Question for you people who score big on the resales

[Robert A Booey]

I suspect but don't know for sure, that those of you who score big on a resale and then end up staying somewhere, are 'marks' for upgrades, upsells, etc. when you go stay at one of these places. You probably have to beat them off with a stick and be a jerk about it.

Am I right or wrong?


Related question rather than starting a new thread.

Those of you buying used, how do you know the particulars of the structure(s) you are buying into, when it was built, when the last renovation or special fee assessments were done, etc. I don't see a lot of this info on used sales, and man oh man, you'd want to know that heading into it.

 

[Karen G]

I suspect but don't know for sure, that those of you who score big on a resale and then end up staying somewhere, are 'marks' for upgrades, upsells, etc. when you go stay at one of these places. You probably have to beat them off with a stick and be a jerk about it.

Am I right or wrong?


Related question rather than starting a new thread.

Those of you buying used, how do you know the particulars of the structure(s) you are buying into, when it was built, when the last renovation or special fee assessments were done, etc. I don't see a lot of this info on used sales, and man oh man, you'd want to know that heading into it.

Buyers of resale units would no more be "marks" for upgrades or whatever else the timeshare salespeople are pushing than any other person staying at that particular timeshare. If the timeshare in question is actively being marketed by a sales staff on the premises, they don't care how any of their "prospects" got there--they go after everyone. Just say NO.

Before buying anything, one should do his/her "due diligence" and research the place. Homeowners' associations should be able to answer all the questions you brought up.

 

[gmarine]

I've never heard of anyone being bothered by a resorts salepersons because they bought resale. I have found its actually the opposite once you tell a salesperson that you purchased resale. At that point they realize you are educated about timeshares and you are no longer an easy target.

I have never been bothered by salepeople at a resort at any time. But during a tour I have told the salesman that I have bought resale for thousands less at the resort he is selling. The tour ended quicker than usual and I walked out with my gift quicker than usual.

 

[AwayWeGo]

Not Completely Wrong. Also Not Exactly Right.

I suspect but don't know for sure, that those of you who score big on a resale and then end up staying somewhere, are 'marks' for upgrades, upsells, etc. when you go stay at one of these places. You probably have to beat them off with a stick and be a jerk about it.

Am I right or wrong?

We treat the on-site high-pressure sales pitches about the same as the 1s based on invitations from timeshare tour headhunters. That is, we see if there's room on our vacation schedule for a timeshare tour, we find out what freebies are being offered, we decide if we feel like going toe to toe with the timeshare sellers (again), & then we make up our mind.

Our 1st on-site sales pitch was for minimal freebies because we were such rookies & were filled with such pride of ownership as freshly minted resale owners that naturally we showed up for the timeshare company's Owner Update. It didn't take long to catch on that the timeshare company was not updating us owners about whussup at our timeshare resort. Not at all. No, what they're updating owners about is the latest version of what the timeshare company is selling -- i.e., more timeshare weeks, more timeshare points, proprietary timeshare club memberships, & I don't know what-all.

When we stayed at Vacation Village At Parkway on RCI Last Call, we were offered $50 to have breakfast or lunch & hear all about ways to enhance our future vacation experience. We said no thanks. Later in the week, they invited us to come hear about ways to enhance our vacation experience & get a check for $124. We said OK.

Eternal optimists that we are, we keep expecting the timeshare sellers to catch on that in pitching to us they're pitching to hard-core resale-only timeshare owners -- i.e., that they're wasting their time arm-twisting us & guilt-tripping us, & all that, & so therefore they might as well cut short their canine-equestrian extravaganza & send us on over to the freebies window with minimal folderol. To date, that's happened exactly once. The treatment we usually get is the whole 9 yards, the complete dog & pony show -- as though the timeshare sellers have sworn an oath not to turn over any freebies to any prospects until they've made us sweat for our freebies.

A friend of mind from way, way back will not go on any sales tours for freebies. That's because of his experience at 1 such tour years ago when his kids were little & the encounter deteriorated to the point that he thought he was about to get into a fistfight with the sales representative who was showing his family around the property. We've never experienced high pressure which got that bad. And by now, all that arm-twisting high pressure affects us approximately the way that rain showers affect ducks.

Related question rather than starting a new thread.

Those of you buying used, how do you know the particulars of the structure(s) you are buying into, when it was built, when the last renovation or special fee assessments were done, etc. I don't see a lot of this info on used sales, and man oh man, you'd want to know that heading into it.

