Went to a presentation today at Westin Princeville for 40,000 Marriott points + a $25 voucher that can only be used at the resort

[rickandcindy23]

The woman's name was Cindi, she was nice enough. Forgetful. I don't know how many times we told her we had Chairman's Club status already. She kept asking where we stay on the islands, specifically Maui, and I told her at least five times in 90 minutes that we stay at Westin Ka'anapali in our OWNED weeks. I didn't tell her about Hono Koa. Why confuse her even more? Anyone with the name Cindy or Cindi is going to be old, right?

The one big fib I heard that was glaring and I called her on it. She said we could book Westin Ka'anapali at 13+ months out. I said, "No, only owners can book our weeks at 12 months to 8 months out." She said this was a mistake a lot of people make because with status you can absolutely book (we have it already, I kept telling her we are grandfathered!) at 13 months out, and this is very little known by owners. Buy today and you can book Westin ahead of anyone else. Then she started talking about Flex and how it wasn't going to be available much longer and owners are coming in just to buy Flex and they are ready to buy today. Nah, I don't think so. Told her Flex wasn't worth anything to me. Didn't even let her talk about a price.

In comes the manager guy, and he has a different product to sell. He lays it all out for us on the white screen. The price for converting two of our Shadow Ridge platinum weeks was $56K, purchase required is 4,000 Abound points, 10% down, and if we put it on a brand new Marriott Bevy Amex credit card, we would get 550,000 points for signing up today and paying for our purchase with the card with the 100K Bonvoy point bonus. The card has 0% interest for 15 months. You know, it would be tempting to me, if we were about 10 years younger. I cannot spend the kids' inheritance like that. So wasteful, right? If he would convert all 4 of our Shadow Ridge weeks for that price, I would jump on it.

He did say that this is only something they can do once in a while and we are in luck because he can do it today (two enrolled for $56K and 4,000 Abound points). That would give us 10,000 points. That sounds okay, except the maintenance fees are going to kill that deal, especially compared to our current MF cost per Abound point with our Westin.

Rick and I just looked at each other, underwhelmed with the offer, and he was going to leave us to think about it, but I said there is no thinking, we won't be doing it.

Love Westin Princeville and we leave tomorrow, early, so we are packing our stuff today. We can just put a few things in the suitcase tomorrow morning before heading out. Going to enter some ongoing searches with our two bedrooms at Sheraton Broadway, which we have a plethora for deposit this year. I want to try for 1 bedrooms at Westin Princeville for summer of 2026. Might as well give it a try. I am doubtful, but I always have Shearwater I can book. Our oldest son is celebrating 20 years with his beautiful wife. They would love a trip to Kauai.

 

[daviator]

The woman's name was Cindi, she was nice enough. Forgetful. I don't know how many times we told her we had Chairman's Club status already. She kept asking where we stay on the islands, specifically Maui, and I told her at least five times in 90 minutes that we stay at Westin Ka'anapali in our OWNED weeks. I didn't tell her about Hono Koa. Why confuse her even more? Anyone with the name Cindy or Cindi is going to be old, right?

The one big fib I heard that was glaring and I called her on it. She said we could book Westin Ka'anapali at 13+ months out. I said, "No, only owners can book our weeks at 12 months to 8 months out." She said this was a mistake a lot of people make because with status you can absolutely book (we have it already, I kept telling her we are grandfathered!) at 13 months out, and this is very little known by owners. Buy today and you can book Westin ahead of anyone else. Then she started talking about Flex and how it wasn't going to be available much longer and owners are coming in just to buy Flex and they are ready to buy today. Nah, I don't think so. Told her Flex wasn't worth anything to me. Didn't even let her talk about a price.

In comes the manager guy, and he has a different product to sell. He lays it all out for us on the white screen. The price for converting two of our Shadow Ridge platinum weeks was $56K, purchase required is 4,000 Abound points, 10% down, and if we put it on a brand new Marriott Bevy Amex credit card, we would get 550,000 points for signing up today and paying for our purchase with the card with the 100K Bonvoy point bonus. The card has 0% interest for 15 months. You know, it would be tempting to me, if we were about 10 years younger. I cannot spend the kids' inheritance like that. So wasteful, right? If he would convert all 4 of our Shadow Ridge weeks for that price, I would jump on it.

He did say that this is only something they can do once in a while and we are in luck because he can do it today (two enrolled for $56K and 4,000 Abound points). That would give us 10,000 points. That sounds okay, except the maintenance fees are going to kill that deal, especially compared to our current MF cost per Abound point with our Westin.

Rick and I just looked at each other, underwhelmed with the offer, and he was going to leave us to think about it, but I said there is no thinking, we won't be doing it.

