Great Escapes-- What does anyone know about this place?

[fudge stripe cookays]

So when reprehensor and I went and saw Fahrenheit 911 several weeks ago, there was a display set up in the theater to win a scooter or some such.

He filled out a card, and we got a call the other night saying we'd won a trip.

Instantly skeptical (both of us were raised in very practical "You don't get something for nothing" households), we instantly suspected a rat.

So we're supposed to go to some theater and listen to a 90 minute spiel and we can choose from several destinations, for which we pay only taxes and meals and such. Airfare and hotel is covered. I'm figuring it's at the most roach-infested place they can find in Vegas, Cancun, New Orleans, or several other spots.

How much time are we wasting sitting through this stuff? They say it is NOT a timeshare, but r. has already told them that if we go to this and it's some bullshit high-pressure sales gimmick that we were NOT going to be happy.

I don't want skeptical opinions, I have plenty of those myself. I want to know if any of you have actually had dealings with this place. Give me your experiences.

Thanks!
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[montanacowboy]

1. It sounds like a time-share sales promo

you go there and they try to sell you on buying a time share condo - we did it once, it was OK, just just have to sit through the BS

[fudge stripe cookays]

8. How were the lodgings?

If you don't mind me asking.

That's the thing I'm most leery about. The thought of staying in some dump makes me nervous. But I don't want to have to shell out more money unless absolutely necessary.

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[2Design]

2. you go and listen to the 'sales presentation'

you remember no matter how good it sounds you say NO...
you walk out after 2 or 3 hours with a trip to some where.

the biggest thing is the NO part

[radwriter0555]

3. Well why not? If you hate the hotel you can go to another one,

and stuff like that.

The sales pitch is WAY high pressure though, so gird yer loins.

[fudge stripe cookays]

7. True. Thanks. n/t

[kikiek]

4. Sounds like one we went to once. Got a free trip for going and

it was a hardsell for a discount travel club. Pay like 3000 dollars and you belong (I think membership had various levels). For membership you get discounted trips that you can pick from. Varied from time to time and depending on what place you wanted to go to. Didn't sound bad if you were retired and had a lot of money and loved to travel. Free trip was never used. Had to book in advance and pay money to hold it or something. Wasn't a great deal. They had people waiting to sell you membership, and to get the supposed free trip you had to talk to someone.

[RebelOne]

5. Sounds like a time-share scam to me.

Do you have to drive there on your own or will they be providing transportation?

[fudge stripe cookays]

6. air fare is covered, they said. n/t

[kikiek]

9. Go with your instinct you don't get something for nothing.