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I just got back from the Sheraton Desert Oasis in Scottsdale. I attended their pitch for the $100 AMEX Card and to learn about their resorts. I spoke with Dee who was the saleswoman and was very nice . Since I read up on their website about their program I was asking hard questions that Dee could not even answer. First of all there was no spa at the quiet pool. Secondly the Deluxe 1 Bedroom is small and does not have a full kitchen.
Thank heavens I was staying here for the week on a Redweek.com rental.
When the closer came in he told me this story about how he bought a time share thinking he would get money from a motorcycle accident when he was 19. He did not tell his parents he bought it at the young age of 19. He said he made friends with the timeshare salesmen and worked for him to excuse the fees he owned. The unit I was looking at was $30,000 for a 2 bedroom annual use with $650 in fees. I laughed to myself that this is quite a horror when you can find the same unit for $2 on Redweek.com.
The Starwood Points system and incentives are not worth $30,000. It would not cost me that much to reach Starwood Gold as I can find hotels for $100 a night and stay the x amount of nights. Upgrades based on availability are worthless as one can find good deals online.
After the story the closer told me I pulled out my Redweek.com Resales and told him I am smart and I won't spend $30,000 for the same unit and I like to discuss with my parents before buying.
I was taken to the survey person who sold me a vacation for $1,800 for 7 days to return. I again declined as for that much I could buy a resale unit and pay the fees etc.
I feel sorry for people who pay $30,000 for their timeshare. I love how the sales people say" And if you buy today I will throw in another getaway". Well I can go for $500 -$1,00 for the week if I want a getaway.
Buying Direct is a horror story. I take the $100 gift card and go. I go from Marriott to Hyatt to Starwood in many locations just to learn about the property and how they run. Then I take a week to think about it before pursuing the resale route. Apparently you can go to as many of these presentations so as long as you don't do it in the same state twice within 6 months. I will attend more in Palm Springs.
Furthermore they were selling the Westin Kierland at the Sheraton without showing me the Westin. I spoke with someone who said they could not even get booked at the Westin even since they bought at the Westin.
Another tip when considering buying a timeshare is to go to the spa and make chitchat with fellow vacationers and ask them. This tip works for me and I asked them if they were happy with their timeshare and they said they would have rather bought it on resale. Even if you are not staying at the resort go to the spa and speak with owners and see if they would buy it direct.
Good luck and happy vacationing.
Thank heavens I was staying here for the week on a Redweek.com rental.
When the closer came in he told me this story about how he bought a time share thinking he would get money from a motorcycle accident when he was 19. He did not tell his parents he bought it at the young age of 19. He said he made friends with the timeshare salesmen and worked for him to excuse the fees he owned. The unit I was looking at was $30,000 for a 2 bedroom annual use with $650 in fees. I laughed to myself that this is quite a horror when you can find the same unit for $2 on Redweek.com.
The Starwood Points system and incentives are not worth $30,000. It would not cost me that much to reach Starwood Gold as I can find hotels for $100 a night and stay the x amount of nights. Upgrades based on availability are worthless as one can find good deals online.
After the story the closer told me I pulled out my Redweek.com Resales and told him I am smart and I won't spend $30,000 for the same unit and I like to discuss with my parents before buying.
I was taken to the survey person who sold me a vacation for $1,800 for 7 days to return. I again declined as for that much I could buy a resale unit and pay the fees etc.
I feel sorry for people who pay $30,000 for their timeshare. I love how the sales people say" And if you buy today I will throw in another getaway". Well I can go for $500 -$1,00 for the week if I want a getaway.
Buying Direct is a horror story. I take the $100 gift card and go. I go from Marriott to Hyatt to Starwood in many locations just to learn about the property and how they run. Then I take a week to think about it before pursuing the resale route. Apparently you can go to as many of these presentations so as long as you don't do it in the same state twice within 6 months. I will attend more in Palm Springs.
Furthermore they were selling the Westin Kierland at the Sheraton without showing me the Westin. I spoke with someone who said they could not even get booked at the Westin even since they bought at the Westin.
Another tip when considering buying a timeshare is to go to the spa and make chitchat with fellow vacationers and ask them. This tip works for me and I asked them if they were happy with their timeshare and they said they would have rather bought it on resale. Even if you are not staying at the resort go to the spa and speak with owners and see if they would buy it direct.
Good luck and happy vacationing.
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