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timeshare presentation - Westin #22261
08/30/2013 04:22 PM
08/30/2013 04:22 PM
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 72
Louisiana
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cajunscuba Offline OP
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My wife and I were hanging out on Orient Beach when this intoxicated gentlemen was passing by playing with his dog. We were laughing at him and I guess we looked approachable.
Anyway, he talked to us about sitting through a timeshare presentation for the Westin. He said he would get $250 for getting us to go and he would give us $50 of his $250. He also said we'd get a free week at the Westin for next year. He told us to just tell the people "NO" when they asked if we wanted to buy into the timeshare.
We turned him down. I have sat through these before and it made me realize how precious my vacation time is to me.

Would we have really gotten a free week at the Westin and did I make a mistake?

SXM Sponsors
Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: cajunscuba] #22262
08/30/2013 04:27 PM
08/30/2013 04:27 PM

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Not logged on,
I doubt if too many timeshare owners on this forum including myself, would encourage you to go.
Bob_Dot

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: cajunscuba] #22263
08/30/2013 06:34 PM
08/30/2013 06:34 PM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 971
Winterset, Madison County, IA
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We did it last winter because we were actually interested in getting the info.We initiated the contact; we were not offered anything. And we didn't buy.

I should have added that we made it pretty short and sweet, our terms, we wanted pricing and to see a unit, we did, and we did not buckle to the pressure. We already deal w/that at our own resort which requires it now in order to book your next visit.

Last edited by madisoncty; 08/30/2013 09:06 PM.

Mike & Dixie
Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: madisoncty] #22264
08/30/2013 07:10 PM
08/30/2013 07:10 PM

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Back in 2003 we were literally ambushed by a young couple as we exited the Sapphire in our rental vehicle. We were given scratch off tickets which we foolishly played. We were declared triple "7" winners and they jumped up and down explaining to our amazement we won a huge prize and to follow the both of them in their car to the Atrium and claim the motherlode of a prize.. Long story short, a nice Tennesee southern gentleman said our prize was a discount on a future purchase. He felt bad we got duped and my wife was nearly in tears. True story. The 45 min exibit equaled, the "FREE" breakfast 45 minutes, chit chat 30 minutes, presentation 1 hour and 30 more minutes explain we were upset and on our way to Club Orient for the day. After the 3rd salesperson came in for the kill, nearly 3 hours elapsed! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> It was a lost beach day and went to Rick's sports bar later and found out about the Bushwacker at Cupecoy. Oh the memories. Never did another in SXM. Great topic to bring up. Have a safe happy Labor Day! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/usflag.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: cajunscuba] #22265
08/30/2013 10:09 PM
08/30/2013 10:09 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 391
San Antonio
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In june we were at OB and hit with same deal. Four of us and one hit the LUCKY CARD. we didn't go . Two days later in P' Burg , different sales couple same sales line. WE GOT THE LUCKY CARD. Still didn't go.


Dan
Re: timeshare presentation - Westin #22266
08/30/2013 10:34 PM
08/30/2013 10:34 PM
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Yeah, we were hit up for one of those lottery scratching tickets while walking in Maho one day a few years back. Also got the lucky scratch off of '777' and the guy was hooting and hollering at our luck. Hubby wanted to go and see what we won, but I gave the "lucky ticket" back and said if it is so great a prize, the huckster can claim it. He was a little dumbfounded but I walked away and he had the gall to give my husband another ticket that also scratched into the motherlode prize. Then hubby was able to walk away. Shook our heads as we were walking back and yet another couple got the lucky ticket. He quickly took his new couple out of our line of view. Really don't remember if it was Westin, but what a put-off for any timeshare.

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: cajunscuba] #22267
08/30/2013 10:48 PM
08/30/2013 10:48 PM

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On our first cruise to SXM, I don't know how many people told us how they wasted most of their precious in-port time at the Westin timeshare pitch while we told them of our great day at Orient, Mullet, Marigot and watching planes at Maho. We crammed it in and they saw nothing - what a tragedy - literally.

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: cajunscuba] #22268
08/31/2013 05:30 AM
08/31/2013 05:30 AM

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Interested to know what timeshare requires you to sit through the sales presentation? This cannot be done in the U.S.A. as that is cruel and unusual punishment.

