Timeshare Vacations?

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koonja

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At Valleyfair, we filled out to win a 4-wheeler or something. We didn't win that, but got called and told we are being offered a sweepstakes that is a 3 night stay at a 'land vacation', followed by a 5 night cruise/'sea vacation'.

The 3 night hotel for the land portion is paid for, but I have to attend a 120 minute timeshare seminar, but am not required to buy anything. After completion, I receive the 5 night cruise, where everything but alcohol and transportation to the Miami/Texas port is paid for for both my GF and I. I'm extremely skeptical of this - the only cost is $149 a piece for the seminar, but we get $200 in dining cards upon attending, and she doesn't even have to attend the seminar because I qualify for what they want by myself.

For the sea/cruise part, there is no seminar, there is no $149 per person fee, it's literally free if we show up on the port and meals are included on the cruise.

Has anyone done anything like this? It sounds too good to be true.
 
dshans

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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/43on86AmOw8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
wizards8507

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Over / under $20,000

Koon's timeshare mortgage after the presentation
 
K

koonja

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Is it really a bad deal if I know I won't buy a timeshare?
 
woolybug25

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wizards8507 said:
No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Stop.
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woolybug25 said:
Go. You should totally go.
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koonja said:
I said put me down for 8 people.
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200w.gif
 
wizards8507

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koonja said:
I can't afford one. So again, if I know I won't buy a timeshare, this seems like a great deal.
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Most people can't afford them and they buy them anyways.

Not that it's relevant, but don't ever buy one even if you can afford it. Timeshares (and cash value life insurance) are the payday loans of the middle class.
 
K

koonja

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wizards8507 said:
Most people can't afford them and they buy them anyways.

Not that it's relevant, but don't ever buy one even if you can afford it. Timeshares (and cash value life insurance) are the payday loans of the middle class.
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Again, hear me out, if I don't buy one, is this still a terrible idea? Just work with that hypothetical...

It sounds kind of interesting to see how weird the presentation gets, and the cruise for 2 people is 5 nights and no money or presentation requirement for that.
 
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garyasher

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Its 90 minutes of

"You need to buy"
"no, I can't afford it"
"we'll drop the price"
No I can't afford it
Its the best investment ever,
No, I can't afford it, haven't you been listening?
You need to buy this for your kids
No, I really can't afford it.
So one week or 2?

You have to stay the total time or you won't get the cert.

Ok, I understand about not wanting to plunck $20k down, but how about $10 for every other year? You need this..

No, I really only came for the free stuff.

You need to but a 1 week vacation to our sister resort in TN
Hey time is up!
Let me have you talk to my manager so he can give you the cert.
Ok, Phew..

Sir, I am the manager, you need a 10k timeshare, I have the paper work ready, sign here or the girl gets sold on eBay.

Ok ok I need it, where do I sign?
 
wizards8507

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koonja said:
Again, hear me out, if I don't buy one, is this still a terrible idea? Just work with that hypothetical...
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The math works, but it's not a pleasant experience. It's incorrect to assume that the presentation will only be for the two hours or however much time you're in the conference room. The entire trip will be a high-pressure sales pitch. It won't be fun.

koonja said:
It sounds kind of interesting to see how weird the presentation gets, and the cruise for 2 people is 5 nights and no money or presentation requirement for that.
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It's not weird, it's hostile. Timeshare salesmen are not nice people.
 
K

koonja

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wizards8507 said:
The math works, but it's not a pleasant experience. It's incorrect to assume that the presentation will only be for the two hours or however much time you're in the conference room. The entire trip will be a high-pressure sales pitch. It won't be fun.


It's not weird, it's hostile. Timeshare salesmen are not nice people.
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I'm not treating the land/time share vacation as a 'vacation'. I look at that as 'work', and the pay off is the cruise for 5 nights, which requires NO 2nd timeshare presentation.

Again, IF I do not buy anything and have this mindset, it seems like a good deal, or am I missing something.
 
K

koonja

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Ndaccountant said:
sounds like you have your mind made up, so why ask? Kind of like the deck staining crap all over again.
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I'm on the fence about it, and there are articles saying 'if you have fun with it it's not bad and a great idea', and others that say 'omg this is awful'.

I'm certain I won't buy anything, so I know that seems to be a hold up in people offering advice, but just roll with me on that fact.

So trying to see if anyone has a real life experience.
 
NDohio

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koonja said:
I'm on the fence about it, and there are articles saying 'if you have fun with it it's not bad and a great idea', and others that say 'omg this is awful'.

I'm certain I won't buy anything, so I know that seems to be a hold up in people offering advice, but just roll with me on that fact.

So trying to see if anyone has a real life experience.
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Before going on this sales pitch, watch the documentary Queen of Versaiiles. It will give you some insight on the type of people you will be dealing with.
 
gkIrish

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koonja said:
I'm not treating the land/time share vacation as a 'vacation'. I look at that as 'work', and the pay off is the cruise for 5 nights, which requires NO 2nd timeshare presentation.

Again, IF I do not buy anything and have this mindset, it seems like a good deal, or am I missing something.
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You've already been warned that this is a bad idea overall and that despite what you believe you will or won't do, this will turn out poorly (either by you buying a timeshare or by you not having fun).

You aren't missing anything else.
 
zelezo vlk

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Haven't you ever seen the South Park episode? Never get a time share.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
 
K

koonja

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gkIrish said:
You've already been warned that this is a bad idea overall and that despite what you believe you will or won't do, this will turn out poorly (either by you buying a timeshare or by you not having fun).

You aren't missing anything else.
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But I know I wont have fun on the timeshare portion - my expectation is that that will suck.

I will have fun on the cruise, which does not require a timeshare presentation and will be months removed from my nightmare that was the timeshare. So I don't think it's as predictable as you make it seem.
 
gkIrish

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koonja said:
But I know I wont have fun on the timeshare portion - my expectation is that that will suck.

I will have fun on the cruise, which does not require a timeshare presentation and will be months removed from my nightmare that was the timeshare. So I don't think it's as predictable as you make it seem.
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These people are scam artists. They will find a way to make you pay for everything if you end up not being the timeshare. If it's too good to be true, it's a scam. Just use common sense.
 
K

koonja

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gkIrish said:
These people are scam artists. They will find a way to make you pay for everything if you end up not being the timeshare. If it's too good to be true, it's a scam. Just use common sense.
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That's the part I'm worried about - but they're very clear there are no obligations beyond attending the 120 minute thing, and we went over who pays for everything from plane tickets to the port, to port fees, to tips.
 
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