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My wife and I bought one years ago and it was great but our expectations were not too high either. Some folks expect way too much and are unhappy.
Now, costs for exchanges and maintenance have gone up and I'm widowed and an empty-nester so it is a bit of a struggle for one person --- not so much the cost as trying to find a way - and time - to use it. I have 3 weeks banked and no plans to use them yet. Lately I've been doing other things for vacations.
There are some legit. timeshare resale companies out there! They do charge for advertising and the reputable ones do more advertising than the so called listing companies such as redweek or tug. The listing companies "just" list the timeshare on a website, THATS NOT What You want!!! The companies that do more or offer more do charge an upfront fee. You as a consumer can check on these companies, check the BBB, or Federal Trade Commission.
Just because a company charges an upfront fee certainly doesn't mean they are not legit! The companies that "just" list the ad on a website are the ones to look out for! Who wakes up one day and decides to go online and look for a timeshare?,, and if this person does want to buy one, who is doing the financing? Who is the broker going to be? Who is going to pay the broker? To sum it all up; If You have a timeshare and want to sell its much more convenient
to go with a licensed , bonded resale company that charges upfront. If You find the right one its well worth it!!!
There are some legit. timeshare resale companies out there! They do charge for advertising and the reputable ones do more advertising than the so called listing companies such as redweek or tug. The listing companies "just" list the timeshare on a website, THATS NOT What You want!!! The companies that do more or offer more do charge an upfront fee. You as a consumer can check on these companies, check the BBB, or Federal Trade Commission.
Just because a company charges an upfront fee certainly doesn't mean they are not legit! The companies that "just" list the ad on a website are the ones to look out for! Who wakes up one day and decides to go online and look for a timeshare?,, and if this person does want to buy one, who is doing the financing? Who is the broker going to be? Who is going to pay the broker? To sum it all up; If You have a timeshare and want to sell its much more convenient
to go with a licensed , bonded resale company that charges upfront. If You find the right one its well worth it!!!
I disagree. I sold both of my timeshares through a VERY legit company with NO upfront fee. They do targeted Internet advertising on web sites (not unlike CD) that would attract the demographic who would be interested in buying one of the timeshares they are selling. They sold BOTH of my timeshares in under two weeks (seven years apart from each other) with a closing about 30 days later. They've been in business for at least a decade if not longer. Like I said, VERY reputable and VERY legitimate. And NO UPFRONT FEE.
I caution that posters like the one I'm responding to in this post who have a single post on CD and have a questionable agenda should be taken with a grain of salt.
Location: The Chatterdome in La La Land, CaliFUNia
39,031 posts, read 23,018,776 times
Reputation: 36027
Since I usually only travel once annually and prefer to go to different locations, a timeshare would not be a wise investment for me. Why purchase a hotel room/suite, pay annual fees and not be able to use it whenever you want? Doesn't make sense to me. I'd prefer just paying for a hotel if and when I decide to travel to a location and not be tied down to a particular property.
Be very very careful. Ton of telemarketing scams in N.C. and Wyndham one of the worst----Do not give credit info over phone. I know a guy who runs a sweat shop boiler room selling time shares. And there are alot of them, sadly.
Timeshare Register Promised sale of timeshares and took $495.00 in fees. I did not understand and it was not made clear to me that this was a supposedly marketing company and not involved in selling real estate. ripoff Clearwater Florida. Visit ripoffreport.com
I have 2 brothers that have had Wyndham timeshare for years and both love it.
It is like buying a car. Some love Ford hate Chevy and visa versa.
People! Look closely at the number of posts of some of the posters in this thread. Every one that has only one post in his or her history is along the same lines as someone who is out to rip someone off.
Just like the post below:
Quote:
Originally Posted by stevep1965
There are some legit. timeshare resale companies out there! They do charge for advertising and the reputable ones do more advertising than the so called listing companies such as redweek or tug. The listing companies "just" list the timeshare on a website, THATS NOT What You want!!! The companies that do more or offer more do charge an upfront fee. You as a consumer can check on these companies, check the BBB, or Federal Trade Commission.
Just because a company charges an upfront fee certainly doesn't mean they are not legit! The companies that "just" list the ad on a website are the ones to look out for! Who wakes up one day and decides to go online and look for a timeshare?,, and if this person does want to buy one, who is doing the financing? Who is the broker going to be? Who is going to pay the broker? To sum it all up; If You have a timeshare and want to sell its much more convenient
to go with a licensed , bonded resale company that charges upfront. If You find the right one its well worth it!!!
