Tahiti Village

Have you seen or heard these ads that have been playing the last year or so for a place called Tahiti Village?  Sure you have.  I don't think I have driven more than twenty minutes in my car without hearing one.  It features some floozy named Tanya Roberts, hawking free vacations to Las Vegas.  At first, I thought this was some new casino that was trying to get people to visit by offering free trips.  But then the ads kept playing and playing, and eventually appeared on television, as well.  That made me wonder two things:  First, what, exactly, is this Tahiti Village, and how can they make money by giving away free vacations.  Sure, I can understand giving away free weekends to promote a new product, hoping to made up for it in gambling revenue.  And the ads appear to say anyone who calls can get this free vacation, meaning they need a lot of gambling revenue to make it up.  And the second thing I wondered is, who's Tanya Roberts?

When I first heard the ads, I assumed Tanya Roberts was some kind of actress, but I had never heard of her.  Granted, I haven't heard of everyone, but I figured I would at least know her name if she had been in anything I had seen, or anything popular, regardless of my having seen it because, quite frankly, regardless of how popular some shows are ("Will & Grace" comes to mind) there are some I simply have no desire what-so-ever to see.  It's not that I'm a television or movie snob who refuses to watch anything not produced by PBS.  I like a lot of really bad sitcoms.  But with some of them, like the aforementioned "Will & Grace," the very idea of them repulses me so much, I just can't bring myself to watch, even for journalistic research.

However, I still know who the stars of the show are.  Well, their names don't come immediately to mind, but if you said their names, I think I would be able to place the show.  (Wasn't one of them Eric-something?)

Anyway, having never heard of this Tanya Roberts, and, given the tone and style in which she was speaking and the vacation destination she was touting, I figured she was an actress in some less-than-mainstream type of movie.  I can't mentioned which type, since this is a family blog -- it has a wife blog and a little girl blog at home -- but I think you get my drift.

But I was wrong.  Apparently she has been in a bunch of things.  According to a search I did on the Internet Movie Data Base (IMDB.com), she has appeared in about forty different things, including about a third of the episodes of "That 70s Show" playing Midge.  I've no idea who Midge is, because that's another show I could never bring myself to watch.  She was also in a Bond movie, one episode each of "Fantasy Island" and "The Love Boat," a whopping seven episodes of "Charlie's Angels," then about thirty-five other programs and/or movies I have never heard of.

After a while, the radio ads apparently weren't bringing in enough free vacationers, so they put them on television.  If you ever see one again, instead of pulling a muscle to change the channel as fast as possible, hit the mute button and watch.  It's hilarious.  She stands in front of a pool delivering her spiel, bouncing up and down and weaving back and forth like, well, like a drunk college girl who has to pee but doesn't want to walk away from the frat guy she's flirting with.

Not that I would know what that looks like.

More recently, those ads have also featured Alan Thicke.  I guess they realized they weren't getting enough business with the fifty-year-old floozy, and figured he would bring an air of class to the proceedings.

Now, just one question remains.  Just what is Tahiti Village?  On the ads, it sounds like this wonderful new resort and casino that enjoys giving away free vacations.  A weekend in Las Vegas.  Tickets to "A hot show" on the Las Vegas Strip.  Family fun all around, and you pay nothing.  Sound too good to be true?  Maybe.

I did a Google search for Tahiti Village.  Turns out, it's a time-share.  If you have been an adult for more than a few weeks, you have gotten time-share offers before.  Come visit us, listen to our presentation, and go home with a nice parting gift, which could even be a trip somewhere.  The Ways and Means Committee and I went to one of those a few years ago, and, I must admit, it sounded pretty good.  We didn't buy anything, but they did give us a television and a free trip.  We never took the trip, but we used the TV a lot.  It's a small one, but still pretty nice.

I don't wish to give the impression I think time shares are a scam.  Actually, for some people, I think they may be a pretty good deal.  I've known quite a few people who own time-shares, and they love it.  You own one place, but can visit any other place in their system for a slight fee and airfare.  They love them.  I must say, if you're the type, this Tahiti Village thing may not be such a bad deal.

But can't they find a better way to promote it?

Comments

[Amy]

Your blog sounds so pseudo intellectual, it makes me wonder if you have any real thoughts in your head at all.

