Monarch Grand Vacations Resale Questions

[drguy]

I'm considering the purchase of MGV points. I have a few questions that the resellers have one answer to and I receive different answers when talking to MGV directly.
1. Does the Premier status move with the account? It kicks in at 600 points, and at 1200 points allows the reservation of rooms at 18 months rather than 12 months?
2. Do any "benefits" of Developer purchased points go away with the resale process?
3. What is a good price for these points? I've seen them advertised from $15-$100+ per point. The developer charges $75 or so, so the $100+ prices are unrealistic.
Thanks.
Guy

 

[djyamyam]

I'm considering the purchase of MGV points. I have a few questions that the resellers have one answer to and I receive different answers when talking to MGV directly.
1. Does the Premier status move with the account? It kicks in at 600 points, and at 1200 points allows the reservation of rooms at 18 months rather than 12 months?

Premier status does not move with the account. According to everything I've heard from owner services, you still need to purchase 600 developer points. I do believe they grandfathered owners that were above the 600 point level (regardless if those were developer or resale points) at the time they introduced the premium status levels

2. Do any "benefits" of Developer purchased points go away with the resale process?

Only premier status if you do not have it now. If you are premiere status level, resale points will enhance you to the next level(s)

3. What is a good price for these points? I've seen them advertised from $15-$100+ per point. The developer charges $75 or so, so the $100+ prices are unrealistic.

General rule of thumb is around $10 / point

 

[drguy]

Thanks for the advice!
Guy

 

[Bill4728]

Guy,

If you're interested in MGV, please be sure to read the TUG advice article on Monarch. link

There are many nice things about owning MGV but they operate their system in a way different than any other company.

-All points are good for 24 months ( not the 12 of most systems)
-Many ebay sellers don't have a clue of what they own, therefore you must check carefully before buying. ( many people own at resorts managed by Monarch think they are MGV owners when in fact they own only at that single resort)
-Personally, I find little problem reserving at any of the MGV resorts ( except Riviera Beach) so I'm not sure of how much value there is in reserving earlier than 12 months ahead.

Lastly, you may find that it is cheaper to buy a non MGV week at a MGV resort and convert it to MGV for $2000 than it is to buy MGV points. ( you also can convert muliple weeks at the same time)

Good Luck

 

[drguy]

Guy,

If you're interested in MGV, please be sure to read the TUG advice article on Monarch. link

There are many nice things about owning MGV but they operate their system in a way different than any other company.

-All points are good for 24 months ( not the 12 of most systems)
-Many ebay sellers don't have a clue of what they own, therefore you must check carefully before buying. ( many people own at resorts managed by Monarch think they are MGV owners when in fact they own only at that single resort)
-Personally, I find little problem reserving at any of the MGV resorts ( except Riviera Beach) so I'm not sure of how much value there is in reserving earlier than 12 months ahead.

Lastly, you may find that it is cheaper to buy a non MGV week at a MGV resort and convert it to MGV for $2000 than it is to buy MGV points. ( you also can convert muliple weeks at the same time)

Good Luck

Thanks Bill.
I've read the link and it was helpful. I've been told by many people at Monarch Grand Headquarters that a non-points purchase cannot be "upgraded" into points and is only usable at the resort where originally purchased upon resale. This strongly discourages resales and is a problem I've been watching out for.
I've also found that some resellers don't know how the system works. One told me that points are awarded every year, one half at a time. I hope that I am now dealing with a reputable reseller who knows what they're talking about.
Just waiting for an Esstopple(?) report on an account right now.
Guy

 

[Bill4728]

Thanks Bill.
I've read the link and it was helpful. I've been told by many people at Monarch Grand Headquarters that a non-points purchase cannot be "upgraded" into points and is only usable at the resort where originally purchased upon resale. This strongly discourages resales and is a problem I've been watching out for.

What you were told may be true now but it wasn't true 2 years ago when we "up graded" two resorts to MGV points. They may have changed their policy or they may not be giving you the whole story.

They may now require that you first own at MGV before they'll let you up grade non MGV weeks, OR they may not let you up grade a non MGV week at all. I'll see if I can find out.

I've also found that some resellers don't know how the system works. One told me that points are awarded every year, one half at a time. I hope that I am now dealing with a reputable reseller who knows what they're talking about.
Just waiting for an Esstopple(?) report on an account right now.
Guy

Points in MGV are always awarded fully every 24 month. So if you want to vacation 1/year you'll need at least 250 pts or so.

