Another timeshare fatality to report this morning...it seems that noted timeshare reseller Holiday Group (http://www.holidaygroup.com/) has disappeared.
Rumors are sketchy at best about what caused their downfall.
I'll post details as I find them and if you find details, feel free to post.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Confusion Still Reigns Supreme
I was pleased to attend THETRADESHOW (Travel Retail and Destination Expo) a few weeks ago and meet travel journalists and professionals from all over the world.
One of the exhibitors dealt with timeshare...I won't reveal their name here...don't need any more bad blood, bad press, etc. This particular company was one of the ones that charges an advance listing fee, which I've covered in depth in previous posts. This listing fee was $1,000 for "lifetime" in their words and covered both sales and rentals.
Wanting to find out more, I politely asked, "OK, what happens if the consumer only wants to rent out their timeshare one year and only wants (or can obtain) $700 for the rental? Why would anyone pay $1,000 to get $700?"
Seemed a simple enough question and I was expecting some clarification on the $1,000. But no, I received a quizzical look as though the question had not been understood. So I repeated my question. And the answer was "That's a really good question, I've never heard that one before."
Before you think that the answer came from some low level employee, that confused person was no one less than the Director of Marketing.
Sigh...and this is STILL the face of "timeshare" that is put out there.
One of the exhibitors dealt with timeshare...I won't reveal their name here...don't need any more bad blood, bad press, etc. This particular company was one of the ones that charges an advance listing fee, which I've covered in depth in previous posts. This listing fee was $1,000 for "lifetime" in their words and covered both sales and rentals.
Wanting to find out more, I politely asked, "OK, what happens if the consumer only wants to rent out their timeshare one year and only wants (or can obtain) $700 for the rental? Why would anyone pay $1,000 to get $700?"
Seemed a simple enough question and I was expecting some clarification on the $1,000. But no, I received a quizzical look as though the question had not been understood. So I repeated my question. And the answer was "That's a really good question, I've never heard that one before."
Before you think that the answer came from some low level employee, that confused person was no one less than the Director of Marketing.
Sigh...and this is STILL the face of "timeshare" that is put out there.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Using A Timeshare In Orlando? Check These Guys Out
Shopping for anything other than clothes, on sale is not my favorite thing to do. Grocery shopping is at the bottom of my list for "fun things to do" and even lower if that is possible, while I am on vacation.
If shopping for groceries at unfamilar places while on vacation isn't your idea of fun, check out Garden Grocer http://www.gardengrocer.com/. They'll do the work for you and deliver right to your room at your timeshare.
You can order just about anything you need or want on vacation and there is only a $40 minimum, which shouldn't be a problem. One of the best features is that for orders over $200, there is no delivery charge! Orders under $200 carry a nominal $12 delivery charge.
If shopping for groceries at unfamilar places while on vacation isn't your idea of fun, check out Garden Grocer http://www.gardengrocer.com/. They'll do the work for you and deliver right to your room at your timeshare.
You can order just about anything you need or want on vacation and there is only a $40 minimum, which shouldn't be a problem. One of the best features is that for orders over $200, there is no delivery charge! Orders under $200 carry a nominal $12 delivery charge.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Lots Of Things To Report Today
First things first...I've finally decided on both a title and a distribution method for the new book. I'm finalizing the chapters this week and will be soliciting input for several of them in an effort to make this book everything is can/should be. Stay tuned for updates.
There will be a meeting held right here in Orlando on Friday, October 15th dealing with real estate licensure, less than honest timeshare related companies and consumer protection. I'm excited about this as it will bring together people and organizations working for the common good, including the Department of Business and Professional Regulations, the Better Business Bureau and various media entities.
Thirdly, on Monday, October 4th, I'll be guest lecturing at the University of Central Florida-Rosen College of Hospitality Management. This will be a sales class and I'll be posting some of the questions that the college students ask during this class. It is always an enlightening experience..most college students catch on really quickly that in order to succeed with today's consumers, the timeshare industry must move away from selling and move towards letting consumers purchase.
There will be a meeting held right here in Orlando on Friday, October 15th dealing with real estate licensure, less than honest timeshare related companies and consumer protection. I'm excited about this as it will bring together people and organizations working for the common good, including the Department of Business and Professional Regulations, the Better Business Bureau and various media entities.
Thirdly, on Monday, October 4th, I'll be guest lecturing at the University of Central Florida-Rosen College of Hospitality Management. This will be a sales class and I'll be posting some of the questions that the college students ask during this class. It is always an enlightening experience..most college students catch on really quickly that in order to succeed with today's consumers, the timeshare industry must move away from selling and move towards letting consumers purchase.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Musings For A Thursday
Some things that have been running through my brain after spending some time at THETRADESHOW the past few days:
1) Why don't timeshares have a "loyalty program" whereby at some point, say after two visits to the same resort in a year they don't try to snag you for a timeshare presentation?
2) With all the timeshares that are facing financial difficulty and even filing bankruptcy, the public is more worried than ever before. These companies need to hire someone who can speak to the owners without sounding like a salesperson. Just saying.
3) I wonder if this ever happens to a hotel property---I attempted to send a Press Release to a Chicago area publication yesterday. It kept bouncing back. After speaking personally with the editor, I sent it from my personal e-mail address and it went through with no problem. The issue was NOT the Press Release, which was not spam, it was my e-mail address. The publication had a "spam filter" for anything coming with the word "timeshare" in the address. Says a lot, doesn't it?
4) The Midwest Chapter of the National Timeshare Owners Association had to cancel their planned meeting for this Sunday due to low attendance. Only eight (8) people had signed up! What is going on here? Even if every single timeshare owner was ridiculously pleased with their timeshare, don't you think that they would want to show up for a meeting where they could learn something? I mean, I am really happy with my new iPhone 4, but that doesn't stop me from showing up to a meeting where I can learn more. Timeshare owners, please weigh in on this one.
1) Why don't timeshares have a "loyalty program" whereby at some point, say after two visits to the same resort in a year they don't try to snag you for a timeshare presentation?
2) With all the timeshares that are facing financial difficulty and even filing bankruptcy, the public is more worried than ever before. These companies need to hire someone who can speak to the owners without sounding like a salesperson. Just saying.
3) I wonder if this ever happens to a hotel property---I attempted to send a Press Release to a Chicago area publication yesterday. It kept bouncing back. After speaking personally with the editor, I sent it from my personal e-mail address and it went through with no problem. The issue was NOT the Press Release, which was not spam, it was my e-mail address. The publication had a "spam filter" for anything coming with the word "timeshare" in the address. Says a lot, doesn't it?
4) The Midwest Chapter of the National Timeshare Owners Association had to cancel their planned meeting for this Sunday due to low attendance. Only eight (8) people had signed up! What is going on here? Even if every single timeshare owner was ridiculously pleased with their timeshare, don't you think that they would want to show up for a meeting where they could learn something? I mean, I am really happy with my new iPhone 4, but that doesn't stop me from showing up to a meeting where I can learn more. Timeshare owners, please weigh in on this one.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Sorry About That
Thanks to Ben Reed from Adventureswithben.com (http://adventureswithben.com) for pointing out that the settings on the blog were not set correctly to allow RSS feeds.
I believe the settings have been fixed and my apologies to everyone for the mixup.
As usual, I appreciate your reading and your comments.
I believe the settings have been fixed and my apologies to everyone for the mixup.
As usual, I appreciate your reading and your comments.
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