Cheap holiday accommodation - wot's the catch ?

Got a fax at work today from some mob offering 7 nights accommodation in Thailand with a choice of good resorts (in Phuket) for 2 people at a total cost of $198

They say you have to sit through a 90 minute 'presentation' during the stay but that's it. (yeah, I know they will try and flog me something like time share etc).

Air fares not included but this voucher you buy lasts for 24 months so you can go anytime.


We are thinking of going there for a week anyway so this looks OK. But is there a catch?

I'm a bit sceptical, which as you well know, isn't like me at all. :D

http://www.druholidays.net/

Any comments ?

I try to avoid anything like this that includes the words "you have to":rolleyes:

However, each offer should be considered for it's merits.

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Originally Posted by Gumby

yeah, I know they will try and flog me something like time share etc.

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Trying to flog something to a born salesman would be interesting to see, maybe you can take some brochures of some development from here with you and try to flog it to them instead.:D


Peter.

Is the 'presentation' in Thailand? If so, how are they going to make you go to it?

careful about the bag they ask you to bring back home for them:D :D

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Originally Posted by silentC

Is the 'presentation' in Thailand? If so, how are they going to make you go to it?

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Yeah, it's at the resort where you stay.

I thought of not going, but they'd probably only hassle us so I'd rather face the music and get it over and done.

The last one of those things I went to was a 'free' lunch in Surfers where we had to sit through some crap about time share and had this young guy at the table who started to sell me some after the 'show' was over. Once he found out what i did for a living, he got the big boss over to have a go. he was way out of his depth trying to talk about negative gearing to an estate agent :D

The manager failed as well and we came out intact. But it wasn't worth the three dim sims for lunch. :D

I know people who took up this offer. You do get the stay for the qouted price, but I think there were lots of extras charged by the hotel, and yes it is timeshare marketing.

The main issue was that the 'spruikers' would barge into your room at any time, all hyped up in sell mode and try to introduce you to happy punters who had bought the timeshare offer. They grab you on the beach, in the restuarant - sell sell sell. Even being told to go forth and copulate slid off these guys, they just weren't fazed. They never give up.

I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole, but if you feel confident of your less sensitive side.....

The cost of the accomodation is usually minimal. Suggest you check out the offerings with bundled airfare and accom, then deduct the cost of the stand alone airfare, you'll probably find its not much of a deal anyway.

If you do take it up, let us know how you go.

I have to say, mate, it doesn't sound like much of a holiday to me. Surely it would be better to pay a bit more and have a real holiday than spend a few days dodging aggressive salesmen on the beach.

Tex

Oh not again.:doh: Last time my wife dragged me to this presentation (it always works for woman:D ) and we wasted 3 hours there listening to some boring talks. 3 out of 4 presenters were gay and the other one is a woman.:D

What were we asked to do? Pay $20,000 each to buy holidays for the next 20 years.:oo: Unfortunately I only had $35,000 in my pocket so I said no to them.:D

What did we get? A night in a worst room of a 3 stars hotel.:2tsup:

Dont go Gumby, dont go.

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Originally Posted by Tex B

dodging aggressive salesmen on the beach.

Tex

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That's what my wife does with me :D

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Originally Posted by Wongo

Dont go Gumby, dont go.

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From what I've been told already, I don't think i will. But I have to get the good lady away for a few days, she deserves the break.

Porpunkah Caravan park is looking good. :)

Mateeee, if you want a break come stay with me for a while.....:U

Al :q:q:q:q

Pay a coupla locals to go in your place.:D

Come to Tassy and get some wood.
and no hard sell.

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Originally Posted by Gumby

From what I've been told already, I don't think i will. But I have to get the good lady away for a few days, she deserves the break.

Porpunkah Caravan park is looking good. :)

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First off, quite right to forego the pleasure. I've been to a couple and they are a PITA, although we have some friends who take advantage of it all the time.

Anyway, free accomodation here in the States with us if you can get here. :) All you have to do is sit through a 90 minute presentation on my recent project stuff-ups and tell me how to fix them. :D :rolleyes:

I've heard stories in Europe that the doors at some presentations are locked and you cannot get out until you have signed.:D

But Porepunkah is a real bad place, all the fishing guides give you buggery until you either sign up or get them for the night:D

hmmmm, looks like it's Cradle Mountain for a few nights :D

Thanks for the offer Bloke but Scotland is on the big agenda before the US. :wink:

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Porepunkah

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Now there's a blast from the past. My old man was born in Porepunkah (well, OK he was born in Wangaratta but he was taken home to Porepunkah). When I was about 8 we went to the 'Back to Porepunkah' weekend. First and only time I ever went there. Stayed in a motel though, not the caravan park, so I can't give you a review :wink:

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Originally Posted by silentC

Now there's a blast from the past. My old man was born in Porepunkah (well, OK he was born in Wangaratta but he was taken home to Porepunkah). When I was about 8 we went to the 'Back to Porepunkah' weekend. First and only time I ever went there. Stayed in a motel though, not the caravan park, so I can't give you a review :wink:

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Do you think it might have changed in the last 33 years?

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Originally Posted by Honorary Bloke

...free accomodation here in the States with us if you can get here. ....

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Gumby wouldn't get in.... he could be plastic explosives. :D

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Do you think it might have changed in the last 33 years?

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We're are talking about Victoria here.... :p

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Originally Posted by silentC

We're are talking about Victoria here.... :p

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River View Caravan Park, right on the Buckland river. A little piece of heaven we used to take the kids too when they were young.

But I think she wants a bit more upmarket now that we are old. :)

Ahh, well you want the Holiday Hub Beach Resort at Pambula Beach. It used to be the Holiday Hub Caravan Park but now it's gone all up market, and so have the fees. :)

Take her here, Gumby. Shopping, beaches, fine dining, burgas. What else could you want?

You can get a deal if you're flexible on dates, maybe get the Panorama suite for less than $2500 per night.

Go on, doesn't she deserve it?

Tex

In LasVegas there are the Hilton Vacation Villas. (a.k.a. Time Share) SWMBO and I took up took up Hilton on their offer for 2-3 nights / whatever and attended a presentation that only lasted about 15 minutes. The presentation starts with small talk.

Why are you visiting LasVegas?

Oh, we're here to buy a house.

Buy a house???

Yeah, we're going to relocate here and we're looking at houses.

Pregnant silence.

More pregnant silence.

Well, thanks for stopping in. If you are ever interested in......

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Originally Posted by Honorary Bloke

my recent project stuff-ups and tell me how to fix them. :D :rolleyes:

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Fire, its a great equalizer, good jobs bad jobs, it loves them all.

Al :U