Please don't buy into the idea this is a buying opporunity

[timeos2]

[Message deleted. Please read my most recent post in this thread. See this thread for ROFR discussion. Dave M, BBS Moderator]

 

[davidvel]

My point is not to argue whether buying a timeshare is a good investment, and if you can make money on it selling it later, etc. Nor am I seeking to predict the market: its bottom, nor its future.

But, I can't understand the argument that this is not a good time (as opposed to any previous time) to buy a Marriott timeshare. Putting aside any speculation about whether you can get a unit cheaper in the future, as of now this is the best time to buy a timeshare if you want to buy one.

Marriott is not exercising ROFR for all intents and purposes and lots of people got way over their heads and are giving away units for practically nothing. Best of both worlds for buyers.

 

[thinze3]

...What has changed for me in this economic environment is that the prices have come down so much due to the temporary suspension of ROFR that I believe it does make sense now.

And, it's possible to get an extra pop later if Marriott starts exercising ROFR again.

Boca, if you purchase a high-demand Marriott platinum lock-off unit, after five years, most likely that resort will be sold out. You can then sell it through Marriott for 60% or retail. This was very common practice at HHI Marriotts the last few years. Nothing like many years of great Marriott use & trades and then potentially getting more than your original investment back it's over.

I have already put my Waiohai on the Marriott resale list knowing it will be several years before my name comes up. But it is easy enough to say NO in a few years when I do get that call.

Let's not also forget about the inevitable point system that Marriott will set at door steps next year. If I were a gambling man, I would bet that current owners will have some sort of advantage over those who purchase after inplementation of the new system.

Terry

 

[BocaBum99]

Terry,

This is a great way to leverage Marriott's current business model. They are foregoing the profit they can make with ROFR in favor of using their customers capital to fund their inventory. This is very smart in a time when capital is constrained.

So, if you can pick up a unit for a value far below what Marriott is selling them for, you can profit by having Marriott sell it for you. You just have to get in line and know how long that line is.

 

[MOXJO7282]

I can tell you definitely that my expert point of view is that it is a very good time to purchase high end timeshares.

I totally agree with this statement. However, I emphasize the key phrase "high end". I've said this from day one, the only TS worth owning is the prime OF/OS/OV plat units at the high-end OF resorts, because otherwise you can rent almost anything else at a reasonable price. Just like in high end real estate, there will always be a market for high-end Plat TS.

Think of this. How many high-end TSs have you seen on ebay selling real low. I'm not talking GV or gold week units, because they have a much lower market. I'm talking Marriott plat OF/OS/OV Maui, Aruba, or Grand Ocean type units? Almost never because they don't have to dump them on ebay because they can get a decent price through broker or redweek type ads. Even now. Otherwise you would see these, because they are definaitely being sold, just not in a ebay fire sale.