Strategy for buying Palm Desert or Scottsdale week for Summer use

[DeniseM]

We don't know with on-going requests, but with instant online exchanges they pull the same inventory.

But since you can get a Plat 1 bdm. for free, and the MF is the same, might as well go for Plat.

As far as your disappointing results, were you searching for Starwood exchanges? The real strength of SDO as a trader is for Starwood to Starwood trades. Outside Starwood, not so much.

 

[gnorth16]

Instant Exchange Results

As far as my FLA trades, the instant online inventory is the same. As far as the OP's desire to exchange into WKV, the small 1BR gold float does not register any instant inventory, nor does the large 1BR. The Plat large 1BR pulls this.

FWIW, a 2BR gold float only pulled 3 trades, all in May 1 BR.

[Sightings Deleted I'm sorry - it's TUG's policy to only post sightings on the Sightings Forum - it's a perk of TUG membership. DeniseM]

 

[DeniseM]

I would not recommend buying a gold or silver week - we recommended a 1-52 floating week which is Gold Plus. Gold is a LOWER season.

Right now I can see 28 weeks at WKV with my Lg. 1 bdm. Gold Plus week (1-52 float), including a 2 bdm.

 

[grgs]

As far as my FLA trades, the instant online inventory is the same. As far as the OP's desire to exchange into WKV, the small 1BR gold float does not register any instant inventory, nor does the large 1BR. The Plat large 1BR pulls this.

FWIW, a 2BR gold float only pulled 3 trades, all in May 1 BR.

To be clear: is your SDO a 1-52 float? Or, a 22-27 & 35-49 Gold unit?

Glorian

 

[gnorth16]

Gold Plus 1-52 float.

But for reference (sorry Denise, oops!) the 1 BR Platinum pulled better trades. With the added bonus of lower MF's, but that is the instant exchanges. If a request with II is made and you want to plan ahead, a 2BR would be required for the "same for same" exchange.

IMO, if your a planner a 2BR Gold Plus 1-52 float. If you like a bit of risk and like the thrill of exchanging and a good deal, I would get a 1BR Platinum (Larger one).

 

[gnorth16]

Sorry. There must be something wrong with II. The returns are erratic. First 3, then 0, 0 again now the same as Denise 28. Even the small 1BR is pulling up the same results.

Go with a 2BR Gold Plus 1-52.

 

[esk444]

what is an 'XYZ'?

It's a special program at II that allows members an extra exchange under certain circumstances. Who knows how long it will last or if it will change? There are several threads that talks about how it works and the restrictions.

 

[vacationtime1]

Sorry. There must be something wrong with II. The returns are erratic. First 3, then 0, 0 again now the same as Denise 28. Even the small 1BR is pulling up the same results.

Go with a 2BR Gold Plus 1-52.

Interval is buggy and erratic. Worse yet, it is buggy and erratic inconsistently. Sometimes refreshing the search creates different results. Sometimes you have to logoff and logon again. No one has detected the pattern. Which means you cannot ever know what is really behind the black curtain.

 

[C30NY]

Interval is buggy and erratic. Worse yet, it is buggy and erratic inconsistently. Sometimes refreshing the search creates different results. Sometimes you have to logoff and logon again. No one has detected the pattern. Which means you cannot ever know what is really behind the black curtain.

Thank god its not just me! I thought it was the guest # I was entering...then i thought it was the page I entered the exchange from.

At times it shows nothing if you search for a specific resort you may get:

At the moment there are no matches for the destinations and dates you selected.


But then clicking "View Exchange Availability" it shows units...

Very odd...makes me obsessively search II

 

[gnorth16]

Frustrating!!!

On the Plus side as a trial I took my B side SDO and looked at WLR Westin Lagunamar (see sightings board) and landed a 2BR in December of 2012. It was not part of my vacation plans but it was too good to pass up!!!

I usually search 2 adults and 2 child, then change it to 2 adults and 1 child. If it comes up as no availability, I search again.

 

[DeniseM]

If you search for just "1" it will show all available units. - Not withstanding glitches of course!

 

[marmite]

Gold Plus 1-52 float.

But for reference (sorry Denise, oops!) the 1 BR Platinum pulled better trades. With the added bonus of lower MF's, but that is the instant exchanges. If a request with II is made and you want to plan ahead, a 2BR would be required for the "same for same" exchange.