Surely you realize that everybody who buys a timeshare is buying 1 that's already been occupied by the time the new owner shows up & checks in. All timeshares are used-used-used. There is no such thing as a new timeshare. I take your question to mean, Those Of You Buying On The Secondary (Resale) Market.....

However that may be, the answer is No. I never gave it a thought. Through sheer blind luck, however, I bought into a timeshare that is run by an owner-controlled independent HOA-BOD. Through more aimless luck, I bought the year after a big Special Assessment had been laid on. My lucky streak continued as I resold the timeshare a couple of years before the next Special Assessment, then bought back in again after that Special Assessment was over & done.

I have not been so lucky at my other timeshares. All of those but 1 has socked me with Special Assessments.

In truth, however, your question about timeshare particulars (resort management, finances, renovation schedule, fees, assessments, etc.) applies just as much -- possibly more -- to big-bux timeshares bought for full freight from timeshare companies as it does to el cheapo resale timeshares bought via eBay & other secondary marketplaces.

Buy timeshares resale. Save $10,000

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[BargainTraveller]

I suspect but don't know for sure, that those of you who score big on a resale and then end up staying somewhere, are 'marks' for upgrades, upsells, etc. when you go stay at one of these places. You probably have to beat them off with a stick and be a jerk about it.

Am I right or wrong?

When I politely tell them I bought my last timeshare for $1.25 on eBay and I would be interested in any similar deals they can offer, it usually ends the discussion

 

[falmouth3]

When I politely tell them I bought my last timeshare for $1.25 on eBay and I would be interested in any similar deals they can offer, it usually ends the discussion

:hysterical: :rofl: :hysterical:

 

[Robert A Booey]

Yeah I meant resale not used. I am very conservative and I would want all the facts on any structure before I plunked down a penny.

It wouldn't be my idea of a vacation if I constantly have to fight these people off when I stay at their resorts, and when things get to the point that a fistfight almost erupts. Tell me, is everything about this industry deceptive and underhanded? I know that the retail sales are, and it sounds like the 'owner update' meetings are as well.

 

[pjrose]

Yeah I meant resale not used. I am very conservative and I would want all the facts on any structure before I plunked down a penny.

It wouldn't be my idea of a vacation if I constantly have to fight these people off when I stay at their resorts, and when things get to the point that a fistfight almost erupts. Tell me, is everything about this industry deceptive and underhanded? I know that the retail sales are, and it sounds like the 'owner update' meetings are as well.

We have owned timeshares for 20 years. We have never fought off a salesperson at our home resorts. Our developers are neither deceptive nor underhanded, nor are their salespeople.

You just have to do your research to find the right resorts and companies.

 

[Karen G]

It wouldn't be my idea of a vacation if I constantly have to fight these people off when I stay at their resorts, and when things get to the point that a fistfight almost erupts. Tell me, is everything about this industry deceptive and underhanded? I know that the retail sales are, and it sounds like the 'owner update' meetings are as well.

I think you may be misinterpreting some of the posts here. Staying at timeshares is a lot like staying at hotels, except you generally have larger units w/kitchens and one or more bedrooms. Some are quite luxurious with many wonderful amenities.

The timeshare presentations are a different story. That's where people become hostile and upset at some of the sales tactics.

If you are invited to attend an "owner update" or a "free breakfast" that's usually a timeshare presentation & all you have to do is refuse to go and you'll avoid all the unpleasantries. At some places we've received multiple calls to attend and we just say no if we don't want to go.

The sales staff is usually totally separate from the resort staff who oversee the daily operations of the resort. Most of the resort staff are generally pleasant and try to be helpful--they are in the hospitality industry, so they should act this way. The timeshare sales people and their outside contacts (called "body snatchers" in some places) are the people who give timeshares a bad name. But, if you are aware of how the game is played and you don't put yourself in a position to be abused by going to a presentation, you shouldn't have any problem staying at a timeshare and enjoying yourself.

 

[sernow]

Yeah I meant resale not used. I am very conservative and I would want all the facts on any structure before I plunked down a penny.

It wouldn't be my idea of a vacation if I constantly have to fight these people off when I stay at their resorts, and when things get to the point that a fistfight almost erupts. Tell me, is everything about this industry deceptive and underhanded? I know that the retail sales are, and it sounds like the 'owner update' meetings are as well.

I have never been hounded by timeshare sales staff during stays at various resorts. When I have been asked to attend a presentation, I typically decline. It's not as unpleasant as you imagine, and if you don't put yourself in the position of attending a sales presentation, you won't have to worry about their sales tactics. Having been in sales, I do enjoy a good sales presentation now and then, but usually not on my vacation.