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin #22269
08/31/2013 06:41 AM
08/31/2013 06:41 AM
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Oyster Pond St. Martin
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Timeshare pitches on the street on the dutch side are illegal. Don't fall for them.

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: soualigacapt] #22270
08/31/2013 07:26 AM
08/31/2013 07:26 AM
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Posts: 202
Wisconsin
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Went to P-burgh yesterday and it reminded me why we don't go.... Fortunately no cruise ships were in so we didn't "win" anything.


Never walk onto a job site with empty hands. - Source Unknown
Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: cajunscuba] #22271
08/31/2013 07:37 AM
08/31/2013 07:37 AM
Joined: Sep 2004
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Quebec
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They are always on the Oyster Pond Road just past/before Mama Piza. We just wave to them and never stop. Several people do stop though, especially if it is the young girl waving them down. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: wabid] #22272
08/31/2013 07:39 AM
08/31/2013 07:39 AM
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Posts: 202
Wisconsin
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on another note we are long time owners at Simpson Bay Resort (pelican). We did sit through the "owner" orientation because the pushy roper that works for the resort promised us $75 at the Stone. The nice thing is they put it all in writing what to expect (IE you will sit through a 1 hour preso) Several of the reps have been here 10+ years so we knew what to expect. And they are not overly pushy.... Very straight forward... I'll probably put this in a separate post but we did end up enrolling our unit into a "points" system and for a few modest extra $$ added more for greater flexibility. It was painless except for some unique title issues and we got our $75. All that said I would never sit through a timeshare presentation with a nebulous prize. If your pitch starts out with lie, you have lost the sale. immediately.


Never walk onto a job site with empty hands. - Source Unknown
Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: cajunscuba] #22273
08/31/2013 08:57 AM
08/31/2013 08:57 AM
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Posts: 463
Suffolk County NY
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Went to a timeshare presentation back in the early 90's when staying @ Dawn Beach (for those who don't know is now the Westin). If we took the presentation we got a free car rental. Ended up buying a week which I then canceled the following day. It was either that or be returning to the states single. The other couple we went with bought there the following year only to loose it to Hurricane Luis in 1995. It was never rebuilt due to insurance payments that were never forwarded by an agent and other owner problems.
When we stayed at OBBR sometime in the 2000's we took another free presentation to get a free dinner out of the presenters. The couple that lost their Dawn Beach timeshare was also along for the ride. When we reached the point of signing up they of course refused and us as well and told the presenter why. At that point she realized she was at a dead end. Gave us our meal tickets and we were on our way.

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: Sandy471] #22274
08/31/2013 09:12 AM
08/31/2013 09:12 AM
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Last year we were flagged in Oyster Pond and picked trois septs and went for the presentation. The big triple seven winner was a discount on a cheap trip somewhere.We knew the saleslady's name so two days later we went back, parked in their parking lot, told the bushwhackers by the door we were going to see the saleslady, walked through the hotel, plonked ourselves down at the beach, used their lawn chairs, brought our own lunch, used their pool(s) and had a very relaxing day...on their time. Made us feel a lot better about wasting our time listening to their presentation two days earlier. Next trip, if it fits the schedule, we might just drop Gillian's name again and spend a day on the beach...turnabout is fair play!

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: wabid] #22275
08/31/2013 09:33 AM
08/31/2013 09:33 AM
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Posts: 4,346
Rhode Island
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Back when Pelican was an infant, we were approached in P'burg to visit. Ready to say NO! I noticed one of the free-bees was a boat trip to Saba. We'd already tried to book a trip there and found no flights or boats open. We'll I said yes to the pitch to go. When we arrived in the heat of the day, we lied about our income so the agent steered us toward a studio (assume he thought we couldn't afford more). We cut him short took our voucher and later went to Saba. It's the only time I can say TS was worth it.

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: cajunscuba] #22276
08/31/2013 11:30 AM
08/31/2013 11:30 AM

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I don't know if this is true, perhaps our neighbors to the north can weigh in, but I was told when the timeshare solicitors ask where you are from to say you are Canadian.???

