Hi!
My name is Deb and I joined this forum just about a week ago I think. I'm very new to timeshares, having never owned before. My story is, I am a travel RN on assignment in Arizona. I wanted to see Sedona and in looking up lodging on Google I found a room at Los Abrigados for a discounted rate if I would listen to a 90 minute presentation. Well, 90 minutes turned into the most painful 3 1/2 hours I've ever endured, including childbirth. I actually gave them a $500 check to "hold" just to get them to leave me alone and give me my letter of verification needed to get my discount off the room. After I was finally freed I vowed never ever to attend a timeshare presentation again.
On my way home, I stopped to look at a brochure and lo and behold...another fast talking guy and the next thing I know....I'm pulling up to The Ridge on the way out. I walked in still upset at myself and told them they could keep my $25 deposit, but I was going home..just couldn't do the pressure presentation again, no way. Well, these people are VERY good at what they do (aside from the fact that they had a very gullible victim).
I agreed to "wait for a manager" to "sign off on the deposit" and wouldn't you know, they sent Mr. "I'm the perfect person to calm down this crazy female" in to talk to me. I agreed to stay and just listen and they promised no more than 90 minutes or I could get up and walk away. The sales rep that talked to me was by far the nicest person on the planet (at least that day any way) and by the time the manager came back to 'sweeten the deal', I was hooked and bought 2500 points for $9000+ @ 14% interest with Diamond Resorts.
The morning after I woke up with the worst case of buyer's remorse
and started posting like crazy on a travel nurse forum, which led me here. After reading both here and the travel nurse forum, I decided not to recind and to hang out here and learn as much as I can about timeshares, points, etc. There seemed to be enough positive comments to keep me from changing my mind entirely. Because of my attitude going in to the presentation, there was so much that I didn't find out, I just barely got a tour of the place! I have so much to learn. I may have made a huge mistake in keeping this but you live and learn and I am here to learn. Thanks so much for being here as a resource for those like myself.
Looking forward to reading, learning and getting to know you all.
Deb
