DVC v. Interval International

[TravelingJen24]

We now have a DVC that we have had for about three years. We are happy with it, but a friend is getting a divorce and offered us a deal on a timeshare that he has. He owns at Villa Del Palmer, Flamingo in Mexico. He is selling it for 40,000 and it has four weeks that are already banked. The timeshare is through II and has two gold weeks a year. I don't know much about II other then what I have learned through Disney, so I don't know if this is a good deal or not. It is for 28 more years and annual dues of 1600. Is this type of property up to disney standards, and will it be a good value for trading? Thanks for the info.

 

[Brian Noble]

40,000? As in dollars? Your "friend" is not offering you any sort of "deal" whatsoever. Here is a reputable reseller with units available:

http://www.holidaygroup.com/browse/...e=Universal+Vacation+Club+at+Villa+del+Palmar

Looks like a similar week could be had for about 10% of that $40K.

 

[Cruelladeville]

Just think of it: You pay $40,000 for a timeshare that you can use for 28 more years, and your dues are $1600 or more for those 28 years. (28X1600) +40,000=144,800 divided by 28=over $5000 for a week at that hotel. Disney doesn't even cost that much! Why did you think this might be a good deal??

 

[disneydenisel]

$40,000 for a timeshare in Mexico sounds very, very expensive.

Where do you want to travel to with your second timeshare purchase? There are many resales out there with reputable companies like Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and Starwood, to name a few. You can check out www.tugbbs.com for information on timeshares, trading power, resales, etc.

Good luck. My advice is to say "thanks, but no thanks" to your friends.

 

[TravelingJen24]

I think it adds up to closer to 84,000. That would make it worth about $1500 per a week because there are two. I'm not saying that that is a great deal, but we pay more then that a week for a 2-bedroom at Dis right now. I just wondered if that property had good bargaining power and how hard it is to trade to other properties. We have another friend who is always going to these nice resorts through II and bonus weeks, none of which we are acquiring now. I didn't know how that worked.

 

[tomandrobin]

Not a good deal. Mexican timeshares are similar to Orlando timeshares. They are a dime a dozen. The Royal resorts is an exception to that rule. I would do some research on Mexico timeshares. Go to tug2.net and browse thru thier forums.

Buying resale is a right way to go. I also will second that you look into some of the big "hotel" timeshare companies. Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, Starwood, etc.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

DO NOT BUY THERE! Just in case I didn't make myself clear, DO NOT BUY THERE! Ok, now that I think I got my point accross. $40,000 is way too much to spend at the Villa Del Palmar. I have stayed there two times, each for a work trip. My last visit was June 2007. The place is really, REALLY, showing its age. It needs major updating. The rooms are very large, but look tired. The grounds are nice. Pool area's need a facelift. The food was really good and the outdoor cafe was really nice. There is onsite putt putt. Fun, but they still have not replaced the "grass" on it. Very worn out. They do keep the property very clean. The staff is good by Mexican standards.

That being said, if you wanted to trade there for a week, I say go for it. I just woulnd't invest in the place. There are much newer places. It has 2 sister properties next store that are beautiful.

 

[Mtnman44]

Um, from your response post here it sounds like you did not fully understand.....Did you see how these GOLD weeks are selling for under $2k each????? Does that not knock you off your feet that your "friend" is asking for $20k per week?

It's not that you understand that it is "not a great deal". You should understand that this is a complete rip off scam to buy those two weeks for $40,000. I'd be happy to find you two EVEN BETTER weeks of timeshare ownership and only charge you $20k total. That includes a hefty finder's fee for me.

I think it adds up to closer to 84,000. That would make it worth about $1500 per a week because there are two. I'm not saying that that is a great deal, but we pay more then that a week for a 2-bedroom at Dis right now. I just wondered if that property had good bargaining power and how hard it is to trade to other properties. We have another friend who is always going to these nice resorts through II and bonus weeks, none of which we are acquiring now. I didn't know how that worked.

 

[TravelingJen24]

Thank you for all the info. I really think that he is not trying to scam me. He is going through a divorce and that is the price that they all set together. He is not pressuring me to buy it, but rather just seeing if I was interested. Now I know that I am not. I'm not sure why they are asking so much though. I guess they are just misled to how much these are actually worth. Thanks again.

 

[rinkwide]

I'd offer him 40,000 pesos.

 

[Brian Noble]

Now I know that I am not. I'm not sure why they are asking so much though. I guess they are just misled to how much these are actually worth. Thanks again.

