for timeshare owners

[Bella the Ball 360]

This is possibly a dumb question but if you purchase a timeshare do you get the same unit each time you return? For example if you were in Vistana room 345 would you always have 345 or just something comparable?

Thinking about purchasing a timeshare and was just curious

 

[pigget74]

Not that I know of. We are DVC members and have never had the same room. I have friends who are fairfield and they have not as well.

 

[Bearvet]

It depends on many things - whether it's points or weeks, if your weeks are "fixed" or "floating/flexible", etc. For example - we own a timeshare in Ft. Myers Beach and it is a "fixed week" so every year during week 7 (Our feb vacation week) we have the same unit. Please do some research before you buy - there's a lot to learn. Be aware of maintenance fees, especially in the Orlando area.

DFIL wants to give us his timeshare week at Cypress Pointe - the maintenence fees are $750/year and he has to pay extra to stay during more popular weeks. It will be less expensive to either exchange in through RCI/II or rent a week through SkyAuction rather than own.

My biggest piece of advice: buy in a location that you plan to return to most of the time. My in-laws bought 2 weeks in Aruba and have never returned because flights are so expensive. We use our week in Ft Myers Beach every year (we actually bought 3 weeks there) and I also do some exchanging.

Again, do lots of research and talk to lots of people. We bought our timeshares 11 years ago and have never regretted it.

 

[4Seasons]

It depends on the resort, but often times no, you get whatever unit is available that is the same as what you own.

A few smaller, older resorts (i.e. Tybrisa on Tybee Island, GA) your ownership is an actual unit number and you get the same one each year. We also own at Cottages at Shipyard in Hilton Head, SC and we get the same unit each year because that is how it's deeded.

 

[mrsstats]

We have a deeded unit at Westgate Vacation Villas. It is week 9 and we always have the same unit unless they are renovating the units. My brother has one in Vegas, same thing, always the same unit.

 

[js]

If you have a deeded week and go the same time every year you will get your resort. I own at Orange Lake Country Club and Waterside by Spinnaker in HHI. If I go the same week every year then I stay in the same unit. If I change my week (I always change my OLCC week) then I can request my unit but not always get.
If you are seriously considering purchasing a timeshare, buy resale you will save thousands of dollars and get the same item you would by purchasing from developer.
And, if you are very serious, PLEASE go to tug2 dot net (put a . for "dot" and put net after it, not com) and pay the $15 to join the site. It is very, very informative and will save you lots of money by making you very knowledgeable before purchasing. It is great for reveiws, has forums, all like the dis. It is a wonderful site for timeshare owners.

 

[Lisa P.]

If you purchase in a points-based system, or if you buy floating time within a season, then you should expect to be in a different unit every time. There is much more flexibility with these ownerships but you may or may not have special requests honored for your room location.

Only fixed week, fixed unit owners can expect the same unit every year - so long as it's not closed for maintenance issues. Some people purposely select a fixed week because they WANT the view or location or proximity to another family they travel with. This is probably a bigger issue for ocean views or people who have a need for a handicap-accessible condo. HTH.

 

[gjw007]

As you can tell by the responses, it is important to do some research before investing in a timeshare. In general, in a fixed week unit, you always have ownership to that week. For example, if you own unit 500 on week 21, you will stay in unit 500 on week 21 every year unless you make a decision not to use the week. This is true even if the resort has converted into a points-based system where you still own the week but are put into a point system where you are given so many points for the week you own. To use the unit that you own, you give the points-based system some notification that has been specified that you wish to use your unit. For RCI Points, a points-based system, this is 13 months before you wish to use your unit. So if you own unit 500 on week 21 and it is 2007, you can make reservation for unit 500 on week 21 in 2008 during week 17 in 2007. Failure to provide this notification is taken to mean that you will not be using the unit and as such, it will not be waiting for you and you will need to make a reservation which will probably be in another unit. Fairfield points also fits into this category, at least the initial conversion from what I understand.

A true points-based system such as DVC or Hilton (I believe Sunterra Sun Options also fits this category as you give up your week to be given x amount of points for access to units that are in a trust), there is no ownership of a specific unit and as such, its the luck of the draw if you get the same room.

