Timeshare info please

[crazyme5kids]

We just spent 11 nights at Horizons and also looked at Grand Vista (both are Marriott properties). We are toying with the idea of getting a timeshare. I'd like to get feed back from people about the pros and cons of ownership. If you own, would you do it over again? I am interested in hearing from owners of all different places not just Marriotts. Thanks!

 

[susy]

a Sad story....
My friends were lured to Orlando with a free stay at Calypso Cay last Sept. Even though they said they wouldn't buy anything... they did. Six months and $2700 later, my friend just called to book three nights in her timeshare for May and was told that since she didn't pay last year's and this year's maintenance (almost $700) that she couldn't book (until it's paid). Last year???? The place wasn't even done being built! Well, now she's disillusioned and wants to sell.... good luck! And all the while she is still making monthly payments every month and they recently received a letter that the maintenance has gone up from $350 a year to over $400 (not sure of the amount). In the time since they bought in Sept., we have gone (our families have about the same income) in Nov (courtyard in DD), Jan (ASMo) and are going again in May (CBR). Timeshares are for the rich (it is a luxury). My dad used to sell them and said it's a scam. I trust my dad on this one!

 

[njmomof2]

If you are interested in timesharing you should check out the TUG (timeshare users group) website. http://www.tug1.net/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro&BypassCookie=true You can read the fourms for free but I suggest you join for $15. This gives you access to reviews and a wealth of information. Everyone there will suggest you buy resale and save big$$. Do this before you buy and you could save thousands and find the perfect place for you. TUG is to time sharing what DIS is to planning a Disney vacation.

 

[Lisa P.]

I agree with the above post regarding Timeshare Users Group or "TUG". Read the "Advice" articles before you consider a purchase. Then browse the free forums.

I strongly disagree that timeshares are a scam... at least not most of them. It's just that so many people buy them on impulse, with high pressure sales tactics. Often, they buy one that isn't the best suited to their needs and they pay way too much for it. When it doesn't provide what they had expected and/or hoped, the disappointment ruins their enjoyment of it. With some advance planning and knowing what to realistically expect from it, they could make a better selection and really enjoy it.

We've owned with Disney, Marriott, two Fairfield and two South Africa resorts. The Disney was purchased with an employee discount and the others were all purchased resale for excellent prices. We've since sold the Disney, the Marriott and one of the SA weeks, without losing money. We'll sell one more since we've accumulated too many exchange weeks but we've thoroughly enjoyed each one. Feel free to email me about any of this.

Our timeshare family vacations have been fantastic. We've traded easily to other resorts via RCI and II... stayed in luxurious 2BR condos at beautiful resorts with lots of amenities & activities. For the same price before, we've only been able to afford camping or a single, cheap, cramped motel room for five of us... and eating fast food restaurant meals or from a cooler. With the savings of the full kitchens, we can enjoy a couple nice dinners out during the week.

Happy timeshare owners are the ones who've bought what they want to use themselves and/or who are able to trade successfully, with realistic expectations of trading for their unit. They've purchased for a very good price, given what they got. And they understood the value and expenses of it ahead of time. Usually this means they've bought resale, though NOT always. You are wise to try to learn from other owners before you buy. You'll find plenty of them on TUG! Enjoy!

 

[crazyme5kids]

Thank you for the info. Hopefully I will keep hearing from people on this subject. I really liked Horizons, but it is an unfinished property and while it was wonderful now, I don't know if I will feel yhe same way when it is completed with 900 units. Grand Vista is beautiful and space wise a 3 bedroom really is better suited for our family. Pros and cons for both places. When I brought up the subject of buying a resale through Marriott, the sales rep said that we would not get the same perks and benefits from Marriott that we would if we buy new (well, he is trying to make a sale). I will have to investigate this more. I will definatly check out and join TUG, 15 dollars is a very small amount compared to the price I could pay making a mistake. Thanks again and keep the info coming!

 

[Lisa P.]

There are very, very few timeshares where a resale purchaser is given any limitation of their benefits for having purchased resale. Marriott is one. If you buy resale and you do not buy through their own resale division, you would not be eligible to turn in your week some years and receive "Marriott Rewards" in return. These are like Frequent Flier Miles and have a questionable value anyway. Some people like to use the Rewards for two-person travel (air/hotel). Others find it too pricy (you pay fees, high maintenance fees and don't really get much back).

Our Marriott was Spicebush on Hilton Head Island. It was an average Marriott. When trading via II to another Marriott, the top tier Marriott red weeks do get first priority on trades. Then come the average Marriott resorts & weeks. Then Horizons (no double jacuzzi tubs and higher density construction). Lastly, non-Marriott weeks may try to trade into a Marriott. MGV would be considered top tier for trading into other Marriotts. However, since Orlando is heavily built for timeshares, any offsite Orlando resort won't trade quite as well as a prime beach week or a prime ski week. Even the top tier Orlando Marriotts won't out-trade a simple, clean condo on the beach during a prime week.

But the bottom line is to get what you would use for yourselves the most. If you were planning to mostly use your own week, get what you'd enjoy for a price that seems fair to you. Don't limit yourself by buying a week in quieter season. Make sure you get a week that you can reserve for prime holidays. That keep your options open and allows you to reserve the best trade weeks when you plan to trade. Hope this helps.

 

[Melynny]

I am the happy owner of 3 timeshares, Silverleaf's Ozark Mountain, Spinnaker's Palaceview (Both in Branson, one on tablerock lake) and a Disney (old key west). As long as you are an informed consumer and understand the systems it is definately the most cost concious way to take more and higher quality vacations. I am also a member of the TUG, Timeshare user's group and reccomend it to anyone looking to buy. If you are not one to read the fine print... and learn how to best use the systems, then Timesharing may not be for you...But if you are, you can certainly benefit from them!

 

[leslieh]

We toured OKW in 92 went home for almost a year and decided to buy. Not one regret. We have visited over 15-20 times in 10 years, did the Disney 7-day Magic last year, with a family of four. Only paid for one child. Used our points for 3/4 of the cruise. Added 100 more points in the past few years. That should do it. WE LOVE IT.

 

[Gillian]

Ask your marriott person if they have any resales. They probably do but won't offer them if they think you are willing to buy "new"

Disney vacation club resales are also available,and can be a great deal! The DVC board has info on resales & I can give you someone's email if you'd like.

Best of luck!