Trading into II

[5infam]

My head is spinning with you Wolfpack as well. After weighing out the options (of course with just the knowledge and experience I have), it looks to us like the most prudent thing to do is to add on 100 points at DVC to bring us to 300, versus buying somewhere new. From a financial perspective, it is the least expensive option upfront (about 1/4 of a new Hawaii timeshare every year use, and about 1/2 of an EOY purchase). When I looked at everything, this will allow me to go to WDW every year if I wanted to without borrowing points. However, since we really only want to go every other year, it gives me enough points to trade into II for a 2 bdr high season in the non-dvc years. I also have the option to rent those DVC points and pay cash in the off year, so I am not limited to II trades and/or any special cash deals (like Dean has suggested) that may be out there. This is a good financial plan as far as initial cash outlay, and will give me the opportunity to see how I do with renting out points. For now anyway, my dreams of Hawaii ownership are crushed, but on the bright side, I will use this as an opportunity to stay at all the different timeshares I was considering and really get a feel for which one I want to own. Now, I just need to locate that 100 point add on, BWV, April UY. Anyone selling?

 

[barb45]

Dean, you need to teach a course of this stuff! I don't know anyone more educated in the "timeshare game" than you. Any tips on how to go about learning all this?

 

[Dean]

Dean, you need to teach a course of this stuff! I don't know anyone more educated in the "timeshare game" than you. Any tips on how to go about learning all this?

Unfortunately I don't think there's any way to truly learn this area without learning the basics of exchanging with II NON DVC. That takes time and a commitment and like anything else, you must want to learn it. Unfortunately most members want to plan a trip, learn it over a week or so then get their trip scheduled. That is a recipe for disaster partly due to all the intricacies but more just the idea that you won't necessarily like what I like and thus a trade that seems perfect might not be.

Most members believed the guides when they implied that all resorts on the list were top quality, of reasonable value and just sitting there in II for the taking. I know members who actually believe that II is simply holding weeks specifically for DVC members. The sooner members realize they are not the only big fish in the pond, things will get much easier. And the truth is that there are other exchangers who likely have significantly more trading power than DVC does with the current set up. Now if we could pick the week, deposit it and II based trade power on the specific week; things would be somewhat different. But that won't happen as long as we work through a corporate DVC membership.

 

[Dean]

My head is spinning with you Wolfpack as well. After weighing out the options (of course with just the knowledge and experience I have), it looks to us like the most prudent thing to do is to add on 100 points at DVC to bring us to 300, versus buying somewhere new. From a financial perspective, it is the least expensive option upfront (about 1/4 of a new Hawaii timeshare every year use, and about 1/2 of an EOY purchase). When I looked at everything, this will allow me to go to WDW every year if I wanted to without borrowing points. However, since we really only want to go every other year, it gives me enough points to trade into II for a 2 bdr high season in the non-dvc years. I also have the option to rent those DVC points and pay cash in the off year, so I am not limited to II trades and/or any special cash deals (like Dean has suggested) that may be out there. This is a good financial plan as far as initial cash outlay, and will give me the opportunity to see how I do with renting out points. For now anyway, my dreams of Hawaii ownership are crushed, but on the bright side, I will use this as an opportunity to stay at all the different timeshares I was considering and really get a feel for which one I want to own. Now, I just need to locate that 100 point add on, BWV, April UY. Anyone selling?

It's absolutely your dime but for what you seem to want to do, I think buying more DVC points is the absolute wrong way to go about it. You'd likely be better off just keeping the cash and paying cash for non DVC trips than buying more DVC points.

The problem seems to be that you are set on going to HI about every 3 or 4 years. Plus I think you're comparing apples to oranges. I also suspect you're looking at only the top choices like Marriott, Westin and maybe the Embassy. IMO, it's not reasonable to own HI to go every 4 years but it is if you want to go AT LEAST every other year with every third being it depends. And going for two weeks every other year works perfectly with the Marriott option. But if cost is your issue and you have some flexibility and especially can work with a 1 BR or less, you are likely better off buying non DVC and non HI for another timeshare. Top choices would be a points system that has resorts in HI like BG or CI (though only for Kauai) or a system with internal trade preference like some of the Embassy's or Marriott's. OF course if you can keep a search in and let your matches determine when you go, you have a better chance of success. Say you want to go to HI anytime in the summer (can go over a 10 week period) but you can go 2005, 2006 or 2007; your chances of trading are much better. Another problem I've mentioned before is if you're trying to use FF miles, that makes buying a better choice or trading with RCI instead of II.

My guess is the best option for you is either a timeshare or points system you will use when not at DVC and not in HI. One that had reasonable value but is far less than the price of 100 DVC points. Remember those 100 DVC points will come with a main fee of $450 or so, that's in the range of many 2 BR units which you could use or trade every year.

 

[spiceycat]

Dean you are amazing!!!

thanks for much for the advice you gave me on my first non-DVC - the one in Panama City Beach - it trades 1 week for 2 - I paid $1,500 for it, and the annual fees is $400 - it is a 2-bedroom and II loves it! Love those bonus week with II!!

however with RCI I own a SA - and it trades fine.

I have no wish (at this time) to go to Hawaii so I am no help.

of course I travel off season - so that is alot of my success.

 

[Dean]

Dean you are amazing!!!

thanks for much for the advice you gave me on my first non-DVC - the one in Panama City Beach - it trades 1 week for 2 - I paid $1,500 for it, and the annual fees is $400 - it is a 2-bedroom and II loves it! Love those bonus week with II!!

however with RCI I own a SA - and it trades fine.

I have no wish (at this time) to go to Hawaii so I am no help.

of course I travel off season - so that is alot of my success.

If what you have works well for you, I'm glad to have helped in some small way. One size does not fit all but there are some generalities that hold true almost all of the time.