IMO, if your a planner a 2BR Gold Plus 1-52 float. If you like a bit of risk and like the thrill of exchanging and a good deal, I would get a 1BR Platinum (Larger one).

Sorry, could you please dumb this down for me? I am not sure I'm following...

Are you saying that with the 2BR gold plus, you would deposit first as a 2BR well in advance, so you could get a 2BR at another Starwood (starwood to starwood priority)? But if you didn't need to plan so far ahead and could try for a last-minute deal, then you could use a 1BDR to try and pull a 2BR?

When you deposit your week that it is always like for like, and only on the instant trades that you have a chance to get a larger unit than you deposit?

Thanks.

 

[gnorth16]

Bang on!!!

Last minute isn't always last minute. Not to mention, there are no guarantees a 1BR will get you a 2BR every time.

 

[DeniseM]

What he is saying is:

When you put in an on-going request for a 2 bdm., you must deposit a 2 bdm.

But when you do an Instant Online Exchange you can trade a sm. 1 bdm for a 2 bdm. That's why we have been recommending a sm. 1 bdm., because AZ has more supply than demand in the summer and it's an easy Instant Online Exchange.

BTW - An instant online exchange does not have to be last minute - there is availabilty for next summer right now. For more difficult trades (Maui) you might need the 2 bdm., but not for AZ in the summer.

PLUS - buying a small 1 bdm. would let you try exchanging for cheap.

I just checked again, and there are a total of 17 resorts - with multiple weeks at each resort - available in AZ (including Marriott) for June - Aug. So there is clearly no need for a 2 bdm. for this particular trade.

If you wanted to trade for a 2 bdm. in Hawaii - then absolutely you should buy a 2 bdm. trader, but for AZ in the summer - a 1 bdm. meets your needs. Eventually, you might want to add a 2 bdm., but if you want to start off slow and cheap - start with the small 1 bdm. at SDO.

If and when you are ready to take the plunge for a 2 bdm. trader - it is a great value and this is why.

If you buy a large 1 bdm + a small 1 bdm. SEPARATELY - the maintenance fee (together) is $1,154.45

Sm. 1 Bdm. - $529.91
Lg. 1 Bdm. - $624.54
Total for both sides = $1,154.45

But if you buy the 2 bdm. lock-off - the maintenance fee is only $908.41 - $246.04 CHEAPER for the exact same ownership. (A large 1 bdm. + a small 1 bdm.)

Sm. 1 Bdm. - $529.91
Lg. 1 Bdm. - $624.54
2 Bdm. L/O - $908.41

 

[LisaRex]

Bang on!!!

Last minute isn't always last minute. Not to mention, there are no guarantees a 1BR will get you a 2BR every time.

No rush. There were plenty of 2 bdrm desert summer weeks available in Jan/Feb when I was trying to exchange my WKORV/N studio.

 

[marmite]

If and when you are ready to take the plunge for a 2 bdm. trader - it is a great value and this is why.

If you buy a large 1 bdm + a small 1 bdm. SEPARATELY - the maintenance fee (together) is $1,154.45

Sm. 1 Bdm. - $529.91
Lg. 1 Bdm. - $624.54
Total for both sides = $1,154.45

But if you buy the 2 bdm. lock-off - the maintenance fee is only $908.41 - $246.04 CHEAPER for the exact same ownership. (A large 1 bdm. + a small 1 bdm.)

So speaking of the 'plunge' for a 2 bdr.... I do see that the gold plus or plat do have serious competition on ebay.

So how much is that 2bdr lockoff really worth? How much would you pay, all in? It could potentially take several years of savings on the MF to pay off the initial bid (vs. the almost free 1 bedroom units that have been appearing).

I could see how getting the 2nd bedroom would be desirable for a 'real' trade, say to Hawaii, but if the MF on just one unit was $577 plus the II trade fee, plus II membership, I would be looking at considerably more for that additional week away, than I would be by just buying a 'getaway' on II for that second week. Or is that wrong (I don't really know the prices of a summer getaway in a Starwood Palm Desert or AZ, was assuming around 500-600 for a 1bdr)?

Thanks again, Denise.

