"Timeshare Von" No More?

[Timeshare Von]

Timeshare Von--I am in a similar situation as I used up my free 3 years of Wyndham exit points a year ago. I have switched more to taking cruises in my retirement, but am open to renting here like you have posted. I seldom post but do enjoy logging in to the "Lounge" so I think you will enjoy the freedom to continue. (I remember you from the Yahoo group--I think I had remarked there one time about you having fixed weeks instead of points at one time?) Best regards, Gene

YES Gene, great memory! Glenn called me the Queen of Fixed Weeks, back when I owned @ Kingsgate & Flagstaff. We LOVED both of those timeshares and with the old RCI internal preferences with Wyndham at the time, we routinely got trades for prime Hawaii resorts . . . even the 1BR side of the Kingsgate 3BR lock-off would get a 2BR at Kona Hawaiian Village. When RCI & Wyndham quit playing nice that way, those 2 timeshares at Kingsgate & Flagstaff became less valuable as traders and we got rid of them (sold Kingsgate & deeded Flagstaff back to the resort's POA/HOA). FYI I still have the 2005-2006 Fairfield FAX Fairshare Members Guide. LOL

I'm happy to see you too have discovered and enjoying cruising. I'm thoroughly enjoying it and looking forward to several more in the coming year or two.

 

[Timeshare Von]

@Timeshare Von
For those of us on Cruise Critic, I found you there as TSVon!

Yep . . . that's me alright. I'm also TS Von on Trip Advisor and very active in the Alaska, Montana & Wyoming forums, as well as "sometimes" in the Road Trips one.

 

[Timeshare Von]

Thanks everyone for your friendship & encouragement. I'm certainly going to be handing around here on TUG for a while . . . and appreciate each and every one of you too! This is such a great community . . . I've always love my "timeshare" friends & family!

 

[beejaybee]

Yep . . . that's me alright. I'm also TS Von on Trip Advisor and very active in the Alaska, Montana & Wyoming forums, as well as "sometimes" in the Road Trips one.

Challenge to Tuggers who are also on Cruise Critic:
Can you find me there? If you are tech savvy, it probably won't be too difficult.
I'm also on Rick Steve' forums but my username is the same as this with the addition that I used to have here.

 

[EZ-ED]

For those not following along on the Wyndham Certified Exit page, I have successfully navigated through the process and no longer own ANY timeshares. This after being a very happy and well traveled owner of timeshares for more than 40 years. Someone asked about my screenname and whether I'd cease being Timeshare Von. I think I'll keep it, and will continue to participate here on TUG especially since I still hope to use timeshares as a desired means to travel. I just won't be owning any interest in them as I continue to enjoy my retirement and travel via other means (camping & cruising are at the top of the list). In the meantime, I will have the use of my former points for the next 3 years (through March 31, 2028) so I'll continue to contribute resort reviews, etc.

I have loved being a member of this TUG community, as well as the former Fairfield/Wyndham Yahoo group(s). I have made some friendships along the way and hope to continue those while making new ones too. I already have a private rental scheduled for June 2026 in Ireland . . . and may have others to plan for.

It's truly a Happy New Year!

Welcome to the non-owner TS club. We sold all six of ours several years ago as I did not want to burden my wife with such if something happened to me. We had many excellent years of TS use and after the sales many more years of Getaways via II. We are about to pass on renewing II so will lay to rest the use of timeshares to the trash heap of fun history.

 

[Timeshare Von]

Welcome to the non-owner TS club. We sold all six of ours several years ago as I did not want to burden my wife with such if something happened to me. We had many excellent years of TS use and after the sales many more years of Getaways via II. We are about to pass on renewing II so will lay to rest the use of timeshares to the trash heap of fun history.

