'Group' Owner's Update/Sales Presentation

[kds4]

So, got 'the call' from the Orlando Sales Center for our upcoming trip with the customary invite to attend an 'owner's update'. For me, the new wrinkle is that it is no longer a 1:1, but now a 75 minute 'group presentation' that you are free to stay after for 1:1 if interested further. Otherwise, you are free to leave with the masses. Hmm, I thought I had heard something about this as coming in the future, which I guess may be now? Anyone else done one of the 'group sessions'?

Oh, and for incentives the choices were 300 DPs (good for 2 years), 30,000 MRPs, or a $250 Prepaid Amex card. Well, faster than DW can scream 'which way to the outlets', our path was set. Thanks, Amex ...

 

[dima]

$250

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[TheTimeTraveler]

So, got 'the call' from the Orlando Sales Center for our upcoming trip with the customary invite to attend an 'owner's update'. For me, the new wrinkle is that it is no longer a 1:1, but now a 75 minute 'group presentation' that you are free to stay after for 1:1 if interested further. Otherwise, you are free to leave with the masses. Hmm, I thought I had heard something about this as coming in the future, which I guess may be now? Anyone else done one of the 'group sessions'?

Oh, and for incentives the choices were 300 DPs (good for 2 years), 30,000 MRPs, or a $250 Prepaid Amex card. Well, faster than DW can scream 'which way to the outlets', our path was set. Thanks, Amex ...

I actually think this is a good idea.

Now the question is: Is this being done because the economy is booming and the sales positions are difficult to fill? Or is it being done to help eliminate the "high pressure" sales tactics?

Will be interesting to see how this plays out over time, and if it is expanded to other sale centers.....





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[Fasttr]

That’s the format that the Custom House in Boston has been using for years. Interesting to see if this becomes the new norm.

 

[elleryjean]

Just went to two presentations. Each one was different in what they offered, but it was either DP points, Bonvoy points or cash. At the last one, heard a new level is coming soon...Ambassador level and you will need 20,000 DP to qualify. They may grandfather Chairman's Level but you need at least 15,000. I got a great offer to bring in my week and purchase DP points in the $10 range....but passed

 

[bazzap]

So, got 'the call' from the Orlando Sales Center for our upcoming trip with the customary invite to attend an 'owner's update'. For me, the new wrinkle is that it is no longer a 1:1, but now a 75 minute 'group presentation' that you are free to stay after for 1:1 if interested further. Otherwise, you are free to leave with the masses. Hmm, I thought I had heard something about this as coming in the future, which I guess may be now? Anyone else done one of the 'group sessions'?

Oh, and for incentives the choices were 300 DPs (good for 2 years), 30,000 MRPs, or a $250 Prepaid Amex card. Well, faster than DW can scream 'which way to the outlets', our path was set. Thanks, Amex ...

So you receive the incentive just for attending the ‘group presentation’?
What incentive would there then be for continuing with a 1:1 session afterwards?

 

[geist1223]

At 1 time Wyndham went to the Group Presentations with WMTC. But then some one like me would call "BS" on things they would say. It did not help that the Presenter only knew their prepared talk and less about the Product than the Group.

 

[kds4]

So you receive the incentive just for attending the ‘group presentation’?
What incentive would there then be for continuing with a 1:1 session afterwards?

There was no mention of any further incentive to stay. I guess their position is that by that point, you are only there because you likely want to purchase something so no additional incentive is needed.

 

[kds4]

At 1 time Wyndham went to the Group Presentations with WMTC. But then some one like me would call "BS" on things they would say. It did not help that the Presenter only knew their prepared talk and less about the Product than the Group.

DW and I sat through a Wyndham group presentation in MB several years ago. I actually thought it was more painful that any Marriott 1:1 we have done. If the Marriott presentation in Orlando is anything like that Wyndham one, we may have met our last presentation.

 

[Fasttr]

As I recall in Boston (its been awhile since I did the group presentation there), they offered 25K points to attend the group, and another 10K to attend the 1 on 1. Only time will tell how they modify things in Orlando as they see what works and what doesn't.

 

[kds4]

Just went to two presentations. Each one was different in what they offered, but it was either DP points, Bonvoy points or cash. At the last one, heard a new level is coming soon...Ambassador level and you will need 20,000 DP to qualify. They may grandfather Chairman's Level but you need at least 15,000. I got a great offer to bring in my week and purchase DP points in the $10 range....but passed

We have heard the same rumblings of another top level coming as well, but had not heard of the potential Ambassador title (which would be really confusing since that is also the name of the highest Marriott hotel loyalty tier which requires an annual spend in the $20k range to obtain/maintain). An MVCI Ambassador level (even with 20k DPs required) would not produce the same amount of annual spend in maintenance fees (until MFs hit $1 per point).

 

[VacationForever]

We attended the owners' update at Newport Coast in end of May and the salesperson said in the forseeable future they will be moving to a group presentation format so that there is no high pressure sales technique and also that salespeople will no longer work on commission.

 

[bazzap]

We have heard the same rumblings of another top level coming as well, but had not heard of the potential Ambassador title (which would be really confusing since that is also the name of the highest Marriott hotel loyalty tier which requires an annual spend in the $20k range to obtain/maintain). An MVCI Ambassador level (even with 20k DPs required) would not produce the same amount of annual spend in maintenance fees (until MFs hit $1 per point).

(until MFs hit $1 per point) - don‘t tempt them!

 

[IngridN]

We have heard the same rumblings of another top level coming as well, but had not heard of the potential Ambassador title (which would be really confusing since that is also the name of the highest Marriott hotel loyalty tier which requires an annual spend in the $20k range to obtain/maintain). An MVCI Ambassador level (even with 20k DPs required) would not produce the same amount of annual spend in maintenance fees (until MFs hit $1 per point).

When a new level is introduced, do they add additional benefits and retain the benefits available under the new 'lower' level? In other words, would the current Chairmen level folks retain their benefits or would they have to purchase add'l points to maintain same benefits?

 

[bazzap]

When a new level is introduced, do they add additional benefits and retain the benefits available under the new 'lower' level? In other words, would the current Chairmen level folks retain their benefits or would they have to purchase add'l points to maintain same benefits?

With past changes, these benefits have been maintained.

 

[californiagirl]

The only group presentation we’ve ever attended was Shell in Kauai back in 2003. It was like a parody of everything that is wrong with Timeshares and their presentations. I had talked my husband into going so we would get half-off of a helicopter tour. Mid-way through the presentation my husband leaned over to me and said “You owe me big time!” I had to agree with him...lol!! It was so painful. That was the last timeshare presentation we have ever attended together.

 

[IngridN]

With past changes, these benefits have been maintained.

Thank you!