How far would you go for a cheap vacation? By taking advantage of a timeshare presentation, one couple took a gamble — but not everyone is sure that it will pay off.
In a recent TikTok clip, Katie Nash (@moneybagnash_) shares with viewers how she and her boyfriend bagged a $100 stay for three nights at a Westgate property in Orlando. The catch? They need to watch a 90-minute presentation about investing in a timeshare.
Given that Orlando was previously ranked one of the best travel destinations, it’s easy to see why this offer was appealing.
Nash explains that she wasn’t too worried about anything happening to their accommodation, since they already paid in advance. “But this is where I’m afraid they’ll get me,” she admits.
Contract Concerns
The TikToker says that, as part of their stay, they would need to sign a contract. This involved a verification process, which involves disclosing information like ages and addresses. But there’s just one problem. She says that in the small print, the contract stipulates that the customers need to be between the ages of 28 and 68. While Nash’s boyfriend is 35, she is only 27.
The contract also stipulates that if you don’t meet these qualifications, you might need to pay the full $500 amount. This prompted Nash to call Westgate, she says. She says that while she was only 27, Westgate had already qualified her. She also says she didn’t want to initial something that wasn’t true. In response, the worker said that everyone knows Nash’s real age and that the minimum age is actually 25, Nash says. In turn, when asked, they told her that they still expect her to initial that contract clause, she says.
“So I don’t know. It’s not like we’re being promised park tickets to sit through the presentation. Like, we basically got the discounted room, and then we have to sit through the presentation,” she says.
She says that she’s afraid once they get there, they will tell her, “‘Wait a second. You’re 27. You don’t qualify, so now you owe us $500.’ What do I do?”
While Nash never made a follow-up video, she posted a TikTok while vacationing in Orlando. So, clearly, it all worked out for the best.
BroBible reached out to Nash and Westgate via TikTok direct message and email, respectively.
What Did Commenters Say?
Commenters reactions were mixed. “Don’t girl lol,” one wrote. “Sounds sketchy based on what you said! You can definitely get refunded, they CAN’T charge you the full amount.”
“I’d also call back and record the conversation so you can dispute it if they charge the card,” a second added.
While a third simply said, “Cancel the card lol.”
Others shared their own, similar experiences.
“They aren’t going to care as long as you sit through the presentation,” a fourth said. “I was like 24-25. We have sat through 2 for a hotel stay and then a trip to Hawaii we never went on. We always decline at the end.”
And a fifth chimed in, saying, “I was 27 and my man was 28!! (cut off age) They said as long as we lived together that’s okay. Do y’all live together? And say NO to everything! We got a free trip plus $100 and didn’t pay anything.”
Are Timeshare Presentations A Good Travel Hack?
Over on Reddit, users have been debating the pros and cons of attending timeshare presentations as a means of getting a cheap vacation deal.
In response to one post asking this question, a Redditor said, “It’s a beating. Been to three. Gotta steel yourself for the most aggressive sales pitch ever. But we had a great time at Branson on their tab. Cost us an afternoon but we wouldn’t have gone otherwise. Not for the faint of heart – we have friends who tried it (‘We won’t buy’) and who ended up with a time share.”
“I enjoy the challenge,” a second wrote. “I’ve done about 4 pitches. I tell them how Hotwire is a better deal, give them the math. They bring out their manager for the hard sell. I give them my Hotwire pitch. I get my free swag right before they angrily kick me out. It’s become a sport for me.”
And a third shared, “I’ve done four. The longest presentation was 45 minutes. Just let them make the sales pitch, and firmly say no. Never buy a timeshare, it’s a really bad investment. They make a final offer that seems like a very good deal, just say no.”
So, as long as you set clear boundaries, it’s certainly an option for those looking for cut-price vacations.
@moneybagnash_ Do we think it’s a little scammy scam?? #timeshare #orlandoflorida #scam #hotel