[Pointless Drivel]

Ummmm. Okay.

The above comment, ladies and gentlemen, is a classic example of the dangers of doing a blog. She came to us via a Google search she did for Tahiti Village's free vacations, spent all of 5 minutes and 44 seconds reading what I had to say, then couldn't suppress the urge to insult me.

And she can't even do that right. Did you just learn that term, and were looking for the first chance to use it? If so, you need more practice, especially in regards to its correct usage.

Here's the deal, sweetie... this blog is completely and utterly pointless. And it is mere drivel. (Any guess as to how I came up with the name?) Calling something pseudo-intellectual (and, yes, it should be hyphenated, not separated) would imply I fancy myself an intellectual, but can't pull it off. I do nothing of the sort, and resent the implication.

The irony is, by using the term, but doing so incorrectly, you have presented yourself as a pseudo-intellectual.

Having said that, with just a little more work, I think that can be a pretty good line. Take out the snootiness, and you may have something. But not bad for a Canadian. With more practice, you'll get better at delivering it. Try telling someone their blog is "...bourgeois crap masquerading as intellectual discourse, and therefore not worth my time." It's a line from a TV show, and originally referred to NPR, but I get the impression you don't mind stealing lines from others.

[Ernest]

Me and my wife just bought a time share from Tahiti Village and don't plan on going to Vegas every year but we fill that the purchase was well worth the money as you are insured a five stare resort for your stay.

[Joan Jett]

Fuck you, if you don't like Tanya, I don't like you!

[Pointless Drivel]

Nice! I like the anger!

Oh, and, by the way, she spells her name with an "O". T-o-n-y-a. Regardless, the anger makes me happy.

[Poop]

I like poop and that means I like Tonya Roberts voice in my ear every commercial break..."you know you want it!" Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuggggggghhhh!!!!!!

What an annoying ad. What an annoying scratchy, acky, acky voice.

[Xersae Imperati]

Thanks for the opportunity to say a couple of things, P.D. I'm employed by the Developer of Tahiti Village and my job is to help make sure that everyone involved gets a good deal. I understand that a "good deal" is one where each party gets what they expect and just a bit more for having participated.

We're very proud of being honorable. Our product is of excellent quality and we make every effort to promote it to those with the means and desire to enjoy it.

We're under no illusions; someone who is "tricked" into previewing our product is not going to be a good owner. Our owners are, for the most part, reasonable, responsible and hard working Consumers. We have a beautiful world and it can be experienced, rather than dreamed of-- with a viable plan. Ours includes 5 star accommodations and Las Vegas can get you someone else's place (trading) anytime of year! Some Timeshare can be risky, but not if you own well and pay attention. We endeavor to provide both the quality of product and education that make dreams into reality.

Our spokespeople are just like our owners. They work hard, they earn respect, and Mr. Thicke and Ms. Roberts are only two. We believe we're doing Timeshare the way it should have been being done all along. It's about time!

I was speaking to someone who was very skeptical and tried to insist that we would only trick them. They cited a forum/blog that said negative things. Our owners have gotten a good deal, so I figured I'd find disgruntled non-owners... maybe someone who claimed to have the means and true desire to participate in our promotion having tricked us into hosting their visit to Las Vegas to preview our newest resort. I'm still looking.

We know that Timeshare isn't for everyone. I know that not everyone who qualifies will enjoy our offering for themselves, but what we always get is an eye witness to our quality and hospitality; someone who will share, with credibility, that their friends and family will know that we're "the good stuff!"

One "real person," having taken our tour and enjoyed our hospitality, who shares their findings with people who know them... well, that's worth more to us than a host of superior spokespeople. We keep building resorts because the folks who join our family of owners, and those who choose otherwise, keep bringing us their friends and family. We do Timeshare right, and we're very proud of it.

So, thank you for your forum. I hope you come and see us! We'll give you an opportunity to remember why you and your sweetheart fell in love, what having quality time means to your lives, and we'll invite you to join the family after we've been open and gracious with our forthright values.

Fair enough? I think it's a good deal all around and I work hard to keep it that way. I'm grateful for the opportunity to speak of this to your readers. Be well and go gently! there's a lot of world to cover!

