Timeshare buy

Questions and Answers

If you buy a marriott timeshare resale do you have the same privileges ie marriott points as buying directly?

Q) Can you exchange for other marriott resorts

A) i think so .but it would pay you to check with them first

i have been asked to pay etoo money for selling my timeshare. should i trust them with this.?

Q) etoo are a european timeshare owners organisation who buy and sell timeshare. i approached them on their wesite to see if they were buying timeshares and they rang me to say they had a client interested in buying my timeshare. this is okay but etoo want a deposit of £850 to draw up all sales agreements and i am a bit reluctant to do this as i could end up paying money out and not getting anything back for it.

A) Hi there I suggest that you do not part with your money. I too was offered the same deal and unfortunately gave my credit card details. I then found a site with a whole host of letters from people like me who had been scammed by Etoo. I am in the process of trying to cancell my payment. You will find the site if you type Etoo into Google. Hope this helps.

How can you protect your assets from creditors or law suits from timeshare companies.?

Q) I live in the uk. Myself and my wife were stupid enough to buy a timeshare in florida a few years ago, was sold on the usual fairytale lines, now I have tried to sell it and even give it away, but with no luck. I read that the best thing to do is just stop paying the maintanence and ignor any letters from them. This I am doing, I dont plan to go back the the states, which is a shame as we really enjoyed our holidays there. Do I need to make sure my familys assets are safe from this timeshare firm etc. Thousands of people are caught by these companies every year with no get out clause. Any advice would be helpfull.

A) I would consult a lawyer/solicitor for advice. even if their is a nominal fee, you will know for sure. Good luck. I wish you well.

My parents have just bought a timeshare at Anfi del Mar in Gran Canaria. Does anyone know if this is legit?

A) I live in Gran Canaria and Anfi is probably the biggest timeshare company on the island, have checked out anfi del mar near Puerto Rico and the apartments are stunning, and although you only get them for your one or two weeks per year apparently you can swop with other people to holiday at different locations if you wish. Also they can leave it to you in their will as it's theirs for life, check the contract. Personally I didn't go for it as had no disposable income, and wanted to buy here instead. Only real downside I can see are the touts they can be a royal pain in the rear.

How can I found out if a company based in Spain is genuine about buying my timeshare?

A) are you a member of a timeshare organisation like RCI? They may be able to advise you. Or, is the company you are thinking about using a member of another organisation. Ask if they can put yu in touch with satisfied customers. hope all goes well for you.

Has anyone stopped making payments on vacation club/timeshare?

Q) That is to say, has anyone signed up for a vacation club 'ownership', made several payments [not used the facility] and then just stopped making payments? What would happen if the facility was bought over in the USA but you live in England and stop making payments. Will the club just sell it on to someone else - they haven't lost any money per se, surely? We have friends who can't afford to keep paying for theirs, besides which they haven't a clue how to use it so haven't done so. They bought it last year when out in Florida. Advice much appreciated as we have no idea what to say.

A) You should try to "sell" your allocation on Ebay perhaps. People will buy the right to it if it is marketed right. There are 1532 on Ebay right now. or go to buyandselltimeshares.com

RCI? I am thinking about buying a week?

Q) I have recently been to the Antigua and stayed with my mother in law who owns a timeshare, I was impressed at with the price of buying a week- cheapest week £3,000 for a red week and one bedroom apartment that sleeps 6. Because we are a family of 4 and my kids are classed as adults (are over 12 years) I have found holidays abroad we have to book two rooms and pay occupancy surcharges etc and thought buying a timeshare would be a good way to holiday. Seems good quality appartments, and we can all stay in one appartment. I would probably like to bank and exchange my week to use elsewhere and RCI have explainted I would be able to do this. Does anyone have the same problems booking holidays with two older kids and is this a good way of holidaying? We would like tio go to Florida at some point and I would like to exchange the week to use there?

A) To me, it seems time share is not cost effective at all. You have to pay yearly and monthly fees, and are limited to one time frame and location if you don't want the headache of trying to change it. If you count up the yearly costs, I'll bet you could take a lot of nice vacations for the same price, even if you did have to rent two rooms! And there are usually condos or homes for rent at most vacation spots if you need more room. I would really do some research before buying into a time share.

