Anyone receives a call from dynamic travel

[Creative_tec]

Yes, I admit, I don't know mcuh about the madoff case.... I couldn't be bothered to even read up on it.... and I've never claimed to know anything about the case.

 

No, I don't convince people to buy timeshare. It is upto the individuals....... where did you see here that I promote timeshare nor even ask people to buy?

 

My argument is that timeshare is not a scam. For that matter, scams can occur across any business type/entity and not limited to timeshare.

 

Can it be substatiated that timeshare is a scam ( as per the swweping statements?).

 

okay.. its not scam...

 

i think no point to argue ..

 

good lucky to your future 5 star holiday...

 

for your info, madoff was once deemed safer to invest than government bonds..

[Maxus-MIFA9]

hi,

 

has anyone received a call from dynamic travel to ask u to go down to listen to some holiday package (for Thailand)?

is it one of those sales pitch again?

cos sounds similar.

90 mins talk..

at ngee ann tower..

dont need to pay anything..

 

 

Ha..ha..ha.., I attended once on such talk but from different company. After listerning for 15 minutes, asked wife to go toilet first and then wait for me outside. Then, 5 minutes later, excuse myself to toilet but with assurance to the assistant that I very interested but had to go to the toilet, urgent.

 

Never return after that and got away with the door gifts ..............

[Dwoon]

No, I do not fault people for "thinking" it is a scam. (There are indeed many timeshare companies that are scams)

 

But is it really a scam? Do anyone have proof? Else, it is only speculation.

 

Reference being made to a particular timeshare as a scam, yes. All timeshares are scams..... evidence please.

 

No, I am not convincing anyone to buy...... where have I done that?

 

Dwoon, since you have bought and invested in it, and you say you are reaping the fruits, please ocntinue to do so. Some of us folks here still do not see the logic and in our eyes, it is but a scam. Can you fault us for it? Look at whatis happening round the world with the Bros and Madoff.....

 

So, please do not try to even convince us as we will never put our $$$ in such. I rather keep the $$$ under my pillow.

 

Vextan bro, I share your sentiment

 

[Adrianli]

I buy a stainless steel bolt for 20cents from my neighbourhood hardware shop.

 

The same stainless steel bolt cost one dollar from Orchard road hardware shop.

 

 

 

Is this a scam???

[Nutty]

No wonder timeshare companies are still thriving...

[Asd78]

I think the concept of Timesharing itself is not a scam, it's just that the way some of the companies operate using the Timeshare concept

 

as a front is. Timesharing concept is not new as there were some companies in US who offered the use of personal aircrafts by having

 

you share the cost of the aircrafts and limiting you the usage to certain hours per year. It's like shared ownership or leasing if you will.

 

To DWOON, I think not investing in the company and yet you paid so much money upfront is kind of riskier than having a vested interest in

 

the company. At least if you are vested, you can get back something from the companies' assests(if any left). Timeshare companies should revise

 

their lump payment to monthly payment, this could attract those people who are put off by having to come up with large amt of cash or those who

 

can't afford the money.

Edited July 2, 2009 by Asd78

[Devilac]

No, I do not fault people for "thinking" it is a scam. (There are indeed many timeshare companies that are scams)

 

But is it really a scam? Do anyone have proof? Else, it is only speculation.

 

Reference being made to a particular timeshare as a scam, yes. All timeshares are scams..... evidence please.

 

No, I am not convincing anyone to buy...... where have I done that?

 

I do agree with Dwoon that timeshare as a concept is not a scam. It is actually legitimate and is very common in the USA, with hoteliers and resort owners like Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, and Disney offering such schemes. However, I also agree that there are some black sheep, especially in Singapore.

[macrosszero]

There is no guarantee... but the fact that they are listed on the New York & Chicago stock exchange.... with 360 mil 2008 net profits.... does account for something.

 

And with more places in the list of hotels I can ever visit in my lifetime..... choice is not an issue.

 

Shows how much you know about legitimate timeshare.

 

Those you refer to are scams.

 

$360 million of profits! Wow! What a profitable company! What do you reckon, does the profit solely come out of their industry tie-ups and partners, or is your $55,000 somewhere in there as well? Now they have your $55,000 lump sum payment with which to slowly disburse to you your timeshare entitlement, while using all of that money to invest and grow money with it, none of which comes back to you.

