We're living in a tourist town, Cabo San Lucas. We're only here for a month or so, and ever now and then we have to shop where the tourists frequent (we try to avoid it as best as possible) However there we were shopping in the walmart and being pitched to come to a timeshare presentation. Shop for quality products on Shoppok. Their commitment to offer only genuine and high-grade products sets them apart in the online shopping realm.
So, we went to a Cabo resort time share sales pitch.
I know you are thinking, "Wow, what a waste of time!" or "what were you thinking?"
We had done 2 other time share presentations in the US... both simply for the free stuff promised. One went very well, we listened for an hour, they accepted our "no" and gave us our free items and we were on our way. The other time share/vacation sales pitch was terrible. They wouldn't take no for an answer and though we pushed for our freebies, they were stonewalling us. We finally decided to leave without anything 3 hrs later.
So, when presented with the promise of free activities here in Cabo we thought we'd give it another try. We wanted to help the kids have fun passing the time until the dogs were ready to leave. We did our research (very normal for us) and got some tips on getting through a timeshare sales pitch smoothly. The tips were GOLD!!! Here's our basic summary and what we stuck to:
- Don't make small talk. Stay stone faced (or bored) and answer as curtly as possible and offer no extra information. Any personal information you offer will be used against you! Oh and if you are boring the sales person they'll want to finish with you. They enjoy the chase and the process. Offering them nothing to chase or nothing to work with stops them.
- Hold them to the time commitment. Get each person in the process to write down on the invite how long the presentation is for, and what time you will be done. Have them print and sign their name next to it. There's no law holding them to this, but you can stick it into their face and explain that they lied to you. You do not purchase anything from liars. Insist upon your freebies at that point.
- Tell your presenter immediately upon meeting that you are not going to buy and that you are simply here for the free things promised. It's about being honest with them. You're not trying to mislead them into thinking they have a potential buyer. Instead explain why you are here and that you are not interested in purchasing, just in receiving what you were promised.
So, we prepped the kids to be as quiet and unfriendly as possible. The big kids understood easily, and we decided to bribe the two littles with cookies! :)
It worked like a charm!
We arrived at 7:30, had a short breakfast, informed our salesman why we were there and with 4 little kids in tow (ages 9, 8, 5 and 3) he knew we were serious. He started skipping parts of the tours by asking "you're not even interested in seeing a room are you?" He even skipped the part where he calls his manager over. Instead we were brought to the next room where we had to "complete a survey" which was indeed another sales pitch. After beating that one too (by not offering up any information) we were brought to the place where we could pick up our freebies. Two hours, we were only supposed to be there for 75 minutes, but we gave them a 10 minute grace period and the ticket booth lady was swamped with "regular people" buying tickets so that didn't count.
Our freebies?
- A 3 day pass to the resort pool
- A dinner cruise on the "Cabo Ledged" a pirate ship!
- A tour on one of the glass bottomed boats.
Beating the Timeshare sales pitch is Easy Peasy!
So, we spent the next 3 days laying around and swimming at The Villa Palmar kid's pool. Fabulous! Nothing like poolside waiters who bring whatever you want to help pass the time in Cabo!
Swim break on our 3 day pool-side adventure! Our server, Liz (pictured above Alia) was so attentive and friendly!
We had an ocean view while the kids played in the pool. The kid's pool was warmer than the other pools...these resorts think of EVERYTHING!!!
Panoramic of the ocean beach in front of the resort.
Alia and Daddy on a chess date!
Paul's office view for 3 days!
Just because we spent three days at a resort doesn't mean that Paul could stop working. It was kinda funny to be around a bunch of people on vacation while we were not on vacation. Paul was able to work a couple hours each day and swim/play as well. All in all not a bad deal!
We met some pretty great people who were staying at the resort. The Carpenters from Montana and Baileys from Rhode Island were such fun! Our kids played together for 3 days and we helped each other out with kid supervision. It was nice to hang out with other families that were like minded. We shared all our swimming/snorkeling paraphernalia, our lunch food, and tips about everything from natural remedies for sunburn to new smart phone apps that we hadn't heard of. We had A LOT in common and enjoyed spending time with them! When Paul had to take a phone call, Jeremy was on hand to give our little boys rides across the pool on his back and when the 4 big kids wanted to go to the slide, I took them and Jennifer watched the littles. Paul and I even got a "date hour" in one afternoon...Thanks Jennifer!
