Considering Marriott

[Glynda]

I've always wanted to own a 2/2 (lockoff would be nice) gold or platinum Marriott and am wondering if the declining economy may be putting me into a position to be able to buy one on the resale market ($10,000 tops). I'm uncertain of location, and how much it matters.

It's been about three years since I've even read about the Marriott system and how it works. Is there one place that I can go on the Internet to read a concise description?

Does anyone have any advise?

Thanks.

 

[Dave M]

There are two great sources for info.

One is the Marriott timeshare site.

The other is the FAQs for this forum, which include a ton of info about resorts, maintenance fees, the reservation system, "seasons" at each resort, internal exchange priority, Marriott's ROFR policy, etc. The FAQs are located at the top of the list of topics for this Marriott forum.

 

[camachinist]

Since the economy is in the toilet and my opinion is that Marriott prices will continue to decrease over the next year, I'd suggest just leisurely following the Marriott forum here would serve just fine. By taking your time, you'll have a more intuitive grasp of how the system has worked until now, as well as get up to speed on the changes that are taking place in the marketplace and the MVCI system. No rush, IMO

If travel cost is not an issue for you, buy where you like to vacation. If travel cost is an issue (wildly fluctuating as of late), then buy where you can easily and affordably travel to. That's the advice I got here a number of years ago and I still think it's good advice. In the Marriott system, currently, it's pretty easy to exchange into most any Marriott with a decent interval. So, you could buy near home and exchange on those occasions when your travel interest leads you afar. This is what we do with our NCV intervals (Newport Coast, CA). Easy drive when money is tight and award flights are hard to get; great trader when we want to go somewhere else, like Hawaii next month.

FWIW, within the next year, I think you'll be able to buy NCV platinum for 10K (but it's non-lockoff) and I'll bet many equivilent MVCI resorts will or are going for similar money. That's just amazing. Just two years ago, the same was selling on eBay for twice that price. Lucky you

Pat

 

[tombo]

Read through the posts here on this forum. Many weeks are selling for less than $5000, so you can easily buy a week for under $10,000. Don't jump on anything. Watch e-bay for a while to get an idea of what weeks at locations that interest you are selling for. As cheap as they are now, most of us feel like the prices are going to continue to drop. Marriott has cut back their sales staff and the number of locations with on site sales due to the economy. Marriott is rarely ROFR'ing at any price. Be patient, do some homework reading posts, asking questions, watching e-bay auction prices to the end , and you will get a week (or 2 )for prices that were unheard of a year ago.

 

[Glynda]

Thanks everyone...

Read through the posts here on this forum. Many weeks are selling for less than $5000, so you can easily buy a week for under $10,000. Don't jump on anything. Watch e-bay for a while to get an idea of what weeks at locations that interest you are selling for. As cheap as they are now, most of us feel like the prices are going to continue to drop. Marriott has cut back their sales staff and the number of locations with on site sales due to the economy. Marriott is rarely ROFR'ing at any price. Be patient, do some homework reading posts, asking questions, watching e-bay auction prices to the end , and you will get a week (or 2 )for prices that were unheard of a year ago.

Thanks everyone. I'd most like Aruba Surf Club but am thinking that I might be better off buying in the US. I'm interested in the Newport Coast. But Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach are closest to my home. But I'm not fond of Myrtle Beach, somewhat more so of Hilton Head. But there are so many there that it's confusing. I'll read the Marriott site to refresh my memory from years ago and catch up on what's new.

 

[tombo]

You are on the right track. Research which resort you want to own. If you buy at a resort within driving distance of your home (that you like) you will be fine. If you buy Hawaii or Aruba, and air fares stay high or get higher, you might not be able to afford to go to your home resort (especially when buying 4 or more tickets). Why pay the high MF's that come with Hawaii or Aruba when you might end up trading it for a resort with lower MF's? Own at the lower MF resort and trade into the Hawaii resorts when you want to visit. One of my good friends has traded his Legends Edge PC for Aruba, Maui, and Kauai Marriotts several times. However, if money is tight or he wants to carry friends and family on vacation with him, he can always drive to Panama City in less than 7 hours to stay at his home resort. Good luck and research to be as sure as you can before you buy.

