Recently bought Marriott timeshare and am so unsure if this is a GOOD thing or not?

[sweetapril73]

Every timeshare presentation we have been to always sounds good, looks good and it somewhat affordable yet we have never bought one. However, this time we did. We were very impressed with the Marriott and their presentation. But now that I am home why am I so unsure about the decision we made to buy? It seems so confusing, buying 2 bedroom/2 bath with lock off option and options to use 1 week every year by dividing the rooms or using the whole room for a week every other year. Can someone please give me their experience with timeshare purchases? Am I doing the right thing? When we researched timeshare purchases after we returned home today, most comments say don't buy at timeshare presentations. It says you are paying saleman's commission, advertisement and for the gifts offered to those who view the presentations. I feel like we got a pretty good deal, we got a 2b/2b for one week every other year for about $5000 with the option to lock off the room and get a week every year. Is that reasonable? A good deal? Someone please help me.....we only have 10 days to cancel this contract if it's not for us. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[gallaj0]

Congratulations!
If you intend on using it, then sure, you should feel good about it.
The people who detest timeshares either don't use it at all, or go about it the wrong way; they buy into a bad place, a bad week, or a place they can't trade.

Going in with some knowledge up front puts you ahead of a lot of timeshare buyers, who just get sucked in for "free" or "cheap" vacations and have to go the presentation.

Make a point of using it every year; if you can't, trade it for something you can use. I've traded into Marriotts with Interval International, so you should have plenty of choice of other places.

As to the price; it's worth what you're willing to pay. Make sure you use it, and compare it to soemthing you know the price of, like a hotel room with the same amenities, and kepp track of when you've "made back" your investment.

And enjoy it.

[siobhan1997]

Check out www.tug2.net and post this on their boards. See what kind of response you receive. I am quite sure they will all tell you to rescind. It will all depend on the week you bought and if you intend to use your home resort alot. Tug will say never buy in Orlando, but we own two timeshares in Orlando, but we use them, and enjoy them. We never bought any of our units from developers, we purchased on ebay, for about 5% or less of the developers price. Good Luck

[Lisa P.]

If you bought a 2BR L/O every other year directly from Marriott for $5,000, then it is most likely an offseason (bronze or silver?) week and you overpaid. You would then be unable to use it for a vacation during school holiday periods without paying additional fees. Your trade power would be quite limited because there are so many nice timeshares in Orlando and yours would be offseason (often empty at that time, lower demand). Further, you could probably rent the same offseason weeks for less than you'll pay in annual maint fees and perhaps even get a room size upgrade in the process.

SO, if my assumption (first sentence above) is correct, I'd seriously advise you to RESCIND immediately - both by phone call and certified or registered mail (however it says in your contract). You do not need to give a reason. Any time that a new owner has purchased at developer prices and then has buyers' remorse, it's wise to rescind while you can, research some more, then repurchase if you are still pleased as an INFORMED buyer.

Marriott has their own corporate resales division. If you love what you bought, if you actually bought a resale from them, if it's a higher season (like platinum) and you see yourself using it, then WONDERFUL! Congratulations! Ignore what I wrote as it doesn't really apply and you need to simply enjoy your new ownership. Read TUG (see my sig) for more info on making the best purchase decisions and learning to make the most of your ownership.:woohoo:

[HeatherC]

Also...check what your maintenance fees would be? We have found that we can rent at these places most times for less than what an owner pays in maintenance fees.

And...do you have to pay them every year but only get to use the place every other year?

Another place to compare prices for what you got is I believe...the Timeshare Store or vacationtimesharerentals.com.

I also believe you will have to pay an exchange fee if you want to use your week at a resort other than your home one. That is on top of any mainentance fees.

HTH

HEatherC

[utahkennedys]

I agree with the advice about reviewing TUG extensively...there are some very smart timeshare people there who can give you great advice. I don't think I have ever seen anyone recommending to buy from the developer, or in Orlando for that matter. The reason is that Orlando is an easy trade from a cheaper timeshare with lower annual maintenance fees. I see Orlando all of the time with my trader and my fees are low. But, if you love the resort and plan to use it in Orlando in the season you bought, well, then maybe it is a good purchase for you! Marriott is a nice system.

[spiceycat]

Marriott generally sells them for more.

but $5,000 for a marriott even offseason seems like a good deal to me.

so not sure what I am missing?

was it with Marriott's Grande Vista Resort?