Folks who only own Disney sometimes think that all timeshares hold their values as well as Disney units have so far.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Most timeshares---even hotel-branded ones---lose a significant chunk of their value the instant the recisision period ends. A few don't loose too much. Most lose at least half.

I own two non-Disney units. I bought both resale, for something between pennies and dimes on the dollar.

 

[Dean]

I'd offer him 40,000 pesos.

For 2 weeks, it's not even worth that unless it's Xmas or Easter in a 2 or 3 BR.

TravelingJen24, it sounds like your friend way overpaid and believed all the stuff they told him when he bought. Depending on how close you are, you may or may not want to be truthful vs just saying no thanks. The Flamingos is the nicer of the resorts from what I've been told which suggests he bought more recently and at a higher price. He's in for a rude awakening. You could direct him to Timeshare Users Group and/or redweeks but even then the postings will over estimate the value. He should post on TUG on the buy/sell forum or the MX forum to get an opionion of what others think it's worth as there will be those that are far more knowledgeable than I on this resort and area.

 

[Mtnman44]

Do the resorts even sell these types of timeshares for that much? This is really shocking. Ouch. buyer beware I suppose. I remember on my honeymoon on Kauai we went through a timeshare pitch at the Embassy Suites on poipu bay (i think is where it was, we were staying there on an RCI trade). Anyway, they wanted around 17k for a 3 BR week, but that was Hawaii (and I'm sure I could've got them down if I was actually interested in buying).

 

[Dean]

Do the resorts even sell these types of timeshares for that much? This is really shocking. Ouch. buyer beware I suppose. I remember on my honeymoon on Kauai we went through a timeshare pitch at the Embassy Suites on poipu bay (i think is where it was, we were staying there on an RCI trade). Anyway, they wanted around 17k for a 3 BR week, but that was Hawaii (and I'm sure I could've got them down if I was actually interested in buying).

For a good week, that could have been a steel for a 3 BR there given their location withink the resort and that there relatively few of them. Sounds like an EOY or an off season week. That resort is now with Sunterra. We were just talking a couple of days ago about that resort and how hard it was to find your way around. I recently got the info for the new Marriott on Marco Island and the top week there is almost $140K and the lowest one in the $40K range every year.

 

[Mtnman44]

The place next door was MUCH nicer. I think it was a Marriott, but my memory is failing me.

For a good week, that could have been a steel for a 3 BR there given their location withink the resort and that there relatively few of them. Sounds like an EOY or an off season week. That resort is now with Sunterra. We were just talking a couple of days ago about that resort and how hard it was to find your way around. I recently got the info for the new Marriott on Marco Island and the top week there is almost $140K and the lowest one in the $40K range every year.

 

[Dean]

The place next door was MUCH nicer. I think it was a Marriott, but my memory is failing me.

Certainly the Marriott in Poipu is nicer but at double the price for a 2 BR, both are nicer than the Lawaii Beach Resort. I think the Marriott opened in 2003. The resort in question was build as wholly owned condo's and had sold only a couple when the Japanese Market went Belly up in the 90's and was converted to timeshares out of desperation. The units that were in escrow were both 3 BR from what I recall. I think there are only a handful of 3 BR units there, the #6 comes to mind. The units are set up somewhat unusual with individual AC in the sleeping quarters but none in the public areas though given that many HI resorts don't have AC at all, that's still a plus I guess.

 

[TravelingJen24]

What do you think of the Four Seasons timeshare? We love the Aviara location, but aren't sure if the dues are worth it. thanks

 

[Dean]

What do you think of the Four Seasons timeshare? We love the Aviara location, but aren't sure if the dues are worth it. thanks

The FS is a very high end option, one you should only buy to use, not to trade, much like DVC. Like any other luxury purchase, it depends on the person. If their limited locations interest you, you have the money required and it seems worth it to you, start investigating to get the final details. It will be intersting to see which DVC members change over once FS has an on property option.

 

[barney44]

off with II disney points. i.e. SanDiego or Bahamas in Feb. thanks.

 

[Dean]

off with II disney points. i.e. SanDiego or Bahamas in Feb. thanks.

It really depends on what you want, when you want to go, and how far out you plan. San Diego will be tough but I'm not sure how tough, I have no direct experience there. Certainly Four seasons will be almost impossible other than a studio possibly. Atlantis will be almost impossible to very impossible other than possibly short notice of 60 days or less, at least for Feb.