Renting a TS -Tips for Avoiding the Dreaded Pitch

... and if you should decide to go ...

Being offered a wonderful prize I really want in exchange for my attending a 45-minutes presentation, I tell them this upon arrival: that I agreed to attend a 45-minute presentation and to give it my full attention, that I will be leaving after exactly 45 minutes and that they should expect me not at this point in my life to be wanting to add any additional timeshares, as I am seeking to get rid of some of the six weeks I already have.

I have suggested in the past that the representative may prefer to spend his/her valuable time talking with someone who might possibly purchase from them rather than wasting it with me. Most of the time, they escort me right away to the prize desk, authorize my "reward" and turn their attention to a more promising lead. Those who see me as a challenge - the "I'm going to get this woman to buy come hell or high water" mentality - usually look confused for a moment when I stand up at the end of 45 minutes and tell them that I shall be leaving now and ask for my reward and then they capitulate.

Hi,

I'm an owner at the Grand Desert from back when it was owned by Fairfield. I love the place. I travel to this resort 3 or 4 times year. I have never seen the staff at the post check-in desk pressure anyone to take an update. They always offer it, but every time I've told them no thanks I've met with either no or minimal resistance in the form of a reinteration of the benefits of going including the vouchers for gambling or dining.

That said if you decline the update and get any push-back just state in a firm, polite tone that you won't be taking the update and need you pass. If it goes beyond that (can't picture it happening) ask for the manager. This is a really great resort and your enjoyment of it shouldn't be marred by an impolite staffer.

Right! Bring eBay and TUG completed auctions and low listings

Passepartout said:

If you really want to be totally inoculated and prepared for a weak moment, sign onto eBay, enter the resort name, then print out all the completed auctions for this resort. You can see/show what the price is for one of these at resale. It never fails to end a presentation.

Jim

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I can vouch for this method. I accepted the presentation at Wyndham Alexandria last Christmas because I wanted the $150 gift card (real cash) and the two $100 Dining cards (worthless, company is fraudulent). The pressure ended as soon as I laid down the printouts although we had a pleasant conversation afterwards.

I am an early riser. The folks I travel with are not. I sometimes accept the presentation while the others sleep in, just to get the restaurant coupons so I can take them out to dinner that evening.

I see nothing unethical in this. They have challenged me to test their sales persuasiveness against my sales resistance. Not my fault that they lost. They made the challenge, not me.

Larry M

theo said:

I like and applaud your thinking; wise words and well said. It never ceases to amaze me that people will even consider wasting precious vacation time listening to sales weasel lies and misrepresentations, subjecting themselves to psychological warfare in the process --- all for some trinkets or discount coupons of little or no real value.

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But serious value is different. A $150 gift card (same as cash) for 20-30 minutes of my time is serious value. When I was working I didn't make $300 per hour. Getting it in retirement, tax free, while the rest of my party is asleep, is just gravy.

Larry M

Easy!

blindvision said:

Love that thread! Thanks for the tip about the guys at the shuttle stop. I heard they even sometimes ride the shuttle to pitch you and will sometimes bother you if you are laying by the pool!

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By the pool? Easy! "No free drinks, no conversation!"

Tahiti Village, Las Vegas

I just stayed at Tahiti Village in Vegas - awesome rooms, they didn't ask once if we wanted a "tour", but did slip a very good offer under the door to get an update - show tix, $500 slot play, & cash.