Help!!! My wife, 6 month old daughter & I just returned from 8 fantastic nights in Aruba and are seriously considering buying a timeshare at a brand new Mariott property called the Surf Club. Can all you helpful Fodorites tell me why we should or shouldn't buy a timeshare.

Thanks as always for your help.

sharkdiver,
Do you plan to return to Aruba and stay for more than 8 days 7 nights? If a week is your only vacation time..timeshare can be an expensive venture. Separate airfare can be rather expensive, than looking for a reasonably priced vacation package. If you plan to stay for two weeks or more, then, the extended time would offset your airfare costs.

You may want to look into 'timeshare auctions' in you area. Gold Crown level timeshare properties could save you thousands, and still give you trade versatility and power. Anytime you take a tour at the destination spot of your choce, it will costs you thousands more than buying trading power, without buying on site....keep in touch..curious how you make out. Good Luck

Friens of ours have a Marriott Aruba timeshare and love it. They are not adventurous. The value of their place has increased over the years.

My wife and I wouldn't have it. We like to go to different places, not all Caribbean.

In your situation, with a baby, you might be well suited for a timeshare rather than a new place every year.

Of course, it also depends on how much money you have to spare on this, and how much it will cost to get there every year.

Sharkdiver49, Before you make any decision to buy, go to www.tug2.com (Timeshare Users Group) I am a very happy timesharer, but it is not for everyone. The rule of thumb for buying a timeshare is; never buy from the developer, if possible. When you log-on to TUG, you'll find very knowledgeable and helpful people. Click-on to BBS (message board) and ask away.
What JED says is untrue. Just b/c you own in the caribbean doesn't mean you must always go there. In the timeshare world, Marriott is top dog. You can trade almost anywhere in the world without a problem.Hope this helps

Make sure you read the fine print and know about all the extra costs/charges you may encounter every year.

Quite often you can get very good packages that include everything for less than it cost for your timeshare and airfare and other fees and you can go when you want and where you want.8-)

It is not as easy as they make it sound to exchange your property for other destinations.:'(

Always have a lawyer read over the contract before signing.

Thanks for everyone's input, it's greatly appreciated! My wife & decided to go ahead and take the plunge. We love Aruba and all that has too offer and the Marriott facilites seemed top notch. We figure that we will do the Aruba thing annually as well as choose another vacation destination for another week during the year. Again, thanks for all the great input.

Cheers,

Charles

Please, EJC, reread my post. I did not say that you 'must always go there.' You may have inferred that, but I did not say it.

Also, may I suggest that if you are going to contradict someone, it would be better to do so in a more gentle manner.

The Japanese have the right idea. They don't say 'you are wrong'. They say 'chotto des' - 'it is a little' - meaning 'it is a little different'.

Jed,

I originally read your post the same way as EJC

"Friens of ours have a Marriott Aruba timeshare and love it. They are not adventurous. The value of their place has increased over the years.

My wife and I wouldn't have it. We like to go to different places, not all Caribbean."

I now understand that your second comment refers to the fact that your friends always vacation on Aruba.

Taken as two separate comments it could easily be read as you stating that you wouldn't buy timeshare since you like to travel outside the Caribbean.

EJC gave good information re Timeshare owning and has given you the chance to clarify your comments for future readers of this post. Now I know what you wanted to say not what I read the first time round.

We also just returned from the Surf Club this past Sunday. Awsome resort we to are thinking of buying a timeshare at this resort. The couple we were traveling with has a timeshare. We had adjoining suites that sleep 8. Beautiful room on the second floor. The beach was beautiful. We rented a car and had a blast, drove the whole island from one end to the next. We will be back at that resort again either way.I think it would be a great investment,you only live once so go for it.

JED,
Maybe after reading alya's post , you may want to appologize to me. Don't be so sensitive! I'm just trying to help fellow Fodorites.....You should reread your original post.

JED,
Maybe after reading alya's post , you may want to appologize to me. Don't be so sensitive! I'm just trying to help fellow Fodorites.....You should reread your post.