Vegas Vic
10-31-2005, 06:51 PM
NOTE: The following post was suggested by Steve. Comment as you will but remember that Vegas Vic doesn't care one way or another if you decide to actually attend a timeshare or not.
Introduction One thing is for sure, if you spend any time at all on the Strip in Vegas or on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe, you will be "invited to attend a timeshare sales presentation. Vegas Vickie and I are timeshare "junkies". We are not big gamblers and don't mind "investing" a couple of hours when we are in Vegas for 3 to 6 days. I have not sold timeshares but I have worked around them for several years. I have attended probably 15 timeshares mostly in Vegas, Lake Tahoe and San Francisco. The following represents what I consider to be a typical Timeshare sales experience.
The Pitch Booth Everyone must by now be used to the pitch booth. The worst I have found are the folks at the Strat. They don't stay in the booth, rather they almost attack you as you walk by. Most salespeople will stay in the booth and call to you. IF you are not interested just say "No Thank You" as you walk by. If you want to know what they are offering, just stop and see. I recomend looking over one to three offers and then go back to the one you like best. Remember, they don't care about you they just want to make a sale so don't "worry" about how they feel if you aren't interested.
The Deal-Part 1 Basicly, timeshare salespeople have up to about $125 to $200 (retail value) worth of stuff to offer you as a bribe to attend their sales presentation. The offer usually includes shows, dinners, gaming tokens, trips etc. The merchant generally discounts the show or dinner 25-50% so the salesfolks can offer a bigger or better deal. Last visit, we got 2 tickets to Jubilee and 2 buffets. Previously, we got 2 tickets to Tina and Tony's Wedding and 2 buffets. Most often they have a list of things they have to bribe you with. If you don't see anything you like, just tell them you aren't interested. You can always ask if they have anything else available. Remember, no matter what they say, they will be there later or the next day so don't allow them to push you into something you aren't ready to do!
The Deal-Part 2 If you want to sign up, they will usually ask you for a deposit or a fee, usually $10 per person. If it is a deposit, you will get it refunded at the timeshare presentation. If it is a fee, then you will not. The salesman will ask you for your income level because they want to make sure you have the money to buy one. If married, you must attend with your spouse. You will sign an agreement, read it. It usually indicates that you know you are being sent to see a timeshare sales presentation and lists the "gifts" bribes you have been promised. Remember, they WILL refund the $10 if it is called a deposit when you show up at the timeshare presentation, they WILL NOT refund anything if you decide not to go!
Special Note It is always better to drive or walk to the presentation rather than take the shuttle provided by the timeshare company. The freedom to walk out (with or without your bribe) is worth more than the bribe. Vic and Vickie have felt traped when having to wait and extra 20 to 40 minutes for the next shuttle to come around.
The Presentation The presentation starts with your arrival. You will generally be offered some cookies, donuts or a beverage while you wait for your name to be called. A nice person will walk you to a table and get to know you. I always enjoy this part. Along the way, they will explain just how wonderful timeshares are. They will make it sound just too good to be true. They will show you how you will save lots of money by spending $20,000 to buy one. You will think it is a good thing to own one!
Decision Time When they ask me to buy, I always tell them that I will need to think it over. They will tell you that it will cost you more to buy tomorrow and this is a one time offer! Remember, It's a lie. You can come back anytime and buy at the "one time offer price" They know that 99.999% of those who walk out will not be back to buy one.
NOTE: The "I don't buy anything without thinking it over" response is probably the most frustrating thing you can tell them. You can agree it looks like a good deal, you can agree with everything they say, but as long as you walk in the door knowing you are going to sleep on the decision to buy (or talk it over at lunch) you won't buy something you may regret.
The Real Pressure Begins Sometimes they bring in a sales manager to talk to you, sometimes they will just ask you over and over why you won't buy right now. Remember, time is on your side. Don't feel rushed or worried Usually within about 10 minutes they will quit and get you your "gifts" and allow you to leave. They want to move on to someone who might buy so just be patient. They may offer you a "special special one-time offer". No matter what they offer, tell them you want to sleep on it.
You don't need to get mad, or play mind games or lie or say anything that is unkind or rude. I know that I will not buy anything large without thinking it over and discussing it with Vegas Vickie so no pressure or comments will change my mind. I often ask them "Do you REALLY want me to be a foolish consumer and invest $20,000 without taking the time to think over such a big decision?" IF they say yes, then politely suggest you cannot follow their advice. Remember, you can always go back later and buy no matter what they say about this being a one-time-only-special-never-to-be-repeated-deal-of-a-lifetime-you'll-regret-for-the- rest-of-your-life-if-you pass- it-up deal.
What happens if you Buy... I don't know, I've never bought one. But no matter how good the offer was, no matter how good the deal seemed when I left, by the next morning, I have never thought it was good enough to go back and buy.
