KVR

Before commenting on that idiotic remark, you have understand who/what you are dealing with. Katzgar was basically run off from TA due to his constant negative and inaccurate remarks which is why he has hurt feelings for that web-site. Unfortunately, he has found his way over here to this forum to continue with it.

Also, you have to knowlegable and really understand how to use TA to get anything out of it. It is apparent that he is not. The reviews posted on TA should be taken with a grain of salt especially from the people who post "one hit wonders". If you spend enough time on it the site and forums, you will eventually figure out who has people's travel interest at heart and who is nothing but a troll, like Katzgar is.

The DE's on the forums are very knowledgable and just want to help. However, it is in everyone's best interest to use multiple travel sites and other resources when booking hotels and activities just to be on the safe side.

I always use TA's hotel reviews, forums and search engine as well as other sites before booking anything travel related and have received wonderful advise and learned new things. It is unfortunate that people like Katzgar rather use sites like this to reek havoc and abuse the forums instead of using them for what they are intended for. That's why sites like TA get such bad raps.

Katzgar

"While dominated by DEs w/ commercial interests"

"The reviews posted on TA should be taken with a grain of salt"

"it is in everyone's best interest to use multiple travel sites and other resources when booking hotels and activities just to be on the safe side."

You folks said it for me. Thanks.

Elainee

We went to a timeshare presentation after being "invited" endlessly for a full week every time we walked down the street Mexico. This offered breakfast and $250 US,. sounded good. The breakfast was excellent. The property very nice. the presentation endless!~ Would not take NO for an answer and give us our money. They tried every possible tactic...poor salesman his only opportunity of the day, we came under falkse pretenses, whatever..Finally we became obviously angry and they gave us our money. Result...we would never go to any hotel in that chain even tho the hotel was very nice.

Stewbear

90 minutes? Right! If you believe this I have some Marshmallow Fields, a real winner, for sale that are perfect you.

suze

This is an old post, that I'm guessing a pro-timeshare advertiser brought back to the top.

To the OP, it's never "90 minutes".

november_moon

I know this is an old post, and but I am curious about something. So, if someone accepts an invitation to stay at a resort for a reduced price in exchange for attending a timeshare presentation, what happens if they don't attend the entire thing - especially if the presentation is longer than advertised? In the OP's case, the invitation says it is a 90 minute presentation - but most people say 90 minutes is a pipe dream and that the presentation will be twice that long. So what happens if at 90 minutes, you walk out? You aren't locked in a room, right? Do you have to get some sort of sheet signed off by the time share people or the resort charges you full price? Why would anyone feel compelled to stay past the 90 minutes? The whole hard-sell timeshare thing has always been interesting to me - not to buy a timeshare, just the process.

dodaniels

I think it is totally worth it, if you know how to deal with the presentation: (http://www.timesharescam.com/blog/164-time-shares/) Before embarking on it, however, be prepared. Remember that their goal is to get you to buy a timeshare on the spot. You will probably be pressured to some degree. If the stay isn't worth the high pressure sales, remember you can always leave - but it is possible to simply enjoy the stay and leave without having purchased a timeshare at the end

tenthumbs

That's a good question, november-moon. If anyone has an answer, I'd like to hear it.

dodaniels is correct~it can be profitable IF you can firmly say NO.

My ex-husband loved to attend timeshare presentations, but I always hated giving up several hours of my vacation to listen to a sales pitch for something I did not intend to buy for a Mexican blanket and a bottle of cheap tequila.

eliztravels2

Sounds like timeshare presentations are about as much fun as being poked in the eye with a sharp stick, only they last longer. I am curious though about what would happen if you walk out of the presentation after 90 minutes. If you are not allowed to leave wouldn't that be unlawful confinement? Do you have any 'terms and conditions" in writing prior to taking advantage of the freebie? At any point are you required to turn over your credit card info which would allow you to be billed for your stay if you are considered not to have upheld your end of the deal?

I know some jurisdictions have a "cooling off' period which allows you to change your mind and cancel a contract under certain circumstances within a set time period, maybe 24 or 48 hours. I'm sure this is not something you would be informed of by the salesperson.

I can think of numerous questions to ask at one of these presentations that would make the presenter uncomfortable. My guess is this would result in a response designed to make the person asking the question look stupid or mean spirited.

