Opinions of Timesharing Today?

[JudyS]

Since TUG doesn't have a forum for "Other Timeshare Topics," I figured I'd post this in the Lounge.

When I first got into timeshares, I tried a subscription to Timesharing Today. I wasn't very impressed by the quality of the articles (or the editing), so I canceled right away. A few months ago, though, Timesharing Today was offering half-price subscriptions, so I tried again.

Timesharing Today has a few good articles each issue, so I'm planning to keep my subscription this time. Some of the articles, though, really make me go

I was looking at an issue from a few months ago, and say an article called, "Benefits of attending timeshare presentations." I thought it would be about how to get gifts while saying no to the salespeople, or about how to use timeshare presentations to learn about specific resorts. I was wrong.

The article actually was two "mini-articles," each of which involved timeshare owners (one man and one married couple) writing about their personal experiences. The shorter of the two mini-articles was kind of sad. Basically, a couple who already owned Worldmark and other timeshares went on some tours. They liked the Marriott they looked at, but thought it cost too much. (Can't argue with them there.) But then, they bought something called "Ultimate Vacations." I looked up Ultimate Vacations online and sure enough, it is one of these rip-off "vacation clubs" that charge a steep fee to gain access to leftover RCI weeks and other surplus stuff. So, this couple paid $2995 to gain the privilege of paying a $129 "membership fee" each year to rent the same stuff that they could already get with their RCI membership. Making it even sadder is that these folks said they bought Ultimate Vacations because they wanted "to get away from RCI and II and those hassles." They also said Ultimate Vacations "was not a deeded property" but could be willed to their children "with our other timeshares" -- apparently, they didn't realize that Ultimate Vacations isn't any sort of property at all and that they hadn't gotten a timeshare for their $2995.

The other mini-article was even worse. It was by a guy who went on a number of 2-night promo tours because they seemed like a good deal. This guy ended up buying from the developer not once, not twice, but seven -- yes, seven (7) -- times. And, these weren't cheap timeshares, either. His first ones cost $7500 and $13500 -- in the early 1990s, that is. Another, later purchase was a five-week fractional package, and the most recent sounded like it was a Fairfield VIP Point package. I'd guess this guy spent a six-figure sum more than he needed to, by buying from the developer.

I found this all pretty shocking, actually. How can someone know enough to write an article for a timesharing magazine, yet have never heard of the resale market? And how can Timesharing Today just run these articles without pointing out that these folks got ripped off?

Any thoughts?

 

[KenK]

I've been upset with T/S Today ever since they justified the ads they carry for Timeshare Relief Post Card Company.

One needs to realize that TUG has ads from 'companies' that the same BBS says not to use, but the admin here never (that I have seen) makes a positive or negative excuse for any of the companies policies. (Maybe just running the ad implies it is OK?) Maybe thats why T/S Today felt it important to say something as to why the ad would be running......

I also feel T/S Today helps the T/S owners...esp in the past. I have seen some good articles there.

And of course nearly all 'seasoned' tuggers point to (and post links to) T/S Today as a good place to get T/S info, sales & rental contracts & stuff.

I've never seen any write up (or any info pointing the T/S owner for help) in T/S Today about TUG or TS4RUMs or even the European T/S websites that try to also help owners. They do publish a listing of T/S groups in various states of the USA.

 

[ausman]

It is one of the few publications on Timesharing.

In fact I don't believe I know of another. Street Talk is another animal, and Endless Vacation is what it is. Other than those what is there.



I think Timesharing Today may have to compromise too much simply to stay in business.

I have dropped the subscription and resubscribed a number of times now, and would agree it is of little value to an experienced tugger.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I wrote an article about Timeshare Relief, basically a letter to the editor, which should be in this month's issue. Ray Jacobs told me that some editing would be done. I imagine my references to TUG might be taken out?

I suggested that they provide a page in their magazine for timeshare resorts to give away weeks that owners deed back to the resort, in an effort to stop the postcard companies from taking such great advantage of people. I think they are going to provide it, but he said they already have something in place. I haven't seen what he is talking about.

The magazine is pretty good, I think. Before TUG, I used to read it from cover to cover without taking a break. Now I found TUG and I just glance through it and don't even read much of the reviews. I need immediate satisfaction for my hobby, and TUG provides it.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

I need immediate satisfaction for my hobby, and TUG provides it.

Like most TUGgers you are delusional and in denial. You've convinced yourself that your seeking satisfaction for your hobby. The truth is that we're junkies craving fixes to feed our addiction.

 

[somerville]

I wrote an article about Timeshare Relief, basically a letter to the editor, which should be in this month's issue.

It's in there. I received my copy the other day.

 

[JudyS]

I wrote an article about Timeshare Relief, basically a letter to the editor, which should be in this month's issue. Ray Jacobs told me that some editing would be done. I imagine my references to TUG might be taken out? ...

Does this mean that Timesharing Today won't mention TUG because they see them as competition? That wouldn't raise my opinion of them!

BTW, congrats on the article, Cindy!

 

[KenK]

Cindy is on page 29 of the Aug/July 2007 Vol. 17 # 94 T/S Today under " A Crazy Suggestion? ". Not near T/S Reliefs ad on page 13.

Mention of TUG was edited out.....or I missed it.

As I thought about everyone saying how the ads help with finance, it shows why some publications we might trust more with unbiased consumer information might limit ads.

Consumers Union still doesn't allow them, but look what happened to Consumers Digest. Now one of the laughing stocks of the ratings systems. It appears you pay enough, you may just be rated tops.....

Kiplingers started allowing them many years ago, however, that didn't SEEM to change the honesty of the reports, articles, and editorials. Accepting ads can work with keeping the information clean.

