When we first got married, money was really tight, so when we started getting calls from time share companies offering us a free stay at their place and a gift just for taking a "90-minute tour" of their facilities (which were actually 2-hour high pressured sales pitches), we took advantage of the opportunity for a low-cost, short weekend getaway. We were never tempted to buy anything because we didn't even own a home. The free "gifts" (which ranged from gift certificates to airline tickets) usually ended up having strings attached. In fact, I don't ever remember being able to use the free gifts. After a few of these free vacations, the time share groups decided that people in our demographics weren't buying time shares, so they stopped inviting us.
As the years progressed, and our financial situation improved, they started calling again. Except now, we were no longer interested because we could finally afford to go where we wanted to go without the hassle of sitting through yet another sales pitch. One time, however, we got offered a "free two-night trip for two" practically anywhere in the U.S. (including airfare and hotel), as well as the option of upgrading the package to a group of four (allowing us to take our daughters) or extending the number of nights for a nominal fee. Since all we had to do was attend a 90-minute non-time share presentation (it was some sort of annual vacation plan package) in our home city, the carrot seemed too enticing to pass up. Naturally, they didn't show us the fine print until after we attended the presentation. Instead of being allowed to choose our destination, we had to choose three (of which we would get one). Also, we had to choose three different departure dates within the next year; none of which could be within a couple of months of each other or within a week (on either side) of practically every holiday on the calendar. They would inform us 90 days prior to our departure of which destination and date they had chosen for us. We only found 2 dates in the entire year that were even possible for the trip we wanted to make, so we just added a third and hoped that it wouldn't be picked. There were other stipulations too, such as staying at their hotel the entire trip (even if we extended our time). Also, the "free airline tickets" didn't cover any of the fees and taxes that are tacked onto the price of the ticket. Who knew that fees and taxes make up about 70% of your airline ticket price? Eventually, we received confirmation of the dates and location of our "free trip" as well as the price we were expected to pay to cover the fees, taxes, and the upgrades to allow our daughters to spend a week in Florida with us. It was preposterous. After doing the math, we figured that we could plan a better trip, with a lot more flexibility, for the same price as our "free trip." We turned down their "free trip" deciding then and there that we would never attend another sales pitch presentation, no matter what "free gift" was being offered.
Several years later, we we offered a vacation package to Florida that included a free cruise to a different location to be taken within the year of our Florida trip. After being assured several times that we wouldn't have to attend any presentation, that we would have a choice of several hotels, and several other promises regarding our trip, including the option to cancel it for a full refund, we finally agreed and paid half down. The first red flag was that they didn't send us the e-mail they promised to send us within the hour detailing all the oral agreements we'd made with them. When we called back, they were closed for the weekend. When we finally got the e-mail the following week, we were asked to initial a bunch of agreements including that we'd attend a 90-minute tour. Also, the number of hotels we had to choose from was: one. We called to complain. They asked if we had any proof of the promises their representative had made, but of course we didn't since they never sent us the promised e-mail. We demanded our money back, but they refused, claiming that they'd taped us agreeing to the purchase of the package. Since they had control of the tape and what was recorded and what wasn't, we realized that we would probably lose a lawsuit. After several calls exploring our options, we realized that our choices were to go ahead with the trip and make the best of it, or lose our initial half-payment with nothing to show for it. We went ahead with the vacation and had a lot of fun - despite losing several hours in the middle of one of our days in order to attend the presentation we'd been promised we wouldn't have to attend. We would have had to pay a hefty fine ($350) for missing the presentation. When we got home and applied for the free cruise, we discovered that our "free cruise" only covered the basic cost of our cabin, and not all of the additional fees and taxes. Our free cruise was going to cost several hundred dollars per person - not including airfare or excursions. Besides, the destination we wanted to go to was unavailable for the time period we requested. Naturally, we cancelled our "free trip."
So just remember, "free trips" aren't free. Always make sure you get the entire agreement in writing before purchasing a vacation package, and always review the fine print before you commit. Hopefully you'll avoid the same mistakes we made.
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