Are Timeshare Tours Worth the 2 Hours?

It wasn't that long ago that I looked at timeshare tours as a surefire way to get trapped into buying something that I didn't want, but after taking the initial plunge and trying one, I realized it might just be the easiest way to get free stuff. I have no intention of buying a timeshare at this point in my life, but that doesn't mean I won't listen to the offers, especially if that means me getting a free weekend somewhere. I am always looking for the next timeshare presentation to see what I can get for free. It is actually easy money, if you know what you are getting into before you go.

Here is a typical experience for me at a timeshare tour, followed by some do's and don'ts (I should preface this by saying that most timeshares I've been to require you to be married and have a combined income of $50,000 or more).

My first tour was when I was on my honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas. I was a little weary to go, but the offers sounded great. They wanted to give us $200 off our bill, free taxi transfers to Cabo (normally $20 one-way from our hotel), free breakfast buffet, and another free lunch at a later time of our choosing. The morning we went, we were greeted in the hotel lobby by our "timeshare guide" (really just a fancy name for person who is about to try to sell you for 2 hours). He took us to our buffet breakfast. He didn't sit with us, but many times they will. We had an excellent breakfast at the nicest restaurant in the hotel. After our meal, our guide took us to this large sales room. The room had 20-30 tables each with one couple on the tour with one salesperson.

Over the next 90 minutes or so, the guide told us how great timeshares were, how much money we were wasting at hotels, and it makes sense to buy now. They gave us margaritas (not done in the U.S.), showed us the beautiful rooms, and then sat us down again to sell us. The one guide then got his manager to come talk to us and try to sell us. All the while, we kept saying no politely because it just wasn't good timing for us. We probably ended up seeing 3 different salespeople, all of which we had to say "no, thanks" to.

After a total of about 2 hours and 10 minutes, we said our goodbyes, walked out to the "gift redemption center," and received our gifts. We didn't have to pay anything and we received all that was promised.

The overall experience is pretty similar in the other timeshares that I have been to or have heard about from friends, but there are a few rules that I use to make the experience as fun and easy as possible.

Do realize you will be there for the whole 2 hours, so just relax and let time pass by.

Do say no politely, these people are just trying to do their jobs.

Don't show any interest. This is a sure fire way to get the hard sales pitch from multiple people.

Don't drink alcohol while at the timeshare. All the people that were buying in Cabo were the drunk ones.

Do it on a day and time that is convenient for you. Otherwise you are going to feel that you are wasting your time and be in bad mood.

Do enjoy the 2 hours. Engage in conversations about things other than the timeshares with your guide to help the time pass.

Don't ever fall for their sales pitch. Even if it sounds like a good idea, this is a decision you should think about for at least a day.

Do make sure you have in writing what you're supposed to receive. They were promised so they have to give it.

Don't be afraid to keep saying no. They only have two hours, so just be persistent.

Do make sure you do timeshare presentations for only things you want.

Timeshare presentations are easy ways to get weekend trips to Las Vegas, Palm Springs, and other warm sites. You can also receive TV's, money, gift cards, just about anything you can imagine. On vacation, just make sure you can do the tour first thing in the morning so it doesn't waste your whole day. There are lots of good that can come out of doing a tour, you just have to be willing to sit for 2 hours to get it.