Phuket timeshare an issue once again

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Phuket timeshare an issue once again
Nattapat Tuarob


Phuket Vice Governor, Dr Punlop Singhaseni and Absolute World's Mike Hall

PHUKET: -- Phuket Vice Governor, Dr Punlop Singhaseni and relevant officers on Thursday (January 22) went to check on timeshare businesses in Patong and Cherngtalay who have had cases brought against them at the Damrongtham Centre.

The first to be visited was Absolute World Group in Patong who have had complaints about their sales representatives selling timeshare memberships in Patong.

The team was welcomed by Mr Mike Hall, Managing Director – Asia Pacific of Absolute World Group.

V/Gov Punlop shared his concerns of the public saying, “I understand that timeshare is a selling technique which you can use, but the problem is there are clients who have complained that they have paid for membership but didn't get what they were suppose to have upon an agreement.

“Also, there is problem with the sales people who conduct the selling; they do not have a good hospitality manner.

“They force foreigners walking along the street, which is unacceptable, and it will ruin the image of tourism in Phuket.

“I am also worried that these sales people may not have a legal work permit to do so”.

Mr Hall said “We have been doing this for many years, and we can guarantee that 90% of our clients are satisfied with the products provided. We have solutions for our clients.

“If they book a specific to time to stay, but it happens to be full, we will provide them with another partner location, which we have around the globe.

“Moreover, for the problem of the sales persons, we have the identification linear for our staff and they are not allowed to sell memberships.

“If tourists would like to buy membership, they have to come to the office only.

“However, you may see that we have our Absolute booths in some areas, but the staff at these booths are not allowed to sell, they are product promoters – they persuade the customers. That is their responsibility.

“We hire foreigners to do the work for us because of the language proficiency, but we also have Thai people to sell the product.

“I understand that the team wants to clean up the timeshare image, and I agree with them because those people who illegally do timeshare also cause trouble for us, and it ruins our reputation.

“There were cases where staff, who used to work for us but now work for another company, go out in our shirt, or some who have our shirt as a souvenir but wear it while selling anothert product. This may cause some misunderstanding to clients.

“If you see these people you can contact us and ask if that person is still working for Absolute or not.

“We have followed all regulations launched by the government, and it is our job to protect the benefit of the clients”.

The second stop was the Laguna Holiday Club who has been operating a timeshare business for a long time.

The representatives of Laguna also stated “Laguna Holiday Club has operated a timeshare business for a long time.

“Our clients see the real accommodation that they will receive when they buy the membership, and we will give them with 14 days to consider the purchase after they have bought a membership. If they are not satisfied with the product we will give their money back. “We have our list of the hotels and resorts that we have in our network mentioned in the agreement letter for our clients to look at before they make a decision.

“Also, we have our on-line system where we encourage our clients to plan ahead up to one year in advance. If they want to travel to one of the hotels in the period that they buy, they can check whether there is any availability at the time.

“If they want to stay at that property but there is somebody taking the room, we will try to reorganise their stay by asking if they are comfortable to stay at another period of time.

“If our clients don't use their holiday in that year, they could save their holiday and top up in the next year. But then we might have to ask them to pay for saving their holidays.”

For the Provincial regulation launched on 2013, the timeshare operator must provide:

Clear address of the company and partner residences, i.e. length of time, the rights of membership of the clients.

Expenditures and membership details – terms and conditions.

Details of the rights and its limitation and terms of membership use.

The right to cancel the contract of the client.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-timeshare-an-issue-once-again-50715.php


-- Phuket News 2015-01-24

[LivinginKata]

Phuket timeshare an issue once again

Never knew that the timeshare touts & sales people had ever stopped being an issue

[stevenl]

Phuket timeshare an issue once again

Never knew that the timeshare touts & sales people had ever stopped being an issue

No, they're not the issue, it is the others pretending to be them.

