New mvc owner

[GrampaTim]

I would like to share two points:

1). I own 3 units at one resort. We originally bought the first many years ago from the developer back when prices were very low, resales were not out there, The sales people were totally focused on full disclosure and there was never any pressure. We were very satisfied with the purchase because we could afford it, and we knew we wanted to vacation there every year. Our next two were negotiated ( resales ). As our family grew, we needed the additional rooms. Every year we go back and now our many grandkids love this tradition and look forward to the next year when we can do it again. The advice, from the original salesperson, was "Trading can be an option but your real satisfaction comes when you buy into a place where you know. you want to vacation each year." Our friends who used the same advice in selecting their timeshares are all very happy with their annual trek to a relaxing plae they know and enjoy.

2). Before the pandemic hit, we bought a vacation package at a Marriott resort. We knew it included the "tour and pitch". Before going, I did my. research on what Marriott offers, and the resale pricing. When we arrived for the tour, we talked with the rep, I asked very direct and specific questions, and shared my knowledge of "market prices". It was all upbeat and positive. At the end of tour, the rep and his manager came in and gave us our credit ( to be used for a very nice dinner ), and thanked us for spending the time with them. They knew, since I had done my homework, there would be no sale that day . We have found that very few salespeople in the timeshare industry will give you a totally honest analysis of what they offer. Being prepared helps you avoid the pitfalls. What looks good in the presentation may not make it into the contract, and in reality it simply might not exist.

One thing you bring up is the expensive hotels for your vacations. Our timeshare often has rental days or weeks available to anyone. If you know where you want to stay, you can usually book online. Also, many do provide getaway packages. You get the full timeshare but at reasonable rates. During off season you can do even better. If you have that $24,000 now, set it into a separate savings account, and add $2,500 a year that you would pay in maintenance fees. Then shop online for good deals. It will be no different than the time you spend trying to find rooms through ii. You may also find some of those getaway opportunities online. The locations prefer to have the units filled, so good deals are often there. In fact, our trading company was RCI, and I often found units available to rent, but not open for trading ( or using our points ). They were the same units, same timeframe, but I had to "rent" them.

Everyone said to rescind. That is because you have much to learn before you make a final decision. You might as well save as much money as possible because in the end, whatever you buy will NOT have a resale value. There is a lot of good in owning timeshares, but not in the pain you will endure if you overpay and have a need to unload your units while money is still owed. A family member agreed to a $32,000 purchase, financed by the timeshare, with a total debt of over $65,000 plus maintenance fees of about $2,500 / year. Health problems now prevent them from using those points ( which are only good for the year and then disappear ), they can't afford the debt which keeps them from moving to an assisted living facility, and even after resale of what they have, they would still owe about $30,000 to the developer. That is how bad it can be.

 

[ffxjack]

If you are just clicking exchange and searching for units you are only seeing the leftover after others have had their requests filled.
You can “request first”meaning you don’t deposit your week into II until your request has been fulfilled.

Tried on phone once but became antsy and eventually rented via vrbo or something as flights already booked for Maui over Christmas break last time I tried.

 

[Pamplemousse]

Tried on phone once but became antsy and eventually rented via vrbo or something as flights already booked for Maui over Christmas break last time I tried.

No need to call- you place your request right online. There are video tutorials in the general discussion section of the II community to show you exactly how to do. Very simple. But not something to do last minute once flights are booked because there is no guarantee- you would need a plan B in that instance. For MVC properties you would ideally request 13 months in advance since that is the earliest an owner would be depositing into II- I rarely hit that mark but often request 10 or11 months ahead.
I also own an enrolled lock off week and I find exchanging on II to be the most cost effective way to use my TS.

 

[Steve Fatula]

Correct. I’ve had bonus II weeks of some sort but never able to find what I was looking for on the infrequent occasions I’ve tried. I’ve never turned in my week since the weeks I wanted were always premium destinations in peak seasons and not available when I was booking.

Other than renting my week via Redweek, renting weeks via Redweek, and once having someone use their points to rent me a week, I have little experience with timeshares.

I enrolled my week thinking I will turn my high demand platinum week into two shouIder season weeks once we’re not tied to the school calendar. I’m not sure what else my membership can really get me otherwise (though they always make it seem so easy and economical during those sales presentations).

