BTW....there are some variables at play when you are negotiating. Time of month, sales quota, future occupancy rate, etc. Just ask them for the same contract you previously were offerred and go from there. You might be hitting at the right time and get it.
They must all run from the same playbook! We used to go to Nuevo Vallarta (Grande Luxxe) a lot and used a friends "timeshare" (though they did not call them that because you were an "owner" for 6 weeks of the year). Beautiful place, truly 5 star and I know what my friends paid (money to burn, they actually bought 30 weeks a year). However it was for 10 years and then you had nothing. Long story short, the deal started at $150k up front and then $2k or so a year to have 4 weeks a year. Then it went to 6 weeks, then 6 weeks at $100k, then any 6 weeks at $75k, then $50k. They got to $40k and any 6 weeks.....Wasted a whole day but thought "wow, I am $100k better than my friends and don't have to buy 30 weeks to get the holidays". I gave them my CC with a 24 hour cooling off period. Changed my mind (whole other story on that). Ended up with the "super closer" who basically offered the same deal at $18k. I still said no and don't regret it. I never told my friends though....I think it depends on the quotas and the sales people. They cannot create the deal but if you get to the "super closer" (just like buying a car), you probably got the best deal available at the time! Sorry, wife just left for Aruba and I am bored.....
The playbook may well be similiar, due to sales people who have previous experience selling timeshares at other resorts. In fact I suggest for anyone serious about buying to request a sales person who is "TTR battle tested" and not fairly new. Too many of the sales staff actually have limited knowledge about the hotel and/or the contract options But Original Resorts contracts are substantially different than most other "timeshares"
Based on all of your advice, we have decided to adamently and politely say NO to any invitations! Our time is a bit more valuable while on vacation. Thanks to all that have replied. Your wealth of knowledge is invaluable to us "newbies"!
We have already decided to go back on a referral with the possibility of buying. There are a lot of great people on this site that have bought and, since they are great people, they have earned believability with us. Won't do it on the May trip as we are not on referral but will in July or the fall. Plan is simple, say no until we talk to the guy (or gal) with the worst wristwatch (the mark of a super closer) and even worse suit, shoes and tie. Say no to him after saying maybe a couple of times and then decide if it is in our budget.
I respect your views @Tink We always liked getting paid $50 an hour for the time spent. Did it at least 5 trips before buying finally. And they had name band booze upstairs instead of the mostly gut rot at the peasants' bars in those days.
we went with a referral this time .. the presentation wasn't bad ..I had a good time talking to the sales rep lol .. we did agree to join .. but we nixed a lot of the fluff stuff they offer and did a bare bones deal ..and got something in writing we had to have to join ... we have done the presentation in the past and did not join we were offered the coupon book .. once they offered to up us to premier .. but we didn't remind them so they forgot we also don't do early morning so we moved ours to like 10:30
Thanks! We've done our research and paid our fair share for our stay so sitting through a presentation and not getting any advantages the day of is not worth it to me. If we could negotiate $$$ or perks that would be worth the 90 minutes then there is a possibly, but the advice seems inconsistent at this point. We will be there in OCT so we have time to figure out our best decision.
Don't be shy...drop my name when you are up there around the supervisors. The Marshe account is dwindling again, (Referrals have been scarce since the opening) and we can use the $$ credit
