I have been pricing hotels in Orlando, Forida and have come across some deals for cheap accomodations at Westgate properties if you agree to attend their 90 minute time share presentation. Has anyone had any experience with these? Do you have to buy anything? Is it worth it? I'd be willing todo this as long as there are no catches or hidden fees. The offers are through Discounthotels.cc. Has anyone had any experience with this site? Any info regarding this would be greatly appreciated.

I would ask these questions on the Timeshare Users Group BBS @ www.tugbbs.com TUG is run by timeshare owners from all over the world. Many have been to the various presentations.

We have been to many presentations and they vary in pressure from almost none to VERY high pressure, and some of the salespeople can get pretty nasty if you keep telling them no. They say it will only be 90 minutes, but we've been to some that have lasted 3 hours or more (our fault)!! NO you do not have to buy, but it is their job to get you to buy. Check out TUG and learn about these presentations and sales tactics and learn about timeshares BEFORE you go.

I've known people who have gone to these presentations determined that there was "no way in Hell" they were going to buy, but ended up deciding it was a great idea and did so. It is VERY high pressure and the presenters are very good at what they do. But others have gone, set their watches and at 90 minutes get up and walk out, staying firm with that's what they were told and that's what they did and having a print out of the quoted "90 minute presentation". Can you be as "high pressure" as the presenters? If so, go for it.

"Can you be as "high pressure" as the presenters? If so, go for it."

I had to laugh at this Patrick, because in Cabo, we actually had a timeshare salesman walk out on US! DH kept telling him "I just don't believe you." The guy actually slammed his portfolio shut, threw back his chair and walked out in a huff.

Lilypoo,
I've had friends take very nice vacations, just for the price of sitting through a presentation.

The advice to visit the TUG website is an excellent one. You should also visit Ebay and see what units in the Westgate resort are selling for on the resale market. That way, when the salesman tries to sell you one for $25k, you can say. "Hmmm.. I saw the same unit on Ebay for $500."

I did exactly what you are doing, in May, and also through the same discounthotels.cc @ Westgate. I chose the Town Center as they are the newest buildings (they're still going up). The woman salesperson they assigned to me called in advance and told me she was going to meet me on her "day off". Later on I realized her "day off" was really a guilt-trip ploy. We arrived from the airport at the Westgate check-in center at 11pm. The line to check in was about 20 people deep, and there were 2 people at the check-in desk. It was so painfully slow and frustrating and I stood in line for over an hour, I was ready to scream, nevermind my husband and the 3 kids in the car waiting and driving each other nuts. The other frustrating thing was there were several other employees at a different desk just standing around, how come only 2 people were checking us in while these lazy employees stood around?
That said, the room was gorgeous, clean and just as pictured in their website photos. I would definitely opt for the Town Center if I ever stayed there again. Be prepared to walk a bit to the pools, or take your car. The location of Westgate is great, it's just outside of the main entrance to Disney and just about any kind of store or restaurant is very handy. The only additional fees are the taxes and I believe the rate is like 13%. At check-out the desk that had been staffed with just 2 had more like 6 people helping and not many guests checking out, I think they need to re-examine their desk staff schedule. The presentation woman was nice and gave me the tour, then when I said "no", she sent the manager over with another offer, then when I said "no" again, she got the "how about a trial week that you can use for your next visit" guy, after "no" yet again (all of this is very high-pressure), then she said "why did you agree to do this if you weren't interested in buying, you wasted my day off", angrily and stormed away. I never got any of the freebies that they were supposed to give you. I guess it was worth it, but I don't plan on doing it again anytime soon. I also did the same thing at Liki Tiki Village, and they were a bit less pressure, but the buildings were not as well built as Westgate. I wouldn't suggest buying a timeshare, it takes so long to recoup the cost, unless you vacation the same week every year and like to go to the same place. The fees that RCI and II charge to exchange for a different property, week, and the maintenance fees, I don't think they're worth it. I hope this helps, sorry it's so wordy.

Bottom line: this is all about SALES. Sales approaches differ and in this case the "incentive" is the cheap accommodations.

The only question I think you should be trying to answer is whether or not the pressure to buy is worth the amount of money you THINK you may be saving AND the value of your own time.

Some folks will do anything to save a buck and we've all done something that qualifies at some point or another.

If you do decide to go through with this don't take ANY "abuse" from the sales force whatsoever..and if, for some reason, you actually get someone who is on their "day off" here's what I would tell them:

"Oh, I understand perfectly. You see, I'm on MY day off, too."

The common lines that both of those, and I did a Fairfield one in Newport, Rhode Island, recently used too, is: "Isn't your family worth it?", Don't they deserve a nice vacation?", "Don't you want your kids to be able to enjoy this when they grow up?" They all stress family-time and it being "priceless". I agree with the "priceless" part, but not at THAT cost!

sam,

I recently saw a 1 br unit at Fairfield Inn on the Harbor in Newport go for $305 on EBay. There was also one on Long Wharf that went for $660 (2 bedroom). I was thinking of buying one just to stay in when we visit family in the area. I'm curious as to what they are selling for at the resort itself?

lilypoo,

I agree w/Intrepid1. Only you can know if the hassle is worth it to you. Recently, in Kauai, we were offered our choice of free luaus, helicopter tours, etc. if we attended a timeshare presentation. We felt that it was not worth a few precious hours of our vacation time.

lvk, we are having a tough time finding timeshare availabilty in Cabo. Where do you stay in cabo, just curious.

Dear Hubby and I have attended quite a few timeshare presentations over the years. We are really honest and come in telling the rep - "the only reason we are here is for the free stuff". I recommend be honest, be firm, leave the checkbook home. We have been fortunate in not having too much pressure from sales reps. Over the years we have received free dinner certificates, $30 a night stay at resorts (from hotelkingdom.com), four one-day tickets to a Disney park (we booked a timeshare tour while driving south on 95 from Ginny at Yee-Haw travel in South Carolina), and a gift certificate for a Williamsburg outlet mall. We own an Orlando timeshare we bought thru TUG (for $3,000) from the original owner.

ahhnold- Try www.playagranderesort.com (affiliated with RCI) for a nice timeshare resort in the Cabo area. My parents and my brother have both stayed there. Pretty new place and on a beach that isn't swimmable.

ahhnold,

It has been years since we've been to Cabo. You're not missing much ! Lots of timeshare hawkers on every block. We have stayed at Plaza las Glorias and at Pueblo Bonito Blanco, but neither were through a timeshare exchange.

Here in L.A., I keep getting these promo postcards for the Grand Baja Resort. www.thegrandbajaloscabos.com