Just bought a Sheraton Desert Oasis on ebay

Everyone was so helpful when I bought my WSJ resale and now I'm needing help again with yet another timeshare purchase Just bought an EOY 1 BR Sheraton Oasis (Platinum week 1-21, 50-52) for around $300 on ebay. It is a deeded week 3, floating week and I'm responsible for the 2008 mf (1/2 is around $250) and closing costs are reasonable. I bought thru "ttimeshareman". I am probably just going to bank this week with II but don't know if a week has been reserved or assigned yet. I also have 2 II accts. One regular and one Starwood. Here are my questions:

1. Can I get the current owner to reserve a specific week and then bank that week with II?

2. If so, does it go into the Starwood II account or my regular II account?

3. If a week has't been reserved by the owner, does Starwood assign one? If so, at what point do they do this?

4. If I wanted to rent it out, what are good rental weeks for Scottsdale?

5. Anyone bought thru "ttimeshareman"?

I know this resort is non Mandatory so the Star options mean nothing but I would like to take advatage of the Starwood preferred 72 hour trading, but not sure how it works. Thanks in advance for all the great advice!

Carolyn

i can only answer a few of your questions.

the best time to book in scottsdale is feb-apr. the weather is fabulous then.

what size unit did you buy. and congratulations.

Glad a Tugger got it, I finished 2nd!

It will go into your regular II account, you will have to pay a fee or can get it added for free if you extend your II membership by 1 year. I have another SDO unit and have had great trades (into Disney 1br and HGVC 2br) by booking Easter weeks and Week 51 and 52 at SDO. Since you are purchasing resale, you get to call SDO and book the week you want directly and then can make the trade at II once it is set up on the account.

I don't know about your particular seller, but all but one (Westgate) of my EBay buys have closed in about 60 days or less.

pointsjunkie said:

i can only answer a few of your questions.

the best time to book in scottsdale is feb-apr. the weather is fabulous then.

what size unit did you buy. and congratulations.

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I bought the regular one bedroom, mostly for renting and trading thru II. Pointsjunkie, I see that you own 3 SDO weeks. How fast do the good weeks book up and for future reference, how far in advance can you request your week? Since Week 3 has passed, am I in trouble here if the Buyer hasn't reserved? Thanks again.

Carolyn

Carolyn said:

I bought the regular one bedroom, mostly for renting and trading thru II. Pointsjunkie, I see that you own 3 SDO weeks. How fast do the good weeks book up and for future reference, how far in advance can you request your week? Since Week 3 has passed, am I in trouble here if the Buyer hasn't reserved? Thanks again.

Carolyn

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i will book 2009 sometime this month 12 months out. i traded with II and starwood put week 52 for my small 1 br and got a 2 br at lake tahoe for this summer.

you do know you purchased a week that starwood actually sold. so if you wanted to requalify it you would get - an ey would be worth 67100 and since you own eoy it would be half of that.

ask the owners to call starwood and reserve a week that you would like then reserve with II.

Hi there,

We just bought SDO too. I had the seller reserve a good fall week for me so that it doesn't book up before I get the deed. If you can go to SDO this year, get a week that works for your travels.

SOunds like this is one of the "true" Starwood sold weeks as the season is short Platinum (not 1-52). That means that Starwood will have control over what they want to deposit into II for you (unfortunately) but it does help to have a strong week reserved ahead of time, ie avoid summer weeks!

Once you get your deed and set up your II account, call Starwood and see what sort of week they can deposit for ya. First choice is Spring in the desert but since it has already passed, you can ask for a good fall week instead.

Katherine

good point, katherine. starwood will have control.

SDKath said:

SOunds like this is one of the "true" Starwood sold weeks as the season is short Platinum (not 1-52). That means that Starwood will have control over what they want to deposit into II for you (unfortunately) but it does help to have a strong week reserved ahead of time, ie avoid summer weeks!

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If this is what you bought, it is a pre-Starwood (week 1-52 floater), so it would get requaled/retroed at the "gold" season level.

Even if it was a true post-Starwood platinum (weeks 1-21, 50-52), Starwood still wouldn't have the right to pick the week to deposit into II until that unit was placed back into SVN through a requal/retro. (The SVN membership paperwork is where SVO takes its "right to pick your week" from owners.)

That all said, there are plenty of non-SVN member weeks deposited into II where SVO picks the week. This is because the SVN agent and the owner both don't know the difference so the agent just goes through the motions as though the owner's week was in SVN.

-nodge

Nodge,

Did not know that. I thought if you bought from Starwood directly, you had to be in SVN, even on resale. So if I bought a WMH on resale, I would get to deposit whatever week I wanted with II unless I retro it? I didn't think that was true. But I am learning in the process.

Also, if you purchase at a M resort like Kierland, you have to be in SVN, right? So even on resale, you have no choice as to what they deposit for ya.

Kath

March/Baseball Spring Training has by far the most demand, also Easter week. So when Easter falls in March, I would reserve the week before or after Easter.

