Yuck. In that case, I would say "I'm sorry, this was the reason I was so hesitant to check out one of these places. I'd like to decide upon having the chance to try everything you offer myself. Please give me time to think."

Not what they would like to hear, but I would hope that puts them off to leave you alone to your thoughts for a while.

Do they really shadow and hound you?

They sure do in Mexico, but I never got hounded in the US. (Although we were told that we were the first people EVER to turn one down in Breckenridge, Colorado. They were still pushing them 3 years later...)

I have Never been hounded in all the years that I have attended them. Once we say no, they just give us our gifts and move on. Genrally there are a lot of folks waiting that they have to see so time is money for them. I believe that one could be hounded in Mexico as I have been hounded just to shop for soveniers. I have attended time-shares presentation in the US as well as throughout the Caribbean and have never been hounded.

Given the fact that Emabassy Suites is part of the Hilton family, I don't think that they can afford to have folks complaining about their selling tactics.

corwin
We recently did a "teaser" at the Marriott in Maui/Kaanapali. The "pitch" was low key, informative and professional at all times, in fact they scheduled it on the last full day there.
No pressure at all (and we said "no, thanks".)

We attended one years ago. Pressure wasn't too bad. Definite "plants" in the crowd: a salesman announces that they (the plants) have bought a unit, followed by big applause and congratulations...it really was kind of amusing. Our salesman did try to play spouse against spouse. When the salesman appealed to my husband's male pride by asking him if he wouldn't like to, in effect, buy the little woman a vacation paradise timeshare, my husband replied: If she wants one, she can buy it herself! They got us out of there as soon as it was obvious we weren't buying.

We collect Hilton and Marriott points through my husband traveling for work. We have been fortunate enough to take some fabulous free vacations because of this. This year we were at the Hilton Waikoloa. They offered us the time share presentation. I am always wary of things like this. 20,000 points is a lot though and could set you up for your next vacation. We did not do it and my husband wishes we did. He likes to bargain though and I could see him enjoying the whole game of time share selling. Yuck. Friends of ours did do the timeshare pitch when we all went to Aruba on Marriott pts. and they are so not the types to buy a timeshare. Well, they almost did. She is the more practical and said they almost had her convinced. Her husband was ready to sign on the dotted line. I was glad I missed that. I slept in and was at the beach waiting for them on VACATION!! Now, if you are really strong, I see nothing wrong with using them for a cheaper vacation. I just don't like the whole confrontation aspect.

***

To sit through a presentation now matter how long it is, especially on vacation time, it better be worth it. We found the Embassy nothing special. We were going to sit through this presentation and decided not to. Instead, we went to the Westin for their presentation. I must say, that was worth the 2 hours. Our kids loved the resort ages 15 and 13. Tey gave us a credit of $400 from the $749 and had an allowance for the rental car. It was a great deal.. No we did not buy. They wanted $40,000 for a week. That is way tooooooooooo much for a time share.

Stephanie...

We are seriously thinking of going with the Westin deal. How did you get $400 allowance?

They are telling me it a $75 gift certificate without the presentation [and $749 price for 6 days/5 nights with $185 car allowance], but made no mention of extra for presentation.

Did you have to pay resort fee?

Any insights would be appreciated!
Debi

They upgraded the award or bonus once we checked into the Westin and sat for a few minutes (no longer than 10) and met with the coordinator of the time share. She was the one who set the actual appointment with us. If we agreed to listen to the time share the 100 became 400. Not too shabby......
I am sorry I don't remember if there was a resort fee. I don't think there was one though, since the stay almost came down to nothing.

DH and I have done this twice. He goes in as bad cop, and I go in as good cop. We don't even really have to pretend too much b/c I'm a sucker. I fall for anything. But he is so good at just saying no. So my suggestion, as many others have said, is to go in with a definite plan. And stick with it. We think of it as getting paid for 90 minutes--our deals "paid" us about $300 an hour. Not bad considering I'm used to my teacher pay.

TTT

I'm going to Poipu, Kauai next month. I am very interested in finding one of these time share presentation deals in exchange for inexpensive lodging. Can anyone give me information about how to get an invitation to do this? Thanks so much!