 

[drguy]

Bill-
Thanks again. It seems that Buying resale is a moving target and what is true today is false tomorrow. The manner in which you upgraded makes sense to me, and not allowing for such an upgrade to occur now only hurts those wanting to sell their units.
Everyone at MGV has told me that the points are awarded every other year, just one reseller that broke it into annual awards. Don't think I'll deal with him.
We'll look for accounts from 450-800 points in total as the new Cabo Azul resort is 222 points/week for a 1 bedroom with ocean view and we're expecting similar or higher values for the upcoming Kona resort.
Guy

 

[nazclk]

MGV

Somebody from Monarch Grand just called me yesterday to upgrade my Palm Canyon points to Monarch Grand so I would assume they are still doing it.
still cheaper on ebay

 

[drguy]

Somebody from Monarch Grand just called me yesterday to upgrade my Palm Canyon points to Monarch Grand so I would assume they are still doing it.
still cheaper on ebay

I'll look into that. Did you purchase this resort resale recently?
Thank you.
Guy

 

[nazclk]

MGV

about 2 years ago

 

[Bill4728]

Bill-
Thanks again. It seems that Buying resale is a moving target and what is true today is false tomorrow. The manner in which you upgraded makes sense to me, and not allowing for such an upgrade to occur now only hurts those wanting to sell their units.
Everyone at MGV has told me that the points are awarded every other year, just one reseller that broke it into annual awards. Don't think I'll deal with him.
We'll look for accounts from 450-800 points in total as the new Cabo Azul resort is 222 points/week for a 1 bedroom with ocean view and we're expecting similar or higher values for the upcoming Kona resort.
Guy

450 -800 points is a ton of MGV points. Yes the new Cabo resort needs alot more points, but 450 will get you 3-4 week every 24 months at all but the new cabo resort. Personally, I'd buy a package worth about 300 points or so until I see if MGV is really what I want. (You can always buy more) There are lots of people selling pkgs of pts in the 300 pts range. It is very hard to find >400 pts for sale.

 

[Destiny]

Interested in buying Monarch Grand points

Hello everyone,

I'm new to all this and I have some questions that I hope someone could help me with.

I am looking at to buy a timeshare. Went to a Monarch Grand sale presentation and was very interested in the the points system. The price was much more than I wanted to pay so I thought about checking on-line what is out there to purchase.

What I like to know is where is a good place to look for a resale?

Also how many points should I buy to be able to vacation every year?

Will these points lose value over the years or will they maintain their value?

If I bought 266 points how much should I paid for them?

Thank you for all you help.

 

[Bill4728]

First read the TUG advice article for Monarch LINK

Second, if you are interested in buying a true MGV point account. They are all the same and have only 2 difference in them. The point total & the anniversary date. So you can buy any of the many which are sold on EBay and do great with any of them. Personally, I look to buy at between $8-$15/pt so a 266 pts account will cost about $2500- $3600. (( Sure a whole lot less than the $15,000 or more than the developer wants!))

Also how many points should I buy to be able to vacation every year?

For all but the Cabo resort 133 pts will get you a week in one bedroom during the highest seasons, so for 1 week every year you'd need 266 pts ( because you get your pts every 24 months)

 

[Destiny]

I did read the link and it was helpful.

So you think buying from E-bay is safe?

How will I know if it's a true Monarch Grand?

If they don't have the points size I want can I buy two different ones and combine them? If you combine them will the maintance fees be higher?

Thank you for your time.

 

[Mydogs2big]

We bought 2 different annual Monarch Points TS from E-Bay "good only at Palm Canyon Resort." And we just love them. Each one has a different issue date, and because they are in the exact same name you can use points from each.

It works out so well and is so versatile. We also have day use privileges, which we cannot use, but other people that live nearby love it and some people have bought additional cheap timeshares close to this one and then spend all day with their kids at this resort. The resort must have a limit though, so far I have not seen the pool area busting at the seems.

Our total purchase costs for each including first quarters maintenance fee was less than $1000. Our MF for each is $465 and $545 a year and if we don't use our points one year we can carry them forward to be used for 60 day reservations. Which we have no problem with as we combine points to use the oldest ones first.

On top of that, I'm sure that this resort would pull decent trades if we wanted to go to Mexico or Vegas. Since you're from California, I just thought I'd throw this out just in case there is one of their resorts that you really like the most. I believe Riviera Oaks and Riviera Shores have similar programs, as these three annual weeks resorts have flextime rental between them. Meaning, as an owner of Palm Canyon I can rent extra time (cheaper rates) if available at any of the three resorts.

 

[Bill4728]

We bought 2 different annual Monarch Points TS from E-Bay "good only at Palm Canyon Resort." And we just love them. Each one has a different issue date, and because they are in the exact same name you can use points from each.

How will I know if it's a true Monarch Grand?

If they don't have the points size I want can I buy two different ones and combine them? If you combine them will the maintance fees be higher?

Thank you for your time.

The quote above yours is an example of MGV vs "true" MGV. Monarch Grand Vacations does the resort management at 4 resorts which have a mix of owners, some own only at that resort ( like Mydogs2big "good only at Palm Canyon Resort") and some are true MGV points owners. So if someone wants to sell you MGV pts which are good only at Palm Canyon, you're not buying MGV pts but Palm Canyon pts. To make matters more difficult. Several of the resorts use the exact same pts system for their internal pts vs the "system wide" MGV pts. So although palm canyon pts are equal to MGV pts, Palm Canyon pts can be used only at Palm Canyon.

If they don't have the points size I want can I buy two different ones and combine them? If you combine them will the maintance fees be higher?