Who are 'International Bank'?

Q) In trying to sell a holiday timeshare I have signed for a different kind of holiday deal where this new company have bought my timeshare for me in a 'cashback' deal. I supposedly get the cash back in 59 months from a company called CashBack Promotions. The 'investment' is guaranteed by the International Bank, but I can not find any information about this bank.

A) Are you sure the brochure doesn't say it's guaranteed by *a* international bank? In any case, read your T&Cs VERY carefully. Many cashback deals work on requiring you to present documentation (like a bank statement) that you may well have lost after five years, ban you from having anyone remind you of the deadline (really!), and create an extremely tight window in which to file your claim.

club la costa holiday prizes?

Q) i have recently been told that i have won a holiday with club la costa. in the phone call i was told that to claim holiday i would have to attend a seminar for timeshare in Leeds. i have no intention of buying a timeshare but want to find if anyone has taken one of their holidays. The prize will cost £29.50 per head and includes self catering accom and flights for upto 4 people, they also specifically told me that there would be no presentation to attend whilst on the holiday. I am fully aware of the tactics that t/share use at these seminars, but having had a new baby money is a little thin and a cheap holiday would be good.

A) club la costa use greed tactics on the streets around the local towns offering large cash insentives for going, they even pay for taxi's for you to go. there is normally a meeting to attend aprox 3 hrs. although i know of resort and it's quite nice but very hilly right next to a major road ( N340 ) thats if it's the one based in Fuengirola on the Costa Del Sol. the beaches there are also very nice. the apartments i've seen are very nice, neat and tidy one way there is Fuengirola about 2 miles and the other is Marbella about 20

Free Holiday Vouchers am i up for a con?

Q) Just had a call from a company Tulip Research part of Mirror Marketing said i had won £600 pounds in travel vouchers for taking part in a survey which i did on the phone and that i can collect them when i attend a holiday seminar and exhibition in Milton Keynes at Incentive Leisure, ROK Centre , Chesney Wold for companies JMC Thompson, Cosmos ,P+O, etc holidays they promise no timeshare and no commitment to buy a holiday they have confirmed the date in a letter with map of the venue Has anyone else been approached by this company and is it a valid concern ? Has anyone else been to one? I feel i may be wasting 2 hrs or more of my time

A) They will try to sell you something and they are trained to do it. Can you resist temptation? Can you hold out over many hours? They will do anything to prevent you leaving without agreeing to something. How good are you at sticking to your guns? There's only one way to find out. Will you go? Or say goodbye to the bribe they offered. Your choice.

Is WestGate resorts a good timeshare to buy??

Q) I am interested in buying a timeshare and have accepted a free trip to "tour the facilities" at a WestGate resort. Has anyone heard of them and if so are they a good timeshare to invest in?

A) There is no such thing as a good timeshare buy. They are a scam. Did you know that if you sell it later (which is almost impossible) the timeshare organization can still come after YOU for the annual maintenance costs? Look at it another way. Say you buy two weeks a year in a condo via timeshare, and those two weeks cost about 30k. 26 "owners" x 30k$ =780k... is the condo even worth that?

why should i buy a timeshare?

Q) what is the advantage of buying a timeshare? i have points. what is the best way to get the most use from the timeshare? my season is tee.the resort is in myrtle beach. any information would really help.

A) Timeshares aren't good financial investments. There is a huge glut of hotel rooms in the US these days. Use priceline's name your own price for hotels and you'll save big $.

Should I buy a timeshare??

Q) I am thinking of buying a timeshare and I was wondering if anyone owns from Interval International. How much did you pay? Was it worth the money? And how easy is it to exchange for different locations around the world? Does anyone else own from a different company?? Please share your stories. Any help would be great. Thanks!

