Time Share "Deal" Experience
Dec 2nd, 2002, 07:49 AM
#24
Guest
Posts: n/a
I can feel for you, Faye! I went to my one and only "freebie" timeshare hard sell about 15 years ago. At a time when I was in no position to buy anything! (only 22) I only got a free answering machine, though. And a terrible one at that.
I am in agreement with a previous poster: if timeshares were all that, they would sell themselves. I know a few people to bought into them and are happy. I've looked into it, and it just isn't my thing.
And to "FreeWeekend": Hey, if some one calls me, unsolicited, and offers something "free", yes, I expect to sit through their little speech. But I'm also "free" to simply get up and walk away and still enjoy the weekend or freebie or whatever. I didn't call them, they called me, they made the offer. Free is free. If there is an obligation (other than the 90 minute sales pitch), then they need to be upfront about it. Besides, it sounds like Faye did what I had done - wanted time to think about and research the timeshare, and they only wanted a hard sell. That is a turn off.
But I should still get the freebie they offered, and without the attitude.
I am in agreement with a previous poster: if timeshares were all that, they would sell themselves. I know a few people to bought into them and are happy. I've looked into it, and it just isn't my thing.
And to "FreeWeekend": Hey, if some one calls me, unsolicited, and offers something "free", yes, I expect to sit through their little speech. But I'm also "free" to simply get up and walk away and still enjoy the weekend or freebie or whatever. I didn't call them, they called me, they made the offer. Free is free. If there is an obligation (other than the 90 minute sales pitch), then they need to be upfront about it. Besides, it sounds like Faye did what I had done - wanted time to think about and research the timeshare, and they only wanted a hard sell. That is a turn off.
But I should still get the freebie they offered, and without the attitude.
Dec 2nd, 2002, 08:12 AM
#25
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hi
As some posters were saying old sayings "You can fool some of the people...." you need to remember one other "You get what you pay for"... and these timeshare "SALE COMPS" are just that. You're paying them with your time. Their commissions depend on getting you to buy. Why do you think the price is what is it?
If, however, you question most timeshare owners you will find that most do not buy their shares at these scams - they buy them later at lower prices and at resorts that do NOT do business in that manner..
I've owned great timeshares in super resorts and have no trouble selling any of them. If you do your homework and buy in an upscale resort it will work for you.
But "You get what you pay for" covers a multitude of sins. Primarily you don't get a free vacation without some insults to boot.
As some posters were saying old sayings "You can fool some of the people...." you need to remember one other "You get what you pay for"... and these timeshare "SALE COMPS" are just that. You're paying them with your time. Their commissions depend on getting you to buy. Why do you think the price is what is it?
If, however, you question most timeshare owners you will find that most do not buy their shares at these scams - they buy them later at lower prices and at resorts that do NOT do business in that manner..
I've owned great timeshares in super resorts and have no trouble selling any of them. If you do your homework and buy in an upscale resort it will work for you.
But "You get what you pay for" covers a multitude of sins. Primarily you don't get a free vacation without some insults to boot.
Dec 2nd, 2002, 08:27 AM
#26
Guest
Posts: n/a
We have gone to a few timeshare sales pitches, just to get the prizes. If you have the time, and are set against buying anything, you can make out ok, and have something to laugh about on the way home. We took signed up for a 90 minute tour at a local condo/ski area. After about 45 minutes our salesman 'friend' realized he wasn't getting anywhere with us, and gave us the free dinner cupon just to get rid of us. We had a great dinner on them at our favorite restaurant and had a good laugh! If you have even the slightest interest in what they are selling, they can smell blood, and you are in for it. However, if you are very negative and disinterested, they will give up.
Dec 2nd, 2002, 10:25 AM
#27
Guest
Posts: n/a
Here's another interesting catch. Friends owned a time share for 12 years at which point, the management assessed every unit owner $8,000 to "update" and "refurnish" the units.
Do you realize that 52 weeks worth of $8,000 is $416,000? How much updating can you do to a small two bedroom apartment for that kind of money? They had been unable to use theirs much and unable to find decent trades when they wanted (over school vacations), so they just gave theirs up, as did a number of owners.
Do you realize that 52 weeks worth of $8,000 is $416,000? How much updating can you do to a small two bedroom apartment for that kind of money? They had been unable to use theirs much and unable to find decent trades when they wanted (over school vacations), so they just gave theirs up, as did a number of owners.
Mar 21st, 2011, 09:54 AM
#28
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey Faye,
My husband and I go to them all the time, and our response to salespeople who make those types of snarky insults is simply to laugh at them, loudly and hysterically!
The real deals on timeshares are in the resale market, where you can save a minimum of 50% to 90% or more overr the presentation price! Last timeshare presentation we attended, they were asking for $20,000+, for properties that were going for $800 to $1,000 on the resale market. That's where the true bargains in timeshares can be found.