We've gone all over the world on trades, and many of the nice US resorts as well. You can definitely get 2 shoulder season weeks, easily, or Hawaii most of the year, etc. Pamplemousse is absolutely correct, a single look into II will not give you the full picture. While I do not use on going searches for the most part, I (either me or software) look for trades I want without it, and often find them, but many times a day. But that's for very few people, most don't have the time or the IT skills. I have a number of times gotten trades before people who had ongoing searches, it appears they are processed either once or a few times a day in batches so sometimes you can beat them to it. It is not always the case II has only leftovers, but anything that shows up that is good doesn't usually stay long. Do as he says, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised and definitely lockoff and get 2 weeks for your one. Then you will get better vacation perhaps, and, use your fee you are already paying to your benefit.

 

[ffxjack]

Thank you all for the excellent advice!

I'll have to reread some of these threads when not on vacation and brain is only half functioning to figure out what works best for our situation. Instead of renting out my one week next time, perhaps I'll try II. However, since we likely would like to continue using our week the next few years, would renting points allow us to dabble in the Marriott Destinations program for our other vacations? I guess we're probably the minority owner on this forum who actually bought one place and did nothing but use it probably close to 75% of the time since owning it.

As for time/IT skills for highly productive searches, you're right about that. I will have to try and incentivize my CS aspiring son to write some kind of bot to do this for me instead of writing code to try and buy the latest sneaker when it drops.

First thing is first, I need to rescind the points I bought a few days ago. It's interesting that the papers have 10d period for FL (where Marriott is based for contract purposes), 5d period on addendum for SC where I bought, and 7d period in the the addendum in the state I actually reside. One thing is for sure, it's crazy to buy anything of this magnitude with annual maintenance fees in the thousands on any kind of sales presentation. By the time of signing, you're just initially everything to leave. I do like some of the aspects of the program though and will look into renting points, maybe eventually buying resale, or maybe buying an efficient trader with a lockoff in II.

 

[jwalk03]

Thank you all for the excellent advice!

I'll have to reread some of these threads when not on vacation and brain is only half functioning to figure out what works best for our situation. Instead of renting out my one week next time, perhaps I'll try II. However, since we likely would like to continue using our week the next few years, would renting points allow us to dabble in the Marriott Destinations program for our other vacations? I guess we're probably the minority owner on this forum who actually bought one place and did nothing but use it probably close to 75% of the time since owning it.

As for time/IT skills for highly productive searches, you're right about that. I will have to try and incentivize my CS aspiring son to write some kind of bot to do this for me instead of writing code to try and buy the latest sneaker when it drops.

First thing is first, I need to rescind the points I bought a few days ago. It's interesting that the papers have 10d period for FL (where Marriott is based for contract purposes), 5d period on addendum for SC where I bought, and 7d period in the the addendum in the state I actually reside. One thing is for sure, it's crazy to buy anything of this magnitude with annual maintenance fees in the thousands on any kind of sales presentation. By the time of signing, you're just initially everything to leave. I do like some of the aspects of the program though and will look into renting points, maybe eventually buying resale, or maybe buying an efficient trader with a lockoff in II.

The recession period is based strictly on the state where you made the purchase. Doesn’t matter what your home state is or where the company is based. So if you bought in South Carolina you only have 5 days to rescind.

 

[rthib]

I guess we're probably the minority owner on this forum who actually bought one place and did nothing but use it probably close to 75% of the time since owning it.

I am similar, I have two weeks both in places I love to go. That was my first rule of timeshare purchase, buy where you would be happy going and assume that everything else they mentioned in the sales pitch would disappear, would you still be happy going there.
I have enrolled weeks but started enjoying doing points stays, like the ability to confirm where I am going in advance. So my issue was do I use my week or convert to points.
Luckily last year prices tanked so I bought 1000 points resale to get me to executive level and 13mont window and then bought a super cheap resale at one of my home resorts that is a mirror of my developer purchase. That way I can either convert to points or now I can spend two weeks at favorite resort or stay one week and trade to II. Gives me best of both worlds.
I really like the points so I can do 5 nights stays, 10 nights (add onto a week) or like I just did, plan a special trip to Hawaii and mix points and weeks so we could plan things out a year in advance since it was a joint trip with others.

