Fodor's Travel Talk Forums

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)
-   United States (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/)
-   -   Wyndham timeshares--should we or shouldn't (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/wyndham-timeshares-should-we-or-shouldnt-945308/)

con_brio Aug 2nd, 2012 03:26 PM

Wyndham timeshares--should we or shouldn't
 
We are on a break from the schpiel--seriously considering this. Seems like a good deal. Any
caveats?

Need your advice and experience ASAP! PLEASE HELP!
Thanks

DebitNM Aug 2nd, 2012 03:35 PM

NO - Don't do it! They are not an investment, very hard to sell. You can vacation annually for less than what it cost. If you had time, I would pull up all the threads with similar Q.

We went to one in Hawaii [Marriott] and almost took the bait.

Run, don't walk. Nothing they promise is worth it. They do the math up all fancy and it seems like such a deal. By the time you figure monthly costs, initial price, financing if needed -- way too much money.

A fractional is only slightly better.

MichelleY Aug 2nd, 2012 03:37 PM

If I knew then what I know now, I would not buy a timeshare. Up front money then the annual fees, which keep going up. With the Internet, you can rent timeshares anywhere you wish and you don't have the upfront buy in costs. Don't listen to the schpiel about trading . Trading thru RCI (which is also owned by Wyndham) involves more fees. I don't need a timeshare to make me go on vacation.

DebitNM Aug 2nd, 2012 03:38 PM

Here:

http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/02/24/1...meshares-suck/

sassy_cat Aug 2nd, 2012 03:47 PM

If you hesitate and say it's too expensive they will reduce the price, more than once.
They will lure you in. Be strong!

con_brio Aug 2nd, 2012 03:51 PM

Thanks one and all. We were considering this to use (though not in same place every year) not as an investment. Does that change the picture? Though now I am thinking we should look at the resale market).

Dayenu Aug 2nd, 2012 03:53 PM

I know only one person who likes it - they make reservation for skiing on Lake Tahoe, and use it every winter. Most people find it a burden, paying a lot to buy it first, after that maintainance fee. And you pay property tax too, right?

Timeshares sell unused rooms in hotels, I know Expedia does it. Try to stay in one of those places, see how you like it.

Under no circumstances would I be pressered to buy something at a presentation. Go to their website, see if there is a discussion forum, what others say. Or check Facebook. It's not a one-minute decision.

Dayenu Aug 2nd, 2012 03:54 PM

And one more thing - somebody told me, Wynham requires a one-year-in-advance reservation, not sure if this is true, but if yes, can you always make plans a year ahead?

con_brio Aug 2nd, 2012 04:03 PM

Wow. Thanks . Will do that

MichelleY Aug 2nd, 2012 04:08 PM

Not an investment- still does not change the picture. Wait. Check secondary market and you will see the deals. You can rent whatever you want, whenever, on sites such as red week or Timeshare users group.

DebitNM Aug 2nd, 2012 04:15 PM

They prey on you being in "vaca" mode and that you will be lulled in my their creative math.

You weren't thinking of doing this before the schpeil, so don't make a decision in haste. What's that saying, decide in haste, repent in leisure??

Tell them you will think about it when you get home. And if you are interested you will contact them. They will tell you - they can only do this price NOW, or offer the bonuses NOW, or...or and you have to tell them NOW!

They will be more than happy to take your money, should you do your due diligence and decide to go ahead with it.

Would you buy a home under these conditions or a car? Don't do it.

John Aug 2nd, 2012 04:35 PM

Absolutely DO NOT buy. Had a time share for over 15 years. Used it every year but could have stayed in a hotel or rented a share far cheaper. Couldn't sell it and yearly maintenance fees kept going up each year. Ended up selling for peanuts just to dump it.
WALK AWAY with a smile!!!!!

NoTimeshare Aug 2nd, 2012 08:43 PM

If you buy, you will be purchasing a point system. It allows these resorts to sell then raise the amount of points it will take to stay there in the future. Then you have to buy more points. Its a new twist to buying a week of timeshare. With the selling of weeks, resorts would eventually run out of inventory. With points it is unlimited sales.
Google "Wyndham Complaints" and you will find lots of members who were misled during the sales process and once they buy they find out they cannot book time at the resorts. The Wyndham on Orlando is running a special price of $67 per night to rent their units out. They already have your money. And your annual maint fee will increase yearly. Plus when the resort becomes run down, you will be responsible for a special assessment to rebuild it. Resort owners at Diamond Resorts in Hawaii were each responsible for a 65 million dollar assessment.
I spend my time helping members of all resorts get out of their contracts, trust me you will find a lot of headaches by owning timeshare. You can't sell them once you buy them. Any special deals you get with your membership will not transfer if you could. They are about selling so they will not allow an owner to be able to offer as good a deal as they offer. I have a list of owners who will give their timeshares away.
My advice..rent for your vacation. It's cheaper and your kids won't be stuck with it someday.

Tomsd Aug 3rd, 2012 06:10 AM

Again, my advice is also NO - Do NOT buy!!!!! - and see my answer to your other post.

Hey - take the freebie gift and enjoy it and tell them - sorry - not this year - maybe next.

Oh but you don't get this and this and this and this, etc.

Well guess what - the next time you go to a sales presentation - they can "bend the rules" and get you that former great (first time deal), but psst - don't tell anyony..................

Been to a number of presentations - and they are good at what they do. I like to also check out their sales techniques, closing tactics and the like - and then very calmly tell them - well, not this time............................:)

More closing pressure - and then you tell them again - not this time, and a bit later - for the 3rd time - not this time, and hey - I have graciously stayed past the hour and a half and now we have to get to......................... Adios Amigos. :)

The real numbers - if you crucnh them thoroughly - DO NOT WORK. PERIOD. You overpay - period, even if buying a repo - as the annual HOA dues and related exchange fees are so high.

clar4284 Aug 3rd, 2012 07:15 AM

I am glad that I stumbled upon this website and discussion. I completely DISAGREE to the assessment given on Wyndham timeshares. I have 2 of them and I love them and use them to their fullest every year. My maintenance fees per month are low and have decreased every year ~$60/month. We have rented out points on ebay, we have given trips as wedding presents, we have used them with family,etc. We constantly get upgrades and discounts on attractions and love the resorts....

DebitNM Aug 3rd, 2012 08:02 AM

wow, that is quite a stumble.

Waldo Aug 3rd, 2012 08:23 AM

I once purchased a time share in Ocean City MD. I was suckered into buying. However, when I arrived home to Frederick, MD the next day, I thought it over and saw what a ripoff that was. Fortunately, there is a law in MD that allows you 72 hours to negate a contract. I immediately sent a Telegram (remember those?), to the seller, cancelling my purchase. I got an angry phone call later that day from the agent, but I was at home, and I controlled the situation. I had no problem after that.

con_brio Aug 3rd, 2012 08:27 AM

I was quite open about on line research...wonder which one of the salesstaff noined as 4284?

DebitNM Aug 3rd, 2012 08:43 AM

BINGO ! That explains the stumble. Sneaky ba$tard$

Judy24 Aug 3rd, 2012 08:43 AM

I'm guessing that based on this thread, Wyndham will no longer allow potential timeshare clients/victims any break time, especially those with access to the internet!


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:36 AM.