Timeshare Sales Experience, Anyone!?

[BECLAZONE]

Originally Posted by MadManofBethesda

The absolute best place on the Internet for timeshare information is the Timeshare Users Group (TUG) and their multiple forums dedicated to buying, selling, and trading timeshares.

Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

Thank you for that link, there is a lot of interesting and useful information there.

This is far more complex than I had realized.

[almost3am]

Originally Posted by BECLAZONE

Thank you for that link, there is a lot of interesting and useful information there.

This is far more complex than I had realized.

I personally don't know a lot about timeshares, but a friend of mine has had two for many years. They are retired now and pretty much traveling the US all the time and using their many, many accumulated points. They are really happy with their experience, but those are the only people I know with a timeshare

[BECLAZONE]

Originally Posted by almost3am

I personally don't know a lot about timeshares, but a friend of mine has had two for many years. They are retired now and pretty much traveling the US all the time and using their many, many accumulated points. They are really happy with their experience, but those are the only people I know with a timeshare

It all seems to depend on your personal situation, for some, it obviously works.

I wonder if your friend got a good deal!

[TimtheGuy]

I can't beleive people buy timeshares. The bad stories probably outweigh the good about 1000-1.

[slim04]

Originally Posted by TimtheGuy

I can't beleive people buy timeshares. The bad stories probably outweigh the good about 1000-1.

It's because you get a slick salesperson who uses fuzzy math to make it seem like you are getting the bargain of the century. Then the sales manager shows up and offers you a one in a lifetime special bargain only good for today.

You end up thinking that you just bought yourself a bunch a lifeftime of luxury vacations for a bargain price.

Then the reality sets in. Those bonus or extra weeks aren't free, but actually cost $200 to $1,000 to use and they are only available during times where you don't want to travel. You have to pay $10,000-55,000 for the timeshare and a high interest mortgage in addition to yearly fees of $500 to $2,000. You find out that to exchange your week, you must use a trading company for about $85 per year, pay $200 per trade, and will have a hard time finding a trade where and when you want to go. You find your yearly fees will approximate the rental fees charged to stay at the same resort in many cases.

Finally, you give up and try to sell your timeshare and find out if you own a mortgage on it, it is impossible to sell. If you own free and clear, its value may be anywhere from 50% to 100% below what you paid for it. (see ebay "timeshares for sale" for the thousands of timeshares that don't even get $1). You will probably pay a broker $500 to $2,000 to sell it for you and find out that you will not even get one offer. You try to give it away and find no takers, including the timeshare itself.