My girlfriend and I are making our first trip to TTR Mar 22-28. I've read a lot on these threads and got great info...so excited! Had a couple questions we were hoping to get answered before getting down there: Several reviews talk about a lengthy "introduction" which is basically a sales pitch. What is being offered and is it worth listening to? If not, what's the best way to avoid it without just being rude? Kinda related to the above bullet but... What is entailed in being a member? Rough cost / inclusions / etc? If it's fun as everyone makes it sound, I think we'd consider...but I'd like to have an idea before getting to the table. If we don't opt for the membership, are we gonna regret it? Thanks for your input and we look forward to meeting those there next week!!!
The pitch is a breakfast meeting.. Breakfast, tour, drinks and an offer. If you're not into hearing it simply say "we're not interested". Membership has many privileges and is worthwhile if you plan to spend more than a week or two a year at the resort. The premier of the Premier memberships start around 40,000. The one I bought was about 6. The more you pay, the more days and perks you get. There's way too many options and perks to explain here.. To many of us who love the resort it's the only way to go.. Id suggest spending a few days having fun.. If you think it's for you, sit down and hear them out.. If not, don't.. Just my 2 cents.
Parrothead pretty much answered the question with regard to the membership. I have gone twice as a non-member and everything was great. There were some menu options and a special member bar, with upgraded drink options, that were available if you were a member. I wasn't and didn't really miss anything. Now I did want to expand on the pitch. The way it has worked for me, is that right after you check-in there is a person they sit you down with that explains the rules, restaurants, pools, and the map. Basically like a quick overview. This is helpful your first time. In this 10 minute convo they then try to get you to set up a later time to the timeshare pitch, trying to disguise it as something you need to do. I basically just said no thanks twice, and that was the end up of it.
+ even if they explain the resort and where are stuff. They have Huge board with names and arrow. + if you're lost someone will be glad to tell you where it is. Don't loose your time with them as they give you alcohol and try to get you drunk and discuss with u about your contract. My best bet is just tell them that you already been to the resort you can find the rule on their website basicly... no means no.. no sex in public.. no nudity are allowed except during some of the entertainment game. No smoking inside on balcony and outside. Need to be dressed up for lunch and dinner ( no wet clothes ). It's all basic. Now after your trip if you like the resort and you know you'll go back then when you booked your trip it's the time to listen what they have to say. Be careful and read everything even small caracter of your contract. Envoyé de mon SM-G900W8 en utilisant Tapatalk
If it's your first visit, something you may want to consider is skipping their presentation, see how you enjoy the resort and spend some time talking to premier members what they like and don't like about being premier. Ask lots of questions about what options they offered during the presentation. Most premier members have referral weeks where you can come as a white band guest and get most (all?) of the perks that members get as a trial. The stipulation is, you do have to go through the presentation......but by then you have more information to evaluate and you should have also evaluated your own holiday plans and how being a member (and RCI timeshare) would work for you. I have been to the presentation and didnt find them overly high pressure, but the better informed you are, the better decision (and not emotional) you can make for you.
they do have a small bar in their office and they make their drinks strong and in bigger cups than you get at the bar unless you're getting to go, members can hit that bar also an just get a drink if you are nearby it. But if you're not interested at all in a timeshare just skip it as there are plenty of CCC members that will be glad to show you around and help you get the lay of the land and not try to sell you anything. But talking with members while at the pool is a good thing to do also.
Avoid the sales pitch like the plague. Check in , ask for your room key go check your room accept it if your ok with it don't be afraid to ask for something better as they will always try to get you to take the crappy rooms first . Say a polite no thanks not interested and walk away . You will get a note under your door offering you money in exchange for going to reception and asking what they want and yes its another attempt to sell you a membership time share call it what you want . On our first visit the girl got real pissy when I said no thanks and walked away , 2nd visit same girl and I guess she remembered and didn't even try to sell it me .
We have always told the time share people that we did that last year, and we are not interested. That seems to completely shut them down and there has never been a follow up. That even worked our first time there. :icon_mrgreen:
During our first trip after we checked in they made it seem like we had to talk with one of the concierge people who gave us some maps of the resort and what not. We ended up getting signed up for a tour which we had a feeling it was just going to be a meeting about time shares. We actually got a call in our room the next morning to remind us of our meeting. I just told them we were not going to make it and we were never bothered again. I am thankful for the advice I have been reading to know how to politely avoid this on our next visit
We're probably 12-0 against timeshare salesmen, including 3-0 vs. Original (Temptation). We don't do the pitch anymore because the incentives just are not there (we love Hilton because you get great perks to tell it no). No one I know has ever explained it to me in an economically rational way. Plus, I would never buy "same day" without an attorney review. I would never trust a sales pitch that relies on getting you drunk, high pressure. However, to each his own. Basically, what you're doing is pre-paying nights at a set rate. You also get some amenities as described above. Here is the decision criteria I recommend: 1. Will you return enough to this resort to use all your nights (they rely on breakage ... nights they have sold but never will fulfill and thus can re-book, i.e. sell twice) 2. Do you think the deal the resort offers is cheaper than what you could buy ad hoc? I am not making normative statements or give you my opinion on the answers, but that is the framework I use. A lot of people find great value in the premiere membership, and that's awesome. It is for some folks. Last advice: 1. RCI is worthless - you'll never be above water not booking at any resort but TTR (this applies to all time shares; only your home resort makes little economic sense) 2. Do not finance it - they arbitrage the rate, so if you cannot pay cash, you're going to be underwater long term. Good luck. They offered us cups (we have four) and tequila (it was rot-gut). We will not go again unless they offer Kristina a chica caliente para las noches.
