Wyndham timeshares--should we or shouldn't

Old Aug 23rd, 2012, 01:59 PM
  #41  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wow, I just checked back on and discovered lots new great info. I am eventually going to go into this in a trip report, but here's what happened.

We went for every other year --got a ton of extra points, free weeks, yada yada yada. I was still reluctant but DH really wanted to do it. He spoke to two friends who have points with Marriott and elsewhere and are pleased.

That took up an entire day of vacation and I couldn't sleep that night. The next day I told DH that the 2 bedroom unit was not what we were buying. That we needed to see the studio. So our salesman met us after another free breakfast (can't tell you how much I miss papaya) and took us to "our" building--beautiful, but blocks from the ocean -- where we saw a beautiful one bedroom.

We got started late on the day. I didn't sleep that night either. The next day (Saturday) I broke down and read the documents. DOH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got out a notebook to write down the many questions I had about each page. Yes, there were our initials by each statement that they'd gone over very fast--but I had questions.

Luckily, we had a seven day right of rescission.

The last straw was the fact that we could only use it on odd years. We thought we only accrued points every other year, but we could not use our points except on odd years.

OK, none of us knows how much time we have left to do things, but I know I have to little to go postponing vacations. Palmettoprincess, your beautician was spot on. One of my objections was that I had stage 4 cancer (there is no stage 5). He used it as a reason to buy! Had another customer who had cancer and she was making sure to get the most out of life while she had it. They have a very professional film interviewing satisfied buyers, one of whom was ill and wanted to grab some gusto.

Yeah, me too. Only not just on odd years!

Imagine, using terminal illness as a sales feature!!!!!!!!!!!!

We took a trolley with our withdrawal to the address listed (not the sales office) and had the recipient sign a copy for us. Then we spent our vouchers. So these two breakfasts, one lunch and an aloha shirt and dress cost us 1 full and 2 half days of vacation. And me 2 nights of sleep. Vicky, you are right. Not worth it!

We left Oahu on Tuesday and met our friends on Kauai at their Marriott bonus week. We were supposed to be subjected to a points presentation, but Marriott forgot to schedule it. Yay.

So Tuesday I saw a documentary called the Queen of Versailles (about the King of Timeshares going under with the economy). It is a celebration of obscene excess and bad taste--his incredible fortune was made selling timeshares to "greedy" people who came for the vouchers and stayed for the hard sell. Can't tell you how happy I was that we hadn't bought.

Then I logged back on to the forum and saw more reinforcement not to do this. And am so happy that I finally followed your advice. THANK YOU THANK YOU!
con_brio is offline  
Old Aug 23rd, 2012, 04:59 PM
  #42  
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,784
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm glad it worked out. You do owe yourself another good vacation. Rather than waiting for two years why don't you open an account at the credit union. Have $100 a month (or what ever you were going to pay for maintenance fees) put in the account automatically. Then start looking for your next vacation. You may end up just taking a long weekend but the choice is yours.
palmettoprincess is offline  
Old Aug 23rd, 2012, 07:47 PM
  #43  
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 11,375
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I definitely think you made the right decision and hope you enjoyed Kauai even more.

Take the "down payment" and use it for a vacation for wherever you want to go next - and then also use the annual HOA fees you saved to extend another week.

Also tell your DH - I have a bridge to sell him, but he only gets to use it the 5th Thursday of every month.
Tomsd is offline  
Old Aug 23rd, 2012, 07:55 PM
  #44  
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 11,375
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
BTW - I haven't seen the movie - The Queen of Versailles - but she (Ms. Segal) is the epitomy of self-worship - plus they were just a couple of dummies all told.

A one time "beauty queen" - who just had to have her pic everywhere and a ridiculous castle (read - mega money hole - 56,000 square feet or some such) to live in.

Their company (Westgate - out of Florida originally) - was trying to get up $50,000 a week for a 2BR/2BA at theier newest Tower/Las Vegas resort (which was behind the Planet Hollywood) - and I about fell out of the chair when they rolled out the first number. Higher even than beachfront Maui/Kaanapali (was Mariott pushing those?) - which was also ridiculous - but that was a few years ago and things have really plunged since then).

Of course, they then zig and zag and slice and dice - and voila - you have a studio for every other year, but give us your money today and it only gets better, yada yada yada.