 

[Blondie]

The sales resort sales people I meet have no idea how I acquired my week as it is not in their immediate records. All the ownerhip info would show is a transfer of the membership- they have no way to determine how much I paid. I never tell them what I paid because I know they would not believe me anyway. Heck, half the owners there who paid 30K don't believe me when I tell them. So, I just keep quiet. And, actually, if the timeshare folks knew how much I paid, say $1,000 for my 2 bedroom Westin Regina annual floating 1-50, they would realize I am NOT ripe for an upgrade because I am a savvy buyer. Conversely, the idiot who was dumb enough to pay $30K is ripe for the plucking. As far as research- yes, do it. As far as risk, I never buy something I can't sell for more; it's that simple. Right now if all my timeshares fell into the ocean and I never used them again I'd still finish way ahead of the game.

 

[grest]

How would a resort that you trade into know whether you bought resale?
Connie

 

[Talent312]

How would a resort that you trade into know whether you bought resale?

You foolishly strike up a conversation with the guy at the "owner's-reception" desk (a sales-person in disguise). In some places, the sign says "concierge," but its still a sales desk. "Just say no," and they move onto some other mark.

I recently returned from the Fiesta Americana Cancun. After we told the guy that we were there thru our Hilton-membership, they merely wished us an enjoyable stay. Apparently, HGVC carrried some sort of cachet. I'd like to think so, anyway.

 

[AwayWeGo]

That Hits The Nail Right On The Head.

Right now if all my timeshares fell into the ocean and I never used them again I'd still finish way ahead of the game.

Exactly right.

It's just another reminder for Mr. Booey & other inquiring minds that the true cost of timesharing is those ongoing annual fees & assessments, etc., rather than the initial acquisition cost.

That is to say, even if I get all my timeshares el cheapo or even el freebo, it still costs me a little something every year to keep on owning'm -- mox nix whether I actually show up & check in or bank'm with RCI or rent'm out or anything.

Keep that in mind the next time some timeshare seller touts timeshare ownership as locking in future vacation accommodations at today's costs.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[DanM]

1. I have never been hassled by a salesman. I have also never attended a voluntary presentation or returned a phone call from a salesman while staying at a timeshare. I also never speak to salesmen in stores unless I have a question. If they approach me I tell them to go away until called for. I am not polite to salesmen.

2. I have never done a huge amount of due diligence on my timeshare purchases, other than to scour the Internet for every rumor or comment on a timeshare I am interested in and to make my own assessment of trade value, because I generally buy to trade. I have not bought some "bargains" because the fact the resorts were financially shakey was very clear. Every timeshare I ever bought more than paid for itself in the rental value of the first trade. I figure my average carrying costs are about $650-$750 per week per year, including RCI and II membership and exchange fees and even a couple of assessments (averaged over my timeshare portfolio). I always seem to be able to trade for something with a higher rental value, although I confess I should sell something because it is getting harder to take the time off. I doubt this would have worked for me if I didn't ski, because renting equivalent accommodations in ski country in high season is so expensive that I can often get my "weekly rental value" even if I only use the unit for two or three nights.

 

[LINAND]

It wouldn't be my idea of a vacation if I constantly have to fight these people off when I stay at their resorts, and when things get to the point that a fistfight almost erupts. Tell me, is everything about this industry deceptive and underhanded? I know that the retail sales are, and it sounds like the 'owner update' meetings are as well.

I am finally (I hope) in the process of getting rid of my timeshare that we bought back in 93. I will get down on my knees and thank God when it is done and over with and this money cow is out of my name.
I was CONSTANTLY fighting them off. even when we traded into other Westgate resorts they bothered us on a daily basis to go to their free breakfasts and maintenance reports which are ONLY scams for another sales pitch. been there people, and done that.

I am one who almost got into a fist fight with one of their managers who FORCED met to attend a "maintenance report or they would charge my credit card for any scratch they might find in my unit." I was as cool as a cucumber answering their questions on how much I thought another week was worth. I answered zero. them: would you refer a friend to westgate? me: heck no!
her hands were trembling and I was being cool giving her the most ridiculous answers I could come up with. haha.
I actually HOPED she would slug me. then there would have been the biggest lawsuit to ever hit the state of Florida.

My timesharing experience over the years has not been a pleasant one. giving it away or selling it is harder than selling sand to people in the Sahara desert!
you could not GIVE me another timeshare even if all fees were included in the gift. why? they would hound me to death to buy another and another and another thats why.

