Last weekend, while my site was down, I was skipping Valentines Day weekend with Kim and instead spent it with Josh and another buddy from college at Wyndham’s Glacier Canyon Resort in Lake Delton, WI (near the Wisconsin Dells). I expected a weekend of watching TV, napping, eating, and enjoying a few decent beers, but what I felt I ended up involved in was something far more sinister and so creepy that at one point I honestly considered Kim’s suggestion that I get a room at another hotel for the evening and bail out the next morning for Minnesota.
As you can see, there’s a new poll for this week (which will only run until next Monday) which talks about high-pressure timeshare sales. Everyone has considered taking up the offer of “one hour” of your time in return for $100+ in gift certificates at local restaurants or retailers. Hell, even Kim and I opted for a champagne breakfast on our honeymoon which culminated in a 15 minute argument with the sales person that I already owned a timeshare and didn’t plan on purchasing one in Hawaii. Kim’s parents were offered a glass-bottom boat ride where they were brought to an island and not permitted to leave until they heard the spiel. Josh and the other buddy from college (Tim) were led around for 4 hours last year at a ski resort in Virginia for their $100 in free food. In all of those cases people were given something and more-or-less knew that they might be inconvenienced before heading out on their adventure. Well, it would appear, from my experience that all of that is changing.
Josh and I arrived at the resort just before dark. The place is huge and looks really, really, really nice. The lobby was very woodsy with a lot of comfortable couches, chairs, etc. There was one check-in for the normal hotel and one for the resort. Josh was being waited on when I finally sauntered in and the woman behind the counter was friendly, outgoing, and was very interested in the fact that the day we checked in was Josh’s birthday. After telling Josh about skiing options and snow depths, she mentioned that she’d be over at Monk’s Bar and Grill (located across the parking lot and on the resort property) that evening at the dueling piano bar beginning around 10:30. After her and Josh discussed dueling pianos, she asked him to move down to the end of the row where someone else would give him a welcome packet and offer a 15 minute in-room timeshare sales pitch for $50 in gift-certificates at one of the restaurants on the resort property. Josh agreed to that and they setup a time for 10:30 AM the next morning. We said our thank yous and went on our merry way.
Josh and I did a bunch of stuff and waited for our buddy to arrive. After getting all set in the condo, we walked over to Monk’s for food/drink at about 9:30. Strangely enough, just as we walked in the door of the bar and were trying to decide what to do, the woman from the front desk, now accompanied by what appeared to be her significant other, rushed past us and suggested we join them downstairs. Strange, didn’t she say she’d be there at 10:30 after she got off work? We followed the two down the stairs and were told that we were with them, avoiding a $5/person cover. Unfortunately we were still charged the $5 cover each and went in. We sat at a table by ourselves, off to the side of the stage, and enjoyed the show which included Josh being called up on stage, with another person in the crowd, to be picked on while sitting on the piano. This was orchestrated by the Wyndham employee and after he got back to his seat, she asked him if he wanted to join her and her companion at their table. Josh agreed and asked if we would join them as well.
The two worked Josh over hard. They bought him a shot of bourbon and started chatting with him. While I couldn’t overhear everything that was said, it was immediately obvious to me that something was up with these two. I immediately attempted to send Josh a text message which simply said, “Dude stay away. It’s the hard sell,” and not only was it that, but it was one of the most well orchestrated, cloak and dagger, creepy, and unbelievable sales tactics that I had ever witnessed.
From what I could tell, it would seem that they were trying to do numerous things:
1. Separate the three of us.
2. Use Internet research to engage us in discussions about topics we were comfortable with (musical tastes, personal likes, etc).
3. Get us to purchase and utilize on-site restaurants and services instead of leaving their Creepy Campus (TM) to eat, drink, and enjoy ourselves elsewhere.
4. Keep us drinking while appearing to drink themselves.
When I first sat down, the man playing the staff member’s husband started talking to me about Keller Williams and the fact that he attended Wilkes University in PA. Ok, I can buy the Wilkes University thing but the KW reference was a bit odd and immediately set off my bullshit detector. I just couldn’t believe that this dude was into jam band music. Later, I mentioned my iPhone to our buddy, and the guy leans to his partner and says, “iPhone!” and then pulls his own PDA/phone out and points the screen towards me while not doing anything productive. Her phone is out at the same time and it appeared to me that they were trying to get my attention for a conversation starter–I ignored them.
