Is it ever a good idea to get a Timeshare?

[bbodb1]

What do you mean a hard sell? I don’t go to presentations, don’t sign up for free gifts. Unplug the phone in the room don’t answer the door unless I know who is there. I wear my TUG tee shirt. Don’t need anymore weeks! Thanks for the heads up though!
Silentg

The hard sell we experienced was at check in of all places - they tried everything to get me to sign up for owner update before giving me my parking pass. I did write about this in one of the reviews.

 

[sandkastle4966]

I love my timeshares - I have 3 weeks I have never seen - use them just to trade ! I spend Jan and March in the Rockies with those trades and some Wyn points . Just bought 2 weeks (6/7) in a 3 bedroom unit that I have stayed in through trades. spend 3 weeks in the fall in my aruba timeshare (Playa Linda). My kids once had to stay in a hotel for one night before the exchange began. They saw two beds and couldn't figure out where Mom and Dad were staying since they always have their own room and own bed !

My spreadsheet (you need one ) says we bought in 1991, and since them have done 144 weeks exchanges - this doesn't count the Aruba weeks.

I average, including the RCI fees, less than $100 a night, and never less than a full 1 bedroom/kitchen, and at least one or 2 three bedrooms a year.

How can you not love it !

 

[SPG900NY]

At my work, people often ask, "So when's the next trip to Hawaii?" Or "Where are you going this year?" I always smile, because they think of me as a vacationing maniac. I get no more vacation time than they do, but they know I use it to my advantage. When I tell them when and where we're going, they roll their eyes, and say, "Gee, I wish I could go on vacation like you do." I tell them they could, if they wanted to take the time to learn how to do it. They say timeshares are too expensive, and I tell them I get mine on eBay for a dollar. (Many raised eyebrows, and doubtful expressions.)

I explain that the ongoing costs are the same, and the real difference is what you pay to get it. A few have asked how that works, and I've tried to explain how to do it. But most people aren't seriously interested. I think they want it to just happen for them. Timesharing doesn't really work that way. In my experience, you get from it what you put into it. And that's a huge part of the enjoyment: Planning ahead is a large part of the fun for me.

I have gotten this from a few who have asked me about timesharing. Truth is, they already have it in their heads that it's a "ripoff," to quote another poster above. They can ask you how you do it, and you can take the time to explain, but they still look at you like "what's the catch?"

The truth is, there are a lot of catches. You just have to be aware of them because they're pretty much the same catches everywhere. People have already covered them pretty well everywhere else on this site.

I also got my first timeshare for a dollar, and the seller paid the transfer fees and first year maintenance. I ended up trading it at the resort for full value toward something that better suited my family's needs, and I walked away happy because I liked the resort, the salesperson, and the value I got (low annual maintenance for lots of points). Before timeshares, we had taken one full getaway vacation in ten years. Since then, we go every year, and have also exchanged into downtown San Francisco to visit my stepson and daughter-in-law, have gone to the Poconos, and the Cape. Mostly, we love going to our annual getaway in the White Mountains, and we look forward to it every year. It's a guaranteed vacation that we all love, about a seven hour drive from home which keeps the costs down. We have a three-way lockoff, so we use part of it and bank points for the rest and use that for an extra vacation every couple years.

We ended up buying another studio for a buck just for the points at the same resort, and we always have enough points now that I can get a nice exchange vacation for my in-laws every fall to go leaf peeping at our home resort, and they just pay the maintenance on the second unit. They used to spend almost $1K for a hotel room in the Whites for a week every fall. Now they pay ~$450 (they pay the maintenance on the small unit + their guest cert) for a 1BR with a full kitchen, sometimes with an extra bathroom. For our own vacation, after the RCI fee and exchange fees, I'm pretty sure I'm still paying less for a week in the Whites than I would for a hotel room, and I get a couple bedrooms, a couple bathrooms, and an extra kitchen for that. Can't beat it, and it's not the hassle those who look at me funny about timesharing think it must be.

 

[Egret1986]

I love my timeshares - I have 3 weeks I have never seen - use them just to trade ! I spend Jan and March in the Rockies with those trades and some Wyn points . Just bought 2 weeks (6/7) in a 3 bedroom unit that I have stayed in through trades. spend 3 weeks in the fall in my aruba timeshare (Playa Linda). My kids once had to stay in a hotel for one night before the exchange began. They saw two beds and couldn't figure out where Mom and Dad were staying since they always have their own room and own bed !

My spreadsheet (you need one ) says we bought in 1991, and since them have done 144 weeks exchanges - this doesn't count the Aruba weeks.

I average, including the RCI fees, less than $100 a night, and never less than a full 1 bedroom/kitchen, and at least one or 2 three bedrooms a year.

How can you not love it !

Well, maybe I should have had a spreadsheet. Over 34 years owning timeshares (at least 100 or more) and exchanging since day one, I never felt the need to do a spreadsheet. I know that I've received tremendous value over those years and our family had/has the opportunity to go many places and stay in great accommodations.

I'm so glad that we bought that first timeshare in 1984. I learned to use it to my advantage and the rest is history.

Like most of you hardcore timeshare owners, we have had friends, family, colleagues and co-workers marvel at our vacations. Mention timeshares are involved and they make faces, get snarky or become immediately dis-interested. I know in my mind that they will most likely never be able to take vacations like our family has been able to do. They probably aren't good candidates for timeshare ownership anyway. They are probably the first ones that will not do the research prior to attending a sales pitch, buy, not use it and moan and groan about it forever.

I have gotten this from a few who have asked me about timesharing. Truth is, they already have it in their heads that it's a "ripoff," to quote another poster above. They can ask you how you do it, and you can take the time to explain, but they still look at you like "what's the catch?"

