We bought a timeshare on Oahu 25 years ago and had nothing but trouble. And just bought another associated with a resort hotel chain in Scottsdale last week. I can't decide if we are completely stupid or eternally hopeful! What about y'all? Timeshares - the best way to travel or the worst idea ever?

We've looked at them at various times and could never make them work for our family. But, renting someone else's week from time to time has worked out very well. For example, we rented Disney Vacation Club points and got to stay at the Walt Disney World Beachclub resort this summer. It was wonderful. The up-front costs + annual fees made just didn't add up for us. Plus, we've never known anyone to sell one at a profit or even at the break-even point when they've bought them directly from the resort. We have known some folks to do okay when they picked them up from someone desperately wanting to get out of their unit.

Some people love them but I always hear about more troubles than joys.

http://www.sellmytimesharenow.com/

We purchased a timeshare in December. So far, we are pleased with our purchase. We're using it for a week in Spain in January, and a week in Disney in June. We know full well that if we were to sell it, we wouldn't get near what we paid for it. However, we have no intention of selling anytime soon. Time will tell how it all works out.

If you can know that in no way is time share a financial investment than kick back and enjoy!

For some who don't seem to plan well or need the incentive to take a vacation, it can work well. You can't thing of it as a moneysaver. Most buyers forget about the original outlay of cash that could be earning them money to go anywhere every year, and they also tend to forget the extra fees to change locations or annual maintenance. Many people have walked away from timeshares after 10 years or so, when they suddenly must come up with a major additional payment for "refurbishing" or other problems with the developments.

Mother/daughter friends of mine purchased a time share a few years ago, but financial hardship since have forced them to abandon travel plans. They've given their week away for the past three years because they can't afford the additional travel expenses (or time) to use it or to change to some place closer to home. Meanwhile they still make payments on that timeshare. So it's costing them NOT to travel.

We've owned timeshares since 1983 and have made pretty good use of them. We have made exchanges to Costa Rica, Hawaii, Cabo San Lucas, and many resorts in the US. You have to know how to use the system to get the good exchanges and you really must plan ahead...like a year or two..which in many cases means you must have your maintenance fees paid that far ahead.

The best place to find out how to use the system, how to buy AND sell (NEVER PAY UP FRONT FEES FOR SELLING!!!), what are good t/s to buy, reviews on t/s around the world, and whether it is a good buy is the Timeshare User Groups BBS @ WWW.TUGBBS.COM
This BBS is run by volunteer t/s owners and NOT by the developers or resorts, so you get a very honest opinion from TUGgers. I strongly suggest you check the BBS out, and then join so you can get into the 'members' only sections i.e resort reviews, data bases of what others paid, resort ratings. It's the best $15 membership I ever paid.

But I have to ask: WHY in heavens name did you buy a second one if the first one was nothing but trouble? The second one won't be any better if you don't use it right. JMHO

My family has owned a timeshare for 10 years and it's been a good vehicle for getting family and friends together. We use it solely for its purpose - a ski week at Whistler and we fly from all over Canada to get together for a few days.

As other posters have mentioned - it's not about the investment. This provides us the opportunity to enjoy a sport we all love on a great mountain with family.

BooYay!

We have one with Hyatt in Incline Village at Lake Tahoe. Bought the July 4th week and have used it the last five years. We don't intend to trade or sell it, but use it as a family reunion retreat every year. It's close enough everyone can drive if they want, or fly from LA.
They only built 60 units, and nothing else like it exists on the lake. We thank our lucky stars every year!
8-)