After this, the guy enters a long string of random characters on his phone, and hands it to the woman and says, “just hit the green button.” Being that there was limited to no mobile service in the basement of that bar, which is one of the reasons we were probably dragged down there, she was able to make a “call” on this phone with a random garbling of numbers, and said, “It’s not working, get here.” I learned later that soon after what I felt was a fake phone call, the woman told Josh that the other woman we met at the front desk that day would be arriving to join us. This was becoming quite the ordeal. It was at this point that I realized Josh wasn’t going to get my message and I told him to go upstairs with me. I told him my opinions on what was happening and he really didn’t believe me. It wasn’t until they brought on a third person, someone Josh said he had seen walking around the lobby when we checked in, wearing a jacket and button down shirt who claimed he had never been to the resort before. After some time, Josh overheard him tell the two that I felt were accosting us, “see you on the next go-around.”
Even after this, these two did not give up. At one point the woman was telling me about the steak offerings at their “high end steakhouse” Field’s. I felt that she knew I was into food and went on and on about searing the steaks with grape jelly and asked if I had ever heard of such a great idea. I rolled my eyes, smiled, and said, “oh yeah?” but before walking away from her she asked me, “when are you leaving again?” I took this to mean that they would again attempt to corner Josh later after I had left. I am anxiously awaiting any word from him about that.
Doing some simple Google searches will land you at various tales of timeshare sales tactics including this article about the sales pitch used by the predecessor to Wyndham at the Wilderness Resort. At least that guy knew what he was getting into when he called back and didn’t end up walking into an orchestrated ambush much like I felt we did. I must admit that I haven’t done as much research as I would have liked into this, but if I come across anything later, I will be sure to post it in the comment section below.
How about you? What sales pitches and tactics have resorts used to get you to buy into their timeshares, use their on-site amenities? If you have any especially creepy reports, like the one I posted above, I’d love to hear all about it.
Been Pressured by Timeshare Salesmen?
- Yes (52.0%, 13 Votes)
- No (40.0%, 10 Votes)
- N/A (8.0%, 2 Votes)
Total Voters: 25
Loading ...Then, after you comment, be sure to check out our expired polls in the archive or read through the previous posts about polls here.
Dakota Complaints Map
Dakota Inmate Dashboard
February 17th, 2009 at 11:38 am
complete, unadulterated, 125% bullshit, and they know it. it sounds like you and your party kept your heads on straight, but what about some other poor slob (person) unable to keep their wits about them?? these a———-s need to be held accountable for that crap.
we’re not interested in ANY timeshares, therefore have not heard any spiels. there may be ‘good’ ones out there, but i’ll never know.
bb
February 18th, 2009 at 11:37 am
I’ve attended at least 6 or so of them. I know what I am getting myself into and can’t afford it anyway and have zero interest in purchasing. So, they can say whatever they want, my answer is always no. I’m kind of dick at the things, show no interest in what they say, just keep asking when I get my prize, etc. I’m usually the first one out the door. “I’m not interested, you can say anything, show me anything, bring your boss over, whatever, the answer will still be NO.” This works quite well! My wife goes along with it and just rolls her eyes at me. It’s a numbers game people, they know a high percentage will say no, just don’t be the sucker who says yes. Easy! Also, I’ve never done out outside the US, and won’t ever, that is where I have heard bad stories about being basically locked in a room for 4 hours. I’ve never been on timeshare presentation that has lasted more than one hour tops. Heck, I was served a free lunch twice too.
I’ve received for my troubles:
Free airfare to and 2 nights hotel in Las Vegas (jumped through some hoops to reddem but they did)
2 Free tickets to Cirque de Soleil Mystere in LV
2 Free Tickets to Cirque de Soleil Zumanity in LV
$200 Visa Gift card in LV
2 Swamp tours and $75 for dinner in New Orleans
Helicopter Tour, Boat tour and Luau for $150 total in Maui.
