Posters Dissing Free Timeshare Giveaway Forum Ads

[DeniseM]

Actually... TUG staff does moderate Ads all the time, in both the Free Timeshare Forum and the TUG Marketplace. I don't think it's in TUG's best interest to to allow false or misleading info to stay posted, after we notice it or it's brought to our attention. That isn't helpful to the seller or buyer. But that's a different situation than when a Tugger gets really negative about an offer, because they don't like the resort, or whatever.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

a seller in most states is obligated to disclose all facts material to a transaction that the other party does not know

I act as CalGal's OP recommends, but I agree with david. Obviously, unsophisticated sellers don't even understand what is "material" and what is "material" even depends on how the buyer intends to use it. If someone wants to trade it 80-90% of the time, the priorities for materiality are different than for someone who wants to go to that resort 80-90% of the time.
There was a thread ranking TSs and some people prioritized the cushions on the lounge chairs by the pool. Should recent upgrades to lounge chairs be listed? lounge availability? Some people prioritize balcony view. Include a photo? and the beat goes on
But yes, the people who say "MFs/Pt are too high. Buy what I buy" are trying to dominate the conversation

 

[WaikikiFirst]

there are two sticky threads in the free giveaway forum ... followed mabye 25% of the time

People don't want to get their fingers sticky, and google searches throw them right into the fray, well past the stickies (not having read enough stickies myself)

 

[RLG]

I have given away over 20 timeshares, but I disagree with the OP.

Isn't the view that people should "mind their own business" and "it's up to the buyer/grantor to look out for themselves" the same thing that we hear from sales weasels who don't want anyone scaring away their victim? I don't think anyone here would agree that there's something wrong with alerting a stranger at a resort to things they need to know before they buy or sell. Why would it be less appropriate to alert a fellow TUG participant?

 

[CalGalTraveler]

@RLG So I presume you are okay if someone that has no intention to buy, states that they don't like the timeshare you are giving away because the maintenance fees are too high, or the season is not peak and it is not a unicorn so in their opinion it is a bad deal. You may have disclosed these details in your ad (without the opinion) so there is no misleading information.

 

[RLG]

People already are free to post those opinions elsewhere on the site and routinely do. I think we're better off allowing all opinions rather than tasking the mods with separating those those that are "dissing" versus providing useful information.

 

[Panina]

Value is different to everyone. When I see a comment like this is horrible, no one should take it, etc, it is an opinion. Opinions have no place within a Free timeshare ad. I remember the first freebie I took on Tug. Most at that time would think it didn't have value but it did to me. It actually ended up being my favorite timeshare ever.

 

[easyrider]

I gave away a free timeshare that was located in a place that some tuggers would never own (Mexico), and opinions were given, lol. The funny thing was that I cross posted it on a Facebook page for owners and gave it away in one day. The buyer was thrilled to only have to pay the transfer fee. Of course I received zero interest on my TUG listing.

The facebook resort group pages do move alot of resales and rentals.

Bill

 

[easyrider]

@RLG So I presume you are okay if someone that has no intention to buy, states that they don't like the timeshare you are giving away because the maintenance fees are too high, or the season is not peak and it is not a unicorn so in their opinion it is a bad deal. You may have disclosed these details in your ad (without the opinion) so there is no misleading information.

That rarely happens here. Most buyers here know why and what they want regardless of what is posted.

Bill

 

[davidvel]

@RLG So I presume you are okay if someone that has no intention to buy, states that they don't like the timeshare you are giving away because the maintenance fees are too high, or the season is not peak and it is not a unicorn so in their opinion it is a bad deal. You may have disclosed these details in your ad (without the opinion) so there is no misleading information.

If someone posts that the MF are too high, others including the seller can call out the comment if they think it is an unfair characterization. The OP was advocating for NO COMMENTS on the giveaway board. I think that would be much worse than what now exists, and leave unsuspecting newbie takers without a safety net.

We all know that some (most?) free timeshares are more of a liability than an asset, but many may not. Maybe a note at the top of the thread that states:

Free timeshares are free for a reason (no one will pay for it), and may COST you money to get rid of, with never ending liabilities. Some have very high maintenance fees, even higher than what you could rent the week for. Feel free to ask lots of questions and research the season, resort, and reservation availability.

As noted above, there also could be a requirement of certain minimum required info in the post.

