Wyndham survey email

[scootr5]

Wyndham just emailed me a survey about owner updates. I'm probably not the demographic they're looking for...

 

[Rich S]

I received one too. I filled it out and submitted it. I felt it was my opportunity to let them know that owners should be treated with respect when dealing with their representatives. Updates aren't for everyone, I get that, but I think they can be informative from time to time though.

Just my two cents

 

[Free2Roam]

I also received it and submitted my input. My responses are the same as the OP (even my comments were very similar... ask once at checkin and if the answer is no, give keys and leave us alone)

 

[chapjim]

Q5 needs another possible response, a negative response. "Waste of time" is too neutral. Something like "Totally annoying waste of time." Or, "Waste of time and pi$$ed me off."

 

[bnoble]

I got one, and filled it out with several variations on "Not in a million billion years." My open-form response was:

I am a resale-only purchaser. I do not have any interest in any developer-only perks/additions, including VIP, Club Pass, etc. The pressure and unpleasantness of dealing with the tour pre-qualification step at EVERY SINGLE VACATION I TAKE is incredibly annoying. Other systems that I have vacationed with through RCI exchange do not do this, including Hilton, Disney, and Starwood. Be better.​

 

[kaljor]

Just make sure you don't check the box that says "I only go to owner updates for the gift" or they'll eliminate the gifts, but keep the harassment!

 

[HitchHiker71]

I received the same survey email, filled it out last night.

 

[Fredflintstone]

I received the same survey email, filled it out last night.

Why can’t they just be honest? I know their argument is no one would attend if you called it a timeshare presentation or upgrade presentation. My response here is you are seen as filthy liars by using the Owners Update excuse. After all, it’s getting pretty old and almost everyone knows your games.


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[Free2Roam]

Why can’t they just be honest? I know their argument is no one would attend if you called it a timeshare presentation or upgrade presentation. My response here is you are seen as filthy liars by using the Owners Update excuse. After all, it’s getting pretty old and almost everyone knows your games.


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Unfortunately there are lots of young people who don't know their games. I've warned my adult kids (who are in their 20's.) But there are many who aren't familiar with the timeshare game. I just read the post from the young college student who signed up for a timeshare and after a couple months realized she can't afford it. Shame on them for even targeting college students.

Not to disparage the youth... I don't believe it's their fault that they're ill-prepared to handle that level of lies sold in a happy place... but remember that old saying usually attributed to P. T. Barnum... "There's a sucker born every minute." I wonder if that's in the timeshare seller's handbook?

 

[HitchHiker71]

Why can’t they just be honest? I know their argument is no one would attend if you called it a timeshare presentation or upgrade presentation. My response here is you are seen as filthy liars by using the Owners Update excuse. After all, it’s getting pretty old and almost everyone knows your games.


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That's basically what I said in my comments. Stop masking the "update meeting" as anything other than a sales presentation to sell more points 99% of the time. It promotes the predominantly negative reputation Wyndham has earned over time in this regard. It's the definition of insanity really, doing the same thing over and over again yet expecting different results. Wyndham wants their bad public perception issue to diminish, yet they are unwilling to change their behavior to change their reputation issues.

 

[bnoble]

t's the definition of insanity really, doing the same thing over and over again yet expecting different results.

I think they expect the same results---selling more points at a healthy pace.

 

[Fredflintstone]

I think they expect the same results---selling more points at a healthy pace.

Yes, I agree. It’s all about getting more sales. What I think is ballsy here is they are asking for feedback on a system that is dishonest. We all know owner Update is simply trying to sell more. It’s like asking for feedback from a robber on how your experience was when he shook you down for your wallet and jewels. Was the experience 5 ️s?


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[Rich S]

Yes, I agree. It’s all about getting more sales. What I think is ballsy here is they are asking for feedback on a system that is dishonest. We all know owner Update is simply trying to sell more. It’s like asking for feedback from a robber on how your experience was when he shook you down for your wallet and jewels. Was the experience 5 ️s?


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I also agree that it is about getting more sales. I also think that they are in a business to make money. It is our endeavor to save money, so naturally that puts the Developer and resale buyers at opposite ends. I believe every single person who purchased a timeshare from the Developer initially thought it was a good idea, that's why they did it.

