The question was quite simple. 
 
Unfamiliar with timeshares, a poster to Reddit had received several solicitations for a vacation getaway from Hilton Grand Vacations featuring a timeshare presentation.
 
They simply asked the Reddit universe, “Is it a scam?”
 
Fortunately, there was a Hilton timeshare owner who could help answer that question.
 
“Now we are Hilton Grand Vacations owners and we regret it.”
 
Generously, our HGV timeshare owner provided more details.
 
“There are a couple of pertinent facts that you need to be aware of before taking advantage of one of these packages.”
 
“First, you will be required to take a tour of the property and sit through a sales presentation that is supposed to last only two hours…These are high pressure presentations, so be prepared to say no at least 100 times.”
 
Well, Hilton is in the business of selling timeshares, so the high-pressure sales tactics aren’t necessarily a scam – but promises for a brief presentation that in reality can last a good part of the day? Definitely.
 
“Second, be prepared that when you check in, you will be charged a daily resort fee on a credit or debit card. This is non-negotiable.”
 
Wait a minute. Hilton makes money from just providing customers the opportunity to be pitched…by Hilton?
 
That’s very scammy.
 
“Third, they will make you schedule your presentation immediately upon check in and only have certain available windows so it can affect your plans during your trip.”
 
Creating time pressures that make you more likely to buy just so you can get on to your vacation?
 
That certainly sounds scam-like.
 
“Fourth, they do not care about your income…They just want you to buy as much as possible.” 
 
Hmm. Let’s just call that…scambitious.
 
“Finally, if you think you have escaped, don’t let your guard down. They will take you to another room and an exit specialist will meet with you. It will seem like a survey of your experience, but all of a sudden, they will offer a last chance package.”
 
Hilton holding out on a low price until it’s clear you’re not buying? That’s pretty scam-adjacent.
 
“And don’t believe a word they say. You won’t make money off them. They won’t buy it back if you can’t make payments anymore. You will not be making an investment.”
 
Okay. We’re convinced. Based on this owner’s experience, it’s definitely a scam.
 
What’s better than being warned about a scam experience?
 
Letting Hilton know that we’re on to them.
 
Let’s start with Mark Wang, the CEO of Hilton Grand Vacations. We should send him an email at mark.wang@hgv.com asking him to put an end to the high-pressure sales tactics, full stop. Think of it as sending a “tell-a-scam.”
 
Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton Worldwide, should also get the message. Email him at christopher.nassetta@hilton.com and tell him a global brand like Hilton shouldn’t be “scamplifying” doing business that way.
 
And let’s reach out to Jason Gamel, the President and CEO of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the trade association that represents the timeshare companies in Washington, DC at jgamel@arda.org. Let’s see if he’s tired of being the “scambassador” for Hilton’s interests in our nation’s capital.
 
Scammy? Scammish? Scam-adjacent? If your timeshare company is any of these, use this list of ARDA VIPs to ask your company’s leaders to change.
  
Got a story that would make for some good “scammunition” against the timeshare industry? Share it with us at info@timesharefacts.com 
  
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