stay at specific destinations if I *only* attend a 90-120 minute presentation for Williamsburg Plantation. I totally know this is a super high pressure sales event of property, but is the cruise and stay worth it? Is it as great as it sounds? It seems it may be worth it, but I don't know for sure. Are the accommodations really cruddy, or good?
Thanks for any advice. It looks tempting to me!
2007-04-17 00:18:05 · 9 answers · asked by ♦♦pixiechix♦♦ 5 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Orlando
Timeshares are okay, if you don't mind going to them. Personally, I would avoid them because it is not my idea of a vacation. However, if you need to save some money, it can definitely be a good way to go.
My first piece of advice, however, is to stay away from eBay. You are taking a risk with eBay as far as what you are getting into. You never know if the companies are real, what they really include, etc. So, I would stay away if possible.
What you can do is call some of the timeshares in Orlando, Calypso Cay, Westgate, Star, etc. are just a few, you can look online to get more. Call them up and see what they are willing to offer you for doing a tour. Generally, they are going to put you in a 2 bedroom suite for a very good price, usually under $100 a night. They will also give you tickets to area attractions and things like that. You can get info from several companies and then decide which one is going to work the best for you.
Make sure you ask what the requirements are as well. For example, they usually require you to be married, have an income of at least $xx.xx and so on. So make sure that you qualify before going too far so you don't have to pay full rate or anything like that.
Just remember, the timeshares are high pressure things. They are going to try and sell you a timeshare and they don't like taking no for an answer. Most of the people work off of commission a good majority of the people that do the tours are just looking for a deal, so it becomes a little frusterating for them. So when you say they aren't interested, it can still take a while to get away.
Be sure to estimate several hours to do the tour. They usually say something like 90 minutes, but very rarely does anyone get out of them that fast (remember you have to do the whole thing and get them to authorize or approve your free tickets or other benefits before leaving) You usually start out by touring one of the villas (which is a little odd since you usually stay in their resort) they will walk you around the grounds, usually show you a video, etc. Then they will sit down and discuss more of the benefits, they may have breakfast or lunch available as well. After discussing everything they are going to start getting you quotes for ownership and they will keep getting lower as you continue to say no. At some point they will get a manager who is going to offer you their "best deal" after the manager you usually are able to get out. Generally you are looking at 4 to 5 hours or so. Just wanted to make sure you don't plan for it to be quick and easy, it does take some time.
Again, just be sure to look over what they have to offer. A lot of the companies make it look a lot better than it is but offer tickets to less popular attractions and things like that.
As far as accommodations, they are generally very nice. Since they are trying to get you to buy a timeshare, they are not going to be put you in a bad place to stay. You may actually stay in a nicer section or a better area than what they are offering to buy. Be sure to look up some reviews of the resort first, so you know what you are getting into.
I've done two because I was interested in buying a timeshare, they were a terrible way to spend a vacation, in my opinion. It is just too pushy, pretty annoying and not a good way to spend my time. But again, if you are wanting to save money, it is a way to go. The timeshare tours themselves are not a rip-off, if you go with a good, well-known company you will get what they say. If you don't mind dealing with this, it is a good deal, you give a little time and get a pretty nice trip in return. However, the timeshares themselves are usually a rip-off, but that is another answer!
Hope this helps!
2007-04-17 03:58:57 · answer #1 · answered by tech_fanatic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the company. I did this at Westgate in Orlando. Was it worth it? It saved me a lot of money. I ended up spending $79 for 5 days in a Mariott. I did have to drive myself to the presentation, although they did offer transportation from the hotel. I opted not to do this thinking that they were probably on a schedule and would have me sitting there for even longer.
When I made the reservation I had to pay in advance for the hotel room. I had to make a minimum income and have a credit card that I would provide them the information for when I arrived at the "presentation." They said 90 minutes, but it took longer than that. Between waiting for the salesman, then the pitch and the final pitch I would say I was there almost three hours. I knew they were going to try and sell me really hard so I went in there convinced that I was not going to buy it. I simply said that I was just there to view the property. I probably would bought it if I knew my fiancee would have killed me! After this he left me alone with some brochures, etc. I read some of the brochures, they offer credit to those who want to buy at more than 20%. Then we saw some units. After this his "manager" came over to try and sell me. Finally I was brought to another table where I was asked if I wanted to prepay for a 1 week stay for $100 a day there, and I simply had to go through the "presentation" again. When I was done, I did end up getting the voucher for the hotel payment.
2007-04-17 05:01:23 · answer #2 · answered by Tara C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am probably in the minority here, but I think that it is worth it if you are strongwilled and not interested. Although it's considered rude, you can tell them straight out that although the timeshares are beautiful you are just there for the free items offered. I have done this a few times and it's 50/50-sometimes they will keep trying to pressure sell me and sometimes they will just drop it and give up the freebies.
You can check out the hotel and cruise info at Tripadvisor.com.
2007-04-17 03:03:37 · answer #3 · answered by ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Best: (1) When I went to my first show and won an equitation class. I was super happy. (2) When I bought each of my horses. (3) When I took my Trakehner mare into the big hayfield and galloped her across it. (4) I went swimming with a horse in a lake. The owners just handed him over and let me have fun. The water was freezing. Glacier water! yikes! so much fun though. (5) Probably victory at all the shows. All my hard work going into them. Winning championships with each of my horses. Worst: (1) Breaking my ankle falling off my pony (2) Watching one of my favorite horses be put down. He coliced and rolled into the electric fence. I found him when I was feeding. His legs were broken and he could not move. We waited for the vet and the poor horse was shivering because it was starting to snow. We could not put a blanket on him because he was not broke, and very frightened of blankets. (3) Getting kicked in the head by a 17.3 horse with shoes. I was so freaked out. I could not feel a thing but I felt the blood everywhere. (4) Any show, lesson, or ride that never went well. They would always make me feel disappointed in myself and put my horse in a bad mood as well. (5) Selling my first pony. I did not want to sell her =(
2016-04-01 05:32:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally have never put myself through the hassle of listening to one of these sales pitches. BUT...someone I know, who has sold timshares(crimeshares) said to tell them you have a motor home and if you would be able to drive it to a destination on their list. The sales people feel that someone with a motor home is usually not a good candidate for their product.
If you try this, let me know what happens.
2007-04-17 01:34:55 · answer #5 · answered by Sam G 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nothing this good is free. They will hound you like crazy to buy what they are selling. My brother-in-law went to one of these things to try and get the free recliner that they were offering. When he didn't take their offer, they sent him packing with a recliner lawn chair....probably cost about $10 tops. Those who bought what they were selling got a nice leather recliner.
2007-04-17 00:21:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it wasn't worth it then they wouldn't run these things. Enough people fall for the timeshare sales to make it profitable.
2007-04-17 00:29:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.......but getting away from them trying to sell you a condo or timeshare, is a trick..........Not worth it...trust me.
2007-04-17 00:21:09 · answer #8 · answered by Sam h 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Been there, done that. Not worth it, trust me.
2007-04-17 00:19:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