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Westin "scratch offs" #54439
05/13/2015 05:45 PM
05/13/2015 05:45 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 255
Dirty Jersey
gd1147 Offline OP
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gd1147  Offline OP
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 255
Dirty Jersey
Driving into Galion to go to Tropical Wave this morning we we approached by a nice French dude with scratch offs for the Westin. My wife scratched and we had 3 "7"s which he said was a miracle and we just made his week because the commission off that ticket would net him $400. After hearing the prizes, either $1000 gift card for the island, 4 night stay at the Westin, or an iPad (cheapest model probably) that we could win after the 1.30h sales pitch we politely declined. I figure the winning of the top two prizes was slim pickings and a cheap iPad that I already own wasn't worth an hour of my time.

Has anyone else gotten one of these 3 x "7"s and actually gone to the Westin to check it out? He said they give out 1 card with this prize per day on the island. Other gifts included free drinks, a bottle of champagne etc on other cards, I would find it hard to believe people would give up 1.30h of their vacation for such trivial prizes.

Thoughts?

SXM Sponsors
Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: gd1147] #54440
05/13/2015 05:52 PM
05/13/2015 05:52 PM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,673
Newtown, CT
kim Offline
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kim  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,673
Newtown, CT
Oldest trick in the book! Unless your interested just say no thanks and walk away

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: gd1147] #54441
05/13/2015 05:55 PM
05/13/2015 05:55 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,040
falmouth,MA
wendyk Offline
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wendyk  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,040
falmouth,MA
Those tickets are ALL winners, and the 1 hour presentation is at least 2 hours, and very high pressure. As the other poster said, unless you are seriously interested (or maybe if it's pouring rain), I would skip it.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: kim] #54442
05/13/2015 05:56 PM
05/13/2015 05:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,631
Oyster Pond St. Martin
S
soualigacapt Offline
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soualigacapt  Offline
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S
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,631
Oyster Pond St. Martin
Everyone wins and no one wins. Every card is a winner. 1.5 hours will turn into half a day and you will find strings attached to the prize. He only makes the commission if you buy.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: gd1147] #54443
05/13/2015 05:57 PM
05/13/2015 05:57 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 268
SE Florida
av8er Offline
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av8er  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 268
SE Florida
Yesterday there were two young ladies at Orient flagging down cars with the same pitch

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: av8er] #54444
05/13/2015 06:01 PM
05/13/2015 06:01 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 255
Dirty Jersey
gd1147 Offline OP
Traveler
gd1147  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 255
Dirty Jersey
I feel so much better now. I figured it was with some strings attached. I attach an "hourly rate" to my life and even the free iPad wasn't worth my time since I'm not buying.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: gd1147] #54445
05/13/2015 06:41 PM
05/13/2015 06:41 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,764
Quebec
kish Offline
Traveler
kish  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,764
Quebec
I had 3 "7's" a few years ago on the boardwalk in Philipsburg. All I "had" to do to get the $500 shopping spree was to go to an hour presentation (don't remember which hotel this was for). I politely declined to spend even a few minutes of my vacation listening to sales pitch.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: kish] #54446
05/13/2015 06:44 PM
05/13/2015 06:44 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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GaKaye  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
We just wave back at those folks who try to flag us down in oyster pond. On the boardwalk, we tell them " we live here". Works every time.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: kim] #54447
05/13/2015 07:08 PM
05/13/2015 07:08 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,059
Maine, USA
Chuck_Morton Offline
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Chuck_Morton  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,059
Maine, USA
Everybody gets the 3 X"7"s.... They are set up at the entrance to Oyster Bay and on the road to Captain Olivers. Just another scam.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: Chuck_Morton] #54448
05/13/2015 07:33 PM
05/13/2015 07:33 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,041
In beautiful Naples
contessa Offline
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contessa  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,041
In beautiful Naples
Everything everyone else said.......it's a scam. Just wave them off and keep driving.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> Contessa