 

[aliikai2]

This is not a typical ownership, it is what we refer to as

Wastgate,

run a search on King David and his empire of thugs, and you will find the industries worst sales staff, then add on the fact that He has yet to allow one of his resorts to become owner managed, and has figured out how to milk owners each year for some new program, well he is the worst example of a timeshare developer.


The 2nd place is the Grupo Mayan( Grand Mayan, Mayan Palace,etc) But they won't hound you, they will ask as you check in, and if you decline, you won;t hear another word about it.


jmho,

Greg

I am finally (I hope) in the process of getting rid of my timeshare that we bought back in 93. I will get down on my knees and thank God when it is done and over with and this money cow is out of my name.
I was CONSTANTLY fighting them off. even when we traded into other Westgate resorts they bothered us on a daily basis to go to their free breakfasts and maintenance reports which are ONLY scams for another sales pitch. been there people, and done that.

I am one who almost got into a fist fight with one of their managers who FORCED met to attend a "maintenance report or they would charge my credit card for any scratch they might find in my unit." I was as cool as a cucumber answering their questions on how much I thought another week was worth. I answered zero. them: would you refer a friend to westgate? me: heck no!
her hands were trembling and I was being cool giving her the most ridiculous answers I could come up with. haha.
I actually HOPED she would slug me. then there would have been the biggest lawsuit to ever hit the state of Florida.

My timesharing experience over the years has not been a pleasant one. giving it away or selling it is harder than selling sand to people in the Sahara desert!
you could not GIVE me another timeshare even if all fees were included in the gift. why? they would hound me to death to buy another and another and another thats why.

 

[sfwilshire]

I have received a few unwanted phone calls asking me to tour, but that's the extent of it. I've also taken a few tours by choice, and as mentioned above, usually get out fast when they find out what I've paid for my other units.

Sheila

 

[Jya-Ning]

Am I right or wrong?

You shouldn't care, since you don't believe too much of TS's outlook.

But the truth is, the salesman does not care what you own. And most of the time they do know if you are for gift or has any potential to buy. And any good saleman will try to not waste more their time on people that will not buy.

As to where to buy, sometimes, people asking, sometimes people buy where they have been. Sometimes it is a big system. Sometimes, people just buy for trading purpose, so it is not important. And sometimes, people just want to enjoy the bidding.

Jya-Ning

 

[Robert A Booey]

Thanks. You have answered all my question. Everything about this industry is deceptive and underhanded in my opinion.

I am finally (I hope) in the process of getting rid of my timeshare that we bought back in 93. I will get down on my knees and thank God when it is done and over with and this money cow is out of my name.

 

[Sandy VDH]

I knew of a few folks who unplug the phone in the timeshare and just use their cell phone. Anyone who knows them knows their cell number and the timeshare folks onsite, only know your room number.

 

[pjrose]

Thanks. You have answered all my question. Everything about this industry is deceptive and underhanded in my opinion.

Did you read post 8? There is a lot of deception and underhandedness - but not EVERYTHING. There are owners in some resorts and some resort systems who are happy and have no regrets. I am not alone among Royal Resorts owners, and no, I don't think they put happy pills in the water. Just post your question under Mexico and see what other Royals owners have to say.

I'm sure there are happy people with other systems too - Marriott comes to mind as a good possibiilty.

I recognize that we may be in the minority, but your use of the word "Everything" is incorrect.

 

[Robert A Booey]

Thanks. Yes, I see, all the more reason to be careful and know what you are getting into. There is also the possibility that a change of resort corporate ownership could occur, which I have seen mentioned in other discussions.

Ya know, this all seems like an awful lot of work to go through, just to gloat about saving a few bills on a trip.

Did you read post 8? There is a lot of deception and underhandedness - but not EVERYTHING.

 

[Holly]

That's exactly what I do. The VERY first thing that I do when I check in is unplug all the phones. Everyone that I care to hear from has my cell number.

I knew of a few folks who unplug the phone in the timeshare and just use their cell phone. Anyone who knows them knows their cell number and the timeshare folks onsite, only know your room number.

 

[AwayWeGo]

Mox Nix ?

There is also the possibility that a change of resort corporate ownership could occur, which I have seen mentioned in other discussions.

When a timeshare is sold out (or close to it) & is under the management & control of an independent, owner-oriented HOA-BOD, what difference does it make if a different timeshare company takes over as Developer Of Record ?

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​