Just barely survived a sales pitch. Now I'm looking to get into HGV the right way.

[Radu43]

Hey timeshare elders,

I recently made it through my first HGV sales pitch (phew!) and while I didn't bite on their retail offer, I'm definitely interested in getting into HGV through the resale market. Looking for some guidance from the community on making a smart first purchase.

I'm targeting 12-18k points annually, and here are my main questions:

MF Stability
* Which resorts have historically maintained stable maintenance fees?
* I've read Las Vegas properties tend to be good, but would love specific recommendations from owners.

Cost Metrics
* What's considered a good maintenance fee to points ratio these days?
* I'm seeing varied numbers online - what should I aim for in 2024?

Shopping Strategy
* Best platforms to monitor for deals? (RedWeek, eBay, etc?)
* How to verify everything is legitimate?
* Any trusted brokers you'd recommend?

Value Adds
* What are some "sweeteners" to look for in a deed?
* Home week advantages?
* Any specific seasons or unit types that offer better value?

I'm committed to doing this the smart way and really appreciate any wisdom you all can share. Promise to pay it forward once I've got some experience under my belt!

Thanks in advance,
Radu

 

[HuskerATL]

First get to know this table, Post in thread '2024 Hilton Grand Vacations Maintenance Fees' https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/2024-hilton-grand-vacations-maintenance-fees.356662/post-2975698

There are two ways to buy; for HW or cheap points. Vegas tends to be stable and lower MFs except Trump which tends to be more expensive.

Look at the total cost so not just purchase price or MFs/pt.

Platinum season will have the best MF/pt by location and unit type but more expensive. It so be easier to dump later also but, some folks like gold seasons for use which tend to be shoulder season. So that is something to think about however, that only matters if you would use the HW, otherwise, it doesn't matter because you would be booking in the club reservation window with everyone else

Look at the TUG marketplace, EBay, Redweek, and Judi K's site plus look at ROFR.net to see past sells.

 

[GT75]

Home week advantages?

This will depend on where and when you want to go. For example, if you want ski winter weeks, it will be best to own there.

I recently made it through my first HGV sales pitch (phew!) and while I didn't bite on their retail offer, I'm definitely interested in getting into HGV through the resale market. Looking for some guidance from the community on making a smart first purchase.

Congratulations. But we need to clear the misconceptions made by the salesperson. If you purchase HGVC, you will only be able use in the HGVC system (or trade in RCI). TSs work best when you can plan and book when the booking windows open. For HGVC, this usually is at the 9-month mark.

 

[GT75]

* What's considered a good maintenance fee to points ratio these days?
* I'm seeing varied numbers online - what should I aim for in 2024?

I only look for platinum season with MFs < 0.1 MF/pt (assuming that I am only purchasing for the pts). Historical MF data is at hgvcmfs.com along with reports of best MF/pt ratios.

 

[WorldT]

Hey timeshare elders,

I recently made it through my first HGV sales pitch (phew!) and while I didn't bite on their retail offer, I'm definitely interested in getting into HGV through the resale market. Looking for some guidance from the community on making a smart first purchase.

I'm targeting 12-18k points annually, and here are my main questions:

MF Stability
* Which resorts have historically maintained stable maintenance fees?
* I've read Las Vegas properties tend to be good, but would love specific recommendations from owners.

Cost Metrics
* What's considered a good maintenance fee to points ratio these days?
* I'm seeing varied numbers online - what should I aim for in 2024?

Shopping Strategy
* Best platforms to monitor for deals? (RedWeek, eBay, etc?)
* How to verify everything is legitimate?
* Any trusted brokers you'd recommend?

Value Adds
* What are some "sweeteners" to look for in a deed?
* Home week advantages?
* Any specific seasons or unit types that offer better value?

I'm committed to doing this the smart way and really appreciate any wisdom you all can share. Promise to pay it forward once I've got some experience under my belt!

Thanks in advance,
Radu

HGV or HGVC?
They are different!

 

[HuskerATL]

HGV or HGVC?
They are different!

Well, there isn't really a HGV for ownership. It is the umbrella company. There is HGVC, bHC, HVC, DRI, and Embarc.

 

[GT75]

I recently made it through my first HGV sales pitch (phew!)

Wow, thanks @WorldT, I missed that. Yes, there is no HGV TS system. That is the umbrella company for these TS systems, HGVC, bHC, HVC, DRI, and Embarc (as @HuskerATL pointed out). So the first order of business is which club are you interested in? The salesperson I am sure made it sound like you could travel the world.

 

[4TimeAway]

Welcome to timeshare... Sorry you found us as now you are going to learn about this complicated game more than you ever wished to know. That said you'll know more about timeshares in a week than most ever know. Your questions are already showing you made the right call to buy Resale.

Have you thought about where you want to go?
When?
And how flexible are you?

