Lovers and losers- Is this a scam?

[DoctorQuality]

@CookingWithGas

I just read a bunch of TripAdvisor reviews on this. The game show prizes are all trips to timeshare properties, where they presumably do a hard sell once you get there. This is just a glitzy way to attract people who have rare qualities such that they are only born once every minute.

Thank you CookingWithGas for adding that information. Anyone can take a timeshare property trip, to say Vegas or Orlando, just for the asking. I have. Just call Hilton or Wyndham or other property owners. You get two or three night stay on the property in question … and they may even throw in some show tickets (to a lousy show) … if you agree to sit through a 90-minute sales presentation. I did.

So, again, the casino is giving absolutely nothing. To get people onto the property and spend.

[Gyrate]

Excellent post, DoctorQ. Thanks for doing the math.

So the answer to BillWill’s question “How many people missed out on a good offer [sic]” appears to be “no one”…because the offer isn’t very good.

[DesertDog]

@CookingWithGas

I just read a bunch of TripAdvisor reviews on this. The game show prizes are all trips to timeshare properties, where they presumably do a hard sell once you get there. This is just a glitzy way to attract people who have rare qualities such that they are only born once every minute.

This, and the $150 is likely refunded. When people visiting Las Vegas see this all the time only the deposit’s not so high. You’ll be enticed for tickets to a free Las Vegas show but have to pay $40 or $50 earnest money. This is because something that’s totally given away is perceived to have less value* and it also forces people who might get distracted to actually commit to the sales pitch since they would lose their $50. Unlike DoctorQuality’s experience, mine is the show is truly free. You are certainly encouraged to buy a drink or two, but not required.

*Couch on the curb with “Free Couch” languishes while one with “$50” disappears on an hour.

[Cole_h]

Hey man! do you or anyone on here still have the number for the radio show they called into?

[Really_Not_All_That_Bright]

@DoctorQuality

And in this world, if it sounds like you are getting something for nothing, you can be pretty durn sure you are not.

Welcome to the SDMB. Yours might be the best first post ever!

[Txguy1980]

Its not technically a scam but there were some warning signs. First, as mentioned, the question they ask is ridiculously easy. The second red flag was that they asked for the deposit before you even make the reservation. I think they are hoping you pay the deposit and never book the room so they can keep your money. They also dont tell you upfront that only the hotel is covered. They dont pay your airfare nor do they help you with transportation. Also, they dont cover any taxes or fees charged by the hotel. I have also heard that you have to listen to a sales pitch for a timeshare. What they are doing is not illegal but its definitely a “too good to be true” situation.