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin #22277
08/31/2013 11:42 AM
08/31/2013 11:42 AM

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So does that mean Canadians are smarter than our cousins to the South of us.....kate <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/canada.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" />

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: cajunscuba] #22278
08/31/2013 11:45 AM
08/31/2013 11:45 AM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
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Quote
cajunscuba said:
My wife and I were hanging out on Orient Beach when this intoxicated gentlemen was passing by playing with his dog. We were laughing at him and I guess we looked approachable.
Anyway, he talked to us about sitting through a timeshare presentation for the Westin. He said he would get $250 for getting us to go and he would give us $50 of his $250. He also said we'd get a free week at the Westin for next year. He told us to just tell the people "NO" when they asked if we wanted to buy into the timeshare.
We turned him down. I have sat through these before and it made me realize how precious my vacation time is to me.

Would we have really gotten a free week at the Westin and did I make a mistake?


With regard to timeshare presentations, there are two thoughts that often come to my mind:

"Nothing in life is free...." and "There's a sucker born every day...."

And I recall both of these quotes as a very happy SXM timeshare owner for about 25 years now give or take....but we bought ours in a location we knew well after 15 years of annual trips to the island at the same time of year and we knew, island-wise, what we were getting, and having already experienced enough of the other Caribbean islands, we knew SXM was IT for us.

We didn't buy it in pursuit of a freebie or go to the presentation out of curiosity but with a genuine desire to see what it was about on SXM and what they were offering. The villa we were thinking of buying was about six times the purchase price of the Towers time then, and we did know the max time we could be on the island at that point in our lives was a week or two at best in any given year.

We had been offered the opportunity a few years before to 'take the timeshare tour at The Pelican and receive a great free gift' for doing it and had refused each of the young men hawking them on Mullet Bay Beach. At this point, I don't remember if they gave us a gift at The Towers presentation or not but it really wouldn't have mattered either way.

We made all the mistakes - we bought directly from the developer but we bought the time of year we wanted, the view we wanted and the unit configuration we wanted. Our big mistake was in not purchasing two weeks in the same unit as opposed to the one we bought at the time but who knew back then if it would even be built? We spent only the amount of money we could afford and/or were willing to lose at the time on something as silly as a Caribbean retreat if things went wrong - no more and no less. And we did go into it all with our eyes open to the fact we might lose it and wouldn't have much leg to stand on trying to get our money back, already having known a friend who lost a bundle in an island property transaction that went bad.

But considering, at the time we were contemplating an island villa purchase, we still feel we got the best deal for us with our timeshare purchase. We've subsequently bought additional weeks on the resale market but to this day the back to back week we wanted has still never become available to us on the resale market and that's about our only regret.

Oh, and btw, the villa we were going to buy that year was ultimately destroyed in the storms of '95 and never rebuilt so to this day I still feel we got the better part of the game and we still hope to enjoy 'our time' for many years to come.

But again, even with the offer of freebies, if I had no plans to buy in the first place, there's no way I would give up a couple of my island vacation hours in pursuit of something for nothing. To each his own, but my vacation time is too valuable to waste on something I probably don't want or need anyway.

Who's to say what the Westin may or may not have given, and I guess the only way to know for sure is to go back and take advantage of the offer (or perhaps have them take advantage of you?).

But again, not saying anyone's right or wrong, and admitting we're all entitled to spend our vacation time in whatever pursuits make us individually happy, I don't get wasting my valuable vacation time on something I know I don't want and never will. But that's me....and again, I have no regrets at all in our purchase beyond those I've already stated here. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: pat] #22279
08/31/2013 12:45 PM
08/31/2013 12:45 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 166
Michigan
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I thought they outlawed that practice years ago. On our first trip we were approached dozens of times, everywhere we went. We did end up going to one at the Sapphire because we were mildly interested. Even though we repeatedly told them we were not going to buy one, a closer came in with a contract at the end. Coincidentally, he was originally from Grosse Pointe, just a couple of miles from our home. I think they wanted eleven grand. It wasn't too bad an experience; our beach day was over anyway. although we have been back over a dozen times since, we never bought one. With all the problems people have experienced with them and our preference for the French side, I'm glad we never did.

