Strategy for buying Palm Desert or Scottsdale week for Summer use

[vacationtime1]

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?

To find a price history on eBay, do your eBay search and check the box in the far left column on the results page called "completed listings". (You must be a registered eBay user to do this.)

eBay has been flooded with all kinds of good units during each of the past few Decembers that have sold for low prices.

Are you a patient person? More important, what is your goal? Bear in mind that right now it is possible to buy a Starwood unit with free 2011 usage, close the deal before year end, and deposit the week with Interval. You will not have this option in December.

 

[LisaRex]

Act now or be patient?

Be patient. There are dozens of such units for sale each month on ebay.

 

[VacationForever]

Be patient. There are dozens of such units for sale each month on ebay.

Dozens of 1BR and EOY 2BR where no one bids on. Yes. But EY 2BR is usually the one that gets lots of bids. So if you want cheap, get 1BR or EOY 2BR.

 

[LisaRex]

Dozens of 1BR and EOY 2BR where no one bids on. Yes. But EY 2BR is usually the one that gets lots of bids. So if you want cheap, get 1BR or EOY 2BR.

Absolutely agree. I don't think that the OPer needs more than a small EOY 1 bdrm to accomplish her goals.

 

[DeniseM]

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?

DEFINITELY be patient - I would be looking for a free, small, 1 bdm., Plat or Gold-Plus week (floating 1-52) with free closing, and 2011 usage. That would be your idea unit.

And yes, as we approach maintenance fee season, we will see a surge of cheap and free timeshares dumped on the market.

The completed auctions on ebay are your best source for sales info.

 

[gnorth16]

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

I emailed the seller and it includes the 2011 usage. The issue is, that it would have to close and be in your name before the end of 2011 to be able to deposit it into II. If that could be done, it would be a great deal. The add even states it can take up to 90 days to get the deed in your name.

FWIW, I paid $1085 ($611, $25 resort transfer fee, $449 closing) for a 2BR Gold Plus 1-52 float which included 2011 usage.

 

[LisaRex]

The issue is, that it would have to close and be in your name before the end of 2011 to be able to deposit it into II. If that could be done, it would be a great deal.

We won't know if it's a good deal until it closes; There are still 12 hours left. Most of these auctions have been ending with Snipe bids in the last 30 seconds, which greatly increases the sales price.

 

[marmite]

To find a price history on eBay, do your eBay search and check the box in the far left column on the results page called "completed listings". (You must be a registered eBay user to do this.)

Yes, I know how to do that on ebay, but ebay gives you a very limited list of closed auctions (they don't let users see any history beyond a couple months or so).

Are you a patient person?

Um... no. Not when it comes to travel.

More important, what is your goal?

To get an EOY 1bdr Platinum (small unit or deluxe is okay too) and be able to trade my 2012 week and access the getaways so I can have several weeks in the desert during summer. Trading the 1bdr for off-peak times in Hawaii would be nice too. I would also consider an annual 1bdr, if it was priced right with a low closing cost.

Bear in mind that right now it is possible to buy a Starwood unit with free 2011 usage, close the deal before year end, and deposit the week with Interval. You will not have this option in December.

True (and I hadn't even considered that, so thank you), however the unit I was looking at most seriously only has 2012 available as it is EOY even years.

Lots to think about. Thank you.

 

[funtime]

f you want an ebay week you should sign up for a sniper service - some of them give you two or three snipes free. Again, do not overthink this - the purpose of timesharing is to have fun and get involved. Funtime

 

[gnorth16]

E-snipe

I use E-snipe and it works great. Set your limit and stick to it! The preset bid is 7 seconds before it closes but I change it to 4 seconds....Sneeky. It is great for items that come up a lot on Ebay, so in case you miss out, it costs nothing, but you gained some info for next time

It cost 1% of the sale price to a max of $10 and it has saved me a bundle more. The beauty is that I don't have to sit and watch Ebay all day, so it frees up more time to hang around here. :whoopie: (Who am I kidding, I'm still on eBay 3-4 times per day!)

 

[marmite]

Yes, I use a bidding service, but it is free and I've been really happy with it (biddingscheduler.com). I've been buying and selling on ebay since 99 (wow, I can't even believe it has been that long) and all the same rules apply to bidding on a timeshare as other items:

Check the feedback of your seller
Know the price history on what you're bidding on
Read the description carefully and look for any mistakes
Set your snipe for the auction at your absolute highest bid
Follow up with the seller immediately and pay quickly!

Other than giving you the lowest price possible, it keeps me from overpaying because I do not have a chance to increase my bid once mine goes in.

