Recent westin lagunamar direct purchase

[madant]

We recently bought our first timeshare directly from westin lagunamar.
We primarily decided to buy because we like the property, but also would like to explore other vacation options in the westin / marriot vacation club network and do not have a lot of time to optimize for the best value. We are hoping that we would use this membership, explore various properties and buy resale weeks for the properties we like.

After reading some of the posts here at TUG, we are having some buyers' remorse.

The following are the details of what we received. How bad is this deal? Should we cancel the purchase within the next 5 business days?

1. 44000 StarOptions annually at ~16000 USD total + 830 HOA
2. 210,000 Marriot Bonvoy points
3. additional 88000 StarOptions gift which expires in 2 years
4. 5000$ TravelAccess benefit (probably worthless?)
5. We paid the full amount using our credit cards etc. and had some sign on bonuses to reach which equates to around 1600 USD in value.
6. Lifetime Gold? (we are already platinum so probably worthless) + Interval Gold?
7. Option to purchase 6 bonvoy certificates worth 330,000 for ~2250 USD (we did not use this option)

 

[byeloe]

I think you overpaid. If you are wanting to have Star Options, you should consider one of the mandatory resorts. Westin Kierland 2bd Platinum+ could get you 148000 options per year for close to what you paid. Historically lagunamar has been easy to access at 8 months.

44000 options is only good for a 1 bedroom in gold season.

If you love Lagunamar you can get gold season units for cheap on redweek. They have an eoy even listed for $0 right now

 

[CPNY]

We recently bought our first timeshare directly from westin lagunamar.
We primarily decided to buy because we like the property, but also would like to explore other vacation options in the westin / marriot vacation club network and do not have a lot of time to optimize for the best value. We are hoping that we would use this membership, explore various properties and buy resale weeks for the properties we like.

After reading some of the posts here at TUG, we are having some buyers' remorse.

The following are the details of what we received. How bad is this deal? Should we cancel the purchase within the next 5 business days?

1. 44000 StarOptions annually at ~16000 USD total + 830 HOA
2. 210,000 Marriot Bonvoy points
3. additional 88000 StarOptions gift which expires in 2 years
4. 5000$ TravelAccess benefit (probably worthless?)
5. We paid the full amount using our credit cards etc. and had some sign on bonuses to reach which equates to around 1600 USD in value.
6. Lifetime Gold? (we are already platinum so probably worthless) + Interval Gold?
7. Option to purchase 6 bonvoy certificates worth 330,000 for ~2250 USD (we did not use this option)

Rescind that….. 44K SO for 16K is a lot of money! You can pick up WLR resale cheaper and will probably have better luck actually booking what you want. Did you buy a deeded week or aVentura’s? Either way, rescind that and look resale. Just know with resale at WLR you can only use your home resort or get interval membership and exchange (which can be just as good)

 

[madant]

thank you, this is very informative - the 148000 option would be in the resale market right ?

 

[CPNY]

thank you, this is very informative - the 148000 option would be in the resale market right ?

Yes but just know you can’t book anything other than Westin kierland until 8 months

 

[echino]

Bad deal. Cancel right now.

It appears you bought Aventura points, not Lagunamar week. What you bought has zero resale value. If you like Lagunamar, buy a resale week at Lagunamar. It will not have StarOptions, you will only be able to use it at Lagunamar, or exchange via Interval. Maintenance fees at Lagunamar are $1,653.92 for a two bedroom, or $1,039.11 for a one bedroom.

 

[madant]

thank you so much, this is very helpful.

How painful is the cancellation process ? The contract says to send a notice for cancellation, through mail to either the lagunamar address or one in Florida and they would consider the date of postage as the date of the notice. Or we have the option of doing it in person.

Ideally, i don't want to go walk in there in person again and waste more time.

Does the notice for cancellation need any specific format or just a statement that i would like to exercise my right to cancel and share a copy of the first page of the contract ?

 

[vacationtime1]

Does the notice for cancellation need any specific format or just a statement that i would like to exercise my right to cancel and share a copy of the first page of the contract ?

No specific format. Everyone who signed the contract must sign the rescission letter. Send by a method that provides you with a proof of mailing.

 

[CPNY]

thank you so much, this is very helpful.

How painful is the cancellation process ? The contract says to send a notice for cancellation, through mail to either the lagunamar address or one in Florida and they would consider the date of postage as the date of the notice. Or we have the option of doing it in person.

Ideally, i don't want to go walk in there in person again and waste more time.

Does the notice for cancellation need any specific format or just a statement that i would like to exercise my right to cancel and share a copy of the first page of the contract ?

Search TUG for rescission letter examples. As stated above, make sure that whoever signed the contract signs then rescission letter. Send it USPS Certified mail with proof. Stay away from UPS or FedEx.