Here are a couple of auctions to watch for Hilton Head resorts:


http://cgi.ebay.com/Marriotts-Harbo...39:1|66:2|65:12|240:1309&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/TIMESHARE-2-BED...39:1|66:2|65:12|240:1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

 

[Zac495]

Depending on which coast you live makes a difference if you want Aruba. We live on the east coast and the air is affordable (NOT saying cheap). Hawaii - now that's out of the question without FF miles (we're going this year - yah - but it's not going to happen again anytime soon). Aruba seems easier to get with trades lately. I can see Aruba with my Aruba (it's deposited). I also own Manor Club which I haven't tried to trade with yet. But when I play around with II, I can see Aruba with Manor.

Still - I'm so glad I own Aruba because view is KEY for us there. Also, being a teacher, I need to travel in the summer, and summer is gold with Aruba.

I stayed at Barony - nice, but I hear Grand Ocean is better. (Hilton Head properties). They're the fanciest on HH, but there are many others - you are correct. They are 2 of the 3 ocean properties - also Monarch which is older.

I agree with others. Take your time. I'm sure the resale price I got 2 years ago is higher than it would be now.

 

[tombo]

Some lucky people live in markets with Jet Blue and competition which gives the consumer decent air fares. I am not one of the lucky ones. I used to own 3 Hawaii weeks and I sold all of them this year as air fares increased. I currently own a week in Aruba and the cheapest air fare from my area (Mississippi) is about $1000 round trip per person, and that includes flights leaving from Atlanta which is a 5 hour drive from my house. At close to $2000 for 2 plus the MF's, it is expensive right now. Last year I could fly to Aruba for around $1200 for 2. That extra $800 could have paid for a lot of meals and drinks in the past. If you are traveling with 4 then it would be almost $4000 for air fare alone. You could take that $4000 and drive to Hilton Head, eat every meal out, rent jet skis etc, and still come home with some of that $4000 in your pocket. For $4000 you could go to Orlando and go to Disney, Sea World, and Universal with a family of 4, eat all meals out, and still spend less than $4000. I am going to Aruba in 2009, but trips involving overseas flights might become an every now and then vacation for me instead of several times a year due to the increased air costs.

 

[mish]

I live in the Northeast, and own at the Marriott Surfwatch in Hilton Head. It's a great place to vacation, whether you're looking for activities or just sitting around a pool or beach. The trade value has been wonderful with II, so I've been able to enjoy other areas. I believe what was said above, find a place that you like, and one that can be traded easily for a more extravagant vacation. If airfare continues to rise, travelling distances may not be affordable.
Mish

 

[CLIFFTOPS]

Two bedrooom platinum grande vista orlando about to be sold on ebay for $5000 or less!
this is what you are looking for to get in marriott system.

 

[dioxide45]

Two bedrooom platinum grande vista orlando about to be sold on ebay for $5000 or less!
this is what you are looking for to get in marriott system.

That week ended up selling for $4520. A real steal for a platinum 2BR MGV.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300266110482

 

[CLIFFTOPS]

sold for $4500. this is several thousand less than any previous platinum annual 2bd g/v i have seen.
will rorf be exercised by marriott?

 

[dioxide45]

sold for $4500. this is several thousand less than any previous platinum annual 2bd g/v i have seen.
will rorf be exercised by marriott?

Marriott may grab it. I don't see that they have a lot of GV inventory especially platinum season. The do have two other resorts in Orlando in active sales though and with the economy they may let anything pass.

 

[thinze3]

MGV is still a resort in demand despite its size and age. I suspect it will be bought back by Marriott.


Terry

 

[Glynda]

Which...

Some lucky people live in markets with Jet Blue and competition which gives the consumer decent air fares. I am not one of the lucky ones. I used to own 3 Hawaii weeks and I sold all of them this year as air fares increased. I currently own a week in Aruba and the cheapest air fare from my area (Mississippi) is about $1000 round trip per person, and that includes flights leaving from Atlanta which is a 5 hour drive from my house. At close to $2000 for 2 plus the MF's, it is expensive right now. Last year I could fly to Aruba for around $1200 for 2. That extra $800 could have paid for a lot of meals and drinks in the past. If you are traveling with 4 then it would be almost $4000 for air fare alone. You could take that $4000 and drive to Hilton Head, eat every meal out, rent jet skis etc, and still come home with some of that $4000 in your pocket. For $4000 you could go to Orlando and go to Disney, Sea World, and Universal with a family of 4, eat all meals out, and still spend less than $4000. I am going to Aruba in 2009, but trips involving overseas flights might become an every now and then vacation for me instead of several times a year due to the increased air costs.

