My recent article on the need for consistency and transparancy left out two issues; the whole business of "resort" and the whole issue of "gifting."
My thoughts on "resorts" first.
Did you know that any property, hotel, motel, timeshare, etc. can use the word "resort" freely? There are no standards for what is and what isn't a resort and that can obviously lead to some confusion and anger.
Take for instance the case of two timeshare "resorts" in the Orlando area. Both are RCI point-based properties. One is on a lake, has 4 pools, 2 spa pools, several water features, 3 children's pools, numerous bars and snack areas, a large general store, boating, jet-skiing, 2 children's play areas, free shuttle service to a nearby grocery store, a large, fully-equipped fitness area, a basketball court, 3 tennis courts, other outdoor sport areas and much more.
The other one has a pool, a tiny spa pool, a small children's pool, 2 BBQ grills and a sadly-in-need of repair basketball court.
You guessed it...both of them have the word "resort" in their name. One is not mis-leading, the other one definitely is mis-leading...I can't imagine anyone using the word "resort" to describe it after seeing it.
Timeshares aren't the only ones using this word though, as I said, any schlocky hotel or motel can tack up the word "resort" without any fear of misrepresentation.
I think it's time the timeshare consumer comes up with a new word and standards for it's use. Ideas?
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
And What Now With All Those Timeshares?
As most of you know, it seems that Holiday Group out of Seattle has gone out of business. As in completely gone out of business.
The last time I checked, there were hundreds of timeshares for sale on their site. There has been some speculation that trying to pay all of those annual fees was one of the contributing factors to their apparant demise.
So what is going to happen to all those timeshares and more importantly, what is going to happen to all those unpaid annual fees? My guess is that the resorts in question are going to take a hit and then pass that hit onto other owners. A raw deal for everyone concerned.
I'd appreciate knowing if there is a "spike" in annual fees around the country or in a specific geographic region owing to this debacle.
The last time I checked, there were hundreds of timeshares for sale on their site. There has been some speculation that trying to pay all of those annual fees was one of the contributing factors to their apparant demise.
So what is going to happen to all those timeshares and more importantly, what is going to happen to all those unpaid annual fees? My guess is that the resorts in question are going to take a hit and then pass that hit onto other owners. A raw deal for everyone concerned.
I'd appreciate knowing if there is a "spike" in annual fees around the country or in a specific geographic region owing to this debacle.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Calling Darth Vader
Attending the sales and marketing breakout session yesterday at VOIC (Vacation Ownership Investment Conference), I kept expecting to hear the "Evil Empire" music from the Star Wars saga films everytime someone on the panel used the word "Internet."
People, it is 2010. The Internet has been around for quite some time now and it has been widely in use in homes and businesses throughout the country experts agree since 1998. In fact, many timeshare developers get their clients from marketing companies touting the "3 day/2 night stay for $99" (just Google "timeshare presentations" to prove my point) on the Internet.
So, although the timeshare industry continues to enthusiastically use the Internet, it is not so fond of the attributes that consumers have embrased the Internet for; availability of information and transparancy. Ah ha...and now you understand why I kept expecting Lord Vader himself to show up on the dais.
The industry can not have it both ways; it can't use the power, reach and frequency of the Internet while running away from the leveling power that it holds. If it continues to do so, I'm confident that their sales centers will continue to be packed with people there for the hooks-who then promptly buy their product on the secondary market for 60%-70% less.
May The Force Be With You!
People, it is 2010. The Internet has been around for quite some time now and it has been widely in use in homes and businesses throughout the country experts agree since 1998. In fact, many timeshare developers get their clients from marketing companies touting the "3 day/2 night stay for $99" (just Google "timeshare presentations" to prove my point) on the Internet.
So, although the timeshare industry continues to enthusiastically use the Internet, it is not so fond of the attributes that consumers have embrased the Internet for; availability of information and transparancy. Ah ha...and now you understand why I kept expecting Lord Vader himself to show up on the dais.
The industry can not have it both ways; it can't use the power, reach and frequency of the Internet while running away from the leveling power that it holds. If it continues to do so, I'm confident that their sales centers will continue to be packed with people there for the hooks-who then promptly buy their product on the secondary market for 60%-70% less.
May The Force Be With You!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Reporting From VOIC
I'm writing from the annual VOIC (Vacation Ownership Investment Conference) being held at the newly expanded Peabody Resort in Orlando.
I'll have a full recap of the conference on Friday, but I'm pleased to report that the industry leaders here seem to be fully focused on business, as opposed to fun and games, and for the first time, I see a hint of being open to...wait for it...new ideas. The economic downturn and the extension of that downturn has opened some ideas within the industry, which I feel is a good thing...there is a silver lining in all of those black clouds.
While I am here, I've been asked to be interviewed for a full-length profile (much nicer than pushing my own PR pieces!) as well as being asked to write an article about how (or if) salespeople at resorts are trained. This in response to a large number of consumer complaints about lies...sorry, misrepresentations...that they have encountered while at sales pitches...sorry, resort overviews. That article will be in the November/December issue of TimeSharing Today.
There has also been some interest shown in "Surviving A Timeshare Presentation...Confessions From The Sales Table," "Timeshare Vacations For Dummies" and "Timeshare Management-The Key Issues For Hospitality Managers." All good news as people in timeshare are talking more about educating consumers instead of ONLY trying to sell them something.
No news to report on the apparant demise of Holiday Group in Seattle unfortunately. Also, this conference is not designed to discuss the "post-card" companies...although I have overheard some rumblings that those horrid companies have finally upset the powers that be, We shall see.
Check back on Friday for a full recap.
I'll have a full recap of the conference on Friday, but I'm pleased to report that the industry leaders here seem to be fully focused on business, as opposed to fun and games, and for the first time, I see a hint of being open to...wait for it...new ideas. The economic downturn and the extension of that downturn has opened some ideas within the industry, which I feel is a good thing...there is a silver lining in all of those black clouds.
While I am here, I've been asked to be interviewed for a full-length profile (much nicer than pushing my own PR pieces!) as well as being asked to write an article about how (or if) salespeople at resorts are trained. This in response to a large number of consumer complaints about lies...sorry, misrepresentations...that they have encountered while at sales pitches...sorry, resort overviews. That article will be in the November/December issue of TimeSharing Today.
There has also been some interest shown in "Surviving A Timeshare Presentation...Confessions From The Sales Table," "Timeshare Vacations For Dummies" and "Timeshare Management-The Key Issues For Hospitality Managers." All good news as people in timeshare are talking more about educating consumers instead of ONLY trying to sell them something.
No news to report on the apparant demise of Holiday Group in Seattle unfortunately. Also, this conference is not designed to discuss the "post-card" companies...although I have overheard some rumblings that those horrid companies have finally upset the powers that be, We shall see.
Check back on Friday for a full recap.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Another One Bites The Dust
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.
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.
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.
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