We learned about the Refuge Foundation in Montana (An awesome place in Montana where they take care of ministers/pastors and leaders of non-profits) And discovered that we have a place to stay in Rhode Island if we ever find ourselves there! :D
Kortmans on the left, Baileys in the middle and the Carpenters on the right. This evening we stayed at the resort for a buffet dinner and show.
The Bailey's passed out glow sticks for all the kids!
Before the Bailey's flew back to the US they were able to stop at our RV park to see Gracie! What fun to make new friends!
Score one for the time share sales pitch!
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Becky Kortman
I'm a homeschooling, world traveling, Jesus follower who is a wife and mom of 4 kids, In all my travels, I am looking for places that fit with my soul and feel as much like 'home' as they can this side of heaven.
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Sure wish I had read this years ago. I took my first wife Laura to Florida during the later stages of cancer. Sat through the presentation and purchased the timeshare hoping to make plans for the future. Years later I no longer go to the timeshare but keep paying every year! Any advice on how to get out of a timeshare! Good job, they deserve having people come out on top of things.
Oh man, I’m so sorry Cyril.
Can you rent out your timeshare? Like on Airbnb or something like that?
I’ve heard that other people have been successful at sub-letting their timeshares, but I’ve also heard that the Florida timeshare market is flooded. I’m sure you;ve looked into it, but maybe there’s a way to switch it to another one of their resorts? Perhaps to a location you could lease out faster or a location you’d like to visit?
Cheap ass liar, get a real job and make money so you buy your trips and free breakfast, you training your little ones to be liars and not respect other people jobs, they have families to feed and you probably fucked they day and not make money just for your cheap lifestyle of be a begger getting free stuff. You shouldn’t even come to my country, you should be taxed on the money they give you for assisting, they pay you better by the hour than your job probably
You are so cheap it’s disgusting. Teaching your children to lie, wasting someone’s time and maybe costing someone’s job and even another family’s opportunity to get a Timeshare.
My family has enjoyed their Timeshare since I was little and now reading this I am disgusted by your leeching and mooching.
I hope everyone sees this so they see the kind of sad human being you are. Stop being a cheapskate and get a real job like us REAL HARD WORKING AMERICANS.
Donate it to a çharity of your choice. Tax wŕite off.
And remember NOTHING is free in this life you just spend 2 or 3 hours of your precious vacation time that you will never get back! And you are teaching your kids that their time has a price… about 100 USD per hour! Good parenting!
This is so stupid. Your cheap ass needs to stop training your kids to be liars and don’t go to them unless you have an open mind. Your just as guilty as those who get state benifits when they don’t need them
JO that is my exact thought. Why waste everybodies time for 50 usd worth of gifts. Go enjoy your holidays and dont be cheap. This whole post is ridiculous.
Great blog Becky!
Love your “Vacation Hack”. We’ve done this in Florida and St. John while camping in Cinnamon Bay National Park.
Yeah, if someone is going to offer me free stuff in an effort to lure me into something I don’t want to do then yes I’ll hack my way through that. However we’re only 2 for 3. I wish we had known these tips that one time in Michigan… could have done a whole lot better that time around!
Are you so weak that you can be lured into anything? And then waste the time of someone who is just trying to make a living. By doing that he could be with people are genuinely interested so you are literally stealing from him.
Nice role model.
I am looking for timeshares that will give me the opportunity to experiance there resort I am not going to spend a few thousand dollars to temporarily visit 10 different resorts if I’m going to invest in a timeshare. They are correct . I have been looking for one that has all amenities for my children such as a waterpark for my kids to stay busy and not have to pay for theme parks as I am a Florida resident already .I would like to see what I’m investing my money into?
Thanks, Dave!
Usted of putting your kids through this and teach them to be cheap as you, just pay for your stuff and remember there is people that do this sales presentations as a way of living, please dont waste their time with your cheap ass ideas!
Great tips. And a great 3-day “vacation”. Glad you had a great time and met some great people.
Yeah, it’s amazing what a chance meeting and a 2 hour investment of time will give you in friendships and more!
Hello thanks for share, i had a bad experience years ago with royal holiday in mexico , but in change we bought a timeshare..yes i know, after months we notice the high rates of the maintenance fees, so we decided to cancel it , and believe me was a very difficult task , the only people that really helped us was Mexican timeshare solutions, after looked for many ways to rid off , so just if someone are thinking to acquire a timeshare think it twice please, timeshare field is a tricky thing ,just avoid the timeshare presentations.
