IMO resale ownership is the cheapest possible way you can afford the lifestyle. Renting is usually more expensive, especially now that they closed the VIP/resale loophole. 100% resale ownership is the lowest cost and most logical choice, so it's frugal people that do their research who are attracted to resale ownership. I spent about 3 months researching every single major timeshare system (Marriott, Hilton, DVC, Bluegreen, Wastegate, Diamond, Vistana, Wyndham) before I picked Wyndham resale, then spent my sweet time waiting for low MF deeds to pop up that weren't expensive. I mostly found good all my good deals in the winter time. I only picked up what I could use for the next 40+ years.
However, the general population (at least in FL), are too stupid to make smart and responsible decisions. [ Covid comment redacted ]
I think that's why Wyndham has been reducing VIP benefits because they don't want retail purchases to be an educated decision. They want impulse buyers only. That's the type of customer they make the most profit from. There are a decent amount of people who make decent money because they are good at 1 thing, but lack critical thinking skills. All of the active VIPs on this forum bought when it made sense to and are getting their money's worth, even with the new restrictions. I know
@Jan M. bought when it was Fairfield, uses almost all of her points 60 days out, and is passing on her PR deed at a low MF resort to her only child and
@HitchHiker71 PIC'd to Gold and had a plan to break even in 10 years. Most who bought had a plan to get their money's worth when they bought. However, those deals don't exist anymore because Wyndham canned unlimited HK, making a new VIP purchase useless to the educated buyer, which isn't their target customer because they are the minority of people.