Love Westin Princeville and we leave tomorrow, early, so we are packing our stuff today. We can just put a few things in the suitcase tomorrow morning before heading out. Going to enter some ongoing searches with our two bedrooms at Sheraton Broadway, which we have a plethora for deposit this year. I want to try for 1 bedrooms at Westin Princeville for summer of 2026. Might as well give it a try. I am doubtful, but I always have Shearwater I can book. Our oldest son is celebrating 20 years with his beautiful wife. They would love a trip to Kauai.

It IS a beautiful property. Haven't been in a long time, we are going to Maui later this year but maybe need to plan a Kauai trip next year. You make me want to go back!

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

It's funny how we know more about our timeshare systems than the salesmen/saleswomen!

TS

 

[RunCat]

It's funny how we know more about our timeshare systems than the salesmen/saleswomen!

TS

True. . . but for them, it is just a job. For us, it is a lifestyle.

 

[TUGBrian]

amazing how that knowledge can truly transform your sales presentation experience!

 

[byeloe]

amazing how that knowledge can truly transform your sales presentation experience!

true, After I predicted the offer they would present to us, they said I should come work for them(at Lagunamar), lol.

 

[rickandcindy23]

It IS a beautiful property. Haven't been in a long time, we are going to Maui later this year but maybe need to plan a Kauai trip next year. You make me want to go back!

Gorgeous grounds, beautiful pool that you get to share with the Nene. Putting greens for practice, great restaurant, beautiful ocean views with a short walk from any building. Absolutely loved everything about it. We took a long walk every evening.

We so rarely see Nene on Maui. It's sad.

She talked about a new Marriott in Waikiki that just opened. I was not impressed with that at all.

 

[daviator]

Gorgeous grounds, beautiful pool that you get to share with the Nene. Putting greens for practice, great restaurant, beautiful ocean views with a short walk from any building. Absolutely loved everything about it. We took a long walk every evening.

We so rarely see Nene on Maui. It's sad.

She talked about a new Marriott in Waikiki that just opened. I was not impressed with that at all.

We are going to stay at the new MVC in Waikiki for three nights after our Thanksgiving trip to WKORV in November, just to check it out. I lived on Oahu years ago so those are my old stomping grounds, lol. But it's a glorified hotel (though not a conversion) and I don't expect much more than that. Nice to have an MVC option there though, we sometimes pop by Oahu for a few days to see friends, before or after vacation on Maui or elsewhere.

 

[dioxide45]

true, After I predicted the offer they would present to us, they said I should come work for them(at Lagunamar), lol.

The've told us this at several presentations too. The problem is I couldn't sell the product as I can't convey any value in the product given the prices they are charging for full developer purchases.

 

[claraj]

I attended a sales presentation today at Los Suenos and was told 2 things that were wrong: 1) I can not deposit a week in Interval and trade for another Marriott property and 2) Los Suenos is the only property that sells weeks.

I just nodded and smiled instead of arguing. Otherwise it was pretty low pressure.

 

[rickandcindy23]

We are going to stay at the new MVC in Waikiki for three nights after our Thanksgiving trip to WKORV in November, just to check it out. I lived on Oahu years ago so those are my old stomping grounds, lol. But it's a glorified hotel (though not a conversion) and I don't expect much more than that. Nice to have an MVC option there though, we sometimes pop by Oahu for a few days to see friends, before or after vacation on Maui or elsewhere.

Be sure to post your experience at the new Waikiki resort. Anxious to hear more.

 

[Kildahl]

The woman's name was Cindi, she was nice enough. Forgetful. I don't know how many times we told her we had Chairman's Club status already. She kept asking where we stay on the islands, specifically Maui, and I told her at least five times in 90 minutes that we stay at Westin Ka'anapali in our OWNED weeks. I didn't tell her about Hono Koa. Why confuse her even more? Anyone with the name Cindy or Cindi is going to be old, right?

The one big fib I heard that was glaring and I called her on it. She said we could book Westin Ka'anapali at 13+ months out. I said, "No, only owners can book our weeks at 12 months to 8 months out." She said this was a mistake a lot of people make because with status you can absolutely book (we have it already, I kept telling her we are grandfathered!) at 13 months out, and this is very little known by owners. Buy today and you can book Westin ahead of anyone else. Then she started talking about Flex and how it wasn't going to be available much longer and owners are coming in just to buy Flex and they are ready to buy today. Nah, I don't think so. Told her Flex wasn't worth anything to me. Didn't even let her talk about a price.