Yes, you can combine MGV pts into a single pt account. It once cost $300 ( not sure what the cost is today) MFs are based on how many pts you own, so if you buy more pts, your MFs will increase.

 

[drguy]

I did read the link and it was helpful.

So you think buying from E-bay is safe?

How will I know if it's a true Monarch Grand?

If they don't have the points size I want can I buy two different ones and combine them? If you combine them will the maintance fees be higher?

Thank you for your time.

I contacted the sellers from EBay and found that some did not understand the MGV points system, including one reseller. I ended up buying 643 points from a reseller "specializing" in MGV. It has worked well so far, though we're still in the transfer process.
The accounts do not need to be combined as you can link the accounts without merging them. That saves the $300.
Guy

 

[Destiny]

Thanks everyone for your info.

I just found one listed on Timeshares Only. It's 310 pts. asking $4000. neg. and the main. are $969. annually. Does that sound like a good one or is the main. too high?

thanks again everyone.

 

[Mydogs2big]

Are these points issued every other year, but your maintenance fees are every year? If your maintenance fees are paid every year then you will be paying a couple hundred bucks more per week (155 pts) than you would if you were buying the Monarch "good only at a certain resort" Points.

That sounds accurate to me. Most systems charge a couple hundred bucks extra to be able to trade within a group.

And $4,000 sounds a little high to me, but I'm comparing an annual single resort price to your basically annual multiple choice resort. So it very well may be worth four times as much!

I know you're interested in the MGV vs the other Monarch Points (single resort) but I wanted to offer up a comparison because it may be something that might make more sense for your situation. It did for me, but I belong to another mini-system and enjoy the ease of reservations vs trading and so might you.

 

[drguy]

Thanks everyone for your info.

I just found one listed on Timeshares Only. It's 310 pts. asking $4000. neg. and the main. are $969. annually. Does that sound like a good one or is the main. too high?

thanks again everyone.

About $15 per point seems to be the going rate. Many are asking about $20 per point for the eBay reserve amount. $3.13 per point is the MF that I've been quoted. $4000 is a good deal if it is MGV points.
Guy

 

[nazclk]

MGV points

If you are patient you can find MGV points for less than $10 per point.

 

[Destiny]

MGV Points

Thanks everyone for you help. :rofl:

 

[jbercu]

Monarch convertion at Tahoe Seasons Resort

About $15 per point seems to be the going rate. Many are asking about $20 per point for the eBay reserve amount. $3.13 per point is the MF that I've been quoted. $4000 is a good deal if it is MGV points.
Guy

I attended a Monarch presentation at Tahoe Seasons Resort where Monarch set up a new sales office.
I have two questions:
1) If I convert two 2 bedroom units (310 points each) and a Master Suite (266 Points I get over 800 points. At this level there is an additional 10% off maintenance dues. The conversion cost is $6000 (2000 per unit) plus $600 closing. Is this a good value?

2) Has anybody tried reserving a 2 bedroom (Regency unit) in the MGV club and then placing it into II for 2 one bedroom units as Tahoe Seasons Resort owners can do?

Thanks,
Jake

 

[Bill4728]

I attended a Monarch presentation at Tahoe Seasons Resort where Monarch set up a new sales office.
I have two questions:
1) If I convert two 2 bedroom units (310 points each) and a Master Suite (266 Points I get over 800 points. At this level there is an additional 10% off maintenance dues. The conversion cost is $6000 (2000 per unit) plus $600 closing. Is this a good value?

2) Has anybody tried reserving a 2 bedroom (Regency unit) in the MGV club and then placing it into II for 2 one bedroom units as Tahoe Seasons Resort owners can do?

Thanks,
Jake

When we converted a couple of weeks ( many years ago) we paid the $2000 fee and converted both units we owned at the time.

Are you sure that they will not convert more than one week for the $2000?

 

[tws8000]

My MGV Experience

About $15 per point seems to be the going rate. Many are asking about $20 per point for the eBay reserve amount. $3.13 per point is the MF that I've been quoted. $4000 is a good deal if it is MGV points.
Guy

WOW! This is disheartening for me. I originally bought from MGV directly back in '97 or '98. Very strong arm tactics so I ended up buying the Cheapest thing they had at the time: a "Studio" (which I don't think they even offer anymore) with "72 pts" @ $4,000 .. back then my MF's were around $48/Qtr .. now they are approx. $53.xx/Qtr ... the points are given every OTHER year ... i've been to the Palm Springs facility where they actually did have a "Studio" - very nice. I've also been to the Las Vegas facility, no studios, but I got a 1 bedroom, & since I dont use the membership anyways, was not concerned at how many points got used up for the couple days I was there. Las Vegas was VERY VERY Nice ... they tried to strong arm me again into "upgrading", but since I hadnt used the membership but twice I wasnt about to be "bullied" this time ... I had NO interest in paying Higher maintenance fees for somethign i never use ... my 72 points were just dandy! ... Anyhow, I digressed ... the "thread" here of how cheap things are is whats disheartening .. was thinking about selling but it looks likes its worth LESS than what I paid for it. ;( .. guess I should donate it to one of those charities advertising & get a tax deduction