 

If it is really so good, these companies will not have to hard sell their product. Granted it is an expensive product and requires more marketing, but you don't see cars or houses being hard-sold, do you?

 

[Dwoon]

Buying a timeshare should not be considered as an investment. Take it more of a savings/discount for use of the properties.

 

It is only a "right to use" and timeshare owners do not own any part of the properties.

 

Risks are there. (No different than if one were to buy shares of any company, listed or otherwise) There is no guarantee that the company will not fold due to mis-management. But they are definitely not scams.....

 

Therefore, it is crucial to do your own research/study into the background of the timeshare if one intends to purchase. Does it have strong management, does it have good performance history, are there negative reviews on it, etc.

 

I in fact have 2 timeshares. One is crap.... no its not a scam.... just that its badly managed, customer service sucks and and difficult to get thru' to and difficult to get bookings. Then again, it is so much cheaper .... So you pay for what you get.

 

As for payment, one need not pay full.... the loan can either be with the company itself, or for the case of my 2nd timeshare, bank financing can be arranged. Then end up you owe the bank and one can make monthly payments over the loan tenure.

 

As for whether it is attractive for people to buy..... it is for people to assess their own suitability for such a product. I do not persuade people to buy.

 

On the matter of freebies..... yes, I know they are giving out to those who take the time to attend. But I seldom recommend, especially to those I know have no intention of buying, but just to get the gifts/vouchers. Why would I want to have money from my timeshare's fund dished out to these folks? After all, these expenses are channeled back to the timeshare's kitty.... which all members pay out to.

 

 

 

 

[Seaweed]

Wah...Bro Dwoon and Bro Vextan...

 

It is interesting reading thru what both of you all are trying to put across....I think I am more on Bro Vextan side of the fence...But you right to say that "timeshare" is never a scam...It is just a way to pool in a sum of money from alot of people and offer accomodations in return to them at good value....

 

What is going on now that that probably this so call "timeshare" thing isn't really making much of a profit should it operates in a "straight way"....so it get twisted along the way and became kind of out of track for those company that in their mind "profit always goes above customer"....

 

Its like an rotten apple....you can still call it a apple by leaving the word rotten out which no one could fault you for that!!!

 

The timeshare program is a good one provided we can make dead all those who leave a black spot in the trade...It is risky to dump in such a huge amount of money....yes it is big sum for me....any company...no matter how big and how old and how financially strong they are as seen can go down anytime....we need so kind of authority to control this timeshare program like how SGX control the stock market...

 

All this will result in thinner margin as grey areas will be wipe out...So its up to the timeshare program providersif they think it is still a feasible business economically...

 

 

[Dwoon]

I do not know how they invest the money. Whether it is worth it.... it depends on individuals' expectations.

 

Speaking & calculating for my case. My breakeven is currently at 18 years (2 years into the timeshare so 16 years more for breakeven). Membership is for 49 years. There would be 30 years of heavily discounted room rates after that...... (not to mention inflation but we'll leave that aside)

 

If savings work out to say SGD2K/year (just a prudent estimation) on average...... you can calculate the savings (and it is based on today's rates w/o inflation factored in). For some, hey... this savings is peanuts.... for me, I find it attractive enough especially when I'm into my twilight years and don't need to pay alot for my room rates when I travel.

 

That is why my 2nd timeshare co doesn't really hard sell....... they try to sell as per any salesperson (some are more tackless I suppose)..... but none of the locking you up, not letting you leave, etc.

 

Oh.. just to clarify.... 360 mil is not the timeshare company's profit. It is the parent company's that manages the timeshare and a whole lot more. The timeshare is a separate entity. But it does show the strength of the management.

 

Maybe one can look at it somewhat like the insurance (life policies) that many purchase. It is buying now but benefits are realised only many years down the road. During that time, the company might even fold but that is a risk. Maybe a club membership comparable to a golf/town club would be a better comparison. You pay a lump sum to use and there's still maintenance fees to boot.

 

$360 million of profits! Wow! What a profitable company! What do you reckon, does the profit solely come out of their industry tie-ups and partners, or is your $55,000 somewhere in there as well? Now they have your $55,000 lump sum payment with which to slowly disburse to you your timeshare entitlement, while using all of that money to invest and grow money with it, none of which comes back to you.

