What is it with time shares? We went to a Westgate time share sales presentation two years ago. It was okay, the hotel was extremely nice. However, the whole deal is always a very hard sell and just plain shady. Is it just me, or do they remind you of a sleazy car salesman or pyramid scheme? We received a two night stay for $50. I was okay with that since the hotel was nice. However, when we checked into our room it was their smallest room. (it resembles a hallway with a bed) We complained and received a nicer room (we complained because although we didn't buy the $10,000 time share on the spot, like they wanted, we bought a three night stay) In other words, we thought we deserved a nicer room.
This last weekend we used our three night stay. It was great! We swam with the kids, sat in the hot tub and enjoyed our own jacuzzi and steam shower in our room. The fun was tainted. Why? you ask? Because the first afternoon we were there a man came to our door telling us that we had to attend a "survey" during our stay. (what kind of survey lasts 45 min?) It was obviously another sales presentation! But, we were lucky, they said we didn't need to take the tour again. HA! To say the least, I was bugged! Why would I pay over $130 dollars a night and still have to go to the sales presentation? Shouln't my stay be next to free if I have to go to the presentation again? Well, S and I were both upset. He left a message with the manager complaining that it was ridiculous and that we had no intention of buying. In essence it would be a waste of both of our time for us to attend. So, we didn't go. He never called back. They had hinted that they might charge us extra if we didn't attend. We'll see what happens.
If we had the money, I wouldn't mind owning a time share. Why do they have to sell them they way they do? It always seem so scheming and shady. Can anyone enlighten me?
4 comments:
I totally agree (with the slim shady bits, and the rest) we have totally sworn off going to these. We did a great one in Spain for Marriott and got the best dinner of our trip out of it and got to "tour" the beautiful hotel (where my parents had stayed a few weeks before us), then we did Newport Marriott, which was totally worth it, but got more wearied by the sales pitch. We had the most awful experience in Sedona (our first time share tour experience) where it was basically a time share for double-wides, and they pushed and pushed and were trying to sell us on some Lake Powell properties and Andy declared "I hope they drain Lake Powell" after which he told us to get out.
I will have to tell you our experience in Mexico on our honeymoon to get a 'free' jeep (a lemon).. it was quite adventourous... BTW- thanks for having W over- sorry about the light saber scuffle (it's always about the light sabers! I told him next time he should bring his own blue light saber.. Thanks again!
why don't you get a "brinton testimonial" since they are famous for time shares!!! personally we have never done them. alan always says he would just rather pay his own way..i however, am always up for a good deal!
andy and i are so well versed in time shares we could start our own! In light of my extensive research :) don't ever buy one!! You can get a place just as cheap on line and just as nice without the upkeep charges. The reason they come accross as being so shady is because they are! There is absolutely no benefit to a time share! If you figure out how much you'd spend on a week at the beach each year over your life time and how much a timeshare would end up costing you (initially and then the annual fee's) you would be losing money. If you ever do want to buy a timeshare they sell them on places like ebay for pennies (litteraly) all you have to do is pay the annual fee. The only reason we still go to them is because Andy refuses to pay for something he can get for free. It is irritating but we have had some adventures with it!
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