Has anyone noticed eBay listings of Marriott TS are down.

[SkyBlueWaters]

I remember the good ole days when I could have had a 3 br Platinum GV or a Platinum unit in Crystal Shores for pennies on the dollar. I have my fair share of regrets because I hesitated to hit the bid button at the right time because I thought these deals would just keep coming, and I was taking my sweet time.

Rcently, keen on acquiring some more units from both coasts, I find very little offered now on eBay. Just one page was offered the other day, and not really the properties I was interested in or the season. Most units are sold by brokers or owners on the more or less established sites like here, myresortnetwork or redweek. Has the secondary market evolved or matured into a more established one or are there simply less people selling because most of us have cleaned up on the Marriott TS? Anyone have similar observations or a theory? If anyone thinks the good days are over, I'd better move fast before these go out of my reach. I've had my heydey in purchasing bargain basement timeshares.

 

[GregT]

If anyone thinks the good days are over, I'd better move fast before these go out of my reach.

I think the days of the cheapo Platinum and High Quality Gold for pennies are gone (for now), and think current pricing will be here for the foreseeable future, until the economy tanks. I do think we may see more weeks listed for sale on eBay when owners get their 2016 MF notices and realize they are wasting money and not using their weeks.

I too think about the 3BR Grande Vista EOY that got away from me -- it was in April 2012 and I got sniped at the buzzer. I think it was $1,800 -- wow. Around then, I wrote this post, which turned out to be true (although I was off by a year ). But also reading this post, HGVC prices subsequently fell again when ROFR ceased, so I am a proponent that ROFR exercise definitely props up resale prices. But I am skeptical that we will ever return to the days when Marriott ceases ROFR exercise -- but perhaps certain properties will be more likely to pass ROFR.

With respect to your original question, I think you should keep bidding selectively and only pay what the week is worth to you. Redweek.com can be a great avenue to make low-ball bids and hope something connects.

Best,

Greg

 

[dhstache]

Redweek is Premier site, eBay is $$$$

Redweek is the premier site for Timeshare Rentals and Resales and far outpaces eBay for Timeshare Sales. Plus, eBay charges a % fee for the sale to the seller, and Redweek has a flat annual membership fee. There are lots of resales available across the board, but no where near the values from 5-7 years ago.

 

[VegasBella]

Redweek is the premier site for Timeshare Rentals and Resales and far outpaces eBay for Timeshare Sales. Plus, eBay charges a % fee for the sale to the seller, and Redweek has a flat annual membership fee. There are lots of resales available across the board, but no where near the values from 5-7 years ago.

How do you know this? Where are stats available?
I'm not doubting you. I'm just curious.

 

[rickandcindy23]

How do you know this? Where are stats available?
I'm not doubting you. I'm just curious.

Yes, that was a strange post and doubt many people have success selling on Redweek. I have seen ridiculous prices at Redweek. Ridiculous. The misinformation on value of a timeshare resale is astonishing!

 

[GregT]

Yes, that was a strange post and doubt many people have success selling on Redweek. I have seen ridiculous prices at Redweek. Ridiculous. The misinformation on value of a timeshare resale is astonishing!

I agree, but I've bought several timeshares off of Redweek by offering the seller the amount that a recent eBay auction closed out. Each time, I've offered a link to the closed auction as evidence.

Best,

Greg

 

[suzannesimon]

I love Redweek and have purchased 5 weeks there. There are some crazy prices, true, but there are also some motivated sellers. The larger resorts usually have a lot of listings, and prices are all over the place. I've always been able to find what I want in a short period of time at a fair price. I'm not looking to steal something, however. I also think the days of a great deal on a high-value week on EBay are gone. ROFR has ended that.

 

[mjm1]

I agree that redweek is a good source. We bought two of our units through them. Bought one through eBay too.

Mike

 

[JudyS]

I remember the good ole days when I could have had a 3 br Platinum GV or a Platinum unit in Crystal Shores for pennies on the dollar. I have my fair share of regrets because I hesitated to hit the bid button at the right time because I thought these deals would just keep coming, and I was taking my sweet time....

Don't feel too regretful, because if you had tried to purchase a Marriott at a low price, Marriott might have just exercised their ROFR.

The only Marriott I every tried to buy was from a seller here on TUG, and Marriott exercised ROFR. Very frustrating. Since then, I have stuck to timeshares that do not have ROFR. I'm only interested in real bargains, and with name-brand timeshares that have ROFR, bargains often get bought back by the developer.

 

[AlmostRetired]

This year I rebalanced my timeshare portfolio by adding a couple of Marriotts and giving away a good trading non Marriott. When I was looking to purchase I used Tug, Redweek and eBay as potential sources. No matter what the source, I had a price in mind and I stuck to it. I felt most comfortable with both Tug and Redweek though I am in the process of closing an EOYO at the Chateau purchased on EBay. The eBay process is going smoothly. The seller felt my low price had a 90% chance of passing ROFR and it did. It was closer to the 10% ratio discussed on Tug. The Monarch week I purchased was directly from an owner. I picked it up at 60% of the asking price. The Monarch has no ROFR.