Hi Kath - I'm nout sure exactly what you are asking, but until recently, I was confused about voluntary resales and II, too. Some smart people straightened me out in this thread: http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66241

SDKath said:

Nodge,

Did not know that. I thought if you bought from Starwood directly, you had to be in SVN, even on resale. So if I bought a Kierland on resale, I would get to deposit whatever week I wanted with II unless I retro it? I didn't think that was true. But I am learning in the process.

Kath

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Hi Kath,

SDO is a voluntary resort, so it permanently loses SVN membership status on resale (unless requaled/retroed back into SVN with an additional developer purchase). WKV is a mandatory resort, so SVN membership (StarOptions at least) automatically (and mandatorily) transfers to a resale purchaser. Your mixing apples (voluntary resorts) and oranges (mandatory resorts) here.

Also, we're only talking about buying resale here, not developer purchases. A purchaser of a voluntary resort from the developer is automatically a member of SVN. Unlike at a mandatory resort; however, a developer purchaser of a voluntary resort CAN quit SVN. If they do, they are no longer bound by the SVO "picks your week to deposit into II" clause associated with SVN membership.

One last thing, if a developer purchaser of a voluntary resort quits SVN, that purchaser can rejoin SVN later upon payment of the famous $599 rejoining fee. This option to pay this fee is available only to the original developer purchaser, not any subsequent resale buyers of that property. This fee is not applicable to resale purchasers of mandatory resorts, who are automatically members of SVN simply by signing their names on the deed. (Some folks who bought mandatory resorts resale were told by some SVO agents that there was a $599 fee associated with "rejoining" SVN. Those SVO agents were wrong. As stated above, this fee is only applicable to original developer purchasers of voluntary resorts who quit SVN and then want to rejoin later while they still own their voluntary resort.)

Make sense?

-nodge

nodge said:

If this is what you bought, it is a pre-Starwood (week 1-52 floater), so it would get requaled/retroed at the "gold" season level.

Even if it was a true post-Starwood platinum (weeks 1-21, 50-52), Starwood still wouldn't have the right to pick the week to deposit into II until that unit was placed back into SVN through a requal/retro. (The SVN membership paperwork is where SVO takes its "right to pick your week" from owners.)

That all said, there are plenty of non-SVN member weeks deposited into II where SVO picks the week. This is because the SVN agent and the owner both don't know the difference so the agent just goes through the motions as though the owner's week was in SVN.

-nodge

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That's the one. I guess I am confused because "Platinum" was mentioned. I knew I wouldn't be able to do the Star Option thing...which is fine. I was just needing an inexpensive trader thru II or just to rent it out and make a few bucks. Do I get some kind of "priority" trading into other Starwood resorts?
I must say Starwood could not make this any more confusing....so thanks to all of you experts!! Actually I was hoping just to call the resort and reserve my week and then deposit with II. or have the owner do this ASAP.

Carolyn

Carolyn said:

purchase Just bought an EOY 1 BR Sheraton Oasis (Platinum week 1-21, 50-52) for around $300 on ebay. It is a deeded week 3, floating week and I'm responsible for the 2008 mf (1/2 is around $250) and closing costs are reasonable.

Carolyn

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Why would you say it is deeded 1-21 and 50-52? It is deeded in week 3 but the unit is in phase 1, 1-52. Only deeded week: 1064, 1072,
1081-1100, 2064, 2072, 2081- 2100, 3064-3072, and
3081-3100 are in phase 2: float 1-21, 50-52.

It is also lucked that you may be able to choose the week you want and be able to deposit it into II. Sometime, it is successful -> after lot of complains and other times it doesn't. II will rejects the week that you try to deposit directly. They sometime make you go through STARWOOD. Starwood deposit any weeks they want.

Look at thread #12:
http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showth...s/showthread.php?t=66241&highlight=deposit+II

4) You should have an edge when you exchange a resale with II, because it is believed that you have the legal right to reserve and deposit a week of your choice (since you are not an SVN member, SVN rules regarding deposits should not apply to you). However, Starwood does attempt to choose the week for you (people have reported different results when challenging this policy, i.e., some are successful in depositing the week of their choice and some are not). You would have a separate II Acct. for resale weeks - and resale weeks still have the II priority.

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Do you know that BIG 1 bedroom and small 1 bedroom trade differently?
--> go to thread #12:

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65254

Here is the result. I search with my 1 bedroom full kitchen

Westin Mission Hills Resort Villas • WMH
Rancho Mirage, CA, USA
Resort Details & Photos
Jan 02 2009 - Jan 09 2009 1 4 4
Jan 02 2009 - Jan 09 2009 1 4 4
Jan 02 2009 - Jan 09 2009 2 8 8
Jan 03 2009 - Jan 10 2009 1 4 4
Jan 03 2009 - Jan 10 2009 1 4 4
Jan 03 2009 - Jan 10 2009 2 8 8


For the limited Kitchen I see:

Westin Mission Hills Resort Villas • WMH
Rancho Mirage, CA, USA
Resort Details & Photos
Jan 02 2009 - Jan 09 2009 1 4 4
Jan 02 2009 - Jan 09 2009 1 4 4
Jan 03 2009 - Jan 10 2009 1 4 4
Jan 03 2009 - Jan 10 2009 1 4 4

As you see, in full kitchen, you can see 2 bedroom.