[sweetapril73]

Man, I am so glad I wrote this post! Most of these responses have helped me out so much. Of course the sales guy made the deal seem too good to be true, fortunately we have 10 days to rescind and that is exactly what I am about to do. He acted as if the week we purchased was only relevant for deed reasons, he totally made us think that we could always trade up at any time of the year. I knew there was a catch but we were so ready to get out of there and we made sure there was a cancellation policy before we bought it! THANKS A MILLION!

[sweetapril73]

Marriott generally sells them for more.

but $5,000 for a marriott even offseason seems like a good deal to me.

so not sure what I am missing?

was it with Marriott's Grande Vista Resort?

No, it is Horizon's resort. It was very nice but we have researched a lot of other options since returning home and we are going to rescind our offer.

[sweetapril73]

Check out www.tug2.net and post this on their boards. See what kind of response you receive. I am quite sure they will all tell you to rescind. It will all depend on the week you bought and if you intend to use your home resort alot. Tug will say never buy in Orlando, but we own two timeshares in Orlando, but we use them, and enjoy them. We never bought any of our units from developers, we purchased on ebay, for about 5% or less of the developers price. Good Luck

Thank you so much for this information!

[mbb]

I'm glad you did some reading:)

Just a note to other folks wondering about timeshare purchases...a little OT, but bears a moment, I think.

*Educate yourself:)
*Do some research on the resale market...*before* you go on your trip.
(I know, everyone says they'll never do a timeshare tour, but so many of us do...and you're that much more prepared with 15 minutes of reading)
*Timeshare rescission laws vary GREATLY between the USA(even state to state)/Canada and Mexico...and overseas too.
*If you're going to Mexico, make sure you know what the rescission laws are. (We think Westgate is scary:eek: - wait til you read some Mexico timeshare sales guy stories:) )

Due diligence, folks:thumbsup2

HTH someone!
:sunny:

[2xDisneyDad]

I tend to agree with most of the people on this thread. The resale market is even weak, never mind buying directly. We bought a two floor penthouse with 2BR/3BA in Aruba which is "red" time all the time for $4,000 and trade into Marriott Grande Vista all the time no matter what time of year it is.

Hope all goes well,

Steve

[Lisa P.]

$5,000 for a marriott even offseason seems like a good deal to me. so not sure what I am missing?

Maybe that it's EOY? They bought a biennial 2BR offseason Horizons week for $5K. That's like an annual 2BR offseason week for $10,000.

Hm. Not a good deal when offseason rentals are readily available for near the price of maint fees. :headache:

[sweetapril73]

Maybe that it's EOY? They bought a biennial 2BR offseason Horizons week for $5K. That's like an annual 2BR offseason week for $10,000.

Hm. Not a good deal when offseason rentals are readily available for near the price of maint fees. :headache:

You are correct, it is EOY? I am so glad I wrote this post. I am sending back everything today.

I have a question. The gifts that they gave us, should I return those as well? They gave my daughter a disposable camera, me a photo book and my husband a flimsy gym bag? I am returning the contract and the II travel book, is that enough? I will send the extra gifts too but my daughter has already used the camera. Just wondering........

[littlestar]

If you got a Gold EOY year Horizons week for $5,000 from the developer, I think that's a VERY good price from the developer. Don't they go for around $10,000 or more normally? I can't believe they offered that to you at that price. Horizons Orlando's lowest season is Gold - there are no bronze or silver weeks. I"ve seen EOY Horizons gold weeks sell on Ebay for $4,000. So if they actually offered it to you for $5,000 from the developer, that's really surprising to me. Did they give you points and how many points? If they gave you a bunch of points (resale Marriott owners don't get the points option) and the ability to purchase developer for only $5,000 - I think that's pretty good. Plus, Horizons is a lock off. You could trade the studio through II and take a vacation on the off year with it.

[sweetapril73]

If you got a Gold EOY year Horizons week for $5,000 from the developer, I think that's a VERY good price from the developer. Don't they go for around $10,000 or more normally? I can't believe they offered that to you at that price. Horizons Orlando's lowest season is Gold - there are no bronze or silver weeks. I"ve seen EOY Horizons gold weeks sell on Ebay for $4,000. So if they actually offered it to you for $5,000 from the developer, that's really surprising to me. Did they give you points and how many points? If they gave you a bunch of points (resale Marriott owners don't get the points option) and the ability to purchase developer for only $5,000 - I think that's pretty good. Plus, Horizons is a lock off. You could trade the studio through II and take a vacation on the off year with it.

