Every year my wife and I celebrate our wedding anniversary
out of town because we want to make it special.
This year, we visited the Island of Boracay together with
our kids. Our flight was in the
afternoon so we arrived in Boracay and checked in to our hotel around 7pm. Because
we were all tired of the long travel, we decided to stay in our hotel
and rest that night.
The next day, we hit the beach at around 6 in the morning,
our kids was so excited to swim. While we were enjoying the white sand and
crystal clear water of the island, a man (Allan) in his late 30s approached us
offering free buffet for lunch at Astoria Boracay Resort. He told us that after
the buffet there will be a tour in their resort because it is a newly opened
hotel in Bora. We said yes since it’s free and a tour to their hotel is okay
because we were planning to go back in May 2013 with my in-laws.
Around 9:00AM, we decided to take a walk along the shores
from station 2 where we were staying to station 1. We stayed there for a while,
swimming and taking pictures. We were already hungry at that time so we took a
light meal because it’s almost lunch. We went back to our hotel at around
10:45am to rest and prepare for lunch; however, our kids fell asleep so we
decided not to go to Astoria. Pass 11:00am, we received a call from Allan advising
us that the buffet is ready. We told them we will go when the kids woke up
before 1:00PM.
We missed the free buffet lunch because we woke up past
1:00PM. While we were at the beach again, another man approached us again
offering us free buffet dinner. We told him that we already got an invitation
from Allan but we missed it. He said that it is still valid; we can still go
there and look for Allan. Later that afternoon the latter called us again
informing us that we were already registered for the free buffet dinner. We
decided to go, but my wife told me there might be a catch. I was not thinking
of anything but I told her maybe it’s just really part of their promotion to
show us the resort so we can recommend it to our friends and families.
We had to walk for a few minutes to reach Astoria because it
is located in station 1. When we got there, Allan immediately assisted and brought
us inside the resort. The place is beautiful, they have swimming pool with lights
that changes colors. We never really stop by at any place in the resort; we
were like just passing by the resort. Allan brought us to a nearby building he
said that it is the resort’s conference room. When we entered the buffet area,
he arranged the table for us and introduced us to his manager telling us there
will be a 90-min orientation after dinner. There also other guests like us who also
got invited for a free dinner.
We ate after the short introductions. The food was great, and
we liked the desert .
The Presentation.
While we were eating a guy approached us introduced himself as Albert the
facilitator. After eating we told Albert that we are ready. So he guided
through another room filled with other people like us. The room was very noisy,
people laughing out loud and speaking on the top of their lungs, specially the
girl (facilitator) on the other table just right behind us. He laughs like Kitkat
(comedian) and talks very loud (annoying). Also another guy facilitator who
laughs so loud you can tell that he was faking it. Albert was also lively but
not as much as those I mentioned. He told us just pretend it was only us in the
room.
The Catch. The
presentation started around 8:00PM. Albert introduced the company and the TV endorser
(Boy Abunda). He asked us about our
plans of travelling in the future and how often we travel in a year. He asked
about the places we’ve been to for the past years as a couple. Computed how much we spend for travels. Then
he pitched about the membership program that they offer. There are times that he
would ask us questions that would really annoy us. At some point, my wife would
answer direct to the point (with a tone of sarcasm). She was the one answering
most of the questions because I was taking care of my daughter who was sleeping
already on my lap. He asked us many times what factor would stop us from
signing up for the membership. We answered a lot of times that it’s the money. Then
we would ask him how much, but he never gave any amount which really pisses us
off. We told him if our budget would allow it we will sign up otherwise no. He seems
to be not satisfied with our answer. He really wanted to make sure that we will
sign up but could not give us how much we need to pay.
The Offer. He
then called his manager to talk to us about the offer. Gave us three options
Studio, 2 Bedroom and 1 Bedroom. We picked 1 Bedroom, then he quoted us PhP11,000/month.
He is also asking for a deposit to be paid that night or issue a check. We told
him we can’t do it. Then he offered us a Studio Unit, it’s still too much for
us, we said NO. The manager then said okay and turned us over to our
facilitator. He (facilitator) gave us another option, convincing just give it a
try for a year, because first two offer was payable in 30 years. Now you see
why we declined the offers. After more
than 90-minute presentation we got really tired. The facilitator asked for
referrals and feedback about the presentation. We told him he’s okay but be
straight forward next time and stop beating around the bush. We also told him
that the room was very noisy.
Lesson Learned. I
want to say thank you for the free buffet but I’ll pass next time and say “NO,
Thank You.”
Purpose. I am
sharing this to let other people know and warn them about this kind of hard
selling scheme. I have searched the internet and I’ve seen a lot of blogs,
writings about it and I have seen many negative feedbacks about their
experiences. I don’t know if Boy Abunda has also experienced this kind of
presentation. Maybe not. This is not in any way trying to ruin anyone’s
reputation but I am just sharing my experiences and opinion on how the company
presented itself to me.
