I have heard that you can take a tour of a time share facility and have economic accommodations. Has anyone done this? How can a family of 4 become involved in a tour?

Time shares are such a scam.
Spend a bunch of cash up front then battle for a few days of time in future years with tons of restrictions, lack of services at the building (versus a nice hotel) and if you figure the time value of money (skip the timeshare idea and instead invest the upfront $$ and take them out a bit at a time over future years) timeshares aren't even all that economical.
It reminds me of the Las Vegas comp mentality/scam: "the hotel comped me a room...what a great deal I got" (oh yeah, forgot to mention the $1500 I blew at the tables).
Awhile back on this board I recall someone who had worked selling timeshares at one time stating how he and his fellow salespeople used to sit in the 'back room' and shake their heads over the whole situation...how buyers just didn't seem to understand the economics and pros/cons...that it really was not a good deal in the end but most people simply couldn't or wouldn't understand all the implications/economics. Oh well. Keeps the economy rolling I suppose.

I agree with everything the above poster has said, but I'm not sure it answers the question that was originally asked. I'm not sure the poster was asking about the wisdom of actually buying a timeshare, but rather the possibility of getting a cheap deal by sitting through a timeshare presentation. Yes, this is possible; I got a good discount recently in Hawaii for some pricy activities, supposedly because a timeshare company was picking up part of the cost. I suspect if I had been a bit less jet-lagged I could have got the same "discount" without having to go through the farce of listening to a sales pitch I had no intention whatsoever of responding to. I think the people who hustle timeshares are just this side of unethical (after all, the concept isn't illegal or fraudulent, just generally kind of a dumb idea) but I'm not sure we're any more ethical if we let them pay for something in exchange for pretending to be interested in buying their product. The whole thing left me feeling a bit compromised and I don't think I'd do it again.

James, as a timeshare owner, my husband and I have gone on many t/s 'tours'. It is true you get a place to stay for 2 or 3 nights, but usually in a hotel...we have never been put up in a condo, but it is possible that they might put you in a condo. The 'tour' is supposed to be 90 minutes, but we have endured 2 and 3 hours of hard sell from SOME sales people. Always SAY NO! There are ways to go to these without that kind of pain!

If you are thinking of buying a timeshare, and we own 3 and love that way of vacationing, please go to WWW.TUG2.NET a BBS for and by timeshare owners to learn all about how to buy one CHEAP, and what to look for and where to buy and not buy. I wish we had known about TUG (Timeshare Users Group) before we bought. You must register to get in, but you do not have to join, but it is well worth the $15 membership fee. Just mention my email adress and I'll get another year free. Or email me direct and I'll give you more information. Just take the xx's out of the email adress. JoAnn

To the top.......

Check out TUG for sure! We have been members several years & bought our Orlando timeshare direct from prior owner for GREAT price, saved literally $10,000 off of what company was promoting. We have also seen special offers on go2orlando.com and hotelkingdom.com where a great rate, like $50 per night, will be availabe for several days at a timeshare resort if you take a tour (allow 3 hours even if they say 90 minutes). You will get the tour & sales pitch, just decide in advance if you want to take it or not. you an be very clear at the beginning that "we are here for the rate, we really are not in a potition to buy right now" Do NOT feel guilty about taking advantage of these offers if you have no intention of buying - they make PLENTY of profit. once you get on a mailing list, you will get other offers as well.

Hello James, I live in Orlando and I used to work for a well known Resort here. This is how the game goes: You tour the resort for no more than 2 hours. After that, you would have to choose to buy or not to buy, the salesman usually go easy on people that are staying on property ( if you make reservations to stay in property it would cost you around $60,00/night). I have heard people that didn't buy the timeshares and had a pleasent informative good time with the presentation. It is a experience that is not for everybody, maybe it is not for you .... MIke

My husband and I tried one of those things--NEVER EVER EVER again! I couldn't believe the hard sell. We kept saying no over and over again (if we walked out, we wouldn't have received the money and other things promised to us), and we just kept going around in circles. The salesperson who had been so very friendly to us during the tour suddenly became mean and sullen, and looked like she was about to cry, or possibly hit one of us. A horrible experience, and most definitely not worth it.

And I had an interesting experience the other day. My office is a near what I discovered is part of a timeshare hotel arrangement. I went to lunch late in the afternoon on Friday, and was the only person in the restaurant for a while. Two men came in and sat down at a table behind me. One had a very loud voice, and proceeded to talk about how many people on the tour he had given that morning that bought timeshares from him. I guess he thought I couldn't hear him, or was so engrossed in my book that I wasn't paying attention. Basically, he couldn't believe how easy it was to sell to these people, and that they all paid the asking price, and that it was like "shooting fish in a barrel." He also referred to his customers in words and phrases I can't really repeat here. Let's just say it meant the same thing as "suckers".

Yes, Done that a few times. You must realize that you will sacrifice 1.5 - 2 hours of your vacation, but it can be worth it. Some places are much higher pressure than others. DON"T ask questions if you want out. You are usually obligated to 90 minutes. Set your watch and tell them their time is up. Some time shares are very enticing - Be careful. I own four weeks and am glad I do. Some are much better than others.

It is a wonderful experience staying at one of those facilities. I have done it once after that we said never again. We stayed at the Vistana Resort in Orlando and said that we wouldn't go through the promotional tour, we paid regular price to stay there. The Sales Department called us while we were there with a $75 incentive.

My husband was against it but I said we don't have to buy anything. This woman, I forgot her name because I sure would post it, was so nasty when we said No. She went on and on about how she knew we weren't going to buy, even though I told her upfront we weren't interested. I guess she thought we were going to change our minds. Due to her bad attitude, I told her, if I should buy a timeshare it would be a one bedroom at the Hilton Grand Vacation Club. I know she didn't like what I said but her attitude was horrible.

Like I stated above, try, the Hilton Grand Vacation Club you and your family would love the place. I did. If I should buy, it would be there.

I really wanted to report her because she really acted out.

But if you are willing to do it. Take the Hilton Grand Vacation Club promotional getaway. When you say no, it is no, and that is it. No begging and trying to lower the price. No is no to them.

I don't understand some of you people.
You go into a timeshare pressure-sales situation, hoping to get something for nothing, and then gripe and moan about how rude the salespeople are.
Helllloooo??!!

Do you also go to Minneapolis in January and complain about the crummy weather?
Do you go to $29 a night Motel 6 and complain about the lack of amenities?