Bluegreen Purchase Final... Now what? ... Timeshare Traveler Episode 183

[Clifbell]

The Bluegreen purchase is now final. But not all the information about the purchase and what the impact will be are publicly available. However, that doesn't mean as owners we shouldn't be thinking about how we can take advantage of this purchase.

Questions arise like... Should I buy Bluegreen for priority access? Which of the 49 locations do I like? Is it fair to say that the owned sites are the ones that will be in HGVMax?

Lots of questions to be considered (and ones I am considering). Since I am considering them, I suspect others are as well. So, I created this video to share my thoughts and experience with the Diamond acquisition so it would help others decide.

Bluegreen Purchase Final... Now what? ... Timeshare Traveler Episode 183

Map of all my timeshare reviews

 

[escanoe]

Would you be willing to describe the "marketing relationship" you mention having with Hilton that makes you "sort of an insider?" What kind of logs do you keep for them? Thanks!

 

[Clifbell]

Would you be willing to describe the "marketing relationship" you describe having with Hilton that makes you "sort of an insider?" What kind of logs do you keep for them? Thanks!

I do a monthly blog... It is mostly written reviews of places I have stayed and mostly represents written reviews vs. video reviews... Quite frankly, I am trying to figure out how to leverage this work for others... Supposed to be treated differently when I arrive at locations, but so far no one has mentioned anything... I think my status matters more at this point(Premier +).

 

[TolmiePeak]

Doesn't seem BlueGreen has many properties on the West coast. Only place of theirs I stayed in was the Manhattan Club 20 years ago.

 

[GT75]

So you have a "marketing relationship" with HGV. So your "reporting" isn't unbiased?

 

[Clifbell]

So you have a "marketing relationship" with HGV. So your "reporting" isn't unbiased?

I agreed to write a monthly blog for them only... Not sure if that bias me... Was hoping I got some perks.. I get no money... I get no free upgrades. I was hoping I would get some insight I could share... So far I don't even get recognized when I visit locations other than my status. I was hoping this would lead me to get a priority ability to stay at recently upgraded rooms for some of the properties Hilton is upgrading (like Point at Poipu or Palm Canyon) and that way I could do the room review for everyone here... But that hasn't happened yet. Of the three timeshare I own, I've always liked Hilton better... No more bias than before.

 

[Clifbell]

Doesn't seem BlueGreen has many properties on the West coast. Only place of theirs I stayed in was the Manhattan Club 20 years ago.

For me, the only two possibilities on the west coast is one in Peoria AZ and the other in Big Bear, CA. Maybe the one in Vegas, but hilton has enough there. I am interested in part if I drive across the country. I will have a lot of properties to stay in.

 

[dioxide45]

I agreed to write a monthly blog for them only... Not sure if that bias me... Was hoping I got some perks.. I get no money... I get no free upgrades. I was hoping I would get some insight I could share... So far I don't even get recognized when I visit locations other than my status.

Have any of the blogs been published yet? Would you be willing to share a link? I didn't see one by you listed on their Expert Advice page where they have had a number of owners writing blogs.

 

[Clifbell]

Have any of the blogs been published yet? Would you be willing to share a link? I didn't see one by you listed on their Expert Advice page where they have had a number of owners writing blogs.

None have been published yet... The first three are room reviews of Palm Canyon in Palm Springs, Scottsdale Links Resort in Scottsdale AZ, and Sedona Summit studio in Sedona AZ. If you search my youtube channel, they are already live... I am curious how much better the reviews will sound after they have been edited. I was interviewed by one of the marketing people when I stated living full time in timeshares and I think that was in the Traveler magazine a year plus ago.

 

[escanoe]

I half expect a major HGV marketing campaign to launch asking everyone to hop on the HGV RV with @Clifbell.

 

[escanoe]

Doesn't seem BlueGreen has many properties on the West coast. Only place of theirs I stayed in was the Manhattan Club 20 years ago.

TMC was not in the BG system when you stayed there. It recently ended up in BG after some litigation against the developer shook things up.

 

[Clifbell]

I half expect a major HGV marketing campaign to launch asking everyone to hop on the HGV RV with @Clifbell.

My "RV" gets 50 miles a gallon now that I have an hybrid .... With all the HGVMax locations it is almost like an "RV".

 

[GT75]

Not sure if that bias me.

Per your statements in the video, "I am part of their marketing team, I go to their reviews, I am somewhat of an insider."

 

[Clifbell]

Per your statements in the video, "I am part of their marketing team, I go to their reviews, I am somewhat of an insider."