I'm seeing the logic of purchasing closer to home. These vacations are ones that we would like to take our daughter/SIL/granddaughter along and of course, we would be footing the bill for all.

Which really nice resorts in Hilton Head and Florida would present us with the best opportunity to trade into top places within Marriott and II?

 

[gores95]

I'm seeing the logic of purchasing closer to home. These vacations are ones that we would like to take our daughter/SIL/granddaughter along and of course, we would be footing the bill for all.

Which really nice resorts in Hilton Head and Florida would present us with the best opportunity to trade into top places within Marriott and II?

On HHI the top 3 would be Grande Ocean, Surfwatch and Barony Beach. Don't forget OceanWatch in Myrtle which is another very nice resort and close to you (though probably farther than HHI). The top three Marriott resorts in Orlando would be Grande Vista, Cypress Harbour and Horizons. All of these lists are IMHO by the way!!!

One of the links above for the Grande Ocean eBay auction was for a BRONZE week (beginning of Dec & Jan). I wouldn't think this a very good time to visit HHI especially if you like swimming in the ocean!

 

[Glynda]

Lock-offs

On HHI the top 3 would be Grande Ocean, Surfwatch and Barony Beach. Don't forget OceanWatch in Myrtle which is another very nice resort and close to you (though probably farther than HHI). The top three Marriott resorts in Orlando would be Grande Vista, Cypress Harbour and Horizons. All of these lists are IMHO by the way!!!

One of the links above for the Grande Ocean eBay auction was for a BRONZE week (beginning of Dec & Jan). I wouldn't think this a very good time to visit HHI especially if you like swimming in the ocean!

If I recall correctly, the HHI resorts listed above don't have lockoffs. Does Myrtle Beach? Ohhhhh! But I really don't like Myrtle Beach and have NO desire to go there again. Been there, done that... for most of my young adult life.

What about Florida?

 

[Pens_Fan]

What is a good price for a Barony Beach 2 bedroom?

 

[gores95]

If I recall correctly, the HHI resorts listed above don't have lockoffs. Does Myrtle Beach? Ohhhhh! But I really don't like Myrtle Beach and have NO desire to go there again. Been there, done that... for most of my young adult life.

What about Florida?

Grande Vista and Horizons have lockoffs I am pretty sure. Cypress Harbour does NOT have lockoffs.

 

[jgunter100]

If Marriott buys a unit using their right to buy first, does the person who was to purchase loose the money they put up to buy?

 

[tombo]

You get all of your money back if Marriott ROFRs. They are rarely using ROFR now and if you want a week, buy it as cheaply as you can and don't worry about ROFR. If Marriott steals the week there will be many more for sale in the months to come, and probably for a much cheaper price than the last few went for. Marriott has too much of their own inventory that they can't sell to be buying more inventory. Buy it as cheaply as you can and if Marriott happens to steal it from you simply buy another one for as cheap or cheaper. Repeat the process until they don't ROFR.

 

[AwayWeGo]

Until They Don't Roffer? Shux, Isn't Roffer A Buyback Guarantee?

Marriott has too much of their own inventory that they can't sell to be buying more inventory. Buy it as cheaply as you can and if Marriott happens to steal it from you simply buy another one for as cheap or cheaper. Repeat the process until they don't ROFR.

Shux, all the Roffer fans say ROFR props up resale prices, establishes a floor price for resales, & guarantees that the timeshare company will step in & buy if the resale price ever goes too low.

You don't suppose all that is pure baloney, do you ?

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[tombo]

Shux, all the Roffer fans say ROFR props up resale prices, establishes a floor price for resales, & guarantees that the timeshare company will step in & buy if the resale price ever goes too low.

You don't suppose all that is pure baloney, do you ?

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

The prices are at all time lows and still falling. No propping occurring, no floor price established, no guarantees, simply the free market system at work. The selling price is whatever a seller can get a buyer to pay, even if that price is $330 or less. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260298257236

Facts is facts!