Bidding on Timeshares on Ebay?

Hi There,
My husband and I have decided that we would like to purchase a timeshare on Maui. Specifically Maui Vacation Beach Club.

Would love One Napili but I don't think I'd ever find those for sale by owner.

Anywho, was wondering if anyone could give me some tips on what to look for and what to stay away from.

We have bought at Lawai Beach Resort from Shell Vacations and learned a HUGE lesson! We could have gotten it much cheaper!

Thanks for any input you can give us.

Nicci and Scott

I'd suggest you start with the TUG Advice page which has several articles on how to buy resale.

Buying on ebay:

Thank you for the advice Denise!

I've been reading about all the great deals people on this site have been getting on Ebay and now my husband and I want to join in on getting a deal.
We've thought about getting a timeshare on Maui but have not followed through and I very happy we haven't!

We own on Kauai already and bounce back and forth between Kauai and Maui. We love both islands. We figure will get an every other year and go once a year. We have odd at Lawai Beach Resort.

Anywho... I digress..

Thanks again!
Nicci

Curious, if I buy in the states, for an inexpensive timeshare with low maintenance fees, what are the chances of trading into Maui?
What would be my best chance?

It completely depends on the resort. An off-season week at a low-rated timeshare won't have enough trading power.

If you like the Starwood resorts, a good options is to buy an inexpensive resale with low maintenance fees like Sheraton Desert Oasis, and use the Starwood to Starwood priority to trade into one of the 2 Starwood resorts on Maui. This is pretty do-able except for holiday weeks, if you put in a request at 12 mos. out.

Westin Ka'anapali North and South

Homeawayfromhome2 said:

Curious, if I buy in the states, for an inexpensive timeshare with low maintenance fees, what are the chances of trading into Maui?
What would be my best chance?

Click to expand...

Maui is part of the "states."

Trading into Hawaii from the Mainland will depend on what you own, and what you're trying to get. Best thing would probably be for you to buy a points timeshare, with enough points to get you what you want in the Islands. That way it's just a matter of spending enough points to go where you want, no matter where that is.

Dave

BMWguynw said:

Maui is part of the "states."

Trading into Hawaii from the Mainland will depend on what you own, and what you're trying to get. Best thing would probably be for you to buy a points timeshare, with enough points to get you what you want in the Islands. That way it's just a matter of spending enough points to go where you want, no matter where that is.

Dave

Click to expand...

Whoops, I meant the mainland.. because the maintenance fees are less expensive.
Thank you Dave and Denise - I will check into points and I think I will look at Sheraton Desert Oasis - Scottsdale, Arizona.

Nicci - Sheraton Desert Oasis is a Starwood timeshare and we have a ton of info. on the TUG Starwood board about it.