Confused? Probably. The best thing to do is investigate. Short answers really don't provide the answers. Dean, on this site, recommended a while back taking 6 months to investigate. It seems like a long time but there are so many nuances, some of them very frustrating, that the time investigating is time worth spending. There is no right or wrong in the system but some systems might designed that fit your needs better.

 

[sonny]

I echo the others' advice, do careful research first. I have a fixed week at Daytona Beach, get the same unit, same week each year. It is nice and we enjoy it and the maintenance fee has remained the same. But they tack on a special assessment for elevator repair, balcony replacements, for whatever, a couple of times a year. I just sent in $160 for some repair and was warned there were 3 more assessment bills to come. It is over the break even point now. I like the unit but we could rent cheaper. Also buy resale - my unit is worth about twenty-five cents on the dollar what I paid. A friend is trying to sell her units (in Hawaii) and one of those timeshare resale companies offered to sell the units if she paid them $2500 and gave them the titles.
Tread carefully.

 

[kimberh]

I have both, fixed and flexed. As stated on my fixed, I get the same unit and week each each. I usually deposit this week with RCI (it gives me very high trading power) and travel in the Caribbean. I use my flexed... for Week day stays. These are point based stays, I get 2 weeks use, out of a one week value in points, if I don't stay on a Fri and Sat night, this is not a DVC timeshare either. DVC works the same. Do your homework, Check your maintenace fees, if they are high, think twice!

 

[VacationFanatic]

I echo the others' advice, do careful research first. I have a fixed week at Daytona Beach, get the same unit, same week each year. It is nice and we enjoy it and the maintenance fee has remained the same. But they tack on a special assessment for elevator repair, balcony replacements, for whatever, a couple of times a year. I just sent in $160 for some repair and was warned there were 3 more assessment bills to come. It is over the break even point now. I like the unit but we could rent cheaper. Also buy resale - my unit is worth about twenty-five cents on the dollar what I paid. A friend is trying to sell her units (in Hawaii) and one of those timeshare resale companies offered to sell the units if she paid them $2500 and gave them the titles.
Tread carefully.

I certainly hope your friend did not fall for that scam ($2,500 and the titles!!).

I second those who advice potential timeshare owners to shop around for resale units. Also try to buy in a popular place (beaches, theme parks, skiing), so your timeshare has not only the appeal when it is traded in but also when you decide to rent it yourself. But make it a place that it would be accessible for you and your family to visit.

If I lived on the East coast I would never buy a timeshare in the West coast or Hawaii. To expensive to get there every year.

If I lived on the West coast, I would never buy a timeshare on the East Coast or the Caribbean. To expensive to get there every year

Selling a time share is always very difficult to do, so don't buy, if you think you will be selling it down the road. Unless you basicaly just give it away to someone or sell it at a very low price.

Good Luck!

 

[kimberh]

I just want to add that I have very low maintenance fees. RCI told me they were the lowest that they had heard of. When we purchased they were under $200.00 for the year, now they are about $320.00, I really need to check, they may still be lower. I really can't complain, this is a nice resort. It is 2 miles from Dollywood, right in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. We don't have additional fees. Read your contract carefully. I trade this all over the Caribbean, We use Skymiles for Airline tickets. It's a win- win. There are resales for this resort on the Internet. I would only buy resale, with what I know now.

On the Timeshare in Hawaii... Where is it??? Your friend needs to list it on the Internet, if she wants to sell it. I sure hope she didn't pay retail. We stayed on Maui at the Westin Villas on Kananappi Beach, they are expensive!!! I was floored!!! It depended on which week, and unit, of course. We rented a studio from a owner, I will just go that route. To rich for my blood.

 

[spiceycat]

lots of timeshares will charge the same maintence fee to a great week as a horrible week.

some will even charge the same maintence fee if you have a 2-bedroom vs a studio. great for the 2-bedroom but horrible for the studio.

always check what the week you want will cost you to rent. If renting is cheaper - don't buy it.

here are some sites where individual are selling their timeshares

www.tug2.net
www.myresortnetwork.com
www.redweek.com (this will cost you)

 

[MiaSRN62]

Everyone here gave you terrific advice....I don't know what else to add.

But to answer your question about the room. We own a "floating" week (non point based) at Vistana. In 13 years of stays, we have never gotten the same unit twice.

The TUG boards are wonderful for info about buying timeshares. Best wishes on your possible future purchase Bella