How To Survive A Timeshare Presentation: The secrets and process you need to know!
You probably just read about how to benefit from timeshare presentations and are ready to grab your free offers and take advantage of a presentation - great!
STOP
Before you enter into a presentation it is important to know what you are getting into and how to avoid walking out thousands of dollars poorer. , you are attending the presentation for the free meal and free tickets.
The Sales Process:
- In most cases you will be told to meet at the office of the sale company. In most cases this will be a retail outlet on the main floor of a hotel. Here they will get you to sign in, and will ask for proof of who you are - Bring your drivers licence
- In many cases, you probably had to pay a small refundable deposit on the free tickets you were promised. You will likely need your credit card to put the deposit back on at the end of the presentation - Bring your credit card. Tip: Give your credit card to your spouse, and have him/her hold it for you. This way, you have to ask for your card and avoid the impulse buy!
- Once you have signed in, the presenters will take you to the main ballroom and match you with a sales person. This person will act like your best friend in the world and sit with you during the presentation to talk-up the offer and answer any questions. Tip: Tell your sales person from the beginning that you are here only for your free tickets and not to buy! This sets the stage, and your sales person will avoid the pressure tactics employed on "might buy" clients.
- Your sales person will try to take an interest in who you are and your life. They will ask where you live, how many kids, what you do for work, how often you vacation. This is all the evaluate your potential wealth and ability of buy their product. TIP: LIE! Explain to them that you have saved years for this trip and are only at this presentation to get the free tickets (keep telling them this) so that you can see something you couldn't otherwise afford.
- Sit back and enjoy the presentation! The main presenter will usually be pretty good and entertaining. The more you enjoy it, the faster time flies that it won't seem like such a waste of your time. Don't fall for any false promises and hype to what the presentation tells you - besides, you have a secret weapon in your pocket (I'll explain later).
- Once the presentation is over your sale person will ask if you like the product. After the much-hype presentation, of course the only thing you can say is yes! They made it sound like the greatest thing in the world. Now they will ask if you are ready to purchase the limited time promotional offer. NOTE:some presentations will even offer further, more amazing offers to the first 1 or 2 people who sign up, let alone the offer that expires when you walk out the door. Don't be fooled! Say "No, I'm only here for the free tickets" (notice a trend yet)
- After a little more pressure you meet the Sales Manager. His/her job is ask why you don't want the product and then to offer you an even better deal; because they have "special authority" . Say NO, I'm just here for the free tickets and can't afford this nor do I want it. The sales manager will probably give you another price adjustment. Still, say No.
- Why? Because you are about the meet the Deal Closer. This person is the last line of defence they have has even more "special authority" to lower the price. TIP: sometimes you can get more free stuff out of them like a 2 night stay at another resort they own (yes, it involves another presentation at that resort). Explain to the Deal Closer that you are only here for the free tickets and have no intention of buying.
- Realizing that this deal is going nowhere, they will focus their time on someone else who "might" buy. You may now walk out, collect you deposit and Free tickets
Your Secret weapon to ensure a quick, hassle free escape!
You have had it all along in your pocket, and now I'll tell you how to use it. Your Cell Phone! Most presentations are done in a hotel; and most hotels have free wireless Internet for guests. As long as your phone isn't 20 years old, it should have Internet browsing abilities. While at your table, or while taking a "bathroom break" check out some reviews of the product or service they are pitching. If they are selling you a timeshare condo for $15,000, go on eBay or a timeshare listing site and see what people are really trying to unload their property for - you'll be surprised at the depreciation when units are selling for $1500.00!
If it's a service they are selling, Google the name + reviews. If they don't live up to their promises in the presentation, there will definitely be negative reviews online! Simply come back with this information and you will probably get out much sooner (they want to avoid you asking them questions in front of everyone).
