The Queen of Versailles

I watched a documentary recently about the creator of Westgate timeshares, David Siegal, and his family. David is a billionaire, but he did not grow up that way. The movie is interesting for many reasons, but the point that seemed relevant to our class is how he is so successful is selling his timeshares to consumers. 

Siegal's parents were infamous for frequenting the Las Vegas casinos; they felt as if they were somebody when they walked into the casinos because everyone knew their name and treated them like royalty. However, his parents lost all their money from this excessive gambling. 

Siegal took the example of his parents and used the method to sell his timeshares. He tells the people who "sell" the motels to potential buyers to "make them feel rich," because everyone wants to be rich, and if they can't be rich, they want to feel as if they are. In exchange for listening to Westgate sale pitches, the potential buyer gets free Disney tickets. Siegal tells his "sellers," "don't let them leave without them buying something, whether it be big or small." 

I find it almost appalling that he would use the same method on his clients that the casinos used on his parents to bankrupt them. 

It just goes to show how deceiving companies can be. Their main and only objective is to sell. 

Watch The Queen of Versailles!