Marriot vacation club

[Ai li]

Have anyone heard of Marriot vacation club?

I saw Marriot vacation club's booth at baby show last Friday and went to ask them for more info about the club. The staff at the baby show didnt seem to have much knowledge about the package or details about it, but kept saying it is designed to be very babies/ kids friendly. But was told to make an appointment with a 45 mins personal tour at Times Square. Which I did!

What curious me is the 'gift' that provided for any couple going for 45 mins tour. It is just seem to be too good. eg: 2 adults and 1 kid Disneyland free ticket... HK$500 Renaissance hotel dining vourcher + Mini octopus card with HK$500 value... On top of that, they provide you with refreshment and 2 hours free car park or claimable taxi fare for not more than HK$50.

I think I would feel obligated by having all these above. But that is not my intention of going. I just want to know more about the club.

Anyone has the same experience?

[aussiegal]

Feeling obligated is exactly what they are trying to make you feel by giving you all those free things. They want you to buy a share in their vacation club. This technique is not new. Personally I don't think these 'gifts' are worth it. You will end up getting hassled for ages afterwards with follow up calls, emails, god knows what else. Besides, if you have no intention to really consider buying a share why waste their time too?

[solidstars]

actually my husband and i went to listen (we knew it was sales-sy) and it wasn't all that bad. they're not THAT pushy.

but it wasn't 45 minutes, more like 2 hours, and although comfortable and all (cake and tea, etc and place is not dodgy) all we got for it was one night stay at the marriott airport (newly opened?). the sales plan for the vacation club sounded pretty good too but definitely out of our budget for now.

Ai li could you post what you actually got? i mean, your lists of 'gifts' sound too amazing to be true!

[Ai li]

There are 3 choices of gifts to choose from.

1) FREE entry ticket : 2 adults + 1 kid to Disneyland.

2) HK$500 Renaissance hotel dining vourcher + Mini octopus card with HK$500 value

3) They have a list of hotels with discounted rates in Singpore, HK, China, Thailand and Japan. Eg: JW Marriot in HK only HK$1600++ per night, HK$2600 at Ritz Carlton Singapore. However, we can only choose of the hotel with discounted from the list ( I personally think that this one is the least attractive one)

4) Phuket deal. I told them I was not interested in going to Phuket. So, she skipped the choice. (but i think the Phuket one is rather attractive, casue the staff told me many people choose Phuket deal.


I havent gotten the gift until the day I show up for the talk. Oh my goodness, it is 2 hrs long!!

Solidstar, did you sign up with them the package? If not, how did you managed to 'get away' from them?

HI Aussiegal,
Thanks for your kind advice. I wasnt given the impression that It is about buying share or Marriot points (according to my friend). I thought it is something that they are promoting their baby friendly resorts or hotels. Haha, Silly me!!

[shri]

>> You will end up getting hassled for ages afterwards with follow
>> up calls, emails, god knows what else.

In our case, I guess, they figured our we knew their tactics, as the soft sales person finally brought "her manager" in to explain how the deal worked. At which point, I remarked, "so you're the closer eh?".

For those of you who are used to time-shares, this deal is different. From what I gather, Marriot does not physically own the properties and you are not on the deed (in the US your name is on the deed of the property).

Regardless, the deal breaker for me is always when someone says you have to sign an agreement (which in this case is worth 100s of thousands of dollars) and cannot give you a copy to read or consult with someone more legally minded.

PLEASE read up and do your research BEFORE you go, as they apply serious pressure on you "this deal will not be available if you walk away".

We did not bother with the gift that they gave us, as we know there would be a sales pitch at the end of that free holiday too.

>> asue the staff told me many people choose Phuket deal

Yes, and they want you to take the deal, as it gives them one more opportunity to sell to you when you're relaxed and in a very controlled environment.

[shri]

One more thing, here's a link which will explain a little bit more about deeded vs right to use time shares.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeshare

Care should be taken with this form of ownership as the right to use often takes the form of 'club membership' or right to use the reservation system. Where the reservation system is owned by a Company not in the control of the owners, the right of use may be lost with the demise of the controlling Company.

Remember, the agreement is COMPLEX .. and in the 5 or 10 minutes I had to glance at it, I could not figure out who owns the properties, who controls the reservation system and what happens if Marriot or the owner goes bankrupt etc.

[mrs momo]

My friend has signed up and it costed her about $120k payable in instalments. She joined the cheapest plan.

Yes, you do get an incentive for attending the seminar but my husband wouldn't let me go in case I signed up too. You can also have the option of $1k worth of Sogo or Citysuper coupons.

[MilkMonster]

My inlaws have been very satisfied marriot vacation club owners for over 7 years now. they have 3 weeks and use them for family holidays everywhere, but mostly for golfing in the US as they are semi retired. You can trade your weeks for other locations around the world if you want to travel outside the property that you own. In Canada, they call it Timeshare and is quite popular.

Since hubby and I don't have any weeks, we thought about buying before but since his parents already have 3 weeks, we usually travel together so we don't need our own weeks. We have been to the seminars twice, once in Palm Desert, California and in Phuket Thailand - both times we received the special offers of $100USD but at the end, we just told them we need more time to think about it, or that we would consider it for the future and there wasn't any pressure. I received the notice for the one in HK but we are just too busy to attend, otherwise we would have. I think it's nice to go see what they offer. We have really enjoyed vacationing with Marriot.