Once years ago. It was a miserable experience--these people are professionally trained to PUSH--and we had horrible tickets. It's a waste of time and I would not recommend it.

First DH and I did this all the time, out in Palm Springs.
We got pro-shop vouchers, dinners, and a lot of free rounds of golf (most new Time Shares had golf courses).

You listen to the pitch, ask questions, answer very few that you are asked or give vague answers. Verbally agree with nothing, nod and smile and then, when the salesperson pulls out paper work .... say you never sign anything without talking to your lawyer first, get your voucher and walk out.

Years ago, I took the tour of a timeshare in Daytona, listened to them, told them I would have to think about it, and got the $$ for my time. As I was walking out, I said, "It's been fun." The salesman said something like, "You sure have a warped sense of fun." Now that 'did' give me a chuckle.

Sue

and with vegas in the worst housing recession in the nation i can just imagine how hard sale pitched it would be!

btw, just as awesome and closer to vegas, try a visit to the north rim of the grand canyon..lot less people (unless you want to walk the glass sky bridge) you could take in brice canyon and zion nat park...a triple treat!

Ron and I did that in Hawaii. We got tickets for a sunset dinner cruise and it was wonderful. The time share pitch was okay we just said we couldn't sign anything without thinking about it. Later we found a place that sells "used" time shares for about 1/2 the price. Also, someone told us about www.vrbo.com (vacation rentals by owner). That's a place where people rent out their own condos and time shares and it's a lot cheaper. The whole time share thing will only work if you go on vacation every year and stay in a hotel. Then it's a good deal.

My husband and I were going to Disneyland in Orlando years ago. The flier said they would give us Disney dollars...The pressure was high but at the time we didn't own a home so I guess they didn't think we were much of a perspective, neither did we have much money either...They didn't give us Disney $'s, what a waste of time...I think they handed up 30 bucks or so. We were just doing it for the money anyway but would ..We had to sit though a sessions, would have rather gone to Disney and just eaten less....

We have done that a lot.....we have more time than money!
Once, in Reno, there were so many people at the presentation, the host asked how many were there just for the"gifts." Several of us raised our hands and they gave us a $100 in chips. We played three of the chips in the dollar machine and cashed out the rest.

Last time we were in Vegas, the tickets being given out were all for off-Strip minor league acts... NOT worth it!

A former BF and I did that at Lake Tahoe one day when it was raining and we couldn't ski. We had so much fun making up a story about just getting married and that was why we had different addresses and last names. After the spiel we told them that because of our high incomes, we were looking for a tax write off. We laughed about that the rest of the trip.

Sister and her DH did one in Vegas last fall and actually bought a double one! Seems they get attached suites, each having their own kitchen, LR & BR's so they can ask people to join them. No, not swingers--just like to travel with others in the family. And he was newly retired and they do like to travel.

On the way there, they had decided "no matter what they present, the answer is NO." But they're sure they got a great deal.

Used it once so far for a second week in Vegas with his sister & BIL and now are planning for everyone to come to a place a couple hours from here for a "family thing" next Fall. Several significant B'days next year--40th, 50th and two 70th but not everyone is thrilled with their plans. We'll see.

When the salesperson starts putting on the high pressure, just smile sweetly and say, "Yes! We'll definitely purchase just as soon as we're sure that our bankruptcy papers have been filed. This wouldn't be included, would it?"

Yes, have done it several times in Florida and Hawaii. I won't do it in Mexico, though, they are known to be real high pressure. There are many places you can buy on the re-sale market for pennies on the dollar. As a matter of fact that how we bought ours (resale) and have been vacationing the last twenty years in two bedroom/two bath oceanfront places for less than $100 per day. Tip: just bring some sales information with for the specific place you are going to and after listening to the pitch, pull them out and ask them if they can top THAT deal. You'll walk away with your gift then.

Why pay full price for a time-share ...

... when you can find lots of good ones, even excellent ones, on sale for half price ...

... or less??

For sale by folks with low sales resistance quotient.

Many feel that most of them are over-priced.

It's your money - you work/worked hard for it.

Make sure that you use it to your best advantage, regardless of what the sales folks are pushing. And buying property of any description is a business proposition not to be entered into lightly!!

ole joyful

I am a horrible liar. I could never do that.

dex, some places are known for being high pressure and others are known for being low pressure. I have never been to Vegas, so can't comment. But I frequent a travel forum because travel is my passion and I can tell you the people at TUG2.NET will be able to give you their impression. (Tug stands for timeshare users group). There is a specific forum for "newbies" and the people are as helpful and friendly as KT!

iowagirl, I'm not sure what you mean about lying. You can go to a presentation and pull out printed sales information to back up your position. In essence, they are lying if they say you can't get a better deal. It's on the up and up and dex could walk away with show tickets or whatever they use for comps in Las Vegas.

neesie - by "lying" I mean that I could not go into a presentation knowing I was only going to get the free ticket/room/etc., then giving some excuse why I was not interested.

If I was actually interested in a time share and went to the presentation - but did not find the price right - and still got the freebies, I would not feel like a liar.