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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> I won a cruise!
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 02/07/2014 08:39:09 AM · #1
so a guy in the mall last week suckered me into entering to win a jeep.

anyway they called me today and said i "won" a 3-day cruise. actually i need to go and listen to them talk for an hour about something and they give me the cruise.

so the terms are i have to pay the taxes, port fes etc, about $189 - $225 and and listen to their spiel and i get to go on the cruise, sounds fair...

i've always wondered about these things, is it legit? everyone tells me to get free rooms and such at resorts by going to sit and listen to them talk but i never do it.

so should i entertain this idea or is it a waste of my time...?
 02/07/2014 08:50:22 AM · #2
sounds a lot like timeshare- be prepared for some aggressive sales if thats what it is. They may be a bit overboard with their pitches. if thats what it is - and you have thick skin for stuff like that - it may be worth it.


Message edited by author 2014-02-07 09:10:12.
 02/07/2014 08:51:11 AM · #3
they are trying to sell you a time share....and they will pester you. Don't give in
 02/07/2014 08:54:33 AM · #4
im aware there will be a sales pitch, my question is if i suffer through this, are there any other catches or do i get to move ahead with a nice little getaway?

anyone ever go through with any thing like this.

Message edited by author 2014-02-07 08:55:37.
 02/07/2014 09:02:48 AM · #5
Originally posted by Mike:
im aware there will be a sales pitch, my question is is i suffer through this, are there any other catches or do i get to move ahead with a nice little getaway?

anyone ever go through with any thing like this.


My mom did something like that only it was a resort thing where they had to listen to a pitch about timeshares. She went with my aunt since my dad, in his words, "wasn't going to deal with their bullshit." My mom said they weren't overly aggressive but they tried to get you into it emotionally by saying things like, "can't you see yourself relaxing in the warm sunshine" and "it's a once in a lifetime deal." Fortunately, she's too stubborn to give into their crap, so for spending an hour listening to their high pressure spiel, she got a nice vacation with my aunt.
 02/07/2014 09:10:08 AM · #6
Whether you want to go through the experience or not is one thing, but make sure you can easily use what they're dangling as bait. Blackout dates, hidden fees, etc. Really make sure it's something you can and want to use.
 02/07/2014 09:17:35 AM · #7
Also, remember that if it's a "free" 3 day cruise, it's probably going out of Miami to the Bahamas. You'll need to get yourself and anyone going with you to Miami and back on your own dime. And, I'm sure it's an inside cabin. And probably not on any prime dates.

For the cost of your fees and airfare, you may be able to get an inside cabin 7 day cruise out of Bayonne, New York or Baltimore (you're in Jersey, right?).

02/07/2014 09:18:17 AM · #8
Originally posted by Mike:
im aware there will be a sales pitch, my question is if i suffer through this, are there any other catches or do i get to move ahead with a nice little getaway?

anyone ever go through with any thing like this.


I did this once years ago and got a weekend in the Poconos with a really nice room/ lift tickets/meals/horseback riding, etc. But, yes, the sales pitch was very aggressive. I did one in AC once too, where I ended up getting nothing. I've heard the cruise trips do have a catch. You usually leave out of Florida and will have to find your own way there and home. You could probably book a cruise for less than it would cost you out of pocket for this "deal" through one of the sites that try to fill empty spots.
 02/07/2014 09:23:32 AM · #9
Originally posted by bohemka:
Whether you want to go through the experience or not is one thing, but make sure you can easily use what they're dangling as bait. Blackout dates, hidden fees, etc. Really make sure it's something you can and want to use.


they seem to be forth coming with the fees.
 02/07/2014 09:24:26 AM · #10
Originally posted by Kelli:
Originally posted by Mike:
im aware there will be a sales pitch, my question is if i suffer through this, are there any other catches or do i get to move ahead with a nice little getaway?

anyone ever go through with any thing like this.


I did this once years ago and got a weekend in the Poconos with a really nice room/ lift tickets/meals/horseback riding, etc. But, yes, the sales pitch was very aggressive. I did one in AC once too, where I ended up getting nothing. I've heard the cruise trips do have a catch. You usually leave out of Florida and will have to find your own way there and home. You could probably book a cruise for less than it would cost you out of pocket for this "deal" through one of the sites that try to fill empty spots.


the cruise includes airfare to Florida.
 02/07/2014 09:29:49 AM · #11
Originally posted by Mike:
Originally posted by Kelli:
Originally posted by Mike:
im aware there will be a sales pitch, my question is if i suffer through this, are there any other catches or do i get to move ahead with a nice little getaway?

anyone ever go through with any thing like this.


I did this once years ago and got a weekend in the Poconos with a really nice room/ lift tickets/meals/horseback riding, etc. But, yes, the sales pitch was very aggressive. I did one in AC once too, where I ended up getting nothing. I've heard the cruise trips do have a catch. You usually leave out of Florida and will have to find your own way there and home. You could probably book a cruise for less than it would cost you out of pocket for this "deal" through one of the sites that try to fill empty spots.


the cruise includes airfare to Florida.


Then go for it. What do you have to lose besides an hour or so of your time? Just make sure you can say no to the timeshare unless it's something you actually want. :D
 02/07/2014 09:30:09 AM · #12
Originally posted by Mike:


the cruise includes airfare to Florida.


Does it include the airfare back from Florida? : \

If airfare is included and you can deal with the sales pitch, I'd say, do it.

Message edited by author 2014-02-07 09:30:41.
 02/07/2014 09:34:37 AM · #13
When they go into the sales pitch just pretend that you are having a Tourette's Syndrome fit. That should be good fun.
 02/07/2014 09:36:48 AM · #14
Just remember you didn't actually win it...I'm pretty sure they offered it to anyone who registered and told them "they won" (assuming maybe they met they're qualifications).

