Only a matter of time....

[GregT]

Jya-Ning,

I think you've hooked me on Fairfield. I've now bid on two straight eBay Fairfield auctions, but didn't win either.

I just missed an 154,000 bi-ennual at Smoky Mountains, which went for $860.

I think I'll be a Fairfield junkie soon...

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Jya-Ning]

Don't buy too many that you can not used yourself more than say 33% of your vacation time. There are a lot other travel lodging alternative, and a lot of places where TS is not a choice.

You can always add more when you know what you can do with these after mix with external exchange.

Jya-Ning

 

[GregT]

Good advice -- thanks again!

 

[lprstn]

Enjoy bidding!!! its addictive!

 

[GregT]

This is addictive....

I've noticed that bi-ennial accounts don't always sell for less than annual accounts -- and are sometimes more. Has anyone noticed a pattern or rule of thumb?

I was very surprised to see a 154,000 bi-ennial sell for $860, but it has low MF's (Smoky Mountains). This is the one I missed on.

A 154,000 annual in Florida just closed for $810, and has decent MF's.

FYI, in case anyone owns Smoky Mountains, they are about to have a 8-10% MF increase because their reserve study came in showing they needed to build reserves. I spoke to the GM of the property about it and they are going to try to get back to the 3% annual increases in 2010, but 2009 will be a little higher than historical. Still pretty reasonable.

Please let me know your thoughts on the bi-ennial versus annual pricing. Thanks!

 

[falmouth3]

I only watch weeks, not points. However, I have noticed that the eoy properties usually sell for less than 1/2 the price of an every year. But when you figure in the closing fees, they may be slightly more.

I bought an eoy in Villas of Sedona in 2007, first year of use in 2009. My total costs were $323. Quite a deal, I thought.

Sue

 

[ajdon]

Be picky

As with any Ebay auctions, you need to be careful, but if you know anything about Ebay (and I do), you can scoop up some bargains!

I got an annual 154K for $959 (inc Closing costs) at Pats Place a few weeks ago.

On a NON-Fairfield, I picked up an EOY-odd and EOY-even week (prime weeks - essentially an annual week) at Gatlinburg Town Square for $300 (INCLUDING CLOSING COSTS).

Sit back and watch mid-day auctions they go for less than evening and Fri/Sat evening goes for less than Sunday or Monday evening.

 

[GregT]

Well, I am thrilled to say that I just bought my first account!

eBay auction just ended, for 112,000 bi-ennial points at Smoky Mountains. Closing price was $247, with $500 in junk closing costs (dammit).

Fortunately for me, 112,000 points will be enough to get a studio at the place I really like, Elysian Beach Resort, so it's big enough as a starter account.

Thank you all (and particularly Jya-Ning) for all of your advice, and I look forward to continuing the discussion!

All the best,

Greg