The closest I got to a timeshare presentation was at a ski resort where we have seasons passes. We were approached while having lunch by a pleasant women. Once she learned a few details about us she realized we didn't qualify (because of our age) and apologized for not being able to offer us the deal. I was impressed that when we returned to resort throughout the winter she recognized us and did not approach us again.

Rohelio

I attended a timeshare presentation in Puerto Plata in D.R. about 12 years ago. It was a favor for a friend of mine living and working in DR. He was to get a fee for my attendance but because I left before the completion of the presentation, he was never compensated. It's just common sense, if you dont plan on purchasing, then don't go ! You have to understand that if you get a discount on something, you have to expect that there is some kind of price to pay for this. It's the same old story, if it's too good to be true, then there is some kind of a catch. In conclusion, this is not a scam, these people are legit and the product they sell is proper and recognized in the industry. It is the tactics used to get you to attend the presentation that are questionable and downright underhanded.

Stewbear

Went to one. Worst 3 hours of my life.
At 72 I wish I had em back!!!!!!! Smile
Never Again!

pazza

My partner and I landed at the airport in oct 14 and before we could even get out of the airport we we approached by the rep (which we later found out was part 1 in the chain of people!). He asked if we were living together (as the address had to be the same) and also if we had a credit card on us (not a debit card as you will realise why further down). He made us write in a pen which had a rubber on the end (so we could rub out our address) at the back of our passport our address whcih had to be the same and said we can rub it out later! one of the stipulations was that you were married/living together and had a credit card! He promised our return taxi fare to the airport would be refunded if we attended a 90min presentation. We declined but then he threw in a free breakfast, a bottle of Tequila and a free pair of tickets to the Jolly Roger boat cruise. Well all we had to do was attend a 90min presentation and that was it. They made us attend the following day (which was my partners birthday) and they said it had to be that day (which we later realised the reason was so that we would still be enjoying our holiday in Mexico and would not think of cancelling whilst enjoying the free 2 nights stay they were offering.........read further down...........). The next morning we were collected by taxi and the rep from the airport who took us to cancun (1hrs drive away). We entered into a reception (building dedicated to timeshare admin section only) and a lady took over (part 2 in the chain). She took our personal details and said if the presentation went on longer than expected and we by chance were interested in what they had to offer how long can we stay? We said it was my partners birthday and I had planned things for him so we had to leave no later than the 90 min (it was 11am at this point), they pressured us into staying until 2pm so we agreed. Then we were handed over to the 3rd person in the chain who took us to eat breakfast (where all the other timeshare victims were dining), they gave us a shoddy breakfast and then proceeded to his splur. Showed us around the resort and showed us their best suites on the top floor of the hotel (which is not what all the other rooms look like and were show rooms only for timeshare people). It looked amazing. Then they took us to the top floor office where there were quite a few tables filled with other victims. They 3rd person in the chain started with the highest package which was something like 6 weeks of stay at any of their hotels in Mexico for £200,000! yes a lot of money. We said no, then they went on to the other vcheaper packages. The 3rd guy gave up and his manager came over - a guy from Panama who was as smooth as they come. He tried to sell us the expensive package and in the end resorted to trying to sell us the cheapest package which was 9 nights at £7,000 and a yearly maintenance fee for 30years of £200). They gave us champagne, Quesidillas, cocktails and in the end we signed! we ended up leaving at 7pm. All in all there were 6 people in the chain, the final person was the finance accountant. They even told us to come back on the Friday and stay their for free until we were due to go home on the Monday (why not as the resort was beautiful and it was much closer to the sirport but little did we know this was another sales tact). We got our lift home and then tried to enjoy the rest of the evening. 2 days later my mind was niggling at me so I woke up (Thursday morning) and decided to google Villa timehsare and was astonished to read negative things about the company, the customer service and the lack of availability and a list of other issues so I decided to cancel my membership and what seemed to initially sound like a good deal was actually not as good as we thought. I checked the bag of the T&Cs and there it stated in the smallest print that we had 7 working days to cancel and this had to be in writing or in person. We called the first contact from the airport and he said no problem just ask for Mr X (can't remember his name). As we were still in Mexico we decided to take a bus all the way in person to cancel. We turned up and they were really shocked and then we asked for Mr X and they denied knowing this person and were really worried and then asked why we were cancelling and before we gave them the chance to try and persuade us to keep it we told them we didn;t want to get into that and then they changed their tune and started being rude! in the end we hand wrote our cancellation, took a photo and then emailed that letter to the email address provided by the finance guy. We were led out and told by Joe (the manager of the sales team) that we shouldn't give them a bad name and that we should tell people what a good guy he is! Basically, how many emails later and 5 weeks later we are waiting for our refund! I have raised an incident with my credit card provider who is now chasing them. What a shamble of a company. Do not trust them and do not give them your money. They prey on people selling them a dream holiday and never deliver the goods when you want to take the holiday you want. Please keep away!!!