The truth is, there are a lot of catches. You just have to be aware of them because they're pretty much the same catches everywhere. People have already covered them pretty well everywhere else on this site.

I also got my first timeshare for a dollar, and the seller paid the transfer fees and first year maintenance. I ended up trading it at the resort for full value toward something that better suited my family's needs, and I walked away happy because I liked the resort, the salesperson, and the value I got (low annual maintenance for lots of points). Before timeshares, we had taken one full getaway vacation in ten years. Since then, we go every year, and have also exchanged into downtown San Francisco to visit my stepson and daughter-in-law, have gone to the Poconos, and the Cape. Mostly, we love going to our annual getaway in the White Mountains, and we look forward to it every year. It's a guaranteed vacation that we all love, about a seven hour drive from home which keeps the costs down. We have a three-way lockoff, so we use part of it and bank points for the rest and use that for an extra vacation every couple years.

We ended up buying another studio for a buck just for the points at the same resort, and we always have enough points now that I can get a nice exchange vacation for my in-laws every fall to go leaf peeping at our home resort, and they just pay the maintenance on the second unit. They used to spend almost $1K for a hotel room in the Whites for a week every fall. Now they pay ~$450 (they pay the maintenance on the small unit + their guest cert) for a 1BR with a full kitchen, sometimes with an extra bathroom. For our own vacation, after the RCI fee and exchange fees, I'm pretty sure I'm still paying less for a week in the Whites than I would for a hotel room, and I get a couple bedrooms, a couple bathrooms, and an extra kitchen for that. Can't beat it, and it's not the hassle those who look at me funny about timesharing think it must be.

That's the benefit. When compared to hotel rates, you'll almost always come out the winner. I don't want to stay in a hotel. When that's been the only option, it's sad to pay those prices when your timeshare stays are so much cheaper! As you state, you also get all those extras that you can't get with a hotel room.

Go ahead, "look at me funny about timesharing." I don't have to convince you. Not my job. You can ask me about my vacation when I get back......staying in a timeshare.

 

[silentg]

It’s hard to stay in a hotel room after a 3 bedroom timeshare, but most hotel rooms have a fridge and microwave and a free breakfast. We stay in a hotel sometimes before our timeshare starts.
Silentg

 

[Egret1986]

It’s hard to stay in a hotel room after a 3 bedroom timeshare, but most hotel rooms have a fridge and microwave and a free breakfast. We stay in a hotel sometimes before our timeshare starts.
Silentg

Yep, sometimes you need to stay in a hotel. We're staying at a hotel for three nights in Albuquerque before heading to our timeshare lodging in Santa Fe. It gives us the opportunity to explore another area vs. doing day trips from the timeshare. I did reserve a Junior Suite in order to have added space. But we will be out all day and have plans for the evenings as well. We're excited!

 

[silentg]

We stayed in Santa Fe in 2010! Was very nice

 

[x3 skier]

I’ve owned 5 timeshares/fractionals over the years. The Allen House in London (Oct annual week), a membership in the Raintree system and three timeshare/fractional in Steamboat Springs. In Steamboat, one is 1 week every month, and two others 6 weeks back to back in ski season.

I used the Allen House every year until the RTU expired and still go every Oct using AirBnB, Hotel points accumulated over 40+ years of frequent travel or cheap (for London) rates I sometimes find at Hilton properties.

The 12 week share in Steamboat is at The Grand and I used it occasionally for a trades but now just use the facilities and leave the unit in the rental pool where it pays for itself. Recent sales show it would sell for more than I paid for it.

The other two 6 weeks units, one acquired at a Sheriff Sale and one at an Estate Sale provided great lodging in peak cost times. I sold one a few years ago to the owner of the other four shares, again more than I paid for it, and now use AirBnB for additional time, depending on my plans.

The only “standard” timeshare I own is Raintree. I almost always use my points for a “warmup week” in Mexico, with an occasional use of other locations.

While not your typical portfolio, all of my purchases were great for my late wife and I and all, except Raintree ($100 resale) are or were worth than the purchase price. We enjoyed all them in the past and I look forward to continuing their use.

All in all, much better than the vacation condo on Seabrook Island I owned for years.

So, there’s lots of variation on timeshares and my particular version suits my needs to a T. Just figure out what will meet your lifestyle and go to the resale market for what you need.

Cheers

 

[Purplesky]

I’ve found a lot of information about how terrible time shares are, but are there any good ones? Is it ever worth it if I’m the type of traveler that doesn’t go to the same place often? I like to go to different places. Or is a vacation club a better idea? Any good ones?

Thank you!

I Purchased my timeshare in 1998 after my dad died and I had a little money. I Purchased a timeshare at a resort that I was already renting from and liked.The resort is 2.5 hours from home. I purchased a resale property. Now this was before the Internet LOL. My thought at the time was we could use it as a family vacation every year and if times got bad at least I would always be able to take my children on vacation. My timeshare resort is in North Carolina and it is right on the beach with a huge waterslide so it is very popular. The other added benefits are having a washer and dryer when your children are small right in your condo and being able to buy groceries. On that note, we also joined RCI and did quite a bit of trading for 10 years or more and are now back at our resort and enjoying that. One added bonus is that since we are owners and have a deeded week, we are able to bring our dog for a small fee. Renters are not allowed to do this. The last couple years, my dog was quite up in age and she could not be left alone so this was a great alternative. My children are now in their 20s so I am on this forum to possibly buy another timeshare and travel more. I have definitely saved a lot of money and have enjoyed being a timeshare owner and having more space than staying in a motel room . I have never regreted my purchase.