Lifestyle preview Freebies Gone
 

:grumpy:I noticed the preview now is from 4 to 14 days. It does not mention any food on TV site. Free golf, movie tickets, discount at the Mercentile store, golf cart. Does anyone know what else is given to the prospects.

lifestyle preview
 

We have friends here right now on the Lifestyle Preview. They were very disappointed when they arrived to find out that the "freebies" have changed. The new program includes (for 6-night pack): one round of Champ. golf, one round of exec. golf, two theatre tickets. This is per person. One of the couple does not play golf, yet they would not let the golfer use his wife's free play. The other benefit is now just a coupon book with discounts at restaurants and retailers. They weren't told that when they booked, so they weren't happy about that, but they still love The Villages!

I noticed that The Villages no longer advertise during major Golf tournaments.

I imagine that the reason that they have cut back on the free things for the lifestyle tour is that they don't need the advertising or free incentives anymore to get people to want to live here.

They have almost all the 80,000 villagers doing their advertising for them.

Can't blame them for not spending the money if they don't have to.

Things change. When we had our first lifestyle preview they picked us up at the airport in a streach limo. Then we got a wad of "Villages money" to spend as we pleased.
I suspect that there will be less and less freebies, as many have used the Lifestyle Preview as an inexpensive vacation.

We came down for our Preview (4 days 3 nights I think it was) and we got the movie passes and the golf (I don't golf neither) and some for a couple of restaurants. We'd heard they'd changed too from the "early" days with Villages money etc. I agree with what was stated, that they don't "have" to give anything free...the place sells itself. If you want to retire to a lovely place with wonderful ammenties then TV is the place to be! We've heard over and over that some people have looked all over the U.S. and found this place was THE best. We've been down here a year now and just recently full-time....and we have to keep pinching ourselves!

We had the Village Dollars also $600 and had a hard time spending it. Streach limo had beer and sodas. We did not get a golf cart and had to rent a car, but it was still a great deal.

Our lifestyle was 6 days for $300. $50. for our friends who came with us. We didn't know about any freebies. We all got the above freebies and thought it was great. I guess some people are easier to satisfy.

Yoda

In the current economy, most businesses have trimmed advertising, promotional, etc. budgets.

All true. I think they were only disappointed because we had told them all about our Lifestye Preview and they expected the same. It might be helpful for the sales people taking the reservations to say what is included. I think they spent $100 per day and had a beautiful courtyard villa. They've enjoyed their visit and may consider buying her in the near future.

Seems that Talk of The Villages might be the number one advertising medium for the Villages. Every month over 20,000 individuals visit this site and see what you folks are talking about concerning The Villages.

Some of those visitors are search engine robots, and they just move us up higher in the search returns, resulting in more would be Villagers landing on this forum.

Citizens arrest!:police: I'm afraid I'm going to have to report you to ... um, you, for hijacking.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9efgLHgsBmM[/ame]

Didn't know she was for sale. :):):icon_wink::icon_wink:

teeheehee
 

You caught me! A little type can really change things!!;)

Little things mean a lot.:):)

Ah...I love to read all of you.

Going to bed now, reassured that you are all as silly as usual.

Love you guys.

Goodnight Gracie,

I'm new here but I just had to say that. : ) Hope you don't think I am too forward.

Hi everyone! We started our Lifestyle Preview on 10/1 - the first day of the new coupons. We found out by talking with other LSP people at the Creekside pool that our "freebies" weren't as good as theirs. I asked our sales rep and was told that what we were given (discounts for the retailers, one booklet per couple) were worth as much as the previous coupons. OK. Well, the Daily Sun had 15% off Johnny Rockets, our coupons gave us 10% off. 'Nuff said. But, as my better half (who is always the voice of wisdom) asked, "Will that keep us from living in The Villages". NO, of course not. We'll be there without question. New people coming in will still see the tremendous value in living the TV lifestyle - the place really does sell itself. Coupons, while nice, aren't what will sway anyone's decision. See ya next June.

in addition to the economics of the times and the grandeur of the villages might it also be that the "season" is changing? it is much easier to recruit potential buyers when it is warmer in the villages than it is at home! recruiting when florida is hotter than blazes might require more freebies! just a thought.

Lifestyle Preview
 

Our friends called today and stated that a rep. from The Villages called about the new costs of a Lifestyle visit from a meeting held last night and the new cost is $150 per night.

Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 20

Lifestyle Preview

Our friends called today and stated that a rep. from The Villages called about the new costs of a Lifestyle visit from a meeting held last night and the new cost is $150 per night.

If this is true, it is still a reasonable charge for the accommodations you receive on a LSV but there might be some people who might stay at the Marriot in Spanish Springs ot the Waterfront Inn if they get a real good rate.

I have been on 2 LSV's and the first one came with all the goodies and the second had a 10% reduction in restaurants and stores. Free movie pass, a bucket of balls at the driving range and a golf cart if I remember correctly.

I was informed up front the LSV had changed and the goodies would not be the same. It didn’t make a difference to me as being in TV is what I wanted.
My first visit was to see fiends and that used up most of my time. It wasn't a wasted trip as TV blew me away. The second I viewed a as a necessary investment to my future happiness.

TV or bust. Still a wannabe.

LSP Restrictions?
 

Our friends tried to book a LSP, their 2nd, and were told they already had a LSP. Now they are restricting to only 1 LSP per family?

We are coming in March to buy a home on the LSP.

Intent is key, IMO
 

I believe TV has always said you are allowed just 1 Lifestye Preview visit - however if your friends are working with a TV real estate agent, I would ask them to intervene on their behalf to see if they can get another visit. They might not get any perks, but they may still be able to get a nice place to stay (GREAT!) and use of the residents only amenities (golf, Katie Belle's, etc)

IMHO TV is just being more careful in allocating space in the villas to either those who are first timers (especailly at this busy time of year with the snowbirds beginning to arrive) or those who show a REAL interest in buying in TV. We worked though our agent to get the second visit and met with her at length (Sharon Crenshaw) during our 2nd visit. We did not buy then but when we left she knew exactly what we wanted and she was able to find our little piece of heaven for us. We bought the lot sight unseen (scary! :eek:) and on our next visit several months later we finalized all our choices. Our home now waits for us to see it "in person" for the first time in a few weeks!

I think cherylncliff is right on the money - it might have to do with the time of the year. Sandy and I came to TV about a year ago for a LSV and were invited back again recently (sans 'perks') when our TV representative knew we were starting to get more serious about buying.

As cnc stated, have your friends check with their TV sales rep.

Bill

[QUOTE: Our home now waits for us to see it "in person" for the first time in a few weeks![/QUOTE]

Welcome to a great life!! :MOJE_whot: