Timeshare Salesmen

[squash500]

IMHO, timeshare salesmen are the best salesmen or women in the world bar none . They are ruthless, sneaky, deceptive and won't take "no" for an answer.

I recently attended a timeshare presentation and finally had to get extremely "rude" with the salesperson to get him off my case. I actually became so belligerent and rude that the guy just disappeared---lol.

The whole process took 4 hours. I got a free brunch and a $75 gift voucher for the experience. Obviously, I didn't wind up buying a timeshare.

It's funny this salesman was my buddy for over 3 hours. He was telling me about his 3 divorces and he even showed me pictures of his "family". Once I told him I wasn't interested as I said upthread he just disappeared.

Then a "new" guy came on the scene to wear me down---lol. I told him to take a hike. After 4 hours I got out of there with my wallet intact as well as a $75 gift voucher and a horrible free brunch.

Anybody else on terb ever gone through the "timeshare" experience? As usual, any "funny" timeshare stories or experiences would be most appreciated!

 

[CUTTERBUCK]

Timeshare salesmen/women.

The only experience I’ve had with timeshare salesmen/women was several years ago when the “Warden” and I were on vacation in Daytona Beach, Florida. We saw an ad for free Disney tickets if we attended a timeshare presentation with free crappy breakfast included. As squash500 noted, it was a pressure packed sell from the get go. The main thing to remember is the word “NO” and all will be well. We got out with free Disney tickets and our wallets in one piece.

 

[Nickelodeon]

IMHO, timeshare salesmen are the best salesmen or women in the world bar none . They are ruthless, sneaky, deceptive and won't take "no" for an answer.

I recently attended a timeshare presentation and finally had to get extremely "rude" with the salesperson to get him off my case. I actually became so belligerent and rude that the guy just disappeared---lol.

The whole process took 4 hours. I got a free brunch and a $75 gift voucher for the experience. Obviously, I didn't wind up buying a timeshare.

It's funny this salesman was my buddy for over 3 hours. He was telling me about his 3 divorces and he even showed me pictures of his "family". Once I told him I wasn't interested as I said upthread he just disappeared.

Then a "new" guy came on the scene to wear me down---lol. I told him to take a hike. After 4 hours I got out of there with my wallet intact as well as a $75 gift voucher and a horrible free brunch.

Anybody else on terb ever gone through the "timeshare" experience? As usual, any "funny" timeshare stories or experiences would be most appreciated!

Not worth wasting my time....but if you find this an amusing way to get a free lunch and a $75 gift certificate, more power to you.

 

[squash500]

Not worth wasting my time....but if you find this an amusing way to get a free lunch and a $75 gift certificate, more power to you.

In a crazy way the whole experience was interesting . I figure if I can handle these timeshare salespeople then dealing with any other salespeople in the future will be that much easier for myself.

 

[big dogie]

Not the point of the tread but, I know quite a few people that have bought time share and never heard a complaint from them, has anybody else?

Perhaps this is a thread hi-jack...hehehe

b d

 

[squash500]

Not the point of the tread but, I know quite a few people that have bought time share and never heard a complaint from them, has anybody else

I know a few people who have bought timeshares who love them . They didn't buy them as an investment as you will always have a hard time getting a good price when you sell them.

From what I've learned the secret to buying a timeshare is to buy in a prime week. Therefore, it will be easier to exchange your week if you want to go someplace else. For example, one week you can go to Florida. The next year you can exchange your week and go to Arizona etc.

Timeshares tend to generally offer better accomodations than a standard hotel. Like anything, IMHO you have to do your homework. One negative thing about timeshares is that you have to pay yearly maintenance fees.

 

[Malibook]

They are all over the resorts in the Dominican Republic.
I went to one once just to help out the sales person and to get a bottle of rum.

I often see people at the resort who have a timeshare.
They often book well in advance and end up paying more for the flight than I pay for my whole last minute all-inclusive package.
Plus they pay another $40 US per day for the food and drinks.
They also have to arrange for transportation to and from the resort.
My AI package also includes the $10 US tourist card and $20 departure fee.
Add in the actual cost of the timeshare and maintenance and it is a joke.

Unless you have a lot of air miles or you can get cheap flights, timeshares can be a ridiculous ripoff.
Even then they don't make sense to me.

 

[Mencken]

They are all over the resorts in the Dominican Republic.
I went to one once just to help out the sales person and to get a bottle of rum.

I often see people at the resort who have a timeshare.
They often book well in advance and end up paying more for the flight than I pay for my whole last minute all-inclusive package.
Plus they pay another $40 US per day for the food and drinks.
They also have to arrange for transportation to and from the resort.
My AI package also includes the $10 US tourist card and $20 departure fee.
Add in the actual cost of the timeshare and maintenance and it is a joke.

Unless you have a lot of air miles or you can get cheap flights, timeshares can be a ridiculous ripoff.
Even then they don't make sense to me.

While much of what is said above may be true when comparing to discount all-inclusive vacations, the timeshare vacation can be as cheap, or cheaper, and with better food and accomodation. The question is...what is it worth to you.

In my case I have owned one for a few years and the cost of flights and maintenance fees has generally been less than even the cheapest of the all inclusives. I enjoy eating at a variety of local restaurants, and cooking at least once a day in the suite...so keep food costs and waistlines under control that way. But I would not want to imply that it is cheaper overall than the cheapest all inclusives...it is just a much more flexible and better quality vacation.

The price is the issue. Buying at developer prices is common, mostly because people don't know the real value of these packages. A timeshare with a price tag of 22,000 US can be found for typically around $3-4,000 on the resale market. And with today's economy...probably at the low end of that.

As for the OP...yes, I have been at many presentations, and the scenario he describes would be typical of some of the worst ones. You need to weigh very carefully whether it is worth going through that for the gift or freebie offered. Mostly not.