Hi Tony
Well done on the site. We had an identical experience right down to the guy giving the sob story about getting the job if he got enough "points". We were nabbed on our first walkabout in Seminyak and were really annoyed with ourselves at being roped in. We were told that we would just get a tour of the hotel and lunch and then straight back. At no time was timeshare mentioned.
We got this really brainless girl who didn't know anything and just sat there making smalltalk waiting for the Aussie guy Chris. Eventually we looked at our watches and realized we had been there for 1.5 hours and finally got annoyed. They then finally brought us over to see the resort which is so so, nothing special. At this stage were so annoyed we just wanted the hell out, but we still had to sit through his pitch. Then Chris starts with the hard sell and I admit it I was getting brainwashed. He was saying that for $600/year we could get 5 star accommodation for the whole family. I smelt a rat when he said that if we wanted out we could sell it on or keep it as an asset. I then said that if it was just 600 a year what was to stop us just stopping the payment. Finally after 2+ ours he says that the initial outlay is a bit more than 600. I asked how much and he was evasive. I then insisted that he just come out with it. He said $15,000 was the buy-in (WTF?) but that if we bought in that day we could get $3,000 off.
At this point I was so brainwashed I was still considering it. However my wife and I have policy when travelling in Asia..."always walk away"...and then come back later if you really want the item. I told Chris that we needed to go away and think about it and asked for some brochures and their contact details. He then got aggressive and said that he would do that and that if we left without signing up we could forget about it as he knew we wouldn't come back.
I then stood up and asked to leave and finally were directed out to receive our "prize", which surprise surprise was a holiday. We also received 2 crappy t shirts which we gave to the taxi driver.
I was really annoyed with my self for falling for this, but reading you website I realize that our experience was very similar to that of other people. Anyway, thank God we didn't sign up. We have given the "free" holiday to my sister in law, but one of the stipulations is that she has to go to another promotion during her holiday, and she has to pay her flights and a $100 "booking fee". I am not sure it is worth the holiday.
Best wishes
Gareth