Second, I'd do a search of the internet about the company and see if anyone who went posted anything.

Lastly, make sure you know the full extent of your obligations to sit and listen. Just one hour? An hour a day?

To add: Make sure the cruise line is good and the cruise locations are really interesting to you as well!

ETA: Read through stuff like this too: //traveltips.usatoday.com/spot-freecruise-scams-103212.html

Message edited by author 2014-02-07 09:39:57.
 02/07/2014 09:39:48 AM · #15
Originally posted by Neil:
Make sure the cruise line is good and the cruise locations are really interesting to you as well!


If I were betting man, I'd say Carnival, out of Miami/Fort Lauderdale (or Port Canaveral) to Nassau.
 02/07/2014 09:41:58 AM · #16
it's a timeshare sales pitch like everyone says...just start practicing the word "NO" and whatever you do don't buy one....we have had ours for 32 years...used it alot but would like to get rid of it now...no can do...for the amount of $$ that we spend per year for taxes, membership, trading and maintenance we could rent a house where we wanted to...
 02/07/2014 09:55:59 AM · #17
If it's Sundance Vacations you won it from, there's lots of stuff all over the web about it. High pressure sales pitch about buying a package of 40 vacations for "cheap", or something like that.

//www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/sundance-vacations-milwaukee-wisconsin-c149439.html
02/07/2014 09:58:16 AM · #18
Mike, if it seems to good to be true then it is to good to be true. Don't get involved and do yourself a favor.
 02/07/2014 10:01:39 AM · #19
Originally posted by Neil:
If it's Sundance Vacations you won it from, there's lots of stuff all over the web about it. High pressure sales pitch about buying a package of 40 vacations for "cheap", or something like that.

//www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/sundance-vacations-milwaukee-wisconsin-c149439.html


that exactly who its from...
02/07/2014 10:13:05 AM · #20
Originally posted by Mike:
Originally posted by Neil:
If it's Sundance Vacations you won it from, there's lots of stuff all over the web about it. High pressure sales pitch about buying a package of 40 vacations for "cheap", or something like that.

//www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/sundance-vacations-milwaukee-wisconsin-c149439.html


that exactly who its from...


I'm guessing then that they are lying to you about the free airfare, from reading some of the complaints at the better business bureau.
 02/07/2014 10:48:41 AM · #21
It's been a while, but the ex-wife dragged me into one of these "deals" many a moon ago, and it was NOT worth the hassle. Give it a pass, I'd say.
 02/07/2014 10:48:48 AM · #22
I've done one of these (not a cruise, but a time share), and it was a blast. They flew us cross country, put us up in one of the units they wanted us to buy into, and the sales pitch session was what it was, a sales pitch.

Regarding the bad reviews of the outfit you're dealing with, you have to take them with a grain of salt. Everyone has a drum to beat. On the internet, even Santa Claus would get lambasted. I'd read the reviews, look at any documentation you were given, see if your answers about transportation, etc. are covered, and if not, ask.

It may not be a "dream" vacation, but if you've got cabin fever and want to get away for a few days, why not.
 02/07/2014 11:33:42 AM · #23
Run away now.
 02/07/2014 05:03:01 PM · #24
I've actually done quite a few of these and owned five time shares over the last thirty years.....it *can* be good......or a nightmare.

First, before you say yes, ask yourself if there's the slightest possibility in what it is they're offering.

If not, don't bother, you're wasting everyone's time. Do your homework and find out what a cruise ship time share deal entails.

If it's not for you on a regular basis, then take a pass. Investigate other possibilities if you're a vacation person.

Time shares, simply put, are your vacation. Your best option if you're going to do it is to make sure that whatever your home base is that you like it, and/or it's valuable as a unit to bank......as in, should you bank your week, is the resort, and your unit, in high demand for swaps. Winter in the Poconos is not a good swap; school summer vacation time in Williamsburg Virginia is.

My ex-wife and I had two weeks at the end of September in Marco Island, Florida, for about twenty years before our little girl went to school. It was awesome! The kids were in school, the island was slowly shutting down but lots of places were still open, and it was QUIET. Miami was two hours away, we were in the 'Glades, and the keys took three hours to reach. We went every year. The nice thing about a time share is that you either buy it outright, or you take a mortgage, and pay a monthly payment. Then you don't have to come up with the money for the accommodations at the same time you need travel & walking around money. I also had my own business at the time and we used it to force ourselves to take a vacation at the start.......once we started, a couple years down the road we couldn't wait to go back. There are yearly maintenance fees, and yes, they go up with time, but hey......that's maintenance costs. Once the kid was in school, we sold those two. We now have on in Williamsburg, prime time, and one on the Mexican Riviera.....again, prime time. I used my Williamsburg week banked to get a deal on my Paris stay.

AND......you may have caught the ex-wife......we still jointly own them and agree on sharing......there's no legal hassle........though hopefully that isn't a concern.

Sorry to ramble.......it's funny that Kelli mentioned the Poconos. The first one I ever attended was in the Poconos, and they stopped just short of a rubber hose with their sales techniques. We did *NOT* buy.....the one on Marco? The guy kicked back in a chair, showed us what he had, and invited us to enjoy our stay and let him know if he could help us. after one day we so fell in love with the place that we went back, bought and two or three years later, picked up another week.

So just use your head, don't let them browbeat you, and be honest about the whole thing going in.
 02/07/2014 05:46:27 PM · #25
Go. And during the pitch, tell them you are very interested, but will have to wait until you finished serving your 5-10 year prison term that starts when you return.
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