I've researched timeshare presentations numerous times before, and every time I do, I hear the same things:
"STAY AWAY!"
"It's a scam!"
"It's not worth your time!"
I understand that most of these "90 minute" presentations end up going on for 3-4 hours, and that the sales pitch is quite brutal. I also understand that many people believe it's not even remotely worth their time to endure such an experience.
Here's my question:
Let's say I'm offered a presentation where I put down a $300 deposit. After the deposit, I have to attend a "90 minute" (obviously longer) presentation. Once that's said and done, I get 5 days in a hotel in one state, and 4 days in a hotel in another state (no blackout dates -- I have that in writing). In addition to that, upon arrival at the first hotel, I get a $300 gift card. (This probably sounds very familiar, as it's a common timeshare tactic). If my will is strong, and I don't mind trading a few agonizing hours for several days of vacation, is there any reason why I shouldn't consider this?
I finally bit the bullet and made a deposit today on that very deal (I got it in writing that I have 30 days to cancel for a full refund, which is why I bit the bullet). My thinking is that I already know damn well that I can't afford a timeshare - no matter what deal they offer. I'm willing to sit there and let them try to guilt me into buying something, all the while just saying "no thank you." I understand that it will be a painful process. But....if in the end, I get 9 hotel days (across two different hotels), and a $300 gift card....isn't that worth looking into? So I go Orlando for 5 days...one of those days is pretty much eaten up by a ridiculous sales pitch. That's still 4 days in a hotel, with a $300 gift card, with 4 additional days at a separate hotel in Vegas in the next year. I have a ridiculous amount of airline points, so I can pretty much fly anywhere for free - which makes this more appealing to me.
Is there a particular "scam" I am missing? Or do people simply recommend avoiding these things because it's "not worth the time/effort?"
August 09, 2018 at 01:04AM