After the fact, when they found out they could have purchased the same timeshare for thousands of dollars less, the Developer became the bad guy. At this point, it appears to me that it is a game of cat and mouse. The Developer wants to sell points or weeks at a premium and those of who now know want to purchase points or weeks at a fraction of the cost. We go resale, they institute ROFR, effectively throwing a monkey wrench into the great deal you came across.

Attending these "Owner Updates" or "Sales Presentations" provides us with more information on the tactics they are using or untruths they are saying. Plus, they reward us to do it! The information may not influence us anymore, but it can provide us with the knowledge, to prepare our family and friends when they are tempted by the slick talking salesperson. I wish someone who had been through the presentations and then bought resale had informed me of what to watch out for prior to me buying my first timeshare.

 

[bnoble]

they institute ROFR, effectively throwing a monkey wrench into the great deal you came across.

I don't recall hearing a single case of Wyndham exercising this.

 

[cbyrne1174]

I told them nobody in there right mind would pay developer prices unless they were rich or ignorant of the resale market. If they would offer benefits at a lower buy in cost like DVC does, I would definitely pay developer prices at around $12,000 so I wouldn't have to pay housekeeping fees and had access to Wordmark and Margaritaville. They should offer no housekeeping fees with any direct purchase and I would for sure buy it because I like having 2 night stays in Orlando.

 

[plpgma]

Hmmm...I haven't received any survey from Wyndham -- at least not yet. Of course, I've gotten into the habit of routinely deleting Wyndham correspondence (unless the subject denotes an obvious message of importance) -- so maybe I did get the survey after all!?

 

[Rich S]

I don't recall hearing a single case of Wyndham exercising this.

I'm sorry, I wasn't clear. When I referenced ROFR, I was speaking of Developers in general, not just Wyndham specifically. As those of us who have fortunately learned the benefits of resale, there are a number of people who have purchased more than just Wyndham properties. There are a number of Developers who have ROFR written into the contracts which can potentially kill a great resale buy.

That's what I meant by cat and mouse. In most cases you can't give your timeshare back to the Developer if you no longer want to pay the maintenance fees, but if you find someone who wants it and provide them with what they consider a great deal, the Developer then can swoop in and take it.

You can look all over the TUG website and see where prospective buyers are bummed out because a Developer has exercised their ROFR. A closer look will reveal the very same Developer has refused to take back a similar unit.

My opinion is hearing what they are selling /saying provides me with more information to use to my benefit.

 

[CruiseGuy]

I got the survey too. My response wasn't very nice.

 

[paxsarah]

Hmmm...I haven't received any survey from Wyndham -- at least not yet. Of course, I've gotten into the habit of routinely deleting Wyndham correspondence (unless the subject denotes an obvious message of importance) -- so maybe I did get the survey after all!?

Me either, but I’ve never been to an update/sales meeting ever, so I wonder if they figure my opinion is irrelevant to their needs.

 

[plpgma]

Me either, but I’ve never been to an update/sales meeting ever, so I wonder if they figure my opinion is irrelevant to their needs.

I hadn't considered that component -- We have never attended an 'update' either so maybe we, too, are not considered relevant. If so, long live irrelevancy!

 

[Fredflintstone]

I also agree that it is about getting more sales. I also think that they are in a business to make money.
.

I have no problem with anyone making money as long as it’s an honest deal. We all gotta make a living. However, when lying is involved with trying to close a sale, I draw the line there.



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[CruiseGuy]

Me either, but I’ve never been to an update/sales meeting ever, so I wonder if they figure my opinion is irrelevant to their needs.

I've never been to an update either, yet I received the survey. They are relentless in trying to get me to attend though. We'll see what my next check-in is like in a week, because I recently asked Wyndham to put me on their DNC and DNG lists. The calls have stopped, but I haven't visited a resort since making the request.

 

[Crafty71]

"because I recently asked Wyndham to put me on their DNC and DNG lists."

O-K...I know DNC is "Do Not Call"...what is DNG...? Do Not Grope...?

Just curious...

 

[Free2Roam]

O-K...I know DNC is "Do Not Call"...what is DNG...? Do Not Grope...?

Just curious...

I'm guessing here... Do Not Gift?

 

[Rich S]

I have no problem with anyone making money as long as it’s an honest deal. We all gotta make a living. However, when lying is involved with trying to close a sale, I draw the line there.



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I agree with you. I think this is what really turns most against the sales people. Explaining the pros and cons of timeshare ownership is one thing, lying to close a sale is definitely violating the trust of the customer and reflects poorly on the Developer.