28 years: My how time flies

[dougp26364]

This October will marriage 28 years of timeshare ownership. In that time we’ve owned fixed deeded weeks, floating weeks, lock off units, points systems backed by a deed and trust points. We’ve deeded back 2 weeks. We’ve given away 1 week. Had one resort declare bankruptcy,
taken out of bankruptcy by another system and then eventually go belly up again being taken over by Lemonjuice for rebranding. We’ve used RCI and II for exchanges. We’ve gone from primarily exchanging to find vacation destinations to using internal exchange programs to that reduce costs. We’ve transitioned from booking only 7 night stays to a variety of stays as short as 1 night up to 8 nights. We’ve used points to book stays as if we’re booking hotel rooms. We've seen mergers that have made some systems behemoths while others have ceased to exist.
Along the way there have been many changes but at least one constant. That constant has been TUG, which I’ve used to get advice, give advice and keep me up to date on the current status of timeshare and various timeshare management groups.
Thank you Brian for keeping TUG running. It’s undoubtedly the most complete educational resource available to timeshare owners anywhere in the world.

 

[pedro47]

Dougp26364, Thanks you for all your excellent advice, suggestions and videos over that 28 years of owning timeshare.

 

[Timeshare Von]

This October will marriage 28 years of timeshare ownership. In that time we’ve owned fixed deeded weeks, floating weeks, lock off units, points systems backed by a deed and trust points. We’ve deeded back 2 weeks. We’ve given away 1 week. Had one resort declare bankruptcy,
taken out of bankruptcy by another system and then eventually go belly up again being taken over by Lemonjuice for rebranding. We’ve used RCI and II for exchanges. We’ve gone from primarily exchanging to find vacation destinations to using internal exchange programs to that reduce costs. We’ve transitioned from booking only 7 night stays to a variety of stays as short as 1 night up to 8 nights. We’ve used points to book stays as if we’re booking hotel rooms. We've seen mergers that have made some systems behemoths while others have ceased to exist.
Along the way there have been many changes but at least one constant. That constant has been TUG, which I’ve used to get advice, give advice and keep me up to date on the current status of timeshare and various timeshare management groups.
Thank you Brian for keeping TUG running. It’s undoubtedly the most complete educational resource available to timeshare owners anywhere in the world.

Timeshare has changed a lot, and like you, TUG has made it better (and easier) to stay on top of an evolving industry. And the connections and friendships have been fabulous too! Thank YOU for being part of the wonderful and dynamic community!

 

[moonstone]

@dougp26364 we have you beat by 16 years. We bought our FL week in April of 1982 -bc -before children. We had attended a few timeshare presentations so kind of knew what timesharing was all about. We said no to their first offer but since that was where we wanted to own (in-laws camped less than 1 mile away) we eventually said yes. Our purchase price was $2,500. -not a big financial burden like so many new timeshare purchases are now. Our only regret is not paying the extra $500. for a 2 bedroom, that would have been so much better after having 3 children! We also joined RCI as soon as we could and started using Last Calls and Extra Vacations. Our first EV cost us $99. for the week and it was a 10/8 2 bedroom plus loft townhouse. Yes things have really changed! We have been to so many more places and stayed in so much nicer and more spacious accommodations with a timeshare than we would have if we had needed to rent even a cheap motel efficiency unit.

I am also thankful for finding TUG not long after getting a computer and the internet. A friend suggested searching for groups or websites about things that interested me and that is how I found TUG. I have learned so much from everybody on TUG and will be eternally grateful. Without TUG I may not have known about resale (free) timeshares and also gained lots of information about the points system that we eventually became owners of. I also enjoy reading about other members experiences, suggestions, seeing their videos and reading the reviews.

As Yvonne said, TUG is a wonderful and dynamic community!


~Diane

 

[pedro47]

@dougp26364 we have you beat by 16 years. We bought our FL week in April of 1982 -bc -before children. We had attended a few timeshare presentations so kind of knew what timesharing was all about. We said no to their first offer but since that was where we wanted to own (in-laws camped less than 1 mile away) we eventually said yes. Our purchase price was $2,500. -not a big financial burden like so many new timeshare purchases are now. Our only regret is not paying the extra $500. for a 2 bedroom, that would have been so much better after having 3 children! We also joined RCI as soon as we could and started using Last Calls and Extra Vacations. Our first EV cost us $99. for the week and it was a 10/8 2 bedroom plus loft townhouse. Yes things have really changed! We have been to so many more places and stayed in so much nicer and more spacious accommodations with a timeshare than we would have if we had needed to rent even a cheap motel efficiency unit.

I am also thankful for finding TUG not long after getting a computer and the internet. A friend suggested searching for groups or websites about things that interested me and that is how I found TUG. I have learned so much from everybody on TUG and will be eternally grateful. Without TUG I may not have known about resale (free) timeshares and also gained lots of information about the points system that we eventually became owners of. I also enjoy reading about other members experiences, suggestions, seeing their videos and reading the reviews.

As Yvonne said, TUG is a wonderful and dynamic community!


~Diane

Thank you for that post. Outstanding from a real timeshare owner.