[Rich]

Poop's comments ("What an annoying scratchy, acky, acky voice") remind me again that there's no arguing tastes (or, de gustibus non disputandem, or chacun à son gôut ... as long as we're being pseudo-intellectual). I love Tanya Roberts' voice--it is Tanya with an "a," I think, PD--and listen to those commercials for that alone, having no interest in timeshares (no offense meant, Xersae Imperati) or Las Vegas. Her voice wears torn fishnets.

[Pointless Drivel]

Rich -- Okay, you're hilarious!

You're right, it is with an "A". I can't believe I said otherwise. Especially since I write it with an "A" throughout the original post (which, by the way, was from almost a year ago!).

[Cathy Roberts]

You actually have great rankings for Tahitti Village.. Top page of google, just some advice, join their affiliate program, you don't have to say you promote the vacations..

I was offered a free show for 4, and 4 dinner's while in vegas, if I'd take a $50 taxi from my hotel, to meet up with their bus, go check out the resort, and spend a few hours with them.

I just saw Allan on TV, heard a bit about the free trip, but must say I wasn't really tuned into the commercial, happened to be online, figured well wth, if theyre really giving away the trip, and I wouldn't have to take that cab ride, followed up with a lovely bus ride full of strangers.. followed by... chilling at a sales pitch for a few hours.. ALL BEFORE NOON.. then I wouldn't mind, I actually almost bought a time share not that long ago, they really do appeal to me..

Anyway, the entire point of this post is... if you had an affiliate link up .. I'd click it.. if I bought, you'd profit.

LadyHoldem

[Lonewolf]

We just got back from Vegas. What a great time!! We went to the Tahiti village presentation just so we could tell the hundreds of people asking that we had been. The presentation was nice and the place was very pretty. Thing was this timeshare just didn't fit us. I was interested in it and was considering it very heavily. We have some close friends that we thought would be extremely interested in the package and I was going to suggest it to them.
Well then comes the sales pitches. "Here are the numbers. We can make this work for everyone."
Still wasn't interested, Just wasn't a fit for us. The "Manager" seemed to understand and after talking about it for just a couple of miutes he walked away from the table with a cheery good bye. Then the sales lady starts in. These are just some of the comments:
"I have done you a disservice, You should be leaving in a limo not on the bus"
" You are cheating your children out of a lifetime of memories"
"You should want to own this for your kids so they can use it. Don't you care about your children?"
When we arrived we came in the front door and up an elevator. When we left we were made to walk down 3 flights of stairs in an un air conditioned back stairwell. What started like a friendly place that I would definately consider turned into a place I will never go to or recommend again.
I can understand the sales people being disappointed but this lady was rediculous. Oh yea and the satisfaction questionaires that you are asked to fill out are done before you start negotiations. So none of this info is captured on them.

[Sue in NoCal]

Lonewolf, My husband and I just returned from Las Vegas. Hubby heard the radio ad and wanted to get a room/dinner/show in exchange for a couple hours of our time. The room was at the Tropicana, the 'dinner' was their buffet, and the 'show' was a hokey magic act. Our experience was almost identical to yours, and my parting thought was "this is why we are financially solvent and so many people are filing bankruptcy". I have no problem with timeshares, per se, but the sales reps didn't allow my husband and I a moment to talk alone. Anyone who spends upwards of $20,000 on an impulse purchase deserves the financial difficulty to follow.

[BuyerGoneForeClosure]

Bought the Tahiti Village, Paid $3000.00 down and $780.00 a month for 18 months $598.00 a year in maintenance fees. Never got to use it!!! Stayed at Tahiti Resort once and ended up bringing home bedbugs! UGGGGGGGGGGG!! Cost a fortune to get my house rid of these bugs....

What happened to Alan Thicke's Second Honey Show they said would air!!
What happened to "We will help you rent or sale it" if you want too!!
This is a good Investment they told us!!! HA!!!!!!!
When we went to Las Vegas, we had to find a hotel to stay!!!!
Tahiti Village Sucks!

Just look at some of the responses people have made that has stayed there!!
Everything is breaking looks run down...
Have to have a rent-a car.... so far from the strip..you are next door to the airport.

So much I could say!!! Bad IDEA!!! Even Before TANYA whats her name!!!

