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First Post! Westgate "Upgrade" From Resale

A question I have for the OP, are you able to instead exchange through Interval International? How much is the fee to do that as a resale owner? If you can exchange through II, are you able to exchange into other Westgate resorts. We here on TUG don't see many Westgate resale owners in the wild. I would like to understand more about resale restrictions with Westgate from a Westgate owner. We tend to instead see non Westgate owners guessing, hypothesising or just hearsay. I'll send you a DM.
if I was in this position I would probably treat it as an independent property and not use any internal Westgate exchange s. The fees are outrageous.
 
if I was in this position I would probably treat it as an independent property and not use any internal Westgate exchange s. The fees are outrageous.
I think the OP needs to look in to II and if that is an option. I have seen it mentioned that resale owners can't use II, but we have no firsthand reports from a real resale owner. Exchanging through II is much cheaper option, but they may not be able to exchange into other Westgate properties.
 
Hi all, first post here and want to get thoughts on this move:

Initial resale purchase:
- 2019 Florida Westgate Vacation Villas Resort (II Premier)
- 10,000 usd
- 1 week july lockout bi-yearly
- 10 person villa
- 1400 usd maintenance bi-yearly

Upgrade purchase
- 2024 Tennesse Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort (II Elite)
- 20,000 usd
- They would take back the the Florida villa
- 1 week floating bi-yearly
- 12 person, 2 + 1 bdrm (lockout available)
- 1400 usd maintenance bi-yearly

Intention:
- Get out of the ridiculous $700 exchange fee for resale (becomes 249)
- Greater flexibility with the lockout
- Sales really sold me on the trading power on II for an "Elite" resort
- Arguably we already put our foot halfway through the door in 2019 and this move was to put it in all the way and make the best out of our 2019 decision

Thoughts? and hi everyone - first time here, just discovered this forum yesterday and excited to become part of the community
So basically for 20k you go from a resale owner to a retail owner and lose the resale restrictions. That brings your total outlay to 30k.
Losing the restrictions is good. Westgate has very nice resorts and treat retail owners very well.
The problem is you will have a 30k investment with 0 resale value. You should recind and except the 10k loss,get rid of the Westgate somehow and find a great (non westgate) resale that meets your needs and have many great vacations for MUCH less. 10k is much less than some have spent before finding the value of resales!
 
BTW there is no such thing as extra trade power for a premier vs elite in II. After looking at his at darn near every angle, I am reasonably certain that your "trade power" is basically just size (1st) and then TDI. That's it.

Also 20K is so much money to be spending on Westgate. I'd actually use my 20K to 1st liquidate what I had then buy another system.
 
1: since this was an “upgrade” anyone have any experience on what tends to happen to rescinded upgrades - specifically the previous property used in the upgrade (in this case the 2019 orlando)? When you successfully rescind everything goes back to way it was before the purchase. You are refunded 100% and you still own your original timeshare.
2: still at the resort, but the cancel clause involves action items with the main office in orlando; should i just action this when i get home? i really don’t want to ruin the rest of the trip for my family? Follow the instructions exactly as shown in the contract. Send a simply letter, can be handwritten, stating your wish to rescind. You don’t need to state why. Include your names (all parties on the contract), address, contract # (if there is one) and ensure everyone signs. Send certified return receipt and keep copies of everything, including proof of postage date. Date you mailed is the official date of rescission, not when they receive it. Do not go back to sales and do not answer their phone calls. They will use extra pressure and lies trying to get you to change your mind. If you received a tablet or some other gift, and the contract says that you must return it if you rescind, advise them in your letter that you will send that separately and then mail it the cheapest way you can.
3: we’re here through an exchange, though the clause has a bunch of fees saying they can charge us 200+ / night if we decide to cancel… can they actually enforce that even though we’re here through an exchange? The purchase/rescission has nothing to do with your exchange.
4: again thanks for all the help on this! You’re welcome.
Rock solid advice
 
@mdotyabut II does not care if it is resale or not, they want inventory and to have someone use their existing inventory. WG does not care about II on a resale other than to get your $$$. The $700 fee + split fee + plus plus plus is quite expensive.
RE: Trade value. The trade value is based on size of your units, e.g. 2 bd room, location, brand (somewhat but not much), and TDI. Of these the TDI is king followed by size followed by location (in/out) followed by brand. These are truths across all systems with II. Regarding the 'brand' aspect you will find that the ultra premium like Marriott, Hilton, or Four Seasons does have a higher value with II than lesser brands like WG or Bluegreen etc. BUT BUT BUT the biggest deal is the TDI. You will need to have a high TDI to successfully trade.
We own a WG and have successfully traded through II into Maui and Panama City both Marriott's. But the key is a high TDI trade into a lower TDI week. Remember the Timeshare II game is quite different than just calling to book a hotel room. There are several helpful youtube videos to assist you. Resale ownership at WG is fine (IMO) if you return to your home resort each time and avoid trades w/i WG or II.
I agree with other posters re: resale. If your objective is to trade, my advice is to buy resale premium brand, pay up to be made whole (e.g. Marriott is ~$4-5pp), then trade and enjoy!
 
so i actually don't know... truthfully it was just this week that i was made aware of II... and it was only through the sales pitch i was made aware of it... (which led me to this forum so i can say that there was atleast a win in this whole experience lol...)

after this whole rescind will definitely get a hold of II and what that process is for my resale unit and can share that experience here... the extra exchange hypothetical of 700 was what i understood from sales but not confirmed... but i will try and confirm that with all ya'll here when i find out

I saw this: https://www.westgateresorts.com/new...westgate-resorts-extend-30-year-relationship/
 
glad you were able to rescind in time to save 20k!

I have yet to hear of any "trade in" scenario that was a good deal for the owner....vs the salesperson.
 
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