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: TStelma] #22280
09/01/2013 08:15 AM
09/01/2013 08:15 AM
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 101
NC
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Many years ago we went to our first and last timeshare presentation. We were told we would get $100 for attending a 90 minute presentation. We knew we weren't going to buy a unit from any developer but decided to go for the voucher anyway. Within 15 minutes we told the lady we had no intention of purchasing another unit. What was funny is we sat there and literally stared each other down for another 75 minutes! No talking at all, just silence. They weren't letting go until they had to!



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Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: Bucky] #22281
09/01/2013 08:59 AM
09/01/2013 08:59 AM
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When we sat through the timeshare presentation at Dawn Beach I really don't remember Gillian asking us where we were from...she probably did but I just don't remember. I think she figured out fairly quickly that we weren't interested so the three of us enjoyed a continental breakfast..we did a facility tour and said our goodbyes.
We hadn't planned - at that time - on coming back to enjoy the amenities but the opportunity presented itself so two days later we decided to squat and have a nice picnic at the Dawn Beach. Back in Canada at our home resort we will occasionally sit in on a presentation but only if we have nothing to do that day and if they make it worthwhile financially.

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin #22282
09/01/2013 11:33 AM
09/01/2013 11:33 AM
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Edam, Saskatchewan - Canada
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Quote
Anonymous said:
I don't know if this is true, perhaps our neighbors to the north can weigh in, but I was told when the timeshare solicitors ask where you are from to say you are Canadian.???


Actually, that worked very well when the exchange was $1.46! Now that it is par or close, it won't help you any more.....

Back in 1996, we were on our first t/s exchange to the island and the Sapphire was a brand new sparkling jewel. We were willing to go on the tour, but nope - Canadians don't qualify for the t/s promo tour. OK. Further down the street we were approached by another young lady to tour at what is now OBBR. OK, kind of a rainy day and a free meal, why not?

Long story short - fell in love with the location, didn't care if the place ever got built (the jr suites that have since been torn down were good enough for us) and we've been happy owners ever since.

Every year when we visit SXM, I raise my eyes to the sky and say "thank you" that Verdier didn't like Canadians! Plus it was just too funny that several years later we traded into Sapphire with our South African week and were able to throw that in the face of the t/s sales people that when they kept pestering us! LeAnn


LeAnn

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Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: PrairieGirl] #22283
09/02/2013 05:39 PM
09/02/2013 05:39 PM

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PrairieGirl said:
Quote
Anonymous said:
I don't know if this is true, perhaps our neighbors to the north can weigh in, but I was told when the timeshare solicitors ask where you are from to say you are Canadian.???


Actually, that worked very well when the exchange was $1.46! Now that it is par or close, it won't help you any more.....

Back in 1996, we were on our first t/s exchange to the island and the Sapphire was a brand new sparkling jewel. We were willing to go on the tour, but nope - Canadians don't qualify for the t/s promo tour. OK. Further down the street we were approached by another young lady to tour at what is now OBBR. OK, kind of a rainy day and a free meal, why not?

Long story short - fell in love with the location, didn't care if the place ever got built (the jr suites that have since been torn down were good enough for us) and we've been happy owners ever since.

Every year when we visit SXM, I raise my eyes to the sky and say "thank you" that Verdier didn't like Canadians! Plus it was just too funny that several years later we traded into Sapphire with our South African week and were able to throw that in the face of the t/s sales people that when they kept pestering us! LeAnn
Verdier is a white collar criminal and after what he's done to former t/s owners at the Sapphire will be punished by a force from "the sky" There are many people who do not even want to vacation in SXM anymore because of what has happened to t/s owner'sand other island internal issues. We'll be back again someday, but as mentioned earlier on a post would only stay on the French side. Glad we bought, used for 15 yrs and got away from it. It was more open and honest in 1995 than 2010. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/usflag.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin #22284
09/03/2013 12:02 AM
09/03/2013 12:02 AM

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Have dealt with Gillian for many years when she managed the Atrium. She is a huge asset to the Westin at Dawn beach. She is a take charge person, honest,professional and of great character.
quite the opposite from the freelance, inebriated, huckster on O.B.. people like him are a menace.