The only thing more annoying than being sniped (when you are new and have no idea what sniping is), is to get a new ebayer jacking up the price every two seconds when they have been outbid. Anyhow, I am getting off-topic here, sorry.

 

[marmite]

So, as for bid-timing and dealing with closing documents.... I have a situation I am trying to figure out (being that I am impatient).

I am heading out on a European vacation for 3 weeks in October (leaving in less than 2 weeks), hitting a lot of cities and don't know when I'll have internet. I will not be able to monitor or bid on auctions (nor would I want to), and would also not be available during that time if I had just bought a contract and had to do the paperwork for closing.

So I either bid now, potentially overpaying (say $525 including closing for 1bdr eoy contract) or go on vacation and wait until November to look and bid on something. If I was a winning bidder on something in November, I would still have to wait until closing and register in II, then deposit my 2012 week.

How does 'timing' affect what I can do with my contract? To get the Starwood to Starwood priority, I have to look how far ahead... ? Would I be seeing inventory that is 10 months away from the time I deposit? Ideally, whatever I deposit will get me something for Summer 2012 that is Starwood or Marriott. Will I have missed out on that and competing with everyone registered in II for those weeks?

Thanks.

 

[DeniseM]

Starwood to Starwood priority does not have a timeframe - it's ongoing.

When Starwood makes deposits - Starwood owners with ongoing requests in place get first priority for 30 days (in theory) then that inventory is available to other non-Starwood owners who have ongoing requests in place AND have the trading power necessary.

Then, the leftovers go into the online inventory, where once again, Starwood owners have priority to make instant online exchanges for 30 days, and then it is available to nearly everyone.

Right now, there is already inventory for the summer of 2012. With AZ in the summer, there is more supply than demand, so I don't think you will ever have a problem making an exchange.

 

[clsmit]

And just one more thing to consider (because you haven't had enough to think about!) -- your kids are younger now, but they will grow. At some point a 1 BR, even with a pullout couch, might be too tight. Especially if they are girls who need a long time to get ready in the morning! So doing what you want to do to get you into a 2BR on your vacation might make sense. We started off with 1BR and quickly figured out the extra bathroom was worth its weight in gold! Not to mention a little more grownup privacy. King sized bed and all.....

 

[marmite]

And just one more thing to consider (because you haven't had enough to think about!) -- your kids are younger now, but they will grow. At some point a 1 BR, even with a pullout couch, might be too tight. Especially if they are girls who need a long time to get ready in the morning! So doing what you want to do to get you into a 2BR on your vacation might make sense. We started off with 1BR and quickly figured out the extra bathroom was worth its weight in gold! Not to mention a little more grownup privacy. King sized bed and all.....

That's certainly true as well. At some point they will not want to share a bed either. When we stay at Disney or Club Intrawest we have always booked a 2 bedroom and love the extra space. But because I am not planning on actually 'staying' at the resort, and am hoping to do (mostly) instant trades for Summer weeks in the desert, there seems to be a good chance of trading up to a 2 bedroom in some resorts. Of course I can't count on it, but if I do buy an EOY contract I am only looking at 'putting up with' us in a 1 bedroom for that 1 week. Buying the getaways, I can have as many 2 bedroom weeks as I want.

Cheers.

 

[VacationForever]

That's certainly true as well. At some point they will not want to share a bed either. When we stay at Disney or Club Intrawest we have always booked a 2 bedroom and love the extra space. But because I am not planning on actually 'staying' at the resort, and am hoping to do (mostly) instant trades for Summer weeks in the desert, there seems to be a good chance of trading up to a 2 bedroom in some resorts. Of course I can't count on it, but if I do buy an EOY contract I am only looking at 'putting up with' us in a 1 bedroom for that 1 week. Buying the getaways, I can have as many 2 bedroom weeks as I want.

Cheers.

Getaways usually have limited number of 2 BRs. Don't mean to sound rude. But don't be cheap, the marginal difference in maintenance fee and cost b/w 1BR and 2BR is worth it!

I own 4 2BR L/O units now. It means I can reliably use 4 weeks of 2BR or 8 weeks of 1BR. Staroption is a different ball game that I won't get into.

 

[marmite]

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

I emailed the seller and it includes the 2011 usage. The issue is, that it would have to close and be in your name before the end of 2011 to be able to deposit it into II. If that could be done, it would be a great deal. The add even states it can take up to 90 days to get the deed in your name.

FWIW, I paid $1085 ($611, $25 resort transfer fee, $449 closing) for a 2BR Gold Plus 1-52 float which included 2011 usage.

I told you I'm impatient.... right?