 

[DeniseM]

If someone posts that the MF are too high, others including the seller can call out the comment if they think it is an unfair characterization. The OP was advocating fro NO COMMENTS on the giveaway board. I think that would be much worse than what now exists, and leave unsuspecting newbie takers without a safety net.

We all know that some (most?) free timeshares are more of a liability than an asset, but many may not. Maybe a note at the top of the thread that states:

Free timeshares are free for a reason (no one will pay for it), and may COST you money to get rid of, with never ending liabilities. Some have very high maintenance fees, even higher than what you could rent the week for. Feel free to ask lots of questions and research the season, resort, and reservation availability.

As noted above, there also could be a requirement of certain minimum required info in the post.

I have adopted a number of great timeshares on the Free Timeshare Forum - most with little or no resale value, but our family loves to use them:

Dolphin's Cove - Anaheim
Hyatt High Sierra - Lake Tahoe
Timbers at Island Park - Yellowstone

I don't think the forum needs more rules - if you see an issue, either offer your help, or report it if you think a moderator should look at it. Easy-Peasy

 

[davidvel]

I have adopted a number of great timeshares on the Free Timeshare Forum - most with little or no resale value, but our family loves to use them:

Dolphin's Cove - Anaheim
Hyatt High Sierra - Lake Tahoe
Timbers at Island Park - Yellowstone

I don't think the forum needs more rules - if you see an issue, either offer your help, or report it if you think a moderator should look at it. Easy-Peasy

And you are probably in the top .1% of those with knowledge of timeshares, allowing you to find what you consider to be a gem, and know the pitfalls and undisclosed info.

 

[bizaro86]

Value is different to everyone. When I see a comment like this is horrible, no one should take it, etc, it is an opinion. Opinions have no place within a Free timeshare ad. I remember the first freebie I took on Tug. Most at that time would think it didn't have value but it did to me. It actually ended up being my favorite timeshare ever.

100% this. If there's a factual issue with an ad point it out. I've told someone their quoted MF was too high once (they were including a VSN fee the buyer wouldn't pay because it wouldn't be eligible for VSN as a voluntary week).

But stuff like, "that MF is too high" or "Location XYZ is overbuilt" isn't helpful or necessary, imo. As long as the ad is truthful I think expressing a negative opinion is bad manners.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

If someone posts that the MF are too high, others including the seller can call out the comment if they think it is an unfair characterization. The OP was advocating for NO COMMENTS on the giveaway board. I think that would be much worse than what now exists, and leave unsuspecting newbie takers without a safety net.

We all know that some (most?) free timeshares are more of a liability than an asset, but many may not. Maybe a note at the top of the thread that states:

Free timeshares are free for a reason (no one will pay for it), and may COST you money to get rid of, with never ending liabilities. Some have very high maintenance fees, even higher than what you could rent the week for. Feel free to ask lots of questions and research the season, resort, and reservation availability.

As noted above, there also could be a requirement of certain minimum required info in the post.

Actually that was hyperbole.

After listening to this thread, I am fine with Tuggers helping to ensure FACTUAL information about the unit is included or correct e.g. asking to include MF or other critical data. Correcting MF etc. Known assessments.

What my post is not okay with is opinion about the relative value of the unit and speculation. Value is relative to one's own situation, risk profile and decision criteria. Perhaps the best solution is to report such posts to the moderators so they can take them down.

 

[TUGBrian]

I gave away a free timeshare that was located in a place that some tuggers would never own (Mexico), and opinions were given, lol. The funny thing was that I cross posted it on a Facebook page for owners and gave it away in one day. The buyer was thrilled to only have to pay the transfer fee. Of course I received zero interest on my TUG listing.

existing owners at a resort are FAR more likely to buy another ownership than anyone else!

 

[klpca]

existing owners at a resort are FAR more likely to buy another ownership than anyone else!

Because they see the value!

 

[davidvel]

existing owners at a resort are FAR more likely to buy another ownership than anyone else!

But if it has hidden pitfalls that are severely detrimental, they are also the most likely to know that.

 

[davidvel]

Actually that was hyperbole.

After listening to this thread, I am fine with Tuggers helping to ensure FACTUAL information about the unit is included or correct e.g. asking to include MF or other critical data. Correcting MF etc. Known assessments.

What my post is not okay with is opinion about the relative value of the unit and speculation. Value is relative to one's own situation, risk profile and decision criteria. Perhaps the best solution is to report such posts to the moderators so they can take them down.