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: cajunscuba] #22285
09/03/2013 06:34 AM
09/03/2013 06:34 AM
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NC
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We've never been approached by anyone from the Westin but.....

Several years ago, after hearing about LaVista, we stopped there, asked for Al and told him we came to buy a timeshare. He showed us the prices and 2 units. We purchased a week in a cottage and love it.

Totally painless!

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: RonDon] #22286
09/03/2013 09:26 AM
09/03/2013 09:26 AM
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On our first trip to SXM in 1990 we were talking to a young woman at the tourist desk in P'burg. She said we should go to the Pelican presentation to collect a free cruise to Anguilla worth $75 per person. We went, we spent the whole day deciding to buy a unit at Flamingo (then part of Pelican). We ended up with two tickets for the sail to Anguilla on the Gandolf, a gorgeous sailing vessel (RIP, sunk in Simpson Bay in Hurricane Luis). We have been to SXM every year since. Eventually we bought three more weeks on the resale market. When they started to build the Villas at Simpson Bay--with a view to retirement--we bought 8 weeks so that we could stay in the same unit in prime time, and sold our other four weeks. We still look fondly on that Gandolf cruise and are happy with our two months in SXM every year. And having said that, today we would never ever sit through a timeshare presentation. And we would also never ever switch our eight high-season weeks for points.

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: jimnjudy] #22287
09/03/2013 03:01 PM
09/03/2013 03:01 PM

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We did the Westin Time Share Presentation. We received $250 of casino chips and a buffet which we wanted as we like to gamble and it was day 8 of a 24 day trip... Ready for a little downtime and we honestly wanted to see the timeshares being offered by the Westin (We always stay at a villa in Dawn beach Estates and were curious). The sales people are good at what they do, they have an answer for every objection you have to timeshares... but in the end no was no and it was not hard to say no.... We got our $250 of chips and turned it into a little over $600... nice day.. nice meal... really liked the timeshare but the economics of timeshare have never made any sense to me....

For what it is worth we would do it again

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin #22288
09/03/2013 03:08 PM
09/03/2013 03:08 PM
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Central Florida!
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Not that it really matters, as I wouldn't do it anyway, but just curious---were they special casino chips that you HAD to gamble, or did they just give you a voucher for casino chips, that you could have just turned immediately back in for the money without gambling a dime? Just curious...


Carol Hill
Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: Bucky] #22289
09/03/2013 03:23 PM
09/03/2013 03:23 PM
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Posts: 186
Chapel Hill, NC
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We talked to a couple at Club O happy hour in July. I remember she was British. Anyway, they sold timeshares somewhere on the island. They said they went to Club O once a week. Very low key trolling. Not interested.

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: Carol_Hill] #22290
09/03/2013 03:24 PM
09/03/2013 03:24 PM
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NC
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I'm a Starwood owner so this thread grabbed my attention because I never knew they opened this particular Westin up to timeshare sales. Just to satisfy my curiosity I sent a message to Star Central and this is what I just got back!

"I apologize for any confusion; however The Westin Dawn Beach Resort and Spa, located in St. Maarten, is not an ownership resort nor is it part of the Starwood Vacation Network. Please let me know if you have additional questions or concerns. "

I wonder who really owns this?



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Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: Bucky] #22291
09/03/2013 04:42 PM
09/03/2013 04:42 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 302
stevemac Offline
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All I know is that we and many others have stayed at the westin in sxm and st j on starwood points.

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: Bucky] #22292
09/03/2013 05:29 PM
09/03/2013 05:29 PM

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the resort was originally owned and operated by Columbia Sussex out of KY and their owner is Bill Yung, who was the original developer. The units in question are called the Dawn Beach Club and are basically the condos that were built along with the resort hotel. Much like many condos, the financial meltdown killed sales so they are now being time shared. Yung is probably not selling them under the westin starrwood banner to keep his costs down. And since he is not paying Starwood disavows any connection. But TS owners have full run of the resort.