Just not sure how much "inside information" I am really getting... I was hopeful, but so far nothing... I was supposed to be recognized as an explorer when I stayed at locations, but so far on the last 4 stays, no one is even aware even though I confirmed with the Marketing team. If I do get some inside information I will share it... I would do this for any of the other timeshares I own, but no one else has asked. But it is true that I am most excited about Hilton over Marriott (Too expensive in my opinion) and Worldmark ( similar to Hilton Club). I am probably no more biased than I already was.

I just don't want people to think that just because I have some inside access, it has not affected my existing bias.

 

[ABCTravels]

Well we appreciate the videos you make as it gives us things to think about and discuss and you are very consistent in your format, which is appreciated. Many people either have videos that are too flashy and annoying or way too slow to be tolerable. Also, you were the first positive information we encountered about timesharing after we made our purchase and you led us to TUG, so we are incredibly grateful to you for that as well. We have grown to love our timeshare and are glad we bought it after all.

 

[Clifbell]

Well we appreciate the videos you make as it gives us things to think about and discuss and you are very consistent in your format, which is appreciated. Many people either have videos that are too flashy and annoying or way too slow to be tolerable. Also, you were the first positive information we encountered about timesharing after we made our purchase and you led us to TUG, so we are incredibly grateful to you for that as well. We have grown to love our timeshare and are glad we bought it after all.

Thank you so much for your comments

 

[TolmiePeak]

Well we appreciate the videos you make as it gives us things to think about and discuss and you are very consistent in your format, which is appreciated. Many people either have videos that are too flashy and annoying or way too slow to be tolerable. Also, you were the first positive information we encountered about timesharing after we made our purchase and you led us to TUG, so we are incredibly grateful to you for that as well. We have grown to love our timeshare and are glad we bought it after all.

Absolutely. I always enjoy watching Cilf's videos. They are filled with factual information than is not hyped or embellished. He comes across as authentic. Too many of the YouTubers are filled with hyperbolic nonsense. Not Clif.

 

[dioxide45]

Absolutely. I always enjoy watching Cilf's videos. They are filled with factual information than is not hyped or embellished. He comes across as authentic. Too many of the YouTubers are filled with hyperbolic nonsense. Not Clif.

What other timeshare related YouTubers are out there? I am only aware of less than a handful of channels dedicated to timeshare videos.

 

[Clifbell]

What other timeshare related YouTubers are out there? I am only aware of less than a handful of channels dedicated to timeshare videos.

Your channel is amazing

 

[Clifbell]

Absolutely. I always enjoy watching Cilf's videos. They are filled with factual information than is not hyped or embellished. He comes across as authentic. Too many of the YouTubers are filled with hyperbolic nonsense. Not Clif.

Thank you... I share what I learn and try to figure out how to get better and better at using my timeshares... I get a lot of good information from TUG. I appreciate everyone who helps me get better at using my timeshare and in return I try to provide just what is needed to help other... TUG is the best.

 

[TolmiePeak]

What other timeshare related YouTubers are out there? I am only aware of less than a handful of channels dedicated to timeshare videos.

I only know/watch Clif's and Destination Timeshare (which I also love). There are many other travel people that talk about timeshares though. Many of the people reviewing Disney Vacation Club are over the top though and full of hyperbole. Our family does love Disney though. There is no way though I would buy into DVC (too expensive) or even stay at their hotels. We even get a 50% discount as my daughter works for them in Orlando. Even so the price is outrageous for their rooms. We prefer to stay at Marriott Cypress Harbour.

 

[dioxide45]

I only know/watch Clif's and Destination Timeshare (which I also love). There are many other travel people that talk about timeshares though. Many of the people reviewing Disney Vacation Club are over the top though and full of hyperbole. Our family does love Disney though. There is no way though I would buy into DVC (too expensive) or even stay at their hotels. We even get a 50% discount as my daughter works for them in Orlando. Even so the price is outrageous for their rooms. We prefer to stay at Marriott Cypress Harbour.

I wasn't even thinking about DVC, I know there are several channels out there about that program. I think The Magic in the Music and DVC Fan channels do a good job with DVC content. Then there are all the DisTubers that talk about DVC in addition to their "regular" stuff. Your comment about "Too many of the YouTubers" made me think there was some plethora of timeshare channels out there that I had somehow missed. I keep looking for more.

As for other travel YouTube channels, I kinda look at them like TripAdvisor reviews for timeshares. Just like many of the people who post reviews on TripAdvisor, they don't really understand how timeshares work. So they really can't convey what's important for timeshare owners vs. just someone paying cash to book into a resort.

I did a test and searched YouTube for "Club Wyndham" and all the stuff that comes up is super negative about sales. Mainly videos about how people felt ripped off or scammed or videos from mainstream or local media discussing the perils of timeshare. I am certainly not trying to discount those videos as they have an important role but there wasn't anything in the initial set of search results that talks about the program itself or how it works. Perhaps now that I own Club Wyndham I need to try and change that.