The rest is optimization. I'm less convinced that spending $2,000 or even $3,000 a year on this level of points is going to make a huge difference for most people. What I mean is you'll probably spend $3,000-$10,000 on getting a deeded week resale that will exactly what you think you want. You'll decide on maintenance fees vs. upfront purchase price, I personally use 10% as my interest rate and many weeks settle out to be about the same total cost of ownership (well at least the weeks I'm filtering for).

Inflation happens, costs go up. I think this happens everywhere at all times. You can offset this with HGVC offers last minute cash stays, sales like Black Friday on stays, there's RCI, and some weeks like MarBrisa may include GPX (last minute stays- 90 days-ish out).

The value question is more a question of what you compare it to than is this Value. Also, if you don't us it, you can lose it, which is probably a main reason people hate timeshares (other than overpaying for what they purchased).

For me, I work too much and can't take advantage of the GPX week deals right now. Hoping in a couple years I'll make more time to slow down. That said we have spent time with family in Hawaii, Carlsbad (LegoLand), have a book planned for next month to Cabo Azul (2-two bedrooms- seems like family is flaking on that one... OMG), and in Spring will book 3-2 Bedrooms in Hawaii for family to join. It is not free, but without timeshare we could not afford or justify this level of generosity to family. YMMV.

What's surprised me the most about timeshare is how once you get through the learning curve, buy a week or two, it becomes something you look forward to using. I now prefer timeshare travel to standard vacations, maybe I'm getting older and prefer the slower pace, making our own food and being able to relax at nice to amazing places.

Once you've thought about what you want, I'm sure you'll find a great deal and people here may even share ideas of where to buy.

I look forward to hearing about your travels soon!

Best wishes.

 

[Radu43]

HGV or HGVC?
They are different!

Help me understand that difference please.

 

[Radu43]

Wow, thanks @WorldT, I missed that. Yes, there is no HGV TS system. That is the umbrella company for these TS systems, HGVC, bHC, HVC, DRI, and Embarc (as @HuskerATL pointed out). So the first order of business is which club are you interested in? The salesperson I am sure made it sound like you could travel the world.

100% what the sales person told me I can do. My goal is to travel the world, at least the places Hilto has a Club . Is that not how it works?

 

[Radu43]

Welcome to timeshare... Sorry you found us as now you are going to learn about this complicated game more than you ever wished to know. That said you'll know more about timeshares in a week than most ever know. Your questions are already showing you made the right call to buy Resale.

Have you thought about where you want to go?
When?
And how flexible are you?

The rest is optimization. I'm less convinced that spending $2,000 or even $3,000 a year on this level of points is going to make a huge difference for most people. What I mean is you'll probably spend $3,000-$10,000 on getting a deeded week resale that will exactly what you think you want. You'll decide on maintenance fees vs. upfront purchase price, I personally use 10% as my interest rate and many weeks settle out to be about the same total cost of ownership (well at least the weeks I'm filtering for).

Inflation happens, costs go up. I think this happens everywhere at all times. You can offset this with HGVC offers last minute cash stays, sales like Black Friday on stays, there's RCI, and some weeks like MarBrisa may include GPX (last minute stays- 90 days-ish out).

The value question is more a question of what you compare it to than is this Value. Also, if you don't us it, you can lose it, which is probably a main reason people hate timeshares (other than overpaying for what they purchased).

For me, I work too much and can't take advantage of the GPX week deals right now. Hoping in a couple years I'll make more time to slow down. That said we have spent time with family in Hawaii, Carlsbad (LegoLand), have a book planned for next month to Cabo Azul (2-two bedrooms- seems like family is flaking on that one... OMG), and in Spring will book 3-2 Bedrooms in Hawaii for family to join. It is not free, but without timeshare we could not afford or justify this level of generosity to family. YMMV.

What's surprised me the most about timeshare is how once you get through the learning curve, buy a week or two, it becomes something you look forward to using. I now prefer timeshare travel to standard vacations, maybe I'm getting older and prefer the slower pace, making our own food and being able to relax at nice to amazing places.

Once you've thought about what you want, I'm sure you'll find a great deal and people here may even share ideas of where to buy.

I look forward to hearing about your travels soon!

Best wishes.

I’m am flexible and spontaneous. In my dream world I want to go to a site look what opportunities for travel there are and then book where their is availability with my points. The sales persons showed me lots of place Hiliton has a club.

 

[brp]

100% what the sales person told me I can do. My goal is to travel the world, at least the places Hilto has a Club . Is that not how it works?

This is is where choosing which "club" to join matters. HGVC refers to the original HGVC locations, prior to the purchase of Diamond (DRI). Included in this is a category called (by) Hilton Club (bHC here). These are some higher-end, mainly city properties with more restrictive booking windows.

HVC typically refers to the former DRI properties. But these can also be purchased directly from the DRI side (resale).

With resale, there is no crossover between the "clubs." So, location matters as to which club to buy.

Cheers.

 

[Radu43]

Hey timeshare elders,

I recently made it through my first HGV sales pitch (phew!) and while I didn't bite on their retail offer, I'm definitely interested in getting into HGV through the resale market. Looking for some guidance from the community on making a smart first purchase.

