Make Money Vacationing in Orlando, Florida
Time Share Companies Pay to Get Their Product in Front of Customers
Sep 1, 2009
Traveling is expensive. While there are simple money-saving tips like eating breakfast in one's room and never getting the overpriced insurance for a rental car (your car insurance usually adds this on for about 20 cents a day) it should not be overlooked that there are ways a person can not only save money while away, but also make a few dollars as well.
First, please note that a person should not attend a timeshare sales presentation unless they are truly interested in purchasing.
That being said, when looking for a timeshare be sure to ensure a few things before agreeing to meet a company representative.
Timeshare Presentations are not Known for Their Punctuality
The line often given to prospective timeshare owners is that the presentation will be 90 minutes. Be sure to have about twice as much time available.
While it is true that the person on the phone schedules people for appointments, these appointments are really just suggestions. Potential owners can show up early or late many times without penalization. Silverleaf Resorts in Holly Lake, Texas, which is known for its phenomenal indoor water park, has more of a cattle call setup for its future clients. People show up, sign in, and wait to be greeted by a sales person.
The 10-20 wait is not long, but the company does not consider it part of the 90 minute presentation.
The Wyndham Washington, DC Resort, on the other hand, has a morning and an afternoon appointment each day. While attending the afternoon appointment, be prepared to wait; the appointment appears to be a means of having customers ready for sales people rather than the other way around.
When the presentation is over (maybe 90 minutes after the first handshake, maybe not) the sales person will ask for referrals of friends and family, and then disappears. Add 10 minutes for this. Then, before receiving the gift for attending the presentation, another person will take a short survey of why no sale was made shortly before trying to sell a sample timeshare package for about 10% of the original price.
Following this, customers are finally led to the gift reception area where they will wait 10-20 minutes either in line, or for a person to address a large group as it builds. All in all, customers should expect to be out of there in under three hours.
Make Sure the Gifts Will be in Cash
The largest lure to attending a presentation is the fact that even if a customer does not buy, he will leave with something worth his time. Some companies offer prizes that appear better than cash. Be very wary of these. The Holly Lake resort noted above offers the opportunity to win $300 cash, a $500 cruise, or a new car!
The catch is that almost everyone wins the cruise, which departs from Florida for Nassau, Bahamas, or Texas for Mexico. Those without passports are not as likely to make the trip, and it can only be taken in the off season, when those with the passports and the money to take a second vacation would be more inclined to do so.
Orange Lake Country Club, in Kissimmee, Florida, on the other hand, offers $100 cash or discounted tickets to local attractions such as Walt Disney World. In addition to this, they serve breakfast or lunch.
The Orlando area is full of opportunities like this, with timeshare companies offering cash, gift cards, and discounts to local attractions. In fact, if a consumer wanted to really shop around, he could find several timeshare companies to interview via their sales presentations, earning between $400 and $500 in savings and cash over a week while figuring out which company is the best for him and his family.
Additionally, restaurants surrounding Orlando, such as Red Lobster, have representatives offering to schedule appointments, and they are usually very knowledgeable about other companies that are offering great deals for the consideration of doing business with them.
Don't Forget, the Timeshare Salesman is a Salesman
Timeshare sales people know that intelligent customers would not make such a large purchase right after receiving a presentation. However, they still attempt to close the sale right then knowing that they are selling something people do not need. Along with attempting to close right then and there, the product is often pitched as an investment that is only available at that price that day.
When hearing any kind of nonsense like this, remember that timesharing has never had a freeze due to demand being extraordinarily higher than supply.
Another common answer some sales people give is that customers won't be allowed to see another timeshare presentation for six months after the one they've just been through. This, as well, may be true for that specific company (expect a call in six months) but it is no truer than if a car salesman told a customer that the dealer down the street wouldn't do business with her if she didn't buy a car right then and there.
Shopping for timeshares can be a lot of fun. Most of these resorts are very beautiful, offering the luxury of a vacation home for a fraction of the price with none of the hassles. For any travelers going to Orlando, Florida in the near future, be sure to check out some of these great resorts. In doing so, there is money to be made and saved.
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