Hey - we knew we weren't buying anyway and did enjoy the show tickets.
Tomsd is offline  
Old Aug 24th, 2012, 08:18 AM
  #45  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,723
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have 0 trust in anyone and it's pretty impossible to scam me or sell me anything I didn't decide I wanted - heck, I dont' even trust EXCEL!!
Vicky is offline  
Old Aug 24th, 2012, 09:44 AM
  #46  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,039
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Congratulations, Con Brio, for having the intelligence and courage to get out of this timeshare agreement.
longhorn55 is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2012, 03:51 PM
  #47  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It wasn't courage or intelligence, it wwas DOH. These Fodor friends have warned me--why not listen? So glad I did. And don't worry, I am already planning the next one. DH is giving a lecture in Albuquerque that coincides with the Balloon Fiesta (!!!). So a trip there with a visit to Santa Fe and Taos is scheduled for October (the books, including Fodor's, have just been shipped from BAM) with a stop in St. George Utah to see a dear friend on the way home.

One of the ways of coping with late stage cancer is to always have a next trip planned (at least for me).

Thanks again to one and all. A trip report will be coming any day. (By the way, longhorn55, are you a UT grad too?)
con_brio is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2012, 05:26 PM
  #48  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Let me know if I can help with NM doings! I have several replied to several posts on here in the last few weeks about Fiesta etc.
DebitNM is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2012, 06:21 PM
  #49  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,039
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, Con Brio, I bleed burnt orange. Hook 'em!
longhorn55 is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2012, 02:18 PM
  #50  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks, Deb! I have seen some of your posts (I'm not lurking, just researching) and would love your help. I may have a better idea after I look at the books that came in the mail today (and look at the old threads some more), but my burning questions are how long to spend in Albuquerque and how long in Santa Fe and side trips. We've got a week. Too long? Not long enough? (But maybe I should read before I impose?)
con_brio is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2012, 04:43 PM
  #51  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It depends on what you want to see and do. You could stay the entire time in ABQ and do day trips to Santa Fe and even Taos.

I realize that most folks want to stay in SF, but if you are wanting to be sure [as sure as you can be] that you will actually see mass ascensions in the mornings [which can be cancelled for weather, and can happen several days in a row] it would be best to spend the majority of time in ABQ.

SF is a quick drive [about an hour] so you can go there after the launches are done [and that's by 9 or so]. You can even drive up to Taos from here[another hour past SF].
DebitNM is offline  
Old Aug 30th, 2012, 10:26 AM
  #52  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I am open to suggestions. I suspect that DH would rather drive back and forth on day trips than keep switching hotels. I just "extended" the ALB part by a day or two (at least) because we found a big crafts show near the balloon park which sounds like all day Saturday. Sunday DH has business at UNM so we can explore around there and Nob Hill then. Which means we haven't even started Old Town... which means we can't even think of leaving Alb til Tues post launch. (But then, I've not finished researching... maybe we won't be ready even then.)
con_brio is offline  
Old Dec 26th, 2012, 06:27 AM
  #53  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Truth is it's only an investment for your quality of life and family memories.I am a owner and I like the membership. But most people don't understand and buy out of emotions and hate it. I will tell you the truth on how to buy and love it. Buy only on the re-sale market like ebay and make sure there is no mortgage attached. I only pay hoa so its much cheaper that's how you win. Only buy in a rci and points system and make sure your home base in a spot that almost weather proof like Las vegas.The hoa fees our cheaper and their is a lot of hotel competition that keeps fees low. Never buy a timeshare below 250,000 points if you cant afford just the hoa fee it's not for you! The fee will raise every year, but taxes and maintenance will with time so mine goes up 1 dollar a year.Not all hoa fees are the same at each resort home location. So don't buy in a hurricane of flooded area, hoa are higher there. Buy a bi-annual ownership if you want very cheap hoa fees and cant travel alot that's how you win. And if you can book presidential suits that's how you get your money back out of it. hotels can't match 2400 sf 4 bed and bath. But most people don't have enough points to rent them. It is much cheaper if you can travel weeks at a time to use a timeshare. It is not is you only want a few days here and there that's how the fees eat u alive. Don't use the exchanges at-least you buy the weeks without using your points. but always travel during slow months and you will win big like the winter months points are much cheaper and that's how you get more for your money. It's not tax deductible, but much cheaper than owning a second home in a different location.
marcjohnson is offline  
Old Dec 26th, 2012, 06:37 AM
  #54  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry, I meant don't use the rci -exchanges, only net-work exchanges there is no fee for that usually. Pros: u can cook at a resort and save a lot of money. You don't have to worry about personally maintaining your property. You can go to many areas over 6,000 and never get bord. And the S.f. and Amenities can't be matched or location. Cons, you cant control the hoa fees. hard to resale with a mortgage that's why people complain.
marcjohnson is offline  
Old Dec 26th, 2012, 04:43 PM
  #55  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 36,842
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm sorry, but the idea of plunking down a huge sum of money (when you could spend less renting anywhere you want for 30 years or so) because you can "save money by cooking your own meals" just doesn't make sense. You can also rent a timeshare or apartment and cook your own meals. And you really don't have to worry about maintaining your own property whenever it is a condo -- and even less when you are only renting.

