Sales of Timeshares a/k/a "Crimeshares"

I was recently in Nevada this past week as part of my nationwide book and speaking tour. Since my events all finished on Friday, my girlfriend decided to travel with me and we spent the weekend enjoying Las Vegas. While we leisurely strolled through the beautiful Venetian Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas strip, Angela decided to spend some time shopping in one of the luxury stores, and I said that I would wait for her while I relaxed with a cup of coffee by the “indoor river” and enjoyed people watching.

Not more than a few moments later, I was “accosted” by one of the solicitors for the new Marriott Timeshare Resort, which has a booth in the mall part of the Venetian. The solicitor was a nicely dressed older lady with a professional looking name tag and a red blazer. Insofar as I had some time to kill, I decided to play along (I talk about Timeshares on page 185 of my book and have long been fascinated about the sleazy sales process of this otherwise legitimate product). Here is the summary of how our conversation went:

SALES LADY: How much longer are you here for?
ME: Two more days.
SALES LADY: Where are you from?
ME: Colorado.

(Note: She was “qualifying” me. My answers showed her that I was both going to be in Las Vegas long enough to take a “tour” and that I was from out of state, likely meaning that I do not already “own” a home in the area).

SALES LADY: How would you like some free show tickets?
ME: Free? Sure!
SALES LADY: Come look at our list of shows! (She took me over to their counter about 10 feet away and handed me off to the “Counter Lady” who took over while she went back to rope in other people trying to enjoy their Sunday afternoon).
COUNTER LADY: Here are the shows we have tickets for. Some are free and others are only $5 (she flipped through a binder of show brochures).
COUNTER LADY: Where is your “wife?”
ME: I don’t know; she is shopping in one of the stores.
COUNTER LADY: Can you call and have her come here?
ME: No.
COUNTER LADY: Can you sign her up for a tour?
ME: Sure, absolutely. We have that kind of relationship. (sarcasm)
SALES LADY: Who do you work for?
ME: I don’t work for anyone.
SALES LADY: Does your “wife” have a job then?
ME: No. (I don’t have a wife yet, so how can “she” have a job)
SALES LADY: Are you a student in school?
ME: No.
SALES LADY: So, you live with your parents?
ME: No. (Puzzled look on the Sales Lady’s face, and then she walks away again).
COUNTER LADY: Here is one of our brochures. The next available “tour” leaves in 30 minutes. All the ones after that are booked.
ME: How much do the timeshares cost?
COUNTER LADY: We can’t tell you that. This is why you need to allow at least 2 hours for the “tour.”

(Note: When the Sales Lady overheard the talk of a “tour,” she came back and pulled the brochure I was reading out of my hands. She wrote her name on the back of it to make sure that she got “credit” and then handed it back to me).

ME: I read here in the fine print of the brochure that it says I can ask any representative for a copy of the cost and fees disclosure. Can I please see that?
SALES LADY: I don’t know anything about that. Nobody has ever asked. (She walks away).
COUNTER LADY: Where does it say that? I don’t know what you are talking about. I have never seen it.

By this time, I had proved my point and since Angela was done shopping, I was through with my little experiment. As you can hopefully see from above, I answered all of their questions but did not volunteer any extra information. Both the Venetian and Marriott are fine and well respected companies, but why do they tarnish their brand by engaging in such sleazy sales tactics for an otherwise legitimate product? Obviously, there is big money (and commissions) in the timeshare industry. Unfortunately, I have seen the above scenario play out multiple times, and an uneducated consumer is sitting prey.

Why can’t the timeshare people just come out and say here is how our product works: You buy X weeks per year and the cost is X? Timeshares are a great product for some people and I know many who enjoy them, but I feel that consumers should be given all of the facts and allowed to make their own educated decision (not just with timeshares, but with any transaction). Why do they need to entice people with “free” show tickets and make them take a “tour” to get a price? I do not like high pressure sales tactics like these – caveat emptor.

What do you think about timeshares or their sales tactics? Any timeshare experiences (positive or negative) you would care to share?

Warmest Regards,

Braun Mincher, Author, Speaker & Entrepreneur
The Secrets of Money: A Guide for Everyone on Practical Financial Literacy
Visit my Website: http://www.braunmincher.com/

2008 CIPA Book Awards - 3rd Place EVVY Winner

At the annual awards banquet for the Colorado Independent Publishers Association on Friday, March 28th, The Secrets of Money: A Guide for Everyone on Practical Financial Literacy, won 3rd place in the Business/Finance category!