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin #22293
09/09/2013 07:55 PM
09/09/2013 07:55 PM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 574
mahokid Offline
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Several years ago did the ts tour of the Westin, dude came in hungover and respected that we really weren't interested. Spent the required time and got a $100 voucher to use at Palm Beach, had a great lunch and even needed alittle extra money to pay the bill. We like to eat and drink

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: mahokid] #22294
01/30/2016 12:50 PM
01/30/2016 12:50 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1
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MikeA01730 Offline
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Recently my wife and I were strolling around St. Maartin when we were approached by a charming young man obviously selling something. He seemed like an honest person who genuinely liked talking to people, and provided us inside information on what shops offered good deals, when tour ships visited, and other helpful information. He said he worked for the Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa which wanted to introduce people like us to their facility so we'd stay there next time we visited. He gave us scratch tickets which typically offer free drinks at the hotel but occasionally pay off big. Sure enough I won a free drink, but my wife got a rare winning ticket for an iPad, a free week at the hotel, or a $1,000 coupon redeemable that day at any shop in the town. To collect our prize all we had to do was visit the hotel, enjoy our free drinks, and sit down for 15 minutes with a hotel representative. He also mentioned that time shares were available, and if we wanted we could stay for a 1 1/2 hour presentation but it was not required. The salesman was really excited because if we visited the hotel he'd be paid $200 (for that rare big-payoff ticket) and could take the day off. Since the generous free gift seemed worth the half hour we'd spend at a beautiful resort hotel enjoying free drinks we decided to try it.

When we arrived at the hotel we were told that we could only receive the prize if we stayed for the 1 1/2 hour time share pitch. They were sorry for the misunderstanding, said the street salesman must have stretched the truth, and he'd be disciplined for misrepresenting the terms. That seemed reasonable because occasionally a sales person stretches the truth a bit to get a sale, so we decided to stay for the time share pitch. The salesman asked us a few questions about our interest in time shares and gave us each the promised free drink. When we sat down to talk he started by asking about our objections to time shares. Within 5 minutes he became surly and rude, and said my wife was ignorant and I was a liar. We decided to forgo the abuse and leave, and so returned to the office. The representative at the desk asked how it went, and we explained what happened. She was shocked at the behavior of the salesman, and said they are a reputable company that treats its clients with respect and doesn't tolerate misbehavior by its employees. She wrote down what the salesman had said to us, and called the manager and told him what had happened while we were listening. She said the manager would discipline both salesmen, and was coming down to speak with us to apologize. However we decided we'd had enough and left immediately, which was the first smart thing we did that day.

After thinking this over a bit it became clear what had happened. First, the street sales man did his job as he was trained to: he got us to the hotel no matter what it took. He gave everyone a supposedly-rare big-payoff ticket, and lied to everyone about the need to stay for the time share pitch. The friendly and sympathetic receptionist played her role well too: she apologized for the bad behavior of their purportedly rogue employee and convinced us to not walk out. The second salesman first determined if we were a good candidate for a sale. I'm sure that if we were receptive he would have respectfully tried to make the sale. But since we weren't likely to buy his job changed: he now needed to offend us enough to get us to walk out so they could avoid giving us a gift. When we returned to the office the receptionist again calmed us down and convinced us that yet another allegedly rogue salesman was misbehaving, and suggested that we should complain to the manger that was coming down to see us. Finally a third salesman (playing the manager) would sympathetically listen to us vent, and then try one more time to talk us into buying a time share before we left.

I'm embarrassed that I fell for this scam. The bad guy/good guy routine coupled with Westin's excellent corporate reputation was very effective. My excuse is that the first salesman was so slick that I missed the fleeting reference to a time share that should have tipped me off. I guess the lesson is that when everyone you're speaking to is lying and playing a role it takes a while to figure out you're being hustled. After this I'll be more careful.

My only surprise is that Westin lets its name be used in a way that is sure to damage it. My opinion of Westin is forever tarnished and I expect anyone else who is manipulated and insulted in such a dishonest manner will react the same way.

I took the time to write this in the hope my experience will be helpful to others who might encounter such a manipulative con job in the future. Best of luck to all.

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: MikeA01730] #22295
01/30/2016 01:34 PM
01/30/2016 01:34 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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GaKaye  Offline
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Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
This is typical, and folks who visit the island regularly know about it and are not duped. You won't make the mistake again, and the lesson learned was relatively inexpensive!