eliztravels2

A shame you didn't join this forum before you got sucked into a slick presentation and an expensive contract, Pazza. At least by sharing you may have done someone else a favour by alerting them to the sales tactics. Hope your credit card company is able to cancel the transaction, but it sounds like the sales people have everything rigged in their favour.

tenthumbs

They always make it sound SOOOOO good.......

P_M

We went to a presentation in Puerta Vallarta. Throughout the presentation they gave us bad stats and misleading information saying that inflation is 10%/year so in 10 years we will no longer be able to afford to travel if we don't buy the timeshare. Then they hooked us up for a "private consultation" with a salesman who told us the same wrong info. I called him on that saying inflation is not 10% and this is all bad info but he kept arguing with me. I just rolled my eyes and told him I don't believe him.

After 90 minutes we told them we are not interested. The guy kept talking endlessly, grasping at straws just to keep a dialogue going. When we told him we were leaving he suddenly said, "You know, I really hate the Jehovah's Witnesses," as a lame effort to engage us in conversation. I said something like, "WTH are you taking about?? GOODBYE!!" We got up and walked out the door and they guy followed us the whole way.

Our incentive was a free excursion so for our purposes it was a complete waste of time. If the incentive had been a savings like the OP's then it would have been worth it, but like others have mentioned please be sure this really is the savings they are advertising.

suze

<If the incentive had been a savings like the OP's then it would have been worth it>

For me there is no incentive that would make it worth attending a timeshare sales presentation.

Stewbear

Never Ever 90 minutes but several hours. I can only speak for myself. As a old guy I would never waste a minute of my remaining time at a time share swindle.

scdreamer

I have a funny time share presentation story - last year we accepted a free three day AI vacation at a Puerto Vallarta beachfront resort in exchange for agreeing to go to a 90 minute presentation. It was Villa Palmar - and when we arrived, the place was an older and a little dated resort, but, we were already vacationing in Mexico - could fly home from PV, and hey - free is free.

The time share presentation was actually for their new property in Nueva Vallarta - they sent us there in a taxi and the place was swanky to the max. Seriously, the condos were what you would expect a movie star would stay in ... the only thing is, that's never been my style. Not to mention I think time shares are about the worst investment that can be made.

After a lovely beachfront breakfast, we toured the units - which were beyond luxurious - and then our sales representative took us to a room where they make the hard sell. She went over some of the stats and reasons why we should consider the timeshare, and then suddenly she said she had to "take a phone call," and left us alone. Just as she was leaving, she pushed a large ball-point pen toward our side of the table. Immediately, my husband rolled his eyes toward it and mouthed "that's a microphone!" to me.

It was!

So I made sure my voice was plenty loud, and I said, "These condos are beautiful, but I would feel as if I were in a prison if I ever had to stay in a place like this." My husband said, "I agree - it would be just like being in jail."

The salesperson came back over to our table in about two minutes and thanked us for our time and called us a taxi. We were out of there in less than an hour - including breakfast and the tour.

So - they obviously use a mike to try to figure out which of the couple is desiring to buy and what they would need to do to manipulate them. And to know ahead any concerns so they can have a ready answer.

Probably illegal as heck here in the USA, but I guess anything goes in Mexico!

amberw

The best advice is NEVER buying a timeshare anywhere. It is a scam and the so-called timeshare you buy is sold over and over again to other people. It is very difficult to sell your timeshare now and renting isn't in the deal. It will cost you more to buy a timeshare and maintenance fee than to rent a hotel room or a full ownership of a condo. Don't do it. There is good information about timeshare scams: http://www.timesharescam.com/blog/68...aud-in-mexico/

P_M

scdreamer, that's an interesting story. I've often wondered if car salesmen use microphones when they leave the area. I'm glad you had a fun trip at their expense, and without any grief.