I am happy to see you like Destination Timeshare

 

[ABCTravels]

There is a lot out there on You Tube about either negative stuff related to time shares or people reviewing properties with super hyped up videos that are so annoying and lacking a lot of factual information. I've also seen a few Hilton specific videos on YouTube where people attempt to figure out how to book/visit properties, but there is no facts or discussion points. I think what makes Cliff's videos interesting is he has topical videos on a wide array of timeshare specific discussion points, versus the other content out there where zero learning occurs.

 

[jp10558]

I'm actually thinking about putting together a youtube channel about "lifestyle" stuff, part of which is going to be travel and of that a large part is enabled by timeshares plus working remote. I think potentially as a working adult instead of retired, though with no kids and who mostly travels with other family members, I might be able to add another perspective. I've noticed on some of my posts here on TUG appreciation of my views on stuff a lot of other reviews miss, like wall plug locations and suitability for stealing a kitchen chair and making a mini workspace with a laptop that isn't the kitchen table. I plan to start trying to also document some more about what you can do "after work" in various locations at various times of the year, and how you can stretch half days or working half a week and half a week of vacation in trips that are neither work nor vacation totally.

I also hope to have the ability to show or at least write some info about trips with my sister and her husband, with my mom, with my cousin and his young kids, and with family friends to have a wide set of "situations" that might prove enlightening for more people in different life circumstances. I know so far I've run into very *few* timeshare discussions that talk about work while travelling. Though I haven't looked at generic work/travel on youtube - I imagine there are more of those.

Anyway, IDK what I'm doing really - I barely know how to cut video together - I was way more a photographer in the past. I also haven't actually tried to upload / create a youtube channel yet so ... Of course if I do end up uploading content (I'm taking some right now both in HHI last week and now in Bay Club II) I'll try and remember to link some here.

You can find my other posts in the various location based timeshare forums, and some basic stuff in TUG reviews too.

 

[dioxide45]

I'm actually thinking about putting together a youtube channel about "lifestyle" stuff, part of which is going to be travel and of that a large part is enabled by timeshares plus working remote. I think potentially as a working adult instead of retired, though with no kids and who mostly travels with other family members, I might be able to add another perspective. I've noticed on some of my posts here on TUG appreciation of my views on stuff a lot of other reviews miss, like wall plug locations and suitability for stealing a kitchen chair and making a mini workspace with a laptop that isn't the kitchen table. I plan to start trying to also document some more about what you can do "after work" in various locations at various times of the year, and how you can stretch half days or working half a week and half a week of vacation in trips that are neither work nor vacation totally.

I also hope to have the ability to show or at least write some info about trips with my sister and her husband, with my mom, with my cousin and his young kids, and with family friends to have a wide set of "situations" that might prove enlightening for more people in different life circumstances. I know so far I've run into very *few* timeshare discussions that talk about work while travelling. Though I haven't looked at generic work/travel on youtube - I imagine there are more of those.

Anyway, IDK what I'm doing really - I barely know how to cut video together - I was way more a photographer in the past. I also haven't actually tried to upload / create a youtube channel yet so ... Of course if I do end up uploading content (I'm taking some right now both in HHI last week and now in Bay Club II) I'll try and remember to link some here.

You can find my other posts in the various location based timeshare forums, and some basic stuff in TUG reviews too.

Sounds great! As for working remotely, timeshare seems to be a perfect option for travel. The past three summers years we have spent six weeks in the desert (Scottsdale and Palm Desert). During those times we work on EDT which allows us to be off work around 1-2pm local time. This gives us much of the afternoon and early evening to do stuff. It does mean early to bed to get up at 4am local time.

Putting a different spin on content is definitely a good way to go about it. Creating videos is time consuming. Not hard, but a lot of time. You really learn as you go and try to improve quality with every video. If there is something I don't know how to do, I just do a YouTube search to find a video about it. You'll need a fairly powerful computer or newer phone to edit on. Just start with the free apps. Window and Mac have them built in(MovieMaker and iMovie). I don't know all that much regarding mobile video editing apps.

As for YouTube, it is something that requires a significant commitment if you really want to make it work and grow a channel. They always say you need to be willing to commit a year and at least 100 videos to know if you are on to something. You don't need to be fancy, many of my best performing videos are just ones where I created a bulleted outline and sat down and talked to the camera (call them "talking head" videos). Actually creating a channel is easy. If you already watch videos while logged in to Google, you have one. You just need to go to YouTube Studio to start uploading. Perhaps one day soon we can add a new channel to this list. If you have any questions, feel free to DM me.