I entered this contest at the mall for what I thought was free gas for a year, on Tuesday however my dh got a phone call about us winning a "free" trip to Florida, 2 nights and three days, hotel and airline expenses are supposed to be paid, but at first we had a choice it could be 100.00 check, no trip. Or 150.00 check with the trip. Plus we are to get a "key" that we can try in this lock box to possibly win 5000.00. As I am listening to my dh talking to these people on the phone all I could think of is this is a timeshare scam. When dh got off the phone that I mentioned that to him, now, we cannot afford (nor would I do it if we could afford it) to buy a timeshare. Also, I cannot believe that they would give us airline tickets and pay for hotel costs for nothing, plus give us this 150.00 for nothing. Dh says well at the very least we will get the check and we got to go on a nice drive, (its two hours away)what do you all think?

By Marcia on Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 08:29 am:

We've gone on a couple of local timeshare things. We've had a free room for the night, use of the facilities the next day, free ski or golf passes which we exchanged for food vouchers, and gas coupons. We listened to their spiel, told them we weren't interested, and walked out with our freebies.
We've also been offered lots of the trips to Florida, but have never done those ones. My sister did, many years ago, and she said they felt like they were being held hostage. Apparently the rules are different in Canada and the US, and they can't do the same hard sell here in Canada.

By Vicki on Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 08:59 am:

Those things you enter at the mall are basically nothing more than giving your number to telemarketers. You will start to get phone calls from all kinds of places now. Personally, I wouldn't do it. If something sounds to good to be true..... I am sure you know the rest!!

By Kaye on Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 09:06 am:

You don't get something for nothing. They may just want your time. But be extra careful.

By Kaye on Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 09:06 am:

Oh and anything you get, you will have to pay taxes on. They will report it to the irs, so you have to make sure you do.

By Ilovetom on Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 09:45 am:

We visited a timeshare- I think Green and Blue or Blue and Green in the spring. Got to stay 3 nights in a nice place- listened to a spill. Said no- they got mad and went on and on.

We visited SeaWorld and Universal and had an awesome time.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 11:05 am:

I would run the other way from the deal, myself.

By Breann on Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 11:15 am:

I would run too. We were eating at our favorite restaurant a few weeks back and there was a jar where you put your name and phone number in to win $100 free gas. We filled out a paper. The next week a lady called and said that we had won. Then she went on to say that we had to attend a free dinner at a different restaurant and listen to a spill about a timeshare with NO obligation. Then ONE of the people from the dinner would be drawn to win the free gas. So basically everyone who entered their name in the jar "won". Crazy.

By Cat on Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 11:24 am:

I wouldn't do it. Not worth the time and hassle. jmho

By Debbie on Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 11:37 am:

I wouldn't bother either. I always say, "If it sounds too good to be true, then it usually is"

By Emily7 on Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 11:50 am:

If you get the check I would make sure that endorsing it and cashing it isn't going to make you liable for buying something.
Personally I wouldn't do it.

By Crystal915 on Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 02:24 pm:

I've been tempted to do a timeshare presentation, but I agree, if it sounds too good to be true, it is. I wouldn't want to take a trip and spend the whole thing stressed out because they are harassing me to buy a timeshare. I'm also wondering why it was initially an offer of $100 OR and offer of the trip and $150. Was that a typo? I'm confused!

By Tonya on Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 03:45 pm:

I did exactly waht you are talking aobut told then NO and that was it. We had a great vacation and came home. Yes we claimed what they gave us on our taxes but it wasn't a big deal.

Actually I have done this for a trip to Vegas and I won a trip to Montana to the Marlboro Ranch and it was all inclusive.

I say go to the meeting and see what they say.

Good luck it could be fun.

By Mom2three1968 on Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 04:48 pm:

No Crystal, unless I heard my dh wrong that is what they said, seemed crazy to me too! I didn't like the sounds of the whole thing when I was listening to my dh talk to them on the phone. And before I got home to check on what you all thought about it, they had continually called my cell phone until I answered and I told them that neither of us were interested and to please cancel the appt my dh made. Dh is more liable to fall for this junk and I have to be the one to say no. Thanks for helping me listen to my gut!