A) We got involved with BlueGreen. We aren't full owners yet, so after a year, we can back out. I think it's a waste. We never have the money for more than one vacation per year - even if our accomodations are "paid for." But myhusband thinks it's a good deal, so we disagree on what we are going to do at the end of the year. He thinks it's worth it because the membership from BlueGreen is a deed and can be left to your children. I have heard bad things, so I don't know. We looked into Wyndham and BlueGreen and BlueGreen was definitily a better deal. Make sure you ask about hidden charges! ("Cleaning fees" and such) They told us at both places that the switching you can do is about $200 per switch and you do that through a separate company. Don't forget that you will be paying monthly for your vacation property or membership. You will have to pay your mortgage plus your share of the fees (it's like a condo fee). BlueGreen only does automatic withdrawal from your bank account. Also, if you go to Wyndham or BlueGreen's sales presentations, you have to buy that day to get all their free stuff they are throwing in. So just be prepared and do research before you go. Good luck! :)

Should I buy a timeshare property from Interval International?

Q) I am thinking of buying a timeshare and I was wondering if anyone owns from Interval International. How much did you pay? Was it worth the money? And how easy is it to exchange for different locations around the world? Does anyone else own from a different company?? Please share your stories. Any help would be great. Thanks!

A) I really don't like the idea. Given the great lengths they go to sell these things, I just don't see how they can be so great. I'd rather pay for a vacation each year in a location of my choice and go online and get a great deal. I don't want to invest money in something like this. But that's just me!

Seriously...Why dont INDIANS buy timeshare? What is with the "I have to think about it" line?

Q) In all seriousness, every Indian that walks through our doors says "I have to think about it" This has gone on for decades. Whats the reason? And I dont mean to offend anyone by the way. Ive just always found it curious. I know Americanized Indians buy, but never true Indians who are at the heart of their cultures. Is it something with religion? Culture?

A) I worked with the Navajo for two years and they don't plan for the future...they only livefor the now. Buying a timeshare is for some time in the future. They also would probably never tell you no as to not offend you.

Should I buy a timeshare?

Q) I know that many people don't think that timeshares are a worthy investment... but does it make sense for me? (I like to take at least one weeklong trip--sometimes two--per year and I usually travel with at least two other people. I've seen some resales on the internet for 6-8000 and it seems like, at that cost, after a couple years, it would pay for itself. Anyone out there (possibly in a situation like mine) find their timeshare to be a worthy investment? Thanks for your help!

A) The salespeople call a timeshare "an investment." It is a very bad one at best. Not only the initial cost of the thing but the annual fee. Just go rent a motel in the area you want to vacation in. It's cheaper with no fees.

will i get my free gift even if i dont buy the timeshare?

Q) Today I am going to a timeshare presentation, by Shell vacations in Honolulu, HI. I am told They will give me 125 dollars cash just for going. What is the likelyhood of that happening.

A) I went to one in Cancun and they said they would give us $100 to spend in their gift shop ... and they did. If it is only 1 hour or so of time, it is worth it ... how often can you make that kind of money for just listening to a sales pitch!

did anyone buy a timeshare from tahitti village in April..If so did u get all the info sent to u like promised

Q) we bought one and we have not recieved anything to confirm it such as deed and tittle. Or even a statement about how much we have paid so far. The said they gave us 6 free trips and we havent seen anything on that either..

A) Your "name" says it all. You are a putz, and you fell for that Tahiti Village Scam.

Anyone buy a timeshare from Trendwest? How is it?

A) If buying timeshare, buy resale. You can check e-bay. I've heard that Trendwest will become Fairfield, but I'm not sure if it is all of the resorts or not. I've not stayed at a Trendwest. I find that Fairfield has the best resorts overall. If you intend to trade, then find a resort with a low MF.

Should I buy a timeshare @ Westgate in Sevierville?

A) The best way to buy a time share is one someone else is getting rid of. It will be a lot cheaper than one from the original seller. We bought one for 1/4 of the price on ebay. Check out ebay and there are newsletters and websites where people advertise time shares they are selling. Do not buy a time share to trade. Often, you cannot get anything you want by trading. Only buy where you would want to go at a week you would want to go. Realize that you have to pay the fee every year and for the fee for some places you could get a hotel room for the wee