Has anyone bought a "used" timeshare?

[MrsPete]

I keep hearing about people selling their timeshares for next to nothing just to get out of their maintenance fees.

You've already received all the information I'd have given: Ebay and Tugg -- did anyone recommend RedWeek.com?

I'd throw out these recommendations:

- The timeshares that sell for next-to-nothing tend to be off-season or fixed weeks. Unless you're retired or have a very flexible schedule, be careful about that. Don't lock yourself into using only less-popular times. Even if you like them, you'll never be able to trade for a different property. You can get a great timeshare for about 1/3 the "new" cost, but be wary of the ones selling for $100.

- Know what you're buying before you take the plunge. I highly recommend the book TimeShares for Dummies. It's written by a woman who used to sell timeshares, and it's a very unbiased book. It'll help you decide whether you want a points-system or a week-based system and more.

 

[cjnix29]

I will give you an idea of what we own. We have bluegreen, it's a points based system. Right now, we have 28,000 points. Our maintenance fees for those are $1500 a year. However, so you get an idea...we spent a partial week in Myrtle Beach last year, beachfront , staying Sun-Fri, for only 4500 points. I just exchanged into Disney for a full week in a one BR at BLT in January for 8000 points. I had to pay a 139 exchange fee, plus Disney's $95 fee. But if I booked that one bedroom rack rate, it would be over 4200. I think per point cost to me for that week was about $800 (figuring by maintenance fees and exchange fees). We initially bought with only 8000 points, and if you are willing to be flexible, and not have Friday or Saturday night stays (REALLY expensive points wise), you can do a lot with that. I bought our first 8000 from bluegreen, then bought another 11000 resale, for $1000, and just bought another 9000 points for $575. (all inclusive of closing fees, etc.). So atleast that will give you some kind of idea...with a points based system.