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: gd1147] #54449
05/13/2015 07:41 PM
05/13/2015 07:41 PM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
P
PelicanPirate Offline
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PelicanPirate  Offline
Traveler
P
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
Every time we cruise to sxm, we here of at least one person say they wasted their whole cruise stop and saw nothing else.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: PelicanPirate] #54450
05/13/2015 08:13 PM
05/13/2015 08:13 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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GaKaye  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
That's so sad.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: GaKaye] #54451
05/13/2015 08:40 PM
05/13/2015 08:40 PM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 188
FL
B
bksm Offline
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bksm  Offline
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B
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 188
FL
We did the Dawn Beach Club tour last year since it was raining. As we didn't show interest in paying $25,000 for a timeshare, the tour only took 90 minutes, but we had to wait another 30-40 minutes to see what we won. If you show an inkling of interest, I'm sure you would be there much longer.

Our gift was the 4 night stay which is what most, if not all get. However, the "free" vacation as they call it costs $86 per night. $20 is for the resort fee and $66 is for taxes and the service charge. The Westin charges 5% for taxes and 15% for service, so they're calculating the $66 on a $330 per night room rate even though the rate when we stayed was only $219.

The Westin's rate may be over $300 in high season, but the "free" vacation is blacked out from December 18th to March 31st. So in exchange for one's time for the tour, the Westin is just filling empty rooms in the off-season at a reduced rate.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: contessa] #54452
05/13/2015 08:47 PM
05/13/2015 08:47 PM
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,000
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
RI Bob C Offline
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RI Bob C  Offline
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Posts: 2,000
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
I thought the government stopped this scam a few years ago.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: gd1147] #54453
05/13/2015 09:03 PM
05/13/2015 09:03 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,253
Boynton Beach, FL
EdB Offline
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EdB  Offline
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Posts: 3,253
Boynton Beach, FL
Congratulations on your win. You, and at least another four or five hundred people also won that huge winning prize!!!! I saw a bunch of people win the same thing at Mullett Bay last month!! Some people were jumping up and down. LOL

No presentation is only 1.5 to 2 hours. It will take much longer...and the prize you win on the ticket probably won't be what you walk out of there with. LOL

It's a SCAM, and has been for years. Those people that work the beach are well trained on giving away the ''winning tickets.'' You were smart not to follow through with it...unless you want to actually buy a place at the Westin.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: EdB] #54454
05/13/2015 09:34 PM
05/13/2015 09:34 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
Just act real excited. Spend a lot of time asking questions on how and where you claim your prize and then blow them off. They are willing to waist your time so return the favor.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: gd1147] #54455
05/13/2015 09:44 PM
05/13/2015 09:44 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,280
OIB, NC
mikentara Offline
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mikentara  Offline
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Posts: 1,280
OIB, NC
This scam has been going on for years...we just said, "We live here" and they backed off quick.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: mikentara] #54456
05/13/2015 10:02 PM
05/13/2015 10:02 PM
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 272
Tennessee, USA
B
Bobinmobile Offline
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Bobinmobile  Offline
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B
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 272
Tennessee, USA
There seems to be more people hawking the time shares this year than in the recent past. A number of years ago they would track you down if you even slowed down on the road or asked for directions. That appeared to almost stop for the last few years, but thus year they are back at almost every speed bump and also down town?

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

I think a sign of better sales and maybe more vacationers returning to purchase. A couple of the resorts ( time shares) that we have visited with friends have price lists for units available units with higher than in previous years. Do not know if they are selling again but they appear to be trying!

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: mikentara] #54457
05/13/2015 10:05 PM
05/13/2015 10:05 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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pat  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
I generally just say, "No thank you," and keep walking. End of discussion. <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: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: GaKaye] #54458
05/14/2015 05:11 AM
05/14/2015 05:11 AM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,764
Quebec
kish Offline
Traveler
kish  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,764
Quebec
We do the same now Georgia!! Especially the ones on top of the hill in Oyster Pond. They way they stop cars right there is very dangerous. frown

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: mikentara] #54459
05/14/2015 07:37 AM
05/14/2015 07:37 AM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten Offline
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BeachKitten  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
Quote
mikentara said:
This scam has been going on for years...we just said, "We live here" and they backed off quick.


