If you go to a Westgate timeshare tour - or any timeshare tour - it is essential that you be prepared for a VERY hard sell. If you thought used car salesmen were hard sellers, this is even worse. The salespeople get HUGE financial incentives to force every single person to buy. They don't care if you cannot afford it or if it will drive you into bankrupty. All they care about is pressuring you to sign. If you then default on the loan, even better, because now they have some of your money and can still re-sell the room to someone else.
Here are key things to do to survive your timeshare presentation.
* BRING PRINTED REFERENCE MATERIAL
Go on eBay and get what these units are selling for, right now. Go on other timeshare sales sites and get similar numbers. Go to a few bank sites and get actual interest rate values for condo sales. The salesreps are going to give you REALLY wrong numbers for all of these values. If you can wave your piece of paper, you can get them to face reason.
* PLAN FOR 3 HOURS OR MORE
I know they say 90 minutes. They are barely done with the TOUR in 90 minutes. Their entire aim is to wear you down, so it is in their best interest to have you there for hours and hours so you get exhausted. Don't plan your tour right before you want to go somewhere. Plan it for a time period that you have NOTHING else to do in.
* MAKE NOTE OF ALL FLAWS YOU SEE
Numerous owners write me to complain about all sorts of problems with the units. Remember, the unit you're shown is going to be the VERY BEST they can possibly find, to make the sale. If you see flaws with THAT "super best quality" unit, it's a fair sign that whatever you DO get to actually use will be much worse. The more you can point out problems, the more leverage you have.
* EXPECT NASTY BEHAVIOR
Your salesperson, if you do not give in immediately, is probably going to start talking down to you. He'll say things like "Well if you are so dirt poor that you can't even afford this, why are you here?" He's trying to make you say "I *can* afford this, so there!" or to storm out without getting your tickets / room voucher / whatever. That's in his best interest. Treat him like a petulant 2 year old. Don't take the insults personally. It might be amusing, when he gets nasty, to TALK to him like a child ... "Oh, does little wittle boy need a nap?" :)
* WEAR YOUR WATCH AND STICK TO IT
Mention every 10 minutes that you are now 10 minutes closer to the 90 minute deadline. At 80 minutes, tell them it is time to have you talk to the FINAL person because you expect to leave in 10 minutes. Remember, they're going to make you go through at least 3 "closing guys". Plan appropriately.
* LOUDLY EXPLAIN THE PROBLEMS
If they start dragging their feet, stand up and start loudly reciting the bad interest rate, the too-high prices, and the other issues. This might encourage them to help you to leave, so you do not taint the other sales going on around you.
* ASK TO TAPE RECORD THE SESSION
Bring one of those little tape recorders with you, and ask the rep if you can tape the conversation, so that it is clear what exactly the offer is. If they refuse, tell them you can't trust someone that is unwilling to go on record with her offers and from that point forward, just say "I am ready to leave now."
If you really and truly like the timeshare, there is NO reason to buy at that meeting. You will get a MUCH better deal if you return back home, talk to your lawyer and research the best deal you can get online. There is no way that you will ever receive the best deal in that room, with those salespeople. But keep in mind - the organization treats its owners just as badly as it treats its potential owners. That's something to keep in mind before you lock yourself in for multiple decades with the organization.