Taking the free timeshare trip

Take advantage of what a developer offers, even if you don't want to.

Wayne and Judy Bayliff, the SF Active Seniors Travel Examiners, recently made the suggestion of taking one of the free timeshare promotion trips, even if you have absolutely no intention of buying timeshare.

The suggestion being that to take the offered getaway would be exploiting the generosity of the developer.

Well, to take the liberty of speaking for all the developers, exploit away.

No one goes to a timeshare presentation with the intention of making a purchase. No one. They even have elaborate pre-planned alibis on why they cannot buy, and who is going to be the good cop, and which one will be the bad cop. Yet somehow, year in year out, somewhere between one-out-of-ten and one-out-of-twelve couples at a presentation generally purchase.

And another thing – while these are trips sponsored by timeshare companies, and you will attend a timeshare presentation, in most cases you are not going to be staying at a timeshare resort for the two nights.

There are a couple of reasons for that – for one, many resorts are built in phases, and sales are taking place for a phase that has not yet been built, limiting the space available. Perhaps more significantly, the developer wants to emphasize the relative spaciousness of the timeshare accommodations, and what better way to create that contrast than by having the prospect spend the night in the traditional “two beds and a lamp” hotel room.

How will you be treated at the presentation, especially if you decline the offer? Generally pretty good. Remember, the vast majority of prospects at most presentation do not purchase, so that doesn’t make you stand out. Secondly, much of the sales these days is being conducted by the “Flags” – the traditional hospitality company’s, like Four Seasons, Hyatt and Hilton.

Since they expect to have an ongoing business relationship with you – in fact, you’ve likely been approached for marketing because you already are a patron of the company, they want you to leave with a good taste in your mouth, even if you didn’t purchase. At the very least you will be impressed with the innovative programs the company has added to its offerings.

By the way, just by nature of the fact that you are there – it already makes you an attractive prospect. Remember, the lure that you bit on was a free hotel/resort stay. Not a free TV or MP3 player – a trip.

How about paying for the privilege of attending a sales presentation – to find out more, click here.

So take the free vacation – some of you are going to purchase in spite of yourselves.