Fair enough, but if an opinion about value or other attributes places in context, and is supported by, sufficient accurate facts, I have no problem with that. Newbies to TS or a particular resort may be provided all the facts, but not know their importance.

Overall I am for the free market of thought and ideas allowing people to provide comments and counter thoughts rather than just deleting. But I agree that troll like bashing should be moderated.

 

[dioxide45]

What my post is not okay with is opinion about the relative value of the unit and speculation. Value is relative to one's own situation, risk profile and decision criteria. Perhaps the best solution is to report such posts to the moderators so they can take them down.

Either the posts are deleted before I see them, or it just doesn't happen all that much. I see a number of low season weeks posted to Free Timeshares and I don't see people dissing them all that often, if at all. I can maybe count two times I have seen a Free Timeshare thread go off track with people criticizing the week being offered. I will often jump in if someone is offering up something of considerable value because in many cases it will be fruitless for the buyer/taker as the developer will often swoop in and take it in ROFR.

 

[claraj]

I recall one thread where the OP thought the comments were "disses" but at least some of them were not and were factual but because the OP didn't understand the terminology or lingo, took the comments as disses.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

There were comments on that same thread that were disses and they appear to have been removed later by the mods.

This poster listed her timeshare on Free Giveaways after receiving advice on the Forums suggesting that she give it away. When she followed the Forum advice and listed her giveaway it was was met with comments like, "This is a bad silver season deed - no one will ever want it." etc. This is understandably why she was so upset. Several Tuggers suggested that she relist again with clean listing but it appears she gave up.

There have been others. I just reported one to the mods.

 

[DeniseM]

Sometimes the info is appropriate, but the tone is disrespectful - when Tuggers add info to these offers, I hope they will do so with the goal of being helpful to the poster and those who may be interested in the offer. This falls in line with the TUG "be courteous" rule, which applies to all forums.

Be Courteous

As we read and respond to others, disagreements are inevitable. Differing points of view are welcomed, and indeed the bbs would be a dull place without them. All users are expected and required to express their disagreements civilly. Refrain from name calling and behavior lectures. Personal attacks will not be tolerated and repeated offenses could get you banned from the bbs. Lively discussion is what the board is all about, but that is no excuse for boorish behavior or bad manners. We are assumed to all be adults. If you don't like a particular thread, stop reading it!

 

[davidvel]

There were comments on that same thread that were disses and they appear to have been removed later by the mods.

This poster listed her timeshare on Free Giveaways after receiving advice on the Forums suggesting that she give it away. When she followed the Forum advice and listed her giveaway it was was met with comments like, "This is a bad silver season deed - no one will ever want it." etc. This is understandably why she was so upset. Several Tuggers suggested that she relist again with clean listing but it appears she gave up.

There have been others. I just reported one to the mods.

Would or should anyone have taken it?

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Maybe. Everyone has different values and just because it may not have the best MF ratio for someone expecting best value - for free it might be perfect for someone.

It was an HGVC silver season EOY. Sometimes there are events. Consider Vegas silver season computer shows, F1 during gold season or events in the winter, Or family in the area where you want cheap accommodations, or maybe they visit clients in the area for work, perhaps they like winter by the beach, or maybe they only need to add 2500 HGVC points to add to their portfolio to reserve the room their growing family wants to reserve and they do not want to pay upfront for a higher value deed.

There are also HGVC deeds where people desire free EOY low season units because they want free reservations benefits for their other ownerships. I believe this unit gets free access to mini-golf and other attractions - who knows? Not everything is dollars and cents.

 

[davidvel]

Maybe. Everyone has different values and just because it may not have the best MF ratio for someone expecting best value - for free it might be perfect for someone.

It was an HGVC silver season EOY. Sometimes there are events. Consider Vegas silver season computer shows, F1 during gold season or events in the winter, Or family in the area where you want cheap accommodations, or maybe they visit clients in the area for work, perhaps they like winter by the beach, or maybe they only need to add 2500 HGVC points to add to their portfolio to reserve the room their growing family wants to reserve and they do not want to pay upfront for a higher value deed.

There are also HGVC deeds where people desire free EOY low season units because they want free reservations benefits for their other ownerships. I believe this unit gets free access to mini-golf and other attractions - who knows? Not everything is dollars and cents.

All of those things could be true for the week. If the buyer knows it and is buying with that knowledge and want, then no sideways comment is going to change their mind to acquire it.