My survey

[Nisa004]

1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time? No. I like to visit new places.
2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time? I would trade most of the time.
3) What are your 5 top trade destinations? Côte d’Azur, Tuscany, Morocco, México, London
4) How many people do you usually travel with? Usually 1, but sometimes more.
5) Can you travel any time ? Any time.
6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance? Probably, but not how I usually roll.
7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time? Not usually.
8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars? Prefer 4 or 5 Star. Why not?
9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing? A lot for the right deal.
10) Again, a lot for the right deal.
11) detail oriented planner.

Always been tempted but very sure it’s all a scam.

 

[DeniseM]

I'm sorry, but you are not a good candidate to own a timeshare - it is difficult for US owners to exchange for exotic foreign locations, because availability of timeshares in those locations is minimal. On your list, the only place that is an easy exchange is Mexico - Mexico has a lot of timeshares.

Also, to be successful, timesharing takes advanced planning - like 12 months out, and it's not as conducive to last minute, short getaways.

If you have been to a sales presentation, they may have told you how easy it would be to exchange for international locations, but sales people will say whatever it takes to get you to buy. In other words: they lie.

3) What are your 5 top trade destinations? Côte d’Azur, Tuscany, Morocco, México, London
6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance? Probably, but not how I usually roll.
7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time? Not usually.​

 

[vacationhopeful]

Nisa004 .. Welcome to TUG!

You might NOT be a timeshare person. You did not put down a HOME area on your profile, but your 5 top trade locations are DIFFICULT to get as FEW of those places have timeshares in those locales. And many timeshares are still on the 7 day week reservation systems (like II and RCI exchanges). OR in RCI & II, there are FEES for get short bookings to cover unit turnover... but only at a few resorts.

If you come to the US or Canada plus Mexico and the Carribean .. you might look at RENTING a place from an owner. Most resorts stil have either FRI or SAT checkin days of the weeks (some resorts have Sunday checkins) ... with a 7 night only booking (you have to pay for the 7 nights ... with no REFUND for late checkin or early cheack outs). But prices do vary by unit size ... most studios sleep 2 persons, 1bdrs sleep 4 and 2 bdrs sleeping usually 6 .... very rare are 3 bdr and any larger units.

Mexico and the Carribean might not be perfect renting locales either, as those areas of the world LOVE 'ALL INCLUSIVE' resorts ... which have a hefty fee beyond the timeshare condo rental or ownership.

Plus with the cost of travel, 7 night stays this might be MORE of a TRIP every 2-4 years verses a timeshare YEARLY commitment .. or even an every other year chore (to travel to or arrange).

 

[VacationForever]

There are pure point systems that allows you to vary length of stay and size of rooms. However, none of the point systems have locations that cover all the places that you want to visit. The alternative is buying somewhere which comes with RCI points which exchange into RCI network of resorts. However, pre-planning of at least 6 months to a year is needed in order not to be disappointed. RCI has the most expensive exchange fees in the timeshare exchange business. Since it is just you + 1 most of the time, you should simply stick to hotel bookings.

In general, timehare is not a scam. However, timeshare has a bad name for those who are not familiar with the ins and outs of the various systems. Most TUG members here own multiple timeshare weeks and/or points and are very happy owners because we understand the industry and know what to look for, and thus we are very happy with our ownership.