 

[Binaryslave]

Hi all,

We sent email per rescind instructions prior to the 10 day period on our purchase from Florida.

We also sent a simple request to cancel letter via certified mail.

They received the letter yesterday. What are next steps to rescind? No one has contacted us yet. Should I also call someone?

Thank you

 

[bogey21]

All you can do is sit and wait. Do not answer any phone calls from Marriott. Don't call anyone. Disappear. After you are 100% sure that your rescind was successful you can start thinking about buying resale but not one moment before...

George

 

[Binaryslave]

All you can do is sit and wait. Do not answer any phone calls from Marriott. Don't call anyone. Disappear. After you are 100% sure that your rescind was successful you can start thinking about buying resale but not one moment before...

George

How long does it usually take to receive the refund? How do I know they won't play a game saying they didn't receive the email or certified letter?

 

[bogey21]

How long does it usually take to receive the refund? How do I know they won't play a game saying they didn't receive the email or certified letter?

Question #1 - probably weeks, maybe many weeks. Question #2 - if Post Office says they received it, that is all the proof you need.

George

 

[jwalk03]

How long does it usually take to receive the refund? How do I know they won't play a game saying they didn't receive the email or certified letter?

keep your tracking and receipt from the post office. That’s all the proof you need that they received it.

in Florida they have 20 days to process your refund from the date they receive the later. Just wait and watch for the refund. No reason to call or accept any call where they may try to talk you out of your recession.

 

[TXTortoise]

And now that you actually rescinded, at the last minute, everyone can now exhale. ;-)

 

[californiagirl]

“And now that you actually rescinded, at the last minute, everyone can now exhale. ;-)”
TxTortoise you made me laugh, I have been following this thread to see if the OP rescinded or not!

To the OP you did the right thing. There really is no rush so take your time to completely understand what you really want and what works best for you. As a Marriott owner of 22 years we have no regrets. We have bought and sold several units over the years. We have lasting memories with family and friends. And anticipate more memories to come. The best thing I did related to timeshares was finding Tug. The wealth of knowledge and genuine attitude of community and helping others fulfill their vacation dreams is a bright spot in today’s society.

Welcome to Tug!

 

[2rebecca]

...Really review the MVC points chart, which changes EVERY YEAR btw, and look at each resort for a date you are likely to want, to see what you really need Points wise. ....

Is this true? I don‘t own Marriott, but have been researching the system and looking for a resale to purchase. I’ve been looking for a 2-bedroom weeks unit, but sat through the Marriott Points sales presentation earlier today. When I said I don‘t like points because the points chart can change each year, I was told that the points chart for Resort “X” will NEVER change! The sales manager—I think that was his title—said the same thing. They claimed when resort “Z” is built, a 2-bedroom villa might start at a higher points value there, but a 2-bedroom at resort “X” will always cost the same points as today. Does anyone have a copy of an older points value chart that I can compare to the 2021 version above? I know I’ve seen increases in one point system, and I thought it was Marriott, but I couldn’t be certain. The sales folks were pretty convincing and had me questioning myself on this point. I did the research in 2019 pre-pandemic, so it is possible I‘m mixing up the different systems! LOL!

 

[Fasttr]

Is this true? I don‘t own Marriott, but have been researching the system and looking for a resale to purchase. I’ve been looking for a 2-bedroom weeks unit, but sat through the Marriott Points sales presentation earlier today. When I said I don‘t like points because the points chart can change each year, I was told that the points chart for Resort “X” will NEVER change! The sales manager—I think that was his title—said the same thing. They claimed when resort “Z” is built, a 2-bedroom villa might start at a higher points value there, but a 2-bedroom at resort “X” will always cost the same points as today. Does anyone have a copy of an older points value chart that I can compare to the 2021 version above? I know I’ve seen increases in one point system, and I thought it was Marriott, but I couldn’t be certain. The sales folks were pretty convincing and had me questioning myself on this point. I did the research in 2019 pre-pandemic, so it is possible I‘m mixing up the different systems! LOL!

They will make small tweaks from year to year due to when holidays fall, etc, but as a general rule, they have stayed basically the same. Here is a link to various years points charts.