Thanks! I only wish NorthCourse (a former subsidiary of RCI) was still operational. One of the funnest off-shoots from our being timeshare owners/travelers was working as independent contractors for NorthCourse as mystery shoppers for a couple of years. We got to do some nice timeshare travel plus supplemented our existing vacations with shops. The best gig we had was when the contracted with us to shop a bogus company in California. They flew DH & me from Iowa to San Francisco. Put us up for 3 nights (our choice) and paid for the rental car and meals . . . plus our "shoppers' fee". It was such a great gig! I'd love to do that again in my retirement, but alas, apparently not enough timeshare developers/sales offices "want to know" what's going on out there with consumers.

 

[EZ-ED]

Found you on CC. Hope you enjoy cruising as much as we do. We may meet you and John sometime at some remote sunny port.

 

[Sandi Bo]

A late shout out, you've certainly helped me through the years, thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences. Maybe I should start figuring out crusing Best wishes in your retirement and congratulations navigating through Certified Exit!!

 

[Timeshare Von]

For anyone interested, I created a short (2 minutes) video highlighting some memories from my timeshare ownership. It's posted here.

 

[susieq]

Thanks!!! Was really something special ~ recognized a few places and dreamed about others. Love to travel vicariously through others!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[moonstone]

For anyone interested, I created a short (2 minutes) video highlighting some memories from my timeshare ownership. It's posted here.

Nice video of your great memories. As I said on FB, we bought our first timeshare around the same time as you did. That was bc (before children) and our only regret was not getting a 2 bedroom. Our kids grew up vacationing in timeshares, our firstborn was 9 weeks old for his first stay. We would go to FL for spring break and the occasional summer week in the NE USA as well as other trips camping in our trailer. The kids talk about the great memories of our trips all the time. When our oldest DS got a job that often required him to be in other cities for weeks or months at a time he soon searched out long stay hotels as he hated sleeping and living in 1 room with no cooking facilities. Now he has convinced his company that long stay hotels, with even partial cooking facilities, can save them money in the long run. When our younger DS & his then fiancé were planning their honeymoon he asked me to look for Extra Vacation weeks for them as he couldn't face 2 weeks in a hotel room and eating 3 meals a day in restaurants. Our DiL had never stayed in a timeshare until their honeymoon 15 years ago and is now hooked. They have taken their 2 little girls on 3 or 4 timeshare stays already.

Looking forward to hearing about your 'non-timeshare' trips in the future!


~Diane

 

[Timeshare Von]

Nice video of your great memories. As I said on FB, we bought our first timeshare around the same time as you did. That was bc (before children) and our only regret was not getting a 2 bedroom. Our kids grew up vacationing in timeshares, our firstborn was 9 weeks old for his first stay. We would go to FL for spring break and the occasional summer week in the NE USA as well as other trips camping in our trailer. The kids talk about the great memories of our trips all the time. When our oldest DS got a job that often required him to be in other cities for weeks or months at a time he soon searched out long stay hotels as he hated sleeping and living in 1 room with no cooking facilities. Now he has convinced his company that long stay hotels, with even partial cooking facilities, can save them money in the long run. When our younger DS & his then fiancé were planning their honeymoon he asked me to look for Extra Vacation weeks for them as he couldn't face 2 weeks in a hotel room and eating 3 meals a day in restaurants. Our DiL had never stayed in a timeshare until their honeymoon 15 years ago and is now hooked. They have taken their 2 little girls on 3 or 4 timeshare stays already.

Looking forward to hearing about your 'non-timeshare' trips in the future!


~Diane

It was so nice of you to respond to my Facebook post too Diane. You've been a long-timer her and someone I've always appreciated on TUG!

 

[susieq]

You made the newsletter too!!! Congrats!!!

​	40 Years Worth of Timesharing!​ What an incredible journey from this “OG” TUGGER who after 40 years says goodbye to her last timeshare!

