Help me, help my parents!

[lanemarie]

Hello,

My parents are in thier 60's and about 10 years ago purchased a TS in the dominican republic for $25k, They love it and go thier every year.

I recently purchased my first timeshare in VT with my parents for $1 for use every year during a shoulder season to visit with family....

The reason I am reaching out to you is because, my parents mentioned that they went to a marriot sales pitch and were thinking of taking the plunge on buying another timeshare through marriot possibly in florida....I would like any advise on what to look for and how I can assist them.

They have money, so for them they would probably pay developer prices...I am determined to get them a deal and I think if I have the knowledge to help them they will listen to me about a resale...

But again I know nothing about the marriot system.

Thanks

 

[ilene13]

Marriott is not selling weeks only points, except in Aruba.

 

[LAX Mom]

Welcome to TUG!

If your parents want a Marriott timeshare in Florida to use every year, they definitely should purchase resale. The best bargains are on ebay, but you could also look on the classified ads on TUG and redweek.

If they will be using the timeshare (not exchanging for other destinations) there is no advantage to purchase from Marriott. If they want flexibility and shorter stays than one week then they might be interested in Marriott's new Destination Club points.

 

[rrlongwell]

Hello,

My parents are in thier 60's and about 10 years ago purchased a TS in the dominican republic for $25k, They love it and go thier every year.

I recently purchased my first timeshare in VT with my parents for $1 for use every year during a shoulder season to visit with family....

The reason I am reaching out to you is because, my parents mentioned that they went to a marriot sales pitch and were thinking of taking the plunge on buying another timeshare through marriot possibly in florida....I would like any advise on what to look for and how I can assist them.

They have money, so for them they would probably pay developer prices...I am determined to get them a deal and I think if I have the knewledge to help them they will listen to me about a resale...

But again I know nothing about the marriot system.

Thanks

Your parents worked hard for their money, if they can afford it let them do what they want. Why do some people buy a KIA and some people buy top line sports cars? I would think you primary interest would be how to structure it. You might want to talk to an Estate Attorney for your answers.

 

[FractionalTraveler]

You have already purchased resale in VT so purchasing resale in FL should be within your comfort zone. I would recommend going for a resale with affordable MF since you and your parents already own two.

Best of Luck!

 

[RX8]

Why do some people buy a KIA and some people buy top line sports cars?.

No need to bring KIA into this. Why not give the advice to buy the same top of the line sports car BUT at 50% of what the dealer (developer) is selling it for?

Most people who have any wealth obtained it by being financially smart. Why spend more money than you have to?

 

[BJRSanDiego]

Buy resale for Florida

Welcome to TUG!

If your parents want a Marriott timeshare in Florida to use every year, they definitely should purchase resale. The best bargains are on ebay, but you could also look on the classified ads on TUG and redweek.

If they will be using the timeshare (not exchanging for other destinations) there is no advantage to purchase from Marriott. If they want flexibility and shorter stays than one week then they might be interested in Marriott's new Destination Club points.

I agree totally. I'm in my 60's also.

For Florida, they have lots and lots of timeshares. They are selling for pennies on the dollar. If you folks plan to use the timeshare they should buy resale (ebay, etc.). If they are in to short vacations, and trading to lots of new locations, then buying direct from Marriott may make sense.

I bought my first timeshare in Maui for $800. 10 years earlier the same unit was selling for $45,000. I bought my second timeshare (Marriott) for $300. Marriott was selling them for around $25K (I think). The only thing that I didn't get as a resale buyer was points with the second timeshare (with Marriott). But we bought where we want to vacation. Also, we are not interested in short vacations. So, if we trade, we stay a week. Also, we benefit from the Marriott preference. That is a reallllllly big benefit from buying into Marriott.

Good luck

 

[KathyPet]

Marriott is not selling weeks only points, except in Aruba.

Weeks are being sold at St. Kitts

 

[MALC9990]

develepors prey on the elderly

As a sixty something I do not think I am elderly!

 

[rapmarks]

As a sixty something I do not think I am elderly!

Yes, i still am in shock over that statement!

 

[lanemarie]

I agree, my parents aren't elderly, they won't be "elderly" until thier 80's.

Thanks for the information, I agree that although they do have money I want them to get a deal. My parents always pay full price for things and it drives me crazy because I always look for a deal. honestly the mark up on retail is crazy when you can find the exact same thing "used" for half off.

I will not encourage them to buy from a developer!

with that being said. If I understand correctly it would be points I would be looking for in regards to marriot?

any more advise I would welcome!

thanks

 

[ilene13]

As a sixty something I do not think I am elderly!

Me too. I still run around after high school students daily( I am an AP)!!!!!

A private resale would be weeks, Marriott would be points.

 

[Clark]

Yes, "Destination Points" are what they are selling.

They can use their points to go to any Marriott they want to go to, assuming they have enough points in hand for that particular resort.

It's an expensive program, but suits some people that exchange often. For people going always to the same place, it is a poor deal compared to buying a resale.

There is no resale market for points. Once they buy the points, if they for some reason could no longer travel, there is no organized market in which to "sell" them (that will probably eventually change)

 

[Quilter]

What about the recent promo for a resale week + DC points? The Mountainside combination looked like a decent deal to me for someone entering the system who wanted flexibility. What do others think about such promotions?

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167354

 

[sparty]

What about the recent promo for a resale week + DC points? The Mountainside combination looked like a decent deal to me for someone entering the system who wanted flexibility. What do others think about such promotions?

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167354

I like the DC a lot and would recommend it. Personally what I think is the best option for someone coming in is to get the minimum beneficial interests (6) which is 1,500 pts and then rent whatever points you need for each vacation.

The issue I have with bundles (like the example link given) is the minimum purchase requirements are pretty steep.

 

[m61376]

I like the DC a lot and would recommend it. Personally what I think is the best option for someone coming in is to get the minimum beneficial interests (6) which is 1,500 pts and then rent whatever points you need for each vacation.

The issue I have with bundles (like the example link given) is the minimum purchase requirements are pretty steep.

Maybe it's me, but I think f my only entry into the system was 1500 points and I needed to arrange for point rentals prior to every trip I'd hate the system in short order. I'd recommend just renting units before I'd do that, but of course that's just my opinion.

I'd recommend a resale week. Perhaps a 3BR at Grande Vista- the 3BR would really up the trade value when looking for higher demand trades, or they could split it into a 2BR and studio for use and/or trading. And if there are grandkids- or may be some in the future- the 3BR makes for a nice family vacation.

 

[pwrshift]

Buy resale. Avoid DC points like the plague.

 

[funtime]

In my view - the only real way to help them is to line up potential ebay auctions and/or Redweek sales and inquire before they go. If they go to a Marriott presentation in Flirida they are sunk. This is just the group that Marriott would be able to appeal to - the sales people would certainly make them feel like they were not only buying a used car but an inferior used car if they did not buy directly from Marriott. No incentive is worth it for them to attend a presentation. And if they buy on ebay and do not like it the expense will probably be low enough that they will lose little or anything at sale time. Also the Florida club should help them if they buy resale as well. Lastly, you do not have to be their sole source of information. Have them join TUG. Funtime

 

[larryallen]

If money is truly no object then buy the points from Marriott. You pay HIGH retail but you get all the perks of owning the points. If you have any common sense to you then buy resale. It's really simple.

The guy above analogizing to buying a Kia is inaccurate. It's more like buying a new car v. a used car. A used car is pretty much the same thing as a new one but not exactly.

 

[lanemarie]

Thanks! I will show them this thread and introduce them to tug:rofl:

 

[paluamalia]

60s is not elderly

 

[4Reliefnow]

Marriott Resale in Florida

you can find fantastic properties in Florida for $5,000 Platinum or less. I like Grande Vista and Tug reviews are very high on Cypress Harbor.

Why not try before you buy, try several times. You can rent weeks on TUg for around $1,000 to $1,200 for most of the Florida Properties. You can get a Potential Buyer trip to Oceana Palms(stay at ocean Point and tour Oceana) or Crystal Shores in Naples for a very reasonable price - I think $95/night one bedroom. Maybe even get Lakeshore Reserve tour / trip

I would also recommend you rent at the Hyatt Coconut Plantation to compare Marriott with Hyatt. I think the Hyatt point system is far and away superior to Marriott new purchase trust points.

A Trust Points purchase for a platinum week is around $40,000 to $50,000 with maintenance of $1,600 to $2,000. What are you nuts? You can buy two of the best weeks in Florida Marriott or Hyatt and have money left over for five years of maintenance fees.

PM me if you want the names and contact info for three places where I bought Platinum Marriott weeks for under $7,000. I have a lead on a great Hyatt week 8 (weeks and units at Hyatt are fixed, and trade-able six months in advance)

David