It actually IS a silver week. No points!

[spiceycat]

Marriott are at the top of II - even better than DVC.

so yes you could probably exchange it to what you really wanted - but it cost money to exchange it. Marriott does have extra fees.

okay here are some a little cheaper
http://www.myresortnetwork.com/Timeshares-For-Sale/Orlando/Florida/Horizons-by-Marriott-Vacation-Club-at-Orlando/

but if you got the points thru Marriott, and you should have gotten the points if you brought from Marriott.

then you got a better deal.

[littlestar]

Horizons Orlando doesn't have silver weeks. Go to the bottom of the page below and click on the resort calendar:

http://www.vacationclub.com/resorts/ho/default.jsp

There's platinum, platinum plus, and gold.

They didn't sell you Horizons Branson, did they? Branson has silver weeks.

[Lisa P.]

Was this a repo? A resale offered through the Marriott resales division? Do resales have points associated with them?

I didn't know they were selling in Branson, that they decided to continue with that project. Sounded nice, though. And it would have the potential to trade into DVC, whereas Horizons Orlando could not.

I'm confused about this OP's purchase.

FWIW, returning the freebie items should not be necessary. Double-check your rescission information in your documents. And please update us with what you purchased, according to your purchase contract. We're curious! :)

[sweetapril73]

Was this a repo? A resale offered through the Marriott resales division? Do resales have points associated with them?

I didn't know they were selling in Branson, that they decided to continue with that project. Sounded nice, though. And it would have the potential to trade into DVC, whereas Horizons Orlando could not.

I'm confused about this OP's purchase.

FWIW, returning the freebie items should not be necessary. Double-check your rescission information in your documents. And please update us with what you purchased, according to your purchase contract. We're curious! :)


Sure! I am looking at my contract. Its says season, Silver, Unit No./Week, 2502 04*E, Occupancy may commence in 2008, purchase price $4740.

I did check the rescisson documents and it only states to submt an intent to cancel in writing within 10 days. I just mailed all of this back. I sent the contract (kept copy for myself) and the II travel books and brochures.

I explained to the sales rep that nobody goes on vacation with the intent to make a $5000 decision on the spot and we were unsure about the accomodations. He ASSURED us that this was a great deal and we would be happy. Although this may be true, with so many clauses and conditions, it makes me very nervous. And since I am unsure I would rather rescind the offer and wait until I am better informed. I appreciate everyone's advice, it's helped me make my decision. Just like mama always said, "if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is"!

P.S. My husband and I looked on ebay last night and saw tons of timeshares for a fraction of this cost. Anyone had experience buying through ebay?

[spiceycat]

okay with ebay beware!!!!

some ads imply a certain week (without saying what that week is) - and when you buy it - you find that what you brought and what the ad discussed aren't even close.

sometimes Ebay will be on your side - other times it won't.

so buyer beware.

go join

www.tug2.net

since you are seriously looking - I would join it. So you can read the reviews and other stuff.

secondly if you only want to stay in a timeshare - then consider

www.skyauction.com

now don't expect any around the summer or holidays - they do sometimes have last minute ones and I mean last minutes - you bid on Wednesday and the next friday you are going.

these people are also great at telling you if something is worth it or not.

[littlestar]

That's really strange that the deed says silver when Marriott Horizons Orlando isn't supposed to have any silver weeks according to the resort calendar posted on Marriott Vacation Club's official site. I wonder if somebody at Marriott made a boo boo when they typed your contract up?

Be very careful with Ebay. Like spiceycat says, some people have bought something and it wasn't close to what they thought they bought. Either through ignorance by the seller or they just don't care.