I gave away a non Marriott timeshare using Tug. The timeshare was a good trader. If you price it correctly or are giving away a good trader, I believe Tug has the most timeshare educated membership to understand this.

I continue to look for additional weeks that fit my criteria.

To the OP's question, in looking at eBay on and off for the past year, I am see no real change.....a lot of off season at low prices, some gold and platinum at reasonable prices. I would purchase from eBay again but I am no more comfortable unless it was from the same seller.

 

[jme]

I've purchased two Marriott resales on the open market within the last 3 years. My idea is that it doesn't matter where you find them listed, you simply use those sources to begin negotiations. I echo the OP's assertion that the number of Marriott timeshare resales has diminished, and that the prices for the "preferable weeks at preferable resorts" have increased. I bought mine at the bottom of the resale market, but that was dumb luck.

The perceived value of the better ones has increased a lot (even here on TUG), since many are using their timeshares now with increased creativity...... for instance buying cheaper resale weeks and either occupying them or renting them (to offset maintenance fees), while trading in their legacy enrolled weeks for points (since resales cannot be used for points), creating a nice mix for whatever purpose.

For my resales, I searched Redweek, TUG, Ebay, and other random listings by brokers online to find out what was for sale. Then I went to work to negotiate. I have no problems with buying anything on Ebay----one of my two resale purchases was from Ebay, and the process was fine. Ebay provides a history of the seller that is easily researched, and you can talk to the seller and the recommended closing company--- you must exercise due diligence in order to feel comfortable. The sellers on Ebay need to keep a clean record, so they know they must remain on the up-and-up to continue, so I think that shouldn't stop anyone from going to Ebay. The process may take a couple of months longer sometimes, but for the price, it's still worth it. The goal is to get a cheaper upfront cost, so why not?

 

[AlmostRetired]

I echo the OP's assertion that the number of Marriott timeshare resales has diminished, and that the prices for the "preferable weeks at preferable resorts" have increased. I bought mine at the bottom of the resale market, but that was dumb luck.

I have been following three resorts with platinum lockouts on eBay...Grand Vista (2 and 3 BR EOY) , Grand Chateau (2 and 3 BR EOY) and Canyon Villas the last few months so my view is limited and the sample size not huge.

I just purchased a Grand Chateau EOY 2 Bedroom for $1725 on eBay that is in for recording as we speak. This included all closing costs. I missed a 2 bedroom Canyon Villas EOY at $2750 back in late August. This also included all closing costs. I didn't bid on a couple of annual Vista's though I believe they went for about $4500.

Of the three, I have not been to the Chateau. I am using the Chateau as a trader but I consider all three "preferable resorts". I can't comment on before I started looking so these may in fact be increased prices but I have not seen price movement in the last few months on eBay.

Pricing aside, I only know what I purchased passed ROFR.

 

[mclyne]

Frenchman's Cove in St. Thomas has no ROFR

 

[jme]

I have been following three resorts with platinum lockouts on eBay...Grand Vista (2 and 3 BR EOY) , Grand Chateau (2 and 3 BR EOY) and Canyon Villas the last few months so my view is limited and the sample size not huge.

I just purchased a Grand Chateau EOY 2 Bedroom for $1725 on eBay that is in for recording as we speak. This included all closing costs. I missed a 2 bedroom Canyon Villas EOY at $2750 back in late August. This also included all closing costs. I didn't bid on a couple of annual Vista's though I believe they went for about $4500.

Of the three, I have not been to the Chateau. I am using the Chateau as a trader but I consider all three "preferable resorts". I can't comment on before I started looking so these may in fact be increased prices but I have not seen price movement in the last few months on eBay.
Pricing aside, I only know what I purchased passed ROFR.

ROFR is such an ethereal entity. I've seen or heard of widely varying results for the same week at the same resort, so anyone simply needs to offer what they can and not worry about rejection.......just try again later. A buyer might be surprised as to what passes eventually.

I haven't followed pricing lately but I do concur that your list includes some of the best weeks possible for resale purchase because of the heightened value in options, trading being a good one. BocaBoy likes the Grand Chateau option and I can't disagree. The Grande Vista will remain another great choice, particularly the 3BR.

The deals are still out there for anyone who is patient, if the price initially seems exorbitant. All listed prices are negotiable, and the longer they sit, the more motivated the seller becomes. A last-and-final low offer is sometimes entertained and accepted. One I purchased sat for 5 months, and my offer price was finally accepted without my increasing it. Problem is, when someone wants an extra resale week, they sometimes become too impulsive and don't want to wait. I was like that but decided to hold firm, glad I did. I would't quibble over $500-800, let's say, but get it when it's what you feel it's worth. In the long run, a great week like that will be a joy.

 

[BocaBoy]

I haven't followed pricing lately but I do concur that your list includes some of the best weeks possible for resale purchase because of the heightened value in options, trading being a good one. BocaBoy likes the Grand Chateau option and I can't disagree. The Grande Vista will remain another great choice, particularly the 3BR

Actually, I love the 3BR option at Grand Chateau because it locks off into a 2BR and a 1BR, not a studio. Although I personally don't care much for Grande Vista, I concur that the Grande Vista 3BR is also a very valuable commodity for trading. Grand Chateau gets the nod, however, because the 3BR Grande Vista lock off includes a studio. I don't see any unique value in 2BR or smaller units at either of these resorts.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

Bocaboy,

We were at the Grand Chateau earlier this month in a 2 BR that was at the end of one of the towers. We were a bit surprised about the layout. There was the initial key-card door that opened to a foyer with two other key-card locked doors. One lead to the 1 BR unit and the second lead to the 2 Br. Once we were in the 2 BR, there was no door joining the two units. So, it literally was a 1 BR next to a 2 BR unit. But I agree that for trade purposes that it would trade as a 1 BR and a 2 BR. I was just surprised that there wasn't any adjointing door. I don't know if this is unique to the units at the end of each tower or not.

 

[AlmostRetired]

Actually, I love the 3BR option at Grand Chateau because it locks off into a 2BR and a 1BR, not a studio. Although I personally don't care much for Grande Vista, I concur that the Grande Vista 3BR is also a very valuable commodity for trading. Grand Chateau gets the nod, however, because the 3BR Grande Vista lock off includes a studio. I don't see any unique value in 2BR or smaller units at either of these resorts.

You suggested a 3 BR at the GC in a previous topic I posted on trade value and I liked the logic. I am looking at a 3 BR EOY that I am waiting on because the person did not like my offer. I just picked up a 2 BR at the GC for 1725 inclusive of all closing costs. The GC would just be a trader and my wife thinks I am crazy looking at another unit until we see how this works out. My kids (24 and 27) think I am crazy to even think of trading a vegas week and can't understand how I didn't jump on the 3 BR at the asking price. They already have a cousins trip planned (18 people including spouses, GFs and children) since they need both unit. I am not sure if I picked up a trader or just additional MF's with no additional units for my use.

 

[Fasttr]

My kids (24 and 27) think I am crazy to even think of trading a vegas week and can't understand how I didn't jump on the 3 BR at the asking price. They already have a cousins trip planned (18 people including spouses, GFs and children) since they need both unit.

I think I saw that movie....The Hangover....right??

 

[BocaBoy]

Bocaboy,

We were at the Grand Chateau earlier this month in a 2 BR that was at the end of one of the towers. We were a bit surprised about the layout. There was the initial key-card door that opened to a foyer with two other key-card locked doors. One lead to the 1 BR unit and the second lead to the 2 Br. Once we were in the 2 BR, there was no door joining the two units. So, it literally was a 1 BR next to a 2 BR unit. But I agree that for trade purposes that it would trade as a 1 BR and a 2 BR. I was just surprised that there wasn't any adjointing door. I don't know if this is unique to the units at the end of each tower or not.

You were in the 2BR portion of a 3BR unit, which is actually 2 units behind the outside door. The 3BR units are all at the ends of each hall. The layout is indeed different from the dedicated 2BR and 1 BR units. If you want a connecting door, you have to leave the 2 doors open and use the outside door as the entry door. It is as secure as the entry door of any more typical units.

 

[suzannesimon]

The one time I ever converted my 3 BR at Frenchman's Cove to DP was for a 3BR week at Grande Chateau. The layout was as you described. The bellman got a doorstop to prop the doors open for us. That one bedroom unit was really nice and had a better view than we had in the 2BR side.

 

[TUGBrian]

Redweek is the premier site for Timeshare Rentals and Resales and far outpaces eBay for Timeshare Sales.

bet it doesnt =)

although ive never seen redweek actually provide sales data...so im not sure how this claim is made?

Plus, eBay charges a % fee for the sale to the seller, and Redweek has a flat annual membership fee. There are lots of resales available across the board, but no where near the values from 5-7 years ago.

doesnt redweek charge a significant fee to post an ad on top of the "flat annual fee"?

 

[BocaBoy]

bet it doesnt =)

Bet it does.

 

[larryallen]

I have been using Redweek and Ebay for many years. I have rented from people, rented to people, bought timeshares and gotten close to selling my timeshare recently. I would say Ebay is more hit and miss. Redweek is like a store as they have inventory of almost any option. Just make a low ball offer and you would be surprised what is accepted. Use Ebay closed auctions to determine the bottom and offer that on redweek. Really you would be surprised how little asking prices mean on redweek.

 

[suzannesimon]

$15 for an annual subscription, $25 for a rental ad and $60 for a sale ad. The ads are good for a year. Not bad when you compare to VRBO.

 

[VacationForever]

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