I was contacted by phone to attend one of these presentations with the promise of a "free" cruise. I was told on the phone that I did not have to bring any money or purchase anything to get the "free" cruise.
After the presentation I was led to another room where salespersons were assisting several couples with their purchases. I asked the person helping me why if they could give us such great rates at Hilton or Marriott that they were not holding these presentations at the nearby Hilton or Marriott. I was told that the location of this hotel (Howard Johnson's) easier for the locals to get to than the others. The Marriott is within 3 miles of the Howard Johnson's and alot of persons attending were closer to the Marriott.
During the sales pitch I advised the sales person that I was moving overseas and questioned the cheap flights to these vacation spots. This person asked his manager if there would be any problem with me flying out of some tiny island in South America to one of the vacations and I was told "no problem" you can fly out of any international airport and get these great rates. Once again I advised that I would not be near a international airport and again was told that I would be able to get these great rates.
I did not buy their quick replies and left with this "free" cruise. I checked with a friend whom purchased this great program and he advised me that what I was told was not true since he checked for me to fly from South America to one of these vacations I would have to fly (as an example) to Miami and go from there.—No deal. As to the "free cruise—you must pay a $50.00 registration fee, port charges, taxes and fees—you are also required to pay the room taxes. I shopped a 4 night cruise out of the same port, on the same cruise line and found I could get this for $199.00 for an oceanview room plus taxes.
All in all I must say they did mention RCI too many times and that scared me away also since I almost made that mistake a few years ago. Finally the sales person advised me just before I left that he could reduce the price if I purchased today. Again no deal, then his reply was, there are persons in another presentation right now and they are not going to ask as many questions as I and he can sell them easily.
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