Author Topic: Free Vacay... or almost free!  (Read 2742 times)

MrSal

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Free Vacay... or almost free!
« on: April 02, 2017, 12:41:01 PM »
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!!

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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:

Quote
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!
« Last Edit: April 02, 2017, 12:55:07 PM by MrSal »

Dave1442397

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Re: Free Vacay... or almost free!
« Reply #1 on: April 02, 2017, 02:41:05 PM »
We got a week in Orlando for free by attending the 60-min sales pitch.

At the end of it, the guy looked at me and said "You have a great poker face. I have no idea what you're thinking, but I'm guessing you're not buying". Correct, but thanks for the freebie.

MrSal

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Re: Free Vacay... or almost free!
« Reply #2 on: April 02, 2017, 04:01:49 PM »
We got a week in Orlando for free by attending the 60-min sales pitch.

At the end of it, the guy looked at me and said "You have a great poker face. I have no idea what you're thinking, but I'm guessing you're not buying". Correct, but thanks for the freebie.

Thats even a better deal ... care to share how you got it?

Is there like a webpage like credit cards where you can optin to receive their marketing?

The woman that toured me, because we were so nice with her and made lots of inquiring ( I was poking her brain to circumvent ideas and research other opportunities outside her pitch) was not so nice after I told her no. She was such a warm and nice person, and when I said no she just slammed her book and said "Nice to meet you the door is that way" ...this was after I said "No thank you not at this time however can I have your business card such that if we go further with this you will get the credit?"

Truth be told it was a nice tour apart from that - not inside a room but in her Jeep driving around the lake, property and such... she probably thought it would be a guaranteed sale :D

Next time i think I will be upfront and just say im here for the freebie dont bother touring and itll save you 90 min ...

Dave1442397

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Re: Free Vacay... or almost free!
« Reply #3 on: April 03, 2017, 04:18:46 AM »
We got a week in Orlando for free by attending the 60-min sales pitch.

At the end of it, the guy looked at me and said "You have a great poker face. I have no idea what you're thinking, but I'm guessing you're not buying". Correct, but thanks for the freebie.

Thats even a better deal ... care to share how you got it?


I use Marriott hotels for business travel, and they just called with the offer one day. We happened to be planning a Disney cruise at the time, so it was the perfect add-on.

The following year we got a week in Myrtle Beach for $150. I haven't answered any of their calls since :)