Should I buy Marriott?

[fnewman]

Having just returned from a week at the Marriott in Las Vegas I must say that we were very impressed. The unit was large, nicely decorated, comfortable and had a great view. Throughout the resort there was evidence of much routine maintenance being performed. In a word, the place was virtuatlly 'spotless'. We took the 'update' and tour but, of course, did not buy anything although we were sorely tempted. But now, I am thinking about perhaps liquidating my other TS properties and switching to Mariott - what do you think?

After looking through the FAQs above, it appears that the biggest downside to buying resale is the inability to put the units into points to use throughout the Mariott system. Is that correct or are ther other points to consider. I also saw information about buying resale directly from Mariott. Any downside to that? What are their resale prices like?

Sorry so many questions, but I'd jsut like to learn more and will be reading as many posts in this forum as I can to get up to speed.

Thanks

 

[dlpearson]

A resale purchased through Marriott is only available once a resort is sold out, so I doubt Marriott resales at Las Vegas will happen for many years. Searching the many internet private resale sites, I'm sure you'll find a few private resales, although since the resort is relatively new, there may not be a ton of them yet.

As you mentioned, the only thing you lose buying a private resale is the option to convert (which means still paying your annual maintenance fee and a $104 conversion fee) your week into Marriott points (for use at hotels, travel packages, etc.). You will likely save thousands on the purchase price compared to buying directly (either new or resale) from Marriott, however.

The internal trade preference to other Marriotts via II is nice; Marriott high maintenance fees (which seem to go up regularly each year) are not so nice.

David

 

[Dave M]

What are their resale prices like?

The same as original sale prices; actually higher as time passes due to inflationary price increases.

The only disadvantage of buying in the open resale market, other than not having the option to trade the use of your week for Marriott Rewards points, is that you won't get whatever purchase incentive points were offered to you.

Otherwise, II, Marriott and your resort will be blind as to where you purchased your week.

One of my Marriott weeks is a 3BR GC that I bought from Marriott and I'm very happy with my purchase. However, I purchased a little over two years ago at preconstruction prices ($24,900) and got a boatload of incentive points.

 

[Dave M]

Marriott high maintenance fees (which seem to go up regularly each year) are not so nice.

It's true that the fees go up, just as fees at most timeshares do. Although there have been some anecdotal reports of occasional significant fee increases at some Marriotts, the facts are that Marriott fees do not increase at an inordinate rate.

The Marriott historical fees schedule - accessible through this forum's FAQs - show that Marriott fees, overall, have gone up an average of about 4% per year over the past five years or so. Sometimes fees actually go down from one year to the next, depending on the resort and its particular financial situation.