[steelepulse]

>>Also, there is problem with the sales people who conduct the selling; they do not have a good hospitality manner.

Same thing everyone says about the taxi tuk tuk drivers. I wonder why the VG doesn't address the lot of thuggish drivers with requests to be nicer and treat their customers more fair.

[wowfactor10]

^{I can see a justified Crack down popping up}

[hansgruber]

Most of them are angry Brits trying to squeeze beer money for day end.

It's a thankless job as 90% of people tell them to get stuffed.

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

What about the annoying tailor shop touts? and the countless others. Why focus on this one company? Sounds more like a focused shake down than a crack down to me.

[hansgruber]

What about the annoying tailor shop touts? and the countless others. Why focus on this one company? Sounds more like a focused shake down than a crack down to me.

Tailors don't make exaggerated promises and use hard sell tactics.

Even ping pong shows man with his pussy cards delivers on his promise without the hard sell.

Edited January 24, 2015 by hansgruber

[Bogan Koori]

I cannot believe in this day and age people could be stupid enough to buy this crap. It's the biggest scam in history. And if you think I am full of <deleted>... Just Google 'time share scam' and you will see about 4 million hits

Cue the ex time share touts defending their I'll gotten gains....

[ToddinChonburi]

We are concerned with workers having no work permits ? WHAT THE HELL ?

[lazygourmet]

Just boiler room chavs on pavement to my eyes...

[canarysun]

I have worked in Timeshare for quite a few years in the Canary Islands.( i found it easier to sell than " Double Glazing " ) On the street it is much more difficult than working as " a liner " ( sales deck ) and both jobs can earn you a excellent wage! The more laid back you are the better you will sell......

Out on the street it is an " aggressive business " and yes you have to learn to except to be told to " Foxtrot Oscar " on a daily basis.

F.J x

[NamKangMan]

Most of them are angry Brits trying to squeeze beer money for day end.

It's a thankless job as 90% of people tell them to get stuffed.

We should all try our best to inform newbies to Phuket of their rubbish.

We need to get the 90% up to 100%.

[Bogan Koori]

I have worked in Timeshare for quite a few years in the Canary Islands.( i found it easier to sell than " Double Glazing " ) On the street it is much more difficult than working as " a liner " ( sales deck ) and both jobs can earn you a excellent wage! The more laid back you are the better you will sell......

Out on the street it is an " aggressive business " and yes you have to learn to except to be told to " Foxtrot Oscar " on a daily basis.

F.J x

I would be embarrassed to tell people that

[Ulic]

"Time Share" an ownership/rental program that is well well past its best before date. Even if the company does deliver on its promises it is a terribly expensive program

and not a investment at all. Never mind the fact that many are outright scams that have no intention of providing the accommodation for the stated length of time in a

professionally managed way. Just stay in a hotel stay flexible, keep your money in your bank account.

[LivinginKata]

All the off topic posts have been removed.

[marcusd]

Boo bloody hoo. Stupid enough to spend lots of money ON THE SOOT? another who dumped their brain at subhu airport. IDIOTS

[BernieOnTour]

"I am also worried that these sales people may not have a legal work permit to do so."

Excuse me? Are you the vice governor? So why not just check their work permits?

I can only imagine one reason for this friendly visit and using satin gloves in handling these c.nts instead of cracking down on them .... Celebrating Chinese New Year and short after that Thai New Year in an adequate manner is really expensive, so there is an urgent need for xxxxx.

Edited January 26, 2015 by BernieOnTour

[BernieOnTour]

I have worked in Timeshare for quite a few years in the Canary Islands.( i found it easier to sell than " Double Glazing " ) On the street it is much more difficult than working as " a liner " ( sales deck ) and both jobs can earn you a excellent wage! The more laid back you are the better you will sell......

Out on the street it is an " aggressive business " and yes you have to learn to except to be told to " Foxtrot Oscar " on a daily basis.

F.J x

I empathize with you - really !