Incidentally, friends own a timeshare in Cancun, and every year they invite others to go down the same two weeks -- but the friends end up renting another timeshare and they pay less than the owner does just for his annual fee -- not counting the original investment! What's wrong with that picture?
NeoPatrick is offline  
Old Dec 27th, 2012, 06:19 AM
  #56  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You don't put a huge amount of money down on a re-sale for example: buying a condo would run about min 100,000 to 300,000 in the best location anywhere. Say u purchase a timeshare for 2000.000 and pay hoa fee monthly 100 mo for 250,000 points your winning big time and people do it every day on ebay. taxes and insurance will always go up whether your a homeowner or a timeshare owner the difference is they pay in a pot for it all vs an individual owner. The upkeep of a home from roofing/ paint/ carpet/ ac/ etc way more expensive then an increase of a 2.00 a year on a timeshare.( the big jumps on increases on hoa fees are high-risk areas,but don't buy one there if you can use an exchange system. It really does not matter where your home base is if your flexible.
marcjohnson is offline  
Old Mar 5th, 2013, 07:48 PM
  #57  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I own timeshares in Orlando and other Florida locations that I bought on E-bay for pennies on the dollar. My yearly fees haven't gone up in three years and we use them every year. I don't work for any timeshare company and would not recommend purchasing from them. However with fees at $90 per month I don't think you could spend two weeks in Orlando for less unless you stayed in a dump. If you buy wisely owning timeshares can work out for you. Be aware though Florida property taxes apply. Mine run under $100 a year. When I see the resort starting to run down,I resale on E-bay and have never lost money. Be smart and they can be loads of fun.
jaminjry is offline  
Old Mar 6th, 2013, 04:23 AM
  #58  
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 11,375
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Another disadvantage of timeshares is that you are somewhat locked into where you choose, unless you "trade" - and that usually involves an annual membership in Interval International or RCI - and then an exchange fee - which have really gone up.

Figure adding almost $300 to the cost of any "trade" for weeks that you have banked.
Tomsd is offline  
Old Mar 6th, 2013, 04:25 AM
  #59  
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 11,375
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
And Con-Brio - how ye doing?
Tomsd is offline  
Old Mar 25th, 2013, 03:01 PM
  #60  
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 11,375
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
FYI - we went to a seminar a few months ago - about how to sell your timeshare. (In addition to the one we bought way back in '86 on the north shore of Kauai - we recently inherited one from my in-laws - a nice one at a ski area they also bought a long time ago).

While we didn't pay that much for the timeshare in Princeville - and the HOA dues used to be MUCH lower - nowadays - we also don't travel to Hawaii like we used to and have actually not even used weeks we "banked" from the one timeshare - much less now having two.

Remember - to trade your week(s) - you usually have to belong to an exchange company such as RCI or II - and pay for the exchange - which together - now runs over $200.

In any event - the seminar was PACKED with owners who wanted to sell their timeshares and could not.

This company would take over your timeshare rights (IF you paid them THOUSANDS of $ !!!!!) - and negotiate with the company to relieve your commitment.

READ - REPEAT - RIDE THE FINE PRINT!!!!!!

IT'S AN ONGOING RESPONSIBILITY/ANNUAL PAYMENT FOR HOMEOWNER DUES FOR FOREVER!!! - and people were actually doing it - PAYING THIS COMPANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS - TO GET RID OF THEIR TIMESHARES - - they were that unhappy with their timeshares!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tomsd is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -