Discussion on Worldmark discovery

[Michael521]

Hi all,
My mother recently (today) signed up for worldmark discovery and received 12000 points for ~2000$. The points last 2 years and do not renew.
We are wondering a few things specifically:
It seems like we don’t have to pay maintenance fees at all. Is that correct?
Additionally, rescinding per the contract (certified mail and all that) seems like a simple way to fix this if it was a really bad idea, but is there something we aren’t considering or is it really just a get out of jail free card?

It seems like this wasn’t toooo bad of a move and maybe it will be a good program for her, but I just want to clear up any lingering doubts and questions. The salesman was very personable but it felt like maybe we didn’t get the whole picture. Thank you in advance!

 

[VacationForever]

The value of one-time use 12K points for existing owners is about $1K to $1.2K (including housekeeping token), so from that perspective, she is overpaying for it. She can treat it as paying $2K to stay at a Worldmark property and be done with it. Since, there is no good reason to buy from Wyndham (Worldmark), even if she likes the experience after staying with 12K points, she needs to look at buying resale.

The discovery package is really not a "program" but rather for her to test out the system.

 

[sue1947]

Rescind. Yes, the sales person was likely very personable or they wouldn't be in sales. Most of them also lie and will say whatever gets you to pay them some money so they can earn their commission. Wyndham (the management and developer for WM) is well known for lies from their sales teams; enough to earn them an "F" from the BBB.
The Discovery package is a way to test out whether you would want to buy into WM. You can do the same thing by renting from an existing owner. You can also learn the ins and outs from other owners here as well as wmowners.com (which is all Worldmark owners and the best source for details on WM).
You can buy 12000 credits (what points are called in WM) for half of that $2000, if not less.
I suggest rescinding on this deal and then rent from an owner and ask questions of other owners on how it all works. That might be via the online forums, or via the hot tub at the resorts. However, it is NEVER from the sales staff/concierge/owner update staff; they are all sales. When you check in for your stay, you can ignore the sales vultures who will insist you need to talk to them for some reason (parking pass etc) but you really don't. Check in, walk by them and ignore them, unplug the phone and enjoy your vacation. Or choose a place that doesn't have a sales presence. Either way, the old saying for timeshare is especially true for any Wyndham managed resort; if their lips are moving, they are lying.