It's hard for me to say that at Mullet as I'm getting into a white Corolla with the tag R-11. I just say "no thanks, I'm happy with my 3 weeks and need no more....nor do I wish to lose trip time even listening."...as I keep moving.


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: BeachKitten] #54460
05/14/2015 10:38 AM
05/14/2015 10:38 AM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 520
New York, New York
G
gracie105 Offline
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gracie105  Offline
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G
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 520
New York, New York
I got the 3 7's a couple of years back, we went to the presentation. They were very nice not pushy at all. It lasted an hour we got a free lunch 2 drinks each and a cabana on the beach for the day. It was worth the hour.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: BeachKitten] #54461
05/14/2015 10:40 AM
05/14/2015 10:40 AM
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,111
St. Maarten/Long Island
SharonfromSXM Offline
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SharonfromSXM  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,111
St. Maarten/Long Island
I used to tell them I lived here but they got to be such a PITA that now I take out my phone & say let me call my friend in immigration so he can come check your papers....They curse me but disappear in a flash!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> I like this method because then they stay out of this area for awhile..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: GaKaye] #54462
05/14/2015 11:35 AM
05/14/2015 11:35 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem Offline
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islandgem  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
We do exactly the same Georgia. I say we actually live here and we could sell you a condo. They then apologize for stopping us and tell us to have a nice day.It is true they can be very annoying, but for the most part they are just trying to make a living.




Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: SharonfromSXM] #54463
05/14/2015 12:23 PM
05/14/2015 12:23 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 520
New York, New York
G
gracie105 Offline
Traveler
gracie105  Offline
Traveler
G
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 520
New York, New York
Quote
SharonfromSXM said:
I used to tell them I lived here but they got to be such a PITA that now I take out my phone & say let me call my friend in immigration so he can come check your papers....They curse me but disappear in a flash!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> I like this method because then they stay out of this area for awhile..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />


They are doing their job, they need to make a living. Yes they can be pushy but I just smile and keep walking. They get the message

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: gd1147] #54464
05/14/2015 01:02 PM
05/14/2015 01:02 PM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,929
Connecticut
The_Lurker Offline
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The_Lurker  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,929
Connecticut
We always say No Thank-you. They sometimes ask if we live there and we say yes.

Our friend just went and they received 4 nights at The Westin.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: The_Lurker] #54465
05/14/2015 03:45 PM
05/14/2015 03:45 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,056
PA
biglar Offline
Traveler
biglar  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,056
PA
Most every day during the past 3 weeks as we traveled by car from near Bikini Beach along the water road towards Club O there were both men and women trying to stop our car, holding up a piece of paper. Most times it was near the Alamanda Resort. We kept moving and waved to them as we passed. After a week they recognized our car and didn't even bother to stand. We did see a few people stop their car to talk to them. I realize they are only trying to make ends meet by trying to get you to scratch off the winning ticket, but it does get annoying. Oh yeah, years ago we also won, but when we wound our windows up and put the car in drive, they backed away from the front of the car.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: SharonfromSXM] #54466
05/14/2015 05:08 PM
05/14/2015 05:08 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 255
Dirty Jersey
gd1147 Offline OP
Traveler
gd1147  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 255
Dirty Jersey
Quote
SharonfromSXM said:
I used to tell them I lived here but they got to be such a PITA that now I take out my phone & say let me call my friend in immigration so he can come check your papers....They curse me but disappear in a flash!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> I like this method because then they stay out of this area for awhile..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />


These guys are French, in what is essentially France. Calling immigration on a Frenchman on the French side would do no good.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: Bobinmobile] #54467
05/14/2015 06:13 PM
05/14/2015 06:13 PM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,193
Virginia
Snorkeller Offline
Traveler
Snorkeller  Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,193
Virginia
We were on island April 17-26 this year and there definitely were more of them than in the last few years - at least our anecdotal experience certainly supports that. I do not mind (too much) people trying to make a living with obnoxious cold call sales jobs but I do mind when they use flat out lies to try to get your interest and when they just will not shut up and leave you alone when you tell them "no thanks - not interested." One guy who approached us at a salt pond parking lot was really a pain - we were trying to discuss our own plans and he would not shut up and go away.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: gd1147] #54468
05/14/2015 06:13 PM
05/14/2015 06:13 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Since when is the Westin on the French side? I'm confused..


