They say that if something sounds like it’s too good to be true, it probably is. That is certainly correct regarding the “new” method of pulling in current Wyndham owners for an “update.” What a joke! In our case, we were too trusting, too willing to actually hope that maybe things had changed and Wyndham salesmen would no longer lie, intimidate or practice arm-twisting to sell their product. We were, in other words, stupid. But we did not succumb and buy, so I guess that means we won?! Read on for the complete story of our Wyndham update, otherwise titled “Spending a Wednesday Morning in Hell!”
The story begins peacefully enough at check-in at Wyndham Daytona Beach Ocean Walk. We headed over to get our parking pass (another joke) only to meet a sweet young girl (nameless, in case she wants to pursue her Wyndham sales career– but we don’t think she will). She told us about the new “group” update that included a nice breakfast or lunch. She said that most people really liked the group approach, but if you wanted an individual update you would get more gifts—otherwise, just the meal.
She also said that it lasted about an hour, and that all of the member services staff had been made to sit through it, and it was well-received. We indicated that we’d think about it. Surprise—we only had to say “no” once—that has to be a record, as it usually takes at least 5 “no’s!”
So the next day, we called and signed up, thinking that we could write an article for Timeshare Tidbits about this great new update approach, which apparently is currently being offered at only 6 resorts. BIG MISTAKE!
There were about 10-12 couples present, all seated at small round tables with name cards. While we ate (the breakfast at least was good—scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, bacon, fruit, juice and coffee) salesmen worked the room asking how the food was and introducing themselves. Our rep was Tom, who sat down at a table next to us and ate and chatted.
After this pleasant social interlude, our speaker, Glen, began his presentation. Using whiteboards, he discussed many things of interest to Wyndham owners to include: Wyndham’s rewards Visa card, Perks Card (which replaced the Leisure Plan), and a plan called Wyndham by Request. He spent a lot of time talking about VIP benefits, pushing the need for the Gold status. He used numerous examples to show how to get the resorts you want, when you want them, by using your VIP Gold or Platinum status. He also talked about buying into the Wyndham’s Access plan so you can get better resorts and book them earlier than the other folks (13 months out.)
This part of the presentation was informative, and there was a great deal of interaction between Glen and the owners. As former teachers, we would have given him a B+–we felt that he talked down to us a bit—and we think everyone learned a few things about Wyndham. This lasted about 45 minutes, and at the end there was a drawing for a free cruise and a free dinner for someone who could answer a question that related back to the presentation. We didn’t win either, but that was okay.
At this point, we thought they’d take some questions and then wrap it up. After all, the hour was almost up. ANOTHER BIG MISTAKE, because that’s when Tom told us to follow him to another room. Well, we thought, this will be short and sweet—yeah, right!
Aside from being a pretty nice guy who really likes to talk, Tom is a Wyndham salesman—need we say more? He proceeded to try to sell us another 80,000 points for only $18,000 so that we would be VIP Gold (we actually have enough points, but they flagged our last purchase as resale). This went on and on, and included bringing in another higher mucky-muck salesman who began with the intimidation techniques.
Then we proceeded to the “if we could sell you these points at a minimal price. . . “mumbo jumbo.” At one point, we reminded him that we were told this would last an hour (it had now been almost 2 and ½ hours); Tom laughed and said something like “you don’t really believe that when they tell you that, do you?”
When Tom ran out to copy some figures, we called our son and girlfriend, told them to wait 5 minutes, then call us. When they did, we said “we have to go, NOW!” The ensuing conversation, exit interview and gifting room (they also gave us a Wyndham blanket, which if we keep it will always remind us of that distasteful morning) took about an additional 15 minutes.
So, there you have it—the new group approach to selling Wyndham timeshares– GARBAGE!!! This is nothing more than a ploy to sucker you in. We would have been further ahead to go the traditional route and get some better gifts—if that’s what we had wanted. Probably Wyndham designed this new approach to save money and pull people in—after all, who doesn’t like to eat?—and then use the same rotten techniques that they’ve always used.
We have learned our lesson, and we will probably never do another Wyndham update. Maybe we’ll just copy this post and after the 3rd “no,” give it to the person who is trying to “hook” us and tell him or her to read it—we are through arguing and defending our right to NOT do an update! And if you are asked, or “browbeat” to do one, especially the “new and improved” kind, our advice would be to run as fast as you can in the other direction, unless you are REALLY hungry and want a throbbing headache!
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