 

If it is really so good, these companies will not have to hard sell their product. Granted it is an expensive product and requires more marketing, but you don't see cars or houses being hard-sold, do you?

Edited July 2, 2009 by Dwoon

[Drive_carcar]

There is no guarantee... but the fact that they are listed on the New York & Chicago stock exchange.... with 360 mil 2008 net profits.... does account for something.

 

And with more places in the list of hotels I can ever visit in my lifetime..... choice is not an issue.

 

Shows how much you know about legitimate timeshare.

 

Those you refer to are scams.

Just because something is listed in NYSE counts for nothing, if it ends up doing a Lehman Bro, or a Madoff.

 

You are free to do what you please with your money, and feel superior about it over the uninformed masses.

 

For the rest of us, being uninformed and ignorant, the best defence is avoidance. Don't waste time attending any such time-share nonsense talks, don't put money into such things. It's not going to generate you income and riches. So far I have never ever seen anybody who has become rich by putting money into timeshare. Maybe they save a few bucks here and there, if they and the timeshare company last long enough, maybe they might even breakeven.

[Ah_tee]

You keep detracting..... timeshare, timeshare...... is it a scam?

 

 

 

u seem bery defensive

 

so u know the mart inside out ? you work there?

[Piyopico]

I do not know how they invest the money. Whether it is worth it.... it depends on individuals' expectations.

 

Speaking & calculating for my case. My breakeven is currently at 18 years (2 years into the timeshare so 16 years more for breakeven). Membership is for 49 years. There would be 30 years of heavily discounted room rates after that...... (not to mention inflation but we'll leave that aside)

 

If savings work out to say SGD2K/year (just a prudent estimation) on average...... you can calculate the savings (and it is based on today's rates w/o inflation factored in). For some, hey... this savings is peanuts.... for me, I find it attractive enough especially when I'm into my twilight years and don't need to pay alot for my room rates when I travel.

 

That is why my 2nd timeshare co doesn't really hard sell....... they try to sell as per any salesperson (some are more tackless I suppose)..... but none of the locking you up, not letting you leave, etc.

 

Oh.. just to clarify.... 360 mil is not the timeshare company's profit. It is the parent company's that manages the timeshare and a whole lot more. The timeshare is a separate entity. But it does show the strength of the management.

 

Maybe one can look at it somewhat like the insurance (life policies) that many purchase. It is buying now but benefits are realised only many years down the road. During that time, the company might even fold but that is a risk. Maybe a club membership comparable to a golf/town club would be a better comparison. You pay a lump sum to use and there's still maintenance fees to boot.

 

Dwoon,

 

I assume you dun have any vested interest and would post some comments. It could be a party pooper comment though.

 

Understand you have paid $55,000 and this investment breaks even in 18 years. The future value of this initial investment assuming 3% returns (I will not assume more cos this is an achievable target over 18 years) is $93,633/-.

 

Do you still pay money every year? If you do, the difference will be even more distinct.

 

Based on 55K upfront for a potential 50% discount in room rates does not appear very tempting now does it?

 

I wouldn't call it a scam, but itz definitely not a screaming buy. In fact itz far from it.

 

But nevermind lah, you already paid so much and stuck anyway, just make sure you travel and stay in all these hotels to receive maximum value.

 

Cheers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AndrewLee72]

Folks, relax - Mr Dwoon very rich lah - can afford to reward this Co upfront 55K SGD and then later slowly relax go annual holiday! We need more of these folks to boost the economy u noe!!!!!

[Tohdj]

Well, what is better proof than I pose you a challenge to get a cheaper deal trom the travel agents, for the same hotel/resort, over the same booking period and air travel using the same airlines.

 

For your info, the phuket and bangkok rooms will run you more than SGD350 per night in the open market.

 

Besides, choice of destination is upto the individuals. As I said, it is worldwide...... phuket & bangkok are just my personal preferences and I'm not restricted to these 2 places.

 

which resort did you book/stay at? is it 5-star? 4-star?

[Kusje]

All this talking is a waste of time. Why not tell us the company name so we can see if its really so pure?