How bad are time share sales pitches?

groove1

groove1

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I want to know if it's worth two nights in Charleston, SC for $99 total and that also includes two tickets to Paramount's Carowind's near my house. Generally, accomadations in Charleston are at least $150 per night, even during the off season. Can I handle the pain of the sales pitch? Do they harass you a lot afterwards?
 
time share sales pitches

My husband and did one in June for an Orlando, Florida timeshare and it wasn't bad. They talked and took us on a tour(took about 2 hours) then we said no thank you and we were on our way. They haven't contacted us since. I have only done this once but it was pretty painless.
 
ugh. we did one in vegas i refuse to do it again. no biggie for hubby, but i'm too sensitive for the bullying tactics. i mean, come on, if you can't afford it, you can't afford it!
 
i went to one once because they had free food and movie tickets. well, i didnt get the time share, but i ate alot of food while the guy talked away, and interrupted him a couple times to go get more food LOL

i should have posted that deal on spoofee ;)
 
It can vary...

My uncle used to make a habit of going to these meetings all the time. He would say "you learn to tune them out, say NO about a million times, take the prize and be on your way.

Your experience will vary based on the product and the area.

Before you go watch the South Park episode about the trip to Aspen.
 
Once is enough!!

We went to one about 2 yrs. ago in Gatlinburg. It was for Vacation Condos...Very heavy sales pitch and pressure,:confused: we Really didnt like the place because they crowded the residents all together...we said NO about a hundred times. After about 2 hours, we walked away with 25 dollars AND 2 tickets to Dixie Stampede. (Turned out we werent that impressed with Dixie Stampede):(
Anyway, it all boils down to this: If YOU think its worth 2 to 3 hours of hassle
Then go for it. Personally, I think everybody should do it once just to say they survived it!;) If you have a low tolarence level, then pass on it!:thumbs_do

P.S. No hassles afterward, its a one shot deal!
 
Just say you went on Ebay & bought their timeshare for half what they are asking for it.
 
morriefisher said:
Just say you went on Ebay & bought their timeshare for half what they are asking for it.
Click to expand...

LOL that will shut them up. I've gone to one and got a 2 free night trip with stay to Catalina island for Thanksgiving 3 years ago. It was awesome. You just have to very quickly shut them up, say you're here for free trip/whatever prize and that's that. They get angry, but can't NOT give you what you came for.
 
Oh man, I am a veteran at this.

The presentations are SUPPOSED to be 90 minutes. So rule #1 is to make an appointment for something else 115 minutes after the start time. Or pretend you have another appointment. Make sure you let the salesperson know you have another appointment that you MUST attend.

Rule #2 - No matter what they offer, you can get a better deal elsewhere. On Ebay, your cousin who seriously wants to dump their timeshare commitment, etc.

Rule #3 - You can almost ALWAYS get a better vacation deal than what a timeshare will cost (especially when you add on maintenance fees.)

Rule #4 - Make friends with folks who own timeshares. Make many friends. Even though I can't justify the price, some of the best resorts/condos I've been to were timeshares.

Rule #5 - If you agree to the deal, try to negotiate for more than they offer you up front. 2 days for $99? Not worth the airfare. I need 5 days min. 2 free tickets to whatever? There will be 3 of us. Etc.

Rule #6 - (Shoulda been Rule 1 or 2) Make sure the accommodations for your trip are at the actual timeshare place. Don't let them put you up in DaysInn while they make you tour some deluxe luxury timeshare. Ask them where you are staying when you book and if they don't book you on their property, tell them NO. You can get a room on Priceline or Skyauction. They are pushy, so you be pushy and demand better accommodations.

Rule #7 - This is relationship marketing. They will try to be your "friend" up front and ask you about your kids, your hobbies, etc. Tell them you don't like discussing personal info with strangers. Repeatedly ask them to "cut to the chase" or "tell me what this will cost". Keep doing this. If they cop an attitude, tell them you don't feel comfortable with them and would like to speak to their manager.

Rule #8 - If you just happen to be rolling in the dough and would really like to buy the timeshare, DO NOT ACCEPT THEIR FIRST OFFER! Decide for yourself (in advance) what you would consider a reasonable offer then make that your bottom line. You lose nothing by walking away from their offer if it does not meet what you want. A timeshare is a WANT not a NEED.
 
diGriz said:
My uncle used to make a habit of going to these meetings all the time. He would say "you learn to tune them out, say NO about a million times, take the prize and be on your way.

Your experience will vary based on the product and the area.

Before you go watch the South Park episode about the trip to Aspen.
Click to expand...

That episode is exactly what keeps putting me off. Thanks ofr everyone's replies. I may do it just to see what it's like. Live and learn.
 
Groove, if you are a fun person, you will have fun. Enjoy!

And let us know how this works out.
 
My hubby and I have been to several for the $$$. And if you have kids, they usually have a daycare provided for you. They are only suppossed to be 90 mins., but if you have a high-pressure salesperson, than it could be up to 3 hours, just be prepare. Overall, it's worth the $$$ and free stuff, but if you really aren't interested, just keep saying "NO", because they ARE intriquing.
 
I just went to a "non" time share meeting. yeah right. It was a campground, that tried to get us to buy in, only ...get this...$6,000 dollars. hahahaha give me a break. Oh yeah, plus maintenance fees of $350 a year after that. Good luck on that one. It was 90 minutes of some guy trying to be interested on our hobbies, and our kids. I tell ya, I don't know how the people that are doing the selling can get through these meetings, much less the potential buyers.
We got our free gift, a $500 dollar rolex lookalike...again, yeah right. We also go 6 two night stays in a bunch of places, however we wont use them.
 
I went once locally, and told the guy up front I was just there for the free camera.

But somehow I got sucked into signing something I couldn't afford, didn't want or need.. My lawyer brother had to get me out with a couple of stern letters. Now I'm not allowed to go anymore, and it is lucky we don't get the home shopping network, cuz I have sucker written all over me.

Stay strong and "forget" to bring your wallet.
 
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