[Buyer Gone ForeClosure]

Oh yeah meant to say Mr. Poop is Full of it!!!! Just like Tahiti Village and the Developer who told my husband and I "This is the best investment you can make." LOL

We spent all that money; have nothing, got nothing but almost a divorce, because what they have put us thru. We tried not to have to ForeClose but have no other choice. My husband only gets a pension, and I have been unemployed going on 1 1/2 years. We have been suffering...

By the way, the last letter we got, we still owe the same amount that we paid for the timeshare. Even after all they got!!

I will never buy another timeshare as long as I live!!!!!!!

[vegasdude]

The strangest thing about your post - you missed the missleading aspects of the radio and TV ads.

1- They state that "Tahiti Village is Las Vegas' newest five star resort". Ya, according to whom. Mobile Oil established and maintains the official star rating guide. They do not list Tahiti V. They do not rate timeshares, and if they did, that property would surely get three stars. The Bellagio only received four stars from Mobile) The place has two restaurants, Tahiti Joe's (not fine dining) and Denny's LOL. There is no casino.

So I asked the folks a Tahiti Village who rated them "five stars". The answer - Interval International. II is a timeshare broker.

2- The ad also states that Tahiti Village is on the Las Vegas Strip, that's bull as well. The Las Vegas Strip is a four-mile stretch of Las Vegas Blvd. that starts at Mandalay Bay and Ends at Sahara. Tahiti Village is two miles south of Mandalay bay, in an area where there is nothing (besides an outlet mall) within walking distance.

3- After stating the "Las Vegas' newest five star resort" thing, they give the phone number, 800-something-Go Win. Aah- "is it Win or Wynn" unsuspecting listeners are lead to think. You see. Wynn Las Vegas is Las Vegas' only (real)five star resort. It's also Las Vegas' newest resort.

So, with that, you have the pointless drivel you should have used in the original post. The ad is misleading and a downright lie. I pisses me off every time I hear it. Think of the poor saps that fall for it and end up in a place that's too far from the strip, eating at Denny's and attending god knows how many mandatory seminars, leaving them no time to really enjoy Vegas.

[Blogvirgin]

We just got back from LV. Second trip in 6 months. There are sales reps for TV at every corner, at the entrance of many of the casinos. They are set up like a help desk. They start their pitch w/how long you here for? Were are you from? As if they cared. They are rude rude rude. We go to LV to have fun not to be sold some timeshare crap. It was very annoying and hard to get away from. As bad as the the reps were on the strip I can only imagine how bad they are at TV! All the sales reps and ads they must be making a fortune off of the sales. ick!

[Raul Duke]

I came to vegas to do a write up on a race that was being held at the Vegas Race track. I decided to get a free Vacation from the consolidated Resorts Tahiti Village that I heard about over the Radio on my way to vegas between Barstow and Baker . A 3 day 4 nite stay sounded at the time great on my savings "to good to be true" U know I just thought it would be interesting to stay at the place it turned out to be a death of the American Dream for me and my lover. When we arrived at the tahiti resort the staff was just plan rude to us and the room we got smelled like a turd covered in burnt hair !! the Lounge singer they had was so drunk and tried to sing a song about how great Timeshare is . It sounded like a dump truck being dropped off the empire state building LOUD and heart crunching when don Jaun and the Cocoas that was the bands name where telling us the audience how great timeshares are I saw a roach run across the stage !! right below Don Jauns Feet . He pounced on it with his feet by then it was time to go stay at some place like the El Cortez where we have alway been WELL greeted . After the tour we got of the place and realizing Id been dooped by this timeshare company. I decided to call the owner but got the run around. WHAT A DUMP !!!

[Raul Duke]

I came to vegas to do a write up on a race that was being held at the Vegas Race track. I decided to get a free Vacation from the consolidated Resorts Tahiti Village that I heard about over the Radio on my way to vegas between Barstow and Baker . A 3 day 4 nite stay sounded at the time great on my savings "to good to be true" U know I just thought it would be interesting to stay at the place it turned out to be a death of the American Dream for me and my lover. When we arrived at the tahiti resort the staff was just plan rude to us and the room we got smelled like a turd covered in burnt hair !! the Lounge singer they had was so drunk and tried to sing a song about how great Timeshare is . It sounded like a dump truck being dropped off the empire state building LOUD and heart crunching when don Jaun and the Cocoas that was the bands name where telling us the audience how great timeshares are I saw a roach run across the stage !! right below Don Jauns Feet . He pounced on it with his feet by then it was time to go stay at some place like the El Cortez where we have alway been WELL greeted . After the tour we got of the place and realizing Id been dooped by this timeshare company. I decided to call the owner but got the run around. WHAT A DUMP !!!