 

[Ken555]

I don't really know the prices of a summer getaway in a Starwood Palm Desert or AZ, was assuming around 500-600 for a 1bdr

Much less. I paid just over $500, after taxes (which II now charges for getaways) for a 2-bed Marriott in Palm Springs this summer. A one bedroom is much less, around $250-350 (you can save by upgrading your II membership to gold or platinum, but research that carefully because it's only worthwhile if you were to use the services or more than one getaway etc. You don't need to worry about that right now, though). A few years ago I was able to get a (large) one bedroom unit at the Four Seasons in Scottsdale in August...for $228 (after my gold II $25 discount) - that was a real treat and is still the best experience I've had at a timeshare resort...just thinking about that makes me want to return there!

I like the direction you're planning on going here, and think you'll realize significant value from a single unit plus getaways. And once you experience the system over the next year or two, you might find yourself wanting another week...

 

[marmite]

A one bedroom is much less, around $250-350 (you can save by upgrading your II membership to gold or platinum, but research that carefully because it's only worthwhile if you were to use the services or more than one getaway etc. You don't need to worry about that right now, though).

Oh, phew! I can wait until next week to worry . That is really good to know, I will look into that when I have a TS to register.

A few years ago I was able to get a (large) one bedroom unit at the Four Seasons in Scottsdale in August...for $228 (after my gold II $25 discount) - that was a real treat and is still the best experience I've had at a timeshare resort...just thinking about that makes me want to return there!

Nicely done. That sounds like my kind of vacation. Though Kierland (which you have) looks very nice too, and one of the reasons I would like something that could trade into there.

And once you experience the system over the next year or two, you might find yourself wanting another week...

Unfortunately, I haven't got the first week and am already considering a second. With the closing costs I've been seeing (and the savings for the lockoff MF's), it's tempting to get a 2bdr and realize some savings during the closing. However, it looks like a lot of people have the same idea and some of the ebay listings are 'disappearing' (being pulled) before the end of the auction.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Cheers.

 

[VacationForever]

So how much is that 2bdr lockoff really worth? How much would you pay, all in? It could potentially take several years of savings on the MF to pay off the initial bid (vs. the almost free 1 bedroom units that have been appearing).

2BR L/O Annual 1-52 should go for around $1K including closing cost.

 

[DeniseM]

The 2 bdm. Plat weeks are much more expensive because people seek them out to requalify for Elite Status, so I wouldn't buy a Plat 2 bdm. - instead, I'd buy a Gold-Plus, 1-52 floating week.

 

[marmite]

2BR L/O Annual 1-52 should go for around $1K including closing cost.

Thanks. The auction I'm watching is already at that point, so I should probably not bother with it.

 

[marmite]

The 2 bdm. Plat weeks are much more expensive because people seek them out to requalify for Elite Status, so I wouldn't buy a Plat 2 bdm. - instead, I'd buy a Gold-Plus, 1-52 floating week.

Does the same thing happen with the 1bdrs, or just less-so?

 

[VacationForever]

Thanks. The auction I'm watching is already at that point, so I should probably not bother with it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHERATON-DE...00655668691?pt=Timeshares&hash=item2eb80285d3

If you are referring to this, there is no closing cost so it's still currently below $1K and it will likely end at around 1K at auction close. But this seller a "train wreck" as another Tugger pointed out in the thread on SVV. Maintenance fee is inconsistent in the post.

 

[DeniseM]

Does the same thing happen with the 1bdrs, or just less-so?

No - When people requalify a resale for Elite Status, they want to buy a week with the maximum number of potential Staroptions per week - the Plat 2 bdm. can be requalified for 148,100 so it's the best deal to requalify.

I think the 1 bdm. units requalify for 81,000 and 67,100 per week, so not nearly as many Staroptions per week.

 

[marmite]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHERATON-DE...00655668691?pt=Timeshares&hash=item2eb80285d3

If you are referring to this, there is no closing cost so it's still currently below $1K and it will likely end at around 1K at auction close. But this seller a "train wreck" as another Tugger pointed out in the thread on SVV. Maintenance fee is inconsistent in the post.

Good to know. Yes, I was expecting that with the amount of time left it would get there easily. Lots of bidders. But still, we are $290 away from the magic number. Does anyone have a price history on the 2bdr units (should I be checking another part of the board?).

What are the chances that even more of these units will flood ebay when we start getting close to Christmas (and pending Maintenance Fees for 2012 being due)?

Act now or be patient?