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Westgate - any unloading success stories? Debating my options

S

sjc07

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I’ve been ignoring my Westgate timeshare burden for a while because it gives me a giant headache every time I think about it, but finally want to deal with it and get rid of it for good. I realize I realistically need to spend money doing so, but would like to minimize my losses if possible and am trying to decide between 2 paths.

1) Westgate Legacy Program - based on a conversation I had with them last year, I could pay $3000 and they would take it back.

2) Try to give away for free by listing on various online marketplaces like TUG. I would pay whatever fees necessary. It looks like title/deed transfer fees from recommended companies here would be less than $300, but I don’t know what Westgate would charge in additional fees and they haven’t been forthcoming with info on that. I also heard from a timeshare consultant that Westgate tends to drag their feed in allowing resales so it can take up to 2-3 years for the transaction to go through (meaning I would have to continue paying maintenance during that time too).

Has anyone successfully given away their Westgate timeshare recently and willing to share info about the experience? I’m wondering how much it ended up costing and how long it too….basically wondering if it’s worth pursuing option 2.

In case it’s helpful, I have 1 fixed week (developer, not resale) in Kissimmee, even years, no mortgage, 2024 fees paid, and available this year.
 
2-3 years? I thought Wyndham was bad.

3K for a deedback is really pushing the limits of civility also.
 
3rd path is to simply stop paying...

though id at least attempt to negotiate down the 3k option, or post it on TUG as a giveaway with free closing and free 2025 use (1 years mf cheaper than 3k) to see if someone would take it off your hands!

have never heard of a westgate resale taking years to close, sounds like that timeshare consultant might work for an exit company who would simply charge you for the 3rd path!
 
I would check with one or more of the transfer companies about cost and timeline for transferring your Westgate ownership via their services. For example, LT Transfers was able to tell my family up front what the total costs would be, as well as an estimated timeline, to process several gratuitous transfers a number of years ago. They know what the timeshare company charges.
 
sjc07 said:
I also heard from a timeshare consultant that Westgate tends to drag their feed in allowing resales so it can take up to 2-3 years for the transaction to go through (meaning I would have to continue paying maintenance during that time too).
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Who is this "timeshare consultant"? It's not one of those cancel or exit companies, is it? I wonder if is someone who stands to benefit from you if you use the services of this "timeshare consultant". Sometimes they will tell you lies and half-truths to get you to use their services.
 
What is your fixed week. Floating weeks can be very difficult for westgate resales but a popular fixed week may be attractive to someone. Never heard of it taking so long for a closing either.
 
TUGBrian said:
3rd path is to simply stop paying...

though id at least attempt to negotiate down the 3k option, or post it on TUG as a giveaway with free closing and free 2025 use (1 years mf cheaper than 3k) to see if someone would take it off your hands!

have never heard of a westgate resale taking years to close, sounds like that timeshare consultant might work for an exit company who would simply charge you for the 3rd path!
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I don’t think the 3rd path is doable for me because I wouldn’t want to take a credit hit if it goes to collections.
I guess there’s no downside to try to negotiate the $3K. Regarding listing it on TUG, I see several other Westgate giveaways on there already. Is there a way to to see listings that have successfully sold, similar to eBay?
 
LannyPC said:
Who is this "timeshare consultant"? It's not one of those cancel or exit companies, is it? I wonder if is someone who stands to benefit from you if you use the services of this "timeshare consultant". Sometimes they will tell you lies and half-truths to get you to use their services.
Click to expand...
It was timesharespecialists.com. To be fair, she seemed really forthcoming and knowledgeable, and didn’t ask for any fees or any business at all in fact. She encouraged me to go the Legacy program route because of how long and difficult it would be to try to give anything Westgate away to someone else.
 
swditz said:
What is your fixed week. Floating weeks can be very difficult for westgate resales but a popular fixed week may be attractive to someone. Never heard of it taking so long for a closing either.
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It’s the last week of August. It stopped being usable for us when our kids’ school district moved the start of school to mid-August years ago 😟
 
TheHolleys87 said:
I would check with one or more of the transfer companies about cost and timeline for transferring your Westgate ownership via their services. For example, LT Transfers was able to tell my family up front what the total costs would be, as well as an estimated timeline, to process several gratuitous transfers a number of years ago. They know what the timeshare company charges.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the suggestion! I just got off the phone with LT Transfers and found out that it would be approx. $500 in fees and could take up to around 4.5 months for the transaction to complete. Looks like it would be more cost effective to try to get rid of it myself first.
 
I would look at the Free Giveaway forum

Free Timeshares

Timeshare ownerships offered completely free by owners! Rehome an unwanted timeshare at no cost! Timeshares listed here must be offered completely free!
tugbbs.com

read the sticky and list it there with the info needed. You've only got about 5 minutes of your time to lose!
 
Another problem is that if it was purchased after 2009, the resale buyer may have their reservation abilities severly restricted. Certain, or perhaps most resorts, allow resale owners to only reserve at 30 or 60 days prior to checkin. One needs to look at the deed and the underlying CC&R documents to determine if the restrictions apply. Even if they don't, Westgate will still try to limit the resale buyer and the resale buyer will have to fight them on it. They can usually get their account noted that the restriction doesn't apply but they have to call in to make a reservation. Due to this, if it is a floating week and was bought originally from Westgate in or after 2009, there is no getting rid of it except through their deed back program and fordking over the $3K.
 
sjc07: It could take considerable time and effort for you to (...only maybe) find someone willing to take your Westgate week, even for free. If you do not succeed in finding that willing new "grantee" and also manage to close before the end of CY 2024, you will then be looking at having to pay CY 2025 maintenance fees, so take that fact into account when crunching the numbers in making your decision. Closing costs will of course also be additional, if / when a mutually agreed transfer of ownership even became possible.

While it surely and understandably sticks in the craw to have to pay Westgate good money to take back something you bought, the hard fact remains that Legacy would almost certainly be the quickest and cleanest permanent release from Westgate's clutches. Consider whether it might be best for your own peace of mind, resources permitting, to just hold your nose, write the check and bid Westgate farewell forever, to then be able to breathe a long sigh of relief at shedding that particular burden.

Just my personal thoughts and opinion. YMMV.
 
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sjc07 said:
I don’t think the 3rd path is doable for me because I wouldn’t want to take a credit hit if it goes to collections.
I guess there’s no downside to try to negotiate the $3K.
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Well then you have to ask yourself, "Would paying the $3000 be worth it for me to possibly protect my credit rating and avoid likely collection calls and letters?"

There is a sticky thread in these forums you can browse that tell you the results of some owners who defaulted. Very rarely were there tragic results.
 
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