There is a relatively new Marriott timeshare property on Poipu, Kauai. Last year (summer of 2005), my husband and I and our 3 teenagers used frequent flier points to fly to Kauai. We stayed the first 2 nights at the Marriott Beach Club on Lihue (using Marriott points) and then moved to the timeshare on Poipu (sorry, can't think of the name right now).

The deal was, I think, $650 for 5 nights for a 2-bedroom, 2-bath, condo with kitchen, washer-drawer, for 5 people. Also included was $100 in Marriott certificates and 5 days of rental car. We had to upgrade the rental car and just paid the upgrade portion.

We sat through the 90-minute presentation while our kids were at the pool (since they are older, it was no big deal). I thought it was a pretty high-pressure sales presentation, but we still said no and left after our 90 minutes.

These units normally rent for $400 per night (so it would have been $2,000 for 5 nights instead of $650).

Because of the timeshare deal, using Marriott points and our frequent flier miles, we spent less than $2,000 for our whole vacation for a family of five (including meals, activities, etc.)! I'm always getting vacation deals, but that's the best one I've ever gotten!

Black Cat: Usually they send invitations to a target market group they have done research on. You can start by contacting resorts in Kauai.

Try looking on here for something that works for you. A lot has to do with the state that you live in; offers vary due to state laws.

http://www.marriottvillas.com/getawa...p;cookies=true

We did the presentation at Marriott Ko'Olina on Oahu. We got a really nice deal, great room and it was no pressure and we walked out at end of 90 minutes without a problem.

There are consumer laws in HI that protect you so read this; click the "TIMESHARE BROCHURE":

http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/rico/r_brochures

We thought the 90 minutes was worth the deal we got.

Hope this helps...
Debi

Im crying of laughter Spokaneman-thats the absolute best!

:))

Hi Debi! This has been a <i>very</i> informative thread-thank you!

I guess it depends on the freebie. My husband will go if the giveaway is what we consider worth it, like a free night or free tickets to Disneyworld. My husband can sit through a presentation, get up and leave without a thought or purchase. I don't go, apparently I snore when I sleep.

jersey - - most presentations require both spouse be present, sorry. Or SO if that is the case.

Debi

I guess he didn't tell them about me...and for that I heartly thank him.

My husband has long practice keeping a straight face after many years working as upper management. You ought to see him use it on the unsuspecting.

So DebitNM, how was Embassy Suites? Or was it the Westin? Or maybe you did not do timeshares at all. Can you provide an update based on how you were treated? I am considering this now....Thanks.

Black Cat - I just wrote this on another thread and see you are asking a similar Q.

This is what I just did:

On the Marriott site I requested a timeshare proposal for the Waiohai on Kauai. I received an email offering for ownership (it only took a day). I called the rep, advised I was going to Hawaii in April 2007 and I would never be able to purchase sight unseen. He had another rep contact us (the online sales are handled by a different dept from the vacation package timeshare sales) and she offered the 2 bedroom/2 bath villa 5 night package including car rental for $799. We confirmed our dates were available, they charged my CC and we are set up!

Since the villa is over 500 per night (overkill for us really, as it is just the two of us) I feel we are getting a super deal for the 5 nights. DH is Marriott Platinum and I feel they won't treat us too badly during the 90 minute presentation.

I was told the availability is somewhat limited - not sure how it might work for next month, but might be worth a try.

You tell them these things up front and see what they do:

1) You have purchased 90 minutes of my time with (whatever they used to get you here). You can use this time however you want but when its over, its over.

2) I NEVER sign a contract without having my attorney read it first.

3) I NEVER make a major purchase without thinking it over for a least 24 hours.

4) I am NOT buying or signing anything today. If I like what you are selling see #'s 3 and 4 and give me your card and I will get back to you.

Tell them these are MY rules and they are non-negotiable. My guess is you will be out of there before your 90 minutes is up.

When I was in Fl last year at a Comfort Suites they offered us money to go on a time share presentation. I was not interested but while at the pool a couple said they they went on it and were highly pressured and they signed. A couple they were with got a deal to come down to sit in on the presentation, when it was over they said they were not interested but the time share company had done a credit check on them-it seems they did not meet the financial requirements and were being charged full price for their rooms.Evidently you have to have the financial backing even if you don't buy to take advantage of the offer.