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Finally, renting a small 1bedroom can be challenging. It fits comfortable for 2 people. Most folks like large 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom.

Carolyn said:

That's the one. I guess I am confused because "Platinum" was mentioned. I knew I wouldn't be able to do the Star Option thing...which is fine. I was just needing an inexpensive trader thru II or just to rent it out and make a few bucks. Do I get some kind of "priority" trading into other Starwood resorts?
I must say Starwood could not make this any more confusing....so thanks to all of you experts!! Actually I was hoping just to call the resort and reserve my week and then deposit with II. or have the owner do this ASAP.

Carolyn

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Hi Carolyn - in the Owner Resources Sticky at the top of the board there is an article that explains Starwood priority and II trading in detail, that you will find helpful. The FAQ also has a lot of info. that will help you understand the ins and outs of Starwood.

Carolyn said:

Actually I was hoping just to call the resort and reserve my week and then deposit with II. or have the owner do this ASAP.

Carolyn

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Ahhh, there's the rub. Assuming you are buying your SDO from someone who is a member of SVN (since they bought the SDO unit from the developer), if you ask the owner to deposit the week into II, SVO will pick the week to deposit for that owner.

The right to pick your week vests upon termination of SVN membership, which will happen when YOU take possession of the unit. It will likely take too long to close on your SDO to make picking a desirable week to deposit feasible. Accordingly, I'd just have the owner deposit and hope for the best.

-nodge

LOL. You really do need an advanced degree to get all this straight! Maybe a BS in something. :ignore:

Anyway, Pat (Greyfal) and Jerseygirl and the queens of II trading with SDO and others. They swear that if you have the owner just reserve a strong week for you for now (has to be in the Fall or Winter at this point), then when you get the deed and set up your account, Starwood HAS TO deposit that week for you. I was hesitant to let the seller "fight the fight" for my week with Starwood and II so I just had them make a simple reservation for now. I would much rather deal with it myself after the deed is in my name and I have an II account to play with.

Here is the thread I asked the exact same question about last week!

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65793

Take a look because we talk about the same kind of issue with my SDO, which is also EOY and starts this year.

Thanks for clearning up the mess of confusion about the deposited II weeks. I didn't realize you can step out of SVN as the original owner. I am assuming then you lose your SO and SP conversion options too?

Katherine

SDKath said:

I didn't realize you can step out of SVN as the original owner. I am assuming then you lose your SO and SP conversion options too?

Katherine

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It's not so much stepping out, as it is buying in. Several Starwood resorts were originally owned by other companies. When Starwood bought them out they offered existing owners the right to buy-into Starwood. If they chose not to buy-in, they didn't get Staroptions or Starpoints, because they never had them in the first place, since SO's and SP's are Starwood features.

What if instead of depositing the week in II, you just ask the current owner to reserve a good fall week?

Then after the sale is thru, you can deposit the week with II.

Remember that unlike RCI, II doesn't hurt your trading power too bad if you deposit before 4-6 months before checkin.

Carolyn, GREAT DEAL!!!!!

And is that the correct MF for the smaller one bedroom - $257 - or is that paid every year for an actual yearly total of $514ish?

I know the smaller 1BR at Broadway Plantation is quite low - my 'shotgun' 1BR is $385.

Pat - with an EOY at SDO you pay half the MF each year. I think that's true of all Starwood EOY MF's.

DeniseM said:

Pat - with an EOY at SDO you pay half the MF each year. I think that's true of all Starwood EOY MF's.

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Yes, I re-read the Auction.... I recall when i first started looking at Starwood 18 months ago - the smaller 1BR (not 'shotgun') at SBP was $277ish yearly - it is probably over $300 now but still a great deal.

I own 10 other timeshares and what I am hearing almost sounds illegal!! Maybe I should just pull out of this deal if I can't:

1. Rent my Week 3 deeded week (although this week AND this size unit would rent for $2100/wk thru Starwood in 2009) Of course I would be fine with $800/week.

2. Deposit my deeded week with II for trading purposes

Hey, can I even USE my deeded week and designated unit? I'm beginning to wonder.

We strictly bought our 1 BR WSJ for the sole purpose of using it so I wasn't concerned with these issues. How can Starwod control what I do if SDO is a
non-mandatory resort? Doesn't a deed mean anything?

Carolyn

"A deed is for recording purposes only" :hysterical:

Sorry, could not help myself. Katherine

SDKath said:

"A deed is for recording purposes only" :hysterical:

Sorry, could not help myself. Katherine

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So I have no claim to Week 3 Unit 1025? This is getting more confusing by the minute

Carolyn

If only I upped my bid

I would not have created all this drama!! (jk). Take a deep breath and say, "It's just a timeshare, it's just a timeshare"