How I lost 134 points in one easy trade

[Dean]

If a person is tied to a strict school schedule with no wiggle room, buying a II timeshare to trade is not the answer. Paying cash would be better for someone that has limited flexibility.

It depends. I think timeshares and even exchanging can still be a viable option but being less flexible (restricted to school calendars) certainly changes what's reasonable and what's not. It definitely removes the option of being successful speculating on top end trades. But if one owns something good they enjoy, reserve it then do request first, it can still be a very workable option, esp with the Marriott to Marriott benefits and special request first options Marriott members get. This is one of the reasons I recommend those new to timesharing buy something they'll be happy using, the gambling can come later when they're more experienced. It does require one to be ahead of the curve and plan AT LEAST a full year out, preferably 2.

 

[Slakk]

It depends. I think timeshares and even exchanging can still be a viable option but being less flexible (restricted to school calendars) certainly changes what's reasonable and what's not. It definitely removes the option of being successful speculating on top end trades. But if one owns something good they enjoy, reserve it then do request first, it can still be a very workable option, esp with the Marriott to Marriott benefits and special request first options Marriott members get. This is one of the reasons I recommend those new to timesharing buy something they'll be happy using, the gambling can come later when they're more experienced. It does require one to be ahead of the curve and plan AT LEAST a full year out, preferably 2.

Well that is what we did - we just bought into Marriott Aruba Surf Club 2 BR EOY which is perfect for us. We will go for a week on odd years in the summer. Now we have a great Marriott property and should be able to trade when we want IF we want.

And better news is my DH parents are interested in using our week in Branson - they have NEVER been on a vacation in their lives that does not include visiting family. We mentioned it to them and forwarded the choices and never heard back - just today his dad called and said they may like it. Best part is they live only an hour or so away and our retired so they are flexible on dates.

While we won't be able to use it - it will be nice if they can. They never have had a chance to have a real vacation (yes we have offered to have them come to WDW but they don't like to travel) so I am happy it may not go to waste.

 

[littlestar]

Buying to mostly use is definitely different than buying to trade (especially if you are tied to a strict schedule because of kids).

Slakk, congrats on the Marriott purchase by the way. I would imagine you'll be calling and reserving your school vacation week as early as possible after this thread!

Glad the week may not go to waste after all.

 

[Dean]

Well that is what we did - we just bought into Marriott Aruba Surf Club 2 BR EOY which is perfect for us. We will go for a week on odd years in the summer. Now we have a great Marriott property and should be able to trade when we want IF we want.

And better news is my DH parents are interested in using our week in Branson - they have NEVER been on a vacation in their lives that does not include visiting family. We mentioned it to them and forwarded the choices and never heard back - just today his dad called and said they may like it. Best part is they live only an hour or so away and our retired so they are flexible on dates.

While we won't be able to use it - it will be nice if they can. They never have had a chance to have a real vacation (yes we have offered to have them come to WDW but they don't like to travel) so I am happy it may not go to waste.

That's great if they can use it. Still ask if you can get the larger unit if available. As I've noted a couple of times recently, we'll be at the SC in Jan. Just make sure you reserve at exactly 12 months out at 9 am eastern 12 months from the FRIDAY checkin in even if you want Sat or Sunday. If you want to stretch it into a week and two weekends PM or email me and I'll give you some suggestions as that's what we're doing in Jan for 11 nights.

 

[dianeschlicht]

That's correct but renting an II exchange was exactly the issue in question on this thread.

Dean appears to be correct. This is a quote pulled from a thread on the operations board. It came from someone who was wanting to rent a large number of points and was asking how it worked. It seemed she had a bit of a problem with the quoted situation.

We had kind of a scary first experience with renting a reservation last year. I'm not sure this is a topic for this board but here goes. We rented from someone who owned thru Interval Int'l. The person transferred his reservation to us for a particular week at VWL on a guest certificate (I think that is what it was called).

Apparently, he was not supposed to "sell" his reservation to us...and when I called DVC member services to confirm that the reservation was transferred, they asked me a lot of questions, then Interval Intl called me, and eventually they locked his account.

We were still able to have the reservation but it was a real nightmare and very tenuous. I was very relieved to be in the room that first night...