Preface by Irene
The mass murder in Las Vegas strikes everyone worldwide to their core. The 2nd amendment in America was written when our founding fathers defended themselves with muskets. Many ask, and I’m sure others wonder why I am so determined to advocate for consumers who feel they have been victimized financially by unscrupulous timeshare sales agents. Memories like the ones in Vegas are experiencing will last a lifetime. At age 24, my best friend since the third grade Jayme Simmons, was murdered by her husband in front of her two year old. He served seven years in jail. That level of anger may dim but it doesn’t die. I channeled my anger into advocating for victims of any race, creed or color. I hope those experiencing what they are experiencing today will find peace and a way to make their heartbreak a path to a better world. Does that better world include me being able to buy an assault weapon?
While getting this article ready for publishing this latest news has just been released:
Airbnb have issued a statement that they are offering free rooms to family members of the Vegas victims. This is a very great move by this company and is highly commendable.
Tattoos Timeshares and Airbnb
Airbnb “Experiences!”
Michelle Myles and Airbnb
https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/111311?source=pdpother
Featured Airbnb launch of a New York City Tattoo “Experience”
https://press.atairbnb.com/airbnb-and-celebrity-guests-celebrate-launch-of-nyc-experiences/
By Irene Parker
October 3, 2017
A few timeshare members posted on a member sponsored Facebook I follow that their sales agents told them they could use timeshare points to book Airbnb stays. I contacted the resort only to learn no such program existed, but I began to think about how the ability to use timeshare points to book Airbnb stays might solve the two biggest timeshare complaints Inside Timeshare hears most frequently.
First, there are many complaints about limited availability. Airbnb has four million choices spanning the globe. Second, there are many timeshare complaints about the cost of a stay. While timeshare bargains can be found, if your goal is to vacation in New York City, our timeshare does not work. It would cost us $13,467 in maintenance fee dollars to stay one week October 1 – November 30 at the same New York hotel that could be booked online for $2,867 including taxes and fees. I checked year round. The ability to stay in New York was the reason we bought additional timeshare points.
What’s an Airbnb Experience?
Airbnb has a unique “Experience” program that allows members to book cultural experiences for as little as $20 per person. Unlike timeshare, Airbnb doesn’t use the “Experience” program as a means to sell you anything.
Michelle Myle’s New York City Daredevil Tattoo Experience is one that hits home. Michelle is my daughter. We had assumed Michelle would get a job as a graphic designer after graduating from Parsons School of Design, designing ads for cereal boxes or something, but the classic artist in Michelle had other ideas.
As Michelle explained to me, “It’s not just prisoners and sailors anymore!” When I saw one of Michelle’s tattoo’s on the cover of New Yorker magazine commemorating 9/11 one year showcasing a “5555” officer down tattoo on the arm of a firefighter, we understood that tattooing has come of age.
King Tut is a favorite of mine.
In addition to being the co-founder of Daredevil Tattoo located in a quiet (for New York) section of Chinatown, Michelle used Kickstarter to launch Daredevil Tattoo Museum. This led to Michelle becoming a curator and licensed NYC Tour Guide. Artifacts were on display at the New York Historical Society this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpHYJCmDJjM
The above link displays Forbes Magazine’s report about Michelle’s Friday the 13th marketing strategy that attracts hundreds every Friday the 13th.
I wondered about other Airbnb Experiences. Of interest to me is Urban Grown. Tony is the founder of Harlem Grown, a non-profit that has grown to eight urban farms. Tony’s organization inspires youth to lead healthy lives through hands-on urban farming and nutrition. If I chicken out of getting a tattoo, my back-up plan is Tony’s Urban Farms.
Here’s the complete Airbnb Experience shopping list.
https://www.airbnb.com/s/experiences?allow_override%5B%5D=&s_tag=gk2A53_K
Thank you to Charles Thomas for this opportunity to shamelessly promote Daredevil Tattoo and Museum. Daredevil is located just steps from the Lower East Side Tenement Tours, so stop by the next time you visit The Big Apple. Michelle is used to “one of my mother’s friends” stopping by.
I am always asked, “Do you have any tattoos?” No, in 1989 I told Michelle I would not pay her tuition at Parson’s School of Design if she obtained more than five tattoos. Michelle thought this was cruel and unusual punishment. She has bent somewhat on that position, but I’m just not sure what art to select. It probably should be trumpet great Miles Davis, because after attending a Miles Davis concert, the opening act Richard Pryor, I reported shortly after birth, Michelle’s middle name would be Myles.
We have all used and enjoyed our timeshares and hope the industry works with us to achieve greater accountability and transparency in timeshare sales. And hey, maybe timeshare developers could create new ways for timeshare members to use their timeshare points by booking Airbnb stays. It’s not a bad idea.
Thank you Irene and Michelle, also our thanks to Airbnb who helped Irene prepare this article. We know that it is not timeshare but it does show other alternatives, as Irene said, maybe developer could find another way of working.
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