[Timed out]

Just got back from the 4 day 3 night Tahiti Village Free vacation.
If you believe that anything is Free, then you deserve to be ripped off.
3 nights in a hotel (hooters) - No charge
Show tickets - some has been comedy show - no charge
$200 slot machine coupon - on "Promotional" machines that don't pay out anything - no charge

That's all free but the real price - 2 hours of intense mob psychology high pressure sales (plus a 1 hour round trip bus ride).

Don't expect to communicate with the sales person. This is a one directional, well thought out attack and any comments by the "Customer" that does not help their cause are conveniently ignored. These guys are good at what they do! Their job is to drill you with inuendos and sales talk and to break you down into signing for a vastly overpriced product (someone has to pay for all the free stuff!!). When you have survived the 2 hours of mind numbing, high volume drivel, and resisted the urge to blow your life savings (17.9% interest on property!?), you will be unceremoniously dispatched via the rear fire escape. If you loose the game, you get to use the front door and get a "Free" limo drive.
Is it worth it? It depends on the individual's tolerance level for mental abuse!
P.S. if you are tempted to buy, check out the re-sale market first and save yourself huge amounts of money

[Spencersgirl]

I heard the ad on the radio and called this morning. It was the one with Tonya and it implies they are going to give you a 3 night stay AT THE TAHITI VILLAGE. That is a lie.

I called and was told they were going to give me a 4 night stay with vouchers, tix to the comedy show, and even a voucher for my husband and I to renew our vows at a chapel (how cute, right?). All I had to do was pay a $149 deposit and take a 2 hour tour of the resort on our 3rd day so we could tell our friends how cool it was. I was ready to give my credit card number until I asked what our room would look like. The rep told me we wouldn't actually be staying at the resort, they would put us up in the Hilton "or something like that". I asked him if it was a timeshare and he hesitated, then said yes. That's when the red flag went up and I ended my call.

I have been to a timeshare before, and I agree, they are great if you're looking to buy one, but I am not. And the last time share I went to was no fun. They do not want you to leave without buying one and it's almost not even worth going the way those sales people badger you. The advertisement said a 3 night stay at the Tahiti Village. LIARS. Not cool!

[E. G. Rodriguez]

I called the ad, next day I was contacted by phone. I was asked for my credit card number to charge $19.95 and was to received a package which I never did. I smell fraud, its gonna cost them more than that if I don't get satisfaction! Nothing was ever mentioned about timeshares. I use to sell them at Ramada. And I know what happen to them!

[momclp]

My hubby and I just did the Tahiti Village thing. They put us up at the South Point, a very nice hotel. We paid the down payment on the room, after you go to the presentation they credit your account and give you vouchers for the comedy show, wedding renewal, and some credits to play at some small casino on the strip. My hubby wanted to do this, I didn't really want to go because I knew that we could never afford a timeshare. But I went to make him happy. So we paid to get there, and our meals, and whatever extra gambling we did, which wasn't much. The person who was our salesperson, (even though he told us about 50 times that he wasn't a salesperson), did a great job showing us the place and telling us what a great deal it was. What turned us off was when the next guy came and started putting major pressure on us. He showed us the numbers and told us any number of ways that we could afford it. When I kept telling him no, he just kept on until I started to get angry. He was trying to focus on my hubby. My hubby was giving in, he has no idea of our finanaces, but I stood firm. I'm glad that I did. Maybe a timeshare would be right for us later in life, but we have 3 kids to put through college right now. After the second guy, another person came and still tried to get money out of us to freeze the price. We managed to get back to the hotel after almost 4 hours. The presentation was supposed to be 2 hours.
One more thing...Tahiti Village has representatives at the doorways of almost every hotel we walked into. My hubby started to get downright rude after being approached at every door we went into. I guess that's just their job, but it's annoying.
We did renew our wedding vows, the chapel was nice, as was the preacher. The "free" wedding renewal does not include a tip for the preacher, a tip for the photographer, and any pictures that you buy. You can't bring in your own camera, so if you want pictures you have to buy them.

