Low-cost getaway at a timeshare with a sales presentation--worth it?
 

Hello, has anyone ever taken advantage of an offer from South Beach Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC, or any other timeshare, to go there for 3 days and 2 nights for $19.95 (Sunday thru Thursday arrival)? This is one of those deals where you have to sit through a 90-minute "personal sales presentation" so they can try to sell you one of their condos. They're also supposed to give you a $75 "key attractions gift certificate," free tickets to a live theatre performance, a $75 shopping certificate, and a $50 dining voucher to one of two restaurants.

My husband and I have received dozens of similar offers in the past, and we've always regarded them as junk mail and threw them away. This time, though, my husband said, "Let's do it," because (1) We've never been to Myrtle Beach, and (2) He's curious as to whether or not this type of offer is worth pursuing, just as a fast getaway. I'm thinking that for such a short stay, and with the 90-minute presentation being the only obvious disadvantage, how bad could it be?

Has anyone else taken advantage of such an offer? Are we letting ourselves in for nothing but aggravation in terms of poor accommodations or a high-pressure sales pitch? (According to Mapquest, this is an 8-hour drive from our home in Maryland--long, but not too bad.)

I'd welcome any feedback anyone can provide. Thanks very much in advance!

Firmly resolve not to give them your credit card(s) when they say "we're having a raffle, and your credit card number is needed to play" (we had this one pulled on us in Puerto Vallarta).

Thanks to our resolve to refuse to purchase, we got a free jeep in Mexico, a wonderfully extravagant weekend in San Francisco (plus free dinner in a rooftop restaurant, and limo ride to and free tickets for a play!).

Most presentations are fun -- go, enjoy your trip, and practice saying "No thank you" _firmly_ before you get there! :-)

We've gone to a few one day ones here in New Hampshire and Vermont, and have gotten free overnights in Reno, free dinners at local restaurants, etc. The sales pitch is very intense (they try to imply you are dumb if you don't take their offer), but if you can keep firmly saying no, they will finally give up and you will get the prize. The free room we got in Reno was at the Flamingo, but it overlooked a satellite dish - but for the price, whos complaining. You may also get hit up for 'processing fees' on a hotel voucher, which ran about $15.

I've always wondered what would happen if, as soon as they begin the high pressure one on one sales push, you simply informed the sales person that an unforseen change in your business recently forced you to file for bankruptcy, or something extreme like that.
Would they not just leave you alone at that point?

The scary thing is I know several people who went with this intention and ended up buying!

Before commencing on all this devious planning, one question:
Do you really thing these time-share salespeople are inexperienced country bumpkins?

Good comeback travleis. Years ago - we went to a presentation I was visible pregnant and we said we just could not afford it at this time (looking down at my belly). They did not pressure us. Personally I don't think it's worth the high pressure and waste of time. Anything that says you must sign right then and there is a scam!!!!!!!! Even if I were considering it, I would ask for paperwork to go home and think about it. Well, they don't work that way - if it's legitimate they would give you information and let you think about the extreme amount of money they are asking for. No one would buy a car this way - why would anyone do this?

we have done several and just keep sayng no thanks and you will be fine. at 10 minutes before the 90 minutes is up, remind the salesmen that you are leaving in 10 minutes'
\enjoy

Melissa

Thanks, one and all, for your responses. I had previously posted this question under a different, less-descriptive title and got only two responses, but one of the people said that the agents appreciate it if you're honest up front and tell them you just came to the presentation to take advantage of the gifts, and they're not offended because a lot of people do it (the majority, I would guess!!!).

Anyway, between that and the points you kind people have made, I think we'll survive. I'll post again if it turns out to be a complete disaster (we're going in mid-May).

Thanks again,
CatWoman

We are skeptical of everything, unlikely to fall for this kind of stuff - but my husband and I sat through one of these presentations and actually considered buying. They are amazingly good at convincing people to buy - it would be easy to resist if they were rude, overly pushy, etc. - but they present it so it makes sense - at least while you are there under their spell. As soon as you leave, you are thankful you got out for free. Is it possible they pump some sort of gas into the room to make you lose your senses?

I have heard about people complaining about mandatory "service charges" at various resorts so the cost of the "free" vacation, meal, etc. is more than originally stated.