February 18th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
See, I’d be tempted to go to one of these just for the free stuff and to mess with the heads of the marketers when they turn up the hard sell. I had a running email exchange with an email scammer doing the Nigerian money con once and had a lot of fun screwing with them. :)
February 18th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
We did a BlueGreen one where we signed up at Burnsville Center and actually bought a sample membership (as cheap as a hotel stay for five days) and used it to go to Aruba with a couple friends. The sales pitch to buy a full-on time-share was a hard-sell and I worked to wear down the price before agreeing. ANd once in Aruba we did the sales pitch again and got a car rental deal out of it for the length of our stay on the island. A moderately good deal on my part but not really worth the time.
February 18th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
p-funk, was your swamp tour down bourbon st??
bb
February 19th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Haha, but no, this was pre-katrina.
February 19th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I’ve never gotten the hard-sell with a time share. But we are headed to Cabo next week and I have heard that it is full of time-share criminals looking to get you to buy in. Funny story. I hope you were at least able to have some fun that weekend.
February 20th, 2009 at 10:56 am
If Bill disappears without a trace I think we can assume the goons got to him and silenced his displeasure with his Wyndham experience.
February 21st, 2009 at 8:39 pm
That is one heck of a story, but the sad part is that it is so true. I used to be in Timeshare sales for Wyndham and I will tell you that it was all about confusion, smoke and mirrors. I am retired military and had to quit due to the nasty and brutal sales tactics. Even when the sales rep takes it easy because they know that they tour sitting in front of them are not going to buy, there is always the other two phases that a tour will have to encounter. Even if you rent a timeshare instead of going on a tour, you will still get caught by the sales staff. For anyone that got caught in a weak moment, and feels they were lied to or there was misrepresentation, Timeshare Advocacy International can assist in canceling your contract. there are no upfront fees.
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:41 pm
I fell for the timeshare spiel once way back when I was young and stupid. But I quickly caught on and bailed, after the free dinner.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
sean austin, hi i would like more info on the timeshare advocacy int. the ones i;ve found want a fortune to help you.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:04 am
My wife and I once went to a presentation that they promised was to last only 90 minutes but of course dragged to 4 hours.
I was very insulted by the obvious high-pressure sales tactics used, as if I could not tell that I was being subjected to a very subtle form of humiliation. I could not forget the moment I said no to the sales person who was badgering me to buy a unit. Her expression turned from a smile into a frown of disappointment, as if I had let her down. I really, really wanted to spit in her face and yell that I have no obligation to say yes to whatever she wanted. The fact that she was a woman and my wife was present prevented me from doing so. I was so very angry.
What also made me angry was the fact that I think we were being observed by CCTV camera while we were having our “free” dinner, and were probably tagged for the hard sell, my appearance probably making me look like a soft target. I really, really hate it. It is demeaning, and below my dignity as a human being. I always do business with utmost consideration, and never ever exert undue pressure on my customers. I always make sure they are happy doing business with me.
June 21st, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Let me start by saying, and kindly pass this on, that if your parents/grandparents/aunts/uncles/friends ever set you and your family up on a 3 day getaway to your vacation spot of choice, ask them if they’re sending you to this location as a prospect. If so, best case scenario, politely decline. Worst case, punch them in the face. The free stay will NOT be worth your while, especially if you have children in tow.
It’s not that the two-hour yak and tour was so bad. It’s what comes after the “No” that makes you want to dial up a suicide bomber to take their whole operation out. What they do is introduce you to their biggest douchebag who conducts a “survey” to see how well you would rank your “experience.” I decided I would be nice and give the guy a 9 for trying. But see, the question isn’t “how would you rank your presentation”. The question is “Is there any reason why you wouldn’t rank your presentation a 10?” So I asked the person (whose hormone level indicated she should take maternity leave early), “Aren’t these things supposed to be confidential?” Instead of a cool-headed answer, she proceeded to ask again, then said something like “well maybe I should ask your wife.”
“Go right ahead,” says I.