Last December, we were on the boardwalk in Philipsburg when we were approached by a young lady who asked us if we were on a ship or were staying on the island. When we told her we were staying here, she began the pitch. I interrupted her, telling her that we already had a place. (normally I say, "I live here", but for some reason didn't use that line this time). Her rude response was, "Of course you do; I didn't think you were sleeping on the street." I just shook my head and walked away.

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: MikeA01730] #22296
01/30/2016 01:35 PM
01/30/2016 01:35 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,080
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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boucharda  Offline
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During our last visit to Marigot we parked down the street facing the water and across from the cemetery...maybe a 5-7 minute walk. During that short walk no less than 4 cars stopped, all driven by males and with a smiling female in the passengers seat.

All the friendly girls had scratch tickets in their hands... .

Once in the Mullet Beach parking lot I was curious and wanted to see what I "won" and it was a decent prize. The couple on a scooter (to me always screams scratch card scam approaching) insisted on getting in our car for the ride to the resort and would not back off. I lost it a bit and they left mumbling some words in French.

I can GUARANTEE that there will always be a winner in the ones given out. No one would be tempted by just a drink...and no handout couple gets any bonus because of the "rare" winner. They get paid if you show up plain and simple.

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: boucharda] #22297
01/30/2016 02:08 PM
01/30/2016 02:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 308
Woodland Pk N J
madg1108 Offline
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Woodland Pk N J
When I get aproached by one of those salespeople,I tell them that I already have a timeshare...and it's for sale!!!Then ask if they are interested in buying it. They will leave you alone...

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: MikeA01730] #22298
01/30/2016 04:12 PM
01/30/2016 04:12 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,764
Quebec
kish Offline
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kish  Offline
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Posts: 1,764
Quebec
These sales people are all over the Oyster Pond area and they try to stop you whenever they can, but we never do. We were just leaving Dawn Beach and as we approached our car another car pulled up beside us with a young couple inside and tried to engage us in conversation. When I cut them off by saying we have our accommodation and NO thank you we are not interested in timeshares, they were very annoyed.

They used to stop people at the brow of the hill going into Oyster Pond from the Dutch side, but now seem to have moved down the road to the lookout in Baie Lucas. Be very careful if you are driving that way as it is a very dangerous situation.

I am sure they are also selling for the Westin.

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: kish] #22299
02/02/2016 08:58 PM
02/02/2016 08:58 PM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 294
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gitter Offline
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We did it once at Disney and it got us reduced price to disney.
We scratched off the winning ticket and bit. What a waste. The sales people realized we were NOT going to buy.
If you have a rainy day it might...MIGHT be worth your time.
IF the prize/gift is right. Just my 2 cents

Re: timeshare presentation - Westin [Re: gitter] #22300
02/04/2016 08:23 AM
02/04/2016 08:23 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 464
Tellico Village, TN
jrr1148 Offline
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Tellico Village, TN
Back in 1984, we were approached by a Texas gentleman named Roy in Pburg concerning a timeshare at Pelican. We had been impressed by SXM during our 4 day/3 night AA package (remember those?)and thought that we might like to return for future winter vacations. We attended the presentation (it was a rainy day) and bought in "pre-construction" for the Caladium building (couldn't make the free dinner that visit because of time constraints, but saw Roy on our first visit and he treated us to our free dinner at the restaurant in Almond Grove). Despite the financial problems and noise and dust during construction of the other buildings in the early years, we are extremely happy with our purchase and have visited practically every year since. We will be there again in 17 days! If fact we loved SXM so much we bought the next week in our unit from the original owner and now we stay two weeks! Having said this, we are bombarded by the current crop of timeshare salesfolk, and did attend a Westin presentation last year (got attacked by two young British women while leaving Le Galion). The "lucky 7" scratch card ploy. Needless to say we took a brief tour, told the salesperson up front, that we owned at SBRM and were not likely to purchase additional units/weeks at Westin because of its isolated location. Got our free drinks and "complimentary week" (which we didn't use). It was a diversion during our two week stay at our unit at SMRM, and we got to see what the competition was offering and their pricing. Have never regretted our original Pelican purchase.

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