So, I am a person very against time-sharings since I think for the fees one pays is not worth it yearly ...most times, even though you can transfer them somewhere, i can travel for cheaper.
I can see some value on it if you like to travel and stay at higher end places, since redemption values might be worth it.
But there are some value in using the time shares to ahve some free vacations, through referrals where usually your stay is for free - accompanied of resort credits! or through cheap stays as well.
About 3 weeks ago, a friend of ours that has a timeshare invited us for a long weekend to a snow resort in the Poconos... it was not their week however because it is a referral program they stay for free as well. We stayed for free and got $150 for in use services at resort. Room was big for 4 people easy. IT was a double suite so our friends and their kids slept in one of the suites (1 bedroom + large living room with futon bed and kitchen as well).
The only caveat was, we as the guest, needed to stay on the last day during morning time, for a 90 minute sales pitch of their resort for a timeshare. Of course we already knew what the final answer would be... a resounding big NO to the sales person. She sure was pushy and got really upset after seeing we weren'y buying a timeshare after she wasted 90 minutes with us touring the place.
I can see how many people may fall prey to these tactics but I could not care less...
Got a free 3 night weekend, where we didn't pay for dinner nor the ski resort lift tickets (used the $150 credits) all for exchange of me sitting down 90 minutes.
Seems like great value to me!!
----------------------------------------
In another note, I had to book hotel for work about 1 week ago for one night... during the booking process, they forwarded me if i wanted to hear their promo of the day. I thought they were going to try to sell a Hilton Credit Card or something (I was booking on Hilton).
They were selling a package of 6 nights in their Hilton resorts either in Las Vegas or Orlando, FL ... for 199 dollars. It would be a double suite, which takes 4 people each ... and we would get also $200 credits to use in resort... Caveat? a 2 hour sales pitch on the resort...
I ended up booking it for $199 ... up to 8 people that's a steal. And of course i will have to endure the sales pitch but who cares... seems like a winner to me :D
This is going to be great use for my SW Companion Pass that i just got recently :D
I usually dont go for Hotel points because both my wife and I stay at places for cheap - usually hostels (in europe they cost 10-15 dollars per night on a capital city in the center of everything and they are great ... great way to meet fellow travelers) so most times it wasn't worth it.
But in this case, I can't complain since it seems to be a lot of value for a bit of nuissance for a couple hours.... Anyone else has tried this? Any feedback?
Any resources where we can sign up for presentaitons instead of being offered?
EDIT:
After writing this piece I started to google to see how I could join lists of presentaitons or something... came up with something like this:
These are just some of the high-pressure tactics employed by timeshare marketers. In fact, many people on various online complaint and scam message boards report that as a result of the high-pressure tactics that they faced, they bought timeshares despite their clear intent not to. While you may believe that you can stand up to the pressure, you won’t really know until you’ve dealt with the sales professionals whose sole job it is to get you to buy a timeshare – even if you don’t really want one.
FACEPUNCH!
This is ridiculous ... to think that one cannot stand himself to what they really want... it's just a matter of saying no! Of course they are aggressive... but if you end up buying something you dont want its your fault!