If you want to buy one Go to a timeshare re-seller and pick up the same thing for about 50% less. I know plenty of folks who love their timeshare and have purchased several.
Vic
Introduction One thing is for sure, if you spend any time at all on the Strip in Vegas or on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe, you will be "invited to attend a timeshare sales presentation. Vegas Vickie and I are timeshare "junkies". We are not big gamblers and don't mind "investing" a couple of hours when we are in Vegas for 3 to 6 days. I have not sold timeshares but I have worked around them for several years. I have attended probably 15 timeshares mostly in Vegas, Lake Tahoe and San Francisco. The following represents what I consider to be a typical Timeshare sales experience.
The Pitch Booth Everyone must by now be used to the pitch booth. The worst I have found are the folks at the Strat. They don't stay in the booth, rather they almost attack you as you walk by. Most salespeople will stay in the booth and call to you. IF you are not interested just say "No Thank You" as you walk by. If you want to know what they are offering, just stop and see. I recomend looking over one to three offers and then go back to the one you like best. Remember, they don't care about you they just want to make a sale so don't "worry" about how they feel if you aren't interested.
The Deal-Part 1 Basicly, timeshare salespeople have up to about $125 to $200 (retail value) worth of stuff to offer you as a bribe to attend their sales presentation. The offer usually includes shows, dinners, gaming tokens, trips etc. The merchant generally discounts the show or dinner 25-50% so the salesfolks can offer a bigger or better deal. Last visit, we got 2 tickets to Jubilee and 2 buffets. Previously, we got 2 tickets to Tina and Tony's Wedding and 2 buffets. Most often they have a list of things they have to bribe you with. If you don't see anything you like, just tell them you aren't interested. You can always ask if they have anything else available. Remember, no matter what they say, they will be there later or the next day so don't allow them to push you into something you aren't ready to do!
The Deal-Part 2 If you want to sign up, they will usually ask you for a deposit or a fee, usually $10 per person. If it is a deposit, you will get it refunded at the timeshare presentation. If it is a fee, then you will not. The salesman will ask you for your income level because they want to make sure you have the money to buy one. If married, you must attend with your spouse. You will sign an agreement, read it. It usually indicates that you know you are being sent to see a timeshare sales presentation and lists the "gifts" bribes you have been promised. Remember, they WILL refund the $10 if it is called a deposit when you show up at the timeshare presentation, they WILL NOT refund anything if you decide not to go!
Special Note It is always better to drive or walk to the presentation rather than take the shuttle provided by the timeshare company. The freedom to walk out (with or without your bribe) is worth more than the bribe. Vic and Vickie have felt traped when having to wait and extra 20 to 40 minutes for the next shuttle to come around.
The Presentation The presentation starts with your arrival. You will generally be offered some cookies, donuts or a beverage while you wait for your name to be called. A nice person will walk you to a table and get to know you. I always enjoy this part. Along the way, they will explain just how wonderful timeshares are. They will make it sound just too good to be true. They will show you how you will save lots of money by spending $20,000 to buy one. You will think it is a good thing to own one!
Decision Time When they ask me to buy, I always tell them that I will need to think it over. They will tell you that it will cost you more to buy tomorrow and this is a one time offer! Remember, It's a lie. You can come back anytime and buy at the "one time offer price" They know that 99.999% of those who walk out will not be back to buy one.
NOTE: The "I don't buy anything without thinking it over" response is probably the most frustrating thing you can tell them. You can agree it looks like a good deal, you can agree with everything they say, but as long as you walk in the door knowing you are going to sleep on the decision to buy (or talk it over at lunch) you won't buy something you may regret.
The Real Pressure Begins Sometimes they bring in a sales manager to talk to you, sometimes they will just ask you over and over why you won't buy right now. Remember, time is on your side. Don't feel rushed or worried Usually within about 10 minutes they will quit and get you your "gifts" and allow you to leave. They want to move on to someone who might buy so just be patient. They may offer you a "special special one-time offer". No matter what they offer, tell them you want to sleep on it.
You don't need to get mad, or play mind games or lie or say anything that is unkind or rude. I know that I will not buy anything large without thinking it over and discussing it with Vegas Vickie so no pressure or comments will change my mind. I often ask them "Do you REALLY want me to be a foolish consumer and invest $20,000 without taking the time to think over such a big decision?" IF they say yes, then politely suggest you cannot follow their advice. Remember, you can always go back later and buy no matter what they say about this being a one-time-only-special-never-to-be-repeated-deal-of-a-lifetime-you'll-regret-for-the- rest-of-your-life-if-you pass- it-up deal.
What happens if you Buy... I don't know, I've never bought one. But no matter how good the offer was, no matter how good the deal seemed when I left, by the next morning, I have never thought it was good enough to go back and buy.
If you want to buy one Go to a timeshare re-seller and pick up the same thing for about 50% less. I know plenty of folks who love their timeshare and have purchased several.
Vic