She asks my wife the same question. My wife responds, “Do you mean the presentation only, or the presentation plus the Third-world-country piece of shit with an ocean view you set us up with for three days?”
I love my wife.
The Hormone then tries to plant the guilt trip seed with her “we paid for you to stay here” and “we’re ‘gifting’ you for your time” horseshit, to which I politely told her to keep the “gift” and go buy herself a coat hanger so the world soesn’t have to suffer dealing with another douchebag.
I finally got to take my daughter to Ripley’s Aquarium for Father’s Day, after the 2 hours of nonsense. But the whole thing is a mandatory waste of time. So, kids, like I say, the 3-day getaway Meemaw bought* for you on your anniversary is not worth the headache. Got it? Save your clams for a nice room at the Holiday Inn. Or go halvsies with another couple on a nice condo.
Don’t buy in to the bullshit.
*Meemaw didn’t “buy” you shit. It’s a deal she worked with the people who suckered her, that if she sends a couple of her “favorite” kin to a 3 day vacation, she’ll earn 10,000 point toward her next vacation.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
We went to a spiel the last time we were on vacation in florida- and as a gift for sitting through the spiel- we got five free night stays in florida. well little did i know- after booking our five free night stays at one of the resorts- my husband and i have to sit through another spiel during THIS stay! which to me is total bullshit since we already are supposed to get our “prize”- the five night stay. when i booked, the lady on the other end said in order to stay the five nights free- we have to sit through another 60-90 minute presentation. My husband is going to be sooo pissed! I’m positive he will treat them like shit and walk out!
July 27th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
I can’t believe anyone would waste 2 hrs of their vacation over $100-200. We bought a timeshare and love it. WE get to stay in places that would normally be 4000 per week and we only paid 15K for life. For every loser that is broke and mooches off the timeshare titty, their are several people who stay in high quality accomodations for far less than normal who have bought one. I don’t feel sorry for any mooch who complains about a timeshare tour, they knew what they were getting into in the first place.
June 7th, 2010 at 8:39 am
We bought into Wyndham from a third part–411,000 points with 10 years left on the ownership in El Cid (Mazatlan). It cost us $2,500 as the guy was older and just wanted to get rid of it. We now pay ~$100/mo in fees but it is worth every dime.
It always amazes us that anyone would pay more than a few thousand dollars for these places when any local newspaper will have the same deal for cheap–people are over their heads in debt and need (probably due to buying these places at full price) so they need to get out even if it means a loss.
We use our unit to trade through RCI and get Presidential Suites at Glacier Canyon in Wisconsin (and a nice place in Orlando back in January 2010) for as little as $40-$70 a night–you just need to know how to work the system. Tell them to keep their fudge, dinner and attitude and do not talk with their sales staff. We just returned from Glacier and the sales rep was extremely nasty during the 10 minutes we allowed her–what a waste of time for us; all for a lousy brick of fudge!
October 22nd, 2011 at 8:31 pm
u guys are a bunch of idiots. get a life just because YOU cant afford to buy a time share doesnt mean its a scam. My company employees over 24000 people world wide and we currently serve over 820000 members !! The units are beautiful, the service is top notch and people like You make us all ill. Stay home and go camping .
October 22nd, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Mr. Nit,
I already own a timeshare. What’s your point?
October 22nd, 2011 at 10:45 pm
let me see, the last post on this was june 7th, and mr. n. goes off on october22nd? did the lightbulb just come on or rather just burn out? good luck with ‘your company’ and keep serving our public.
bb
November 13th, 2011 at 10:54 pm
My story is below. This is my first experience with the whole Wyndham sales pitch and had to share with someone!
My girlfriend and I were walking into Paris Las Vegas a few nights ago to check-in when we were intercepted by a woman at a kiosk who offered several free gifts because we were getting married. When we inquired further, we were told that to get the gift ($100, among other things), we had to deposit $40 and agree to attend a “low pressure” sales presentation the next morning that was catered by one of Vegas’ best catering services. Since we were planning to go out and get a nice breakfast anyhow, we decided to do it.