Vacation Club Points Charts

Marriott Vacation Club Points Chart Abound 2025 Points Chart Abound 2024 Points Chart Abound 2023 Points Chart 2023 Points Chart 2022 Points Chart 2021 Points Chart 2020 Points Chart 2019 Po...

vacationpointexchange.com

Further....here is what the Trust docs say on the matter....

Subject to the limited calendar adjustments described in this paragraph, any increase or decrease in the number of Points for Use required to reserve a designated Use Period pursuant to Association Delegee’s right to amend the Point Schedule as set forth above must be offset by a corresponding decrease or increase to the Points for Use for other Use Period(s) occurring during the same year as the designated Use Period. Points for Use for a given calendar year will fluctuate from year to year as a result of the number of weekends that occur during that year, leap years, the occurrence of “Week 53” as defined in the Component Declarations, and which day of the week a holiday occurs. As a result of these fluctuating factors and differing demand which occurs because of the calendar permutations, the number of Points for Use may fluctuate for a given Use Period; provided, however, that the Points for Use for a Use Period in a specific calendar year that has the same factors as another specific calendar year, may only be increased or decreased pursuant to the preceding paragraph. Any modification to the Point Schedule shall not require approval by the Beneficiaries.

Where Use Period is defined as ...
Use Period means the time period(s) of a day or consecutive days during which each Beneficiary is afforded the opportunity to reserve and use an Accommodation in accordance with the Trust Agreement, the Reservation Procedures, and the other Trust Plan Documents.

So I read that to say that if they increase one week at a resort during a calendar year, they have to decrease a different week at that same resort in that calendar year so the points needed for all weeks during the full year are the same.

 

[Davidr]

We also signed up for Amex bonvoy brilliant card as we were told use it like a debit card pay it off rack up points. Use the bonvoy points for airfare and use my vacation club points for lodging. Does this plan make sense? I'm not much of a couponer so looking for what makes sense.

We have the original Marriott credit card. It was a good value with the free night stay and bonus nights credit for status. However, Bonvoy points transfer to airlines at 3 points to 1 mile. I was looking at Delta rewards flights recently and they were @30k miles per seat. That's 90k Bonvoy points per seat. That's a @$350,000 worth of purchases on the credit card for 4 tickets. We use credit cards for everything but I think Amex reward points or Chase Sapphire rewards or one of the airline credit cards will get you there faster. I save the Bonvoy points for hotel stays. YMMV

 

[2rebecca]

They will make small tweaks from year to year due to when holidays fall, etc, but as a general rule, they have stayed basically the same. Here is a link to various years points charts.

Vacation Club Points Charts

Marriott Vacation Club Points Chart Abound 2025 Points Chart Abound 2024 Points Chart Abound 2023 Points Chart 2023 Points Chart 2022 Points Chart 2021 Points Chart 2020 Points Chart 2019 Po...

vacationpointexchange.com

Further....here is what the Trust docs say on the matter....

Subject to the limited calendar adjustments described in this paragraph, any increase or decrease in the number of Points for Use required to reserve a designated Use Period pursuant to Association Delegee’s right to amend the Point Schedule as set forth above must be offset by a corresponding decrease or increase to the Points for Use for other Use Period(s) occurring during the same year as the designated Use Period. Points for Use for a given calendar year will fluctuate from year to year as a result of the number of weekends that occur during that year, leap years, the occurrence of “Week 53” as defined in the Component Declarations, and which day of the week a holiday occurs. As a result of these fluctuating factors and differing demand which occurs because of the calendar permutations, the number of Points for Use may fluctuate for a given Use Period; provided, however, that the Points for Use for a Use Period in a specific calendar year that has the same factors as another specific calendar year, may only be increased or decreased pursuant to the preceding paragraph. Any modification to the Point Schedule shall not require approval by the Beneficiaries.

Where Use Period is defined as ...
Use Period means the time period(s) of a day or consecutive days during which each Beneficiary is afforded the opportunity to reserve and use an Accommodation in accordance with the Trust Agreement, the Reservation Procedures, and the other Trust Plan Documents.

So I read that to say that if they increase one week at a resort during a calendar year, they have to decrease a different week at that same resort in that calendar year so the points needed for all weeks during the full year are the same.

Thank you! And, just to give credit where credit is due, the sales folks did say there could be the limited calendar adjustments described above.