Exactly Dona, I would never recommend buying a timeshare. I have met a few people who like them, but on the whole people are “suckered” into them through aggressive sales tactics. It’s really really hard to say no when someone is that aggressive. However if you know you’re not going to buy no matter what they offer (we didn’t have cash or credit cards with us!) then you’ll be able to come out okay with the tips above.
Do people really spend 2 hours of precious family time, on vacation, sitting through a sales presentation, just to get a couple gifts?
Yes! 2 hours is worth it depending on the gifts. In our case three days at the pool were totally worth it!
Its ridiculous how cheap people is.
It’s not just a couple of gifts there are time shares that will give you all inclusive 3, 5 or 7 day vacations just for listening to them for an hour.
You are so smart and glad someone figured how to do this! You are a great example to your kids.
I sense some bitterness! — Hey there’s nothing I agreed to saying I would enjoy it or that I was interested in buying. The whole Time Share sales pitch “we’ll give you something free for sitting through the pitch” is jsut that, you want people whom you think you can sell to, and I want the free stuff. So I’ll gladly sit through a sales pitch in order to provide the kids with three free pool days… the kids still have fond memories of those three days! So yeah I do feel I’m being a good example to my kids and I’m glad we did it and that we were able to spend those three days at the pool making new friends!
Paul, I just wonder what you do for a living?
What a concept for you to bring your family on timeshare vacations just to “mooch” off everyone.
Do you not make enough money to pay for a vacation in a luxury destination?
I’m going to create a “Timeshare Mooch List”. com to put peoples names like yours to be taken off any more invites.
Then you can have your own little stayca in your trailer park.
Thanks so much for the tips! It worked like a charm!!
Is funny how people think they got the gifts for free you wasted two hours of your apparently precious time and trained your family to be as unfriendly as possible and played the annoying customer role just to get free stuff ? And that’s a good example ? You can get free stuff for nothing ? You should give the kids the lesson that time is the most expensive asset and you don put your family through a sales pitch for freebies you better work and make money so you don’t need freebies that is a life lesson
Why are Freebies offered then? You assume that everyone will buy… that’s a failure on your part, many people are there for the freebies and you convince them to purchase. I have not met a single owner of a timeshare who has been happy with it, for decades I have heard people complaining about it, but the only people I hear that sing its praises are the salesman… hmm…
You should be ashamed of yourselves. Teaching your kids to waste their and others time. Vacation ownership was the best decision I have ever made. Saving me a ton of money and I always stay in condos, no more two bit hotels for my hard earned money. There are some unethical companies out there who don’t have a solid product;however the concept is solid with the right company. You could have taught your kids how to listen and discern,not cheat their way through life.
The fact that you call it “vacation ownership” shows that you are a timeshare salesperson. And thus your view is biased. I am not ashamed of myself, I am proud to teach my kids how to see a system and how to beat it. That will get them ahead in life, even if they choose to be a timeshare salesperson, there is a system and they need to beat it by selling the most for the highest. Essentially I’m using your tricks on you and you don’t like it. #notashamed!
You should be ashamed of yourselves….Just Kidding!!! I’m not a timeshare hopeless robot.
Great job guys, keep up the good work. I have zero sympathy for the timeshares salepeople. They are no better than parasites, feeding off the hard honest work of others, over-promising and under-delivering. Great for you to teach your kids how to say “no”, how to not get suckered even under considerable pressure – fantastic parents!!!
I own at the Westin Lagunamar in Cancun and at the GHVC in 57th st in ny and use it every year. I KNOW what I got into and we actually like the upgrades we get. My family used to have a week in cabo and ended up giving it away because they wanted to move to Key West and gave it to charity. They had a specific week, I have points. I guess it depends on where you buy? But teaching your kids to lie and be unfriendly just to get free stuff is low. Shame on you guys.
Amazing time with your family. The timeshare offered you and your family memories of a lifetime. So -you going to drag your family on a pitch and teach your children how to deceive for free things every awesome trip you take with them OR are you going to purchase and become an exclusive member of a lifetime of fun with your family?
You and your family show through your experience that your wasting time and money doing it any other way! Common Sense, Common Travel Sense.