The next morning, we met up with several others and were taken on a van to a Wyndham hotel some distance from the Strip. After signing in, we were introduced to Linda who was to be our sales person (though they’re euphemistically called “vacation guidance counsellors”). She showed us to breakfast, which was fairly pathetic: a server gave us two tasteless pancakes, a scoop of bland scrambled eggs, and two sausage links. We had a choice of juice or milk. The drink was served in a small 6 oz paper cup.
Linda led us to a table in a large seminar room and proceeded to sit with us and chat while we ate. We went through the usual conversation (where we were from, where we were staying, how we liked Vegas, etc.), but it was odd that the two of us couldn’t just eat in peace.
Eventually, when everyone was settled in the room (each couple got their own sales person to chat them up over the catered breakfast), we were introduced to Jim, a young-looking guy who would give us the presentation. His style was part used car salesman, part motivational speaker, and he gave a rather banal presentation aimed at convincing us that we don’t vacation enough, but that we would if it cost less money. He often tried to get audience involvement, asking people (by name– we all had name tags) where they’d like to vacation, or how much they thought the average hotel stay cost, and so on. His final efforts were devoted to demonstrating that Wyndham was the most respected business ever in the world, and had excellent customer satisfaction. Curiously (or, perhaps not), Linda never left our table and stayed close by. Thus, when my wife (since at this point we were now married) and I wanted to comment on something (there were a number of curious comments or specious arguments that Jim made during his presentation), we had to lean in and whisper it so as to keep it private from Linda. It was disconcerting to feel like “Big Brother” was there to keep you in line.
In any event, both my wife and I agreed that we were open to considering what Wyndham had to offer, but felt like the odd sales pitch format was unsettling. If what Wyndham had to offer was so great, why was the sales pitch presented much like you were joining a cult?
Once the presentation was over, Linda took us to a different room with various booths set up for each sales person to get down to business with their captive couple. In a rather insulting move, one of the first things Linda wanted was us to provide personal information (such as social security numbers, etc.) so as to gauge our credit so that they would know what sort of deal they could offer us. We refused and instead asked to know how the program worked and how much it cost. She assured us that she would let us know such information soon, but she first wanted to reiterate much of the details of Jim’s presentation– how Wyndham “owners” had access such-and-such number properties all over the world, and how easy it was to take advantage of the program, and so on. This was accomplished largely by thumbing through some sort of Wyndham catalog showcasing their various properties. For instance, she would say something like “suppose you wanted to go to Disney World– you could stay in such-and-such condo for only x number of credits.” This was all meaningless to us, since we didn’t know whether x number of credits was a lot or a little.
After quite a bit of time, Linda did offer actual details of the plan. They’re quite expensive– the basic plan runs for something like $15,000, but ultimately if it delivers as the sales people say it does, it could work out to be a really good deal. However, who commits to buying a $15,000 vacation package without actually knowing what’s involved, or reading more on the program? I mean, ol’ Jim told us that there’s great customer satisfaction, but why should we trust Jim and his Power Point presentation? What if actual members have complaints? What if it’s not as easy to use as they say? The cult-like presentation/sales pitch is inherently sketchy and doesn’t lend itself to one making the sorts of huge financial decisions they’re wanting (demanding, really) you to make.
We asked if we could have a few weeks to think about it, but that was out of the question. Even though part of their sales pitch is about making a “plan” for the future, they seemed unwilling to let a couple go and do things like see if they could work the payments involved into their budget. Indeed, we were told that this was the ONLY chance we’d have to take advantage of this offer. If we left and decided later that we wanted to join the program, we’d pay many times more than this current offer, and have fewer benefits.
At this point, Linda became rather rude and angry at us for not immediately buying into the timeshare. When we objected that my current job insecurity made a commitment to a $15,000 purchase unwise, she was unfazed and reiterated that of course we could afford such a plan regardless of my employment situation. Though we were always patient (despite frustration at how information was presented (or NOT presented)), she nevertheless blamed us for rushing her, and complained that she was simply trying to do her job.
