So, What Brings You Here?
My husband and I are timeshare owners. I knew nothing about them until we were married. My sisters often comment that we are the only people they know who actually use their timeshare. That’s because my in-laws owned several and my husband paid attention. He is quite savvy.
If you’re not familiar with the timeshare world it may seem quite overwhelming. They tend to use a lot of verbiage that is unfamiliar to “non-owners.” There’s a system that you must become acquainted with and that takes time.
One area of this system is called the “Owners Update.” It goes something like this: You’ve booked a week-long stay at a certain location. Either before you arrive or while you’re there, the company will contact you to see if you’d like to schedule an Owners Update. I’ll be honest, without any incentive, that’s a flat out NO! I’m on vacation!
But alas, that’s where the enticements start.
Dinner and a live show
$250 Visa gift card to use wherever/whenever you want
A dinner cruise
Whale watch
Ok, you get the picture. Sure! Why wouldn’t we want a free show or 250 bucks!
Of course, we’ll come in for a review of our timeshare and hear what else is going on in said timeshare company.
You’re paying me!
Now, let me bring you into one of these meetings.
You’re welcomed by a young, tan woman who points out where all the refreshments and the nearest restrooms are. On your way to the waiting area, she enquires about your stay and asks if you’re having a good time. As you sit and wait, you’re privy to the conversations of other “brokers” who are introducing themselves to the couples across the room from you, sometimes ad nauseum. Oh, and if both of your names are on the deed, both of you MUST attend (I may have feigned illness once to get out of one of these and they rescheduled us!).
Ok, back to the show! Now you’re being approached by a male and he also is very tan, his teeth are very white, and he looks like he just walked off a golf course.
He talks nonstop while he escorts you to his office which is never a straight shot. It usually includes an elevator and a winding, serpentine route that you could never find your way out of on your own. I’m sure this is by design.
Upon reaching this hidden location you all engage in small talk after which he says something like, “So folks, what brings you in today?” I have a hard time not blurting out, “The 250 bucks you promised!” but I keep my mouth shut and let my husband do all the talking. It’s better that way.
Bottom line, his job is to get us to upgrade our timeshare and he’s very good at his job. This is when I really appreciate my husband because before we even arrive, he has already made up his mind. Yes, some years we have added to our time share, like when our second and third kids both got married in the Fall of 2019. Having more family members meant they all may want to use a week or so every now and then. More time meant we could accommodate them.
In all fairness, we have met some wonderful people in this system along the way. People who do their job well and don’t give us the impression that “we owe them something.” But by and large, I find the whole thing unseemly even though we’re the ones who agree to the appointment.
I mean, Hello!! We know what we’re walking into!
So let me just say, we have spent HOURS in these offices over the years. Time in my lifespan I will never get back. In fact, this last trip we were on was my LAST EVER Owners Update. I’m content with what we have and unlike the shirt my mother-in-law gave me years ago that said, “Happy with what I have, always willing to have more,” I really don’t want more.
I think because I’m a business owner, I often look at other businesses with my own in mind. With Coaching, everything is above board. The relationship starts with a 20-minute phone chat just to see if coaching is right for you, because truly I only want the best for you. Sometimes I do need to say I don’t think this is a good fit. But I know the person on the other end of this call appreciates my honesty. Typically, I can give a few words of advice or at least encouragement before we hang up.
For the women I do coach, certainly I welcome you to my office (or my virtual office, if you’re across the country from me). I’m truly glad to spend the hour with you and that hour is ALL about you. I’m not trying to sell you anything. All the while I’m asking questions, I’m watching you, picking up cues from all that is not being said. There’s no weaving you down some oddball path to a place you can never find your way out of. Everything is straight forward and basically you call all the shots. If something doesn’t feel right, we toss it to the side and try another route. I’m not there to impress you. I’m spending time with you to impress a healthy lifestyle ON you.
And the best part is, you won’t have to take out a mortgage to work with me. I’ve been at this for nearly 10 years. I had a full career as a Registered Nurse prior to this. I’m not pounding the pavement so I can add to my timeshare or any other material thing. Basically, I don’t NEED to do this, I WANT to do this and because of where I am in life, I can offer my services at a very reasonable rate. If you’ve been trying to lose weight and it’s not coming off, email me!
No tricks.
No gimmicks.
No sales pitch.
Just an honest conversation.
So- what brings you here today?
Weight gain, a new diagnosis, disappointment with life, aging aches and pains, concerns about your future?
Whatever it is, let’s talk soon! Just head over to my website, fill out the contact form and we’ll get that phone chat scheduled.
Let’s talk,
Renee