I'm targeting 12-18k points annually, and here are my main questions:

MF Stability
* Which resorts have historically maintained stable maintenance fees?
* I've read Las Vegas properties tend to be good, but would love specific recommendations from owners.

Cost Metrics
* What's considered a good maintenance fee to points ratio these days?
* I'm seeing varied numbers online - what should I aim for in 2024?

Shopping Strategy
* Best platforms to monitor for deals? (RedWeek, eBay, etc?)
* How to verify everything is legitimate?
* Any trusted brokers you'd recommend?

Value Adds
* What are some "sweeteners" to look for in a deed?
* Home week advantages?
* Any specific seasons or unit types that offer better value?

I'm committed to doing this the smart way and really appreciate any wisdom you all can share. Promise to pay it forward once I've got some experience under my belt!

Thanks in advance,
Radu

Time to confess!

I actually signed the doted line. I can’t believe I did that.

Next morning I canceled the contract though. Numbers just did not work for me.

Then I found you all. You guys rock! Thank you I’m learning so much.

 

[SmithOp]

HGVC only has a few locations outside the US, the sales person probably showed you Max properties which include HVC (former DRI). He could have also mixed in RCI properties.

If you purchased points it was HVC, vs deeded HGVC.

Seth Nock is also a trusted reseller:

Hilton Timeshare Resales - HGVC Points For Sale

sellingtimeshares.net

 

[4TimeAway]

Time to confess!

Not needed! About half the people on TUG bought retail then found TUG.

I'm thinking they were pitching DEX to you. If that's the case, there's a Scottland Deed that might be an option you can by through the Hilton Sales office that some people claim has DEX. Note: I have NO IDEA if this is true or will be true for you, but you could look into. I didn't buy due to currency risk and DEX didn't exist at the time, but the 3 bedroom platinum could be worth looking at.

https://www.craigendarroch.com/wp-content/uploads/CD-Website-Autumn-2024-17-September-2024.pdf

I still like a GPX option, but the resorts are a bit more midrange. Really depends on what you want.

 

[TUGBrian]

congrats on rescinding and finding TUG!

hvc = diamond resorts (dont buy this)
hgvc = hilton grand vacations (actually something worth researching and buying resale)

 

[GT75]

HGVC only has a few locations outside the US, the sales person probably showed you Max properties which include HVC (former DRI). He could have also mixed in RCI properties.

I suspect that the salesperson also threw in the Hilton hotels locations into the mix.

I’m am flexible and spontaneous. In my dream world I want to go to a site look what opportunities for travel there are and then book where their is availability with my points.

Understand but can you plan and book at least 9 months out or do you want 1-2 months out?

 

[GT75]

100% what the sales person told me I can do. My goal is to travel the world, at least the places Hilto has a Club . Is that not how it works?

No, that isn't how it works. You will need to learn what is possible/practical vs. what the salesperson told you.

 

[TolmiePeak]

Time to confess!

I actually signed the doted line. I can’t believe I did that.

Next morning I canceled the contract though. Numbers just did not work for me.

Then I found you all. You guys rock! Thank you I’m learning so much.

How did you cancel? Just telling the salesperson? If so then you didn't cancel.

 

[Radu43]

How did you cancel? Just telling the salesperson? If so then you didn't cancel.

I wrote a formal email to the Account Manager. I received back an email confirming my request and also confirming that my down payment will be refunded in full.

 

[Radu43]

I suspect that the salesperson also threw in the Hilton hotels locations into the mix.


Understand but can you plan and book at least 9 months out or do you want 1-2 months out?

I can do 9 month ahead. No problem. I do both in y live. Some vacations I have planned a year ahead. For weekend trips it is more the 1-2 months.

 

[brp]

I wrote a formal email to the Account Manager. I received back an email confirming my request and also confirming that my down payment will be refunded in full.

I do suspect that this will work. However, bear in mind that they are under no obligation to follow through on this since you did not follow the documented rescission instructions. An email from the account manager is not binding.

Cheers.

 

[Stewcation]

I wrote a formal email to the Account Manager. I received back an email confirming my request and also confirming that my down payment will be refunded in full.

If you're still within your rescission period then make sure you follow the rescission instructions within your contract. My contract specifically said rescission requests must be made via mail to a specific address, if I just sent an email and they responded to confirm then they would be under no contraction obligation to fulfill that rescission request. So, if you contract is similar to mine and you are still in your rescission period then it wouldn't hurt to also send a certified mail with a rescission request!

 

[TUGBrian]

keep the email confirmation as a record for sure, but id still follow the directions in the signed sales contract!

 

[rc51]

keep the email confirmation as a record for sure, but id still follow the directions in the signed sales contract!

Piling on with everyone else; I'm happy to assume the email is all in good faith, but you have a written agreement that details exactly how to cancel. Follow that to the letter.

Like you, I too bought and then rescinded. Have since bought resale and have enjoyed it very much.