What's the catch? (Timeshare)

[Anonymous]

Ok, so we received this offer in the mail for 4 free plane tickets, 3 nights in a hotel and 1 day of Orlando theme park tickets in exchange for sitting through a timeshare presentation in Orlando. The offer is from "kings creek plantation llc." When I googled, that was s to share in Williamsburg va but maybe they also have a Florida property? If we 110 percent know we won't be buying a timeshare, what's the downside with s free vacation and how can these companies afford all this free airfare and park tickets?

[Anonymous]

Pressure, a lot of it. The presentation will last at least 3 hours.

Think of it like buying a car in terms of time.

Some people do buy timeshares, that is how they can afford the freebies.

[Anonymous]

They are very reluctant to give you the freebies. They basically hold you hostage. We did it once when we were young and stupid. Never again. They said 2 hours. We were there nearly 5. I was starving and so thirsty.

[Anonymous]

If you decide to do it, bring snacks and water. Just keep saying NO NO NO NO.

Eventually, you'll be free to go. But yes, they will probably hold you hostage for at least 5 to 8 hours.

[Anonymous]

I am curious as well. One of our DC has autism and can't be left in a babysitting room but also is very distracting du By adult co versatile. would that get us through the presentation faster?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am curious as well. One of our DC has autism and can't be left in a babysitting room but also is very distracting du By adult co versatile. would that get us through the presentation faster?

No, the sales guy could care less about crying babies, wiggly toddlers, or SN kids. Sorry.

In fact, they hope you are extra pressured by your own melting-down kid (s) to sign on the dotted line and buy.

[Anonymous]

Your phone number & email will be sold to anyone that wants. You will receive dozen of sales calls daily from everyone about everything for years.

Any transportation they provide will be on their schedule and at their whim. That is one way they literally trap you for the presentation.

Usually you have to provide a credit card number for a "no show deposit" do you really want them to have your credit card info?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are very reluctant to give you the freebies. They basically hold you hostage. We did it once when we were young and stupid. Never again. They said 2 hours. We were there nearly 5. I was starving and so thirsty.

Yes.
Dh and I were suckered into it once in Las Vegas. They took us by bus to some time share place off the strip. After the presentation, we had to wait for another shuttle bus that took nearly an hour to arrive.
Plus, Dh, seems to think it's a fun "game" to make the salesman think we might be interested and see just how low in price he's willing to go...I get frustrated and pissed off because I just want to get out of there and want Dh to just say "no" so we can collect our gift cards and leave....but Dh wanted to stay and "play."

[Anonymous]

I don't know about the one mentioned by OP, but my family went to a free weekend at Massanutten given by the time-share people. The accommodations were nice and the kids had a great time. Only one parent had to attend the sales meeting, so spouse took the kids around while I sat on the pitch. No super hard sale (not that I would ever buy a time share), so it was worth the two hour pitch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are very reluctant to give you the freebies. They basically hold you hostage. We did it once when we were young and stupid. Never again. They said 2 hours. We were there nearly 5. I was starving and so thirsty.

Yes.
Dh and I were suckered into it once in Las Vegas. They took us by bus to some time share place off the strip. After the presentation, we had to wait for another shuttle bus that took nearly an hour to arrive.
Plus, Dh, seems to think it's a fun "game" to make the salesman think we might be interested and see just how low in price he's willing to go...I get frustrated and pissed off because I just want to get out of there and want Dh to just say "no" so we can collect our gift cards and leave....but Dh wanted to stay and "play."

Was your DH born a dickhead or is this learned behavior? How obnoxious.

[Anonymous]

We did a timeshare presentation for free tickets to a show while on a beach vacation because it was raining. They asked us to leave because DH kept correcting the presenter's math. We would never buy a timeshare but thought about buying stock in a timeshare company!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know about the one mentioned by OP, but my family went to a free weekend at Massanutten given by the time-share people. The accommodations were nice and the kids had a great time. Only one parent had to attend the sales meeting, so spouse took the kids around while I sat on the pitch. No super hard sale (not that I would ever buy a time share), so it was worth the two hour pitch.

Just 2 hours? Ours was closer to 4 hours and it pretty much killed the day so I lost out on a day with the family. ANd we had to pay an amenitites fee upon check-in for each day we were there. It wasn't a lot of money, maybe like $50?, but I wasn't expecting it that's for sure.

[Anonymous]

If you have tough skin it is worth it OP. We went to several pitches when we first got married and bought a week timeshare in Orlando for $5k a week. For us, it was worth it. We only went to our timeshare a few times and then swapped our week to travel around the world for the past 30 years.

[Anonymous]

My inlaws are traveling to Orlando in a couple months and they are sitting through a timeshare presentation in order to get discounted (not even free!!!) lodging. They are multimillionaires. SMH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My inlaws are traveling to Orlando in a couple months and they are sitting through a timeshare presentation in order to get discounted (not even free!!!) lodging. They are multimillionaires. SMH.

My SIL and her husband used to do this. It was how they took "vacations."