1. Forums
  2. Mystery Shopping Company Discussion

Time Share Shops

June 13, 2012 07:41PM
Anyone know of any companies that do Time SHare Mystery Shops? I would love to do a few of those.
Reply
Log In
x

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

Already a member? Log In.

June 13, 2012 11:47PM
tns does time share.

Not my circus - Not my monkeys @(*.*)@

~Polish Proverb~
Reply
June 14, 2012 11:31AM
Are they as time-intensive as a hotel shop?

How pushy are the salespeople?

I would kind of like to do one, but think that I might hate it if it became a hostage situation with an aggressive salesperson.

Any feedback from MSers who have done a few would be great...
Reply
June 14, 2012 02:17PM
Missy,
The sales associates can be quite agressive toward the end of the presentation, when they have brought in the "senior closer" to close you. It won't be a hostage situation. But that 90-120 minutes are really almost the only time commitment during your stay. The sales pitch is recorded, and there is a short report on it plus a very few questions on a few other interactions, but nothing like a typical hotel shop in terms of number of questions or length of narrative.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Reply
June 14, 2012 02:24PM
Hmm, we'll see...

I would have to pour a few whiskies down my DH to get him to sit still for 90-120 minutes of a time share sales pitch.

Maybe the week before my mother-in-law visits; he'll owe me one then.
Reply
June 14, 2012 02:43PM
I personally find them much easier than a high end hotel, and the pitch takes 90 minutes, with the last 30 minutes the PITA, but the report is easier. I once stayed in a Timeshare for 7 days, was given $150 in upscale dining (with no reports), just a gift from Wyndham, great vacation..this was in Vegas, never done one in L.A.

Live consciously....
Reply
June 14, 2012 07:37PM
I've done TimeShare presentations in the past and found them to be very informative. I did not get the feel the salesperson was pushy when I opted not to buy.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart..."
Reply
June 14, 2012 10:43PM
@cubbiecat What is "tns?" Is that Trendsource?
Reply
June 14, 2012 10:57PM
TNS is TNS, not Trendsource. It is listed as such on the 'Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies'.

I have not done a time share. My sister owns a timeshare as she and my other sister used to frequently take them up on their free visits or free visits + a short cruise etc. The perks for the general public sitting through a presentation are often more interesting than doing them as a shop. One MSP used to have you turn in the perks given while my understanding is that other MSPs allow you to keep them in addition to any pay or reimbursement.

My timeshare owning sister keeps wondering how she got talked into buying and why my other sister did not tie her up and remove her from the room. The pressure was just too great, so every year now she pays property taxes on her 'unit' that are way out of line for both what she paid and what benefit she receives. Every use seems issue prone and every visit requires another sit down with the salesmen who want to persuade her that for 'just a little more' she could get tons more points to be eligible for more desireable properties. They usually do give her something like a $50 or $75 gift card to some restaurant at the end of the water boarding.
Reply
June 15, 2012 12:02AM
They have great freebies (especially in Vegas). When going there I recommend visiting one on your own. They are pressured, but the perks can be great, like winning a trip, you always get something. Knowing you won't be buying,
and know how to rush the agents visit is the best way to handle it. I have friends that own, and exchange to neat places, like Hawaii, Palm Springs, Florida, they literally have them all over, and are (I think) much better than
having bought one in the old days...but, there are hidden costs, such as taxes and high maintence, which they don't tell you about during presentation, if interested you need to do your homework. They insist you sign that day, giving you no time to do your own research, which is a red flag.

Live consciously....
Reply
June 15, 2012 01:34AM
They are fun to do and the sales pressure does not bother me, because no is no. RIGHT? The sales people can say what they want, it's my life and money. :-) Besides, we are not allow to make a purchase, so it's a NO! I like the perks, travel expense and the beach front condo rooms. Irene_L.A., I've done a number of them in Florida only, and it's Disney passes, gift cards or cruises. Wait, once I got Outback gift cards...or spa services. There's a wide range of gifts. Your Vegas ones sound like fun also.