[Twan]

Bottom line, these commercials are annoying as hell and what makes them annoying is that they try to make them seem like real interviews with all the different stations they "call" into. Its a marketing scam, thats all it is. I listen to a variety of radio from terrestrial to satelitte and that Tonya chick is bullshitting her way across all platforms. They even have Lee Majors doing it now. I don't mind being marketed to. Its the world we live in, I do mind being thought of as an ill informed/ignorant consumer. She is quickly loosing credibility by over saturating the markets. They will hurt the Tahiti Village marketing plan in the long run. Fools.

[Woof]

Let me say right up front I'm not defending Tahiti Village, however, you should be aware of some facts concerning the resort, their parent company Consolidated Resorts and HOW TO PLAY THE TIMESHARE PRESENTATION GAME!!!!
1. For "Buyer Gone Foreclosure", don't confuse 5-star resort with 5-star hotel. Two different animals. I'm sorry you got into a foreclosure mess, but I can't understand why you purchased (thousands of $$$) with limited income resources.
2. For "Timed Out", nowhere in the ad does it say you'll be staying at Tahiti Village. The ad states a "complementary Vegas getaway". These ads are heavily scrutinized by the FCC, the SEC and their attorneys. The FCC doesn't even allow them to use the word "vacation" because under legal terminology "vacation" implies transportation is included, thus the word "getaway". As far as your accommodations, you should ask them right up front exactly what the choices are and insist on what you want. I'd stay at the Hilton or South Point, but not necessarily the Casino Royale. Do research and know what you're asking for. Trust me...if you refuse the accommodations they're going to bust their butts to find accommodations you want because the major challenge is getting you to take the tour.
3. The person is correct...Tahiti Village is NOT on the strip, but it is on LV Blvd...2 or 3 miles south of Mandalay bay.
4. HINTS: 1. Never take the first offer of gifts...they will always sweeten the pot. If you're planning a Vegas vacation, why not spend 3 hrs for 3 nights accommodations? We've been paid cash (up to $300 US) to tour timeshares in Mexico and have stayed at awesome Marriott resorts on Maui (with rental car) for a couple of hundred dollars...bottom line...if you have a hard time saying "no", the timeshare presentation game is not for you. 2. If they say the tour is 2 hours, mark the time on your watch and get up at the 2 hour mark. You've met their requirement. 3. Say "no" one time...if the salesman is rude or pushy, speak to the manager and tell them so, then leave. If the manager is rude...write the BBB. Word of mouth advertising is important to timeshare people and they're spooked by negative BBB feedback. Finally...NEVER BUY FROM THE SALES PITCH!!! If you want to purchase a timeshare, do so from a timeshare clearing house...you'll find discounts of up to 50% or more from people who bought on impulse.

[Carl]

I took advantage of their promotion just for the fun of it. We went the weekend of our wedding anniversary and actually had a very good time, despite the fact that the casino we stayed at was a dump and will probably be closed and torn down soon. Somehow, taking my wife to the Hooters casino on our anniversary didn't seem like the most romantic thing to do, so we ended up at the Frontier instead.

Anyway, I actually wanted a timeshare because I wanted to have something that would force me to take vacations. My parents have owned one forever and they get great use out of it. My jaw about hit the floor when Tahiti Village offered me one of their large units for more than $55,000. When our sales guy saw our reaction (his first weekend on the job), his supervisor could see that he was in WAY over his head and this 'closer' came in to show us some alternatives. They were actually very pleasant and profession with use and I ended up buying a smaller unit they the offered me in the supposedly vacant Phase IV.

When I got home, I started doing some research and found out a number of timeshare resale websites where I could purchase a timeshare at Tahiti Village for about 20% of the price that the developer was being offered. I quickly cancelled my purchase and will eventually buy one on the resale market instead. I don't like Las Vegas...I just was a timeshare at a popular destination so I can trade it to go to other places.

And yes, the commercials are very annoying...and Tonya Roberts was also a Bond girl (View to a Kill).