I did one in Vegas that was supposed to be 90 minutes and took 5 hours. I agree with the advice of not being too nice. They clearly thought we were interested because we were too engaged in the presentation. We went through two additional rounds of sales people after our initial person. The last guy actually straight up yelled at us for "being a fucking waste of time." But we did get cheap show tickets, so that was nice. I don't think I'd do it again.
We do a timeshare presentation every few years. I am interested in their business model and sales techniques, from an observational interest point of view.
Like lantririel, we did a Vegas one last time. Because we were owners elsewhere (don't ask), we were promised no videos / trapped in a room, etc.
What actually happened:
1. Met, signed in, and recieved a personal sales person.
2. Did the property and apartment tour, ate a free lunch at the restaurant with the sales person.
3. Sat down for a video -- we stood up and started to leave, but they said it was not the cattle call one (we were one of two in the room, and it was short).
4. Declined formally in the sales room.
5. Had to talk to the guy's manager, and declined again. She kept showing better and better offers. "here is one that was returned to us and I can offer it to you for 35% less than the best price I already showed you". And they kept leaving and making you wait 10minutes for the next person, but then it was the same person, etc. Lots of waiting. Lots of repeated no. Good sales techniques for making you buy. (some people call this agressive, but it wasn't pushy, just very compelling and I knew it was not a good deal while they said it, too, so I respect the technique).
6 . Then we had to go to the "used / after market sales" guy. Now the places were over 70% lower than woman upstairs -- still no. This last ditch guy was rude after we said no for the second time.
7. Finally get passed to the "gift" room. A long wait for the person to process our "gift -- Circ de Soleil tickets.
We left after about 3.5 hours, expecting the 90 minute to 2 hours.
But -- the circe de soliel -- on a weeknight, ended up upgrading at the venue for free to inner ring premier seats. Wow. :-) Amazing.
What would have helped -- go to here. www.TUG2.NET print off the resale by owner values for the place you are visiting / surrounding area. Bring this page with you.
After about 20 minutes, bring out the resale sheet and show your first sales person -- can you beat $3k on a unit and $500 per year of maintenance fees? That is the going rate here...repeat with " I am not interested at this time".."No".. "How about you ask your manager"...?
Etc. and so on. It will allow you to progress through the levels faster, anyway, if you bring your homework.