Wyndham referral program- for real or scam?
 

I just recieved a call today from some one claiming to be a representative from the Wyndham referral program, saying some one had referred me for one of their getaways for only $109 for 4 days 3 nights for 2 adults. They told me I would stay at a hotel near the resort, then have to take a tour, but that they would pay for the rest of my stay at the location I had selected no matter if I chose to purchase a time share package.
Anybody have any experience with this? Any advice? Is this legit?

This is a general advise for every kind of calls.

Anybody can make a phone call without any responsibility. Ask them to send you a letter or a booklet through USPS (US postal service).

Sending something through our post makes them legally responsible for all offers. E-mails don't impose the same responsibility, only postage (as in snail mail).

See if they ever call you again :))

Sounds like the usual "listen to the time share sales pitch and get a few free hotel nights". Some people tolerate it well, others feel horribly pressured to buy. My guess is referrel source is the phone book.

Did they give you the name of the "hotel near the resort" where you will be staying? I remember our local consumer reporter doing a story on a resort in Steamboat or Breckenridge making a similar offer. The complaints started pouring in after people wound up in lower end hotels.

Ask the representative a lot of questions, get the offer in writing and read the fine print.

Yes, they told me the name of 2 hotels they usually use: Harrah's and Holiday End Express. They said I would have to stay at a 3 star or better (But I know she meant just 3 star)

Sorry, Holiday INN...at work...sorta distracted....

Actually I think you were right the first time, jolly ranger. If you went along with this is would be an "express END to your holiday". LOL

Sure. It's a typical time share pitch. They put you up and if you have incredible will power and can stick to your guns not falling for their tales of how great an investement it is, and how this will provide you with fantastic vacations for life, ete., etc., then you can take advantage of it if you want.

Well, I have a sure fire way to stick to my guns: I am a young professional with a credit card and student loan to pay off, working in a small market which = no money.
So, even if I faulterd, all I could do was a write a hot check :P

You might not even qualify for the "free" visit anyway in that case.....

Interesting. Many of those offers have limitations such as "married couples only" or minimum income requirements.

Yeah, I read about that, they didn't even ask anything about income, which surprised me. Probably would have mentioned it after they I had started the registration process.

When a telemarketer calls, it's usually the last one in the company's "food chain" and s/he asks general questions to see if you even talk to them.

If you continue talking, they ask you to hold a second while transferring to a more experienced seller. That one would find out your income.

The fact that it's a referral means you probably have a friend or acquaintance who is a timeshare owner with this company, and while it is not a scam, you do have the option of getting everything in writing through the mail before you decide. If you ask for that from the legitimate (sp?) Wyndham folks, they'll comply. We have a timeshare w/ this company and the way it works is that owners get rewards if they refer others for an inexpensive vacation (with a trip to the sales presentation, of course). If you think the vacation deal is a good deal and you feel strongly one way or another about timeshares, then just read the fineprint and enjoy your vacation. The free stuff and vacation price really doesn't have anything to do with purchasing. Ask questions about where you can stay and request a room at the actual resort, you might get it.

If you want to be double sure, send out an email to all your friends and ask if anyone submitted your name to Wyndham and see if anyone replies.

Jolly Ranger,

I believe I just saw something about this in the travel section of Fort Worth Star-telegram. You can go to their website and search on it. It was an article about the major hotel chains getting into the timeshare industry. Very interesting. It included BBB ratings. Number of complaints in xxx number of months, etc. Very good article.