If you don’t like the concept of timeshare withthe hassle of ownership, maintenance fees and annoying sales people, you should look into a travel club. Great prices, no maintenance, flexible, and affordable. It’s the new way to travel. Its great!!
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 4:2,
Paul wrote the letters to the Corinthians when they had lost their way. According to your profile you “follow Jesus,”but you brag on being deceiteful, wouldn’t the bread taste sweeter if it came from your own earnings instead of being deceitful and boasting of your transgression. This is between you and Jesus, however your children are following your path and feel it is just based on your boasting ways.
The best way to beat a timeshare sales pitch is don’t go to one.
I’m very sorry for you and your family, poor kids with literally poor cheap “parents”; I you don’t have the money just don’t vacation and work better. I’m pretty sure you don’t have friends nor your own family loves you, and that’s why you prefer to male your whole family spend for some cheap gifts. Such a pity.
This is so pathetic, next time just don’t go to one, even though they are timeshare salesman that’s how they feed their families and people like you just waste their time, not cool at all, if you are not interested then JUST DONT DO IT, I’m pretty sure that if you show up to the office and tell them that you are your miserable family don’t have anything else to do and that you need some free stuff they will gladly give you the stuff without you having to waste their time, think about it.. how would you like someone wasting your time at work “just for fun”..
I find this insulting as a proud owner of a time share. I wasn’t scammed in to one, I’ve owned for 27 years now and I love it.
I once bought in to a Ford pick up truck and it was the very worst car I’ve ever had, never bought a Ford truck again but instead I drive a Chevy today. Get the point?
I also vacation outside of my time share as I only own one week that commits my family to get together on a specific week of the year at the same place and I get a beautiful condo on the beach for a 745 dollar maintenance fee. It’s bargain. A bargain that makes out very busy family get together for a week a year.
On the other hand, time share people can get very pushy and naughty at times, unfortunately not all time share properties have great reputation or good sales staff.
When and if you ever consider buying in to one, look for the best brands like Hilton. Disney. Marriott this are huge brands that would never ever lie to you because they care about their reputation.
But when you compare a billy joes condo share to Marriot or Disney resort you definitely wrong. You get what you pay for. Actually the real time share hotels don’t give out gifts for their presentations you get an invitation and they make it your choice.
When going to Mexico, you have to understand that most Mexicans aren’t as fortunate as you are and they work on commissions, by you going to a timeshare sales pitch you waisted someone’s opportunity to provide for their family and that’s not fair your not cheating the sister your cheating on your self.
Most hotels in Mexico have day pases please contribute to their economy by buying this would guarantee a nicer and better vacation for next time, Mexicans can be great and very friendly people, please consider this next time.
With love and respect to all.
DV
You are pathetic!
Typical so called “Christian” believing that are entitled to free stuff just by being a white family, just FYI, Karma it’s a bitch you probably cost somebody’s job by not buying and just “playing the game” again you are pathetic and if i run in to you in town I’ll make sure to let you know to your face
Disgusting. Those are jobs that feed families. And teaching your kids that its ok…. I’m not surprised to learn that these type of morals and values have lead to a broken up family where the children haven’t seen their father in months
Not very smart people. Giving away TIME for “freebies”. Losers.
Ur cheap that’s it
And teach your kids to lie to get something free and play with peoples work and time it’s a shame
I think it’s a little sad you are teaching your children that you can get “freebies” by being rude. Coaching them and doing so yourself.
Frankly I’m bemused. So many of these ‘clever’ people castigating a family for accepting a ‘free’ offer? Will you be stood at the till re-imbursing Procter & Gamble next time they have a 2 for one offer on shampoo? Thought not. A sales incentive is worked out on a percentage of leads turning into sales not 100% you dimwits. Do the marketing gurus of these timeshare companies not take this into account when making these offers? 100% takeup on a sales pitch? Wow! They’re some top notch guys they have working there. Almost miraculous you might say. If a salesperson isn’t bright enough not to waste their time pitching a no sell then they need to be in another profession as they’re wasting their time. Oh, and yes. I used to sell time-share on a commission only basis. Made a decent living too as I know the difference between somebody who’s there for the gift and someone who may be slightly interested given the right persuasion. I prefer B2B sales now as I like to sell a product for which there is a need. But that’s just me.
so you stayed at the a timeshare resort and you had a great time and met amazing people and have great memories. Sounds like those three days were the time of your life. You guys need a timeshare more than anyone