It is fine if you know about it when you book, but to be broadsided at the resort is another thing.
- Thread starter rogerjac
- Start date
Non weekend getaway
A word of advice. NEVER attend a timeshare or vacation club seminar. NEVER........They give ice in the winter.............And the pressure is immense..........
I disagree Bob, nothing could prepare you for that level of pressure. I had to lie down in a darkened room afterwards.
By the way, if you end up in a resort and you're being hounded, just tell them that you are bankrupt and are not allowed to have any credit. That always gets shot of them.
I'm not joking. I literally took to my bed all afternoon. Horrible horrible horrible. I stayed for exactly the two hours, not a second more, but it was years ago and to this day I still remember how nasty the whole experience was.
When we stayed in our $59 per person per night resort the other day, they were selling timeshare packages for about US$ 30,000, and on top of that you'd have to pay maintenance of about $3,000 per year and an all-inclusive fee of $80 per person per night. And I just thought if we have booked at US$ 59 per person per night, who could possibly be so stupid as to pay all that money for basically a worse deal. I'm very mathsy and I know that there are a lot of very stupid and rich people out there.
They want to keep Dominicans away, they eat too much and are too noisy when check in a resort, I won't go again to a resort during School summer vacation time.
I spent two nights last year in Hard Rock in Babaro and it was packed with Dominican Yorkers.
JJ
I spent two nights last year in Hard Rock in Babaro and it was packed with Dominican Yorkers.
JJ
Gosh I'd far rather have a hotel full of Dominicans than a hotel full of young Americans on spring break, or trailer trash with their stanley-cups.
Were you there on a weekend? They load up on weekends, especially Holiday ones...........
I've used that a few times and would flat outright tell them I was just there for the free stuff because I couldn't finance a sandwich.
I always felt a little sorry for them when I saw the look on their faces. They were under immense pressure to perform.
In the UK they passed a law saying that banks and credit card companies cannot send funds to pay for timeshare sales unless the buyer has had 30 days to think about it in the UK and spoken to an independent lawyer to discuss exactly what they are getting into. All the salespeople know it's not worth selling to Brits now as a result.
They work on commission at most places, on our last day there a couple we met said they go there all the time. The first day they tell the sales guy they’re not interested and give him American cash ($20-$50) to leave them alone. They said it always worked.
I think some resorts are worse than others when it comes to the time share/vacation club pitch. I have never really been bothered but people I have been with have.
When my daughter and I were new to vacationing in the DR, we stayed at the Paradise in Playa Dorada. Their timeshare people were very low key.
It's so sad that if you stay in a hotel you have to pay $50 extra just to have some peace.
It's funny, I must look really scary because those timeshare people always try to sell to my OH but never ever approach me.
I'm curious...is it obvious when booking at a resort that the timeshare pitch is going to be a part of the price? I've only stayed at one resort (ironically the same Gran Ventana that prompted this thread) and there was no pitch. And no extra charge for my Dominican girlfriend. I think I booked through Booking.com, but memory fades. Asking me once if I might like to learn more about a timeshare is okay...don't bother me again after I say "gracias, no"
Some hotels without mentioning names will tell you when you check in that a breakfast meeting to make dinner reservations and explain all about the hotel is scheduled for you. DON'T GO..............
You are there for a vacation, not a 3 or 4 hour hard sell to basically rob your money.............
You are there for a vacation, not a 3 or 4 hour hard sell to basically rob your money.............
When I first came to the DR, many years ago, I went to a nearby all-inclusive hotel to see what it was like. I was soon caught by a salesman who ushered me inside to talk about the hotel's offerings and he gave me a free beer. I soon realised it was timeshare and was determined not to be tempted. After resisting his efforts, he told me to wait and see his boss to see if there was a better offer available. He gave me another free beer while I waited. After seeing about four people and having several more free beers, I still managed to resist and they gave up, allowing me to leave, proud of myself and feeling rather drunk!
If everyone was like you they would be out of business. But unfortunately for most they are not......