With Marriott you know you're getting a nice product. And $4,740 for a Horizons Orlando EOY that locks off is not a horrible price. I think that's a really pretty decent price for buying from the developer - especially for a Marriott. I wonder if this was a repo week or something like LisaP said? Very interesting. If I would have known that I could have bought at Horizons Orlando for that price when we were looking last year, I probably would have bought it. We bought a resale Horizons Branson EOY silver week to use to trade into Horizons Orlando and Marriott Cypress Harbour primarily. What's really been neat about owning our Marriott is flexchange in II, if you can travel short notice (59 days or less) - I see all the Marriott Hawaii resorts and Hilton Head Marriotts before non Marriotts in II sees them. Marriott owners get priority. Many times I could upgrade my Marriott studio to a 2 bedroom Marriott in the flexchange window.

[carolina traveler]

I dont know much about Marriott seasons ,but for being a developer purchase in a good quality resort and system it was not such a bad deal.
Todays developers prices are way over 10000.
I liked that was a lock off every other year. That allow you to use your two bedroom every two years or a one bedroom every year. I recommend go to tug and read their advice section at the top of their website.

[Brian Noble]

If you are thinking about buying a timeshare:

Step 1: Join TUG.
Step 2: Read and learn
Step 3: when you think you've learned all you need to know, repeat Step 2. ;)

It's really easy to buy a timeshare. It's really hard to sell one. If you do finally make a purchase, you want to feel comfortable that it is the right purchase for you.

[bmbmd]

Well, after eighteen years as a Marriott owner, I guess I ought to chime in. We own two weeks at Cypress Harbour, bought at pre-consturction rates after a trip to Royal Palms. We paid nine thousand per week, and that was eighteen years ago. Our maintenence fees are about five hundred per week per year. Not at all a sound financial decision.

What we got in return, though, was first class vacations all over the world. We are disciplined to schedule quality family time months in advance, and we have a lifetime of memories, with 81 years left to go on our contract. Day after tomorrow, we jet off with all four kids, one son-in-law, and two young grandchildren for what will be the last all-in family vacation. We will be staying in a three bedroom at Grande Vista. We look forward to vacation all year long. Next year, my wife and I will trade for points-enough for airfare and hotel to Tuscany or Hawaii or St. Kitts. The kids are on their own-time for Mom and Dad to live a little.

Do i have any regrets? No-not really. Would I take twenty grand for my weeks now? No. Five grand for Horizons eoy seems like a great deal to me.
This isn't just a matter of finance and good business sense-it is a matter of the heart. I say take the weeks if it doesn't put a strain on you-enjoy your family.

[sweetapril73]

I truly appreciate your insight. I guess you can see how easily consumers can get confused. Unfortunately, I have already rescinded the offer. We will continue to look but from what I have read Marriott is the best exchange timeshare to be a part of. Again, thanks so much!

[MRussell]

We attended many timeshare presentations and I was always tempted to purchase one but I just couldn't see spending all that money. For those of you who have purchased from presentations, that's great. It just didn't work for us. Here's another option:

I researched online and found you could purchase the same timeshares for a fraction of the cost. I purchased ours from www.holidaygroup.com. We own a 2BR red floating week and only paid $1500, plus a transfer tax and first year fees. The total was $2100. The one we own is in the Berkshires of Mass. but I didn't really care where it was because for $129.00 I can trade anywhere in the world. I have never had a problem trading to the best resorts in Orlando or elsewhere.

If you choose to purchase from any online company I suggest you research them thoroughly.

mr

[holysmoke]

Well, after eighteen years as a Marriott owner, I guess I ought to chime in. We own two weeks at Cypress Harbour, bought at pre-consturction rates after a trip to Royal Palms. We paid nine thousand per week, and that was eighteen years ago. Our maintenence fees are about five hundred per week per year. Not at all a sound financial decision.

What we got in return, though, was first class vacations all over the world. We are disciplined to schedule quality family time months in advance, and we have a lifetime of memories, with 81 years left to go on our contract. Day after tomorrow, we jet off with all four kids, one son-in-law, and two young grandchildren for what will be the last all-in family vacation. We will be staying in a three bedroom at Grande Vista. We look forward to vacation all year long. Next year, my wife and I will trade for points-enough for airfare and hotel to Tuscany or Hawaii or St. Kitts. The kids are on their own-time for Mom and Dad to live a little.

Do i have any regrets? No-not really. Would I take twenty grand for my weeks now? No. Five grand for Horizons eoy seems like a great deal to me.
This isn't just a matter of finance and good business sense-it is a matter of the heart. I say take the weeks if it doesn't put a strain on you-enjoy your family.

what a great post, I am so envious