In comes the manager guy, and he has a different product to sell. He lays it all out for us on the white screen. The price for converting two of our Shadow Ridge platinum weeks was $56K, purchase required is 4,000 Abound points, 10% down, and if we put it on a brand new Marriott Bevy Amex credit card, we would get 550,000 points for signing up today and paying for our purchase with the card with the 100K Bonvoy point bonus. The card has 0% interest for 15 months. You know, it would be tempting to me, if we were about 10 years younger. I cannot spend the kids' inheritance like that. So wasteful, right? If he would convert all 4 of our Shadow Ridge weeks for that price, I would jump on it.

He did say that this is only something they can do once in a while and we are in luck because he can do it today (two enrolled for $56K and 4,000 Abound points). That would give us 10,000 points. That sounds okay, except the maintenance fees are going to kill that deal, especially compared to our current MF cost per Abound point with our Westin.

Rick and I just looked at each other, underwhelmed with the offer, and he was going to leave us to think about it, but I said there is no thinking, we won't be doing it.

Love Westin Princeville and we leave tomorrow, early, so we are packing our stuff today. We can just put a few things in the suitcase tomorrow morning before heading out. Going to enter some ongoing searches with our two bedrooms at Sheraton Broadway, which we have a plethora for deposit this year. I want to try for 1 bedrooms at Westin Princeville for summer of 2026. Might as well give it a try. I am doubtful, but I always have Shearwater I can book. Our oldest son is celebrating 20 years with his beautiful wife. They would love a trip to Kauai.

Looking forward to our stay in January. Glad to hear the restaurant has improved!
Did you get out to Ke’e on the reservation system? Mahalo!

 

[bnoble]

we are in luck because he can do it today

What are the odds?

(HInt: very very good.)

The problem is I couldn't sell the product as I can't convey any value in the product given the prices they are charging for full developer purchases.

I've thought about this. Would it be possible for me to be an honest timeshare sales agent?

And I think the answer is yes, provided that the cost of ownership (including accounting for cost-of-capital at the long-run inflation rate) is below market rental rates. That's true at many (but not all) name-brand resorts. It's not the best value, for sure! But for me being a timeshare owner isn't really about saving money. In fact, I am sure I am spending more money on vacation lodging than I would if I did not own timeshare, despite only owning resale at a dime on the dollar or less.

But that's because I actually take vacations, and lots of them. I would not do that if I was paying as I went. I would always find reasons not to spend the money.

 

[daviator]

What are the odds?

(HInt: very very good.)


I've thought about this. Would it be possible for me to be an honest timeshare sales agent?

And I think the answer is yes, provided that the cost of ownership (including accounting for cost-of-capital at the long-run inflation rate) is below market rental rates. That's true at many (but not all) name-brand resorts. It's not the best value, for sure! But for me being a timeshare owner isn't really about saving money. In fact, I am sure I am spending more money on vacation lodging than I would if I did not own timeshare, despite only owning resale at a dime on the dollar or less.

But that's because I actually take vacations, and lots of them. I would not do that if I was paying as I went. I would always find reasons not to spend the money.

For sure. One of my biggest reasons for buying my first timeshare week, twenty years ago, is that it would force me to take vacations more often and allow me to stay in better accommodations than I’d be willing to pay for. I never thought it was going to save me a lot of money. It does, of course, save money over what it would cost to rent the actual units in which we typically stay – but I would be too cheap to pay those prices and we’d stay in something lesser.

Of course, all those calculations vary depending on where and what you own.

 

[dioxide45]

Timeshare saves us on a per night bases, but spending so many nights in timeshare results in it costing more than if we didn't own at all.

 

[daviator]

Timeshare saves us on a per night bases, but spending so many nights in timeshare results in it costing more than if we didn't own at all.

Sure, but you travel and vacation a lot more (even though your vacations may involve an aspect of work, they’re hopefully still relaxing and enjoyable.) That’s the intangible value of timeshares that is worth something, At least to me.

 

[Hindsite]

One of my biggest reasons for buying my first timeshare week, twenty years ago, is that it would force me to take vacations more often

I never came across this reason, until I joined TUG, its quite curious to me that people need to be forced to take vacation, but many find it works, so it must be a good thing.

I've never had a problem taking vacation time or spending money on it, so timeshares, even developer bought, has saved us a lot of money vs what we were actually paying in vacation lodging when we bought over 20 years ago. In actual fact it took more than 15 years for the timeshare cost escalation to reach the level that we were spending before we bought. That works for me, each to their own...

Whatever the mechanism, glad you're enjoying it, keep it up!!

 

[Jimmyboy]

Was there a few weeks ago. Did not enjoy stepping in the pool and seeing birdshit.