I strongly urge anyone considering a timeshare to research the resale market first! Why would anyone up to pay 20 times as much, just to line the pockets of the resort's employees? I'm sorry if anyone here disagrees, but I do consider the prices these properties are sold for at presentations to be a total and complete scam.
For my husband and I, yes, it absolutely is worth putting up with those slimey tactics, we don't mind! Every minute they spend on us, is one less they have to take advantage of anyone else. Aside from which, we really enjoy touring the properties, and crunching the numbers. The real truth is we often stay at timeshare properties, without having to "buy in" or even attend any presentations, and we can get a week's stay for far LESS than owners pay in annual maintenance fees and taxes alone.
We either just rent directly from owners--many of who offer to rent their unused timeshares, just to recoup even a small portion of their annual fees and taxes. We also often stay at timeshare properties which have "excess inventory" which RCI autions off for as little as $1, plus a cleaning fee between $195 - $295, and that's not per day, but rather for an entire week's stay. The most we've ever paid was approx. $400, for a week stay in a beautiful luxury oceanfront condo in Key West.
My husband and I go to them all the time, and our response to salespeople who make those types of snarky insults is simply to laugh at them, loudly and hysterically!
The real deals on timeshares are in the resale market, where you can save a minimum of 50% to 90% or more overr the presentation price! Last timeshare presentation we attended, they were asking for $20,000+, for properties that were going for $800 to $1,000 on the resale market. That's where the true bargains in timeshares can be found.
I strongly urge anyone considering a timeshare to research the resale market first! Why would anyone up to pay 20 times as much, just to line the pockets of the resort's employees? I'm sorry if anyone here disagrees, but I do consider the prices these properties are sold for at presentations to be a total and complete scam.
For my husband and I, yes, it absolutely is worth putting up with those slimey tactics, we don't mind! Every minute they spend on us, is one less they have to take advantage of anyone else. Aside from which, we really enjoy touring the properties, and crunching the numbers. The real truth is we often stay at timeshare properties, without having to "buy in" or even attend any presentations, and we can get a week's stay for far LESS than owners pay in annual maintenance fees and taxes alone.
We either just rent directly from owners--many of who offer to rent their unused timeshares, just to recoup even a small portion of their annual fees and taxes. We also often stay at timeshare properties which have "excess inventory" which RCI autions off for as little as $1, plus a cleaning fee between $195 - $295, and that's not per day, but rather for an entire week's stay. The most we've ever paid was approx. $400, for a week stay in a beautiful luxury oceanfront condo in Key West.
Mar 21st, 2011, 11:06 AM
#29
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,859
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We have a timeshare in Cozumel. We've had it for nearly 20 years. The key is (1) never go to a presentation for the freebies. You are in for a horror ride. (2) Dont buy timeshares to trade. The fees associated with trading nearly always make it a bad deal. (3) READ the contract! Read every detail and get everything you want IN WRITING before you sign the deal. (4) Make sure the fees have caps. Our maintenance fees have an annual cap and we can not be assessed upgrade fees. (it cost us nothing when the condo had to be rebuilt after hurricane Wilma)
We spend a month in our condo every Feb, but with our contract we could go any time we want. The TOTAL cost --- including the initial cost, the contract fees, the maintenance -- brings our stay to $100 per night for a full one bedroom, ocean front apartment with full kitchen and an awesome balcony.
There are good timeshares, but you have to be smart about getting them.
We spend a month in our condo every Feb, but with our contract we could go any time we want. The TOTAL cost --- including the initial cost, the contract fees, the maintenance -- brings our stay to $100 per night for a full one bedroom, ocean front apartment with full kitchen and an awesome balcony.
There are good timeshares, but you have to be smart about getting them.
Mar 21st, 2011, 12:05 PM
#32
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I find it hard to believe that you didn't know this was the scenario for these. We did it one time to get free ski lift tickets. Just say no. simple. I like the lawyer idea also. But no money.
Good time shares in good places "can" be "good", but you have to know how to work them--and you still have to pay to get there.
Good time shares in good places "can" be "good", but you have to know how to work them--and you still have to pay to get there.
Mar 21st, 2011, 12:16 PM
#33
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 36,842
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Let's face it -- you took a free trip knowing you weren't going to go for their offer, looking to get something for nothing. And you're surprised they treated you like cheapskates? Sure you can and did get something for "nothing" but it's understood they don't do this without giving you a hard time.
Yes, this thread is 9 years old. But nothing has changed in the past 9 years with time share presentations -- except maybe they've gotten even more brutal.
Yes, this thread is 9 years old. But nothing has changed in the past 9 years with time share presentations -- except maybe they've gotten even more brutal.