 

[Fredflintstone]

For those not following along on the Wyndham Certified Exit page, I have successfully navigated through the process and no longer own ANY timeshares. This after being a very happy and well traveled owner of timeshares for more than 40 years. Someone asked about my screenname and whether I'd cease being Timeshare Von. I think I'll keep it, and will continue to participate here on TUG especially since I still hope to use timeshares as a desired means to travel. I just won't be owning any interest in them as I continue to enjoy my retirement and travel via other means (camping & cruising are at the top of the list). In the meantime, I will have the use of my former points for the next 3 years (through March 31, 2028) so I'll continue to contribute resort reviews, etc.

I have loved being a member of this TUG community, as well as the former Fairfield/Wyndham Yahoo group(s). I have made some friendships along the way and hope to continue those while making new ones too. I already have a private rental scheduled for June 2026 in Ireland . . . and may have others to plan for.

It's truly a Happy New Year!

Congratulations on being timeshare free. I’ve certainly enjoyed reading your posts over the years and hope to continue to read them. You have plenty to contribute without owning a timeshare. I’ve been a member of TUG as a non owner for years and still get plenty of great tips and tricks as I still rent timeshares here and there. Timeshare are wonderful to rent along with the camping, cruising and renting other accommodations along the way. You may find how much you can travel without MF and special assessments dogging you yearly. That money is now in your control which means you now control your vacations. Happy travels!

 

[jules54]

Congrats and please yes continue to post on the boards. Over the years I have read some many of your posts. I’m not on Tug as much as I used to be but still think it is so worth every Penny I have ever put into membership.
I‘ve had several Wyndham Affliate contracts expire over the last 5 years which dropped me from a Platinum owner with 1,600,000 pts down to a regular member with 600,000 pts all resale. Unfortunately the changes in Wyndham for the last several years have not been for the good of the large point owners. We have also bought a larger toy hauler camper that cost more than my first 3 homes lol.

You are such a wonderful asset to this chat board please continue to post. Happy Travels

 

[mimi598]

I think we all learn from everyone who's been long time owners so glad you're sticking around! And am I allowed to throw out here that if anyone ever needs help with cruise planning, I'm a travel agent and we often get special rates that aren't available to the public.

 

[Timeshare Von]

I think we all learn from everyone who's been long time owners so glad you're sticking around! And am I allowed to throw out here that if anyone ever needs help with cruise planning, I'm a travel agent and we often get special rates that aren't available to the public.

Good to know . . . I may be back in touch

 

[Timeshare Von]

You made the newsletter too!!! Congrats!!!

​	40 Years Worth of Timesharing!​ What an incredible journey from this “OG” TUGGER who after 40 years says goodbye to her last timeshare!

WOW . . . thank you Brian for the special shout out!

 

[Timeshare Von]

Congrats and please yes continue to post on the boards. Over the years I have read some many of your posts. I’m not on Tug as much as I used to be but still think it is so worth every Penny I have ever put into membership.
I‘ve had several Wyndham Affliate contracts expire over the last 5 years which dropped me from a Platinum owner with 1,600,000 pts down to a regular member with 600,000 pts all resale. Unfortunately the changes in Wyndham for the last several years have not been for the good of the large point owners. We have also bought a larger toy hauler camper that cost more than my first 3 homes lol.

You are such a wonderful asset to this chat board please continue to post. Happy Travels

Thank you for your kind words! I have always enjoyed sharing information and hopefully, helping others. I remember when I was viewed as the "fixed weeks queen" with my old Fairfield/Wyndham weeks at Kingsgate & Flagstaff. They were amazing traders BITD.

 

[Timeshare Von]

Congratulations on being timeshare free. I’ve certainly enjoyed reading your posts over the years and hope to continue to read them. You have plenty to contribute without owning a timeshare. I’ve been a member of TUG as a non owner for years and still get plenty of great tips and tricks as I still rent timeshares here and there. Timeshare are wonderful to rent along with the camping, cruising and renting other accommodations along the way. You may find how much you can travel without MF and special assessments dogging you yearly. That money is now in your control which means you now control your vacations. Happy travels!