This attitude continued, but she finally brought in a manager to begin the close-out process. Of course, the manager tried to make us yet another offer, and when we became more and more hesitant to sign on to the program, they became more and more irritated with us. After dealing with the manager, Linda tried AGAIN to go through their catalog and highlight how many places we could go if we’d just join the program. She was visibly frustrated and her sales was essentially reduced to almost nonsensically repeating the mantras introduced during the presentation– we needed a PLAN, we were wasting money, we would vacation more with this timeshare, etc. However, at this point we just wanted to go.
Linda coldly passed us on to the final gatekeeper. We were made to wait for about 10 minutes until someone finally came to our table. This guy made us yet another offer. It was actually somewhat sensible and affordable, but we were so fed up with the program that we wanted nothing else to do with Wyndham timeshares, and asked to leave. He left and made us wait for another few minutes before coming back a second time to ask if we were SURE that we didn’t want to take advantage of this final offer. When we refused, he mad some condescending remarks about how we were being foolish, but he did finally lead us to the check-out counter where we got our deposit back and the gift card.
November 14th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
I wish I could get invited to one of these things. I feel like I could have a field day in which I “almost” say yes and then change my mind at the last second about 40 times during the process. I wouldn’t even need to get a gift card as an incentive.
November 17th, 2011 at 1:20 am
Lefty, it’s actually not all that fun. It’s a huge waste of time. The “information” presentation is really just a primer, and provides little real information at all. And the fact that they want you to run a credit check long before they’re prepared to tell you about the cost ($15,000!!!) is frightening.
I really hate their whole tactic. The reality is that the seminar just isn’t worth your time: it’s 3 hours. You get maybe $100 out of it, maybe a little more. But considering that it’s a couple involved, you’re talking about getting $27 an hour– not so hot.
November 17th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
Lance,
I am the type of person that would enjoy sitting through all three hours just to stick it to them at the end. I would do things like give them wrong info for the credit check, ask for better food, constantly wonder where my gift card was all the time acting like the time share deal sounded like the best thing in world history.
I would say things like, “I don’t care what the cost, that will make my life better!” and “Oh my gosh, is this too good to be true?” Stuff like that. I might even stand up and clap when they have points that they want people to get excited about. I would act like a Southern Baptist parishioner. “Praise Wyndham!”
Then after all that fun for me, provided my partner is doing a good job of keeping a straight face, I would hard decline, say no without reason and walk out. If I get a gift card out of the deal, more power to me. Taking it to those idiots might be something I might want to pay for, much less profit from it.
Same for the energy food dorks from Old Chicago.
May 22nd, 2012 at 8:29 pm
I would like to point out that people are sometimes NOT told that they are supposed to go to a meeting until AFTER they’ve paid for their hotel. I just wanted to take myself and my 3 children on our first vacation together ever with just the 4 of us. I signed up for a coupon book online, and I started getting numerous calls immediately. I was on the priceline website to book our 5 nights in Branson, when I answered one of these calls. The very nice lady asked me if she could help me get booked in a hotel at a discounted price. She said she could book us at $200 for the 5 nights at one of the nice hotels, and would get a $50 rebate when we got there. She said to just stop by the welcome center when we got into town to pick up our coupon book, hotel voucher, and $50 rebate for booking with them. I went ahead and booked it. As a single mom with 3 kids, I was relieved to get a good price on our hotel. After a bit, we got our confirmation email, and then a second email letting it all out of the bag. We have to go to a 2 hour presentation the 2nd day we are there to get the $50 back and to keep that price. So yeah….I’m sure my kids ages 5, 8, and 9 are gonna just LOVE sitting through that for 2 hours. I think I may actually allow them to behave badly. I just think it is completely dishonest on the woman’s part to not even tell me about this presentation whatsoever. I feel blindsided, and there is nothing I can do about it. It’s nonrefundable. If I’d of known what it was, I would of made em throw in some free show tickets while they were at it.
May 23rd, 2012 at 8:34 am
Sugar them up and let ‘em run wild!
April 8th, 2013 at 3:44 pm
THIS IS A LIE.. NO ONE GOT YOU DRUNK AND SEPARATED YOU! GET REAL!
April 8th, 2013 at 4:02 pm
You’re right, no one got me drunk, they were buying my friend the drinks.