Just beginning to test the timeshare waters. Learning lots thanks to TUG. At time of this posting, Seth Nock's site has the following for sale:
HGVC on International Dr, 2 bdr, platinum @ $13,500
and
Marriott Grande Vista, 2 bdr platinum @ $5,500.
Quite a disparity in buy-in price for what would seem to be rather comparable vacations.
Would appreciate comments as to why this big difference. Is Hilton that much better of a timeshare experience?
Thanks.
Welcome to TUG!
Both timeshare properties (and the network of other affiliated properties) are terrific. There are two differences that I believe result in the price difference that you've seen.
The first difference is the value of the system that you are buying into. With HGVC, you can have the option of using your home week at I-Drive, or using the points that property is worth, and using your points as a currency to reserve other properties. As an example, you would likely receive 7,000 HGVC points, which you could use to visit Las Vegas or Hawaii, and reserve another 2BR property worth 7,000 points. However, HGVC's properties are heavily concentrated in Las Vegas/Orlando/Hawaii.
With Marriott, you can also stay at your home week at Grande Vista, However, Marriott doesn't have an internal point system (that you can access by buying resale) and if you wish to visit one of Marriott's other properties, you must trade through Interval International (which is much much less reliable/predictable than using the point system). Marriott has much more diversified properties/locations, but accessing them is challenging.
The second difference is that Hilton has been exercising Right of First Refusal and buying back properties, whereas Marriott hasn't been exercising ROFR. This has provided support for the Hilton pricing lately (prices were below $1/point, whereas now appear to be $1+ per point) because bidders need to offer more to ensure they actually get the property. It's a pain going through all the paperwork/etc only to have HGVC intercept your transaction.
I love both -- but for different reasons. Please tell us more of what you are trying to do and maybe we'll have some creative idea?
Best,
Greg