Thanks! Yes I'm looking forward to more creative ways to travel. Up this coming summer . . . 2 weeks as a "CAP" (Camper Assistance Program) volunteer at a state park in Niagara Falls, NY. Two weeks free at a nice lakefront campsite on Lake Ontario for "just being around" and available to others. No set schedule and plenty of free time to go exploring some more. I fell in love with this area last summer and can't want to go back to camp for a more extended period of time with my partner in (travel) crime, my sister Pam.

 

[Fredflintstone]

Thanks! Yes I'm looking forward to more creative ways to travel. Up this coming summer . . . 2 weeks as a "CAP" (Camper Assistance Program) volunteer at a state park in Niagara Falls, NY. Two weeks free at a nice lakefront campsite on Lake Ontario for "just being around" and available to others. No set schedule and plenty of free time to go exploring some more. I fell in love with this area last summer and can't want to go back to camp for a more extended period of time with my partner in (travel) crime, my sister Pam.

Very nice. There are so many innovative ways to travel. I know some KOAs offer free accommodations for just being there too. Not to mention housesitting/pet sitting in desirable places like Hawaii. What I did 5 years ago was, every January, put what I used to pay in MFs every year, into an investment account. The investments have done very well over the years and now I have thousands in income to travel with. Once my health improves, I plan to keep the trips going which I think will be later this year. Talking about events (like health) MFs are due whether you can go or not. Those weeks/points can expire at some point whereas cash is always good. No more exchange fees. No more club dues. Just pure cash generating income to use for travel.

The more you explore, the more options you will find.

Almost forgot. If you are flexible it’s amazing how many timeshare weeks in awesome places you can rent cheap. I can’t tell you how many owners I have rented from who offered their week very reasonable just to recoup a bit of their MF. They were just happy to find someone to rent to instead of throwing all their MF money away. It’s a win, win.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Timeshare Von]

Very nice. There are so many innovative ways to travel. I know some KOAs offer free accommodations for just being there too. Not to mention housesitting/pet sitting in desirable places like Hawaii. What I did 5 years ago was, every January, put what I used to pay in MFs every year, into an investment account. The investments have done very well over the years and now I have thousands in income to travel with. Once my health improves, I plan to keep the trips going which I think will be later this year. Talking about events (like health) MFs are due whether you can go or not. Those weeks/points can expire at some point whereas cash is always good. No more exchange fees. No more club dues. Just pure cash generating income to use for travel.

The more you explore, the more options you will find.

Almost forgot. If you are flexible it’s amazing how many timeshare weeks in awesome places you can rent cheap. I can’t tell you how many owners I have rented from who offered their week very reasonable just to recoup a bit of their MF. They were just happy to find someone to rent to instead of throwing all their MF money away. It’s a win, win.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

First . . . I hope your health improves and you can resume travel and the life you desire.

I have seen the housesitting/petsitting gigs and have considered joining Trusted House Sitter . . . but haven't yet because I don't really have a travel window to fill. DH and I first learned of such while on vacation in Orlando. We were at a dinner show with a couple from England who were spending the winter living in a family's home for 6 months while they were doing their own world-wide travel adventure. I thought at the time "Now THAT'S a cool gig!" (for when I'm retired).

 

[SandyPGravel]

You will always be Timeshare Von to me (your rental contract is the one I use, so thank you for that).

@Timeshare Von

Can someone point me to where I could find a rental contract template? I looked in the stickies under renting, but didn't see anything. I'm renting one of my units to a friend/co-worker, but want everything to be clear up front.

 

[TUGBrian]

@Timeshare Von

Can someone point me to where I could find a rental contract template? I looked in the stickies under renting, but didn't see anything. I'm renting one of my units to a friend/co-worker, but want everything to be clear up front.

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are a number of them in the advice section.

 

[gpj555]

Welcome to the Rent do not Buy Club of time share Users. It gets mixed reviews here on TUG in my experience. Fair Winds on Following Sea's in all your travels!