? to timeshare owners

[sherE810]

My husband and I did a timeshare presentation with RCI at the resort we were staying at a couple of weeks ago. It was very non pressure and the tour was beautiful. We didn't buy then because financially it is not feasible right now, but we are definetly considering it in the future. So I am asking if you are a timeshare owner with RCI how do you like it? Do you find it worth it? I thought the new points system seemed great, is it? We did not like the way westgate handled their timeshare offerings at my sisters resort so we didn't go to the presentation. They I think are interval international. I get the feeling their quality of resorts aren't as nice as RCI resorts, am I right?

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

I own at Massanutten in Virginia. We have weeks through RCI. I haven't had any problems with them.

I love that we get bonus vacations for the exchange fee

 

[simpilotswife]

Current wisdom in the timeshare industry is that Orlando is not a good place to purchase a timeshare. Orlando is very easy to trade into, not so easy to trade out of.

You mentioned that financially it is not feasible but did you know that you can buy timeshares on the resale market for much less money than if you were to purchase from the developer? Go to ebay and do a search for the timeshare you toured. You will probably find that same timeshare for considerably less than the price that the developer was selling it for.

If you are truly interested in purchasing a timeshare go to Timeshare Users Group. This is a website for timeshare owners. There are discussion forums there (much the same as the DIS) with many knowledgeable people. They should be able to answer your questions and offer you a lot of helpful information and tips. I don't remember if you have to be a member to join the discussion forums but for $15 it is worth it.

In case you do not know Disney has their own timeshare called the Disney Vacation Club. You may want to check into this option as well. The purchasing in Orlando thing does not apply to Disney's timeshares as they are excellent traders. There is a Disney Vacation Club forum here at the DIS so feel free to go over and ask questions there.

I hope that this helps and good luck with your decision.

 

[seashoreCM]

One caution. WIth some timeshares, you are forever liable for the annual common fee including when you sell the unit and the next buyer fails to pay it. The resort may be able to go after any one or all of the previous owners.

Another caution. With some timeshares after so many years it all ends (called right to use); you cannot, say, give it to your children who in turn can enjoy it "forever" (called fee simple).

Before buying, figure out all the costs, the purchase price, the annual common fee, the RCI/II/etc. annual membership fee for trading, property tax, etc. Compare with your anticipated vacation budget if you simply stayed in hotels, i.e. renting instead of owning.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[jeff968]

Do the math and see if it works for you. The problem with RCI is there is an annual cost and a trade cost. All those fees add up. For me, purchasing and visiting the actual resort I own makes great since. I own in Cape Cod. Average weekly rentals are well over $1,000 since they have a shorten season. We purchased a unit on eBay and the annual fees are only $400. We go every year so the unit will pay for itself in just a few years.
I have been thinking about an Orlando purchase. We go there every year as well and some of the resorts are great. However, the annual fees are much higher, $600-$800, and I can always seem to find a rental in that price range so why tie up my money? there is some advantage to having a nice resort waiting for you every year. I would consider the Marriott's. We'll see.

 

[spiceycat]

I did a nice long reply and for some reasons I couldn't post it.

So send me a email!

I love my DVC, hate my Westgate, LOVE my Panama CIty Beach, and I like my SA (south africia).

just depends upon what you want and where.

 

[mrsstats]

Before I bought my timeshare which was a resale, my brother who owns 2 weeks advised me to buy where I would want to go each year. Best advice I could get. Yes, we bought Orlando, Westgate Vacation Villas. We don't belong to II or RCI. We have only traded within Westgate which works fine for us. If you are buying to trade, dont forget you have to add that cost in each year to the maintenance you pay each year.

 

[debbiedoo]

I bought into DVC. I have no regrets. Once we pay off the purchase price, there will always be a yearly maintenance fee. We are able to will to our children. I have been to other timeshare presentations and we won't go into the major issues with them. I always left having a headache. I have never had that with DVC. My whole family can grow with it. That is why I chopse DVC. I knew the company, and a name I trusted.

ANy questions, just pm me.

 

[jeff968]

I bought into DVC. We are able to will to our children. .

My understanding is that Disney vacation club timeshares are not deeded so thay get to take them back after 40 years. This is very different from Hilton/marriott units which you owne forever.

 

[debbiedoo]

We have ours until 2052 I believe. We have the 50 years with SSR. My children will be able to enjoy for sometime.

 

[sherE810]

Well, thanks everyone, I appreciate all the responses. the funny thing is the presentation we went to was completely different then what everyone is talking about. We wouldn't have a specific week to use or anything like that, we wouldn't have to trade. It is a points system and you buy however many points you think you need, it sounded alot like the Disney system. I would love DVC and hopefully one day, but for now this would be more affordable. I was hoping someone might know about this. RCI has supposedly switched to this just 4 years ago. It sounds like alot less headaches then the old system from what I've heard. You can use your points anywhere in the world and if you are willing to travel on short notice the points you need for a particular resort drop considerably. Well, if anyone knows anything about this that would be great. I will definetly check out the timeshare boards, thanks!!

 

[Ecdubfan]

It is a points system and you buy however many points you think you need, it sounded alot like the Disney system. I would love DVC and hopefully one day, but for now this would be more affordable. I was hoping someone might know about this. RCI has supposedly switched to this just 4 years ago. It sounds like alot less headaches then the old system from what I've heard. You can use your points anywhere in the world and if you are willing to travel on short notice the points you need for a particular resort drop considerably. :

We own with Fairfield and trade through RCI. We have the RCI Weeks, not RCI Points. We did do a tour of an RCI points resort when we were in Orlando in November, and we were very tempted to upgrade to the points. However, I saw a few minor issues. (1) It seemed most RCI resorts still traded via the week format. The week to point conversion did not seem that great of a deal. (2) Their big selling point was the "low cost" of points if you are willing to travel last minute. While this can benefit, I can only assume that the availability of resorts "last minute" may be sparce considering the current trade format provides best value the longer out you reserve. I'd be fearful that if I waited until last minute, I'd only have the undesirables left...especially if I was travelling in peak seasons (Summer, Holiday). It almost seemed that the developer was encouraging us to buy the points (with bonus weeks thrown in) and use their last minute point values to sell weeks to recoup what we pay in fees, etc. They estimated we could get 9 weeks a year out of our current ownership and an every 3rd year point plan they presented us.

btw - I bought from a developer once...big mistake. I can't even sell my current TS because I owe more than it will get on the resale market (and I'm in year 5 of a 7 year loan). Buy resale! Visit TUG. I wish I would have before I made my decisions.