I bought 3 contracts through eBay around15 years ago. I'd always read here on TUG that points are points it really doesn't matter where you buy. I have never actually stayed at any of the locations I own. The only real benefit to buying at specific resorts is the ability to reserve at 13 months instead of 10. Unless you need to go to, for example, New Orleans during Mardi Gras you can probably do just as well finding what your looking for at 10 months.
The one thing it took awhile to understand (again from TUG) was to find locations with the lowest maintenance fees. There is a thread at the top that shows maintenance costs by resort. Using that (and maybe others can help out on this point) you may save a lot over time.
I'm quite happy with the maintenance I pay and the time I get at resorts but If I'd known this I probably could have saved yearly maintenance money.
Good luck and never buy from Wyndham no matter how good a deal sounds. I avoid updates completely but everyone has their own approach to them.
