Anyone ever see this before? We received a letter from I think it said Resort America for 10 free night and dinner for 2 if you tour our campground. Sounds too good to be true but it’s an hour away we checked it out. Called the number, we were told it has new owners and this was the campground hit by an ef3 tornado in 2011, Brimfield, Ma. Got there and we were greeted by a guy who acted just like a car salesmen and then I knew it was a sales pitch.Wife said let’s listen for a while, sat down with another young guy who again looked and acted like a car salesmen. I came straight out and said I’m not purchasing a thing until wife and I could talk it over. He tried all the car sales stuff. In the middle I tried to read my wife’s thought about leaving but couldn’t so Half hour later I spoke up and said you’re selling a time share for camping for $8999 plus $364.98 maintenance fee. Hey hon the exit is over here. He said hey you can stay at any participated Cg for free. The other Cg offered, 2 of which, where ones I previously reviewed and actually toured looked horrendous(in my opinion will not name them). Has anyone seen this before? These guys supposedly owned Schroon river CG Resort in Lake George, So they said. $9363.98 plus other fees to camp for 14 days.It was a scenic ride through central mass to get there though, kids got a nap.

Sure, it isn't anything new. It is a common way to sell timeshares and memberships. Often involves an offer of free camping and/or free gifts.If it works for you, buy it, if not walk away. These deals seldom are cost effective for weekenders/vacationers. If you are retired or are a full timer it might be beneficial.

Never happened to me. But then if I am approached by these types of "offers", I just disregard. I'll bet if I want to go camp at any one of their parks, I can just drive up there, register and pay the daily rate, and they will let me pull right in and stay. And probably not nearly the money you're talking about. And if not, then I'll bet there is another C/G right down the road that will.As a matter of fact, we do stay at a condo type park in Alabama. They sell lots for $100K. The nicest park we have stayed at. First time we stayed there a guy came by and asked if we would be interested to hear their 'pitch'. I said, "No...this is a very nice park but, I am not interested in buying a lot." His response was...OK...Fine...But we have to ask. Hope you don't mind? Have a great stay with us."

Many of those salemen are pros. Always wonder how many get sucked into those high pressure tactics.I remember the old days when the high pressure car salesmen would keep your keys.

I will not even give them the time of day. As the old saying goes, "there is no free lunch". Some of these deals may be okay, but what happens when the company goes out of business? You're out $10K. How many nights would that amount of money buy you? If you were to pay $40.00 per night, that is 250 nights worth of camping!

Used to get them 2-3 times a week in the mail or by phone. After a few years I dropped off whatever list they were buying, I think because I let some travel or RV magazine subscriptions lapse.

sales pitch | Good Sam Community

32 Replies

ol__yeller
Explorer II
Oct 20, 2013
We did a few of these when the kids were home. We called them our "Just say no" vacations.
noe-place
Explorer
Oct 20, 2013
When we were first married DW and I fell for one of these things involving a cruise. It turned out to be one of those time share deals. After suffering through a full day of buy this and buy that we managed to fight them off and did have a nice four day boat trip to the Bahamas. But from then on if DW gets such a call she politely says we're not interested. I just hang up on them. :W
JJBIRISH
Explorer
Oct 19, 2013
I have been to a lot of these sales pitches, and think I made out pretty well for a hours’ worth of my time… but never have I been locked in a room at one of these things or even seen anything like that…

But I can assure you that without asking anyone that lock would have been off that door in short order, and I and that feller would have had a date with a magistrate guaranteed…

That would be if he was smart enough to stay away from me…
mowermech
Explorer
Oct 19, 2013
Bob Vaughn wrote:
I went to one of these at a new campground that was being built....I said no thanks and the salesman left the room to get reinforcements and I got up to leave and low and behold they had reversed the door knob and the lock was on the outside and we (my wife and two kids) were locked in the room....I threatened to break the door down if they did not let me out so some one did.....as a form of protest I stood in the parking lot and told other "shoppers" what had happened to us. Seeing them get back in their cars and leaving gave me a sense of getting even.....

I think I would have quietly got on the phone, called 911, and reported that I and my family had been kidnapped and were being held against our will in a locked room at this address.
Then quietly (again) sat down and waited.
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Oct 19, 2013
What do you expect? That they really are giving away these goodies for free?

The price you pay is listening to their sales talk. For me, the price is too high.
Bob_Vaughn
Explorer
Oct 18, 2013
I went to one of these at a new campground that was being built....I said no thanks and the salesman left the room to get reinforcements and I got up to leave and low and behold they had reversed the door knob and the lock was on the outside and we (my wife and two kids) were locked in the room....I threatened to break the door down if they did not let me out so some one did.....as a form of protest I stood in the parking lot and told other "shoppers" what had happened to us. Seeing them get back in their cars and leaving gave me a sense of getting even.....
MattFromPA
Explorer
Oct 18, 2013
There is a membership CG in Gettysburg, PA that caused me some grief. They had a booth at the Hershey show. They were very nice, and since they were offering a free weekend and we happen to camp in that area often, I gave them my number. They called me weeks later, and by then our calendar was booked solid for the remainder of the year. Bottom line they talked my ear off for an hour, trying to get me to go down there for my free weekend and the 'tour'. I finally hung up in frustration. The sad part was, we were truly interested in checking the place out. But the sales guy needed his sale in that calendar year (I inferred that anyway) and I tried to explain that I would be happy to go the following spring. They wouldn't/couldn't do that, and they were so high pressure on the phone I'm glad we never made the trip.
mowermech
Explorer
Oct 18, 2013
As Robert A. Heinlein said, TANSTAAFL!
(There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch)
Somehow, some way, you are paying for whatever "freeby" they give you!
If nothing else, you have TIME invested in it. How much is YOUR time worth?
ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Oct 18, 2013
IDman wrote:
Why are you surprised that they tried to sell you??? Did you think they just invited you because they were lonesome?

.

Whether you attribute the statement - "there's a sucker born every minute" ....
to David Hannum (most likely) -or- PT Barnum....it's correct!..:W

Thanks, but no thanks..:S

~
3_dog_nights
Explorer
Oct 18, 2013
Attend the pitch, take the freebies and if by chance they really have the right place for you....check the aftermarket. Usually someone who's changed their mind and you can buy for the cost of the annual maintance fee just so they can get loose.

Forum Discussion

sales pitch

32 Replies

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

Sales pitch

Removing pine pitch

Lippert Solara adjustable pitch awning

When a sale is not a sale

2020 sales