So I just was high bidder on this, and I will be following up with the seller, ensuring the paperwork is in order and will be reporting back to all of you how it goes.

Yes, this will do a lot more for me than get me access to the getaways, but it will also allow me to trade for a 2 bdr when I need it.

I am VERY happy about this. Thanks to you all on TUG who got me this far. And also to those who put up with my constant PM's for advice in my final bidding moments! Okay, I need to go look up that thread on 'what to do next'!

 

[DeniseM]

Congratulations! I think this will work out nicely for you!

***Be extra careful with this seller - he has some bad feedback on TUG-
http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155851

Your next step is to tell the seller/closing company that you want a Starwood Resale Information Sheet from Starwood to confirm what you bought. Don't make your final payment until you have it.

Ask them to put in writing that they will guarantee transfer before the end of the year so you can deposit it.

Check the info. on the Info. sheet and confirm with Starwood as needed.

*Ebay TS auctions are not binding - if you find out that everything is not as promised, you can walk away with no obligation.

Seller and closing company will provide all documents needed.

Here is the process:

They may ask for a good-faith deposit up front - but don't pay in full. *With this seller I think I'd want to see the Resale Info. sheet before a give him any money, but I don't know if he will go for that.

Seller/closing company prepares contracts and send them to you (they will request info. from you for the documents first.)

You - sign contract & pay for timeshare (after checking Resale Info. Sheet)

Closing company prepares new deed & sends it to the county for recording - they should send you a copy at the same time.

County records and stamps new deed and sends it back to Closing Co.

*Closing Co. sends stamped deed to Starwood for change of ownership.

You can expedite the change of ownership by DLing the recorded deed from the County's website and email it to Starwood yourself - see info. for this in Owner Resources at the top of the page.

After Starwood receives the deed, I'd check with them once a week to see if the ownership has been transferred to you. They will eventually notify you, but it could be 2-4 weeks before you get the letter from them, so you will want to confim online.

As soon as the ownership is in your name, you can set up your II Acct. and deposit the week.​

 

[marmite]

Getaways usually have limited number of 2 BRs. Don't mean to sound rude. But don't be cheap, the marginal difference in maintenance fee and cost b/w 1BR and 2BR is worth it!

Too funny! I lost out on a 1 bdr auction, and thought... the 2bdr is closing soon, why not bid on that?! Going from a 1 bdr EOY to an annual 2 bdr within a 5 minute span. I guess I have a small amount of spontaneity left in me yet!

 

[VacationForever]

Too funny! I lost out on a 1 bdr auction, and thought... the 2bdr is closing soon, why not bid on that?! Going from a 1 bdr EOY to an annual 2 bdr within a 5 minute span. I guess I have a small amount of spontaneity left in me yet!

Congratulations! You will not regret this buy! Happy timesharing!

 

[marmite]

Congratulations! You will not regret this buy! Happy timesharing!

Thank you! I am looking forward trying out II... wish me a speedy (and successful) closing!

 

[glypnirsgirl]

Because the closing costs are waived and 2011 maintenance fees have been paid, I think you got a great deal.

Wishing you a speedy closing!

elaine

 

[C30NY]

Because the closing costs are waived and 2011 maintenance fees have been paid, I think you got a great deal.

Wishing you a speedy closing!

elaine

2011 MFs are paid but it doesn't say usage begins in 2011. I am guessing the usage begins in 2012. Watching history I think you paid about par for the course.

Make sure everything is right on the resale sheet. I dealt with this guy last week for another week and he is a mess. A lot didn't add up so I backed out of a deal.

Enjoy the desert and hoping for a quick closing!

Jase

 

[gnorth16]

I asked the seller about 2011 usage and it is included. The issue was it would have to close by the end of 2011 for deposit into II. The sellers closing company uses e-docs so it should close by the end of the year.

 

[M&JJ]

I am in a similar situation as the OP. Looking for either WKV or Marriott Canyon Villas at Desert Ridge. (Am I allowed to say Marriott in this Starwood thread?). Our time of travel allows us to go only in summer months and we have loved the desert in July / August. We travel with 7 of us. I am a member of II already so have access to getaways.

my questions:
1) Do 2 bedrooms come up in getaways? I need a 2 bedroom unit with the size of our family.

2) If I were to purchase a WKV I see that the advice is to buy a platinum rather than a silver. Can you book a summer week even though you dont own in that season? Same question for Marriott but I should post that in the Marriott section.

3) I cant reserve my week until my step-kids day books his holidays which usually happens in January so I cant book until January / February. Am I still better off buying a SDO and trading?

thanks for your advice!!