For your information,
Today I personally encountered timeshare activities that followed a simple
survey at Somerset outside a bank today. I had heard of such activities like
these and multilevel marketing before hence I decided to "play" the game
along and uncover more truth into the picture how such organizations
operate.
hehe...
The research company is IRN (seem quite reputable) and the company is Asian
Travel Club. (I only pick these data up much later in the session) It is
outside the bank at Somerset between the old OG and Singapore tourism info
building.
Firstly surveyors pick up demographic data from respondents in the street.
Fulfilling certain criteria (income and stuff), will be requested for a
non-obligating and non-committing presentation of services. Also, there will
be a free gift from scratch cards, gives vouchers or sorts (mine is a $20
taka voucher and a 2 person complimentary stay at a regional resort for
7day/7nite). Surveyors will claim that they are only paid $1 per survey and
bonus $ according to the quality of my draws only if I proceed to listen the
80 minute talk to collect my gift after that, else these surveyors and
supervisors will be fined some $. I suspect this is to draw some sympathy to
draw me in to listen. These people might be truthful because they are just
the underlings.
I was shown a newspaper clip on the research company's activities, quite
recent and many companies are involved and quite genuine. But I am sure
doesn't concern timeshare and such.
Later I was assigned a presenter and made me off my hand phone, (closer to
the truth now) this is a one on one situation but I needed to remained calm
and tactful. She proceeded to explain benefits and qualities of membership.
Truth is this being a timeshare resort and accommodation kind of membership
that supposedly allow members to benefit paying a flat rate of US$99 to stay
7 days, US$599 for 2nd week for 6 pax at resorts all over the world lasting
30 years. Too good to be true?
I looked at the lists of resorts and hotels in the 4000 total thick catalog
presented to me. Well, got Hyatt and Marriott hotel name leh. Think again.
True they are under the same company but someone in the industry of
hotel-industry or marketing can tell you seriously that those are downward
stretching attempts done to compete with motels and hostels. Simply put
are 2 to 3 star accommodations in weird locations at most. Best part is I
pressed on to try learn how much a membership cost, the promoter tried to
push on and try to influence/confuse/emphasize cost savings through the
membership benefits. Well, I played along and shown acting interest in the
plans but the game was quite up as the promoter kind of realized not much
progress can be made. SO a male manager joined my table and tried to coerced
and act stern to sway my judgment. (he found the wrong opponent this time
round)
Well, I terminated his "game" of Yes/No reply only questions (deadly bcos it
can easily influence people opinion sometimes) and I demanded tactfully to
know the cost of membership that was not mentioned until this point. Result
$250 a month. Did a quick calculation $3000 a year. 30 years = $90000 +
US$99/599 times number of usages! (You think can stay in so much
accomodation in your life, go ahead) I firmly replied "No" to the face of
the 2 people and was quickly shown out the door. (Game over I guess.) But I
managed to collect the vouchers and gifts on way out as my entitlement for
participation. (kiasu? Maybe but can use the $20 mah)
At this session I overheard people signing up for it actually. (tough luck
) This experience took me an hour plus, since then I felt quite
enlightening too (outwit, outlast and outplay, survival loh). Hehe... (not
my cup of tea unfortunately)
Today I personally encountered timeshare activities that followed a simple
survey at Somerset outside a bank today. I had heard of such activities like
these and multilevel marketing before hence I decided to "play" the game
along and uncover more truth into the picture how such organizations
operate.
hehe...The research company is IRN (seem quite reputable) and the company is Asian
Travel Club. (I only pick these data up much later in the session) It is
outside the bank at Somerset between the old OG and Singapore tourism info
building.
Firstly surveyors pick up demographic data from respondents in the street.
Fulfilling certain criteria (income and stuff), will be requested for a
non-obligating and non-committing presentation of services. Also, there will
be a free gift from scratch cards, gives vouchers or sorts (mine is a $20
taka voucher and a 2 person complimentary stay at a regional resort for
7day/7nite). Surveyors will claim that they are only paid $1 per survey and
bonus $ according to the quality of my draws only if I proceed to listen the
80 minute talk to collect my gift after that, else these surveyors and
supervisors will be fined some $. I suspect this is to draw some sympathy to
draw me in to listen. These people might be truthful because they are just
the underlings.
I was shown a newspaper clip on the research company's activities, quite
recent and many companies are involved and quite genuine. But I am sure
doesn't concern timeshare and such.
Later I was assigned a presenter and made me off my hand phone, (closer to
the truth now) this is a one on one situation but I needed to remained calm
and tactful. She proceeded to explain benefits and qualities of membership.
Truth is this being a timeshare resort and accommodation kind of membership
that supposedly allow members to benefit paying a flat rate of US$99 to stay
7 days, US$599 for 2nd week for 6 pax at resorts all over the world lasting
30 years. Too good to be true?
I looked at the lists of resorts and hotels in the 4000 total thick catalog
presented to me. Well, got Hyatt and Marriott hotel name leh. Think again.
True they are under the same company but someone in the industry ofhotel-industry or marketing can tell you seriously that those are downward
stretching attempts done to compete with motels and hostels.
Simply putare 2 to 3 star accommodations in weird locations at most. Best part is I
pressed on to try learn how much a membership cost, the promoter tried to
push on and try to influence/confuse/emphasize cost savings through the
membership benefits. Well, I played along and shown acting interest in the
plans but the game was quite up as the promoter kind of realized not much
progress can be made. SO a male manager joined my table and tried to coerced
and act stern to sway my judgment. (he found the wrong opponent this time
round)
Well, I terminated his "game" of Yes/No reply only questions (deadly bcos it
can easily influence people opinion sometimes) and I demanded tactfully to
know the cost of membership that was not mentioned until this point. Result
$250 a month. Did a quick calculation $3000 a year. 30 years = $90000 +
US$99/599 times number of usages! (You think can stay in so much
accomodation in your life, go ahead) I firmly replied "No" to the face of
the 2 people and was quickly shown out the door. (Game over I guess.) But I
managed to collect the vouchers and gifts on way out as my entitlement for
participation. (kiasu? Maybe but can use the $20 mah)
At this session I overheard people signing up for it actually. (tough luck
) This experience took me an hour plus, since then I felt quiteenlightening too (outwit, outlast and outplay, survival loh). Hehe... (not
my cup of tea unfortunately)
