Someone posted on another company or two regarding sales presentations. I thought I would share my experience with Wyndham.
I went to Wyndham in West Perth. They had pestered me about being a few minutes early because they would be starting on time. At every contact I was admonished to be on time. I got sick of it and told them that I did have the expectation that they would start on time and I would be very disappointed if they did not. That shut them up. They had suggested I show up 15 monutes early. I was running early and got free parking right outside their door. I read until about 4 minutes before.
They did not start on time, but were, in fact about 7 minutes late. Straight up I was handed a financial disclosure document, as was everyone else.
The presentation is done one on one. I was asked about my holiday habits and expectations. I think the sales person was surprised how much I holiday. And they ask how much you pay per night average and what your upcoming holiday plans are.
I started reeeling off all the times I had bought their timeshare weeks on ebay for a pittance. This is true. I also told her of my friend whose login details I have for DAElive which is a timeshare clearting house. I told her of my weeks in Singapore at $240 for the week, and of the 10 or so weeks on ebay I bought for the non-cash bookings on DAELive for about $300 a week. I didn't even get into group buying. I told her of my upcoming 12 day cruise on Celebrity Solstice around NZ and over to TAS and Sydney that I had bought for an all inclusive price for 2 peeps (not each) for $1150 for a balcony cabin.
She also wanted to know my background before I retired. I explained the real estate interests that I started with my ex and how he has grown them since.
She decided about 30 minutes into it that I was not going to buy, but sent me off to watch an 8 minute video. It was very friendly. She knew it wasn't good value for me and that I wouldn't be remorely interested. So, less than an hour later I was out the door with a $50 Coles card and a $1000 Wyndham voucher. The Wyndham voucher is not worth $1000, but it is worth something. It is one of those deals where you buy some nights at one of their properties and pay part with cash and part with the voucher. The best time to use this voucher is in absolute peak season. Here in WA, going down south to Margaret River/Busselton/Dunsborough in the december/jan school holidays is almost a must. I generally go down for a week after my daughter's school lets out, but before the public school lets out. The minute the public schools let out, it is peak season, only eclipsed by staying there on the actual Christmas and/or NY public holidays. I would prefer to stay during peak season as there are other kids there at that time and that makes my daughter happy. The price differential for the week or two before the public schools let out and after that is zero. It isn't available during actual christmas and NY, but neither am I. She usually spends Christmas in Melbourne and I spend my time overseas.
Sorry to be long winded about it. The bottom line is that the voucher is worth a few hundred dollars to me in my circumstances.
I had never been to one of these presentations and wanted to know what they were like. That was my primary motivation. It had been my understanding that they were high pressure and try to play on your weaknesses. In my case it was not that way. Everyone else that came at the same time were still deeply in discussions with their sales reps when I left. The presentation was supposed to be for about 90 minutes.
A number of people had paid some sort of deposit that was refunded when they arrived. I don't know who would do that unless they had paid some money and stayed at one of the properties before attending the presentation. I don;t know what their "parting gifts", if any, would have been.
Thanks for sharing.
Do tell.