How do I buy a TS and who do I pick?

[colin heath Member Find all posts View Profile Close colin heath]

I have Bluegreen points, giving us flexibility to make a reservation 2 days to 14 days, with no booking fee if used within the Bluegreen net work...Going Mon - Fri, or Sun - Fri make the points go a lot further, Friday & Saturdays use a lot of points.

Colin

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

First off, welcome to TIMESHAREFORUMS.

We purchased fixed resort weeks, converted them to points for becoming more versital and being able to book one to 7 nights at a time. As we have aged, health problems keep us from using all we have available. We allow other members to take advantage of our points so they don't have to buy into a system. Right now deposits and points are going to waste even though paid for.

I agree with "rent, don't buy". You don't get locked into anything. Rent until you find places you really like.
Remember, you can not go to resorts where there's no availability. Also, many places you could visit are not where you will be happy even if you find availability. There are many of those. Ask other members and also check reviews of resorts where you have interest.

Robert

[andertim75 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close andertim75]

First off, welcome to TIMESHAREFORUMS.

We purchased fixed resort weeks, converted them to points for becoming more versital and being able to book one to 7 nights at a time. As we have aged, health problems keep us from using all we have available. We allow other members to take advantage of our points so they don't have to buy into a system. Right now deposits and points are going to waste even though paid for.

I agree with "rent, don't buy". You don't get locked into anything. Rent until you find places you really like.
Remember, you can not go to resorts where there's no availability. Also, many places you could visit are not where you will be happy even if you find availability. There are many of those. Ask other members and also check reviews of resorts where you have interest.

Robert

I really am not interested in a specific place at all. We want the flexibility to go any where that is why we were looking at geo holiday. If I look at sellmytimeshare or red week, how do I find point systems or vacation clubs. Same question if we rent. I guess if we rent we just pick a place but are there ones that u can rent for almost anytime/ anyplace or at least a large selection of places?

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

I really am not interested in a specific place at all. We want the flexibility to go any where that is why we were looking at geo holiday. If I look at sellmytimeshare or red week, how do I find point systems or vacation clubs. Same question if we rent. I guess if we rent we just pick a place but are there ones that u can rent for almost anytime/ anyplace or at least a large selection of places?

On myresortnetwork there is a link on the right side of the page a little ways down under The heading 'Timeshare Destinations' called Timeshare Points. That page has a link to most of the different point systems that people are selling.

I hope you don't have the impression that you can exchange for where you want to go whenever you want to go there. You have to be able to plan ahead, especially if you expect to use RCI. Ten months to 2 years ahead.

[andertim75 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close andertim75]

Thanks for the info. That seems like a long time out. When we were speaking with geo, we were able to search time periods far shorter than that. 4-6 months ahead is optimal. If you rent a time share from someone is it easy to get that type of time frame or what is recommended if you want a 4-6 month planing period?

[motomem Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close motomem]

Do some investigation before purchasing. Look at the timeshare listings on eBay (in the Real Estate category). You'll be surprised at how many listings there are.

I have three timeshare ownerships.
1) Points with Bluegreen.
2) Floating week with Bluegreen (I can reserve any week in the year, based on availability, at the same resort each year)
3) Fixed week at an independent resort.

Number 1 started as a fixed week purchase on eBay. When I went for the first visit I converted into the points system with Bluegreen. I was given points for the fixed week and I purchased more points. This has been my only "direct" purchase.
Numbers 2 and 3 were purchased on eBay as well.
All 3 purchases went smoothly. I did my homework prior to purchasing.

When people say "don't buy direct" they mean don't buy while you are at a sales pitch. There is plenty available on the resale market.

One thing to consider about points systems - and this is based on the Bluegreen system. I think most of them have "premier" levels that can be achieved that offer perks. You have to investigate to find out about them and what they offer. If you want those perks you either have to buy at least a small package direct, or buy from an "authorized" reseller.
Bluegreen has a company that is an authorized reseller of their points - www.pinnaclevacations.com. But, there are real estate agents that can sell those packages also. Don't have to buy direct from Pinnacle. Check the Bluegreen forum here if you think you are interested.

Overall I have liked the Bluegreen system.

Once you buy a timeshare, other options open up for you. At Bluegreen you are set up with an account at RCI. Once set up, RCI offers rentals and specials simply because you are a member there too. These are options outside of your timeshare ownership. And you have the option to exchange your timeshare. I recently did an exchange with my Bluegreen points, via RCI, for a 3-night stay in a city where Bluegreen does not have a property.

It sounds like timesharing would work for you. Watch the maintenance fees - compare them if you look at listings. I think some are just way too high.

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

Thanks for the info. That seems like a long time out. When we were speaking with geo, we were able to search time periods far shorter than that. 4-6 months ahead is optimal. If you rent a time share from someone is it easy to get that type of time frame or what is recommended if you want a 4-6 month planing period?

It depends on where you were looking. If you searched overbuilt areas like Orlando and Vegas, you can always find inventory as long as you don't want the major holidays...and even sometimes if you do. If the coast of Oregon in the summer interests you, that's not going to be there. The Caribbean in Jan thru Mar will not be there 'on demand'. If you don't want to go to high demand areas during peak times then it won't be that big of a deal. Also, Interval's members deposit later than RCI's members for the most part so you may want to consider something that offers entry into II exchanges to be able to plan on shorter notice.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Just focus on rentals for now.. Once you have more experience with different resorts and timeshare systems, you'll be better prepared to make a decision on what best fits your needs.

Amen!!!

Check craigslist vacation rentals where you want to go. Virtually unlimited selection from existing owners trying to recoup some of their fees (that alone should tell you something).

Do that for a few years, save money, avoid getting committed long-term, and either get it in your system or get it out of your system.

[andertim75 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close andertim75]

If I'm going to rent and possibly buy resale later, which points system has the best places to go. We want the ability to see the us and all the islands in the caribean? Or do the people that time share a lot just join rci when they buy so it gives them a lot more options?

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

With the Caribbean, it depends on when you want to go. The winter high season can be a tough trade on many islands with an exchange company. On the other hand, there is usually plenty availible for trade during hurricane season. A system that has its own resorts spread through the Caribbean may be the best bet there.

In buying a week, I would also look at who runs the resort; is it the developer or is it an elected board of resort members. Personally, I only buy at member-controlled resorts, as member-controlled boards do not pad fees like many developers do. I currently own at member-controlled resorts on three continents and am happy with the level of my maintenance fees at all of them.