My standards raise as I age.) The big-picture problem with the industry is the game-show aspect. If a developer has to see 9 people who just want the freebie -- "end my presentation early" -- in order to sell one week, the person who buys the week pays for those 9 people.

In the case of Hyatt Maui, that adds up to a bunch of money.

And when new resorts open, there are no resale weeks available for purchase. Everyone wants new resorts to trade into. Nobody wants to pay for anything.

So that's the problem -- people who want something for nothing. If we could jettison such people from the entire equation, costs would go way down.

 

[Clifbell]

This is why everyone is different. While you may not understand why people do it, other people have no problems doing it. You might think less of those people, but why do you care what they do. Didn't you used to work as a timeshare salesperson for Hyatt?

Amazing comments by everyone... I can agree with both perspectives of not wanting to take a presentation as time is valuable... For those that do take the presentations, I wanted to provide what has worked for me. I am a bit absurd when it comes to presentations because I am wanting to learn (also why I post here as I tap into so much knowledge). I earned 71 free nights at hotels in 2021... I have given each of my three kids a weeks stay at any place they want to go... Maybe it would be "cheaper" to just pay for the vacations... But it is sometimes "priceless" to be able to give a gift to family.... This is an example where my time was worth it. But I don't expect it to be the same for everyone... I do so appreciate everyone sharing their perspectives...

 

[Clifbell]

We have taken quite a few presentations in the past. When the weather outside is frightful, the pitch can be delightful for the rewards that it brings!

I usually do them early in the morning... I can always use another cup of coffee... But I may now use my weather app on my phone to improve my planning .

 

[Ty1on]

We have taken quite a few presentations in the past. When the weather outside is frightful, the pitch can be delightful for the rewards that it brings!

No matter how hard they try,
Let em lie, let em lie, let em lie