BS! The people who charge upfront are the one that will rip you off for the most part. Also, if you do look at the posters with just one post, they seem to, oddly, have a similar number of reputation points, as if the same person was creating multiple accounts and giving himself points. Just goes to show how bad the timeshare industry is. Full of weasels.
I've nver really gotten the appeal of timeshares - even if it was a "good deal" , I don't think I'd want to be locked in to a location or particular week for my vacation.
My only "experience" with timeshares is with a relative that always made more money than us (but still didn't live within their means) and had a habit of calling us/showing us every shiny new toy they bought....
Anyway, relative calls us from Vegas, says "Guess what we just bought - a timeshare! " and then proceeds to tell husband what a great deal they got, all the fab vacations they are going to be taking, etc. Then called us a couple hours later because their car had broken down on the way back to LA and could we wire them enough money to get it repaired?
My wife and I bought one years ago and it was great but our expectations were not too high either. Some folks expect way too much and are unhappy.
Now, costs for exchanges and maintenance have gone up and I'm widowed and an empty-nester so it is a bit of a struggle for one person --- not so much the cost as trying to find a way - and time - to use it. I have 3 weeks banked and no plans to use them yet. Lately I've been doing other things for vacations.
I'll take them. No all kidding aside, I haven't read all the responses and I can bet they are all over the place but mostly negative. I will tell you, right up front I am a huge supporter of them, but only if you know what you are doing and buy wisely. We used to have a wonderful one, owned by a large Hotel chain. We did sell it because we decided we just were not going to use it. Yes, we could trade for other locations but at the time, ours was not connected with RCI so the cost for trading was high. Now, they are associated with them. I wish we had it back.
Here are the guidelines: always buy used, not directly from the company, they can be picked up for almost nothing. Do not get involved if you think this is an investment purchase that will appreciate. Be aware maintainance fees will go up, just like everything else in the world.
The benefit to us was: forced vacation every year which, at the time, was a must. the convenience of having an apartment over a single room with a bed and maybe a couch. Saving money on food as we did do a lot of meals in the unit. Not fighting huge crowds around the pool for instance. Having laundry facilities right in the units. Being able to inive frieds and family to vacation with you.
We are going to Vegas in a couple of weeks. We are using one of our daughters time shares (she and hubby have 3) Including transfer fees for guests it is costing us $200 for the week. It is a 2 bedroom unit with whirl pool bath, full kitchen, 2 full baths and washer/dryer facilites as well as a workout room, outdoor grills, pool, etc and is next door to a large casino for those who want to gamble without driving all over the city. We will cook about 1/2 our meals in the unit and have invited guests the first 3 days and the last 2. Can anyone tell us we are not saving a bundle plus we will have the comforts of home? This was one of our daughter and son in laws purchase via Ebay for about $200 plus escrow fees.
I disagree. I sold both of my timeshares through a VERY legit company with NO upfront fee. They do targeted Internet advertising on web sites (not unlike CD) that would attract the demographic who would be interested in buying one of the timeshares they are selling. They sold BOTH of my timeshares in under two weeks (seven years apart from each other) with a closing about 30 days later. They've been in business for at least a decade if not longer. Like I said, VERY reputable and VERY legitimate. And NO UPFRONT FEE.
I caution that posters like the one I'm responding to in this post who have a single post on CD and have a questionable agenda should be taken with a grain of salt.
We sold ours without any upfront fees as well. Yes, we sold it at a loss, not a huge one though, and it didn't take us long.
I too am leary of one time posters...I know we all start someplace, but I am always wondering why some post only once or twice and disappear, especially when the post negatives. Oh well, I still love City Data and most of the posters.
I've nver really gotten the appeal of timeshares - even if it was a "good deal" , I don't think I'd want to be locked in to a location or particular week for my vacation.
My only "experience" with timeshares is with a relative that always made more money than us (but still didn't live within their means) and had a habit of calling us/showing us every shiny new toy they bought....
Anyway, relative calls us from Vegas, says "Guess what we just bought - a timeshare! " and then proceeds to tell husband what a great deal they got, all the fab vacations they are going to be taking, etc. Then called us a couple hours later because their car had broken down on the way back to LA and could we wire them enough money to get it repaired?
sad story but funny in a way. I will add though, you are not locked into a particular week or location as in years past. Yes, there is a slight fee for transferring but it is worth it.
I don't think anyone should buy from the hardsell salesman or woman and I don't think time shares are for everyone, plus they should never be looked at as an investment, but as a vacation guarantee, sorta like that cabin in the forest we all had hoped to have at sometime in our lives.
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