I just read a review and wanted to get everyone thoughts on having to sit though a Timeshare Pitch. Can anyone tell us about this and if it really happens? "Alcohol .... Because no great story ever started with someone eating a salad"
You really have two options. 1.) Decline the 'welcome breakfast' and simply ingnore any follow up calls etc to try to schedule one for you. 2.) Go and let them give you the pitch. Based on what you feel like you may or may not decide to buy the timeshare. Once they have had a chance to make a pitch to you and you decline they are required by Mexican law to leave you alone and they will. The process of going through the pitch and tour takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. If you can handle a used car salesman you can handle them. Some people get really offended by them, it's fair to keep in mind that the salespeople work on a strictly commission basis. Don't take it personally it's just the nature of the beast.
Yes, it really does happen. The only person you need to talk to is behind the front desk on the left. All of those other people off to the right side beyond the front desk are the timeshare people. We actually had to be quite rude to the guy after we told him very politely three times that we would not be interested in setting up a hotel tour with him. BTW, the hotel tour is the 3 hour timeshare sell. If you like freebies and don't care about taking a 3-hour tour, then by all means, do the tour, I've heard of people getting free massages or free bottles of liquor.
We avoided it the first time we went, but the second time we actually went and asked because we wanted to find out about a membership. We do enjoy the perks the gold wristband offers....they definitely give you a nicer selection of rooms and the premium drinks and no reservation line ups (for dinner) is very nice. If there's no room left by the sexy pool, Julio will clear you a spot and bring chairs over....can't beat that. We don't regret buying.
If you are interested, go ahead. But if you're not interested, here are some things to get you past the timeshare pitch: 1. When you are checking in, the desk attendant will tell you something along the lines of, "While I finish your check in, so-and-so will give you some hotel information," and then so-and-so will lead you over to one of the other tables, show you a map, discuss the restaurant reservation process, and then schedule a "welcome breakfast" or "hotel tour." If you want to avoid this, tell the front desk clerk you've been to TTR before and don't need the tour. 2. If you refuse the "hotel information" the timeshare person might actually be with the bellhop and your luggage, offering to take you to your room. Tell them you've been to through the pitch before and would like to go straight to your room. 3. If you schedule, they will call early in the morning to "remind" you. If you don't schedule, they will call early in the morning to "give you another chance." If you want to sleep in, unplug your phone--every night!
We have survived 2 visits without a timeshare pitch in sight! They don't seem to pick on us Brits, so just tell them you are from the UK!
When she asked what time we wanted the tour, we just said "We aren't interested thanks" Her response was "can I ask Why?" Our reply was short and sweet "NO" They never bothered us after that!
Thanks for the great advice everyone. I don't know if this makes a difference or not but we don't get to the hotel till about 9:30 at night. I guess the Timeshare folks are there all the time. Not to worry, we know how to handle them.