Even us average folk can read through some of the muck.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Like most TUGgers you are delusional and in denial. You've convinced yourself that your seeking satisfaction for your hobby. The truth is that we're junkies craving fixes to feed our addiction.

So true! :rofl:

 

[Andar]

IMHO I think Dave M. should start a publication. It doesn't seem there is much he doesn't know or can't point you in the right direction

 

[rickandcindy23]

I just read my article online at the magazine's website.

Why didn't they answer my letter? Gee, I thought they would take it seriously, but they really didn't. They very definitely edited what I wrote. I think I came off as stupid, especially since they didn't answer my plea for a page in their magazine to help small resorts. So why bother to publish it? They even included that bit about retribution from the postcard companies at the end of the article, which I hoped they would leave out.

My original article was about Ray Jacobs' obvious support of Timeshare Relief, even after hearing the huge amount of money they would charge the people at the meeting. I mentioned Ray specifically. I also mentioned TUG and my constant campaign to let people know about the various postcard companies. I even mentioned our own resort as an example of one that is taking charge of the problem from the inside.

Unfortunately, I emailed them through their site, so I have no record of the email to post it here.

I just wish they hadn't published the retribution line, as I have purchased from two of the companies, before I realized who they were.

Why do I think I am going to regret my rampage on postcard companies.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Does this mean that Timesharing Today won't mention TUG because they see them as competition? That wouldn't raise my opinion of them!

BTW, congrats on the article, Cindy!

I don't know the answer to that. I do know that TUG is rarely ever mentioned, which I believe Dave pointed out in a letter to them a while back. It seems that Timesharing Today does want to protect themselves from losing customers, which is their right, but why allow Timeshare Relief to run two half-page ads every issue, if they want to control what people know and believe. Is that what TST thinks of timeshare, that postcard companies do fill a need, because I thought they were on the side of timeshare??? That is what their magazine title suggests. It is a bad message all around. Don't answer my suggestion, but allow Timeshare Relief to continue to advertise because they pull in a little money for it.

There is now a very negative image that comes to my mind about TST.

Carefree Journeys is another TR company. The ad below the TR ad is also theirs. They rent weeks to people who buy a membership. What a lousy company this is. That inventory is only good as long as RCI provides it. Membership in air is all it is.

 

[taffy19]

What a pity that you didn't keep a copy of what you wrote because you could have posted it here. Now, they edited your article and may have even make you look bad or stupid. I don't subscribe so can't read it.

We read much more information here and everyone can voice their opinion how they feel which gives the reader a much better idea of what is going on in this industry.

 

[Fern Modena]

Cindy,
Timesharing Today has never mentioned TUG going as far back as I can remember (and that's a ton of years). They definitely believe that TUG is the competition.

At one time I really liked Timesharing Today. Back in the early days, where there was little else around. I haven't thought much of the magazine for years, since I realized that their point of view and mine didn't jibe. They definitely slant their editorial content to favor their advertisers. I know this how? From two different companies who wanted to be included in articles with listings...one for smaller exchange companies, one for resellers. Neither took out an ad, and neither was included. These are people I know and believe.

Ray Jacobs is the Editor of Timesharing Today. That he edited out any criticism of himself does not surprise me. Does it really surprise you?

Its unfortunate that they edited out your letter so that only the worst was published. But that's how it goes. If you don't want it published, you probably shouldn't say it...

Fern

I just read my article online at the magazine's website.

Why didn't they answer my letter? Gee, I thought they would take it seriously, but they really didn't. They very definitely edited what I wrote. I think I came off as stupid, especially since they didn't answer my plea for a page in their magazine to help small resorts. So why bother to publish it? They even included that bit about retribution from the postcard companies at the end of the article, which I hoped they would leave out.

My original article was about Ray Jacobs' obvious support of Timeshare Relief, even after hearing the huge amount of money they would charge the people at the meeting. I mentioned Ray specifically. I also mentioned TUG and my constant campaign to let people know about the various postcard companies. I even mentioned our own resort as an example of one that is taking charge of the problem from the inside.

Unfortunately, I emailed them through their site, so I have no record of the email to post it here.

I just wish they hadn't published the retribution line, as I have purchased from two of the companies, before I realized who they were.

Why do I think I am going to regret my rampage on postcard companies.

 

[JudyS]

I'd like to read Cindy's letter, but my current issue of TS Today hasn't arrived yet. Could someone email/PM me this issue's password, so I can read it online?

 

[JudyS]

A kind TUGGER sent me the access info to the current issue; thanks!

Cindy, I think your letter was fine.

I see a lot of over-the-top letters in TS Today, to tell the truth. For example, in this issue, someone wrote in complaining about II because they didn't like the resort they got, and they didn't call II until after they got back. Really, it sounded like the problem was the resort's fault, but the writers blamed II instead. They couldn't understand why II said they should have called while they were on vacation: "[II] blamed us for not calling them upon our arrival so they could find us another unit somewhere in or around Phoenix... Is this one of their rules? Where is this written?" Um, it's right there on the first page of every II confirmation letter, actually. I really can't see how II could do anything after the week was over.

So, you were a lot more reasonable than many of the people who write in to TS Today, Cindy. You did a service by warning people about the postcard companies. You also made some good points about how HOAs should accept weeks back; hopefully, some of them will act on it.

 

[rickandcindy23]

What we all should do is write to TST and ask them if they are going to provide a page for resorts to give away their weeks. But maybe that would be too much competition for Timeshare Relief, and we can't have that, can we?

 

[grest]

I gave up my subscription a couple of years ago..just not enough good content, especially when I can just check in here every day. Congratulations on your article, Cindy!
Connie