Carol Hill
Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: gd1147] #54469
05/14/2015 06:18 PM
05/14/2015 06:18 PM
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 32
Central Florida/SXM
B
Bianca Offline
Traveler
Bianca  Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 32
Central Florida/SXM
They may be French but they harass people on the Dutch side of the island also. They really are a PITA and a few of them even get nasty after you tell them you are not interested. One morning they were in the Mullet Bay Beach parking lot, when security came by and they took off like rats.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: Bianca] #54470
05/14/2015 07:36 PM
05/14/2015 07:36 PM
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 837
Florida
W
wilsonck Offline
Traveler
wilsonck  Offline
Traveler
W
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 837
Florida
Even on a holiday this morning in Marigot, I still got approached. I have to say this seems like this is the most I have seen of these people. It's almost like they are gremlins and they got wet and multiplied.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: Carol_Hill] #54471
05/14/2015 07:56 PM
05/14/2015 07:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,631
Oyster Pond St. Martin
S
soualigacapt Offline
Traveler
soualigacapt  Offline
Traveler
S
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,631
Oyster Pond St. Martin
Because it is illegal for them to hawk timeshares on the street on the Dutch side, the Westin hawkers all work the French side.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: soualigacapt] #54472
05/14/2015 08:42 PM
05/14/2015 08:42 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Oh, ok. But what about the people who stand by the side of the road going by the ATrium and Buccaneer, etc.?


Carol Hill
Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: Carol_Hill] #54473
05/14/2015 08:47 PM
05/14/2015 08:47 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 29
Michigan
caribmichael Offline
Traveler
caribmichael  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 29
Michigan
Another way to send them on their way, is to tell them this is your last day on the island going home tomorrow.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: Carol_Hill] #54474
05/14/2015 09:41 PM
05/14/2015 09:41 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten Offline
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BeachKitten  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
Remember in the 90's? The speed humps near the Saphire seemed to be so that they could jump out at you? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: kish] #54475
05/14/2015 09:53 PM
05/14/2015 09:53 PM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 176
Nebraska
joyonthebeach Offline
Traveler
joyonthebeach  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 176
Nebraska
We succumbed to this scam this past February. After 90 minutes they weren't finished and we told them their time was up. Our lovely sales lady immediately became a sulky bitch. What we "won" was also the 4 night stay that would cost us $86 as mentioned by bksm. With black out dates totally useless to us and as expensive as the nice studio we rent in Orient. So, we learned our lesson. Never again. I lost about 3 hours of my precious vacation time to those scumbags!


Don't Postpone JOY
Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: Carol_Hill] #54476
05/15/2015 12:03 AM
05/15/2015 12:03 AM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,631
Oyster Pond St. Martin
S
soualigacapt Offline
Traveler
soualigacapt  Offline
Traveler
S
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,631
Oyster Pond St. Martin
Carol, They actually have an onsite booth on the street there. Or they just disregard the laws.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: gd1147] #54477
05/15/2015 07:56 PM
05/15/2015 07:56 PM
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,111
St. Maarten/Long Island
SharonfromSXM Offline
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SharonfromSXM  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,111
St. Maarten/Long Island
They pull up in cars or run from along side buildings in Simpson Bay all the time & they are French without papers to work on the Dutch side. We cannot walk anywhere in season without them approaching us. When we are in the car they leave us alone because we have resident plates.

Re: Westin "scratch offs" [Re: gd1147] #54478
05/17/2015 01:15 PM
05/17/2015 01:15 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,917
New England (home), St. Maarte...
jmbcomms Offline
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jmbcomms  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,917
New England (home), St. Maarte...
ALL of the tickets are "winners". The folks who give the tickets out put on quite an act. On the other hand, the property is excellent.


Jeff Berger
Visiting SXM Since 1978
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