Not my circus - Not my monkeys @(*.*)@

~Polish Proverb~
Reply
June 15, 2012 01:35AM
Flash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> TNS is TNS, not Trendsource. It is listed as such
> on the 'Official List of Mystery Shopping
> Companies'.

Taylor Nelson Sofres.
Reply
June 15, 2012 02:03AM
Has anyone done the timeshare shops in Atlantic City or other east coast beaches??
Reply
June 15, 2012 02:09AM
Yes, to both.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Reply
June 15, 2012 06:55AM
I'm interested in timeshare shops.... my hubby doesn't want to sit through the pitch. Would the resort know that I'm married? Or... could I pretend to be single or divorced? I guess I'm asking if the resort will run a credit check or some type of report prior to arrival?
Reply
June 15, 2012 01:18PM
That you would have to take up with the MSP offering them. I have seen requirements that a spouse must attend as well, but I have also seen some that at least on the surface shop information are silent about it. One company does want your credit score to be a certain minimum to take the shops, so it is very likely that the time share is running your credit.
Reply
June 15, 2012 01:31PM
Also, if you take an adult with you, they may question why that person is not attending the sales presentation with you. If you plan to go alone, ask the MSC about portraying yourself as widowed or divorced.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Reply
June 15, 2012 02:23PM
Working them for Wyndham you need a soft credit check, and a companion, going on your own from a hotel, you don't need one, but will if you buy. You don't need to be married, but it is suggested you bring along a significant other. I went alone, saying my live in wasn't feeling well, they don't check if your not working, but if working, yes, you need to bring you hubby, or have a good excuse.
kday Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm interested in timeshare shops.... my hubby
> doesn't want to sit through the pitch. Would the
> resort know that I'm married? Or... could I
> pretend to be single or divorced? I guess I'm
> asking if the resort will run a credit check or
> some type of report prior to arrival?

Live consciously....
Reply
June 15, 2012 05:25PM
I have done several solo for Wyndham, so it may be a regional thing.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Reply
June 15, 2012 10:33PM
Haven't you needed a credit check?
walesmaven Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have done several solo for Wyndham, so it may be
> a regional thing.

Live consciously....
Reply
June 16, 2012 12:44AM
They ran my credit card and you need to prove your FICO score to the msc. The fee is reimbursed. I'm lucky that my hubby doesn't mind sitting through it and keeps mostly quiet.

Not my circus - Not my monkeys @(*.*)@

~Polish Proverb~
Reply
July 08, 2012 02:34PM
Once again, how long is the report. I've gotten 3 emails, would love to go but I don't want to be working on the trip.
Reply
July 08, 2012 03:26PM
The report is very simple. Nothing like a hotel shop for most companies! Afterall, the client is getting the audio recording. I always have plenty of time to play.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Reply
July 08, 2012 10:21PM
I checked TNS shop board and came up with nothing. Is there another MS company doing these?
Reply
July 08, 2012 10:51PM
The jobs are there. TNS use to have a Sassie site and now they are on a ClientSmart site.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Reply
July 09, 2012 01:54AM
They just posted time share shops all over the country and way into the end of the year.

Not my circus - Not my monkeys @(*.*)@

~Polish Proverb~
Reply
July 09, 2012 04:55AM
Yes apparently there are 2 TNS MSCs. The one you want is client smart. They require a credit score of 650. But really great perks and all over the country. They offer mileage but not food, etc. Some are timeshares and some are resort deals. Just found this out and also thinking that they picked up Freeman's accounts. Same client.
Reply
July 09, 2012 12:12PM
I thought Freeman did the flebags and TNS did the nicer ones.
Reply
July 09, 2012 01:00PM
I have had the timeshares do a soft credit check with no effect on my credit score. I just checked my score and it has gone UP! It is well north of 700. So, I am not worried about their credit checks.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Reply
August 02, 2012 03:14PM
Anybody still seeing the timeshares or hotel shops on TNS? They may be all taken but I am not seeing any on the board. Are there any other mSC that does these?
Reply
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login